Manna for Your Morning

… that He (the Father) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. — Ephesians 3:16-19 (NASB1995) The root of the tree draws in the nourishment it needs to survive. Let us be deeply rooted and grounded in the love of God, and draw our nourishment and strength from Him. In him we live and move and exist. (See Acts 17:28)  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the ear...

“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” — Deuteronomy 4:29 (NASB1995) From wherever you are today, seek Yahweh. The LORD is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works. (Psalms 145:9 NASB1995) The LORD sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. (Psalms 145:14 NASB1995) The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalms 145:17-18 NASB1995)

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. — Daniel 10:12 (NLT) May we humble ourselves before Yahweh in prayer, and know that His ears are open to the cry of His people. In Matthew 26:41 (AMP), Jesus instructed His disciples: “Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” James 5:16 (AMP) says: confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. Always pray and do not lose heart. (See Luke 18:1) Before calling on God in prayer, we first need to humble ourselves, as 2 Chronicles 7:14 points ...

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. — Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT) Let us take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have in Christ serves as an anchor that will keep us from drifting away and suffering shipwreck in regards to our faith. It will hold us steady in the storms of life. Do not be spiritually sluggish, instead be imitators of those who through faith, lean on God with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in His power, and through faith and patience inherit the promises. (See Hebrews 6:11-12) Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipw...

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can’t take it all in! — Psalm 139:1-6 (MSG) The Most High God is Yahweh-Shammah, our ever-present God. Let His Presence be your hope and your confidence. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (See Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. (Psalm 125:2 NKJV)

Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are God Who Sees”; for she said, “Have I not even here [in the wilderness] remained alive after seeing Him [who sees me with understanding and compassion]?” — Genesis 16:13 (AMP) Our heavenly Father is El Roi, the God Who Sees Me. The angel of the LORD spoke to Hagar by a spring of water in the wilderness. Abba Father knows exactly where you are at today, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And He sees you with understanding and compassion. He knows your difficulties and disappointments. He is familiar with your limitations and weaknesses. He knows your hurts, and fearful thoughts. Psalm 139:4 says, even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all. However, He still loves you with an everlasting love and He is always willing to help. And with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) Amen and hallelujah!  O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit ...

Be still before the LORD; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. — Psalm 34:7 (AMP) Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. (Psalm 34:5-6 NASB) Evildoers will be cut off. The arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD sustains the righteous. (Psalm 34:17) Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. (Psalm 34:18 NLT) God's got you!

Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. — Galatians 6:9 (AMP) He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31 NLT) We find new strength as we keep trusting in our mighty God.

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” — Luke 12:27-28 (NLT) “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” (Luke 12:29-30 NLT)

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. — Hebrews 6:19 (NLT) Yesterday, my husband and I had the privilege of pinning my daughter's anchors on her, at the Chief Petty Officer's Pinning Ceremony. I learned that the anchor conveys a strength of character, and a more direct purpose. They said the anchors could take a beating. They are durable, but they can also be buffed up and will shine brightly. Sailors look for the Chief in times of stress, times of fear, times of uncertainty and times of loneliness, to guide them, —to bring them home safely. As believers, our hope in Christ is our anchor. It is where we are to look, at all times. Jesus will keep us from drifting off course. He will keep us steady in stormy times. And He will always draw us to the Father, our true home. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us (Hebrews ...

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! — Acts 16:25-26 (NLT) I have often heard that life is not so much what happens to you, it's more about your response to what happens. Paul and Silas were dragged, had their clothes torn off, were beaten and thrown in prison. However, they didn’t let their circumstances get them down. They were praying and singing hymns to God. No matter what your circumstance, turn your attention to God, who holds the universe in His hands. Are there things in your life that need to be shaken? Do you have some doors that need to be opened? A little prayer and praise goes a long way. And it also has a profound impact on those around you, just as Paul and Silas effected the prisoners around them. How are you reacting to...

So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. — 1 Peter 5:6 (MSG) We are not always where we expected to be at certain phases in our life. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12 NKJV). Part of being content is the art of surrendering to God’s perfect timing. God uses every situation we go through, and the pain and suffering we experience, to refine us and help prepare us for what’s next, as we go from glory to glory. It will all come together at just the right time, God’s appointed time. May we find contentment in every circumstance, knowing that God is working for our good.

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. — Hebrews 6:11-12 (NKJV) Stay passionate and diligently pursue the call of God on your life. As you encounter various challenges and difficulties do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). It takes faith and patience to endure the troubles and trials. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them (Hebrews 6:12, The Message). Complete the course! Run the race, to the end!

For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.  — Psalm 97:9-12 (NIV) The LORD preserves the lives of His saints and delivers us from the hand of our enemies. Praise His holy name! He causes His light and joy to shine on those who are upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) If you are having troubles of any kind, find comfort in the loving arms of our heavenly Father. Know that He will hold you up and be your strength. God will guide you through the storms to bright, sunny days. Amen.

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! Wake up, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, LORD, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 108:1-4 (NLT) Let your heart be confident in God. When we completely trust in the LORD, we will sing His praises and thanksgiving will continually be on our lips. Rely on God for His love never fails and there is no end to His faithfulness. Sing to the LORD, your God. Love, Jackie