Manna for Your Morning

Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness], — Philippians 2:14-15 (AMP)  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NASB)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. — Revelation 3:20 (NASB) Jesus is continually knocking. Pay attention and have ears to hear His call. Open the door of your heart and invite Him in. Dine with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He wants to bring healing and wholeness to every part of our hearts and every area of our lives. May we partake of the living Bread. In John 6:48 (AMP), Jesus said: “I am the Bread of Life [the Living Bread which gives and sustains life].” Let the Living Water satisfy your soul. In John 7:37 (NLT) Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!” “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:38 NLT) You spread out a table before me, provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies; You care for all my needs, anointing my h...

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. — Matthew 12:25 (NKJV) If America (or any other country), doesn’t come together in unity we will fall. It all starts with the Church, the body of Christ. Believers are to unite in a bond of brotherhood, coming together under the banner of Jesus, as citizens of God’s kingdom. When others dish out hate we are to pile on love. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions. (Proverbs 10:12 NASB) Let us pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). James 3:9-10 (NLT) has this to say about the tongue: Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Be gracious in your sp...

“ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ”  — John 15:13-14 (NKJV) Jesus showed Himself a faithful friend when He gave His life to set us free and bring us into eternal fellowship with the Father. When you need a friend, Jesus is always there. He is a constant companion, and will never abandon you. He is compassionate and continually cares for you. Take whatever concerns you have to Him. Jesus is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24b AMP). He is a loyal friend who loves at all times. (Proverbs 17:17a NKJV) Let us show ourselves friendly to God, by doing whatever He commands: loving Him with all of our hearts and souls, and by loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:37, 39) Amen.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. — James 1:17 (NKJV) All that God has made available to us is a good gift: love, peace, joy, strength, etc. Our very lives, are a gift from our heavenly Father. It's His breath in our lungs. One of the greatest gifts He gives is the honor of dwelling in His Presence and having His Spirit living inside of us. This empowers us to be who He created us to be and to do what He has called us to do. Let His gifts unfold in your life. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23b). God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8 NLT).  So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven… (James 1:16-17 MSG)

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— — 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NKJV) In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, the Apostle Paul spoke of the troubles they experienced. He says, they were crushed and overwhelmed beyond their ability to endure, and thought they would never live through it. In fact, he says, they expected to die. But as a result, they stopped relying on themselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. When troubles press in on us from every side, may we learn to rely on God. Keep things in the proper perspective. With all that has come against us, we are not destroyed. Praise God that we are still alive and we can always count on Him to bring us through whatever comes our way!

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand (Psalm 95:6-7). Our heavenly Father faithfully keeps watch over us, like a shepherd caring for His sheep. He created us to be in fellowship with Him. Our lives are to be in a consistent, intimate exchange with the One who created us, the One who loves us so very much. Let us humbly bow down and acknowledge our Maker, the Most High God. Worship Him with a sincere heart, thankful for all that He is and grateful for all that He does.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. — Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) As a person thinks in their heart so is he. Where our minds go, we tend to follow. That's why it is so important for us to renew our minds according to the Word of God (Romans 12:2). What we think about most tends to be what we talk about and our words usually lead to our actions. We can think happy, hopeful thoughts, speak words of hope and joy and we will tend to do things that create joy in our atmosphere.

He is the one who will rescue you from hunters’ traps and from deadly plagues. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.  — Psalm 91:3-4 (GW) When we continually abide under the shadow of the Almighty, we don't need to fear terrors of the night, the arrows that fly during the day, the plagues that roam the dark, or epidemics that strike at noon (Psalm 91:5-6). Our heavenly Father covers us with the feathers of His love. If we get ensnared by a trap of the enemy, He rescues us. His truth shields us from the lies of the evil one. Thank God for His faithfulness!

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:6-8 (NLT) God is so good. He has showered us with His everlasting kindness and bathed us in His glorious grace. The Creator of the universe separated us from our sins, as far as the east is from the west, and remembers them no more. He set us free from sin and death and brought us into His family to experience a victorious and abundant life, one that is full of joy and peace. Amen.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 (AMP) Satan, the thief, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). He will steal your joy, and your peace, if you let him. Jesus came that we may enjoy an abundant life. In 1 Timothy 6:17 the Apostle Paul says that we are to put our hope in God, Who has richly provided us with everything for our enjoyment. May you seek first the kingdom of God and partake of a full life on earth and an eternal life in heaven. Glory to God. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 (KJV) Love, Jackie

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind... Romans 7:21-23 (NIV) Be on the alert, we are in a war. Fight the good fight of faith. Evil with its temptations is always lurking about. We consistently have to choose to follow God and delight in doing His will.  Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory in Jesus Christ. Love, Jackie