Manna for Your Morning

…Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:40-42 (NLT) Don’t let the cares and events of this world keep you busy and distracted from the primary thing worth pursuing, time with King Yeshua, the Living Word. Be like Mary and sit at the Lord’s feet, listening to His teaching. (See Luke 10:39 NLT) Jesus said: “...one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42 NKJV) Make a dedicated decision, every day, to choose that “good part.”

“From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says Yahweh of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ — Malachi 3:7 (LSB) James 4:8 (AMP) says: “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].” You can be sure that when you draw near to Yahweh He will draw near to you. In Isaiah 29:13 (NASB1995) the Lord said: “…this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote…” let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22 NASB1995)

But now, O Yahweh, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand. — Isaiah 64:8 (LSB) Knowing that our heavenly Father loves us and the plans He has for us are good, let us be soft and pliable in His hand. Yield to His will and respond to His touch with a willing heart. …humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, (1 Peter 5:6 NASB1995). Just as making a beautiful creation out of a lump of clay is a process, so is the work Yahweh is doing in each one of us. Even in difficult times we are being shaped and molded to fulfill the plans and purposes He has for us. It may not always look pretty, but He has made everything beautiful in its time. (See Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV). On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers [arrogantly] back to God and dares to defy Him? Will the thing which is formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does the potter not have the right ove...

For they had not provided the Israelites with food and water in the wilderness. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse them, though our God turned the curse into a blessing. — Nehemiah 13:2 (NLT) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12 NLT) With our great and mighty God, what our enemy plans for evil against us, can be turned around for good. Just as Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 50:20 (NLT): “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” The difficulties, troubles and trials we go through could result in the salvation of others. We may sow some tears, but do not grow weary or become discouraged. There will come a time of joyful shouting. (See Psalm 126:5) Amen. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jere...

I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!  If I go up to heaven, you are there;  if I go down to the grave, you are there. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. — Psalm 139:7-8, 11-12 (NLT) It is never beneficial, nor effective to try and hide from the Presence of the LORD. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:24 NLT) What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their evil deeds in the dark! “The LORD can’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know what’s going on!” (Isaiah 29:15 NLT) Never let the enemy drive you away from the Presence of YAHWEH. Instead of running away from the LORD, He calls us to come to Him. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” (See Revelation...

So don’t allow your hearts to grow dull or lose your enthusiasm, but follow the example of those who fully received what God has promised because of their strong faith and patient endurance. — Hebrews 6:12 (TPT) Let us follow Abraham’s example. He waited patiently in faith and succeeded in seeing the promise fulfilled. (See Hebrews 6:13-15) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4 NKJV) Quiet your heart in his presence and wait patiently for Yahweh…(Psalm 37:7a TPT) May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. — 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT)

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. — Zechariah 4:6 (NASB) When we try to accomplish anything in sheer human strength and might, we get stressed out, grow weary, and then become discouraged. Instead, let us submit to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Be led by His Spirit in all you do. We are overcomers because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. (See 1 John 4:4) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB) “... with God all things are possible. ” — Matthew 19:26 (NASB)

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD. — Psalm 89:15 (NLT) Why worry, when you are called to worship? Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy hill, for holy is the Lord our God. (Psalm 99:9 NASB) Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 NKJV) O LORD, our LORD, How majestic is Your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:9 NASB) Just one day in the courts of Your temple is greater than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather serve as a porter at my God’s doorstep than live in luxury in the house of the wicked. (Psalm 84:10 VOICE)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! — Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) No peace? Fix your thoughts upon the LORD. He keeps in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is committed and focused on Him. Fix your thoughts on His power and His ability to handle everything that concerns you. Meditate on His abundant compassion and kindness, to protect you as a loving Father. Take comfort in His Presence. He is always with you. Trust Him to guide you along on the path He has for you, and true peace will be yours. He will give you peace at all times and in every way as you continually fix your thoughts on Him.

War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. — Revelation 12:7-9 (MSG) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NIV) Don’t be led astray. Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:7-8)

“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. — Isaiah 54:10 (NLT) Your world may be falling apart, but His unfailing love will remain. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (Romans 8:35 NLT). No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NLT). None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. (Romans 8:38 MSG)

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. — Romans 4:20-21 (NKJV) Now is not the time to waver in unbelief concerning the promises of God, nor doubt and be driven and tossed by the wind like a wave in the sea. We have a great big God, doing great big things! The Message Bible says Abraham plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. Let us follow in the footsteps of Abraham, the Father of faith. Be strengthened in faith, give glory to God and be fully convinced that He will fulfill what He has promised. Amen!

And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. — 1 John 2:25 (NKJV) God planted eternity in the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT). And of all the promises God gave us in His Word, the promise of eternal life is the ultimate one. This is eternal life, that we may know Him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3). Our heavenly Father created us to know Him and be in constant fellowship with Him and His Son Jesus Christ. May we always seek to grow more intimate in our relationship with the Lord and become more like Him as we gain greater  understanding of His ways and His nature.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. — Ephesians 5:1 (NLT) Little children often imitate their parents. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2). Let us follow His example.

The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.  — Psalm 37:18-19 (NIV ) The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is right, and who speaks the truth from their heart, abide under the LORD's care. They will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. When disaster strikes, they do not wither, instead they grow stronger and stronger. Even though the world may experience lack and famine, God's children will have more than enough. Hallelujah!

But I am oppressed and needy. May the Lord think of me. You are my help and my savior. O my God, do not delay! Psalm 40:17 (GW) Sometimes when we are in the thick of tough times, we may think the LORD has forgotten about us. We cry out for God to quickly come to our aid. Our hearts may cry out, "do not delay!" Let us remember, that God has everything that concerns us under control. While we wait for an answer, our heavenly Father is orchestrating events to come together at the perfect time, the appointed time. All of our days were written in His book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16), including the day of our deliverance. When our situation unfolds, our response is often utter amazement as we look at what God has done.

Some trust in chariots, others in horses, but we trust the Lord our God. They are overwhelmed and defeated, but we march forward and win. Psalm 20:7-8 (NCV) Those who trust in the LORD our God will march forward and win. They will experience sweet victory! Those who put their trust in created things instead of the Creator will be defeated. Let all your faith and hope rest on our great and glorious God.

Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, "This is God's year to act!" Luke 4:17-19 (The Message) Jesus came to this earth to set those who are burdened and battered free. He said, " Come to me all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest, " (Matthew 11:28, NCV). If you are burdened and battered, the good news is that you can be set free from the load you are lugging around by giving it all to Jesus. Let go of your load and lay your head on the shoulder of the Savior. And you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29, NIV). Now is the time to walk in the freedom of the Lord. Love, Jackie

Now a man named Lazarus was sick.  When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 10:1, 4 (NIV) Jesus didn't say that Lazarus would not die. He said His sickness would not end in death. If you are involved in a life or death situation, remember, it will not end in death. Our great God has resurrection power. He gives new life to dead things. Maybe it is a relationship gone bad, a sickness or a situation you are in, or even the condition of your heart. Ask God to bring it back to life. Love, Jackie