Manna for Your Morning

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. — Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) Let the peace of God reassure your heart and stand guard over your mind. He will be the security and stability of our times, a treasure of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is our treasure. (See Isaiah 33:6 AMP) Let us be agents of peace and calm, during times of conflict and unrest. May we be men and women of faith and courage in times of confusion and fear.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:28-29 (NASB)  Jesus calls ALL who are weary and heavily burdened to come to Him. God shows no favoritism (Acts 10:34 NLT). He longs for us to come close to Him. The invitation to come is an open invitation to come any time and in any condition, come just as you are, just COME . If you are carrying a heavy burden today, give all your worries and cares to God because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) When we put His yoke on, we join our hearts and lives to Him. We walk with Christ and and let Him work with us and through us. We let go of the world’s ways and learn His ways. When we are yoked to Jesus, our weary souls will find rest. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. — Psalm 23:2 (NLT)

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. — Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) It’s by His Spirit that our battles are won. By His Spirit we overcome obstacles and triumph through trials and tribulation. We can experience joy on the job with the Holy Spirit as our constant companion. With the comfort of the Holy Spirit we can have peace in the midst of problems. He will strengthen you in times of sorrow and sadness. Instead of resisting the Holy Spirit, receive Him, with an open and humble heart. ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. ’ (Acts 2:17 NKJV)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Be anxious for nothing. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. (Psalm 112:4, 6-8 NIV)

Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God … — 1 Chronicles 22:19 (NIV) Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. — Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV) The bling-bling of this world are distractions, designed to get your attention and steal your affections. In the eternal scheme, they have no real value, they are temporary and shallow. All they will ever do is leave you wanting more. There will always be something bigger, better and faster. When we seek the LORD first and foremost, we truly experience a deep and lasting satisfaction. His Spirit dwelling in us reaches every crevice, enlightens the dark places and fills the emptiness. And those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:10). Amen!

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. — Ephesians 6:10 (AMP) So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels (Ephesians 6:11-12 MSG). In order to fight to the finish, we must continually draw our strength from the Lord. And let us fight the good fight of faith with the weapons He has provided, His Word and prayer. Then we will stand victorious!

Then she called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back.” So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “It is well.” — 2 Kings 4:22-23 (NKJV) The son of the Shunammite woman had just sat in her lap and died, and yet she responds to her husband that “It is well.” What living hope, what blind faith, what reliance on God and His extravagant goodness. May we have the eyes to look at adverse circumstances, full of faith. Let us keep our hope alive, and anchored in the LORD, no matter how dead situations may appear to our natural eyes. And may we always trust in God and rely on Him to revive that which seems utterly hopeless. Blessed is the man or woman who trusts in the LORD! (Psalm 34:8)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. — Romans 8:28 (NKJV) Everything that happens may not make sense when we look at one single event, but our heavenly Father has a plan and He will cause everything to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His design and purpose. Just stay strong in faith and keep your trust in Him!

Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. — Judges 16:19 (NKJV) Samson allowed Delilah to lull him to sleep and when he awoke from his sleep, he did not even realize that the LORD had departed from him. Have you been lulled to sleep by the things of this world? It is time to ARISE! “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:14).

But the person who trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will show him that he can be trusted. He will be strong, like a tree planted near water that sends its roots by a stream. It is not afraid when the days are hot; its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year when no rain comes; it always produces fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NCV) Blessed is the person who totally trusts in the Lord. That person will be strong in times of intense heat and he will have no worries in times of scarcity because the Lord will protect and provide. If you plant yourself in the Presence of God and let your roots grow deep in Him, you will be blessed with fruitfulness. Put all your confidence in the Lord and He will show you that He can be trusted.

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT) Fight the good fight of faith. The devil is intent on stealing your faith. We must keep the faith and complete our race. When the situations you face oppose the Word of God, choose to believe God's Word. Matthew 13:58 says Jesus did not do many miracles in His hometown because of their lack of faith. When you walk in faith the windows of heaven are open for the power of God to manifest in your life. Keep the faith and receive the prize the Lord has for you. Love, Jackie

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV) When our flesh fails us and our hearts grow weak, God is our strength. I have not been feeling well since last Wednesday morning when I started having muscle spasms in my upper back and then I caught a cold in addition. But God sent me this word this morning to remind me that even though my flesh is failing, He will always be my strength and my portion. Let us thank God for every day He gives us on this earth. Love, Jackie