Manna for Your Morning

“ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. ” — John 15:4-5 (NASB) If we want to live a fruitful life, we must stay connected to Jesus. Our fulfillment comes as we abide in the vine and receive what He gives us. Connected we receive all that we need to survive and thrive: life, living water, light, nourishment, strength, etc. And our union with Christ enables us to grow and mature, and bring our purpose and destiny to fruition. If we become disconnected from the vine, our fruit will wither and die, because it has been cut off from its source of life. “ I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ” — John 15:1 (NASB)

My friends, we are not those who give up hope and so are lost; but we are of the company who live by faith and so are saved. — Hebrews 10:39 (VOICE) … we are certainly not those who are held back by fear and perish; we are among those who have faith and experience true life! — Hebrews 10:39 (TPT) Why quit? The fight is fixed! The war has already been won! In Christ, we are walking out our victory. We are more than conquerors! Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57) Don’t give up and don’t draw back. Move onward and forward. Press on and lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has called you to fulfill. Run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. (Hebrews 12:1b (TPT) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14 NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge...

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. — Psalm 103:2-3 (NLT) We are forgiven! The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. (Psalm 103:8 NASB) He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:10-12 NLT) Let us be like our heavenly Father, and give grace to others. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. (Colossians 3:13) Instead of bearing grudges, build bridges. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you. ...

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. — Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV) God loves us with an everlasting love. What great love the Father has lavished on us! His love never fails, nor falls short. In love, He created us, and continually cares for us. His love is not based on our performance. He loves us because that is who He is. God is love (1 John 4:8). He draws us closer to Him with lovingkindness. He sacrificed His only Son to restore us back into relationship with Him. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 36:7 NLT) Open your heart to receive His love and walk in it every moment of the day. Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the LORD. (Psalm 23:6 AMP)

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. — Hebrews 3:1 (NIV) If we want to rise up to another level of living and being, we have to elevate our thoughts. There is no other name higher than the name of Jesus. Let us fix our thoughts on Him. The New Living Translation says to think carefully about this Jesus. The Amplified Bible instructs us to thoughtfully and attentively consider Him. As we fix our thoughts on Jesus, we will be more likely to follow Him. As we give attention to Him, we will become more like Him. So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. (Hebrews 3:1-2 MSG)

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) God chose us and called us, and He has plans to give us a future and a hope. We are to progress forward and upward, as we pursue the good plans and purposes God has for us. In Philippians 3:12, the Apostle Paul says, not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. May we too, PRESS ON! Instead of letting the difficulties set you back, use them to take a step up, into a stronger, more spacious place in God. Run your race, with your eye on the prize, being fully confident that He who began a good work in you, is faithful to complete it.

  So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” — 2 Kings 6:16 (NKJV) When prophet Elisha's servant got up and went out, he was overcome with fear as he saw the great army that had surrounded the city. But Elisha prayed that the LORD would open his eyes that he may see. Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). When it seems the enemy has you surrounded on every side, do not fear. There are more on our side than his. If God is for us who can be against? With our God we gain the victory, and He tramples down our enemies (Psalm 108:13). Praise the LORD!

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” — Acts 23:11 (NKJV) Today, we can be of good cheer, because the Lord stands by us. If all others forsake us, He will still be there. The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV). In 2 Timothy 4:17, the Apostle Paul says, “the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached...” We are to bear witness of Jesus, at this time, to this generation, and He stands by us to give us strength.

What you say goes—it always has. “Beauty” and “Holy” mark your palace rule, God, to the very end of time.  — Psalm 93:5 (The Message) Perfect in beauty, God shines forth! “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8) Our Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5). Gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple (Psalm 27:4).  Worship the LORD in the beauty of His holiness! Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do (1 Peter 1:15). For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4).

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 (NLT) The peace that Jesus gives does not depend on outer circumstances. He said it was a gift the world could not take away from us. When we embrace true peace, we have no worries or fear. His peace abides with us in this life and for eternity. Keep your mind and heart stayed upon the peace of God.

The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. 2 Timothy 4:16-18 (NLT) When it seems as though everyone has abandoned you, the Lord stands by your side. You are not alone. Like the Apostle Paul, God will deliver you from every evil attack and bring you safely into His heavenly Kingdom. Amen. Love, Jackie

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Psalm 73:27-28 (NIV) It is good to be near God. In His presence there is fullness of joy. As long as we dwell near Him, we are under the mighty arm of God and His protection. When we are near Him, peace floods our souls and His marvelous love fills our spirits. The Presence of God breaks through confusion and brings clarity. When we are by His side, He can chase away all sickness and pain, sorrow and grief. Close to Him is where I want to be every moment of every day. Love, Jackie