Manna for Your Morning

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. — Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT) Strip off the weights, ignore the distractions and run your race. No turning back!

“ So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] LORD [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]. ” — Hosea 6:3a (AMP) Let us press on to know the LORD. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared [with awe-filled reverence] above all gods. (1 Chronicles 16:25 AMP) For His lovingkindness prevails over us [and we triumph and overcome through Him], and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!) (Psalm 117:2 AMP) May we be in a persistent, passionate pursuit of His Presence. Honor, heed (obey) and deeply cherish Him. “As sure as dawn breaks, so sure is his daily arrival. He comes as rain comes, as spring rain refreshing the ground.” — Hosea 6:3b (MSG)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’ — Matthew 25:34 (NIV) “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, He will separate them one from another. He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31-32)  The sheep will receive their inheritance, because Jesus says, “I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” (Matthew 25:35-36) And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:40) Sheep follow in the footsteps of their Shepherd. They tend to the needs of their neighbors. They comfort those who are in any trouble, with the same comfort they rece...

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” — Isaiah 7:9 (NIV) When their enemies came to make war against the people of Jerusalem, God sent His prophet to King Ahaz. Isaiah said to him, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart…” (Isaiah 7:4) This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “ It will not take place, it will not happen …” (Isaiah 7:7). When the enemy threatens destruction, be careful about the words you speak, keep calm and don’t let fear grip you. Remember that the lies and threats of the enemy cannot prevail over you. God has given us authority on the earth. Stand firm in your faith. Believe that God is able to deliver you. Believe that He is willing. Believe that He will do exactly as He has said. God cannot lie. (Titus 1:2)

Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah — Psalm 62:8 (NKJV) If we want to enjoy the peace of God every minute of the day, we have to walk along the path of fully trusting God, no matter what may come. Don’t let your mind get carried away on the train of worry, anxiety and doubt. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34 MSG) As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30)

Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave the people this message from the LORD: “I am with you, says the LORD!” — Haggai 1:13 (NLT) This morning, I give you this message: “The LORD is with you!” Have you ever wondered why God repeatedly reminds us, in His Word, that He is with us? Could it be that He wants us to remember that He is always there to help us and comfort us, to lead us and guide us. We never have to feel alone, rejected or abandoned. He is there to catch us if we fall. In Isaiah 41:10 , He says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” He is with us to support and strengthen us. Praise the LORD for His Presence!

For I will [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I will replenish every languishing and sorrowful person. — Jeremiah 31:25 (AMP) As we abide in His Presence, our heavenly Father fully satisfies our weary souls. His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, empowers us with everything we need to successfully navigate our way through each moment of the day. He gives us strength for every struggle. Put your hand in His and let Him be your guide. He alone is the source of our peace, and joy and only in His Presence will we be fully satisfied and fulfilled.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. — Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) Sometimes we struggle because we are trying to do things in our flesh. As we submit to God and allow His Holy Spirt to work in us and through us we have peace. We accomplish things of eternal value, not by might nor power, but by His Holy Spirit. In 2 Chronicles 20:17, the LORD said His people, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you,” We have to get ourselves in the right position, as the Holy Spirit leads us, but the battle belongs to the LORD (1 Samuel 17:47).

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty.” — Ruth 1:20-21 (NKJV) Naomi was to busy looking at her losses, the death of her husband and two sons, to see what she did have. She had a faithful daughter-in-law who was committed to her and her God. In the midst of adversity and affliction and even extreme suffering, we must remember that God is on our side and He is in the process of working everything together for good. It’s not over yet! Instead of focusing on the emptiness, what you don’t have, look at what you do have, a compassionate God who loves you. When you “feel” empty, fill your cup with the Presence of His Holy Spirit, our Comforter.

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. Jeremiah 29:11-12 (The Message) Every day of your life was recorded in God's book, every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalm 139:16, NLT). The situation that seems impossible is possible with Him. The LORD already has a plan to bring you out of whatever trials may come and He will not abandon you in the midst of them. His plans are for good, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. And rest assured that the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart lasts through all generations (Psalm 33:11, NIV). Hallelujah!

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV) The LORD has been good to you. If He woke you up this morning, you have reason to rejoice. If you have a healthy body and a sound mind, He has been good to you. If you have a roof over your head and food on your table, He has dealt bountifully with you. The LORD has been good to you because He first loved you and chose you to be a part of His family. God is good all the time! Rejoice in your salvation and sing to the LORD. Love, Jackie

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11 (NIV) As we continually walk according to God's will, we can be confident that no good thing will be withheld from us. He will give us favor and honor. He will open doors for us that no man can shut. Those who walk with God will be respected in their families, on their jobs and in their communities. Praise the LORD! I encourage you to keep your walk on the straight and narrow path that leads to life. Live your life within the margins. Love, Jackie