Manna for Your Morning

  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. — Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) It’s important that we have eyes that see clearly. What we choose to look at, will guide our beliefs and actions and lead us along certain pathways. That’s why the Bible tells us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and to meditate on His Word day and night (Joshua 1:8). In Habakkuk 2:2 (NASB), the LORD said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.” God’s vision for our lives is recorded in His Word. It will give us the proper perspective. Let us read it and run. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. (Psalm 37:5 NASB) If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. — Proverbs 29:18 (MSG)

always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; — Ephesians 5:20 (AMP) Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. (James 1:17 NLT) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1 NLT) Give thanks to the only miracle working God! His tender love for us continues on forever! (Psalm 136:4 TPT) Give thanks to Him who made the heavens with skill, and spread out the earth above the waters… (Psalm 136:5a & 6a) He rescues us from our adversaries and gives food to all flesh, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalm 136:24a & 25) Let your heart overflow with praise to the True God of heaven, for His faithful love lasts forever. — Psalm 136:26 (VOICE)

God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked. — Psalm 9:9-10 (MSG) You may be hard pressed on every side, but you are not crushed. You may be perplexed but don’t be driven to despair. You may be persecuted but you are never abandoned by God. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Even when you walk through the darkest valley, have no fear, because the LORD is with you, to protect, to guide, and to comfort. You can count on the LORD, no matter what. He will never, neglect those who come to Him for help. And those who know Your name [who have experienced Your precious mercy] will put their confident trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not abandoned those who seek You.  — Psalm 9:10 (AMP )

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. — John 6:37 (NKJV) Proverbs 25:17 (NLT) says, “Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.” We may wear out our welcome with people, but never with our Lord and Savior. Jesus always invites us to come to Him. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him. In Mark 10:14, He told the disciples, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” In John 7:37, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)

The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” — Luke 10:42 (MSG) Don’t get so worked up about the events of this world. The worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and will cause you to become unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22). May we be like Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. (Luke 10:39). Why consume an unhealthy snack, when you can feast on a full course that will sustain you and give you strength? Choose Jesus, the main course! He is the bread of life. (John 6:48).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. — Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) Do not rely on your own insight or understanding. We have a limited vision, we know in part. And sometimes we get carried away by our emotions or led astray by listening to the wrong voices. Instead, rely on God, who wrote the Book and sees the whole picture. Let us trust in the LORD, He has a lasting legacy of fulfilling all His promises. As you seek His will, He will show you which path to take, where to turn and when to keep straight. He will see you through each and every one of life events and circumstances.

Are you listening? I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint. — Habakkuk 2:1 (NLT) Have you ever had someone ask you and question and then not listen for the answer? Sometimes we pour out our questions to God and never listen for His reply. There is a lot of noise in the world. We have to be careful whose voice we choose to listen to. May we drown out the meaningless chatter and listen intently for His voice. The Holy Spirit is always speaking to us. Just like we program our favorite radio station for easy access, we have to stay tuned in to His still small voice to receive His wise counsel and guidance.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. — Romans 12:9 (NLT) Let us deeply and sincerely love others. For most people, it's easy to say, “I love you” but a sincere love is not only spoken. It is shown with action and backed up with a kind and supportive attitude. What we do speaks volumes more than what we say. When Jesus showed the disciples the full extent of His love, He washed their feet (John 13:1-5). Afterward, Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet,” (John 13:14). Are you a disciple of Christ? Are you washing the feet of others, (helping to meet their needs)?

The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into cul-de-sacs of gossip . — 1 Timothy 1:5-6 (The Message) In 1 Corinthians 13:3, the Apostle Paul said, “if I don’t love, I’m nothing.” Jesus commands us to love each other as He has loved us. He showed the greatest love of all when He lay down His life for us (John 15:12-13). Open your life to God and let love freely flow from a pure heart and a clear conscience, uncontaminated by self-seeking desires. Without love, the words that come out of one's mouth is meaningless chatter.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV) The LORD, our God is an ever-present help. He does not leave us in our time of need. His Spirit dwells within us and He is all around us. Even when the world as we know it falls apart, we shall not fear because He is our safe sanctuary. In Him, we have the strength to withstand any adversity. Amen.

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. - Matthew 2:9-11 (The Message) The wise men were in the right place at the right time! Any time we are in the Presence of the Lord, we are in the right place. May you come to the throne room of Jesus and bow down and worship Him. In His Presence you find inexpressible joy and overriding peace. Will you present Him with the gift of your heart today? Love, Jackie

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:3-5 (NIV) Let us call to the Lord all day long because He is forgiving and He is good. His love flourishes upon all who call to Him. His ear is always open to our cries and He is faithful to answer each one. Love, Jackie