Manna for Your Morning

“Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!” — Proverbs 14:23 (NLT) “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” (Proverbs 13:4 NLT) “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” (Proverbs 13:11 NLT) Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NLT) “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT) “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Colossians 3:23 NLT) “So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life… (See Ecclesiastes 3:22 NLT)

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” — Psalm 27:8 (NLT) Seek the face of YAHWEH in prayer, and require His Presence as your greatest need. (See Psalm 27:8 AMP) Desire more of Him, above anything else. Our primary goal is to live close to the LORD, to know Him more and more each day, and respond to His will and His Word. Let us get rid of the clutter in our minds, hearts and lives. The worries and cares of this world will choke the Word out. (See Mark 4:19) And let go of man-made traditions. In Mark 7:8 (AMP) Yeshua says: “You disregard and neglect the commandment of God, and cling [faithfully] to the tradition of men.” Instead, listen for His still small voice, and your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. (See Isaiah 30:21 NLT). Be a follower of Christ, not man. It is from Him, that all our blessings flow. Amen. First and most import...

Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. — Philippians 4:6 (VOICE) Do not be anxious or worried about anything. Instead, talk to God about your concerns, and thank Him for all He has done. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16 (AMP)

Jesus answered, “Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull’s-eye in fact: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they are worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy, ditching God’s command and taking up the latest fads.” — Mark 7:6-8 (MSG) But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (John 4:23 NKJV) For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) Don't be like the Scribes and Pharisees. Their walk did not line up with their talk. Everything God did for us and is continually doing, is because of His great love for us. Out of our love for God, let us be true worshipers, not only speaking the Word of God, but also making sure our actions line up with His Word. James 1:22 (NLT) says, But don’t just l...

God is all strength for his people, ample refuge for his chosen leader; Save your people and bless your heritage. Care for them; carry them like a good shepherd. — Psalm 28:8-9 MSG My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” (Psalm 27:8 NLT) God tells us to come to Him, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. — 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT) I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT). God has given us a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). May we stop trying to do things in our limited human strength and draw from God's supernatural power that resides in us. May we be brave, bold and courageous as we continue to fight the good fight of faith, empowered by His Spirit!

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; — Luke 24:15 (NIV) Jesus joined two of the disciples, while they were talking and walking to another village. As we go from place to place, in the course of our day, Jesus comes and walks alongside us too. He is with you as you sit in your vehicle, stuck in traffic. May we always be aware and sensitive to His Presence as we walk, talk and do whatever it is that consumes our waking life. He is our constant Companion and guide. As we abide in His Presence, His grace empowers us to do all that we are called to do. As Philippians 4:13 says, we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength! Amen.

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” — Psalm 27:8 (NLT) Everything God does in our lives is to draw us closer to Him. Every challenge He allows strengthens us and makes us more like Him, so we can grow closer to Him and bring others with us; those who can relate to our struggles. God comforts us in all our troubles, so we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:4). Let us embrace each and every moment God gives us, on this earth, and take great delight in His Presence each step of the way. In the fullness of His Presence, we have all that we need. Amen!

I cried out to God with my voice— to God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted. — Psalm 77:1-2 (NKJV) When troubles come cry out to God. He will hear you. Remember that He is good and He does good (Psalm 119:68). Recall the works of the LORD; Surely remember His wonders of old. Also meditate on all His work, and talk of His deeds (Psalm 77:11-12). When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles (Psalm 34:17, AMP).

Then they journeyed… and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? ” — Numbers 21:4-5 (NKJV) Many of the people of Israel died from fiery serpents because they complained against the LORD (Numbers 21:6-7). When you become discouraged and don't understand “why?” God has allowed something to happen in your life, let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth (Ephesians 4:29, NIV). Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, — Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV)

So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. — Acts 24:16 (NIV) May we be like the Apostle Paul, and do our absolute best to maintain a clear conscience in the sight of God and people. That means we walk in God's ways, loving all people and showing partiality to no one.  We bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone (Colossians 3:13). And we do not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). Amen!

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”  — Psalm 27:8 (NLT) Abba Father simply says,  “ Come! ”  He puts no restrictions or conditions on it. We don't have to try to get ourselves together before we come. We can come exactly the way we are. He wants us close to Him, like any loving father desires to have His children near. His ears are attentive to your voice. He says,  “ come and talk to Me. ”  What is your response?

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: — Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV) In the process of pursuing peace, let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). And remember, a gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare (Proverbs 15:1, NLT).

“All these evil things begin inside people, in the mind: evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, evil actions, lying, doing sinful things, jealousy, speaking evil of others, pride, and foolish living. All these evil things come from inside and make people unclean.” Mark 7:21-23 (NCV) What a person says reflect the nature of their heart. When we talk, we should always be kind and pleasant so we will be able to answer everyone in the proper way (Colossians 4:6, NCV). Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24, NLT).

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29 (NCV) Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God (Ephesians 5:4, NLT). As you spend time with family and friends remember to speak encouraging words that will build them up and make them stronger. May the words you speak give honor and glory to God. Amen. Love, Jackie