Manna for Your Morning

We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. — 2 Corinthians 3:18 (TPT) As we draw close to Him, we are progressively being transformed into the image of God. May we become more like Him, every day. Let us forgive others, the way He has forgiven us. (See Matthew 6:14-15). God's thoughts about us outnumber the grains of sand. May Jesus be at the center of all our thoughts and actions. Let us love the way He loves, sacrificially. Love keeps no record of being wronged (1 Corinthians 13:5). Let us reflect the grace and mercy He has given us onto others. And may we consistently reflect His compassion, kindness and gentleness.

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the LORD your God, obey him, and remain faithful to him. For he is your life, and he will prolong your days…” — Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (CSB)  Each and every day we are presented with choices that either bring life or bring death. When we speak words of life, we transmit hope, peace and love. When we speak negative, critical words or engage in gossip, we kill joy, hope, love, peace, etc., not only in ourselves but in those who hear our words. It’s not just the words we speak, but our thoughts and actions either give life and blessing or lead to cursing and death. Choose life each moment of the day. Our heavenly Father instructs us to choose life and live under His cloud of blessing. As children of God, that is where we not only survive, but thrive. Examine yourself and see if your choices lead to life ...

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. — Matthew 5:8 (MSG) A good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things. (Matthew 12:35a). When we treasure God’s Word in our hearts, our minds will dwell on the right things and our actions and words will line up with God’s Word and His will. Then we are able to see clearly what He is doing and desires to do in our outside world.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. — Joshua 1:8 (NLT) To meditate on God’s Word means to give it careful, and deep thought. It involves a focus of one’s mind, for a period of time. My husband is the skilled cook in our home and there is a big difference in the flavor of the meat when he lets it soak in the marinade overnight versus a few minutes. Likewise, as we spend time in God’s Word (the marinade), it changes the flavor of our hearts and minds and in turn influences our actions. We can only enjoy the depth and richness of His Word as we spend time turning it over in our minds. We change the way we think by renewing our minds with the Word of God. Take time to meditate on the Word, treasure it in your heart and enjoy success in all that you do.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. — Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) Your mood, and your actions, and the words that come out of your mouth, will follow what you think about the most. If you constantly think about what you don’t have, you are calling lack into your life. If you always find something to worry about, you will be full of anxiety and despair. However, if your thoughts are fixed on the LORD, that is where your trust will be and, He will keep you in perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3). When you remember all the benefits we have in the LORD, you will have a grateful attitude, a joyful heart and a cheerful disposition.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8 (NKJV) “Love is not a declaration, it is a demonstration.” —Pastor Matthew Pollock. Love suffers long and is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). What you say doesn’t count as much as what you do. Your actions speak much louder than your words. God never fails to show us the vast magnitude of the love He has for us. How will you demonstrate your love to those God brings your way today?

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. — Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Above all else, guard your heart. If we let negative and critical things flow into our hearts, that is what will flow out, through our words and our actions. If we only open our hearts to the love of God and all that pertains to a godly life, that is where the course of our lives will carry us. May we be diligent to constantly guard our hearts, and only allow those things that align with the love, peace and joy of our heavenly Father to penetrate.

Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. — Colossians 3:17 (MSG) Don’t compartmentalize your relationship with God to Sunday morning. Whatever you do or say, keep Christ at the center of your life and thank God for each and every step He gives you the strength to take on the path of life.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. — James 4:7-8a (NKJV) In today's world, submission is a foreign concept, but as children of God, we are called to submit to our heavenly Father. Submission is a continual process of re-aligning our hearts and attitudes to reflect the Most High God. Instead of pushing our own agendas, we learn to yield to His Ways. Yes indeed, His ways are higher and better than our ways. When we are submitted to God, our words, thoughts, and actions show His kindness, grace and compassion. In submission, we actually DO what His Word says: love, forgive, etc. Allow His Supreme authority to rule and reign in your life, today and forever!

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. — Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) As a person thinks in their heart so is he. Where our minds go, we tend to follow. That's why it is so important for us to renew our minds according to the Word of God (Romans 12:2). What we think about most tends to be what we talk about and our words usually lead to our actions. We can think happy, hopeful thoughts, speak words of hope and joy and we will tend to do things that create joy in our atmosphere.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.    —   Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) Where the mind of a person goes, he or she is sure to follow. If you want to change your life, you have to change the way you think. We are transformed by consistently renewing our minds according to the Word of God. As we think in line with the Bible about who we are and what we have in Christ, our actions will follow and our lives will rise to a whole new level!

Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 (GW) To entrust something means to give it to someone else, to let them be responsible for it and trust them to follow it through to the end. May we entrust all of our efforts to the LORD, and our plans will succeed. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD (Proverbs 21:30). Amen.