Manna for Your Morning

So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. — Proverbs 4:23 (TPT) Never consort with the enemy of our souls. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; (See John 10:10a) In the garden of Eden, Eve engaged in conversation with the serpent, listened to his lies, and began to question the word of God and His intentions. (See Genesis 3:1-6) Don't let your heart be deceived. First Kings 11:1-4 tells us how King Solomon loved and married many foreign women and eventually his wives turned his heart after other gods. Let us set the affections of our hearts on Yahweh and guide our hearts in His ways. When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. — Ecclesiastes 12:13 (AMP)

…what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? — Psalm 8:4 (NLT) Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me. (Psalm 139:17-18 TPT) May we think about and set our affections on our great and awesome God as much as He is mindful of us. “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says the LORD who has compassion on you. — Isaiah 54:10 (NASB)

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.  — Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG) Let us be led by the Spirit of God, so we can reflect His goodness and bring glory to His Kingdom. Instead of trying to bend the Word to fit our lives, may we surrender our hearts to Him and bend our lives to align with the Word of God.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. — Psalm 32:8 (NIV) But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians 5:22-23 MSG) If you want good success in all you do and wherever you go, do it God's way and at His appointed time.

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)

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. — Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV) Let us not restrict our giving of thanks to a day or a season. May we always have a heart full of gratitude for all God has done and is doing in our lives. Continually give thanks to our heavenly Father. God doesn’t just want weekend and holiday visitations. He wants full time custody. As children of God, dearly loved by the Father, we have His attention and affection, every moment of every day. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name (Psalm 100:4).

...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) Why are you carrying your cares? The Word says cast ALL your cares and concerns on God. Our big, mighty God is able to handle anything and everything you give to Him. He cares so much about you, He doesn’t want to see you all stressed out and fretting the future. He wants to take care of everything that concerns you. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV). If you have something laying heavy on your heart today, give it to God, once and for all, and walk in His peace and joy.

Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver: — 1 Chronicles 29:3 (NKJV) Set your affections on God and give Him your all. Misplaced affections on the things of this world restrict us from experiencing all that God has for us: His deep abiding love, His never-ending peace, His amazing grace... Put your whole heart into developing a more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. Give God over and above, all that you are and all that you have.

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. — 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NLT) We make gains in this life by sharing the genuine, selfless, love of Christ with others. If we don’t love, we've gotten nowhere. Love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature] (1 Corinthians 8:1, AMP). Love never fails —it's instant in every season. Make great gains in your love!