Manna for Your Morning

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” — 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NLT) Let no one boast in men. If you want to boast, boast only about Yahweh. 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) Oh, how great is His goodness, which He has laid up for those who fear Him, which He has prepared for those who trust in Him in the presence of the sons of men! (See Psalms 31:19 NKJV) He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. (Psalms 33:5 NKJV) If you want to boast, boast about the LORD’s lovingkindnesses that never cease, and His compassions that never fail. (See Lamentations 3:22 NASB1995) In God we boast a...

“Has a nation [ever] changed gods even though they were not gods [but merely man-made objects]? But My people have exchanged their Glory (the true God) for that [man-made idol] which does not benefit [them]. — Jeremiah 2:11 (AMP) “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. (Isaiah 55:2 NASB1995) O taste and see that Yahweh is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalms 34:8 LSB) The things of this world can never bring lasting satisfaction, only temporary thrills, then you are left empty and aching. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36 LSB) When Yahweh opens His generous hand, it’s full of blessings, satisfying the longings of every living thing. (See Psalms 145:16 TPT) “Yahweh will always guide you where to go and what to do. He will fill you with refreshment even when you are in a dry, diffi...

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. — Proverbs 9:10 (NLT) Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. (Proverbs 9:11-12a NLT) Wisdom begins with a reverential fear and respect for the LORD. The foundation of wisdom is to honor the LORD by putting Him first in all that we do. So you should look for the LORD before it is too late; you should call to him while he is near.  (Isaiah 55:6 NCV) Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness. (Isaiah 55:7 MSG) “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ — Jeremiah 33:3 (MSG)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” — John 14:27 (NLT) How would you feel if you gave a loved one a very special gift and they never opened it? Let’s say they never even bothered to acknowledge it. They just left it sitting on the table, collecting dust. Sometimes, we bypass God's gift of peace and take on the burden of anxiety and worry. I imagine it hurts the heart of God when we don’t acknowledge the valuable gifts He has given. Our heavenly Father knows the benefit of the good gifts He has given to us; if only we would accept them and consistently use them. In Luke 10:19 (NLT), Jesus told His disciples, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy…” We have been given His peace and power and authority over our enemy. May we wisely benefit from the good gifts we have been given. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God o...

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  — Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) It's not enough to know the Word of God. We benefit most when we know how to use it. God's Word is a love letter to His children. It's an instruction manual for a successful and prosperous life. Open it up and let it speak to you. God's Word is alive and active. It goes where it needs to go and it does not return to Him void. It's a healing balm that soothes the brokenhearted and strengthens the weary. It brings healing to the bones. Confront the lies of the enemy by speaking His Word out of your mouth. His Word cuts as you speak it out, in the face of the devil's lies. When we speak the word of God out of our mouths, it goes to work. When the devil held me captive in a pit of depression, bombarded with suicidal tho...

Do not let any 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 (NIV) Let us exercise wisdom and choose to speak words that build others up instead of tearing them down. With understanding, choose words that are helpful. The words of the godly encourage many…Proverbs 10:21a (NLT). The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18 NIV). Our words can cut and injure others or our words can be like a soothing balm that heals. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. — Psalm 21:6 (NKJV) We are most blessed because we have been brought into the family of Almighty God and called children of God. We have the benefit of enjoying His Presence every moment of our lives. In His Presence we find gladness that exceeds our capacity to contain it, so we can let the overflow splash into the lives of those around us. His Presence brings us joy, when we realize that nothing can stand against us, as we abide in Him.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: — Romans 12:6a (NKJV) We all have a variety of gifts, given to us by God. For a gift to be of benefit to anyone, it must be accepted, opened and put to use. If we are to enjoy our gifts and talents we have to unwrap them, and explore how we may use them to be a blessing. Just as a muscle that is not used begins to waste away over time, a gift that is not used as God purposed, is a waste. Be sure to use your gifts and talents. You don’t have to wait until January 1st and make it a new years'  resolution. Don’t let the music die inside of you. Sing your song now!

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!

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.  — Isaiah 38:17 (NIV) Our great God has lovingly delivered our souls from the pit of corruption (Isaiah 38:17, NKJV). In His love, our bitter experiences are changed to sweet. He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). The magnitude of His love is so large, nothing can separate us  from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In His love, we are able to love our neighbors and our enemies. In His love, there is patience, forgiveness and kindness. Always, live your life in His LOVE!

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).