Manna for Your Morning

“Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. — Matthew 7:1 (AMP) May we not criticize each other, nor compare ourselves with others, nor compete against them. We are to love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (See Romans 12:10 NLT) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28 NLT)  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  (Romans 14:19 NKJV) So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT)

And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ — Matthew 22:37-39 (NASB) Let us keep the main thing, the main thing. Loving God with all our heart, mind and soul, loving ourselves and loving others. If we are critical and unaccepting of ourselves, then we will criticize and find faults in others. O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful [those with moral and spiritual integrity] and fully repays the [self-righteousness of the] arrogant. (Psalm 31:23 AMP) Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. — Psalm 139:23-24 (AMP)

A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life. — Proverbs 28:14 (MSG) “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing.” (Luke 6:37 MSG) Live a blessed life, be tenderhearted: kind and gentle.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. — Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT) In her book, Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer states: “ The Israelites complained and remained in the wilderness. Jesus praised and was raised from the dead. ” Let us be like Jesus, continually praise and be raised. Philippians 4:6 instructs us not to be anxious or worry about anything, but in every circumstance to pray with thanksgiving. Complaining, murmuring and faultfinding, will hinder you. Prayer and praise is the way to go. Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. — Psalm 147:1 (NKJV)

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. — Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT) Instead of whining, complaining and grumbling, let us speak positive, life-giving words, that encourage and build others up. In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP). Be thankful for where you are today and trust God for your tomorrow.

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NKJV) I would sum up this passage of scripture like this: Though circumstances are not perfect, I will rejoice in the LORD, my God. Instead of complaining and finding fault, let us continually give thanks and praise to our Mighty God. Colossians 3:15 (NLT) reminds us that we are to always be thankful.  We can rejoice and be thankful at all times because our heavenly Father is our provider and no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11) I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:2 NKJV)

Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. — Nehemiah 5:19 (NKJV) Like Nehemiah, may we be remembered for the good we have done for people. “ Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. ” (Luke 6:37-38 MSG) Jesus gave His life. Follow in His footsteps. Let us generously give what has so freely been given to us: the light, life, and love of God.

  Do all things without complaining and disputing, — Philippians 2:14 (NKJV) Your words are seeds that germinate in the soil of your heart. They will either produce life or death. Proverbs 18:21 says, death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. When you criticize, complain, bicker, and engage in faultfinding, your words produce poisonous weeds that will choke the life out of the hearer. May we speak positive, uplifting praiseworthy words of encouragement over our lives and into the lives of others. Then the garden of our hearts will thrive and produce a harvest full of life, strength and beauty.