Manna for Your Morning

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.  — Daniel 1:8 (NLT) May we be determined not to defile ourselves, but to be holy (set apart) and dedicated to God. Know for certain that no immoral, indecent, or greedy person—who is really an idol worshipper at heart—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and God. (Ephesians 5:5 TLV) You shall be holy, for the LORD our God is holy. …you were washed [by the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior]. (See 1 Corinthians 6:11 AMP)

Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. — Matthew 15:17-18 (NASB) What comes out of your mouth reveals the core of your heart. (Matthew 15:18 TPT). If we want to speak words of life, let us treasure and store the Word of God in our hearts. (Psalm 119:11).  Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life , that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30:19)

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. — Daniel 1:8 (NKJV) Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s delicacies and God’s favor was upon him. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, the Lord calls believers to come out from among the world and be separate. 2 Corinthians 6:14 asks, what communion has light with darkness? May we determine in our minds and hearts to follow the ways our our heavenly Father and draw near to Him. Let us not defile ourselves with the delicacies of this world. If what you have been doing has not brought you closer to God, it's time for a change. Amen.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; — Daniel 1:8 (NKJV) As children of God we have to purpose in our hearts that we will not defile ourselves with the things and/or ways of the world. May we make a dedicated decision to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). As the Message Bible says: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.

“Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place. — 2 Chronicles 29:5 (NKJV) During King Hezekiah's restoration project, he instructed the Levitical priests to clean out the holy place. First Peter 2:9 says, we are a a royal priesthood. We are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). So, let us take a survey of all that we have accumulated throughout the year and carry out any rubbish. Get rid of all debris: offense, unforgiveness, pride, rebellion, etc. These are things which will cause a root of bitterness to grow and defile our temples. Amen!