Manna for Your Morning

Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; — James 1:19 (AMP) Be quick to hear. Take the time to listen and get understanding. And when you do speak, 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). The tongue of the wise promotes health. (Proverbs 12:18b NKJV). May we choose our words carefully. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” — Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27). God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! (Genesis 1:31MSG). That includes you! He knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14). Let us have no identity crisis. We were made in His image to reflect His nature. Just as God is love, we are to love. Our heavenly Father is generous, in that He gave His only Son. Let us also be generous. Just as God is forgiving and full of mercy and grace, may we also imitate Him.

...He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ — Acts 13:22 (NKJV) God said David was a man after His own heart, who will do all His will. Do you follow God wholeheartedly, doing ALL His will, or do you pick and choose what part of the Word, you will follow? My response to God this morning was, “Ouch!” Are we following Philippians 2:14, do all things without complaining and disputing? Do we cast all our cares on the Lord? Are we forgiving and letting no root of bitterness grow, in our garden of unconditional love? When challenged to do all His will, let us remember this: God was ALL in, when He gave His only Son as a sacrifice to save our souls from eternal damnation. Let’s be sold out for Jesus and be about the Father’s business 100%.

Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. — Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP) Do you want the obstacles in your life removed? Seek to know the LORD, first and foremost, above all else. In all your ways, know Him, not just your going to church way, but in your everyday life way. In all your ways, be loving, forgiving, kind and compassionate. We acknowledge Him when we accept His way as the best way and put it into action. What little insight we think we have cannot begin to compare to God’s infinite wisdom. Recognize that He is greater than anything that attempts to block your path and rely confidently on the LORD. He is the only Way!

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:12-13 (NLT) The Message Bible says it this way: “This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.” (John 15:12-13 MSG). The best way for us to love each other is the way Jesus loved us. His love is unconditional and it never fails. His love never runs out on us. Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. (Galatians 6:1 NLT). It’s love that will lead one to repent, not condemnation. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. (Psalm 86:5 NIV)

But You, O Lord, remain and reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to [all] generations. — Lamentations 5:19 (AMP) In a world that is constantly changing, our Lord remains the same. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). When everything else and everyone else lets you down, you can count on our loving Lord to be there for you. He is forgiving and faithful. And He remains the same forever! God’s reign continues throughout every generation; it will not be shaken. In Him, we are more than conquerors; we are victorious. Hallelujah!

And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; — 2 Chronicles 17:6 (NKJV) The LORD was with King Jehoshaphat, because he walked in His commandments (2 Chronicles 17:3-4). The LORD established the kingdom of Judah in his hand and Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance (2 Chronicles 17:5). May we wholeheartedly take great delight in the ways of the LORD. His ways are loving and compassionate. The LORD is full of grace and mercy. His ways are forgiving and faithful. The LORD gives generously. His ways are the way of truth, light and life. Make a dedicated decision to walk in His ways, everyday.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. — Ephesians 5:1 (NLT) Little children often imitate their parents. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2). Let us follow His example.

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” — Mark 9:49-50 (NKJV) As we give ourselves to God, as living sacrifices, we will all experience the fire of adversity. It takes the fire to burn out impurities. However, once we get through it, we are well-seasoned with salt. And salt is good, it gives flavor and distinction. Let us be all about the things that will outlast the fire: sharing the love of God, forgiving others, preserving peace and living in harmony with one another.

“Stand up, and thank the LORD your God: From everlasting to everlasting your glorious name is praised and lifted high above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD.
 You made heaven, the highest heaven, with all its armies. You made the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them. You give life to them all, and the armies of heaven worship you.” — Nehemiah 9:5-6 (GW) Let everything that has breath, thank the LORD! He is the giver of life. Our heavenly Father is a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love (Nehemiah 9:17). And His faithful love never runs out on us. Thank You, LORD!

This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.  — Psalm 118:24 (NKJV) This the day to rejoice, knowing that whatever circumstances are before you, our GOD is greater. No matter how high the obstacle, our Mighty God is bigger and higher. He is above all. This is the day to keep standing on God's Word and His promises. This is the day to keep loving and forgiving. This is the day to praise God for who He is and all that He is going to do in your life, this very day. Hallelujah!

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.  — Psalm 86:5 (NIV) When we confess our sins, the Lord is standing by, ready to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He removes our transgressions as far from us, as the east is from the west. The love we have in Jesus knows no boundaries. It goes on and on. His love never gives up on us. Call upon the Lord, fully confident that He will answer.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. — Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) We were created in the image of our heavenly Father. Let us reflect His nature: loving, compassionate, kind, patient, and forgiving. All of us who have given our lives to Jesus, have God's Holy Spirit at work in us, transforming us into His image with ever-increasing glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18).  As children of God, may our lives be a true representation of our great and awesome God!

“ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,  So are My ways higher than your ways,  And My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:9 (NKJV) Do not be wise in your own eyes. Trust the LORD with all your heart, instead of relying on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). We see in part, but God sees the whole picture. And He is working everything together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). As long as we follow the LORD, we are on the right path, the higher way. He will give us good thoughts that are loving, forgiving and praiseworthy. His higher ways lead to everlasting peace, good health and abundant life.

But you are a forgiving God, one who is compassionate, merciful, patient, and always ready to forgive. Nehemiah 9:17 (GW) Our heavenly Father is a forgiving God. He does not hold grudges. When we confess our sins, He removes them from us, as far as the east is from the west. Because of His endless compassion, God never abandons His children. He is full of mercy and patience. He is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Amen.