Manna for Your Morning

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. — James 3:17 (NLT) Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. ( Proverbs 3:7 NASB1995) What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. (Isaiah 5:21 NLT) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6 NLT) First Corinthians 3:19 (NASB1995) says, the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. Let us seek the wisdom from above, coming down to us from the Father of lights.

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” — Matthew 3:1-2, 8 (NLT) Matthew 3:8 (AMP) says to produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]; We are not saved by our works, but once we have received Yeshua, the Messiah as our Savior, our behavior should reflect His Presence in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) says: …the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord...

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! — Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) As we abide in Christ and yield to His Spirit within us, He produces the fruit in our lives. We do not have to attempt to manufacture fruit. Our part is to surrender all and submit to the work of His Spirit in us. Amen! If you are lacking in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, draw closer to our heavenly Father. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

  Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. — Proverbs 15:4 (MSG) Choose very carefully the words that come from your mouth. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) Words contain power to build relationships and bring healing to a hurting heart. Encouraging words strengthen and give life, but negative, critical words hurt and wound the spirit. Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits. (Proverbs 16:24 TPT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. — Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

“ But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. ” — Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT) When we trust the LORD, He is our hope and our confidence. No matter what kind of storm comes, He give us the strength to persevere and overcome. As we stay planted in the house of the LORD and continually abide in His Presence, we will never stop producing fruit. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on God. Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Come back to me! By returning and resting in me you will be saved. In quietness and trust you will be made strong. But you refused.” — Isaiah 30:15 (TPT)

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.

And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.” — Luke 1:45 (AMP) Who do you believe, the lies of the enemy or our Heavenly Father? The fruit of believing the enemy’s lies is anxiety, fear, and worry. When we believe God’s Word, it increases our faith, gives us strength and keeps us in peace. Faith is staying in agreement with what God says, not with our circumstances! (From You Version Bible Study by Gary Kesee) Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) says, “ Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. ” God’s Word is the most encouraging Word of all and it stands the test of time. Let us believe God will fulfill all that He has said. And continue to speak the Word of God, no matter what our circumstances look like. Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have no...

He who watches the wind [waiting for all conditions to be perfect] will not sow [seed], and he who looks at the clouds will not reap [a harvest]. — Ecclesiastes 11:4 (AMP) When the clouds are full of water, it rains. When the wind blows down a tree, it lies where it falls. Don’t sit there watching the wind. Do your own work. Don’t stare at the clouds. Get on with your life. (Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 MSG) If we wait for perfect conditions before we do what God calls us to do, the enemy will see to it that never happens. We are a called and chosen generation. Answer the call of God now. Do what He has called you to do. Live and Give! Sow into His kingdom by using the talents and abilities He has given you, to bear fruit for our Father’s Kingdom.

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)

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” — Genesis 8:22 (NKJV) This Scripture speaks of three seasons. A season of planting seeds, a season of harvesting, or gathering in the fruit that has been produced. And in between those two seasons, there is the season called TIME. How long? Only God knows. Some call this a time of waiting, but there are still things to do while you wait. If you have planted seeds of faith, the seed must be watered by speaking God’s Word over it. We have to keep weeds of doubt from growing, by guarding our heart and our ears to negative worldly opinions. (If it's not the truth of God's Word, it's an opinion.) We have to remain faithful to God and His Word and then the seed produces fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Unlike natural seasons, we are to be engaged in all three seasons at the same time, continually planting seeds by speaking God's ...

Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (AMP) No matter how circumstances may appear, choose to rejoice today. If God is all we have, we have all that we need. We still have the victory! Offer up to the LORD a sacrifice of praise. Hallelujah!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. — Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) Wisely choose the words you speak. The Amplified Bible reminds us that we bear the consequences of the words we speak. In Matthew 9:20-21, the woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself , “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” She received her healing. What are you saying to yourself? In Luke 7:7, the centurion told Jesus, “I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but j ust say the word , and my servant will be healed.” In Luke 7:10, his servant was found in good health. Speak words of life, and lives will be changed. James 3:9-10 says, with our tongues we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both bl...

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)

“I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (AMP) What good news! We don’t have to do it alone. Whatever you are trying to accomplish in this life, staying connected to Jesus is paramount (more important than anything else). Apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Our union with Him is vital to our lives and our health (spiritual, physical and mental health). But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master. (Romans 6:22-23 MSG)

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” — Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man (Psalm 118:8 NKJV). He will always be there when you need him. When the fiery furnace gets exceedingly hot, you will not be bothered. After you come through the situation,  the smell of fire will not be on you. When things appear to be drying up, you will not have a worry, because the LORD is your source. As long as we keep our hope and confidence in the LORD, we will not be disappointed. But I have trusted and relied on and been confident in Your lovingkindness and faithfulness; My heart shall rejoice and delight in Your salvation. (Psalm 13:5 AMP)

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. — Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV) Just as God had a set time for Jesus to be born to Mary and Joseph, He has a set time for you to walk in the fullness of what He has prepared for you, as His child. He is a faithful promise keeper. He fulfills every promise. In Isaiah 55:11 (NLT), He says, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” The good plans the LORD has purposed for you will come to pass, in due time. Until then, keep fighting the good fight of faith, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2a)

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” — Genesis 8:22 (NIV) God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:11 NKJV). As long as the earth remains seeds will produce according to their own kind. If we want a harvest of good and positive, we have to speak words (seeds) that are good and positive. If you want peace, speak words of peace. Negative words suck the life out of those who hear them. Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of our tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. As we speak positive words over our lives and the lives of others, and continue to water those seeds with the powerful Word of God, we will produce a harvest of like kind.

By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau. — Hebrews 11:20 (MSG) I beg to differ with the saying “Sticks & stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Words are very powerful. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! With our words we carry the potential to bless or curse, build up or tear down, bring together or create division. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose (Proverbs 18:21 MSG). Our words are like a bridge that creates the passageway from the present to the future. May we reach into the future with words of life and blessing. Let’s lift those who hear our words up and not drag them down or beat them up. Amen!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. — Psalm 1:2-3 (NKJV) Make this season a fruitful season in your life by delighting yourself in God’s Word and being planted firmly in His house, so the seeds of His Word can continue to be watered and bring forth the desired fruit. For the word of God is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12 NLT). It will cut through the weeds of life and make room for you to blossom and flourish.

Furthermore King David said to all the assembly: “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced; and the work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the LORD God.” — 1 Chronicles 29:1 (NKJV) Just as God chose Solomon, He chose you. He has a plan and purpose for your life. Consider everything God puts on your heart to do, a great work. Though others may enjoy the benefit of your labor, do your work unto the Lord and for His kingdom. You may feel inexperienced, but our heavenly Father always prepares us for each step. So be strong and of good courage, and do the great work God has called you to!