Manna for Your Morning

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. — Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)  “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.” (Psalms 37:8 NLT) An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. (Proverbs 29:22 NLT) Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. (Proverbs 22:24-25 NLT) Gentle words are a tree of life…(See Proverbs 15:4) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness , and patience. (Colossians 3:12) First Timothy 6:11 (NLT) instructs us to pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making al...

But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand. — Isaiah 64:8 (NASB) In Revelation 22:17 (NLT), the Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. When we come to the LORD, may we present to him a heart that is open and pliable. Let your heart be molded by His love, gentleness, kindness and compassion. May it be filled with His peace, patience, goodness, and faithfulness. Receive the joy of His Presence. With our heart in the hands of the Potter, we will be the unique masterpiece He created each one of us to be.

Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. — Philippians 4:4-5 (TPT) Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— (NASB) Therefore, in every situation and season, let our hearts be full of gratitude, continually giving thanks to God. In every season, we are united with Christ. The Lord will lead us and guide us. In every season, He provides and He protects. Remember what God has done and look at what He is doing now. Our hearts will overflow with joy, as we believe God's Word and trust that He is working everything together for our good.

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)

LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. — Psalm 16:5 (NLT) My cup overflows with blessings. — Psalm 23:5 (NLT) When we choose God first and only and realize He is all we need, our cups overflow with blessings. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:6-7 NKJV) Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. (2 Corinthians 6:1 MSG) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11 NKJV) Let us count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord... and count them but rubbish so that we may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8)

“When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit.” — Judges 8:4 (NKJV) Let us press on and continually pursue the things that our heavenly Father has called us to, and we will fulfill our purpose. We will reach our desired destination. First Timothy 6:11, tells us to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Romans 14:19 says to pursue the things which make for peace. Hosea 6:3 instructs us to pursue the knowledge of the Lord. When we come to end of ourselves, let us draw strength from the LORD, our Source. And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14  NKJV)

…casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. — 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) Instead of concentrating on our to-do list, let us cast all our cares upon our heavenly Father and draw near to Him. It's more important for us to remember our to-be list. God is love. If we want to be like Him, we are to be love. Whatever we do, may we do it in love. When people come at us the wrong way, may we continue to be love. His perfect love working in us produces joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness. Worry, on the other hand, produces anxiety, frustration, and fear. Our mighty God is able to handle all your concerns. Trust Him.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. — John 15:4-5 (NASB) As we abide in Jesus, we bear much fruit. In Him, we are able to experience perfect peace. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. ” As we abide in Him, we are able to walk in love, kindness, compassion and gentleness. When we remain in Him, His power is made available to us. It enables us to stand strong and exercise self-control. As we remain in Him, we live in strength and victory. “ Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. ” (John 15:4a MSG)

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; the day you needed me, I was there to help. — 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (MSG) Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though ...

When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit. — Judges 8:4 (NKJV) Are you still in hot pursuit of all that God has called you to? In spite of our energy level, may we continually pursue all God has for us, to the very end. First Timothy 6:11 tells us to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Hebrews 12:14  says to pursue peace with all people. Sometimes the pursuit of peace with all people can be emotionally exhausting, however God has an abundant supply of love, peace, patience, etc. Let us draw from His vast supply and we will have all that we need to continue on.

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” — Matthew 16:23 (NKJV) The LORD has been mindful of us (Psalm 115:12). What thoughts do we fill our minds with? The mind occupied with merely human concerns has a self-centered focus: what “I” want and what “I” need. The mind filled with the things of God focuses on the Kingdom of God. Those mindful of the things of God, have a heart for God and are able to see things the way God sees them, not merely from a human point of view. When our minds are full of God thoughts, we allow His Spirit to lead us and we are able to walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Heavenly Father, may we fill our minds with thoughts of You. Where the mind goes, the man will follow.

And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. — Exodus 28:2 (NKJV) God’s glory and beauty dwells within us in the form of His Holy Spirit. We are to let the fullness of His glory and beauty shine through us as we clothe ourselves in holy garments. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12, NIV). Colossians 3:13 instructs us to bear with each other and forgive one another, as the Lord has forgiven us. That is a beautiful thing! And over all these virtues, we are to put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:14, NIV). As we continuously wear these attributes wherever we go, we are a reflection of God's glory and beauty. Amen!

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. — Galatians 3:27 (NLT) The one question most of us ask ourselves almost everyday is, “what am I going to wear?” Then we intentionally pick out an outfit and get dressed. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, we must purposefully choose how we clothe ourselves. We can choose to wear the garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3, NKJV). Romans 13:12 (NKJV) instructs us to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Colossians 3:12 (NIV) says, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14, NLT).

I have no interest in giving you a chatty account of my adventures, only the wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me that triggered a believing response among the outsiders . — Romans 15:18 (The Message) Let all that we say and do be aimed at triggering a believing response in those around us, who do not know Jesus. When others look at us may they see the love, compassion and kindness of Christ. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12, NIV). So that we may have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God (Romans 16:17, NKJV).

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. — Romans 13:12 (NKJV) God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). We are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Let us put on the shining armor of light: joy, compassion, kindness, goodness, humility, gentleness, patience, peace and love!

Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”  — John 11:43-44 (NIV) Are you still wrapped up in worldly ways? Lay aside the ways of this world. God's ways are higher. Offer yourselves to God as people who have come back from death and are now alive (Romans 6:13). As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12-14).

“The mountains may move, and the hills may shake,  but my kindness will never depart from you. My promise of peace will never change,”  says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (GW) The LORD blesses us with His everlasting kindness, grace and favor. The LORD makes His face shine on you. He turns His face toward you and gives you peace (Numbers 6:26). He showers us with great compassion. Our heavenly Father loves us with an everlasting love and draws us to Himself with unfailing kindness (Jeremiah 31:3). As dearly loved children of God, let us clothe ourselves with the same compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:12).

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Just as men and women who serve in the military have a uniform to wear, good soldiers of Jesus Christ are to properly clothe themselves. We are to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We are to patiently bear with one another, and forgive each other, even as Christ forgave us (Colossians 3:13). Let us also cover ourselves with garments of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Amen.

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV) As men and women of God, let us heed the words the Apostle Paul shared with Timothy. He warned him to stay away from the love of money and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love endurance and gentleness. As we do these things we will win the good fight of faith and gain the prize of an abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven. Love, Jackie