Manna for Your Morning

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:” — Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV) The call of God is a higher and holy calling. In Isaiah 55:9, Yahweh says, His ways are higher than our ways. It is a calling to be set apart from the world and its ways and live a life that is pleasing to Yahweh. Hebrews 12:14 (TPT) instructs us to “ run swiftly toward holiness.” For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. (1 Thessalonians 4:7 AMP) Conforming to a life of holiness is not something we can do on our own. It is the work of the Holy Spirit within us. As we truly seek to follow Christ and submit to God’s ways, we will be empowered by His Holy Spirit to do so. “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape al...

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: — Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV) So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. (1 Peter 1:13-15 NLT) A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it. (Isaiah 35:8 NASB1995)

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, — Ephesians 1:4 (NKJV) Yahweh chose us to be in Christ. He has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:7 AMP) Let us pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (See Hebrews 12:14 NKJV) Let us not follow the ways of the world, but follow the ways of our Heavenly Father. His way is to love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you… (See Matthew 5:44 NKJV) His way is to never take your own revenge. (See Romans 12:19) Be rich in grace and mercy. Forgive those who sin against you, and your heavenly Father will forgive you. (See Matthew 6:14)  Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not...

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.

Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. — Romans 12:1 (TPT) Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB) So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT) May we respond to God’s marvelous love and mercy by continually worshiping Him with our entire beings. Worship Him with your thoughts, your feelings, your actions and with your physical bodies. Be grateful for this glorious treasure we have in our earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7) Elohim, the great and powerful Creator of the universe, has given us the honor and privilege of hosting His Holy Spirit. Wow! Let us surrender ourselves to God to be His sacred sacrific...

Ascribe to the LORD the glory and honor due His name; Bring an offering [of thanksgiving], and come before Him; Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. — 1 Chronicles 16:29 (AMP) Worship the King of Kings and Lord of lords. Worship Him with all your heart, mind and soul. He is our risen Savior and mighty Redeemer. He redeems our lives from destruction (Psalm 103:4). He is the Messiah, and Master of our lives. We were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus. (Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 6:20) Jesus is our strong foundation and the Solid Rock on which we can stand. He is our refuge and strong fortress where we can hide in times of trouble. He is our deliverer. He delivers us from our enemies. Christ is the chief Cornerstone. He who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. (1 Peter 2:6) Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15) He is worthy of all honor, praise and glory.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. — Psalm 32:8 (NIV) 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) If you want good success in all you do and wherever you go, do it God's way and at His appointed time.

LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. — Psalm 26:8 (NKJV) One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple  (Psalm 27:4 NIV). Let us love the habitation of His house, the place where His glorious presence dwells. That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, the perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic (Psalm 27:5 MSG). A single day in His courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! (Psalm 84:10a) Faithfulness is the foundation of His house. Great is His faithfulness! Holiness adorns His house… (Psalm 93:5). Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! We enter His house through doors of grace and mercy. The second we cross the threshold, our souls are flooded with His marvelous light. His unfailing love fills the air of every room. The walls of the LORD’s dwelling place a...

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) Let us pray for all people; that we may influence the world for good and not evil. Pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10) Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT) This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 John 5:14-15 NASB)

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: — Psalm 95:6-7 (NKJV) Let us worship the LORD, our Maker, with our whole hearts. Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness (Psalm 29:2).  We worship God for who He is. We praise Him for all He has done to bring healing and wholeness in our lives, all He is doing and all that He will do. Our worship is to go beyond Sunday morning and into all of the days He has given to us. Worship involves a continual acknowledgement that we are His, and that He is with us and for us; that He is above all. May we worship God in everything that we do. “All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah (Psalm 66:4)

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 ...

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” — 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) As we continually hold in the forefront of our minds that God dwells in us and our bodies are His temple, I think we will be less likely to abuse our bodies with unhealthy or unholy habits. Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) As offspring of Almighty God, our speech and behavior should resemble His and not the world. Since we have the promise of His constant Presence, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spi...

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. — Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) It is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) God has called us with a holy calling. Let us strive to live holy lives. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness (Romans 6:19, NIV). We are to be presented to Jesus as a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that we should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27, NKJV). Let us press on to maturity and holiness!

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: — Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV) In the process of pursuing peace, let no 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). And remember, a gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare (Proverbs 15:1, NLT).

What you say goes—it always has. “Beauty” and “Holy” mark your palace rule, God, to the very end of time.  — Psalm 93:5 (The Message) Perfect in beauty, God shines forth! “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8) Our Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5). Gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple (Psalm 27:4).  Worship the LORD in the beauty of His holiness! Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do (1 Peter 1:15). For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4).

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. — Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) The Word of God instructs us many times, to be holy because the LORD, our God is holy. May we perfect holiness in our lives, out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1). James 4:17 gives us a simple definition of sin. If anyone, knows what is right but doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. Therefore, let us offer ourselves as slaves to righteousness which leads to holiness (Romans 6:19). “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Imitate Him.

You are partners with Christ Jesus because of God. Jesus has become our wisdom sent from God, our righteousness, our holiness, and our ransom from sin. — 1 Corinthians 1:30 (GW) Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30, The Message). Let us not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. It is only by the grace of God that we are who we are today. Jesus has become our righteousness and holiness. He paid the price for our sin and brought us back into fellowship with our heavenly Father. It is not something we could have done for ourselves. He has become for us wisdom from God. Thank you, Jesus!

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NIV) Jesus Christ is our righteousness, and holiness. He is the One who redeems us. It is the grace of God that has done this. We could have never achieved this on our own. Therefore, let us not boast about how great we are. Let us boast about the greatness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.  Love, Jackie

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  —Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV) We are to put on the new self and offer our bodies as slaves to righteousness which leads to holiness (Romans 6:19). As long as we do what we know is right we will have a clear conscience before God. 2 Timothy 1:9 tells us, God has called us to a holy life. May we walk in truth and integrity as we love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Amen. Love, Jackie

"You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them." — Leviticus 15:31 (NIV) God's people have always been called to be separate and to be holy. Today, God's Holy Spirit dwells within us and we are His temple. James 1:27 tells us to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. We are to separate ourselves from the dark deeds of this world and be holy because the Lord, our God is holy. Hebrews 12:14 says, without holiness no one will see the Lord. Amen.  Love, Jackie