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.

The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. — Nahum 1:7 (NLT) Give thanks to our Eternal Lord; He is always good. He never ceases to be loving and kind. (Psalm 118:29 VOICE) God is not out to get you. Second Chronicles 16:9 (NLT) says: “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. (Psalm 25:8 NLT) How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! — Psalm 116:5 (NLT)

For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you— so kind that it will astound you! And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation! — Psalm 100:5 (TPT) The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. (Psalm 145:9 NLT) The arms of the Lord are open and He says: "COME!" He is always ready to receive you. Make this your one purpose: to revere Him and serve Him faithfully with complete devotion because He has done great things for you. (1 Samuel 12:24 VOICE)

In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. — Ephesians 5:8-9 (NCV) With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. (Ephesians 4:17 NLT) Let us live as children of light. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NCV) In Luke 6:35-36 (NCV), Jesus said: “ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. ” As we live our lives in the light and love of Jesus, we will dr...

Then Mary said, “My soul praises the Lord; my heart rejoices in God my Savior…” — Luke 1:46-47 (NCV) Let us rejoice in God, our Savior. How often? Rejoice always! (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV) In any and every circumstance we can rejoice that our God is a good God. He is loving and He is faithful. God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him. (Luke 1:50 NCV) Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! — Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. — Proverbs 4:23 (NCV) Our thoughts are like a GPS that tells us where to go. If we meditate on God’s Word our actions and speech will align with His Word. If we think loving, and kind thoughts, we will be more likely to walk in love and kindness. If you are experiencing anxiety or fear, check out what you have allowed your mind to meditate on. When your thoughts are fixed on the LORD,  you will be kept in perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3 NLT) Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. (Philippians 4:8-9a MSG)

“At the beginning You founded the earth; The heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure; Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them and they shall be changed. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” — Psalm 102:25-27 (AMP) The world around us is constantly changing, but we can always count on our heavenly Father to be the same loving and faithful God that He is. When you go through deep waters, He will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For He is the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:2-3a NLT) The Message Bible says, When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God... (Isaiah 42:2-3). We things seem impossible, we can count on Him to make a way. “ For I am the LORD,...

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” — Psalm 46:10 (MSG) Step out of the constant flurry of activity and close a door to all the noise of the world. Let us be still and recognize that Almighty God is GOD. Draw near to Him and get to know Him, His ways, His will and His Word. Understand that He is exalted above all. He is over every circumstance in your life. If all others forsake you, God stands by your side. He is with you and He enables you to persevere and conquer all.

“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” — 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NKJV) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:5 NLT). God takes great delight in His children. He is a good Father and as any good father, He takes care of His children. He wants nothing but the best for us. If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him  (Matthew 7:11 AMP). Our heavenly Father is loving and faithful. Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. — Romans 15:13 (AMP) Living a kingdom life is characterized by righteousness, peace and joy, which is a by product of loving God and completely trusting Him. He is the God of hope, a hope that is alive and active. Let us be confident in our great God, that He is both able and willing to fulfill every single promise He has made. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11, NKJV).

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!

And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” — Luke 13:11-12 (NKJV) As Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, He sees this woman in need and stops to tend to her. Know that Jesus sees you too. You are important to Him. Your well-being matters. It is His loving, compassionate nature to relieve people of their suffering. We may be physically, emotionally or spiritually bent over —beaten down by depression, shackled with shame, etc. We are unable to raise ourselves up, that’s why Jesus came to set us free. After 18 years of suffering, Jesus laid His hands on this woman, and immediately she was healed! (Luke 13:13). No matter how long you have been suffering, Jesus sees you and He is calling you to come to Him. Receive a touch from the Lord of lords and be healed today. Amen!

Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. — Psalm 23:4 (AMP) No matter what dark valley you go through, no one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For He will be with you as He was with Moses. He will not fail you or abandon you (Joshua 1:5 NLT). This is His command—“be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NLT). The LORD is our loving shepherd; He is our protection and our guide. And best of all, He is with you!

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.

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. — Psalm 90:1-2 (NKJV) When we make the Lord our dwelling place, we stay and settle in Him. We reside in His loving Presence and know that He is always with us. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone (Psalm 91:9-12, NLT).

Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
 bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” — Psalm 46:8-10 (The Message) Simply put, be still and recognize that He is God. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse (Romans 1:20, NIV). Remember now your Creator, the One who formed you in your mother's womb. Above all, He is God!

So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. — Acts 24:16 (NIV) May we be like the Apostle Paul, and do our absolute best to maintain a clear conscience in the sight of God and people. That means we walk in God's ways, loving all people and showing partiality to no one.  We bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone (Colossians 3:13). And we do not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). Amen!

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.  — Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV) How precious are God's thoughts concerning you!  Our God is so amazing. His thoughts of you outnumber the grains of sand on the seashore. Not a moment passes by, that you are not on His mind. He has made many wonderful plans for us (Psalm 40:5, GW). May our minds be captivated with thoughts of our loving and gracious God!

He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the things of God; and as long as he sought (inquired of, yearned for) the Lord, God made him prosper. — 2 Chronicles 26:5 (AMP) When we seek the Lord, with all of our hearts, He makes us prosper. Prosperity touches every area of our lives. Our physical bodies are in good health, our souls flourish, and we are fruitful. We maintain healthy, loving relationships (based on compassion, trust, and respect). We have more than enough, thus the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. Let us dedicate our lives to drawing near to God, yearning for His Presence every moment, and delighting to do His will.  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2).

Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” — Psalm 46:8-10 (The Message) Get out of the fast lane, with all of its distractions and detours. Put your hand in the hand of the Father and be led on the path that He has for you. It is a path of abundant life and peace. Take a long, loving look at the LORD. He is above all. Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God (Psalm 46:10, GW). Amen.