Manna for Your Morning

“ You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place; carefully, skillfully you shaped me from nothing to something. ” — Psalms 139:13, 15 (TPT) We are created in the image of God. (See Genesis 1:27) The One Who formed you in the womb of your mother knows everything there is to know about you. He knows our inside is delicate, easily broken or damaged. And our outside environment is intricate, very complicated or detailed. No need for pretense with Him. We cannot hide anything from Him, so be humble, open and honest with our heavenly Father. Even though He knows our weaknesses and the areas where we completely miss the mark, He also sees the best in us and wants the best for us. He has given to each person talents and gifts, which are to give glory to our Maker and His Kingdom. May we submit to His Holy Spirit, Who is at work in u...

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You! — Psalm 84:10-12 (NASB) Don’t be an outsider. Come and dwell in the house of the LORD. What the world offers is shallow, temporary and it drains you of life. Our heavenly Father is the giver of every perfect gift. (James 1:17) He generously gives us grace and glory. He fills our hearts with His love and our lives with His goodness. The LORD is a sun (giver of light) and a shield (our protection). He gives us a more abundant life that will last forever. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name . — Psalm 100:4 (NASB)

The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. — 1 Timothy 1:5 (MSG) If we want to ensure our love is uncontaminated we need to live our lives open to God. God is love. As we stay open to Him, He transforms us from the inside (our hearts) to the outside. As we stay open to God and the work His Holy Spirit is doing in us, His love will permeate every fiber of our being. As we fully embrace God's love, we can let go of self-interest, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc. Let us knock down any barriers we have erected and live open to God. This is the optimal position from which to love, love the LORD and love others, with a plain and simple love and no hidden agendas.