Manna for Your Morning

Jesus …[willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.  — Titus 2:14 (AMP) “…you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (See 1 Peter 2:9 NLT) “And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. (Titus 2:12-13 NLT)

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. — James 4:8 (NASB) It is good for us to draw near to our heavenly Father. Make Him your refuge and abide in His peace. The greater the distance between us and God, the more room there is for distractions which will cause detours off of the path He has for us. Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6) But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God; I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him, that I may tell of all Your works. — Psalm 73:28 (AMP)

Come close to the one true God, and He will draw close to you. Wash your hands; you have dirtied them in sin. Cleanse your heart, because your mind is split down the middle, your love for God on one side and selfish pursuits on the other. — James 4:8 (VOICE) Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. (James 4:8a TPT) So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. (James 4:7-10 MSG)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. — James 4:8 (NLT) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. How can we draw near to God? We are drawing closer to God when our first thoughts, after we awaken, are of Him and His goodness, for giving us another day. We draw near to God when the deepest desire of our hearts is for more of His Presence living in us, occupying every crevice. We draw near to Him, when we acknowledge that we can do nothing without Him. We come closer to our heavenly Father when we worship Him, with humble hearts and attitudes of gratitude, grateful for even the air He gives us to breathe. We draw near to God when we realize that He is the only One who can fulfill us, the only One who can mend the broken pieces of our lives. He is the One who completes us. No matter where we are, in our walk with God, He is always calling us to come closer.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. — James 4:8 (NLT) With the flurry of activity that comes during the Christmas season, remember to draw near to God and abide in Him. When we draw near to God, He draws near to us. He is good and He does good. The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. (Psalm 145:9) His nearness is our good. As long as we continually draw near to our Heavenly Father, we are good. And if we wander off...  The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. (Psalm 25:8) But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do . — Psalm 73:28 (NLT)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. — James 4:8 (NLT) If you have let the world draw you away from God, come running back to Him. Isaiah 55:7, in the Message Bible says: ...come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness. Continually come closer to our heavenly Father and let Him love you the way only He can. Nothing in this world can satisfy our souls, like our Abba Father. May the greatest hunger of our hearts be for more His Presence in our lives. As we first fellowship with the LORD, then we are able to flourish in our relationships with others. “Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. I’m making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love.” (Isaiah 55:3 MSG)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. — James 4:8 (NLT) May we set our affections on the Lord and be totally devoted to Him. What the world has to offer is temporary and superficial. It is good for us to draw near to God (Psalm 73:8), for in Him we live and move and have our being, (Acts 17:28). Count on this: The wicked won’t get off scot-free, and God’s loyal people will triumph. (Proverbs 11:21 MSG) For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9a NKJV)

But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God; I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him, that I may tell of all Your works. — Psalm 73:28 (AMP) It is good for us to stay close to God. When we allow distance to grow between us, we are more susceptible to the many worldly distractions that will draw us away from Him. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8 NLT) So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time.  (James 4:7 MSG).

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.  — Psalm 86:5 (NIV) When we confess our sins, the Lord is standing by, ready to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He removes our transgressions as far from us, as the east is from the west. The love we have in Jesus knows no boundaries. It goes on and on. His love never gives up on us. Call upon the Lord, fully confident that He will answer.