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...

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. — Psalms 1:1-3 (NASB1995) To be firmly planted and able to bear fruit, we need to meditate in the Holy Scriptures day and night.  Joshua 1:8  (NKJV) says: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. — Psalm 1:2-3 (NKJV) Make this season a fruitful season in your life by delighting yourself in God’s Word and being planted firmly in His house, so the seeds of His Word can continue to be watered and bring forth the desired fruit. For the word of God is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12 NLT). It will cut through the weeds of life and make room for you to blossom and flourish.

Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter . — Exodus 15:23 (NKJV) When Moses cried out to the LORD, He showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet (Exodus 15:25). Our heavenly Father is a God of change. He turns our weeping into rejoicing (Psalm 30:5). He turns our mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). If any wrongs that have been done to you made your waters bitter, open wide the channel of your heart and let the LORD's cleansing waters freely flow. They are full of love, forgiveness and strength. He will take those bitter waters and make them sweet.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper . — Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV) Don't get  caught up n the weeds of today. God speaks to your future. You shall be like a strong, mighty oak tree, planted in the God's garden, with roots that run deep into Him. Keep watering your seed with the Word of God and let Him take care of the weeds, which are the cares of this world. Then you will bring forth your fruit, beautiful blossoms, that release a pleasant fragrance. You will continually grow toward the Son and He will provide all you need to prosper and be in health just as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2).

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. — Luke 19:5-6 (NKJV) Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way (Luke 19:3-4). What kind of action are we taking to ensure that we can see the Lord? Let's not fall short when it comes to seeking God. Jesus does reside in our house, our physical bodies. Welcome Him into every room, with great joy and excitement. What a privilege to have His Spirit dwelling inside of us. Amen!

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” — Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV) The person who trusts in the LORD, shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit (Jeremiah 17:8). Seasons come and seasons go, but the LORD remains faithful through them all! Do not fret, fear or be anxious. No matter how hopeless things appear, be confident that our great God will provide everything you need, in every area of life.

But I am like an olive tree  flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. — Psalm 52:8 (NIV) In order to flourish in the house of God, we have to abide in Him long enough to take root. Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7). Jesus said, “If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) May you flourish in the house of God and bear much fruit for His kingdom.

Blessed is the person who trusts the  LORD .  The  LORD  will be his confidence.  He will be like a tree that is planted by water.  It will send its roots down to a stream.  It will not be afraid in the heat of summer.  Its leaves will turn green.  It will not be anxious during droughts. It will not stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (GW) Always trust, believe in, and fully rely on the LORD. Let your roots tap into the spring of Living Water, and you will not be anxious during dry seasons, or fear the heat of summer. Instead of shriveling up, you will continue to bear good, fresh fruit that will last. The fruit of abundant love, overflowing joy, abiding peace, patience in all circumstances, continual kindness, great goodness, enduring faithfulness, tender gentleness, and disciplined self-control. Amen.