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...

Then Job answered and said: “How long will you torment my soul, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times you have reproached me; You are not ashamed that you have wronged me.” — Job 19:1-3 (NKJV) Proverbs 18:21 says, death and life are in the power of the tongue. In Genesis 27:33 (NLT), after Isaac had mistakenly blessed Jacob, he told Esau that the blessing must stand! Our words are powerful. When we cut people with our words, we may go back and apologize, but the damage has already been done. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. (Proverbs 12:18 NKJV) Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 29:20 NKJV) May we be slow to speak and carefully choose our words. Let us speak wise words, those of life, love, peace, and blessing. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body. (Proverbs 16:24 AMP)  In Exodus 4:12 (NLT),...

Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; — James 1:19 (AMP) Death and life are in the power of the tongue (see Proverbs 18:21), so let us choose our words carefully. “Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and to hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal.” (Proverbs 12:18 TPT) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 NASB1995) “ Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits. ” —‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ ‭(TPT‬‬)

  Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. — Proverbs 15:4 (MSG) Choose very carefully the words that come from your mouth. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) Words contain power to build relationships and bring healing to a hurting heart. Encouraging words strengthen and give life, but negative, critical words hurt and wound the spirit. Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits. (Proverbs 16:24 TPT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. — Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”  Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. — John 9:1-3 (MSG) When things don’t happen the way we think they should, we often look for someone to blame. Instead, let us look with great expectation for what God is going to do in that situation. Nothing is too difficult for our mighty God. With our words, we can either bless or curse (speak negatively of someone). Let us bless others with our words. The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. (Psalm 33:6 NLT) What are you giving birth to with your words?

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. — Proverbs 3:5-7 (MSG) We are so prone to want to do things our own way, but even Jesus said, “ Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. ” (John 5:19 CSB) Listen for God’s voice in all you do and let His Word speak to your heart. For His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) Reject any thoughts or words spoken to you that do not line up with the Word of God. The Word that goes forth from God's mouth will not return to Him void. It will accomplish what He desires. It will do the work He sent it to do. (Isaiah 55:11). Amen!

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the LORD your God, obey him, and remain faithful to him. For he is your life, and he will prolong your days…” — Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (CSB)  Each and every day we are presented with choices that either bring life or bring death. When we speak words of life, we transmit hope, peace and love. When we speak negative, critical words or engage in gossip, we kill joy, hope, love, peace, etc., not only in ourselves but in those who hear our words. It’s not just the words we speak, but our thoughts and actions either give life and blessing or lead to cursing and death. Choose life each moment of the day. Our heavenly Father instructs us to choose life and live under His cloud of blessing. As children of God, that is where we not only survive, but thrive. Examine yourself and see if your choices lead to life ...

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. — Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) Wisely choose the words you speak. The Amplified Bible reminds us that we bear the consequences of the words we speak. In Matthew 9:20-21, the woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself , “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” She received her healing. What are you saying to yourself? In Luke 7:7, the centurion told Jesus, “I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but j ust say the word , and my servant will be healed.” In Luke 7:10, his servant was found in good health. Speak words of life, and lives will be changed. James 3:9-10 says, with our tongues we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both bl...

Do not let any 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 (NIV) Let us exercise wisdom and choose to speak words that build others up instead of tearing them down. With understanding, choose words that are helpful. The words of the godly encourage many…Proverbs 10:21a (NLT). The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18 NIV). Our words can cut and injure others or our words can be like a soothing balm that heals. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; — James 1:19 (AMP) Be quick to hear. Take the time to listen and get understanding. And when you do speak, do not let any 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 NIV). The tongue of the wise promotes health. (Proverbs 12:18b NKJV). May we choose our words carefully. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” — Genesis 8:22 (NIV) God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:11 NKJV). As long as the earth remains seeds will produce according to their own kind. If we want a harvest of good and positive, we have to speak words (seeds) that are good and positive. If you want peace, speak words of peace. Negative words suck the life out of those who hear them. Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of our tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. As we speak positive words over our lives and the lives of others, and continue to water those seeds with the powerful Word of God, we will produce a harvest of like kind.

By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau. — Hebrews 11:20 (MSG) I beg to differ with the saying “Sticks & stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Words are very powerful. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! With our words we carry the potential to bless or curse, build up or tear down, bring together or create division. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose (Proverbs 18:21 MSG). Our words are like a bridge that creates the passageway from the present to the future. May we reach into the future with words of life and blessing. Let’s lift those who hear our words up and not drag them down or beat them up. Amen!

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. — Matthew 5:8 (MSG) A good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things. (Matthew 12:35a). When we treasure God’s Word in our hearts, our minds will dwell on the right things and our actions and words will line up with God’s Word and His will. Then we are able to see clearly what He is doing and desires to do in our outside world.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. — Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) Your mood, and your actions, and the words that come out of your mouth, will follow what you think about the most. If you constantly think about what you don’t have, you are calling lack into your life. If you always find something to worry about, you will be full of anxiety and despair. However, if your thoughts are fixed on the LORD, that is where your trust will be and, He will keep you in perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3). When you remember all the benefits we have in the LORD, you will have a grateful attitude, a joyful heart and a cheerful disposition.

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. — Psalm 73:23-24 (NLT) Each and every day God wakes us up, He has a purpose and  a plan for us to accomplish. Each day has a destiny, a desired end result and as we continually follow Him, He will get us there. May the words we speak today and whatever we do, touch the lives of others with the love of God. Make each stroke of the paintbrush you put on the canvas of today a reflection of the beauty and grace of our heavenly Father. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5 NKJV).

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” — Isaiah 55:3 (NLT) The Message Bible says, Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest. Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words . With all the extraneous noise and voices clamoring for our attention, let us keep an open ear to hear His still small voice. His words give life and nourishment to our souls. Draw near to our heavenly Father, with your ears wide open. The closer you are to Him the more likely you are to hear His voice.

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them. — Isaiah 55:10-11 (MSG) When current events and circumstances don’t seem to line up with the promises God has spoken to you, go with His Word. Stand on His Word. Speak His Word. Live His Word. Our words and actions need to align with His Word. And then we can rest in His Word, knowing that His words do not return to Him without doing the work He sent them to do. He has a 100% track record of fulfilling every promise. Hallelujah!

And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” — Luke 24:17 (NKJV) These two disciples were sad because they were discussing how Jesus had been condemned to death, and crucified. Our words will effect our moods. Acts 2:26 (NKJV) says, my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. A glad tongue speaks of the good things God is doing and then the flesh can rest and be full of hope. Let us be mindful of the words we speak. Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV) says, do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. The Israelite people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused (Numbers 11:1a NIV). Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with sa...

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. — Daniel 10:12 (NKJV) At times it may seem that our prayers hit the ceiling and come tumbling back down, but we can be confident that every prayer we utter is heard in heaven. Those things that we have been praying for awhile, were heard the first day we prayed them. Let us praise God for the answer while we patiently wait for it to manifest in our lives. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16 NLT). Keep praying at all times and in every situation.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8 (NKJV) “Love is not a declaration, it is a demonstration.” —Pastor Matthew Pollock. Love suffers long and is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). What you say doesn’t count as much as what you do. Your actions speak much louder than your words. God never fails to show us the vast magnitude of the love He has for us. How will you demonstrate your love to those God brings your way today?