Character Archives - My Manna https://mymanna.org/tag/character/ Daily Devotionals for Comfort and Counsel from the Bible Mon, 13 Nov 2017 22:00:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://i0.wp.com/mymanna.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-My-Manna-512-x-512.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Character Archives - My Manna https://mymanna.org/tag/character/ 32 32 189112494 Patience https://mymanna.org/patience/ Mon, 13 Nov 2017 22:00:17 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=3239 “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him” Ps​alm 37:7. Have you prayed and prayed and waited and waited? And still there is no manifestation? Are you tired of seeing nothing move? Are you just at the point of giving it all up? Perhaps you have not waited in the right way! “With patience wait!” Rom​ans 8:25. Patience takes away worry! His promise is equal to His presence! He knows your need better than you do!! His purpose in waiting...

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“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him” Psalm 37:7.
Have you prayed and prayed and waited and waited?
And still there is no manifestation?
Are you tired of seeing nothing move?
Are you just at the point of giving it all up?
Perhaps you have not waited in the right way!
“With patience wait!” 
Romans 8:25.

Patience takes away
worry!
His promise is equal to His presence!
He knows your need better than you do!!
His purpose in waiting is to bring more glory out of it all.
Patience takes away your
weeping!
Patience takes away self-works.
The work He desires is that you “believe”. John 6:29.
And when you believe, you may then know that all is well.
“weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.
Patience takes away all
want!
Your desire for the thing you wish is perhaps stronger than-
– your desire for the will of God to be fulfilled in its arrival.
Patience takes away all
weakening!
Instead of having the delaying time, a time of letting go,
– know that God is getting a larger supply ready and must get you ready too.
Patience takes away all
wobbling!
“Make me stand upon my standing” Daniel 8:18.
God’s foundations are steady.
When His patience is within-
– we are steady while we wait.
​​

Patience gives worship!
A praiseful patience paves the way for a joyful worship.
“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long
suffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” Col.1:11,12. 

“Let patience have its perfect work-
– that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  James 1:4.

(PA)

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Extra Mile https://mymanna.org/extra-mile/ Sun, 12 Nov 2017 22:00:14 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=3237 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” Matthew 5:41. When Jesus spoke about going the extra mile- He wasn’t referring to customer service, – but to a Roman law imposed on the people. The law stated that Roman soldiers could order any citizen- – to carry their weapons or equipment for a distance of up to one mile. No matter what you were doing, the law required that you drop everything and obey. You can guess...

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“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” Matthew 5:41.

When Jesus spoke about going the extra mile-
He wasn’t referring to customer service
,
but to a Roman law imposed on the people.
The law stated that Roman soldiers could order any citizen-
– to carry their weapons or equipment for a distance of up to one mile.
No matter what you were doing, the law required that you drop everything and obey.
You can guess how the people felt about that!
So when Jesus said, “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two,” the people weren’t exactly thrilled.

In today’s context-
– it would be comparable to having a very demanding boss who expects so much from you that at times it seems unreasonable.
Yet still you do even more than he or she expects even if it goes unacknowledged.
What Jesus was saying to Christians is this:
“Even if your boss is incredibly difficult, don’t just do the bare minimum.
Go above and beyond, even exceeding their expectations.
But be careful to watch your motives.
Don’t act in this way expecting a raise or hoping to be promoted; do it because you want to be a positive witness for Christ.”
Do it for the glory of God!
If you want to communicate a character and a lifestyle that is beyond the norm-
– if you want to be a positive witness for Christ,
– are you willing to go the 
extra mile?
The world is always surprised when people live that way!

(PA)

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God-confidence https://mymanna.org/god-confidence-3/ Sat, 11 Nov 2017 22:00:26 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=3227 “They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true” (Psalms 105:18-19). God spoke to Joseph as a young boy through a dream and vision regarding his future. He could not understand its complete meaning at the time, but he knew it had great significance. Joseph knew God had a destiny for his life. However, the proving out of that word from...

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“They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true” (Psalms 105:18-19).
God spoke to Joseph as a young boy through a dream and vision regarding his future.
He could not understand its complete meaning at the time, but he knew it had great significance.
Joseph knew God had a destiny for his life.
However, the proving out of that word from God was filled with 13 years of waiting, rejection, pain, sorrow, and no doubt, questioning God’s faithfulness.
His life was all but a life of influence and impact as a prisoner and slave.
No doubt he wondered whether that dream was simply some vain imagination.
David must have felt the same when he was anointed king over Israel as a young man only to spend years of fleeing from King Saul.
God’s preparation for greatness in His Kingdom is often filled with difficulty.
God is more concerned about developing the inner life of his servant.
That inner life can only be prepared by removing all self-confidence, and replacing it with God-confidence.
God-confidence is only developed in the furnace of life.
Is the Lord proving His word in your life?
Perhaps He is using circumstances and events to move you into a place of patient waiting as He puts you in the place He desires for you.
This is the place where the foundations of your soul mature.
Let Him prove your faith!
(PA)

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Gossip https://mymanna.org/gossip/ Sun, 05 Nov 2017 22:00:49 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=3218 “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”James 3:6. Gossip isn’t a popular subject- – but it certainly is a popular activity. Many people spend a great deal of time participating in idle talk about someone else- – usually with the intention of injuring the individual in some way. Unfortunately,...

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“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”James 3:6.

Gossip isn’t a popular subject-
– but it certainly is a popular activity.

Many people spend a great deal of time participating in idle talk about someone else-
– usually with the intention of injuring the individual in some way.
Unfortunately, believers are oftentimes just as guilty of gossiping as unbelievers.
But our Father wants us to see the practice for what it truly is.
The Bible includes gossip in a couple of odious categories.
Paul lists it amidst interrelated sins like deceit, malice, slander, and arrogance. Rom. 1:29-30.
Gossip is deceptive and defamatory-
– and it is accompanied by both cruelty and pride.
These are all characteristics of “haters of God,” according to the apostle.
In another passage describing ungodly practices-
Paul places gossip in the middle.
And of course, everyone recognizes the Ten Commandments, whose last decree is-
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.” Ex. 20:16.
Gossip does not fit who we are as God’s children.
Just as you can’t have poison and pure water pouring from the same stream-
– you cannot have both God-honoring talk and gossip coming from a believer.
When evil words pass our lips, they are indicative of what we harbour in our heart.
However-
God is in the heart-cleaning business.
If we falter-
– allowing gossip and its cohorts, malice and deceit, into our lives
– we should pray as David did:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19:14.
(PA)

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Reflect His Glory https://mymanna.org/reflect-his-glory/ Mon, 05 Jun 2017 22:00:17 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=2858 “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light” John 5:35.   The moon is lovely on a clear night only because it reflects the light of the sun.  It has no qualities by itself to reflect its beauty.    Without the sun shining onto its surface, you and I would never see the moon.  It would simply be a dark object in the sky.   A diamond is designed...

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“John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light” John 5:35.
 
The moon is lovely on a clear night only because it reflects the light of the sun. 
It has no qualities by itself to reflect its beauty. 
 
Without the sun shining onto its surface, you and I would never see the moon. 
It would simply be a dark object in the sky.
 
A diamond is designed to reflect the light to reveal its true value. 
The cut of a diamond determines its brilliance. 
 
There is no single measurement of a diamond that defines its cut-
– but rather a collection of measurements and observations that determine the relationship between a diamond’s light performance, dimensions and finish.
 
Jesus came to bring the light of His love and grace to each of us. However, we are born into a world dulled by the sin created by Adam and Eve that makes our lives dark until we meet Jesus. 
 
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Rom 3:23-24.
 
Jesus contrasted in many parables that those who allow His life to live in them will live in the light amidst darkness. 
 
When you invite Jesus Christ to live in your heart it is as though a light is shining upon your life in order to reflect the glory of God’s Son through you.
 
Jesus calls you to be a vessel to reflect-
– the brilliant light of His love to others. 
 
The workplace is a great place to reflect His glory!
 
How are your reflective qualities? 
Ask Him to make your life a continual reflection of His light to others.
(PA)

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Accepting Accountability https://mymanna.org/accepting-accountability/ Mon, 29 May 2017 22:00:49 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=2841 At times, we can be so subtle in dodging personal responsibility that we deceive our own selves into thinking that it’s somebody else’s fault.    Most of us jump into the “blame game” far too eagerly.   The word “accountable” means answerable.  Since it contains the word “account,” let’s use the metaphor of bookkeeping to illustrate it.    If I accept accountability, that means I’m willing to let other people “audit my books.”    I’m willing for my deeds to...

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At times, we can be so subtle in dodging personal responsibility that we deceive our own selves into thinking that it’s somebody else’s fault. 
 
Most of us jump into the “blame game” far too eagerly.
 
The word “accountable” means answerable. 
Since it contains the word “account,” let’s use the metaphor of bookkeeping to illustrate it. 
 
If I accept accountability, that means I’m willing to let other people “audit my books.” 
 
I’m willing for my deeds to be examined against fair standards of right and wrong, and if the audit shows that I’ve done anything amiss, then I’m willing to compensate anyone who’s been hurt and make restitution to the full extent of my ability.
 
Accepting accountability requires three things, at the very least.
 
Conscience. 
We must admit that there are standards that we’re answerable to and have the humility to be guided by those standards.
 
Commitment. 
We must discipline ourselves to demonstrate integrity. 
That is, we must commit ourselves to doing what’s right and maintain consistency between our principles and our practice.
 
Courage. 
We must be willing to accept the consequences of everything we do — and face the firing squad of full justice, if need be.
 
Accepting full and frank accountability for our own actions is one of the best things we can do for those around us.
 
It’s a gift of great value, and one that’s made all the more valuable by the fact that it’s so rare these days. 
 
When others know that we can be counted on to do our best, and that when we’ve failed to do what’s right, we’ll spend our time making restitution rather than making excuses, they will find a peace and security in their relationship with us that can’t be found any other way. 
 
It’s not a complicated matter, really. It’s just a bit of basic morality, a fundamental principle of right and wrong.
 
A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.
(PA)

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Does That Describe You? https://mymanna.org/does-that-describe-you/ Mon, 22 May 2017 22:00:38 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=2822 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. This verse says you’re a brand new creature if you are in Christ Jesus! The word ‘new’ is from the Greek word kainos! It describes something that is brand new or recently made. It also carries the idea of something that is superior. This means when Jesus Christ came into your life- – you were made brand,...

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“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
This verse says you’re a brand new creature if you are in Christ Jesus!
The word ‘new’ is from the Greek word kainos!
It describes something that is brand new or recently made.
It also carries the idea of something that is superior.
This means when Jesus Christ came into your life-
– you were made brand, spanking new!
The new you is superior to the old you!
In fact-
You are so new that this verse calls you a new creature!
The moment we receive Christ as Saviour-
We should start displaying new attitudes in life,
– along with new behaviours and habits.
It may take time for these to become established in daily practice.
But there should be no doubt that the process is working.
New goals.
New priorities.
New relationships.
New emotions.
New perspectives.
New words.
New responses.
New and improved!
Does that describe you?
What a wonderful change-
– in my life has been wrought
– since Jesus came into my heart!
(PA)

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Be Moldable https://mymanna.org/be-moldable/ Thu, 27 Apr 2017 22:00:47 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=2766 “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8.    Early in the last century- – sculptor Gutzon Borglum gazed at the cliffs of South Dakota’s Black Hills.   As any great artist would- He saw what no one else could the sculpted faces of US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.   After 14 years, he finally...

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“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8. 
 
Early in the last century-
– sculptor Gutzon Borglum gazed at the cliffs of South Dakota’s Black Hills.
 
As any great artist would-
He saw what no one else could the sculpted faces of US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
 
After 14 years, he finally completed his project-
Mount Rushmore.

How in the world did Borglum foresee such a work of art by looking at a cliff?
 
He envisioned-
– what those Black Hills could become.

God is envisioning what we are to become in Him!
 
But in order for the Him to make a beautiful monument of us-
– we must allow ourselves to ​​be moldable!​
 
He wants to mold us into the image He desires-
His own!
 
He wants to chip away at our rough edges-
– and make us into a fine work of art,
– that all who see us will be awed and enriched.
 
In the hands of a great artist-
– we can be created into incredible works of art that survive the ages,
– even after we have passed through this life into the next!

Let’s become moldable in the Father’s hands-

– and make Him proud to show off what He’s created!
(PA)

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The Shortest Route https://mymanna.org/the-shortest-route/ Wed, 28 Dec 2016 22:00:58 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=2461 It would take only 11 days for the Israelites to travel from Sinai to the border of the Promised Land (Deut 1:2). But the Lord lead them through a longer way. “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the...

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It would take only 11 days for the Israelites to travel from Sinai to the border of the Promised Land (Deut 1:2).
But the Lord lead them through a longer way.
“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle” (Exod 13:17-18).
The Israelites took forty years to make an eleven-day journey!  It wasn’t really a journey.  They were actually wandering in circles in the wilderness.
Why did God allow that to happen?
“And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you” (Deut 8:2-5).
The Lord wanted them to learn:
To humble themselves before God.
To live the spiritual life, a life of relationship with God, and not just live for food and raiment.
To depend upon the Lord to provide for their needs.
The shortest route is not always the best one.
God led them through the wilderness so that they will know that the Lord is God.
God might lead you through a longer way.  There might be pain, heartaches, and headaches.  You might go through storms.  When you cooperate obediently with God, you will end up stronger and better.

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Be Blameless https://mymanna.org/be-blameless/ Mon, 28 Nov 2016 22:00:33 +0000 http://mymanna.net/?p=2391 “I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment.” Philippians 1:9. Love without discernment- – love that doesn’t have any thought behind it, – is not really love. Parents who show love to their children by overindulging and refusing to discipline are really hurting them in the long run. The guy who asks his girlfriend to prove her love by having sex with him is using her, not loving her. A person...

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Bible 4“I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment.” Philippians 1:9.
Love without discernment-
– love that doesn’t have any thought behind it,
– is not really love.
Parents who show love to their children by overindulging and refusing to discipline are really hurting them in the long run.
The guy who asks his girlfriend to prove her love by having sex with him is using her, not loving her.
A person who isn’t truthful with someone for fear of losing a friendship is not acting as a true friend.
Love has to be discerning.
It has to include an awareness of what God wants.
It has to seek the best for others.
Is it possible to love like that?
How can you tell the difference between-
– sentimental love and
– genuine love?
Only by letting God help you.
He will tell you when to be gentle with someone and when to be firm.
The Holy Spirit will help you know-
– when to get involved in someone’s problems
– and when to leave them alone.
He will show you how to give without asking for something in return.
When you love others this way-
– you’re loving them the way Christ loves them.
So seek to be blameless in all your relationships.
This means guarding your thoughts, your words, and your actions to make sure you have the other person’s best interests at heart.
Ask God to teach you how to love people with discernment-
– to treat them with a love that comes only from him.

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