Manna for Your Morning

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. — Acts 16:22-24 (NLT) Acts 16:25 says, around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. The Word doesn’t say they were complaining, nor crying out to God “why me?” Instead, they maintained their peace, joy and faith in Yahweh and prayed and praised the God of heaven and earth. Acts 16:26 says, suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials… (See 2 Peter 2:7-9 NLT) However, the prisoners were all accounted for when th...

In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. — 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 (NLT) Like the Apostle Paul, we will endure troubles, hardships and calamities, however we can take comfort in the fact that God is with us, and nothing is too difficult for Him. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us empowers us to walk in the victory Jesus has already obtained for us. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMP)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. — 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT) In 2 Corinthians 11:25-27a (NLT), the Apostle Paul tells us about some of the challenges he went through. He says: “ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. ” Through all of this the Apostle Paul, knew it was a “ good ” fight. He kept the faith and finished his race. No matter what circumstances you face today, remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, fight the good fight and finish your race.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. — Isaiah 53:4-5 (NLT) In the court of law, a person cannot be tried for the same offense twice. Jesus paid the price for our sins. On the cross, our punishment was piled on Him. He paid the debt. Don’t let the lies of the enemy bind you up again. The shackles of sickness, shame, and guilt have no power over a child of God. Jesus is our righteousness. Live in holiness and freedom! Be whole and healed. Jesus interceded and intervened our our behalf to save forever those who come to God through Him. HE always LIVES to intercede and intervene on  our behalf (Hebrews 7:25 AMP)

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” — Matthew 21:9-10 (NKJV) Let us be moved by JESUS, the living Word that was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1) He is the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) King of kings and Lord of lords! Be moved by His body, that was bruised and beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5) Be moved by the blood that trickled down the wooden cross; the blood that washes away our sins. (Matthew 26:28) Be moved by the statement Jesus made from the cross when He said, “ It is finished! ” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30) In Him, we have already won the victory over sin and death. In Him, we have already overcome the world. Be moved by His tomb, that was found empty. He ...

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. — 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV) The Apostle Paul was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, suffered shipwrecked, and was often in perils (serious danger). He experienced weariness and toil, sleeplessness often, was in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (2 Corinthians 11: 23-27). But he persevered through it all and finished the race. In spite of the circumstances we encounter may we continue to fight the good fight, and finish the race. We are able to do this as we hold onto our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and stand on the Word of God. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV)

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. — Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG) I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have...

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. — Acts 16:25 (NKJV) Paul and Silas had been dragged, had their clothes torn off, they were beaten with rods and thrown into prison, with their feet clamped in stocks. (Acts 16:19-24). The Word does not say they were asking God, “Why is all this happening to us, if You are with us?” It does not mention them complaining about the conditions of the prison. No, in spite of all these hardships, they were still praying and praising. The enemy could not stop their praise to God, nor steal their joy.  How do you react when adverse circumstances hit? Whether your circumstances have you locked up or not, no one can stop you from praying and praising our mighty and awesome God. No matter what comes your way, keep praying and praising God. What a glorious testimony to those who are listening to you.

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.” — Luke 24:30 (NKJV) In all of these accounts: Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:22, and Luke 24:30, Jesus blessed the bread before it was broken. Just because we have been broken by some horrific events in our past, doesn't mean that we are not blessed. We can be both at the same time, blessed and broken. We may be struck down, but never destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:9 AMP). After Jesus was beaten, and  crucified, He received the blessing of sitting at the right hand of the Father. We too will be broken as we receive our blessings and go from one glory to another. Brokenness builds strength and tenacity in us, and increases the capacity we have to give to others. It adds a richness and depth to our life experiences than if we never had anything to overcome. In our brokenness, we have bits and pieces of ourselves that we can share with those God brings into our lives an...

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! — Acts 16:25-26 (NLT) I have often heard that life is not so much what happens to you, it's more about your response to what happens. Paul and Silas were dragged, had their clothes torn off, were beaten and thrown in prison. However, they didn’t let their circumstances get them down. They were praying and singing hymns to God. No matter what your circumstance, turn your attention to God, who holds the universe in His hands. Are there things in your life that need to be shaken? Do you have some doors that need to be opened? A little prayer and praise goes a long way. And it also has a profound impact on those around you, just as Paul and Silas effected the prisoners around them. How are you reacting to...

And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” — Luke 13:11-12 (NKJV) As Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, He sees this woman in need and stops to tend to her. Know that Jesus sees you too. You are important to Him. Your well-being matters. It is His loving, compassionate nature to relieve people of their suffering. We may be physically, emotionally or spiritually bent over —beaten down by depression, shackled with shame, etc. We are unable to raise ourselves up, that’s why Jesus came to set us free. After 18 years of suffering, Jesus laid His hands on this woman, and immediately she was healed! (Luke 13:13). No matter how long you have been suffering, Jesus sees you and He is calling you to come to Him. Receive a touch from the Lord of lords and be healed today. Amen!

I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. — 2 Corinthians 7:4b (NKJV) The Apostle Paul was beaten with rods three times, stoned, shipwrecked, in perils (serious and immediate danger) of waters, in perils of robbers, his own countrymen, and the Gentiles, in perils in the city, the wilderness, and the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). Yet, in all these things, the Apostle Paul says he was exceedingly joyful. This shows, that our joy is not a matter of having the right circumstances in our lives. Our joy comes from knowing Who our God is and that He is able. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Our joy comes from knowing who we are. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. He chose us and accepted us into His family. We can hold onto our joy, knowing that no matter what trials come, they will also pass, and God ...

Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  — Acts 16:24-25 (NKJV) Paul and Silas had their clothes torn off, were beaten with rods and then thrown into prison, yet at midnight, they were praying and singing praises to God. They did not get caught up in doubt, unbelief or fear. On your worst day, when it seems as though the enemy has you imprisoned, what sounds come out of your mouth? Hebrews 12:1 says, we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. Let us fight the good fight of faith by praying and praising God always, no matter what the circumstance. You don't know whose salvation is hanging in the balance as they see and hear your faithfulness or lack of it. Amen!