Manna for Your Morning

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; — 1 Peter 4:12 (NASB1995) Second Timothy 3:12-13 (NASB1995) says: Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But we are not to get discouraged, nor be afraid. The Lord is faithful to stand with us and strengthen us. (See 1 Timothy 3:17)  The apostle Paul received thirty-nine lashes from the Jews, five times. Three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned, three times he was shipwrecked. On frequent journeys, he was in dangers from rivers, robbers, from his own countrymen and from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in the wilderness, and on the sea, and in dangers among false brethren. (See 2 Corinthians 11:24-26) In spite of all these things, the apostle Paul reminds us that God is faithful to rescue us. ...

“ Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. ” — Deuteronomy 31:6 (NASB) Our great God is Jehovah Shammah, the One who is always with us. You are not alone. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. (Psalm 46:2 TPT) Yet, in spite of all this, you comfort me by your counsel; you draw me closer to you. You lead me with your secret wisdom. and following you brings me into your brightness and glory! (Psalm 73:23-24 TPT)

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” — John 4:13-14 (NKJV) When we draw from the well of the world for our needs, we will always have to go back and draw again. The things of this world will never satisfy our souls. When we open our hearts and receive Jesus we become the well that contains living water, His Holy Spirit. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19a NLT) Jesus is our only hope. He is the source of all our joy and peace. He fills our cup to overflowing. He is the truth that sets us free, the living Word. Jesus saves and delivers. He is the answer to every challenge and situation. When we fully rely on God, we will not be disappointed. Amen.

Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. — Proverbs 14:27 (NLT) Isaiah 12:3 (NASB) says we will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. Draw from the fountain of life and drink deeply, for your cup overflows. May we give honor and respect to our great God. In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence. (Proverbs 14:26a NASB) And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:19)  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” — John 12:32 (NKJV) To draw means to gently pull or guide someone in a specified direction. Jesus has been lifted up from the earth, and now He is drawing all peoples to Himself. Sometimes, we act like Jonah and go in the opposite direction, but our specified direction is to move toward Jesus. Once we have delighted ourselves in His precious, yet powerful Presence, how can we not hunger and thirst for more of Him, more of His love, mercy, grace, and compassion? Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! (Psalm 34:8a) The Word says He draws ALL peoples. Don’t think you are excluded. No matter who you are or what you have done, Jesus desires to draw you into a love relationship with Him. Surrender your heart to Him today.

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” — John 12:32 (NKJV) Jesus said, He draws ALL peoples to Himself. Nationality, color, race, social status, socioeconomic status, language, etc. does not matter. God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34 NIV). Jesus draws all of us. He draws us with unconditional love and compassion, and His love never fails. Nothing can separate us from His love. Instead of condemnation, He shows us forgiveness, grace and mercy. Jesus came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). We enjoy that abundant life as we abide in constant companionship with our Savior. Don’t be among those who draw back, instead, allow Jesus to continually draw you into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Himself, the very source of our peace, joy, love and life.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You... — Psalm 84:5 (NKJV) We get tripped up when we think we can accomplish anything, purely in our own strength. Let the LORD be the strength of your life (Psalm 27:1). Draw from the well of His unlimited power and strength. Blessed is the person who strength is in the LORD. They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power] (Psalm 84:7 AMP). Rely on the LORD to turn those seemingly impossible situations around. “His strength is made perfect in our weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV). Our heavenly Father, did not expect us to do this on our own, He made His strength available to us. Amen!

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. — Isaiah 40:29 (AMP) God makes strength available for every hardship, and every difficulty we face. When we are weary, we need to take our buckets and draw from the well of living water, where there is an endless supply of everything we need. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV). We are empowered to overcome every challenge by allowing His power that dwells in us, to work through us. Amen!

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. — John 1:9 (NKJV) Jesus is true Light, who gives light to everyone. As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12) For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light] (Ephesians 5:8, AMP). Let us embrace the Light and live in such a way, that we draw those in darkness to the true Light.

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.  — Psalm 139:9-10 (NLT) The Psalmist says, "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!" (Psalm 139:7). My questions is, "Why would we ever want to?" Stop trying to hide from God and draw near. He guides us along right paths, bringing honor to his name (Psalm 23:3, NLT). His strength is our support. Thank you, Abba Father!

My child, find your source of strength in the kindness of Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 2:1 (GW) In the midst of despair, grief, or suffering of any kind, may you draw strength straight from the source, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and His grace. After everyone had abandoned him, the Apostle Paul said,   “the Lord stood by me and gave me strength” (2 Timothy 4:17). May you look to Him today, as He stands by you and know that His grace is all you need. When we are weak, He shows Himself strong.

“When I have been lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people toward me.” — John 12:32 (GW) Jesus draws all people unto Him. He didn’t come to condemn the world but to save the world (John 12:47). Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” If you are heavily burdened, cast your cares on the Lord and draw unto Him.