Manna for Your Morning

A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life. — Proverbs 28:14 (MSG) “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing.” (Luke 6:37 MSG) Live a blessed life, be tenderhearted: kind and gentle.

The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. — Malachi 1:1 (NKJV) Malachi was burdened with a word from the LORD that he had to release. The word “burden” has a heaviness to it, but it can also be a beautiful thing. In Matthew 11:30, Jesus said: “ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. ” The burden Jesus gives us is light. However, manmade burdens are too much for us to bear. Matthew 23:4 says: For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. May we feel the weight (or the significance) of God’s Word more than anything the enemy brings our way. Let us put on the burden of the Word of the LORD, and release it to others. The Word says all things are possible with God. That is a much more easier burden to bear than one of discouragement and defeat. Every word of God proves true! (Proverbs 30:5a NLT)

…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ — Acts 17:28 (NKJV) Why try to accomplish anything in your own strength and with your limited knowledge? ’Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6) Put on the yoke of the Lord Jesus and journey by His side. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30). So then, 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 NIV)

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30 NLT When Jesus tells us to put His yoke on, it's a proposition to work together, side-by-side.  He doesn’t want us to report to work for Him everyday like He's a hard task master with a whip.  He invites us to walk with Him and work with Him as He helps us and shows us how to fulfill the Father's great plan for our lives. When we stop trying to force our way and walk in rhythm with Jesus, His yoke will feel easy and light and not cumbersome. 

Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. — Nehemiah 5:19 (NKJV) Like Nehemiah, may we be remembered for the good we have done for people. “ Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. ” (Luke 6:37-38 MSG) Jesus gave His life. Follow in His footsteps. Let us generously give what has so freely been given to us: the light, life, and love of God.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) Jesus calls each one of us to come to Him. He has no pre-requisites or conditions, just come. It doesn’t matter how you come or what you are like when you come. The important thing is that we come, not just one time, but come and keep coming to Him on a daily basis. Once we come to Him, let us be teachable and learn from the best Teacher of all. Then we will find rest. When we rest in Him, we are free to experience the deepest peace ever. “ Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. ” (Matthew 11:29-30 MSG)

 Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. — Exodus 6:6 (NKJV) It is the desire of our heavenly Father to bring His children out from under burdens. He tells us to cast all our cares upon Him (Psalm 55:22). In Matthew 11:28 (NLT), Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” His yoke is easy to bear, and the burden He gives us is light (Matthew 11:30). Let us lay aside the heavy burdens and come to Jesus; under His yoke, we find rest for your souls.

“Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves because my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (GW) Are you tired? Jesus says, “Come to Me!” Cast all your anxiety, worries, and concerns on Him because he affectionately cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Go on a retreat with Jesus and He will show you how to take a real rest. “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15).