Manna for Your Morning

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” — 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (NLT) When you encounter challenging circumstances, look to, and rely on Yahweh, to be your help and your guide. He will bring you through the darkness, into the light of day. When you are burdened excessively, don't despair. Cast all your cares on our heavenly Father, Who cares for you. 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 ...

I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. — Philippians 4:12 (AMP) Like the Apostle Paul, may we learn the secret of not just surviving but thriving in whatever kind of situation or circumstance that comes our way. In Philippians 4:4, he also instructs us to rejoice in the Lord always. So, no matter what set of circumstances you face today, don’t let the enemy steal your joy. Let us put more time and energy into trusting God and drawing near to Him than we do in trying to control our circumstances or manipulate people. The closer we are to Him the more likely we will see the situation from His perspective, a higher viewpoint.  Learn to be content and wait with expectation for God to lead you and guide you in the best course of action. And be confid...

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. — Psalm 143:8, 10 (NASB1995) The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. (Psalm 25:8-9 NLT) For those who listen to what YAHWEH says, He will guide you along the best pathway for your life. He will advise you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8) Good students are humble and teachable. After we have been taught we are to walk in truth and honor and fear (with reverence) His name. (See Psalm 86:11)  The disciple is to become like his Teacher. As YAHWEH is love, full of grace and mercy, generous and compassionate, so are those who learn from Him. Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their fath...

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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.” — Matthew 11:28-29 (NASB)  Jesus calls ALL who are weary and heavily burdened to come to Him. God shows no favoritism (Acts 10:34 NLT). He longs for us to come close to Him. The invitation to come is an open invitation to come any time and in any condition, come just as you are, just COME . If you are carrying a heavy burden today, give all your worries and cares to God because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) When we put His yoke on, we join our hearts and lives to Him. We walk with Christ and and let Him work with us and through us. We let go of the world’s ways and learn His ways. When we are yoked to Jesus, our weary souls will find rest. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. — Psalm 23:2 (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ ... — Ephesians 5:1-2a (NLT) Instead of copying the ways of this world, may we imitate the ways of our heavenly Father. The Message Bible says, “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:1-2) The Amplified Bible tells us to walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others]… (Ephesians 5:2). Amen!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you. — Psalm 32:8 (AMP) Let us keep our ears open to hear the voice of our heavenly Father and have open minds that are willing to learn. Never let the noise of your storm drown out the voice of the LORD. He is always speaking to those who listen. “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ (Jeremiah 33:2-3 MSG)

“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. ” — Matthew 11:28-29 (NCV) If you are tired and heavily burdened, Jesus says, “Come!”  Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden ... (Psalm 68:19 NASB).    When we try to do things in our own might and power, we become weary. May we rest in His Presence. The LORD gives us the strength to do all that He has called us to do, by the power of His Holy Spirit within us. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest... (Hebrews 4:9,11). For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said this, “In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confident trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15a  AMP)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. 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 11:28-30 (MSG) Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Jesus is a gentleman. He does not force Himself on anyone. He simply invites us to come to Him. He invites us to walk and work with Him, side-by-side. Engage with Him, and learn from Him. But first He says, “get away and take a real rest.” When we unplug from all the daily demands and turn a deaf ear to the voices of this world, we can truly rest. As we keep company with Jesus, we can learn from the Master, how to live freely and lightly. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my stre...

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:13   (NASB) Wow! This Scripture pricked my heart this morning. If we half-heartedly seek the LORD, we will miss Him all together. We can scurry around doing good things, trying to get an A+ on our Christian report card but our relationship with Jesus is not about trying to get a checkmark in a box. If that is all we ever do, we are in the classroom, but we are too distracted to learn the real lesson. Sit at the feet of Jesus and let Him instruct you. May we be motivated by a true love for God, to do the right things. Let us seek to please the Lord and be more like Him. We can learn about Jesus, or we can know Jesus by seeking Him wholeheartedly. Draw near to God in every area of your heart (all in) and He will draw near and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. My prayer this morning: Create in me a clean heart, O God… (Psalm 51:10 NKJV).

“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. 

“…Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. 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) When Jesus invites us to come to Him and put His yoke on, it's an invitation to be connected to Him. When two oxen are yoked together, they work side by side. Jesus wants us to walk and work alongside of Him. He wants us to watch how He lives and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart. (Matthew 11:30 NIV). He says, when we keep company with him, we will learn to live freely (not in bondage), and lightly, not worried and under the weight of heavy burdens.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. — James 1:2 (NLT) The Message Bible says, t o consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides (James 1:2). When faced with adversity, it is an opportunity to learn that we should not trust in ourselves but in God. In 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV), the Apostle Paul said, “ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ” Troubles present an opportunity for our faith and trust in God to grow and be strengthened. They draw us closer to our heavenly Father. Let us see challenges as a set-up for our great big God to show Himself strong and mighty. We can be confident that God will cause all things to work together for good. We can also take joy in knowing that in Jesus we have already overcome!

“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)

And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” — Exodus 33:14 (NKJV) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. 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 11:28-30 MSG) As we walk with the LORD, we can rest in His Presence, knowing that He loves us and will always provide for our needs. We can totally trust Him to work all things together for good, no matter how hopeless or impossible they may appear at the moment. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; (Psalm 37:7a NKJV) Do not fret—it only causes harm. (Psalm 37:8b NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) We can glory in hardships and troubles when we see them as tools God can use to help us develop perseverance. They are also opportunities to learn and grow in wisdom. As we patiently endure adverse circumstances, in full expectation of seeing God work in our lives, we develop depth and strength of character and spiritual maturity. That enables us to do the right thing even when we feel “it's hard.” When we let God work in us and through us, our hope in Christ, is kept alive and active, and it will never disappoint. Amen.

Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” — Micah 4:2 (NKJV) Notice the Word says to walk “IN” His paths: it does not say “ON” His paths, which indicates a more superficial walk. When you are on something, its easy to jump off, or fall off. However, when you are in something, you have invested your all. As we walk with the Lord, we are to be sold out, —all IN! May we learn His ways and walk in His paths. For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever (Micah 4:5).

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. — 2 Corinthians 1:8b-9 (NIV) Sometimes, life events may cause us to wonder if we are going to live through them. However, when we are totally overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, we learn to rely only on God. Any strength or power we have, comes from our great God, not from ourselves. We may be pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We may be perplexed, but we are not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but we are never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed! (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). So we can get back up again. Amen and Hallelujah!

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. — Philippians 4:12 (NIV) Let us be like the Apostle Paul and learn the secret of being content in every situation. Be assured that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT). No matter how hopeless our current circumstances appear, we have God’s Presence, His promises and His mighty power, which is at work in us. Know that He has a purpose and a plan for your life that is good. Glory to God!

This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life. — Psalm 119:50 (AMP) In all of our pain and suffering we can be comforted with the Word of God. His Word will rejuvenate us and give us abundant life. Our consolation is that ALL things work together for good to those who love God... (Romans 8:28). Our momentary troubles will also draw us closer to God and more committed to His Word. Psalm 119:67 says, before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. The Message Bible says, my troubles turned out all for the best— they forced me to learn from your textbook (Psalm 119:71). Learn, Love & Live!

Let’s learn about the Lord.  Let’s get to know the Lord.  He will come to us as sure as the morning comes.  He will come to us like the autumn rains and the spring rains  that water the ground. Hosea 6:3 (GW) God wants us to know Him and we get to know Him through His Word. Have you ever received a letter in the mail and put it on your desk without reading it? Then, let us open the Word of God and read it. It's our heavenly Father's love letter to us. As we read the Bible we learn of the Lord's deep compassion, His everlasting kindness and great mercy. The Bible shows us His amazing grace and His perfect love that drives out fear (1 John 4:18). In Hosea 6:6 (GW), God says, “I want your loyalty, not your sacrifices. I want you to know me, not to give me burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). Let’s get to know the Lord!