Manna for Your Morning

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) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12 NLT) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18 NASB1995) …if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (Romans 8:25 NASB1995) 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) Amen.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! — 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3 NLT) We can be glad that our troubles are temporary. Second Corinthians 4:17 (NASB) describes our afflictions as light and momentary. And they do not compare to the future glory we have in Christ. Jesus endured the cross by looking at the joy that was set before Him. (See Hebrews 12:2) So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT) For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromis...

…and you h ave perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. — Revelation 2:3 (NASB) Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 TPT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (Romans 5:3-4 NLT) We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. (James 5:11 NASB) The one who endures to the end, he will be saved (See Matthew 24:13)  … what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! — 2 Timothy 3:11 (NASB)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. — Romans 8:28 (NASB) When circumstances are less than optimal, remember that God will work all things together for good in your life. May we hold onto His perfect peace, as we develop patience and perseverance. Working all things together for good is a process that takes T-I-M-E. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. (James 1:3 AMP) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3 NLT) Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11 NKJV)

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”  — Ruth 1:20-21 (NKJV) First, Naomi lost her husband, then her two sons died. In Ruth 1:13, she said, “the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!” Sometimes, our pain has a way of distorting our perspective of God. Despite the bitter life events you may face, remember that God is for you and He is with you. His Holy Spirit who dwells within us, is our comforter and helper. Naomi’s story is one of perseverance. Even though she returned to her home town empty, she had more than she realized. God was with her and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, stood by her side and listened to her instruction. As a result, Ruth married Boaz and bore a son, and Naomi was able to care for her grandchild. Then the women said to N...

What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail. — James 5:11 (MSG) As we exercise patience and perseverance, God will work it all together for good. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord (James 5:11a NKJV). The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10 NKJV). The Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11b NKJV). May He restore unto you, double for all your troubles.

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? — Numbers 23:19 (NLT) God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). If He has spoken it, He shall bring it to pass. You can stand on His Word and all of the wonderful promises it contains. After Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise, in the miraculous birth of Isaac (Hebrews 6:15). Indeed, we count them blessed who endure (James 5:11). God does not show personal favoritism. We too shall receive what was promised, through our obedience, and patient perseverance. As He has spoken, so it shall be!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. — James 1:2-3 (NLT) When troubles of any kind come your way, there exists a opportunity for advancement and success. Your perseverance leads to your perfection. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4 NIV). The challenges we face, are opportunities for God to show Himself strong and mighty on our behalf. Any obstacle we face gives us a chance to strengthen our faith. They remind us that we walk by faith and not by what we see. What appears to be a drawback is really a set-up for your success.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. — 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NLT) All serious athletes, train hard and consistently. Let us run our race with perseverance, keeping our eyes on the prize, not allowing the hurdles of life to be a stumbling block. Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:14, NLT). Let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus… (Hebrews 12:1-2, AMP)

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.

For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” — Ezekiel 18:32 (NKJV) God, our Savior, desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4 NKJV). Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12:1 NIV). Amen!

For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. — Proverbs 24:16 (NKJV) What does it take to keep getting back up after being knocked down? Perseverance, endurance and dogged determination. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful (James 5:11 NKJV). When we get tripped up, let us rise again and run with endurance the race that is set before us, because the Lord has good intentions toward us. No matter how many come against you, it's God's purpose that will prevail in your life.

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. — Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) Let us patently endure hardship, trials and temptations. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord (James 5:11). Job received double for his trouble. Hannah and Sarah went through a season of barrenness before they experienced the joy of giving birth. Joseph lived in the prison before he dwelt in the palace. David hid in caves before he sat on the throne, as king of Israel. We must put in the hard work and sweat to climb the mountain, before we can enjoy the view from the top. In the midst of setbacks, keep pushing forward; instead of going for what appears quick and easy, stick with God’s plan. Then you will receive ALL that He has promised!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. — James 1:2-4 (NIV) We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful (James 5:11, NAS). Job suffered for a little while, then, God richly blessed him in the end, and gave him double for his trouble. Let perseverance do a thorough work in you, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! — Romans 5:3-5 (The Message) Know that the trials you go through produce patience and perseverance. And that perseverance develops a strong and impeccable character. That character in turn, produces a hope that will not be disappointed. Continue to shout your PRAISE!

I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.  — Philippians 3:13 -14 (AMP) Sometimes it is a strain to move forward, but when we lay aside the disappointments and regrets of the past and throw off everything that hinders us, we are able to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. So let us press on, with our eyes on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus! Let there be no turning back or getting side-tracked.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. — Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Indeed we count them blessed who endure (James 5:11). Someone is always watching, your children, co-workers, etc. We don't know who may be encouraged as they see our faith and perseverance. De-clutter your life and run the race that lies before you. Never give up!

The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word].  — Lamentations 3:24-25 (AMP) Let your hope in the Lord serve as an anchor for your soul, keeping you steady when the winds of adversity blow. For if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance (Romans 8:25). Diligently seek the Lord and His will. Wait hopefully and expectantly to see His deliverance and the fulfillment of the wonderful plans He has for you!

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (The Message) Do not let your faith draw back when you encounter various trials. James 1:2-3 tells us to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds, because the testing of our faith produces perseverance.  Patiently endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4)!

A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again. However, in a disaster wicked people fall. Proverbs 24:16 (GW) No matter how many times you may stumble and fall, get back up again. We can endure troubles, hardships and distresses because the LORD is our helper. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up (Hebrews 12:1, GW). James 1:4 tells us to let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. When life knocks you down, get back up again and never quit!