Manna for Your Morning

“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...

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)

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.  — Romans 5:17 (NKJV) In Christ we have an abundance of grace and mercy. Because of all that Jesus Christ did for us, we can reign in life. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come your way. Every war has its battles. In order to be victorious, there has to be a battle. But the battle is not ours, it belongs to the LORD.  Whatever the enemy has stolen from you, pursue, overtake and recover all! In Christ, we are to be the head, not the tail. We shall be above only and not beneath, as we walk with Him. (Deuteronomy 28:13). I love the way The Message Bible says it: Imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus C...

David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God. — 1 Samuel 30:6 (AMP) After David and the people who were with him wept until they could weep no more, David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God. Then David and his men pursued their enemies and overtook them. They recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and nothing of theirs was lacking, (1 Samuel 30:18,19). There may be situations that cause you to be distressed and weep, but find strength and encourage yourself in the Lord. Don't let the enemy steal anything from you. Recover all!

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord; — Acts 3:19 (AMP) When we repent, change directions, from going our own way to follow God's way, we are revived. We experience the Presence of God in a whole new way that refreshes our spirits, minds and bodies. And we can be at peace, knowing that we will fulfill our purpose in this life, as long as we follow the guidance of our heavenly Father.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.” — Matthew 11:28 (The Message) Jesus said to come to Him. He didn’t add any conditions. We don’t have to "get ourselves together" before we come. Our part is to just come. Jesus’ part is to heal, restore, comfort, strengthen, deliver, make whole, etc. Aren’t you glad we got the easy part? JUST COME! Stop hiding, stop making excuses and come to JESUS, just as you are, and stay. Abide in His Presence!

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV) When David and his troops returned home from battle, they found their city burned and their wives, sons and daughters taken captive. David and his men wept until they could weep no more. In spite of the men talking about stoning him, David found strength in the LORD his God. David and troops pursued their enemies and recovered all. When we encounter difficult days and trying times, let us be like David and find strength in the LORD, our God. Ignore any negative and critical conversation and continue on the path God has for you.

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV) When David and his men returned to Ziklag, they found the town destroyed by fire and their wives and children had been taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep (1 Samuel 3-4). But David found strength in the LORD and recovered everyone and everything his enemies had taken (1 Samuel 30:19). In times of great distress, when life is bitter, we must find strength in the LORD our God. He will give us the power, by His Spirit, to recover all.

Then Abram brought back everything the enemy had stolen, the women and the other people, and Lot, and everything Lot owned. Genesis 14:16 (NCV) God helped Abram defeat his enemies and rescue his nephew, Lot. John 10:10 says, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. What has the enemy stolen from you? Did he take your joy? Has he robbed you of marital bliss? When you walk on that job, do you allow the devil to steal your peace? Has he destroyed family relationships? Does he steal your patience as you sit in traffic? Has he killed your hope of success and prosperity? It is time to bring back everything that has been stolen. Everyday we are in a battle because the devil declared war against the offspring of Eve (Revelation 12:17). But God has already given us the victory. Put on the full armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:13-18). Pursue, overtake and recover all...