Manna for Your Morning

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. — Matthew 11:28 (TPT) An oasis is a pleasant or peaceful place in the midst of a difficult situation or troubling circumstance. Jesus is our calm in a troubled world. Come to Him and be refreshed. In Matthew 11:29-30 (MSG), Jesus says: “ 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. ” We life free and light when we join our lives with Him and learn from Him. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret … — Psalm 37:7a (NKJV)

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. — Psalm 23:4 (NLT) No matter what kind of situation you may be walking through, remember the LORD is your Shepherd. You can feel secure, because He is with you. Keep walking, taking each step by faith. His rod will protect you and His staff will guide you along on the right path. He will refresh your soul and give you new strength. Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the LORD. — Psalm 23:6 (AMP)

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” — Matthew 11:28-30 (TPT) In The Passion Translation, Jesus says, He is our oasis. An oasis is a pleasant and peaceful place found in the midst of hard and difficult terrain. In this chaotic world, Jesus is our calm. In a dry and weary land, He is a spring of living water. When we join our lives with His, we learn His gentle and humble ways. As we learn to draw our strength and all that we need from Him, we will rest and be refreshed. He who comes to Jesus shall never hunger, and he who believes in Him shall never thirst. (John 6:35)

Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth. — Hosea 6:3 (NKJV) The Amplified Bible says: “… let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] LORD [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]. ” When we are on a continual pursuit to know the LORD, He will come to us like the rain. The rain falls to the earth and replenishes it. When there is no rain, we experience a drought, things dry up and die. The ground becomes hard. But when the rain comes, things are refreshed and grow. When we pursue God, we will experience times of refreshing and growth. He will pour out His Spirit and restore and renew us. Hardened hearts will become soft and tender, allowing His love to flow through. Fall upon us O’LORD!

God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. — Psalm 63:1 (MSG) Don’t attend church services out of routine or obligation. Let’s come to the LORD, hungry and thirsty for more of Him. Matthew 5:6 says, “ You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. ” (MSG). As you journey across dry places and through weary deserts, He is with you. The LORD will satisfy your soul and completely fill your cup. He prepares a feast for you in the presence of your enemies. He honors you by anointing your head with oil. Your cup overflows with blessings. (Psalm 23:5)

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 strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. — Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT) As we continually look to the LORD, our Shepherd, we shall not be in want. He is our Source. He is the answer to every challenge. When we are still, and rest in His Presence, He renews our strength and refreshes our souls. Follow Him and He will show you the path that leads to a more abundant life. May our lives bring glory and honor to His name.

But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute. — Psalm 141:8 (NKJV) Instead of examining your problems, fix your eyes upon the Sovereign LORD, and constantly look to Him for help. He is above ALL. Cry out to the LORD; plead for the LORD’s mercy. Pour out your complaints before him and tell him all your troubles. When you are overwhelmed, God alone knows the way you should turn (Psalm 142:1-3a NLT). He will show you the way you should walk. He will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint (Jeremiah 31:25 NIV).

...in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed. — Exodus 31:17b (NKJV) Are you tired or totally burned out? Let us follow the LORD’s example and take one day out of the seven God gives us to rest. God rested after creating the heavens and the earth, certainly we can rest from all our works. When we take time to rest, in the LORD, He will refresh us. A time of refreshing gives us new strength and energy; it reinvigorates. Hit the pause button and let your mind and body be still. Rest in the knowledge that He alone is God. It's all about Him!

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,
 anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones . — Psalm 127:2 (NLT)  It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the LORD that we accomplish anything of value and lasting significance. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” —Matthew 11:28, (AMP). Continually come to Jesus and find rest for your weary soul.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] — Matthew 11:28 (AMP) Are you weary and overburdened? Jesus says, “Come to Me.” In Him we find rest for our souls. Take the yoke of Jesus upon you and learn of Him, for He is gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls (Matthew 11:29). His burden is light and easy to be borne (Matthew 11:30).

So change the way you think and act, and turn to God to have your sins removed. Then times will come when the Lord will refresh you. He will send you Jesus, whom he has appointed to be the Christ. — Acts 3:19-20 (GW) If our thoughts and actions don't line up with God's ways, let us change the way we think and act. We are not to think according to the world or the way our flesh thinks. The behavior of a believer should be different also. Let us renew our minds with the Word, so we can think and act like our heavenly Father. Then we will experience times of refreshing from the Lord. Amen.

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT) God prepares us to face our challenges and He gives us what we need day by day. The LORD is our source, and when we stay tapped into Him our spirits are revived, our souls are refreshed and our energy is renewed. When you are tired and worn out, find new strength as you trust and wait on the LORD. Love, Jackie