Manna for Your Morning

“ Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy. ” — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (AMP) Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. (Romans 8:18 NLT) In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11)  “ You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. ”— Psalms 71:20 (NLT)

Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways and thoughtfully reflect on your conduct! — Haggai 1:7 (AMP) The Word of God instructs us to examine ourselves. In Matthew 7:5 (NASB1995), Jesus says: “…first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Galatians 6:4 (NASB1995) says, each one must examine his own work… First Corinthians 11:28 says: a man must examine himself before partaking of communion. Don’t let the world woo you into following their wicked ways. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20 NASB1995) Let us ensure that our words and actions are in alignment with the Holy Scriptures. We are to reflect the loving, and compassionate nature of our heavenly Father, at all times. Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] be...

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. — Proverbs 10:25 (NLT) Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. (Isaiah 28:16 NLT) When we build our lives on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ, we will not be moved by the storms of life. Build on the foundation that will last forever. When the rain descends, the floods come, and the winds blow and beat on that house, it will not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (Matthew 7:25)

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — 2 Corinthians 13:5a (NKJV) Let us examine our hearts. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified (Romans 10:10a). Do you have great faith like the centurion who said to Jesus, “…but only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8). Or are you more like the disciples who panicked and awoke Jesus, in the midst of a storm. He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Jesus, in His compassion took care of both. Even if you had little faith in the past, it's not too late, faith is now. Faith is for the present time, today. “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:26). “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. — James 1:2-4 (MSG) Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4 NIV). How do we become overcomers, if we never have any obstacles to come over? How do we consider it pure joy (James 1:2 NIV), when we encounter various trials? Because we know Jesus has already given us the victory! Hallelujah! So let us persevere and continue to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). And be of good cheer because Jesus, has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. — Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) God knows us better than we know ourselves. We cannot fool Him. He searches our minds and our hearts (Revelation 2:23). He knows what we are going to say before we even utter a word (Psalm 139:4). Be open and honest with your heavenly Father. Rid yourself of anything that offends Him and follow Him. The LORD will make known to you the path of life; He will fill you with joy in His presence, with eternal pleasures at His right hand (Psalm 16:11 NIV).

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. — Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) May our hearts and minds be open to the LORD, for He searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. (1 Chronicles 28:9) He knows the thoughts that make you anxious, that’s why Philippians 4:6 tells us to be anxious for nothing. And 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) instructs us to cast all our anxiety on him because He cares for us. Then with peaceful hearts and minds we can follow the LORD as He leads us along the path of everlasting life.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. — Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) The LORD leads us beside quiet waters, He refreshes our souls. He guides us along the right paths for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:2-3). The LORD shows us the path of life (Psalm 16:11). Let us faithfully and humbly follow our heavenly Father and He will lead us into a future that is exceedingly abundantly above all that we dare ask or even imagine.

Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” — Judges 6:13 (NKJV) Many of us have asked God this question at one time or another. First Peter 4:12 warns us, dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. If you find yourself wondering why?, look at it from a different perspective: We may be hard pressed on every side, but we are not crushed; we may be perplexed, but we are not in despair; we may experience persecution, but we are not abandoned; we may be struck down, but we are not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Glory hallelujah! So fix your eyes not on what is seen (temporary), but on what is unseen (eternal), for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. — Psalm 34:19 (NKJV) David said in Psalm 40:12. "For troubles without number surround me;" Maybe you're feeling a little like David. But be of good cheer, the Word says, the LORD delivers us out of ALL afflictions. The faithfulness of our God will last longer than any trial, test or trouble that comes our way. Praise God!

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV) We can endure the fiery trials that come, knowing that God will not allow more than we can bear. And after you have suffered a little while, God will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation (1 Peter 5:10). Amen.

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message) God faithfully keeps His promises, and He will not allow more than you can bear. He will provide the strength you need to endure any trial, test or temptation. Remember, God is with you when you walk through the fire and through the stormy floodwaters. Our heavenly Father will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Hallelujah!