Manna for Your Morning

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; — 1 Peter 4:12 (NASB) In John 16:33 (NLT), Jesus told His disciples: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” In Him, we may have a perfect, inner peace, that is not shaken by external circumstances. We can choose to believe the Word of God or we can let the lies of the enemy fill us with fear and anxiety. “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” (John 14:27 AMP)

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. — Hebrews 4:16 (MSG) As Believers in Christ, we have ready access to our heavenly Father. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP) Amen.

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. — James 1:12 (MSG) The Amplified Bible says, “Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted;” (James 1:12a). As we remain loyal in our love for God and continually rely on His love for us we are able to endure the challenges, trials and temptations. Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39). When we depend on God’s love, we can be confident that no matter what comes our way He has our best interests in mind. As a loving Father, He is faithful to help us overcome every challenge. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. Romans 8:37 (AMP)

We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. — Hebrews 2:16-18 (NLT) Jesus understands our weaknesses and He is rich in mercy and faith. 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, MSG)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (James 1:2, NLT) We can rejoice knowing that the testing of our faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. (James 1:3, AMP). We can also rejoice in the fact that God has given us the ultimate victory that will last for all eternity. We are more than conquerors in Christ. Hallelujah!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. — James 1:2-4 (NKJV) James 1:2, in the New Living Translation says, dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. The various trials and challenges we go through give us the opportunity to let faith and patience work in us, to make us perfect, complete and mature; a state of lacking nothing. Be patient and remain confident that you will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13 (NIV). Amen.

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. — Hebrews 4:14-16 (MSG) Only because of Jesus, do we have 24-hour access to God. He destroyed the barrier that separated us from our Heavenly Father. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God (Hebrews 4:16a NLT). Take the mercy. Accept the help!

Is anything too hard for the LORD? — Genesis 18:14 (NKJV) With God all things are possible (Mark 10:27 NKJV). Keep your hope in Him alive. There is a time and purpose for everything that happens in our lives. Each one of our days were recorded in His book, before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). He recorded the days of our preparation, our times of waiting, the times of testing and faith-building. The days of our troubles were written in His book, as well as the days of our deliverance. It will all come together for good, in God’s perfect timing. Don’t give up on God! Every word He has spoken to you will come to pass. Until then, seize this day for His purpose and glory!

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT) The NAS version says, the fiery ordeals come upon us for our testing. How will we ever know if we believe what we say we believe, if our faith is never tested? The fiery ordeals serve to burn away the impurities and strengthen our resolve. May we endure the hardships, knowing that after we have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, will restore, support, and strengthen us, and place us on a firm foundation (1 Peter 5:10). Glory hallelujah!

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.

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)!

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. — Hebrews 4:14-16 (The Message) Jesus is our compassionate High Priest. He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus is in touch with everything that we go through. He has restored us back into a right relationship with God, that of Father and son or daughter, and has given us access to His kingdom. Why try to do it on your own when you can accept the help we have in Christ Jesus?