Manna for Your Morning

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. — Hebrews 4:15 (NLT) Do not be defeated by your weaknesses. Submit to Christ and let His mighty power be shown through you. Three times the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove a thorn in his flesh. But he answered… “ My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness .” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.” (See 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 TPT) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. (See Romans 8:26 NLT) … for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength]. — 2 Corinthians 12:10b (AMP)

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) Jesus is not out of touch with our reality. (Hebrews 4:15 MSG) He understands our weaknesses and He is always ready to help in our time of need. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16 NLT) Endure difficult circumstances, being confident that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NASB) Amen.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to relieve me of this. But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. — 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (TPT) The Apostle Paul says, “ I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. ” (2 Corinthians 12:7 MSG) If you have something that feels like a thorn in your flesh, let it draw you into a deeper dependence on God. His power finds its full expression through our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (TPT), says our weakness becomes a portal to God’s power. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (MSG) goes on to say: …I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations ...

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. — 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT) We can be broken and yet blessed. As we admit our weaknesses to God, He activates His strength in us. The beauty of our brokenness, is that it allows the light of the LORD to work in us and shine through us. Our cracks allow His love, mercy and grace to enter our hearts. The more broken we become the brighter His light can shine. Then when others look at us, they see the greatness and glory of God. The battles we experience, can actually make us better instead of bitter. When you are battered by troubles, let them produce God's best in you, and that is what will come out of you. But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 NASB) My beloved, don’t appraise the masterpiece ...

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.” — Isaiah 30:15 (MSG) Christ Jesus died for us, was raised to life and is at the right hand of God interceding for us. (Romans 8:34) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV). Our weaknesses create a vacuum for the power of God to fill. Lay your weaknesses on His altar and depend on God to raise yo...

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)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. — Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) We experience our greatest strength when we acknowledge our human weaknesses, and fully rely on God, —His power, His wisdom and His strength. In His strength you can crush an army; with God you can scale any wall. “God’s way is perfect...” (2 Samuel 22:30-31 NLT). Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…(1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV).

In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. — Isaiah 63:9 (AMP) In love and mercy, the LORD carried the Israelites, during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He still saves and redeems His people, in love and mercy. He is actively and intimately involved in our lives. He lifts up those who are bowed down and carries us through life’s challenges. We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him (Isaiah 64:4 AMP).

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:15-16 (NASB) Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses. He has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He did not sin. He overcame all obstacles and gained the victory! So let us draw near to the throne of God's grace to receive His mercy (unmerited favor), and find grace to help us when we need it most.