Manna for Your Morning

The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; — Psalm 23:1-2 (VOICE) As we remember it’s not about man-made rules and religion, but a personal relationship, we can stop striving, be still and come to a greater knowledge of our good and awesome God. Rest in His Presence. Put the yoke of Jesus on and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest and renewal for your souls. (Matthew 11:29) And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” — Exodus 33:14 (NASB)

The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. — Malachi 1:1 (NKJV) Malachi was burdened with a word from the LORD that he had to release. The word “burden” has a heaviness to it, but it can also be a beautiful thing. In Matthew 11:30, Jesus said: “ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. ” The burden Jesus gives us is light. However, manmade burdens are too much for us to bear. Matthew 23:4 says: For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. May we feel the weight (or the significance) of God’s Word more than anything the enemy brings our way. Let us put on the burden of the Word of the LORD, and release it to others. The Word says all things are possible with God. That is a much more easier burden to bear than one of discouragement and defeat. Every word of God proves true! (Proverbs 30:5a NLT)

…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ — Acts 17:28 (NKJV) Why try to accomplish anything in your own strength and with your limited knowledge? ’Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6) Put on the yoke of the Lord Jesus and journey by His side. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30). So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV)

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30 NLT When Jesus tells us to put His yoke on, it's a proposition to work together, side-by-side.  He doesn’t want us to report to work for Him everyday like He's a hard task master with a whip.  He invites us to walk with Him and work with Him as He helps us and shows us how to fulfill the Father's great plan for our lives. When we stop trying to force our way and walk in rhythm with Jesus, His yoke will feel easy and light and not cumbersome. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) Jesus calls each one of us to come to Him. He has no pre-requisites or conditions, just come. It doesn’t matter how you come or what you are like when you come. The important thing is that we come, not just one time, but come and keep coming to Him on a daily basis. Once we come to Him, let us be teachable and learn from the best Teacher of all. Then we will find rest. When we rest in Him, we are free to experience the deepest peace ever. “ 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 11:29-30 MSG)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT) 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 11:29-30 MSG) Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19 NIV). Let your soul daily rest in Him.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery . — Galatians 5:1 (NIV) Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through (John 8:34-36 MSG). In our pursuit of happiness, let us remember that true liberty and abundant life are found in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. He paid the ultimate price with His precious blood and gave His life for us all!