Manna Monday – All you need is love

Hi friends – In the late 1960s there was a song called “All You Need Is Love” by the Beatles. A beautiful title for a song filled with meaning and value. A song years after it was created will still make people stop and think about love. When we act in love and display love it has a greater impact than you might think. That act of love could be received by someone who is struggling. That gift presented to someone in an act of love could change their perspective and allow them to see life a little differently. That act of love could make the recipient think about life just a little differently. A simple gesture with a big impact.

Review – Colossians 3:14 – When we love others in a real and honest way, God will show up. Scripture says that God is love. Never give up on making a difference in small and powerful ways. God is working through the small gestures and the small acts of kindness.

Receive – Pay close attention to the middle part of the verse. Love binds everything together. When we act or respond in love I believe the supernatural is at work. God can provide harmony and unity in a very special way. Pray and ask for God to do great work when you display acts of love.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus – Thank you for your love. Show me and use me uniquely to show your love today. Amen.

Colossians 3:14 – And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony or unity.

Wisdom Wednesday – Trust in the Lord

Hi friends – To start off the year we are going to take a look at Proverbs 3:5-6. I was reintroduced to this scripture as an adult. The words are encouraging and the message will change how you look at life circumstances. Sometimes life can be challenging to navigate and meant to be left in God’s hands. This scripture speaks to your heart from the heart of your heavenly Father. When we trust Him he will make our path straight. Let’s take a look together:

Review – Proverbs 3:5-6. As you read it, take note of any words that stick out to you. These moments are when God could be speaking to you through holy scripture.

Receive – The first-word trust means having confidence, feeling secure, and relying on. Let those meanings sink into your heart. The word understanding means good sense, insight, and discernment. That part of the verse tells us that we can’t lean on our own understanding. Sometimes things just don’t make sense in life and we need to leave these details with the Lord. This is not easy and remember God is in control.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Help me to trust you with all my heart. Amen

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Manna Monday – Extraordinary

Hi friends – To start off this week I want to direct you to a scripture in the book of Luke. In Luke 2:8 there are a group of ordinary shepherds who ended up receiving an extraordinary message. They would also hear something they would cause them to experience something extraordinary. Let’s take a closer look at this scripture and kick off the Christmas season.

Review – Luke 2: 8-10 – I would also encourage you to google Charlie Brown Christmas – Linus’ speech. I believe it will impact you in a very special way.

Receive – These shepherds were ordinary folks doing their job tending to the sheep. The word ordinary means with no special or distinctive features. Just plain normal. The word extraordinary means very unusual and remarkable. The word remarkable means worthy of attention. You have to know that when the angel of the Lord shows up something remarkable or extraordinary is going to happen to a group of “ordinary” shepherds. Something worth paying attention to.

Just a thought – I think that sometimes we believe we are too ordinary to be picked or chosen to do extraordinary things. My challenge to you is to let the Lord Jesus make that decision not you. Every person is extraordinary in a unique way.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus – Thank you for using each of us in an extraordinary ways. Amen.

Luke 2: 8-10 – 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Manna Monday – Giving thanks

Hi friends – Being thankful changes everything. There was a time in my life that I was committed to being thankful. My husband and I wanted to start a family but it just wasn’t happening. We tried everything but ultimately God had a plan and purpose for our future family. Things did not go the way we anticipated but we chose to be thankful. Being thankful provided a bond of love and care for each other which was truly a gift.

Review – Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Which words stand out to you? God gives us direction through His word. What is He trying to show you today?

Receive – There is so much goodness in God’s word. There is a reason why God tells us to rejoice, pray and give thanks. God knows what we need. Receive God’s love, care and direction today friends through prayer and a thankful heart.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord, Help me to commit each situation to you in prayer and stay thankful. Thank you for helping me every step of the way. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 –  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Until next time my friends, remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Manna Monday – Humility – Part 2

Hi friends – The scripture I am highlighting today is 1 Peter 5:6-7. When you humble yourself and put God first, the impact on others can be extraordinary. Take a moment to think about what might happen when you consider someone’s feelings or just listen well to what is on their mind. You never know what God will do when you let Him lead.

Review – Take a moment and read through 1 Peter 5: 6-7. When you humble yourself under God’s hand, He will lift you up.

Receive – God is a good Father. In our relationships, He wants to help us. Walking in humility is putting others first. In situations that require patience and understanding, this scripture gives us perspective and direction. Next time let God take the lead and see how your response could have an extraordinary impact on the other person.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for your guidance and direction. I am also thankful for giving me wisdom and understanding in my relationships. Amen

1 Peter 5: 6-7 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Until next time, my friends remember you are known and loved by God, Blessings!

Manna Monday – Humble – Part 1

Hi friends – As we start this week I would encourage you to take a look at the word humble. When we decide to be humble (and put others first) and put aside what we want, I believe this opens up some godly opportunities. The scripture I am highlighting is Ephesians 4:2. This verse features the words humble and gentle. When we put these two words together, I believe the impact is great. Let’s take a closer look at the meanings of these words.

Review – In Ephesians 4:2 the humble means humility, humbleness or modesty. The word gentle means gentleness, humility and meekness. This scripture talks about being humble and gentle bearing with each other in love. When humility and gentleness work, that allows us to connect with each other in a very different and meaningful way. It also allows God’s love to be even more real and apparent.

Receive – This scripture is a great reminder to put others first, listen well (a great quality to display) and follow God’s lead with acts of love. When we approach life with humility and gentleness we have the opportunity to make a godly change in our spheres of influence.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for showing me when to be humble and gentle with others. Remind me of the impact you have through acts of gentleness and love. Amen.

Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Wisdom Wednesday – November 2023

Hi friends – I believe that wisdom is a gift from God. I also believe that when we use wisdom the outcome of situations can be very different. The Lord is a loving, caring Father who wants to guide and direct us. Part of how God cares for us is through the book of Proverbs and the wisdom it provides. It is full of scriptures that provide wisdom that we can apply to our lives. Let’s take a look at a scripture that encourages us to store up God’s commands in our hearts.

Review – Proverbs 2:1-2 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding

Receive – The word “son” means my child and the word “accept” means to be captured or taken away (keep it with you). Another important word is “store” which means to cherish or treasure. God cares for us so much that He wants His children to capture the commands He gives us and store (or treasure) in our heart.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for your scripture and the wisdom you give me. Help me to store up that wisdom in my heart. Amen.

Until next time my friends, remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Manna Monday – Peace be with you -Part 2

Hi friends – I wanted to revisit the thought of peace from my last post. I have fond memories of a time in our church service when we would greet each other with the sign of peace. We would turn around or connect with the person/family in front of us, shake hands and say “Peace be with you”. The Hebrew word shalom as a greeting means hello or good-bye. The other meaning is peace and health. Having a better understanding of the meaning allows me to see the significance of greeting each other in church as a child. It makes that memory so much more meaningful. It also makes me think of how God used that time to encourage peace in our church congregation.

Review – John 20:21 – Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Receive – The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. It can mean hello or good-bye. It can also mean peace and health. Always remember that God wants to bless you with peace and health.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus – Thank you for giving me peace every moment of every day. Thank you that you are the author of peace. Amen.

Until next time my friends, remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Manna Monday – Peace be with you

Hi friends – I grew up in the Catholic church. There was a part of our service that went like this: The priest would say – “Peace be with you” and the congregation would say ” And also with you”. We would then be invited to shake hands and greet each other. When I think back to that time it was a beautiful part of the service that allowed the church community to reach out and connect with each other. It also allowed the church community to spend a few moments together in unity. We are meant to be connected and unified joined by peace. God is the author of all things including peace. Let’s take a look at John 20;21.

Review – John 20:21 – Remember the Lord Jesus is a good Father. He loves and cares for you. God gives us peace so that we can be a vessel of peace to others.

Receive – The word peace in this verse means harmony, tranquility; safety, welfare, health. The Lord wants us to receive and experience his peace.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for your peace and help me to receive that peace every day. Amen.

John 20:21 – Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Manna Monday – Peace & tranquility

Hi friends – As you start your week, I pray a blessing of peace over each of you. The scripture I am highlighting describes perfect peace. The meaning of peace is freedom from disturbance or experiencing tranquility. Have you ever felt unsettled? Just not sure what to do next? Maybe this week looks a little challenging. A few unknowns are ahead of you. I would encourage you to lean into God, trust His perfect peace and respond in prayer.

Review – Isaiah 26:3 and remember that the word steadfast in this verse means to sustain, uphold and lean on.

Receive – God speaks to us through scripture. The word keep in this verse means to watch, to guard and to protect. The word trust means to put confidence in, to depend on and feel secure. Friends, there are so many reasons to receive peace from God and place your trust in Him.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for keeping me in perfect peace. Amen.

Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!