"And I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will even betroth you to Me in stability and in faithfulness, and you shall know (recognize, be acquainted with, appreciate, give heed to, and cherish) the Lord." -- Hose 2:19-20 AMP

Abba, You are planning a Destination Wedding for Jesus and Your Church...Jesus and I.

I am amazed at how You lovingly assure Israel  - three times - that You will marry her. You are well aware of her shortcomings, her weaknesses, her blatant disobedience. Yet, You make a Covenant with her to save her.

Your vow to Israel, and to me, is to join us together in so many wonderful ways...in righteousness, in justice, in steadfast love, in mercy, in stability, in faithfulness. Isn't that what every wife would want and need? Yes!!

Jesus, my Prince, I have so much to look forward to! Our marriage is not a "til death do us part"...no, it's for eternity. I will be by Your Side, the very place the church was born, forever. Oh the comfort that brings my heart.

This is The Sacred Romance. You are pursuing me and I am pursuing You.

Until we meet face-to-face...

Morning Manna

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -- Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Abba, some days this verse is my only hook...my only handle. Some days I look up and say, "I sure hope You know what you're doing!" Some times The Plan can feel willy-nilly...like a roller coaster ride to only You know where!

This verse isn't a cliche. This verse is Your Truth that ministers to my heart today. You do know what You are doing. As a matter of fact, what You are doing is already done through Your Son! Jesus, Your birth gives me Life and Your death gives me Hope. You have pre-conquered every obstacle, every demon, every slippery slope on my path. Have Your Way...for I know it is The Better Way for me.

In my head, the future is uncertain...what, how, when, and where have yet to be answered. In my heart, what, how, when, and where require great faith. Increasing my faith means exercising my faith.

Like Jeremiah, You chose me before I was born. You knew me and approved of me before I was in the womb. I am Your chosen instrument for such a time as this. You set me a part, consecrated me, and appointed me for my current roles at this current time in my life.

I read a devotion this morning, I read this quote by Boyd Bailey: "None of us likes to be rushed, especially God!" Help me, Abba, I'm an Activator...I freely admit that patience is not one of my strengths. However, I want Your Perfect Work to be done in me, my family, and for my future.

Thank You for reminding me today to grasp Your Word with all of my might. Jeremiah 29:11 is a Promise and I am an heir!

Morning Manna

"And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity]." -- Psalm 9:10 AMP

Abba, when I'm tired and uninspired, You pick me up. I lean into You as my Strength, my Strong Tower, my Refuge and my Very Present Help.

I know Your Name. I am acquainted with and have experienced Your Mercy and Your Grace in undeserved, unmerited measure.

I call on Your Name and You answer, "Yes, Child?" Your warm and loving ways break down the walls of self-protection, misunderstanding, and hardness that the circumstances of this life often erect. You melt my heart...I am weak in the knees and You catch me.

You have given me Your Name, You have given me power of attorney, to pray with authority and great faith. I pray for my family this day because I know Your Name. I pray for our desires, our future, because I know that Your Name causes Heaven to stand still and make note. I trust in, I lean on, and I receive from Your Gracious Hand because I know Your Name.

I know No Greater Love because You laid down Your Life for me. I lean into You today and I am refreshed and renewed in Your Name.

Morning Manna

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me." -- Revelation 3:20 AMP

Abba, I had a small card with Revelation 3:20 and the beautiful picture of You knocking at a door as a small child. I kept it in my room, often times attached to my mirror. So this Scripture and picture are very dear to me and bring me warm memories of solitude with You.

You have made me a Learner. Most times when You have caused a verse to bubble up in my heart, I will go to the Lexicon and dig into the original meanings in Greek and/or Hebrew. You know that I'm going to run to the computer to look the Scripture up in its original language. I bet You take Joy in that...You find Joy in watching me find Your Treasure. I love being Your Scriptural Archeologist!

I am blown away by all that Revelation 3:20 has to reveal. You establish Yourself at the portal of my heart and strike at the opening. You pursue me, not quietly, but making loud noise. If I even crack the door open, You shine - You come in. You bring enlightenment in my times of darkness. You offer me of Yourself, the Bread of Life, the Chief Meal...this is my Supper, You're my Sacrificial Lamb.

Jesus, You have given me Food for my thoughts that will last throughout the weekend. I am overwhelmed and am about to bust!

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for unveiling Jesus. This is Your Supreme Pleasure and I take Joy in knowing Him more.

Unveil and reveal more and more to my heart today.

Morning Manna

"First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." -- 1 John 4:19 MSG

Abba, the Truth that You loved me first blows my mind!! I didn't have to perform, I didn't have to act a certain way, I didn't have to do a thing...You simply loved me period!!

Just as I loved my daughters from the get-go, I loved them first, You also loved me.

The best part? You still love me. Your Love reaches far into my future and covers me. Under the protection of Your wings is where my heart dwells.

My aim, my focus, is to grasp the height, depth, width - the full measure - of Your Love for me.

Being reminded of Your Unceasing, Overwhelming, All-Surpassing, Far-Reaching Love has given me Joy for my Journey!

Abiding in Your love...living loved today.

Morning Manna

"Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed." -- Psalm 57:1 AMP

Abba, in You I find my confidence and strength. In You I take refuge and find shelter.

There are days on my journey that all I need is You. My strength is worn, I cannot read another book, I can't hear another teaching, I cannot apply another principle...I simply don't have the energy...all I need, all I want, is You.

- When the winds of adversity blow, my foundation in You is secure.
- When the waters of an unwilling heart rise, as long as You are with me, I will not sink.
- When the thunder roars and the lightening strikes, I will not fear the noise.
- When the storms blow through, I will grasp Hope, the Spirit of Grace.

Be merciful and gracious to me O God, be merciful and gracious today.

Morning Manna

"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

Abba, You my Personal Trainer in this life! You are my Guide and I trust in Your Leadership.

Sometimes this life feels like a family favorite show - Survivor! What shall we eat? What shall we drink? Where do we take shelter from the storm? Who's taking the lead? How will we win this battle? Do we get immunity? Is there a reward?

You've created me to welcome a challenge. I love a challenge...the harder, the better! I like a coach to be hard on me. I like to be pushed. I play to win!!

In these times of challenge and testing, I'm sticking it out. Two words = Focus & Sacrifice. That's what I'm chewing on this week. Focusing on Your Target for my life...sacrificing my all with Your Strength to hit the target the first time around. Adjusting my aim and trusting You to steady my hands to release at the right time.

Loyally in love with You, my Jesus, I receive Abundant Life. Your are the Source and I ask You to pour into my heart today.