Morning Manna

"Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath." 

 -- Psalm 34:17-18 MSG

Abba, so many times over the past year or so I have heard You whisper to my heart, "Just breathe...relax." What a comfort this has been to my soul..."Breathe Jo, I, the Lover of Your Soul, have it under control."

Oh but when I hear, "God is in control" I resist that statement, I tense up, it angers me! If I haven't heard that a million times! Just give me my life, Lord, for a day...I'll fix it all, I'll put everyone where they need to be, I'll catch up on my finances, I'll make it all better...then, You can have it back and maintain my comfortable, pretty life.

I would ruin all that You were growing in me. It's a "Garden" mentality and I have no green thumb!

Take it, Lord. Please. May the ebb and flow of Your Grace, heal my broken heart. Breathe into me, Breath of Life, and I shall be made whole.

Unreasonable expectations of myself, of others...how damaging they are, what disappointment.

Thank You that You hear me when I pray. Thank You that You are my High Priest, Jesus, and You transform my prayers before they reach my Papa.

You are so Patient. I am soooooo loved.

Morning Manna

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" -- Luke 1:45 NIV

Abba, this statement was made by Elizabeth, Mary's cousin when they saw each other. It was an affirmation statement. I believe that Elizabeth said it about herself and Mary. Happy are women who believe that the Lord will fulfill His promises for their children.

Elizabeth helped Mary grasp even further what was to come for Mary affirms herself following Elizabeth's words. Mary is not only humble in her words, but also in heart...she stays with Elizabeth for three months...a mentoring relationship.

Elizabeth and Mary believed for the impossible. Uninspired wombs...similar circumstances, same God.

And the fruit of their wombs changed the world! John comes out of the wilderness and Jesus goes into the wilderness. John comes out of the wilderness to begin his public ministry...Jesus goes into the wilderness to begin His public ministry.

What if Elizabeth and Mary had not believed? Oh how things would be different today...how things would be lost.

Strengthen my heart, Lord, to believe for what seems impossible. Affirm my heart in Your Love. And in Your Compassion give me glimmers of Hope.

Morning Manna

"All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten. Look ahead with joy." -- Isaiah 65:17 MSG

Abba, I'm so ready to look ahead with joy. The winter season is SO hard!

When the next season arrives, and I sure hope it's sooner than later, I pray that I leave the winter of 2010 learning all that you designed from Your winter curriculum.

You have wrestled with my heart and have provoked me to really believe what I have believed all these years of my spiritual journey with You.

Teach me to joyfully look ahead with eyes wide opened...no need to squint in fear of tomorrow.

Child-like faith and joy, I pray.
 

Morning Manna

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!" -- Psalm 30:11-12 NLT

Abba, my feet are restless if I am not resting in You. Dancing the dance of Joy is my heart's desire.

Lead me, Jesus, in The Dance...You are the Artist of My Life. You know the right timing, the perfect steps, the righteous posture, and the effortless Grace the makes the dance a work of art.

Lead Your Bride, lead me, in The Dance...gently twirl me in Your Love.

Morning Manna

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." 

Psalm 23:1 KJV

Abba, who better could care for me? Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
W. Phillip Keller (p. 35)

I am completely satisfied with His management of my life. Why? Because He is the sheepman to whom no trouble is too great as He cares for His flock. He is the rancher who is outstanding because of His fondness for sheep -- Who loves them for their own sake as well as His personal pleasure in them. He will, if necessary, be on the job twenty-four hours a day to see that they are properly provided for in every detail. Above all, He is very jealous of His name and high reputation as "The Good Shepherd."

He is the owner who delights in His flock. For Him there is no greater reward, no deeper satisfaction, than that of seeing His sheep contented, well fed, safe, and flourishing under His care. This is indeed His very "life." He gives all He has to it. He literally lays Himself out for those who are His.

He will go to no end of trouble and labor to supply them with the finest gazing, the richest pasturage, ample winter feed, and clean water. He will spare Himself no pains to provide shelter from storms, protection from ruthless enemies and the diseases and parasites to which sheep are so susceptible.

Morning Manna

"A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired." -- Proverbs 17:22 MSG



Abba, doom & gloom are not welcome here. A cheerful disposition is simply a better view of living, not just for me, but also for my family.

I'll admit, I confess, that I am prone to a suspicious disposition...this is the pattern of my flesh and so easy to fall into, it's natural and not hard at all.

Feelings of impending doom are anxious feelings...fearful feelings.

I read a book this weekend that said that most of the time, when we imagine our future, it is without You. It is the most fearful thing we could ever imagine and then, we try to solve it in our own power. Most of the time, if not all, this future never even happens...it's all imagined. How exhausting!!

Gloom and doom tires everybody...it turns your brain into mush!

You offer Hope, You offer Joy, You offer Peace...and I accept.

Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." -- John 20:29 MSG

Abba, as You enlighten the eyes of my heart, You are faithfully revealing little foxes spoiling my vine.

Help me, Jesus, to accept what needs accepting and believe for what needs believing. There's no greater frustration for me than trying to change what cannot be changed, trying to control what I cannot control...pure and utter frustration leading me to turn in knots.

By Grace, through faith, lead me to let go.