Manna for Your Morning

“When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida. But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.” — Luke 9:10-11 (NLT) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NLT) He still brings healing and wholeness to those who are sick. And He still welcomes ALL who choose to follow Him. In Luke 9:23 (NLT), Jesus said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” May we give up our own ways, and follow Yeshua every day. He will empower us to walk in the ways of the Kingdom of God.

Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed. — Mark 1:16-18 (MSG) When Jesus told the early disciples to follow Him, they immediately left their nets and followed Him.  They didn't wait, wonder or wander. They were not like Gideon, who proceeded to ask God for a sign (Judges 6:36-40). They were not like Jonah, who went in the opposite direction, in an attempt to run away from God. (Jonah 1:2-3) May we have the heart to just FOLLOW JESUS, no matter where He may lead us.

Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. — Matthew 26:58 (NLT) When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Him at a distance. This separation was followed by Peter denying three times that he even knew Jesus, to the point of cursing and swearing (Matthew 26:74). If we follow Jesus at a distance, we allow room for doubt. Distractions will come and cause us to detour off the path of everlasting life. Let us faithfully, follow Jesus closely. Live in the light and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. Don’t get sidetracked, and all will end well for you. Jesus is the way! Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way. (Proverbs 4:27 GNT)

But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. — Numbers 14:24 (NKJV)      May we faithfully follow the Lord Jesus, not just on Sunday, but Monday through Saturday also. Passionately follow Him with your whole heart and in everything you do. Let your mind be fixed upon HIm. Let us be loyally committed to our Savior, who gave His life to save us.      As we continually follow Jesus, we experience fullness of joy and abiding peace. In Jesus, we are more than conquerors, for He has overcome the world. In Him we have gained the victory! Fully follow Christ and you shall inherit your promise land.

Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example]. — Mark 1:18 (AMP) Believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.   (Acts 2:21) Put your trust in His name. The name of Jesus is higher than any other name. Higher than any sickness or disease. His name is greater and carries more power than any mountain that stands before you. May we follow Jesus. His disciples trusted Him enough to leave their old ways behind. They chose to follow Jesus and pursue a more abundant life. What old ways are you willing to leave behind to follow Jesus? In John 12:36, Jesus said: “While you have the Light, believe and trust in the Light [have faith in it, hold on to it, rely on it], so that you may become sons of Light [being filled with Light as followers of God].”

But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. — Matthew 26:58 (NIV) When they arrested Jesus, Peter followed at a distance. This distance eventually led to his denial of Christ. When we allow distance between us and the Lord, it leaves room for distractions, deception and detours off of the right path. It is beneficial for us to closely follow Jesus. His nearness is our good. May we continually draw near to God and He will come close to us. And instead of sitting back being a spectator, let us engage and be an active participant in what God is doing in our lives and in the world. Rather than wait to see the outcome, we can have a positive impact on the outcome. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; (Psalm 73:28a NIV)

Then the LORD said to Moses: “How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them? — Numbers 14:11 (NKJV) All the men who were sent to explore the promise land came back and gave the people a bad report, except Joshua and Caleb. They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ (Numbers 14:7-8) And only Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land. (Numbers 14:38). They had a different spirt and followed God wholeheartedly (Numbers 14:24). Don't receive the bad report. Our God is good all the time. Believe the LORD and follow Him wholeheartedly to your promise land.

Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. — John 21:3-6 (NKJV) The disciples went fishing and that night they caught nothing. But in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore. Even though they had been fishing all night, when Jesus told them to cast their net, they followed His instruction. As a result, their net was so full, they had to drag it. John 21:11 says, it was full of large fish, not tiny, skimpy ones. We may feel like we have been toiling all night and catching nothing, not seeing the results we hoped for. However, when we continually follow Jesus and listen to His directions, He will lead us to more than enough and good success. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (causing lack and scarcity), but Jesus came that we may have and enjoy lif...

But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. — Numbers 14:24 (NKJV) In the school of ministry, we learned that “different” means next. While the other Israelites were ready to turn around and go back to the land of their captivity, Caleb was courageous and ready to conquer the enemies living in the promised land. Do you have a what’s next spirit or a what could have been spirit? Let us not have a critical, whining or complaining spirit like those who perished in the desert. The eyes of the LORD are constantly searching the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). Even though circumstances don’t appear the way you thought they should, always be ready to move on and ask God “what’s next?”

But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. — Numbers 14:24 (NKJV) Ten spies returned home trembling with fear and gave a bad report. But Caleb said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it,” (Numbers 13:30 NKJV). Let us be like Caleb and have a different spirit. May we have a courageous, warrior spirit that stands strong and ready to engage in combat, for  we are well able to overcome any and all obstacles! Let us have a spirit that remains loyal to the LORD, no matter how impossible circumstances appear. Wholly follow the LORD and you too shall occupy the land He has for you! THANK YOU to all past, present and future Servicemembers of the U.S. military. We sincerely appreciate your courage and sacrifice. Have a Blessed Memorial Day!

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. — Luke 9:10-11 (NKJV) First, we follow Jesus. He still receives the multitudes. No matter what you have done, Jesus receives you too! He never turns anyone away. His arms are always wide open to accept all who come to Him. Never listen to any voice that says something contrary. Jesus loves you and He cares. And He still heals those who are in need of healing. Praise the Lord!

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. — Luke 5:9-11 (NKJV) One characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ is that they forsake all. In Philippians 3:8 (GW), the Apostle Paul says, “I consider everything else worthless because I’m much better off knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It’s because of him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ” Another trait of the early disciples is that they followed Jesus. They did not make any excuses. Jesus said,  “Follow Me” and they simply followed Him. When we forsake all and follow Him, astonishing things happen in our midst!

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” — Mark 8:47-48 (NLT) Blind Bartimaeus had a need and he wisely called out to Jesus. When the people told him to be quiet, he shouted even louder. Jesus asked him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Bartimaeus said, “Teacher, I want to see again.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. When you have a need, call on Jesus. No matter what people around you say, keep calling on the Lord and continue to follow Him.