Manna for Your Morning

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...”  — Hosea 4:6 (NASB1995) In Hosea 4:6 (NLT) the LORD says: “My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me…” Know that the LORD is good (See Psalms 34:8) Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek Him. (See Hebrews 11:6 NLT) Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36 NASB1995) Know that because God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (See John 3:16) Yeshua is the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. (See John 10:11 & 10:4) We need to know the voice of our Shepherd, so we can follow Him. May we know Him and personally experience th...

“ And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats. ” — Ezekiel 34:17 (NLT) The first thing to notice about this Scripture is that Yahweh is talking to His people, not the world, but those He calls His own. Judgment will begin at the house of God; (See 1 Peter 4:17). Then it says, He will separate the sheep from the goats. Goats are stubborn and butt things (make excuses). Sheep follow the Good Shepherd with humble hearts and are willing to obey. Are you a goat or a sheep? Matthew 25:32-34 (NASB) says: And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the ...

It is through him that we live and function and have our identity; just as your own poets have said, ‘Our lineage comes from him.’ — Acts 17:28 (TPT) We find our true identity in Christ, as we acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us (in His image), and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3) Let us follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Through Jesus, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. (Hebrews 13:15)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; — John 10:27 (NASB) Proverbs 9:3 (NASB) says that Lady Wisdom calls from the tops of the heights of the city. In Proverbs 9:13-15 (NASB), the woman of folly (foolishness) is boisterous. She sits at the doorway of her house, on a seat by the high places of the city, also calling to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight. Discern the voices and choose very carefully which voice you give ear to. Today, hear the voice, of the Good Shepherd. And as Mary, the mother of Jesus, instructed the servants at the wedding in John 2:5 (NASB) “ Whatever He says to you, do it .”

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. — Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB) When the LORD is our Shepherd, He will provide all that we need. Our heavenly Father is a good Father, He always provides for the needs of His children, and constantly takes care of us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He laid His life down for the sheep (John 10:11). When the storms of life come, the LORD leads us beside quiet waters. He is our inner peace, in every chaotic situation. He leads us along on the right paths, however, we must choose to follow Him. When we make the decision to follow Him, He will take us higher and deeper, and from glory to glory. He continually restores and revives our lives, day by day. God pours out new compassions and mercies upon us, each and every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) If God is indeed the Lord of our lives, goodness a...

The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. — Jeremiah 31:3 (NASB) The LORD draws us to Himself with lovingkindness and His faithfulness continues throughout the generations. He clothes us with garments of salvation, and wraps us with a robe of righteousness… (Isaiah 61:10) Like a good shepherd, He tends to His flock. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. He carries us in His arms, holding us close to His heart. He gently leads us. The LORD makes us lie down in green pastures. He leads us beside quiet waters. He restores our souls. Our heavenly Father guides us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for the wonderful things He has done for the children of men!

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. — Psalm 23:1-4 (NLT) Sheep are helpless and not very smart, but they are kept safe as long as they stay close to the shepherd. Instead of trying to figure everything out on our own, we can just keep following Jesus, our Good Shepherd and we shall not want. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. (Psalm 100:3 NKJV) Not only has God created us—a gracious act of love in and of itself—but He has made us His own people. He has chosen us and loved us. (from the VOICE Bible) In John 10:11 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His lif...

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” — Mark 1:23-24 (NKJV) Do you know Who Jesus is? In Luke 9:20 (AMP) Jesus asked the disciples,“…who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “The Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) of God!” Matthew 1:23 says, “…they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Jesus is the good shepherd, who gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:11) He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus said to them, “ I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. “ (John 6:35) He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is all we need Him to be. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. (Revelation 22:1...

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. — Psalm 23:1-4 (MSG) With Jesus by our side, we have all we need. As the good Shepherd, He is true to His Word and continually cares for His sheep. He provides for all our needs. He leads us along on the right path. No matter what valley you go through, just keep following Jesus. He is the way. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NKJV)

I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me] — John 10:14 (AMP) Our heavenly Father desires for us to know Him. He says in the Word many times, “that they shall know that I am the LORD.” He is Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. (Exodus 34:6) He wants us to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. (Ephesians 3:18) Know that He is a mighty God, who is able to make what seems impossible to us, possible when we trust and rely on Him. In Psalm 46:10 He says, “ Be still, and know that I am God. ”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” — Luke 9:20 (NKJV) Who do you say Jesus is? If you are lost, He is the good shepherd, who gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:11) He will lead you, guide you and protect you from the enemy. If you are sick, He is the great physician. If you hunger for more, He is the bread of life. (John 6:35) Jesus says: “ Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. ” (John 6:47) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “ I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. ” (John 8:12) Jesus is everything we need Him to be and He draws all peoples to Himself (John 12:32) No matter who you are or what you have done, Jesus calls us to come. May we know Him as our Lord and Savior.

God is all strength for his people, ample refuge for his chosen leader; Save your people and bless your heritage. Care for them; carry them like a good shepherd. — Psalm 28:8-9 MSG My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” (Psalm 27:8 NLT) God tells us to come to Him, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. — Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) In a world that is constantly changing, we have One that remains the same. Jesus is the good Shepherd (John 10:11); He is always good. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is the answer to every challenge you face. Trust Him to show you the way. Jesus loved us so much He gave His life for us, and He still loves us today and will love us forever. Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33) and we have the greater One dwelling inside of us. So we can be of good cheer because He has given us the victory!

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” — John 10:14-15 (NKJV) Jesus is the good shepherd. He gave His life for us. A hireling, he who is not the shepherd… will abandon the sheep when he sees the wolf coming; and the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. (John 10:12-13.) But Jesus gathers us to Himself. When trouble comes, He is by our side. He lifts us up out of the ditches and pitfalls of life and carries us close to Him. He lets us rest in green meadows; he leads us beside peaceful streams. He renews our strength. He guides us along right paths, bringing honor to his name. (Psalm 23:2-3 NLT) With the Lord as our shepherd, we have all that we need.

“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.”  — Matthew‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭(NKJV‬) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). He is still moved with compassion. It is in the heart of Jesus to be compassionate. While the disciples wanted to send the crowd away, Jesus wanted to take care of their needs. He is the great Physician who heals the sick. He feeds the hungry and clothes the naked. He is the good Shepherd who watches over the sheep and guides them along the path of life. He gives light to those who dwell in darkness. To the prisoners of life circumstances, He provides liberty. He lifts up the heads of those bowed down and fills our minds with peace and joy.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” — John 10:27-28 (NKJV) Jesus is the god shepherd. He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand… (Psalm 95:7a NKJV) Many voices  clamor for our attention on a daily basis. The voices of the enemy, and the angels of darkness who pose as angels of light chatter regularly. The world constantly makes demands on our attention. The voice of the Master, is the only voice that matters! Listen to Him. Let us stay attuned to the voice of our Lord and Savior. As we closely follow Jesus, we are able to clearly hear His voice, louder than any other. And no one will be able to snatch us away from Him. Drop everything and listen, listen as he speaks: “Don’t turn a deaf ear … ”  (Psalm 95:7 MSG)

Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. — Luke 23:8 (NKJV) Don’t seek Jesus for a sign or for what you can get from Him. Seek Him for who He is: the Savior of the world, the Son of God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Mighty God. Jesus is the good Shepherd, who cares for the sheep. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Don’t settle for what you have heard about Him. Get to know Him for yourself. Delight yourself in His Presence. However, be fully expectant that He will do something spectacular in you, in your life, and in the lives of those around you. Keep your hope in Him alive!

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” — John 6:37 (NKJV) Most of us know the pain of rejection. Even Jesus was despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3). Rejection often leads to feelings of being unwanted and thoughts of not being good enough. It sometimes creates a pretense that we don’t need anyone. Thank God that our past experiences with flawed humanity, is not the end of the story! Jesus, the good Shepherd, calls us to COME to Him. Jesus says He will never cast out those who come to Him. In the Amplified version, He says, “I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me.” He holds on and doesn’t let go. No matter who you are and no matter what you have done, Jesus loves you and wants you close to Him. He will comfort you in all affliction.

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!”  — Isaiah 49:15 (NLT) The enemy wants us to believe that God has forgotten about us, but the truth is He does not forget us for one second. So precious are His thoughts about us, they cannot be numbered! (Psalm 139:17 NLT). The very hairs on your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30 NLT). John 10:3 says, the Good Shepherd, calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. He knows your name my friend, and He cares about you! You are never forgotten. You are always on His mind and in His heart.

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — John 6:67-69 (NKJV) Jesus is the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:9). He is the Living Word and the Bread of Life, the very source of our strength. Jesus is the good shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...(Philippians 2:9-10). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus is the answer. Why seek any other?