The Creation Story

And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3)

The mountains are majestic, the rocks cry out in praise.

The earth in all its glory was formed in just six days.

From darkness and void, God said, “Let there be light.”

Day one of His creation, morning turned into night.

He spoke and a separation of waters came to be.

Day two of His creation, the sky divided from the sea.

The water, he gathered it all up into one place.

Dry ground called “land” emerged and filled the empty space.

God looked at all He made and it was good indeed.

Next on the list were plants and trees bearing fruit with seed,

The land produced vegetation all according to its kind.

Day three of His creation was what He had in mind.

In the heavens, He carefully placed the stars, moon, and sun.

Day four of His creation, the heavenly bodies were done.

Great fishes of the deep blue sea and birds up in the air,

Day five of His creation, the finned and winged did appear.

Living creatures great and small according to their kind,

God formed the dust into a man: body, soul, and mind.

The woman formed from man’s rib was His crowned jewel.

Over all He had created, God gave the man to rule.

In the image of God, He created woman and man.

Day six of His creation, He finished his beautiful plan.

In six days, the world was created full of God’s glory.

On the seventh day He rested, and that’s the creation story.

Care for My Sheep

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

There is one in need. At least one person you know is brokenhearted. One is found captive. There is one who mourns and one who grieves a loss. I have anointed you to share my message. Take care of my sheep. Bind up the brokenhearted. Your words will be a covering for their hurts. Bathe them in prayer. Replace the wreckage of their wounds with a crown of beauty. Clothe them in my righteousness to display my glory before the nations. Release those held in bondage. Liberate them from their chains. Unlock the prison doors and set them free. Renounce the enemy that holds them captive. Comfort the one who mourns a loss. Walk alongside the one in sorrow. Provide for those who grieve in despair. Anoint them with the oil of gladness. Dress them in a garment of praise. Strengthen them in me. Serve those who are in need, and I will show my favor to them. I will give them my peace. You are blessed to be a blessing. In ministering to others, you too will be blessed. Live into your calling.

I Call You By Name

The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:2-4)

My child, you are more than just my daughter. I love you, and I have called you by name. You are my precious lamb. I conceived you in my mind before I created the world. I formed you in your mother’s womb, and I ordained all your days before one of them came to be. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. I will not forget you! I am with you always. You are special to me. Spend time with me today and listen to my voice. Let my words be food for your hungry soul and water for your thirsty spirit. Delight in me and experience my joy and peace. You are my child, called by my name. (See Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 49:16)

I Will Direct Your Paths

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

Daughter, you are excited to work on your project and get it done. I understand that. But do not run ahead of me. Do not leave me in the dust. Rather, let me lead. Let me guide and direct you. Give me your time and attention. Listen to me—let me speak. I will bring about the end result when the timing is right. I love you, and I want the best for you. This cannot happen in a whirlwind for you. It has to come about slowly in order for you to receive the support you need for this project. Follow my time frame and be patient. We will have success when I am ready to bring it. There is much more to be done in the process of waiting. Seek me for your direction and your time management. I will help you balance it all and give you joy in your work. I will direct your paths.

Serve One Another in Love

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14)

Precious one, you are a child of the King. You are royalty. You serve a servant King. I came to seek and save the lost. I saved the lost by giving my life in exchange for theirs. You were lost when I found you. You had wandered away from the fold. I came to save you. I gave my life in exchange for yours. Will you now serve me and give your life to me? Will you bear the cup of sacrifice? Will you give up your dignity for the sake of mine? Will you proclaim me to the world? I am the Way. I am the only way to the Father. I am the Truth. In a world full of deceit, I shine light into the darkness. I am the Life. In me, you will experience a life full of my perfect peace.

Come near to me and I will come near to you. Remain in me and I will remain in you. You are my child, my heir. All I have belongs to you. I love you unconditionally. Will you love me more than everything? Will you love others in the same manner that I love you? Will you lay down your life for your friend? Will you lay down your life for me? That simply means that you regard others greater than yourself. You make me your top priority. Your own agenda is replaced by mine.

In your humility, I will lift you up. In your devotion, you will be exalted—not by the world’s measure, but in heavenly proportions. You are blessed to be a blessing. Encourage another as I have encouraged you. Serve one another in love.

Spend Time with Me Today

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. (Proverbs 8:17-21)

My precious one, take a moment to meet with me today. I eagerly wait to hear from you. I have so much love to pour out on you. My wisdom is priceless and I will not let my words fall to the ground. Will you make time to listen to me today? I want to encourage you in your journey. The road you are on is full of construction zones. I will use each obstacle to refine your character. The lessons I want to teach you are invaluable. Patience, trust, humility, discernment, and wisdom are qualities that reflect my image. All I have belongs to you. Seek me first, and all these things will be added to you. Meeting with me should be your first priority. Starting your day with me will be the best use of your time. Take me with you throughout your day. Think of me, talk to me, and listen to me all day long. I am with you always, but when you seek me and acknowledge my presence, we will run like a finely tuned machine. Communicating with me all day long will promote a deeper intimacy in our relationship. Do you love me? Spend time with me today.

Do Not Worry

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field., which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (Luke 12:22-28)

My child, do not be caught up in the spin cycle of worry. I will provide for you. Food and clothing are just the beginning of my provision. You are much more precious to me than the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. You are the crown of my creation. You are full of my glory. I have dressed you in my righteousness and I feed you the bread from heaven. Do not worry about this or that. Cast all your cares upon me and I will sustain you. Worrying will add nothing to your life. Trust me for all you need. I am sufficient for you. I will never leave you or forsake you. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. You are mine.

Child of Love

My precious child, you are very important to me. I do not make mistakes. I created you for a reason; I had a purpose in mind for you before I created the world. You are the conduit of my love. People will know me when they see your loving ways. Love unconditionally as I do. I will empower you to love that way. Remain in me and I will remain in you. Love me and I will love others through you.

Please seek me every day. Make me your first priority. Come near to me. Spend a little time with me. Let me direct your ways. Trust me. I have your best interest in mind. I am only a whisper away. Ask me for help. Share your heart with me, and then listen. I desire to share my heart with you. My Spirit, who lives in your heart, knows my heart and shares it with you. You have access to me any time, day or night, by my Spirit within you. Listen to my voice from within. Hear what I say to you in your thoughts and be at peace. I have so much to tell you. Will you spend a few moments with me today?

Let me love you perfectly, and you will have the capacity and capability you need to love others well. Receive my love in order to give it away. Child of love, you are precious to me.

Book Signing at Manna Cafe in GR on June 11

Sindy Nagel will be signing and selling “Manna for Today” books at Manna Café, 820 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. A portion of the proceeds will be invested in serving God’s children in developing nations through Manna Ministries Worldwide.

Let us rejoice

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  (Psalm 118:24)

 

Lord, thank you for making the sun rise each day.

Lord, thanks for the warm weather you send our way.

Lord, thank you for the rain that falls from the sky.

Lord, thank you for the relationship between you and I.

 

I am glad and rejoice at the sound of the birds.

I am glad and rejoice with hearing your words.

I am glad and rejoice to start my day with you.

I am glad and rejoice in everything you do.

 

I praise you, Lord; you died for my sin.

I praise you, Lord; my heart you did win.

I praise you, Lord; you reign high above.

I praise you, Lord, for your great love.

 

Glory to God, great things you have done.

Glory to God, for sending your Son.

Glory to God, for providing the Way.

Glory to God, that I know you today.

 

Thank you, Father, you created my being.

Thank you, Father, I have faith without seeing.

Thank you, Jesus, for removing my strife.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me new life.

 

I honor you, Lord, because you are Holy.

I honor you, Lord, because I am lowly.

I honor you, Lord, you are the Most High.

I honor you, Lord, for my sin you did die.

 

Thanks be to God for the things you have done.

Thanks be to God for sending your Son.

Thanks be to God for forgiving my sin.

Thanks be to God for letting me in.

 

This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.