Does nature speak louder these days? Loud thunder, close crashes of lightning? Outrageous sunsets and glorious sunrises? Do the birds sing in multitudes of praises in the morning?
As millions of people are displaced and “not at home,” and noises of confusion are all around,
God is God. And He speaks.
Today, for this ‘national” day of prayer, let’s pray internationally and wholeheartedly.
God has a plan. He’s on the throne.
“Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth” Psalm 124.
Here are some more scriptures to encourage us in our prayers:
“Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” Luke 18:1.
Jesus then told a story of an unjust judge who cared not—for God or man. A widow “kept coming,” time and time again, “Grant me justice against my adversary!”
Over and over again, the widow would come, to plead with the judge for justice. Exasperated by her persistence, the judge granted her request so she wouldn’t “bother” and come back to “attack” him.
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?
Will he keep putting them off?
I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18: 7-9.
Will Jesus find me with faith on this earth, today?
Also, God has told us in His Word:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls . . .
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity, Psalm 122: 6-9.
My attitude towards Israel matters to God, (period.)
Is our faith in God genuine? Let’s pray we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for His friends.
Today, let’s become “friends” with Jesus, spend time with Him, and His Word, and agree with the Lord and His Word.
If today is the day you choose to receive His forgiveness and salvation, pray He come to dwell in the rooms of your heart and make you a new creation in Christ:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Finally, I share the voices of children singing the Lord’s Prayer. Upbeat and sparkling as the stars in the night sky. Let’s pray with hope and joy because Jesus loves all the little children—
and all the children of the world. He promises salvation and life to all who call and believe in His name, . . . today.
If this is you, please tell me or someone close to you, today is the “first day of the rest of your life,” in Christ!
Pray this Prayer / Music by tonirypkema.com
“The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace,” Doxology. (Amen, amen.)
When I speak aloud the Word of God, I’m renewed with hope. We can rejoice in the LORD always because God is who He says He is!
He doesn’t change whether we believe Him or not. God is God.
If there is any doubt in your heart whether you belong to the Lord, . . .
make this day, the moment you seek Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He will. The Bible is His love letter. Jesus. Loves. You. And me. And every single person on this planet.
Period.
Ask the Lord to help you understand. Ask the Lord to speak in regards to your pain and loss.
The gospel message is the same. The Good News of God makes no changes, ever.
The Lord is a faithful God. Psalm 66 reminds us to sing out the honor of His name.
The Bible helps us focus on the grand power and goodness of God. God’s Word is living, soul transforming. The Word of God lifts us above anxious thoughts. We can’t worry and speak a dozen names of God at the same time.
Almighty God – The Anointed One
(Lord my) Banner – (Giver of) Counsel
Compassionate God – The Chosen One
A Crown of Glory – A Costly Cornerstone
Deliverer – Elohim
El Elyon (God Most High) – Exalted One
Hungry for more? The simple reading of a few names of God makes us hungry to read more:
Jesus is:
Enthroned in rainbow colors – Faithful
Forgiver – The First
Friend of Sinners – Fountain of Life
Gracious God – Glorious
Giver of the Spirit – Great Reward
Holy – Healer
Change happens. We were created to worship God and when we do, we have peace. He is the Prince of Peace.
Can we “Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works!”
His greatest work is His sacrifice on the cross for each of us. He became the Passover Lamb, (another one of His wonderful names). By believing in His work of death on the cross, our sin is put on Him:
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Talk to Him today. He knows your heart already. He can cleanse and make all who believe a new creation. His other outstanding work is His resurrection. Each is great. Miraculous. Jesus rose from the dead.
He helps us rise to new life.
Yes, all who come to Jesus and believe in the sacrificial love He gave on the cross will be saved. Born again with living hope.
The Bible tells us so!
Let the sound of children minister the glorious gift Jesus gives when we believe in Him:
John 1:12 / 2 Corinthians 5:17
Psalm 66: Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah
Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men. He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in Him. He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
Oh, bless our God, you people! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,
Which my lips have uttered And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble. I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals, With the sweet aroma of rams; I will offer bulls with goats. Selah
Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!”
Talk to someone about what you’ve received from the Lord, today!
In the Bible, the children of Israel found themselves in the wilderness because of unbelief, and the Lord rained down Manna every morning to provide food. “What is it?” they asked.
That’s the definition of Manna, food from heaven, God’s holy Bread.
The Bible? “What is it?” Many don’t know it’s a Book unlike all books. It’s Holy. It’s Supernatural.
Manna Notebook Pages for Families is a tool to help families build a foundation of God’s Way and Truth written by chosen men of God through a period of 1600 years, inspired by His Holy Spirit, to bring God’s message to man-kind.
Where’s the Manna? It’s in God’s Word! Enjoy the feast each day.
Mrs. Toni
tonirypkema.com
“What’s so great about the Bible?” Some may ask.
There are many skeptics these days, but some have never heard the Bible or opened it’s pages for themselves.
Like the manna pictured above, the Bible can look very boring. But God’s Holy Word is unlike any other book in the entire world.
The pages of the Bible are living, powerful, and are from the Lord to us!
So, first we will pray: “Dear Lord, we ask that You will help us have ears to hear You speak to us today form Your Word, and a heart soft to receive what You have for us, and courage to share what we learn with others, In Jesus name, Amen.”
The Bible is the greatest Book in all the world. It’s sixty-six Books with one theme: The Revelation of Jesus Christ from the beginning to the end.
“Does it always have to be about Jesus?” some might ask.
Good question, let’s look at what Jesus said of Himself at the end of the Book:
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End Revelation 22:13.
The Bible tells us,
The Son (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation Colossians 1:15. Stop and read that again, it’s so powerful.
Colossians continues, “For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
This is a lot to take in. Without faith, we can’t believe.
“What’s faith?” you might ask.
Faith is believing all God says about Himself and about man-kind.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him Hebrews 11:6.
Do we believe God exists? Do we believe his Word is His Truth to us?
The writer of the Book of Job from the Bible said, I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread Job 23;12.
Job stayed close to the Word of God. Job suffered great loss, of family and health. And more than necessary food, was the Word to him.
Many of us love our food and snacks. We taste a snack and we want more and more. Well, the Word of God, once its tasted, and the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to its wonder, and we receive His power in our hearts to understand, God’s Word becomes more wonderful each day!
Do you want to have faith as Job? If yes, God doesn’t guarantee that hard days won’t come, but He guarantees, to be with us through everything.
For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee Hebrews 13:5.
The Holy Bible is God’s promises & instruction for us and complete reward: Jesus Christ.
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit 1 Corinthians 2:9,10.
Do you believe God? Pray, (talk to God) in your own words and tell Him your thoughts.
Here’s a Scriptures Song to help understand faith and God’s ways: Hebrews 11:6 & Isaiah 55: 6, 8,9.
There are so many books. And, oh, how we love stories.
Some books are imagined from the mind or fiction, like Amelia Bedelia or Star Trek. And some stories are true experiences written down. Books about sports players, or plants, people, etc.
We give books and stories time and attention each day.
But Manna Notebook Time is Treasure Time. We discussed on our first page, it takes faith to believe the Holy Book,
But the Bible is also called the Good News, and it tells us that
. . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God Romans 10:18.
So today we will hear from the Book of Beginnings, Genesis, God’s account of how everything began. What an amazing story it is, from the Amplified Bible:
In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth.
The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth].
The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
God saw that the light was good (pleasing, useful) and
He affirmed and sustained it; and God separated the light [distinguishing it] from the darkness.
And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night.
And there was evening and there was morning, one day Genesis 1:1-5.
The Spirit of God hovered over the dark and empty void of earth. God the Father breathed the Word, “Light.” And at 186,000 miles per second light moved in glory.
God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, three in one. The Trinity in the first 5 verses of the Bible. This is powerful.
“In the beginning”, is the element of time. “God created the heavens . . . ” the element of space. “And the earth,” the element of matter. Time, space, matter, three properties of the Universe all created by Elohim, Creator God.
Yes, this takes faith to believe, but with a humble heart and open mind, ask God, “Is this true?”
What does the Bible say?
The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting Psalm 119:160.
We have choice to believe. God gave us this! We have the ability to discover the mysteries and ask God Himself the questions. What did Jesus say about light?
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12.
The Book of John, chapter 1 says of Jesus,
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it John 1:4,5.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him John 1:9-11.
What happens to those who believe? And those that don’t?
For those who believe, we have fellowship. Closeness to God for all eternity. Through faith in Jesus, God’s Son, we have access to the Prince of Peace, each moment of the present day.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12.
Not believe? What are the consequences?
Separation from God for all eternity: They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 2 Thessalonians 1:9.
Take time to be with the Lord and talk to Him about your choice. If you believe, thank Him for making you new, ask Him to come live in your heart, and show You His ways of light and life! He hears your heart.
Here’s a Scripture song to help you think on God’s Good News, John 1:12 & 2 Corinthians 5:17.
John 1:12/2Corinthians 5:17 featuring Kanagy GirlsIf we walk in the light as He is in the light we’ll have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from every sin. 1John 1:7.
The holy Scriptures . . . they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15.
Talk to someone about your choice to accept Jesus and believe in His love and light for your life.
Amen! Sing a new God song: John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
What’s the Manna #3
God’s Word, God’s account on how the beginnings occurred, (as well as many other events in the past which help us humans understand the events of today), has been considered “Religion.” Because it requires faith to believe.
Now, we must understand that man’s account of beginnings requires “belief” as well, because mankind was not present for observable science. This is called Historical Science. This requires belief.
toniryp.com
Many people don’t know what God’s account is.
What’s the Manna? “What is it?”
The Bible is God’s holy Word.
“In the beginning . . . ” I share my Creation Song as well as the first chapter of Genesis for those hungry for a manna meal:
Art by Andrea Colt
The History of Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” 21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
29 And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. 30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. 31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1.
In helping parents and friends talk about God to children as they walk along the way, today we take a Zinnia seed and explore the wonders of God. Let’s talk to the kids and bring God in ordinary things:
Do you see the seeds on the dirt in the picture?
These are Zinnia seeds. In that one flower there are more than 100 seeds. That means 100 Zinnia plants.
But, not until those seeds are put in the soil to grow. Otherwise, they will simple sit, alone.
Do you see the little baby Zinnia’s in the next picture?
Yes, they’re young and growing. All because someone, (well, in this case, it was me), took a shovel and softened the soil and took out the rocks, and then planted the seed. And then, buried it in dirt.
The seed was buried. Then the seed basically died.
Well, you see, the seed loses itself as a seed. It allows itself to become something entirely different. A living sprout.
Yes, after being watered, it starts to grow.
Life bursts forth with water, and sun, from the soil and the seed where it all began.
What a promise in each seed. A possibility of a hundred plants from only 1 flower!
That’s what the word “glorious” means. Well, maybe not, but at least to me.
This is actually a picture of the Gospel. The Good News of God.
Yes, God speaks to us everyday through everyday things. He is the Creator of all the natural beauty around. I suppose He’s waiting to see who’s looking for His messages from His many glorious wonders that occur throughout each day.
Well, back to the seed that died in the ground. There’s a verse in the Bible about all this in John 12:24, NLT, Jesus speaks to those who have listening ears:
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels, a plentiful harvest of new lives.
How is the gospel message hid in this seed? Well, It died. It gave up it’s own identity.
Jesus was God, in heaven from the beginning. God sent His Son, as the Christmas baby, with angels announcing to shepherds to be the Savior of the world.
He came that He might die.
Yes, on the cross. Have you heard the story? He died on the cross. His blood was shed for forgiveness of our sin.
But He rose from the dead! Much like this sprout that came from the seed that was buried.
Yes, Jesus rose again. This is call the resurrection. And for those who believe, He forgives and makes new everything that was old. I know it’s hard to believe, but look at the seed.
There’s a whole new look, and a whole new life, and then with time and water and sun, there’s fruit in the end. This is God’s love and life all shown through nature.
Yes, and when we believe in Him, He makes us new. God’s Word expresses this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:17,
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Daily, we need to die to our own stubborn way, and instead of putting ourselves first, we need to seek God, and obey His way. for example, when a guardian asks, “Can you clean up your space.”
Do we whine, and moan and put it off for a time? Or do we simply obey? And, cheerfully?
God is watching. He knows everything!
Hey, the seed picture should help move us to action. The seed died to itself, in a way, that a plant could grow. But more than that, there’s a reward in it for us.
Can you see in the picture, the reward of putting God first and doing things His way?
Yes, fruit. Well, in this case a flower. Beautiful and bright.
Have you prayed to God, receiving Jesus, and His promise of new life? Pray today with no delay, ask Him in your life. He uses a simple seed of faith, and creates beauty and life.
And maybe, you have the Lord, but need to be planted anew. Pray to God. He hears. He waits for us to talk with Him.
“Dear Lord, help us this day make the choice to put You first.
To give You some time, and forget about ourselves.
I bow my head and ask, “Will You forgive me Lord? For the times I’ve been stubborn and not cared about what’s right.
Help me to “die” to my own selfishness, and sometimes, meanness too, and lead me to care and desire about what You say.
Thank You that You gave up Your life that I might have mine. That You, Jesus, went to the cross for my wrongs. That You were willing to pay for my debt of sin. You loved me . . . then.
And You love me now.
Thanks for speaking in a simple seed that was buried in the ground, but didn’t remain like that. No, it changed and grew to something beautiful in time.
Thank You God.
Help me choose You, today. That I might have a flower’s joy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Proverbs 4:8,9, (about gaining wisdom when we hear God’s Word),
Cherish her, (wisdom), and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
Aren’t the “heads” of these flowers arrayed with glorious crowns?”
Amen, and when we obey God and seek to obey, we will have His light shining from us.
In helping parents and friends talk about God to children as they walk along the way, today we take a Zinnia seed and explore the wonders of God. Let’s talk to the kids and bring God in ordinary things:
Yes, fruit. Well, in this case a flower. Beautiful and bright.