2015 March 3 - Morning Manna

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalms 16:1-11)

Today's Morsel: I was listening to a sermon on the radio the other day, and the pastor was telling a story about a man who came home from a church service.  He said that as the man was passing by the pasture, he noticed a donkey with a long gray looking face, and the man said to the donkey, 'You must have been in service with me today.'  In other words, the man left service with no joy.  How would you define joy?  Yes, joy is a feeling of great happiness or pleasure.  But joy is also that inner strength that comes from knowing God.  Nehemiah said that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10); and Isaiah said that with that same joy we can draw waters out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3).  So shouldn't every believer be filled with joy on a continuous basis?  If we keep Jesus first, others second, and ourselves third, we will always possess joy in our life.   As the psalmist states, "In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."  As long as we stay in the presence of God and keep Him first, we will have joy.

Sing:  Somebody told me about the joy they had. Somebody told me that in sorrow I could be glad.  Then they told me that they were bound but now set free, I didn't think it could be, until it happened to me.

 Now I can tell you of the joy I have.  Now I can tell you that in sorrow I can be glad.  Now I can tell you that I was bound but now set free.  I didn't think it could be, until it happened to me.

Thought for Today: Jesus first, Others second, You third. 

2015 March 2 - Morning Manna

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. (Proverbs 25:21-22)

Today's Morsel:  It has been stated that "We have found the enemy and he is us." Isn't it sad that we can become our own worst enemy.  We can create our own problems and then expect someone else to fix them for us.  And believe me, there are people out there who are making millions of dollars every year doing just that.  They are directing people how to fix the problems that they have created for themselves.

 When I first arrived in Okinawa, I had a man that hated me because I was a Christian.  But I kept reaching out to him with love and kindness and then one day this man hit a very hard spot in his life and I was able to minister to him.  This man became saved and a very good friend and prayer partner with me, and he served God for the rest of his days upon the earth.  Solomon said, "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee."  Have you thought about feeding yourself the bread of life?  If the saying we started with is true, and we are our own enemy; then we should feed ourselves the word of God.  Let me encourage you today, if you have enemies, follow Solomon's advice and God will reward you.

Sing:  He's my bread when I'm hungry, He's my water when I'm thirsty. He's my shelter in the time of the storm. He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, He's my all.

Thought for Today: "Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much."  Oscar Wilde. 

2015 February 28 - Morning Manna

In your patience possess ye your souls. (Luke 21:19)

Today's Morsel: There is an old Finnish Proverb that says, "God did not create hurry."  As the world turns, it seem as though few have patience to wait any more.  We have created restaurants with drive through, take outs, and home delivery, and take our vehicles in for quick lubes, all because we are in a hurry.  We question the barber and hair salon workers as to how long it will take to get our hair done.  We ask the wait staff  how long it will take to be seated and to get our food.  We honk our horn when the car in front of us doesn't drive off the instant the light turns green, or if they stop to talk to someone and we have to wait a minute.  We look at the clock in the back of the church or at our watches to see how long the service has been going.  Everyone seems to be in a hurry.  If the Finnish Proverb is correct, then we can assume that the spirit of hurry is coming from the enemy of our souls to wear us out.  Daniel said, "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High... (Daniel 7:25).  If you are always in a hurry, chances are you will lose your soul.  Why not slow down and try smelling the roses, you just might discover you like what they smell like.

Sing:  They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint, teach me Lord, teach me Lord, to wait.

Thought for Today: God did not create hurry (Finnish Proverb)

2015 February 27 - Morning Manna

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come"
(Luke 19:12-13)

Today's Morsel: Occupy till I come; the word “occupy” here means not merely to “possess,” as it often does in our language, but it means to “improve,” to employ “in business,” for the purpose of increasing it or of making “profit” on it.  Baker says it means "To trade it".  Jesus wants us to take risks with what He has given us.  As He told the man with the one talent who did nothing with it, you should have at least put it in the bank and I would have had interest when I returned (my words).  And so Jesus commands His disciples to “improve” their talents; to make the most of them; to increase their capability of doing good, and to do it “until” He comes to call us.  Paul told the church at Corinth ; "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal"(1 Corinthians 12:7). With the truth as to who Jesus is, we should be gaining more wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  And not only that,  I believe that we should be using the finances that God gives us for the advancement of His Kingdom.  If a  $50 Partner in Missions each month will win a soul, then let's spend it.  If spending a $100 to have a ladies or men's fellowship will help to win a soul, then let's spend it.  It's all God's anyhow and He said to profit with it. I believe if we use it for His glory and purpose, He will give us more.  But if we horde it, we'll have nothing to show for it when He returns.

Sing: Hold the fort for I am coming Jesus signal still; wave the answer back to Heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

Thought for Today:  Don't hide your talents, gain more.

2015 February 26 - Morning Manna

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:10-16)

Today's Morsel.  Sometimes we can carry hurts and bitterness in our hearts for a long time.  And these same hurts and bitterness can weigh us down to the point that we are unable to sleep or stand up straight.  We may think that we are alright, but really deep down inside we are carry more then we can handle.  The woman mentioned in scripture today had her infirmity for 18 years, and was bowed down, and could in no wise lift herself up.  Jesus said that Satan had done this.  We need to know that if Satan can get us to remain hurt and bitter with others, it will keep us burdened and bowed together and not able to lift our hands in worship and praise to the Lord.  Always remember, maintaining hurts and bitterness, only hurts you.

Sing: I'm trading my sorrow, I'm trading my pain, I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.

 And I'll say, yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes, Lord; yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes, Lord; yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes, Lord  amen.

Thought for Today:  Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop. But a good word maketh it glad.

2015 February 25 - Morning Manna

In your patience possess ye your souls. (Luke 21:19)

Today's Morsel: Every time I drive by a cemetery, I ask myself, I wonder how many of those people lost their soul. And I usually begin to reflect on my own life and ask myself the question if am I ready should Jesus come for me at that moment.  I usually find myself repenting of a thought or action because I do not want to spend eternity in hell. Because our world has gotten into a jiffy pop mode; you know - the I want it now mentality; this same mentality has crept into the church.  People are ready to hit the door as soon as the pastor begins the altar call.  Many of those people who  say they are born again, no longer seem to have time to pray with anyone else at the altar.  They seem to have no patience for anyone else to receive what they have received.  These folks are those who feel secure in themselves.   James said that even when we fall into divers temptations, we need to allow patience a chance to make us complete.  Any trial or trouble is to test your patience. You must let her (patience) have her time and space in your life so that you do not lose your soul.  A soul that is lost did not possess patience.

Sing: Learning to lean, I'm learning to lean, learning to lean on Jesus; finding more power, than I've ever dreamed, I'm learning to lean on Jesus!

Thought for Today: Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart. Wait I say on the Lord.

2015 February 24 - Morning Manna

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:57-62)

Today's Morsel:  The expression "looking back" has a manifest reference to "Lot's Wife."  It is not an actual returning to the world, but a reluctance to let go of the world.   Jesus was telling them to follow Him and not look back.  But like so many today, she looked back.   Jesus said, " No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God."  I will tell you, as a country boy, if you are plowing and you look back, your furrows are not going to be straight but they are going to be all over the place.  Again, I believe that if you have tasted of the sweet and good gifts of God, you should be seeking for more of Him.  But if  you keep looking back to the world, or what is behind you, instead of what is ahead of you; you are going to end up short of your eternal salvation.  A distracted and divided heart leads to drawing back to perdition.  As Paul wrote, I believe that we should not, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:35-39).  That soul that must be saved is our very own.

Sing: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth, will go strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace.

Thought for Today:  What's in hell that you want? (P.A. Dennis)