2014 July 24 - Morning Manna

The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed (Psalm 103:6).

 

Today’s Morsel:  In this verse, the word “oppressed” comes from the Greek word âshaq, aw-shak', which means to press upon, that is defraud, violate, deceive, used, do violence to or wronged.  Because Jesus is the righteous judge, He will execute judgment for us. “Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord.  Therefore, when others do us wrong, defraud, or misuse us, we shouldn’t take matters into our own hands but allow God the time to handle our cases for us.  Jesus said, “In your patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19). We can lose out if we take matters into our hands, because we will look to get even instead of being fair.  If we judge others who wrong us, our judgment towards them will be much more severe.  Knowing this, Jesus told us through the apostle Paul, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:20-21). Always remember that Jesus’ ways are not ours. Neither should our ways be the ways of the people of the world.

 

Sing:  I know the Lord will make a way for me, I know the Lord will make a way for me; if I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right, I know the Lord will make a way for me.

2014 July 23 - Morning Manna

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went

(John 6:14-21).

 

Today’s Morsel:  Are you aware that when you allow Jesus to come into your life, He can immediately change any situation you may have?  The disciples were in a storm, but when they received Jesus into their ship, immediately they were at the land where they were going.  They were no longer in the storm of life or danger. Have you considered inviting Jesus into your life today? It would make all the difference whether you will keep having to endure the storm that is raging in your life or if it comes to an immediately halt.  I believe you will receive the latter. What about you?

 

Sing: Though the storms keep on raging in my life and sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day, still there lies a hope within that’s reassured as I keep my eyes upon the distant shores. I know He’ll lead me safely to that blessed place He has prepared, but if the storms don’t cease and if the winds keep on blowing in my life, my soul has been anchored in the Lord!

2014 July 22 - Morning Manna

"And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat." 
(Mark 5:21-43)

 

 

Today's Morsel: What do you do when there is a delay in your miracle?  A miracle is something out of the ordinary. It defy all odds. It's an event that cannot be explained according to the laws of nature and is considered to be an act of God.  Jarius knows that he needs a miracle if his daughter is to live. But there seems to be many delays in him receiving it. The crowd is thronging Jesus. A woman with an issue of blood stops Him, and then Jarius is told his daughter is dead. When what we need is delayed, discouragement often steps in and tries to destroy what little faith we do have.  We must walk by faith and not by our sight. We must still believe that all things do work together for our good if we are called and love God even if it is delayed in coming. Remember, if it is to be a miracle, you had nothing to do with it anyhow. It was of God.

 

Sing: I believe God! I believe God! That He will do, just as He said. Trust an obey, believe Him and say, I believe! I believe! God.

2014 July 21 - Morning Manna

Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house (Proverbs 6:30-31).

 

Today’s Morsel: Because there is so much theft in the world these days, many homeowners are now installing detection systems to deter criminals from entering their homes and stealing their possessions.  Jesus said of Satan, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus called Satan a thief, He said that he came to steal, to kill, and destroy.  When a thief breaks into your home, he comes for one purpose, to steal the things you have. And if you get in his way trying to prevent him, he may kill you.  He will also destroy other things in your home looking for the one thing he came for.  Satan enters your home to steal your family from you, and he will kill you and them if you aren’t careful.  Satan will destroy everything you have worked to build and establish. Solomon said, “Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.”  Have you caught that old thief in your home? If you have, you need to make him pay you sevenfold.

 

Sing:  I’m going to the enemy’s camp; I’m gonna take back what he stole from me. I’m going to the enemy’s camp, to declare my victory. I’ll put him under my feet, under my feet, under my feet, under my feet; I'm claiming the victory.  

2014 July 19 - Morning Manna

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6).

 

Today’s Morsel:  When people are looking for something that they can’t find, my wife with her wit and humor says, “I bet it will be in the last place you look!” Are you looking for Jesus today?  I bet He’ll be in the last place you look.  He’s not far from any of us.  We just need to open our understanding and call upon Him as He is as close as the mention of His name.  Jesus doesn’t play hide and seek.  He is open before all of us.  But what I have found is that many are looking for Him in all the wrong places.  They look for Him by seeking out the perfect church.  Churches aren’t perfect because they are made up of people.  They look for Him in the right preacher.  Preachers are human, so they have issues, too.  If you really want to find Jesus, you have look for Him with all your heart, and you will find Him.  Care to look again?

 

Sing: Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you, Hallelu; Hallelujah!

2014 July 18 - Morning Manna

And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there. For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household. So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were. And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s house within
(II Kings 7:3-11).

 

Today’s Morsel:  What are you doing with the good news that has been given to you?  Are you keeping it to yourself, or are you sharing it with others?  Jesus said that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to preach the gospel to the poor and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).  The apostle Paul said that now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. People are seeking for answers to their lives and their dilemmas. The gospel is the news that they need to hear.  The gospel can bring change and hope to any situation; Jesus is the answer for the world today.  The lepers said, “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.”  They knew that if they didn’t tell someone, some bad things could happen to them.  Remember, if you know about Jesus and you don’t tell others about Him, Jesus will hold you responsible for not telling them.  Don’t hold the good news in, but go tell everyone you meet.

 

Sing: T here’s a call come ringing o’er the restless wave, “Send the light! Send the light!”  There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save;Send the light! Send the light! Send the light, the blessed gospel light, let it shine from shore to shore! Send the light, the blessed gospel light, let it shine for evermore.

2014 July 17 - Morning Manna

Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts

(Psalm 119:173).

 

Today’s Morsel:  Often, we find that when working on certain projects, we may need a helping hand.  There is nothing like two working together.  When we offer someone a hand, it makes their weight less heavy and the burden lighter.   The psalmist said, “Let thine hand help me.”  Jesus is always willing to lend us a hand.  He said, “Ask, and it shall be given thee.”  When Peter began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me.”  Immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him (Matthew 14:30-31).  Sometimes, it may seem that we are sinking in the things that we have to do, but if we will set our pride aside and ask others to help us, we may not feel so snowed under.  It is better to allow others to share in the glory and reward when we are doing a project than to kill ourselves trying to do it all alone for our own glory. Isaiah gave the words of the Lord, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).  God will help you.  Could you use a hand today? Why not ask someone to assist you; you just may be surprised what happens.  You could even be making a new friend or learning more about your neighbor.  “The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion”  (Psalm 20:1-2).

 

Sing: Hold to God’s unchanging hand!  Hold to God’s unchanging hand!  Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand!