2014 March 11 - Morning Manna

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.   (Revelation 3:1-6)

 

 

Today's Morsel:  Some people look at the book of Revelation and fear.  While others look and are confused. But those of us who have been born again should see the book of Revelation as book of preparation for going home. We should see it as book with instruction and guidelines to encourage, to build up, and one that shows us what we are looking forward to.  Every time I read the book of Revelation, I come away with excitement when I think about being before the Lord for eternity.  Every so often, I like to go to the book of Revelation and take a closer look at those seven churches that John spoke of.  Out of the seven, two seem to have it together. Five were called to repentance.  The church Sardis was chastised of the Lord for having a name to live by, but they were dead.  How  could any church who has the name of Jesus be dead? What killed them?  If you never sing about Jesus, if you never teach about Jesus, if you never pray in Jesus name, if you never baptize people in Jesus name, and if you never preaching under the anointing of the Holy Ghost in Jesus name, your church is going to be dead.  Sardis was told to strengthen the things that they had remaining.  They had a few people who were still trying to hold it together but because they weren't doing anything in Jesus name, they too were ready to die.  I have seen so  many churches like this. T hey had a few older saints that have been there forever because that is the church they grew up in.  They can tell you of the good services that they used to have and how they had a mighty move of God in their services.  But then they say, we started to do  a lot of new things and we never hear about Jesus any more.  All the songs and messages are narcissism and humanism, and so we are just treading water.  Does this sound like your church?  Let me encourage you today, if you have the faith as a grain of a mustard seed, then "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."(2 Peter 1:5-8)  We all must strengthen those things we have remaining in us.  How's your faith today?  Always remember, God's not dead He's alive.

 

Sing: God's not dead, He is alive. My God's not dead, He is alive.  My God's not dead, He is alive, I feel Him and He's keeping me alive.

2014 March 10 - Morning Manna

And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death. (Leviticus 24:10-16)

 

Today's Morsel: I often hear from people who do not understand the Bible and begin to find fault with God for some of the things they read.  For example, I was asked to come speak to a group of men who had just been released from prison.  One of the men who was in the group, when he learned that I was a pastor, became immediately upset, and said to me, " I don't see how anybody can serve and believe in anything that hates people."  I said to him, "I don't understand what you mean."  He said, "I'm gay and God teaches to hate us."  I said to him, "Who told you that?"   I went on, "God doesn't hate you. God loves you. God hates sin and anything that goes against His word.   If I lie, God hates that.  If I steal, God hates that, because it goes against His word."  I told him that God hates sin, but He loves the sinner.   You see if we are not careful, we can believe what others say without searching it out for ourselves.

Under the law that God gave to Moses, cursing would fall under the commandment "Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain."   And so when the people heard a young man had blasphemed the name of the LORD and cursed, they brought him unto Moses.  And when Moses ascertained of the Lord what should be done unto him the Lord said, "Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death." What God was showing us here is this:  Sin must be dealt with in the church and in the life of people.  If a church never preaches against sin and if it never deals with sin, then people from the youngest to the oldest will think that it is okay to do.  God was setting a standard with the children of Israel, that sin must be dealt with in every life. Always remember, if you say that you are born again of the water and the spirit, sin should not have dominion over you.  Sin should no longer rein in your life.  Eradicating sin from a life must begin at the earliest age.  God doesn't hate you, God loves you.  He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

 

Sing: Search, me, O' God and try my heart today; see if there be a wicked way in me.  Cleanse me from sin, and purge my heart I pray, that I may be, more like You each day.

2014 March 8 - Morning Manna

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause
(Proverbs 1:10-11)

 

Today's Morsel:  Back in the days when I went to school, one of the things we learned about was the five basic needs.  One of those basic needs was  "Social Acceptance." We all like to be liked by others and to be a part with others and the group.  Even Luke tells us that  after the Day of Pentecost, about the early church, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)  Most people participate in fellowship because they feel a need to belong.  But when we don't feel a part, it is easy to regress, to become lonely, and give in to those who may show us social acceptance in the wrong way.  Young boys and girls are lured in prostitution. Spouses divorce. People backslide from churches, change jobs.  And children run away from home.  When we are in a low state, that is when the enemy of the soul can entice us to follow the wrong crowd or wrong people.  If we do not feel the social acceptance of the people in the church, we may turn to the world.  People who get tattoos, pierce their bodies, and dress immodestly are looking for social acceptance. They are hoping their outward appearance will be accepted by those who they then look like.  We may say that they are rebellious, and this may be true, but really they are looking for social acceptance.  Somewhere within them, they don't feel accepted by their parents, friends, or family.  And so, they seek it from the world not realizing the enemy of their soul has a trap set for them.  Solomon's mother told him, "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."   She was telling him that it may look as though it is okay, but there is a trap.  She said to him, "Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird."(Proverbs 1:17)  Let me encourage you today, if you are seeking social acceptance, don't turn to the world, look to Jesus.  The people inside the building aren't Jesus.  They are folks just like you, looking for acceptance, too.  Many of them have made Jesus their friend, and He is a friend that will stick closer to you than a brother.  Always remember, he that will has friends must show himself friendly. Be the one to accept others within the church, extending a hand of fellowship and watch acceptance follow.

 

Sing:  What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Saviour , still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do they friends despise forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou will find a solace there.

2014 March 7 - Morning Manna

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

 

Today's Morsel:  Why are there so many people suffering from fear.  Why do we fear each other?  Why do we fear people of different races?  Why do we fear convicted felons?   Why do we fear our bosses and leaders?  Why do we fear our spouses?  Why do we fear not getting what we ask for?  Why do we have all these phobias about us?  What is there about fear that sends that scare within us?  Paul tells us, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."(2 Timothy 1:7)  He lets us know that fear is a spirit.  It is an evil spirit that God did not give us. It is a spirit from the pits of hell.  The antidote for fear is love.  If we are going to be able to deal with fear, we must become perfect in God's love.  Jesus told us to not let our hearts be troubled, but to believe in Him (John 14:1-2) . When we are made perfect in His love, because God is love (1John 4:8), we can overcome fear; because greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world.  Fear is just False Evidence Appearing Real.  When you show forth His love, fear leaves.

 

Sing: My God is bigger than all my questions, bigger than all my fears, yes, my God bigger than any mountain that I can or cannot see. 

2014 March 6 - Morning Manna

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.   (Proverbs 1:8-9)

 

Today's Morsel:  Many people do not see the value of the church.  But when we understand that Jesus is the Father of His Church, and the church is the mother of us all (Galatians 4:26), we can understand the importance of heeding Jesus' instructions and obey what the laws of the church are.  Solomon's mother told him if he would heed the instructions of his father and not forsake the law of his mother, they would be an ornament of grace unto his head and chains about his neck.  In other words, they would keep him from doing wrong.   They would keep him from going astray.  They would keep him from strange women and wrong influences.  They would keep him from making wrong decisions and running with the wrong group of people.  The law served two purposes:  Morality and How to seek forgiveness.  It still teaches us lessons in good behavior, how to live decently and in order, and how to be ethical.  And at the same time it also teaches us how to love others as ourselves and to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  When we listen to our Heavenly Father and mother we can always, "Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

 

Sing: Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into my heart, floods of joy o'er my soul like a sea billow roll, since Jesus came into my heart.   

2014 March 5 - Morning Manna

How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? (Psalms 13:1-2)

 

Today's Morsel:  When I was young living in the south, when people wanted directions, they didn't ask how far a place was, they would ask, "How long is it from here."  We hear people saying, "How long will we have to wait?" "How long before we get there?" "How long before they come?"  Even the children of Israel asked Moses how long they would have to eat manna.  There is that sense in all of us of wanting knowing when.  King David even ask the Lord, "How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?"  David felt that God had abandoned him.  I know that none of you ever feel that way.  David wanted relief from his enemies, but it wasn't forth coming.  And so his prayer was, Lord how long wilt thou forget me?  I don't think we should be concerned with how long it is taking God, I think we should learn to trust Him and walk by faith and not by our sight.  As the writer of Hebrews encourages us,  "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. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 10:35-11:1).  Remember, your ways aren't His; so hang in there, He's always on time.  Ask Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

 

Sing:  He's an on time God,yes is.  He's an on time God, yes He is.  He may not come when you want Him, but He'll be there right on time, He's an on time God, yes He is?

2014 March 4 - Morning Manna

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (Romans 16:7)

 

Today's Morsel:  When I became an Army Drill Instructor in 1973, one of the highlights for me was serving with men who had been my Drill Instructors when I enlisted in 1969.  I always felt so good serving beside them.  They had taught me well, and now they were able to see the fruit of their labor, and each time they saw me being recognized for proficiency, they would tell their soldiers, "If Drill Sergeant Parker can do it, you can too. " 

In Reading through the Apostle Paul's letter of salutation to the Romans, he makes mention of those who were his helpers.  In the 7th verse, he said, "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."  Can you think of anyone who was in the Lord before you, someone who has been a greater helper to you, taught you, opened your understanding to the scriptures, and has labored with you?  Do you send them cards, letters of thanks, and words of encouragement to them for their labor.  I know for me, every time I meet someone that may know someone that I know and may have served with them, I always tell them to please greet them for me.  When we can send word by others to those we have labored with in times past, their hearts are renewed knowing that you are continuing on in the faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works"(Hebrews 10:23-24).

 

Sing:   You're my brother your my sister, so take me by the hand, together we will work until He comes, there's no foe that can defeat us, when we're walking side by side, as long as there is love, we can stand.