2014 July 29 - Morning Manna

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 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: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:22-25).

 

Today’s Morsel: The story is told by John MacArthur, entitled, “Object Lesson”, of a pastor who went to visit a man who didn’t attend church very faithfully.  The man was sitting before a fire, watching the warm glow of the coals.  It was a cold winter day, but the coals were red hot and the fire was warm. The pastor pleaded with the man to be more faithful in meeting with the people of God, but the man didn’t seem to be getting the message.  So the pastor took the tongs beside the fireplace, pulled open the screen, and reached in and began to separate all the coals. When none of the coals were touching the others, he stood and watched in silence.  In a matter of moments, they were all cold… The man got the message.

Many people feel that they can do without the church, but this is not true.  The church is for the perfecting of the saints.  It is for your protection and it gives you a strong support network when you are facing trials and tribulations in your life.  Paul said we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.  When a person says that they don’t need the church, they have already accepted a lie from the devil.  I saw a bumper sticker once on the back of a car which said, “Either drive yourself to church, or we’ll carry you” Johnson’s funeral home.   Remember, there is one body, but many members. Ask yourself, is the body deformed because I’m missing?

 

Sing: I need you, you need me, we’re all a part of God’s family. You pray for me, and I’ll pray for you, we’re all a part of God’s family. I won’t harm you, with word from my mouth; we’re all a part of God’s family. 

2014 July 28 - Morning Manna

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
(Revelation 20:1-3)

 

Today's Morsel:  When I was a kid, our neighbor had a very large dog that they kept attached to a chain for their home protection.  In every way, this dog seemed to be very vicious.  We never knew if they would have him chained or not.  And so each time we had to pass their house, we would do our best to be as quiet as possible so as to not arouse the dog.  We didn't want the dog to hear us passing if he wasn't chained and have him chase after us.  Thankfully, they usually did keep him on a chain.  Satan is on a chain.  He is bound.  He can't do you any harm.  Therefore, you should not fear what he can do to you.  Jesus has given you power over him (Luke 10:19).  We shouldn't even be hearing any testimonies about what he is doing to us.  He should not be receiving any credit of what he is accomplishing in and against the church during our testimonies.  So anytime you start to think that he's causing you harm or that he can get to you, just remember that he's on a chain and at the mention of the name of Jesus, Satan begins to tremble.

 

Sing: Well, I command you Satan in the name of the Lord, to pick up your weapons and flee.  For God has given me authority, to walk all over thee.

2014 July 26 - Morning Manna

Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. (Hosea 4:1)

 

Today's Morsel:  What has happened to the land? People are starting to wonder what is going on.  Why so much violence?  Why so much killing?  Why are so many people on medication?  Why are so many people depressed and stressed?  Hosea called for the children of Israel to hear the words of the Lord.  He told them that God had a controversy with them because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.  Jeremiah said," Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD"(Jeremiah 9:23-24). God wants people to know Him in the land.  But if we take away the rights of the people whom God has chosen to make Him known in the land, then the inhabitants are going to suffer in that land.  The Lord also said through the prophet Jeremiah, "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding"  (Jeremiah 3:15).  Paul told the church you don't muzzle the ox that treads out the corn (1 Corinthians 9:9-10; 1 Timothy 5:18).  In other words, don't stop the one who's trying to feed you the word of God (my wordings).  Satan is no fool.  He wants to silence the church so there is no truth in the land.  Isaiah prophesied, "And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter" (Isaiah 59:14).  Jesus told us that he was the way, the truth, and the life.  And anytime there is an avoidance of this knowledge in the land, evil reins.  But the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). When you have the truth of God, the mercies of God will follow you all the days of your life, and the knowledge of God will keep you and give you wisdom and understanding within the land.  "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" Solomon said, (Proverbs 14:34).

 

Sing: He was there all the time! He was there all the time! Waiting patiently in line, He was there all the time.

2014 July 25 - Morning Manna

 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. (Isaiah 4:1)

 

Today's Morsel:  I'm shocked by the number of people who say that they are saved, but have no change in their outward appearance.  I'm afraid that because some continue to preach to 'come as you are', the mindset is that I can dress as I please.  The priest couldn't just enter the temple anyway he wanted to. God ordain that his garments be holy. If we say that we are Holy Ghost filled believers, then our garments must be holy as well. We must remember that once we have our new birth experience, we are called to be kings and priest unto the Lord. "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:6).  Therefore, our outward must be a reflection of our inward. Isaiah said that they would want to be called by the name, but they would want to wear their own apparel. Translated by me, I want to be called a Christian, but don't you tell me what I can wear.  If you want to be called by the name, then you have to reflect the image.

 

Sing: The windows of heaven are open, God's power is falling tonight, there's joy, joy, joy in my heart, since Jesus made everything right. I gave Him my old tattered garments, He gave me a robe of pure white, I'm feasting on manna from heaven, and that's why I'm happy tonight.

 

Thought for Today: "An outward appearance reflects an inward heart."

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.