2014 April 24 - Morning Manna

Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage"
(Deuteronomy 6:1-12)

 

 

Today's Morsel: A few months ago in the paper, it listed where American students ranked with other students in the world in education.  The subjects were such as math, English, science, history, and geography.  Many were shocked at the ranking.  And now, the American education system is trying to get back to the common core subjects to bring students back to the top.  But I am afraid that too many parents are depending on the education system to do their job for them.  Basic things are to be taught by parents.  There are some basic things that parents must be held responsible for and not the system.  Things such as righteousness, respect, reading, obedience, and ethics & etiquette.  I tell the church that I pastor that I only reinforce the truth from the Word of God that they are supposed to be teaching their own children.  I think the "founding fathers" had a common core in school.  They began their daily studies from the Word of God and with prayer.  Until parents return to teaching their children the essentials at home, and until schools get back to that common core, the Word of God, there will always be a downward trend of failure in the educational system.  It is our children that will suffer because of it, and ultimately our society as a whole.

 

Sing:  Deeper! Deeper! In the love if Jesus, daily let me go. Higher! Wiser! in the school of wisdom, more of grace to know.

Deeper, yet I pray, and higher, every day;, and wiser blessed Lord , in Thy precious Holy Word.

2014 April 23 - Morning Manna

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.   (Proverbs 12:28)

 

Today's Morsel: Last November, my wife and I went back to my home state of North Carolina to do a revival for the church that I grew up in as a kid and to see family.  As we were driving around, I wanted her to see some of the paths that we had made a kids walking through the woods going from our house to our cousins' and friends' homes.  But I noticed that all the paths through the woods and through the fields that we had made when we were kids were now all grown over and impassable.  I was trying to show her some of them, but there was no way of getting through them or driving on them, due now to the heavy shrubbery.  Solomon calls our attention to the value of a life of righteousness.  He said that the righteous have a pathway and that there isn't any death there. You see, Solomon understood that righteousness makes you a child of God, but unrighteousness makes you a child of the devil ( 1John 3:10).  When we view the book of Revelation, the saints in heaven are clothed in white linen, which John said is the righteousness of saints. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints"(Revelation 19:8).  No one can get to heaven who does not do right; as sin cannot enter there.  When is the last time you checked your map to review the path you are on. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12).  If we remain in His pathway, it leads us to eternal life.

 

Sing:  Oh there's a highway to heaven, none can walk up there, but the pure in heart. Oh there's a highway to heaven, walking up the King's highway.

2014 April 22 - Morning Manna

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

 

Today's Morsel: In the last days, apostasy will sweep the world and affect the church; however, a devoted people fervent for the things of God will resist all compromise and apostasy.  Apostasy and falling away describe the same condition.  Both terms are translated from the same Greek word meaning, “Defecting from truth, rebellion, turning away.”  Two other terms are: “Reprobate” and “Casting away.” Both are synonyms for apostasy, for they mean unapproved, rejected, worthless.   Since apostasy involves departing from the truth, the road to apostasy is one in which a love for the truth is absent.  When a person loses their love for God and the things of God, they are heading into a state of apostasy.  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears”,  Paul told Timothy (2 Timothy 4:3).  In apostasy, there is always a trading down in value.  People will take a lie for truth.  Itching ears mean they will want people to tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.  A sinful heart presents a welcome mat to apostasy.  A heart becomes dark when sin enters, and that person is on the road to apostasy.  Paul told the church at Corinth, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates."(2 Corinthians 13:5-6).  Anyone who reaches the state of a  reprobate mind, will find it hard to repent and be saved. So let me encourage you, love God and stay on fire for Christ at all times.  Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Sing: Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon, many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound; all of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies, going where no one dies, heavenward abound. 

2014 April 21 - Morning Manna

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.   (Proverbs 12:25)

 

Today's Morsel:   How many words do you think you speak per day? And of those words, how many of them do you think encourage and lift others or tear someone down.  I've tried to get to a point in my life now that the words I use uplift folks. Granted, I don't always succeed in my actions. Sometimes, that old tongue just says what is in my mind and I hurt folks. I guess James was right when he said, "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2). I think I may have to keep praying, as the psalmist did, asking the Lord to set a watch at my lips. "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalms 141:3). "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad", Solomon said. If God sent His Words and healed us, shouldn't we use our words to heal others?  Maybe that's one of those gifts of healing that Paul spoke of, (1 Corinthians 12:9). That being said, let me encourage you today: As you go about your day, see how many great things you can say to and about others, and see if it brings a smile to their faces and makes you feel better about yourself afterwards. 

 

Sing: I am the God that healeth thee, I am the Lord your healer, I sent My word and I healed your disease, I am the Lord, your healer.

2014 April 19 - Morning Manna

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them,  Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:9-20)

 

Today's Morsel:   The resurrection of Jesus Christ has confounded the minds of many.  But it should not confound you, if you are born again.  As the writer of Hebrews tells us, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear"(Hebrews 11:3).  It's through our faith that we believe in the resurrection of Christ.  The Bible says that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils.  You see, Jesus always returns to those He's done thing for, because He knows they will believe and share with others the things He's done.  Even Paul knew that He was risen when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).  I've always believed in the Resurrection of Christ, but it was years later in my life that I learned the true meaning of the resurrection.  Paul told the church at Corinth, "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:12-22).  I once was dead in my trespasses and sins, but Jesus quickened me and raised me up to walk in newness of life.  Has He raised you?

 

Sing: He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today, He walks with me, and talks with me, along life's narrow way; He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart, you ask me how I know He lives; He lives, within my heart.

2014 April 18 - Morning Manna

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?  (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

 

Today's Morsel: Does the thought ever run through your mind what is required to make it into heaven?  I'm sure most of us have attended class and the instructors told us up front what was required to pass.  In his recap to the children of Israel, Moses in brought to their remembrance what the Lord required of them.  He told them, "But to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?" There is really nothing hard about what he told them.  He just said basically told them to respect God, do what He tells you, commit your life to Him, and you'll be blessed beyond measure.  (My wording.)  The things of God are easy to do if we just make up our minds and do them. Remember, being born again and living holy gets us on the road to heaven, but obedience takes us there.

 

Sing:  O, when the saints go marching in, O, when the saints go marching in; O, Lord, I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in.

2014 April 17 - Morning Manna

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:1-5)

 

Today's Morsel:  If someone were to ask you to define justified, what would you tell them?  The best way to look at justified is, (Just- if- I'd).  Just if I'd never did anything wrong.  Just if I'd never made a mistake.  Just if I'd have never lied, cheated, or stolen.  Paul said, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). You see, once you were baptized in Jesus name, it's just as if you'd never done any of those things Paul mentioned in your life.  The blood of Jesus is like an eraser, it removes our sins.  If you confess your sins, Jesus will wipe them away.  You don't have to be ashamed of the sins and wrongs you've done in the past if you have been born again.  You've been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus Christ.  Be of good cheer.

 

Sing: I was once a sinner but I came, pardon to receive from my Lord: This was freely given, and I found that He always kept His word.

There's a new name written down in glory, and it's mine, O yes it's mine! And the white robed angels sing the story, "A sinner has come home."  There's a new name written down in glory, and it's mine, O yes, it's mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven, never more to roam.