2012 January 26 - Morning Manna

And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. (Mark 6:34-52)

Today's Morsel: What do you think causes people to have hardness of heart? Hardened is the state or quality of being tough and unyielding. The scary thing about a hard heart is that most people don't even realize that they have it. When they make comments that they don't believe the Bible or that Jesus isn't God or the Son of God, it's because their hearts are hardened. Paul said that if this gospel is hidden, it is hid to them who are lost and who the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not. For example, Jesus said, "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus wanted us to see that it is the matter of one's heart that is the determining factor if the Word will get in, take root, and grow or not. When a person isn't willing to forgive, it's because of a hardened heart. When a person is selfish, prejudice toward another, or who will not listen to wise counsel, their heart is hardened. Here are some examples of a hardened heart:

· You won't do the right thing.

· You struggle in your walk with God.

· You can't hear Jesus speaking to you.

· You can't hear Jesus when He draws near to you.

· You can't hear Him calling you.

· You can't perceive what God wants you to do.

· You can't understand the scripture.

· God never occupies first place in your life.

The Psalmist said, "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest" (Psalms 95:6-11). Don't harden your heart, it will keep you out of heaven.

Sing: Come, now is the time to worship. Come, now is the time to give your heart. Come, just as you are, to worship. Come, just as you are, before your God. Come.

One day every tongue will confess You are God. One day every knee will bow. Still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose you now. Come.