Friday, July 27, 2012

2012 July 27 - Morning Manna

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:17-19)
Today's Morsel: What would you do if you were given the keys to your city? Being given a key to a city is a symbolic gift from the city's administration, such as the mayor. Its purpose is to honor visitors, residents, or others coming to the city. The key symbolizes the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will as a trusted friend of city residents. Jesus, who is over the city of heaven, told Peter that He was giving him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Not just one key, but keys, many. WOW! What an honor. And Peter could use these keys to loose and to bind upon the earth at his will. I don't know how many keys were on the ring of keys that Peter was given, but I do know that he used one of them on the day of Pentecost to unlock the church when he said, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:36-41). How are you using the keys given to you?
Sing: Open the flood gates of heaven, let it rain, let rain; Open the flood gates of heaven, let it rain, let it rain.

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