2013 July 8 - Morning Manna

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:19-23)

Today's Morsel: When I first enlisted in the Army, I was required to carry and fire an M14 rifle. This weapon was pretty heavy and gave a fairly good kick when you fired it. By the time you finished firing it during a day on the rifle range, your cheekbone was pretty sore and swollen. Then the Army procured the M-16 rifle. It was much lighter and within its stock was a recoil spring to take up the kick and recoil; thus making it easier to fire. Once the soldier didn't have too worry about the kick, he was able to qualify much easier and engage his targets. This is how it should be as born again believers. We must be resilient and able to spring back once we are knocked down. We must learn how to be flexible and able to adapt and overcome. Paul was a man with resilience. They stoned him, and he got right back up and went back into the same city and preached Jesus Christ. How about you? Do you rebound and return to your original state when you are knocked down? The Holy Ghost within you is the recoil spring. It will take up anything that comes against you because greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world.

Sing: Well it's that Holy Ghost and fire that's keeping me alive, keeping me alive, keeping me alive; well it's that Holy Ghost and fire that's keeping me alive, Jesus is keeping me alive.