Thursday, January 25, 2018

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 January 25

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is”
(1 Corinthians 3:10-13).

Today’s Morsel:  To achieve the results required by their vision and to be standard bearers and developers of Christ, Christians must be rooted in a firm system called “ethics”. Things such as integrity, truth, truthfulness, trustworthiness, morals, principles, right and wrong, decency, and proper conduct must flow from this system into one’s life.  Peter saying of Jesus Christ tells us, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23).  This system is the cement in the foundation of the church.  It is Jesus Christ Paul said.  And Peter goes on and tells us that we must, “Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing” (1 Peter 3:8-17).  To build our lives on this true foundation, we must be ethical in all that we do.

Sing:  It’s the old ship of Zion; it’s the hope for the lost and the dying; it’s a soul saving station; it’s the tower of salvation.  Well, it’s the church triumphant, O’ Lord, and it’s built by the hand of the Lord.  I’m talking about the church, in the book of Revelation.  It’s built on the Rock, it’s got a firm foundation.  It’s been through the flood, it’s been through the fire, but one these days the church is going to move up a little higher.  It’s the church triumphant, O Lord, and it’s built by the hand of the Lord.

Thought For Today:  There is only one foundation for the church.  Jesus Christ.

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