2010 November 22 - Morning Manna

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. (Acts 16:9-15)

Today's Morsel:  They say that during slavery time, when the slaves wanted to meet for prayer, they had a song or signal they gave to let the other slaves know where they would be meeting.  One of the songs they would sang was, "Meet Me Down By The River."  This way, the slaves could have a prayer meeting and fellowship with one another.  The apostle Paul received in a vision of a man saying come over and help us.  Luke records that after they came into Macedonia on the Sabbath, they went down by the river to pray.  And as they talked with the women who were there, Lydia, who was a fabric seller and a worshipper of God, heard them and the Lord opened her heart.  In other words, God gave her an understanding as to what Paul was talking or preaching about.  When she gained understanding, she wanted to be baptized and her household as well.  The teaching and preaching of the gospel is always going to open someone's heart.  The next time you go to the river to fish, or just take a dip, why not have a prayer meeting. Someone one may be listening.

Sing:  Let's go down, by the river. Let's go down, by the river.  Meet me down, by the river.  Meet me down, by the river.  There is joy, by the river.  There is joy, joy by the river.  I'm going down, by the river.  I'm going down, by the river.

Chorus: Let's go down, let's go down, by the river.  Let's go down, let's go down, by the river.