2011 May 31 - Morning Manna

"If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?"(Jeremiah 12:5).

Today's Morsel:  Commentator Matthew Henry says, "If thou hast run with the footmen - If the smallest evils to which thou art exposed cause thee to make so many bitter complaints, how wilt thou feel when, in the course of day to day life, thou shalt be exposed to much greater, from enemies much more powerful?"  And then he says, "Horsemen are evils much more terrible.  If thou have sunk under small difficulties, what wilt thou do when great ones come?"  

 

What do you do when things weary you?  Do you turn into complaining or do you still trust and reply upon God?  Complaining doesn't get us anywhere.  All complaining does is weigh you down more.  Jesus said that we would speak with new tongues.  Yes, I know that that means being filled with the Holy Ghost, but the Holy Ghost causes us to choose our wording and speech more carefully.  Jesus said that He gave us power ( Luke 19:10) and that we would receive power after the Holy Ghost came  upon us (Acts 1:8).  Therefore, having this power within us, we should be able to handle any type of evil or terror that comes our way, and we should be more ready to edify than to tear down.  Because greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Sing:  I can run through a troop and leap over a wall, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  I  can run through a troop and leap over a wall, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  Well He's the Rock of my salvation, in Him there is no condemnation,  I can run through a troop and leap over a wall, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

2011 May 30 - Morning Manna

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Timothy 2:1-4).

Today's Morsel:  Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.  Today we honor those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.  The poem, "Freedom Is Not Free" is a reminder of those who served.

 

Freedom Is Not Free:  

 "I watched the flag pass by one day, It fluttered in the breeze; a young Marine saluted it, and then he stood at ease.  I looked at him in uniform, so young, so tall, so proud; with hair cut square and eyes alert, he'd stand out in any crowd.

 

I thought ... how many men like him had fallen through the years?  How many died on foreign soil?  How many mothers' tears?  How many pilot's planes shot down?  How many died at sea?  How many foxholes were soldiers graves?  No ... Freedom is not Free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night, when everything was still; I listened to the bugler play, and felt a sudden chill; I wondered just how many times that Taps had meant "Amen," when a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend; I thought of all the children, of the mothers and the wives, of fathers, sons and husbands ...with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea, of unmarked graves in Arlington ... No ... Freedom is not Free! "

 

Sing: 1. Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!   reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

2. See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on; Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!

3. See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow! In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.

4. Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;  Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!

 

Chorus: “Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still; Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

 

Happy Memorial Day; and this Memorial Day, take time to remember those who have served to give the freedom you enjoy!

2011 May 28 - Morning Manna

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (James 1:2).

Today's Morsel: If Satan is being effective with any of his weapons, it's the weapon of temptation. More people are being tempted to do things than people would have never thought possible. Many people are tempted to spend when they don't have; to eat when they aren't hungry; to complain when they aren't in need; to find fault with others for their short comings. The list could go on and on. Why does it seem that Satan has gotten the upper hand? As the Lord told Peter, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). Have we stopped watching. Paul admonished the church at Corinth, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity"(1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Why does it seem that many are being lulled to sleep? Where are the soldiers for guard duty? Where are the warriors? Are you praying the way that you should? You see if you are watching and praying, you will be able to see that the enemy is being defeated and not getting the upper hand, and you will be able to rejoice knowing that we have the victory and the world can't do us any harm.

Sing: I get joy when I think about what He's done for me! I get joy when I think about what He's done for me! I get joy when I think about what He's done for me, I get joy! joy! joy! joy!

2011 May 27 - Morning Manna

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

 Today's Morsel: Are you one of those who seem to have trouble with retaining your faith?  Do you find that when you are not feeling well then your faith is almost like the mercury in a thermometer, up and down?  Why can't we get our faith to remain constant at all times?  The answer lies in our fears.  Even though we are filled with God's Spirit, we still fear the uncertainties that come into our lives.  Paul said that faith is the substance of things hoped for. Just what are you hoping for? Well whatever it is, your faith is attached to it.  Your faith is the ingredient that you hold in your hand, and as long as you hold to what you desire, you'll receive it.  But if you let go, then uncertainty comes and James says,  "For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:7-8).   So keep singing to yourself in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart unto the Lord until it arrives. Remember, faith comes by hearing the Word of God, so stay close to the church and read your Bible.

Sing:  I'm learning how to lean and depend on Jesus.  He's my friend, and He's my God.  I'm learning how to lean, and depend on Jesus, I found out, that if I would trust Him, He will provide.

2011 May 26 - Morning Manna

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
(Ephesians 2:20-22)

Today's Morsel: Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, who seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action for others.  To accomplish their goals, they invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.   

Paul said that we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.    The word habitation, means, a dwelling place.  Therefore, we must become dwelling places for God's Spirit to dwell in.  Scripture says, Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)... "For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Corinthians 6:16).  What are you doing to help others become buildings for Christ to dwell in?

Sing: Lord, prepare me, to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; and with thanksgiving, I'll be a living, sanctuary, for you.

2011 May 25 - Morning Manna

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD" (Numbers 3:11-13).

Today's Morsel: When we begin to review the scriptures and God's instructions to Moses on construction of the Tabernacle and the placement of tribes in and around it, God is very detailed. I believe that too many believers are missing a lot of important details in their understanding of scriptures and what God requires of us.  Notice, God said that all the first born are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.  The first born is His. Under the New Testament, the firstborn would be all those who are born again of the water and the Spirit ( John 3:3-5).  Paul said, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9).  Without the new birth experience, you are none of His.  Don't allow yourselves to be deceived.  It doesn't make a difference as to your dominational affiliation or your religious connections and beliefs, if you don't have the Holy Ghost His Word says that you are none of His.  Paul further states to the believers at the church of Rome, "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living" (Romans 14:7-9).  Because they were born again believers, Paul wanted them to know that if they lived in Christ or died in Christ, they still belonged to Christ.  Are you a part of the firstborn?  Heaven is at stake.

Sing: Born again, there's really been a change in me. Born again, just like Jesus said. Born again, and all because of Calvary, I'm so glad that I've been born again.

2011 May 24 - Morning Manna

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3:7-14)

Today's Morsel:  Many people go to the doctor and take medicine because they don't like to suffer with pain.  The thought of bearing pain is just a little bit too much for some.  One T-shirt I read said, "Pain is just weakness leaving the body"  Pain is a sign that something isn't right, but God already knows that.  Paul said, "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself" (2 Timothy 2:11-13). Notice, if we suffer, we shall rein with Him.  The writer of Hebrews said,  "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate." (Hebrews 13:12).  If He suffered for us, we should be willing to suffer for Him.  Are you a part of Christ's suffering?  Like Paul, I want to know the fellowship of His suffering.  Why did He do it for me? Why was He so willing to pay the price for my sins?  Therefore, I conclude that I can't allow a little pain and suffering to stop me from reaching the goal and doing what He has asked of me.  So I'll just endure a little suffering and  pain because when I am weak, then am I strong!

Sing: I've got a made up mind!  I've got a final destination! Going to keep pressing on, to my final destination; going burn all the bridges behind me, break all the ties that bind me, going to keep on pressing on, till I reach my home sweet home, that New Jerusalem!

2011 May 23 - Morning Manna

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

(Joshua 24:14-15)

Today's Morsel:  Joshua was one of those men that had his mind made up about serving the Lord. If you study Joshua, he wasn't deterred by what was going on around him.  He was often with Moses when Moses went to meet the Lord.  The Lord even told Moses to bring Joshua up with him.  Sometimes when Moses departed from the Tabernacle, the Lord had Joshua remain.  I believe that because God had seen Joshua's faith and his determination to do and believe in Him, God  knew that He could trust him to lead.   And now, at the end of  his ministry, Joshua wanted the children of Israel to decide for themselves if they were going to serve God or serve some other god.  He told them, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell."  He said but just so that you know what I'm going to do, as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.  This thing called "Christianity" has got to be decided by everyone of us.  We have to decide if Jesus is worth it or not.  We have to decide if we are going to dedicate and live our lives for Him or Satan.   Jesus said,  "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon"(Matthew 6:24).   Paul said, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God " (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).  What's your choice?

Sing:  Oh! Yes, it's Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; sweetest name I know, fills my every longing, He keeps me singing as I go!

2011 May 21 - Morning Manna

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Today's Morsel: Are you trying to run the race with weights on?  Are you carrying excessive baggage?  Are you carrying the weight of guilt, failure, past hurt, misunderstanding, rejection, divorce, letdown, or lies?  Are you one of those who can't see the blessings and benefits of God  because you are weighed down?  The Psalms call for us to lift up our heads and the Lord will come in.  Solomon said, "A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" (Proverbs 27:3-4).  The aforementioned things are like stone and sand.  They weigh you down so you can't run.  And pretty soon you are going to become discouraged and depressed that you may give up and give in and miss the finish line.  You need to remove those weights and run this race with patience looking unto Jesus.  You need to see Jesus at the finish line waiting for you and the crowd of great witness on the side cheering you on.  "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Proverbs 24:10)

 Sing: 1. I'm trading my sorrow, I'm trading my shame, I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord.  I'm trading my sickness, I'm trading my pain, I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord (Chorus)

2.  I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned; Struck down but not destroyed. I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure, and His joy's gonna be my strength. Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning. (Chorus)
Chorus: And we say yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord; Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord;Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord Amen!

2011 May 20 - Morning Manna

 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

(Psalms 13:1-6)

Today's Morsel:  If you notice when you go to the doctor with an ailment or illness, the first thing they ask is, "How long have you had it."  Maybe they  have a secret formula that we don't know about that they use to determine how many pills they're going to give you based on how long (Smile). How long. When the man came to Jesus to asked him to heal his son who was possessed with a devil, Jesus asked his father,  "How long ago since this came unto him?  And he said, "Of a child"(Mark 9:21).  How long.  Apparently the length has a lot to do with the cure.  Some ailments, determining how long you've had them, may be coming to the end and ready to heal themselves, and so there may be no need to place you on an antibiotic to help cure you.  Because we are fearfully and wonderful made, our bodies are designed to heal themselves over a period of time.  

How long have you been battling your circumstance and dilemma?  How long have you been battling some illness?  How long has it been since you've taken a vacation?  How long has it been since you really worshipped God?  How long has it been since you got yourself a nice hot cup of coffee and just sat down in a comfortable chair and had a one on one talk with the Lord?  I'm not talking about yelling and screaming at the top of your lungs;  I'm talking about a man to man talk with God.  Sharing with Him how you feel and what you are battling and dealing with in your life. David wanted to know how long the Lord would forget him.  He wanted to know how long before he saw God's face. He want to know how long he had to take counsel and have sorrow in his heart each day.  Those same questions may be in you today.  Well, let me encourage you today, I don't know how long it will be before He comes to you, but one thing is for sure, He won't allow more to be placed upon you than you can bear, and He will be right on time to make you free.

Sing:  You can ask the children of Israel, trapped at the Red Sea, by that mean old Pharaoh, and his army. The water all around them, and Pharaoh at their back, from out of nowhere, God stepped in, and made a highway just like that.

Chorus: He's an on time God, yes He is! He's an on time God, yes He is! He may not come when you want Him, but He'll be there, right on time; I tell you, He's an on time God, yes He is.

2011 May 19 - Morning Manna

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil (Proverbs 1:20-33).

Today's Morsel: There are so many things taking place in our world today, that even the very elect are becoming confused. But it is nothing new, the Bible has already warned us that evil seducers would wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But wisdom is crying out and understanding is calling asking, how long.  How long will you sit watching television with all its filthy, vulgar, venom spitting, sexual innuendos, lying, killing, cheating, gambling, and  profanity, allowing it to inundate your home and your children's minds, destroying family values as well as ethics and etiquette within the home.  How long will there be no discipline in controlling it?  How long will you refuse to take action and do nothing about it?  But I am persuade of better things of you beloved, things that accompany salvation though we thus speak.  How long, wisdom asks, will you hate knowledge.  How long before you make God priority number one?  Wisdom is crying, understanding is calling, prepare ye for the coming of the Lord.  Jesus said, "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 24:36-44).  Are you able to discern the times?  If not, you need wisdom and understanding.  "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee" (Proverbs 4:7-9)

Sing: Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus, daily let me go; higher, higher, in the school of wisdom, more of grace to know.

O' deeper yet, I pray, and higher every day, and wiser, blessed Lord, in They precious Holy word.

2011 May 18 - Morning Manna

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6-11)

Today's Morsel:  There seems to be a lot of "freeloaders" these days along the streets and road ways. Some have signs that say they will work for food, until you tell them that you have a job, then they tell you of their disability and that they are unable to work. What a scam!

 

In olden times, people planted gardens in the spring, harvested it in the summer and fall, and canned items for the winter, because they knew that during the winter, food would be scarce and some winters were very harsh.  But today, very few people practice this procedure.  Solomon tells us to observe the ant. He said it having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. You don't see ants out in the winter looking for food. They know that winter and hard times are coming and so no one has to tell them to get ready, they prepare before it comes, as prior proper planning always prevents poor performance.  "How long will you sleep?" Solomon asked. When are you going to wake up and realize that you need to get ready.  Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).  How much food do you have stored in heaven?  The Lord said through the prophet Malachi, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house"  (Malachi 3:10). Are you prepared for the unexpected?  How much of God's Word do you have stored up in you? "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD" (Amos 8:11). Get ready!

Sing:  Jesus has a table spread where the saints of God are fed, He invites His chosen people, "Come and dine!" With His manna He doth feed and supply our every need, tis so sweet to sup with Jesus all the time.

"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine!" You may feast at Jesus table all the time; He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine, to the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine!"

2011 May 17 - Morning Manna

"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee" (Psalms 9:9-10)

 Today's Morsel:  A few years ago, "Calgon" had an advertisement for ladies that after a tiring and stressful day would say, "Calgon take me away!" In other words, place them in a hot tub with some Calgon solution, and everything would be relaxing and they would come out feeling fresh and revived.  Wouldn't it be nice if life was that simple when you are feeling tired and stressful?

 

There are many countries that have underground hot springs. These springs were used during war time to bring soldiers to when they were wounded in battle and  it allowed them a time for soaking and healing their wounds in the minerals that the springs produced.  Jesus is our healer. David said that the Lord also will be refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble.  He said, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." Psalms 46:1-11).  Now go back and read again what you've just read.  When we come to Jesus with our tired and stressful lives, He is able to restore us and bring us back into a refreshed state.  Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls"(Matthew 11:28-29).

Sing:  Who is this who comes with healing for the halt, blind, the lame, saying softly to the sinner, "Follow me; only come in faith believing as of old the people came, and the lame shall walk the blind again shall see."

It is Jesus! Jesus! Sad ones weep no more! He will heal the broken-hearted, open wide the prison doors, He is able to deliver ever-more.

2011 May 16 - Morning Manna

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. (Psalms 9:17-18)

Today's Morsel:  I hear people asking, "What is happening to our nation? Where in the world have we gone wrong?"  Friend, the answer lies in the fact that we have begun to forget God.  Judgment is turned around backwards, and justices stand afar off, truth is fallen in the streets, and  equity cannot enter.  As the Prophet Azariah went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. (2 Chronicles 15:2).  Moses had told the children of Israel, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).  And then he told them, "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish" (Deuteronomy 8:11-19).  David said, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."  Where will you and your nation spend eternity?

Sing:  Jesus I'll never forget what you've done for me. Jesus I'll never forget how you set me free; and Jesus I'll never forget how you brought me out, Jesus I'll never forget, no, never!

2011 May 14 - Morning Manna

And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice, And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.
(Leviticus 17:7-9)

Today's Morsel:  Because many folks have become so accustom to the world's systems, cable companies now offer packages that include internet, phone, television, movies on demand, etc.  Because folks have become accustomed to all the features, it's cheaper to purchase the package/bundle instead of just what they may actually need such as phone or internet.  And because so many purchase the package/bundle, they are now finding themselves having to spend their hard earned money to pay for the package/bundle for things they don't use. Thus, sacrificing their tithe and offering unto the devil.  Most people who say that they don't have anything to give to the Lord and His Kingdom and work will tell you, "I need my phone, internet, and television."  Is it really a need or is it a want?  Paul said, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).  Satan is sly, slick, and cunning, so you better watch out for him.  The Lord said that we should not sacrifice to devils.  We must sacrifice our sacrifices and offering unto Him. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:15-17).  Let me encourage you today, learn to live with the needs and not the wants, and learn to live within your means.  It will simplify your life and you probably won't find yourself sacrificing to the devil.

 Sing:  We bring the sacrifice of praise, unto the house of the Lord! We bring the sacrifice of praise, unto the house of the Lord! And we offer unto You, the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and offer unto You, the sacrifices of joy.

2011 May 13 - Morning Manna

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing" (Psalms 34:1-10).

 Today's Morsel: There was a famous slogan by a potato chip company many years ago that said, "Bet you can't eat just one." What they were saying was that if you taste just one of our chips, you aren't going to be able to stop at only one chip, you are going to want more.  And I have to agree, they were good.  In fact, I still buy them today!   As I walk through the food courts at the mall, they are always offering small samples of food for people to taste in hope that they like the taste and want more.  So be careful of the taste!

David said, taste and see that the Lord is good. In other words, if you will just try Jesus, you are going to see that He is good and you are going to want more of Him. I know I do, each time I taste Him.  As a matter of fact, I got tired of just tasting and I went for the whole thing.  And now, every time I open my Bible to read, or attend church, it is like sitting at a smorgasbord.  I feel like the Psalmist when he said, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"(Psalms 119:103).  Jesus is MMMMmmmmmm Good!

Sing: Sweet Jesus! Sweet Jesus! He's the source of all creation, He's the hope of every nation, He's the God of our salvation, bless His name.

2011 May 12 - Morning Manna

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him,  Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.(John 14:1-11)

 Today's Morsel:  In the 60's,there was a game show called, "To Tell The Truth."  The object of the game was for the panel to guess which of the three people was telling the truth, based on questioning the individuals.  

During Jesus' time upon the earth, many were confused as to who He was.  They questioned Him over and over again.  They tried to trick Him to find Him as a fraud. Even with telling them over and over again, and showing them over and over again, many of them still did not realize who He was.  Even Philip, His disciple, said to him, "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him,  Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" Why didn't they know?  Why didn't they understand?  Why was there confusion among them?  Why didn't they get it by what they saw Him doing?  Like so many today, it was hard for people to grasp that Jesus was God manifested in flesh. Many say, "Well if Jesus was God, then why did God die on a cross?"  God didn't die of a cross, flesh died on the cross, but the Spirit lives on. Remember that Jesus told the woman at the well that God is a Spirit (John 4:24).  Jesus said, "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).  You see the only person that can forgive sins is God.  As the apostle Paul tells us, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Timothy 3:16).  Is that enough information for you to figure out who's telling the truth?  Or as the apostle Paul admonishes us, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth" Galatians 4:16)?

Sing: The Mighty God is Jesus, The Prince Of Peace is He, The Everlasting Father, The King Eternally, The Wonderful in Wisdom, by Whom all things were made, the fullness of the Godhead, in Jesus is displayed.

 It's all in Him, it's all in Him, the fullness of the Godhead, it's all in Him; It's all in Him, It's all in Him, The Mighty God is Jesus, and it's all in Him.

2011 May 11 - Morning Manna

My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. (Psalms 38:5)

Today's Morsel:  They say, that when a spouse or child has been abused and hurt, they will cover up for their abuser when someone asks them about visible wounds or bruises by saying, "I hurt myself."   I've had people say to me when the truth is uncovered, "But you don't understand!  I was afraid that it would happen again."  This may be true, but Paul said that God has not given to us the spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  It's not the abused that have done wrong and need forgiveness, it is the abuser.  But if they are never reported, then the abused becomes as the psalmist, their wounds stink and are corrupt because of their foolishness.  Any sin in a person's life, if it isn't dealt with, will cause wounds and hurts.  And pretty soon, it will make you corrupt within, thus leading to more foolishness.  As Solomon said, "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine" (Proverbs 23:29-30).  Almost all abuse cases have alcohol related in some way. The stuff is a killer, and yet, the world hasn't realized it.  Paul said, Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" Romans 6:12-14). Sin will leave you battered, wounded, and abused.  But Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19).  Are you tired of self inflected wounds?   Then it's time that you take a step away from yourself and allow Jesus to heal you.  That's one of the reason why He came.

Sing:  He was wounded for our transgressions! He was bruised for our iniquities! Surely, He bore all our sorrows, and by His stripes we are healed!

2011 May 10 - Morning Manna

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. (Psalms 70:4)

Today's Morsel:  Do you ever wonder why when you hear a military commander talking to their soldiers, the soldiers response is always, "Hooah!"  Well, they are responding with "Can do;" "We'll get it done;" "We can do it;" "It is clear and understandable;" "I hear you, I understand you, and I acknowledge your statement."  And because they continually repeat it, it becomes a part of them.  I have been retired from the military for over 13 years, and at times when someone is talking to me, I find myself  using this term.   I'm sure you've read the children's story book about the little train who thought he could pull the railcars up the big hill.  He just kept saying to himself, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!" And he did.   Do you love your salvation?  Are you excited about Jesus giving you salvation?  Then the psalmist says that we should continually say, "Let God be magnified."  Why don't we testify in church anymore about our salvation? Why don't we tell others about our salvation?  Here in Wisconsin, we love our Green Bay Packers.  The majority of folks here elevate them very high, and the team is continually magnified.  Paul told Titus, " For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee" (Titus 2:11-15).  We need to continually talk about these things.  Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32). 

Sing:  Magnify Jesus! Magnify the Lord! Magnify Jesus! Magnify the Lord! For He is worthy, for He is worthy, for He is worthy, to be praised, to be praised.

2011 May 9 - Morning Manna

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. (Hebrews 6:9)

Today's Morsel:  Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm going to try to be a better Christian."  Well I'm sorry, you can't be a better Christian.  Either you are a Christian or you aren't.  There isn't any in between.  It's like being pregnant, either you are or you aren't.  I think that's one of the problems with Christianity. People hear so often that no one is perfect and so they stick to the idea of trying rather than being.   Nike penned it best when they said, "Just do it!"  James said, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).  The writer of Hebrews said, "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak."  So what was in your salvation package?  Trying didn't come with your salvation, but doing did. The story is told of a little lad who's mother told him to get his shoes on so they could get going for church.  But the lad was taking his time and wasn't getting his shoes on.  And so after a period of time, his mother gave him a pretty good one on the backside.  The lad looked up at his mother and said, "Mom, I was trying to get my shoes on."  To his surprise, with a very stern look she said, "I didn't tell you to try to get them on, I told you to get them on."  Jesus didn't say that we should try to be born again and you get into heaven. He said, you must be born again. The Word doesn't tell us to 'try' to be holy, it says to be holy.  So when we do what a Christian is suppose to do, we don't have to keep trying.

Sing:  I'll say yes, Lord, yes, to Your will and to Your way. I'll say yes, Lord, yes, I will trust you and obey, when Your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I'll agree, and my answer will be yes, Lord, yes!

2011 May 7 - Morning Manna

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

(2 Timothy 2:1-5)

Today's Morsel:  How goes the war on the front lines?  Are you winning the battle or losing?  I pray that you are winning.  Victory is always determined in our minds, as that is the battlefield.  We will win or lose with how we think and by our actions.  As Solomon said, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he"(Proverbs 23:7).  When our minds are stayed upon Christ, He keeps us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3), and we win.  The enemy of our soul desires to clog our minds with things that have no value.  Things such as evil thoughts, sexual innuendos, ungodly TV programs, internet, and  such things.   Like a clogged up drain, if our minds are clogged by impure and immoral things, our thinking can't flow.  When our minds are clogged with worldliness and affairs of this life, spiritual thinking and spiritual thoughts become hemmed in and we begin to think evil.  We must become good soldiers and ensure that we are not entangling ourselves with the affairs of this life, but present ourselves as good soldiers for Christ.   

  

Sing:  I've got my mind made up to serve the Lord!  I've got my mind made up to serve the Lord! I've got my mind made up to serve the Lord! I've got my mind made up to servce the Lord!

2011 May 6 - Morning Manna

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him
(John 12:13-16).

Today's Morsel:  If you were to ask most Marines the place they least like serving, many would tell you Twenty-Nine Palms, California. Why?  Because it's nothing but desert, juniper and a few palm trees.  Not a whole lot to do but train. 

 

The Prophet Zechariah had prophesied of Jesus, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass"(Zechariah 9:9).  John said that the people took branches from palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.  Even Jesus' disciples didn't comprehend this prophecy until after Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.  And then, they understood that the Old Testament prophesy was about Him.  Jesus had told them "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you"(John 14:26).  It took the Holy Ghost for them to understand this Old Testament prophecy.  The same is true today.  Without the Holy Ghost, a person cannot comprehend that Jesus was the God of the Old Testament.  This is why after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and said, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:25-27). "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:23-24).

 

If you want a true understanding of Jesus Christ, you have to read not only the New Testament, but also the Old Testament scriptures because it's all about Him.

  

Sing: Hosanna! Blessed be the Rock, blessed be the Rock of my salvation. Hosanna! Blessed be the Rock, and may the God of my salvation be exalted.

2011 May 5 - Morning Manna

And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings. And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes. And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold. And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate. And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate. And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it. And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward. And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses. And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen. And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates; A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses. And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses. And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses. Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering, The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread, The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation, The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them. (Exodus 39:12-43)

   

Today's Morsel: How would you liked to have had the task of building the tabernacle in the wilderness?  If you will notice, everything that God said and how it was to be done, was made exactly to scale and the way that He said it was to be.  Everything to detail instructions.  They followed the blue print, and Moses blessed them for their work.  Why was God so detailed in His instructions on how He wanted this tabernacle built?  It was to teach them to be attentive to minor details, and to obey instructions.  When Jesus said that not everyone would enter the kingdom of heaven, He was pointing us to details.  Watch the small matters in the Word.   You see, we can get so caught up into our doctrine and beliefs that we miss out on having compassion, grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness.  Every little detail within the tabernacle had something to do with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and His plan for our salvation.  It was not just a tabernacle in the wilderness, it was a type and shadow of eternal life and eternal salvation.  Are you building your life and church according to the pattern shown to you in His Word?

Sing: What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  What can make me whole again?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow; no other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2011 May 4 - Morning Manna

Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.  He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:1-4)

Today's Morsel:  I'm one of those people who believe that if you never strive for change you'll never change.  As stated before, if nothing changes, nothing changes.  I've heard people who continue to do wrong quickly say, "Well no one is perfect."  No, no one is perfect, in the sense of  being without error, but we are called to be perfect in the sense of completion.  To be satisfied with who we are and what we have.  When I'm complete in Christ, then my mistakes and wrong doings are few and far between.  If you aren't perfect yet, then what are you doing to get there?  Being perfect must be an achievable goal because Jesus said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).  God isn't going to be listening to excuses when you appear before Him.   Another thing people often say is, "Life isn't fair."  Who said that life isn't fair?  Jesus never said that life isn't fair.  He causes it to rain on the just and the unjust alike.  Moses said that God is just and right.  The word just is the root word for justice. Justice is fairness or reasonableness, especially in the way people are treated or decisions are made.  So if Jesus treats everyone the same, then how can we say that life isn't fair?  Just because my ancestors may have been forced into slavery, or someone loses their job, or someone has to go through foreclosure of their home, or someone faces sickness, or someone isn't hired because of their skin color, that doesn't mean life isn't fair.  What yardstick is used to determine fairness? For the Christian, the Bible is for us to use to determine fairness or not. We must stop looking for an exit route and stay on the straight and narrow pathway.  Jesus died for the entire world.  Therefore, salvation is free for everyone.  And I can't think of anything being fairer than that.

Sing:  He is fairer than the lily of the valley! He is brighter than the morning star! He is purer than the snow, fresher than the breeze, lovelier than all of these.

2011 May 3 - Morning Manna

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalms 11:3)

Today's Morsel:  Foundations are the platform that  buildings are built upon.  Your foundation will determine if your building will stand or fall.  Jesus spoke of a foundation when he said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:21-27).  He spoke of Himself.  Paul said, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).  And He said that we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit (Ephesians 2:20-22).  What is your life built on?  How solid is your foundation?  Is your doctrine sound, and is it based on Jesus Christ?  What will you do if all of a sudden your foundation begins to crumble?  The writer of Hebrews said that anything that will be shaken will be shaken.  Even our faith will be tested to determine what we are built on.  When your life is built upon Jesus Christ and His Word, you don't have to be troubled about the building.  It'll always remain intact and standing.

 Sing: I've anchored in Jesus, the storms of life I'll brave, I've anchored in Jesus, I fear no wind or wave, I've anchored in Jesus for He hath power to save, I've anchored to the Rock of Ages.

2011 May 2 - Morning Manna

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (Psalms 36:9)

  

Today's Morsel: Studying through history, the light has been around for quite sometime.  Thank God that man was given wisdom on how to produce and develop light for us to use and see by.  Jesus said that we are the light of the world a city that is sit on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). Therefore, we must shine bright as people will come to the light.  The Psalmist said, In thy light shall we see light. God is light (1 John 1:5). Therefore, when we see Jesus, who is God manifested in flesh (John 1:14), we are still seeing the light.  Jesus said to Nicodemus, " For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved... And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (John 3:17,19-21).  When we see Jesus we are looking at the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, John said  (John 1:9).  What do people see when they see you?  Do they see the true light in you?  In thy light shall we see light.

Sing: Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness. Opened my eyes, let me see. Beauty that made this heart adore You, hope of a life spent with You.

Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You're my God. You're altogether lovely, all together worthy, all together wonderful to me.