2011 September 30 - Morning Manna

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.   (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Today's Morsel: Are you able to live above your circumstances and situations?  Every born again believer should be able to.  Jesus said, "I give you power" (Luke 10:19).  Situations are not designed to destroy you, but to strengthen you.  Habakkuk said, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places" (Habakkuk 3:17-19).  Solomon says, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again" (Proverbs 24:16).  Even though you may make mistakes and fall, you should still be able to rise again.  Peter denied the Lord three times after telling Him that even though everyone else would deny Him, he could be counted on to be there for Jesus (Matthews 26:35).  He failed miserably.  But on the day of Pentecost it was Peter who proclaimed that Jesus Christ was Lord (Acts 2).  Always remember that Jesus has given you a garment called praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3), and it's this garment that is your way of escape when temptations and any other circumstance or situations come your way. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God" (Psalms 50:23).

Sing: Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me! Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me! And to him that ordereth his conversation aright, will I shew the salvation of God.

2011 September 29 - Morning Manna

"Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever" (John 6:53-58).

Today's Morsel:  Here in America, there are a lot of political debates.  Most folks vote based on what they think they hear the candidates are saying, and then after they are elected, and do something totally different then what the folks thought they said, the people are soon mad.  Don't listen to the words they are saying, but listen for the intent and content of the message.  When Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, Nicodemus was hearing that he must reenter his mother's womb  and go through the nine month process again.  But Jesus was talking about baptism and being filled with the Holy Ghost under the New Testament plan for salvation.  When Jesus told the religious folks,"Except you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you," they was hearing cannibalism.  But Jesus was speaking of becoming obedient to His Word and establishing a relationship with Him through communion.  John wrote, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:1-2; 14).  There is no eternal life without Jesus, and none of us can have spiritual life without Him.  Paul said, "This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission"(Hebrews 9:20-22). The blood is for the removal of sins.  Matthew states, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28).  Paul said, "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Therefore, being a member of  New Testament church requires one to keep a strong relationship with Jesus.  And as often as we take communion, we are doing it in remembrance of Him and to keep us focused on what He did for us.  How's your understanding?

  

Sing: Lord I lift my spirit, to your Spirit, in holy sweet, communion; I sense your holy presence, as I draw nearer, Lord I lift, my spirit to You!

2011 September 28 - Morning Manna

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)

Today's Morsel: I'm sure you've heard the saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.  Nahum says that the Lord knows them that trust in Him. Therefore, we shouldn't think that we can fool God.  Jesus said that even the hairs on our heads are all numbered by God. David said that we should taste and see that the Lord is good.  To taste is to perceive that the Lord is good.  We need to stop and see and observe just how good God truly is.  I believe the reason many people have trouble trusting in God and believing in Him is for that very reason, they fail to stop and see what God is doing in their lives. They're too busy to stop and smell the roses.  Many think that they are doing it themselves, when in reality, as Moses cautions, it is the Lord.  "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" (Deuteronomy 8:18).  As Jesus said, "Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).  One song writer asked:  Who woke you up this morning? Who put the biscuits on the table? Who put the clothes on your back? None other but Jesus.  Let me encourage you today, when trouble comes, it is not the time to start trusting Jesus.  Job did all the things he did to establish his relationship with God while he was still in his right mind. And as Paul said, they were written for our example.  The time to begin trusting in the Lord is now, before the trouble comes.

Sing:  I trust in God, wherever I may be, upon the land, or on the rolling sea, for come what may, from day to day, my Heavenly Father watches over, over, me.

 

I trust in God, I know He cares for me, upon the land, or upon the raging sea, though billows roll, He keeps my soul, my Heavenly Father, watches over, over me.

2011 September 27 - Morning Manna

"Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right" (Proverbs 20:6-11)

Today's Morsel:  I am often amazed at the wisdom that flows from the book of Proverbs.  Every life could be complete in Jesus if we would just follow the advice Solomon gives in this short book.  A daily read from its pages can work wonders in a person's life.  God left nothing concealed about how we should live and how to be successful when He gave Solomon the wisdom to pen this book.  For example; in one passage, Solomon says that everyone will talk about how good they are but it's hard to find those same people being faithful. Then he tells us if we want our children to be blessed, we need to walk honest, open, and candid before them, as the acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree.  What wisdom.  And then he says that even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.  It has been said that reputation is what you need to get a job; but character is what you need to keep it.  Character is who you are.  Character is displayed in such things as loyalty, decisiveness, judgment, initiative, bearing, and humor.  Character is developed through those day to day struggles and trials that you encounter. It's the moral fiber that holds you together when the world around you is crumbling.  Good character, like good soup, is made at home.  How's yours?  Spend time in the book of Proverbs and increase your wisdom and develop your character.  

Sing:  The greatest thing in all my life is knowing you!  The greatest thing in all my life is knowing you! I want to know you more, I want to know you more; the greatest thing in all my life is knowing you!

2011 September 26 - Morning Manna

"And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man"(1 Samuel 10:6)

Today's Morsel: What do you look for in a person when they tell you that they are a Christian?  Do you look for a character or personality change?  Do you look for a wardrobe change?  What about action and speech changes?  Just what do you look for?  Samuel told Saul that once the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, he would be turned into a new man.  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).  Paul also said, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, we should see a major change in people if they have the Spirit.  We should no longer be conformed to the world, but we should be transformed in the spirit of our minds.  And if our minds are transformed and changed to be like Christ, then we will become what He wants us to become, His sons (Proverbs 23:7).  Are you new?  Can people see the Love you have for God and for others?  Can they see the feeling of great happiness and pleasure that you have about yourself and who you are?  Are you able to deal with situations and circumstances that come into your life and into your way that aren't pleasant and pleasing while retaining your peace?  Are you patient and kind towards others?  Do you still believe in God's ability when all hell breaks loose in your life, or do you fly off the handle and start murmuring and complaining? Is it always about you, or do others come before you?  Just how much humility is displayed with you?  Can you maintain your self-control and self-restraint in operations where others speak ill of you and do things you don't like?  Are you really a new man?  The proof is always in the pudding!

Sing: There's a new man walking in my shoes, I don't do the things I use to do.  Cause there's a new man walking in my shoes!

2011 September 24 - Morning Manna

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. (John 5:19-21).

Today's Morsel: I'm sure many of you have had those moments where you were suppose to do something and you had forgotten, and then you are quickened by a thought and you immediately spring to your feet to get it done.  Especially if it was a task your boss had given you and the deadline is upon you.   Paul said, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:1-8).  Notice, he said that God quickenth us because we were dead in our trespasses and sins because of Adams transgression.  But God quickeneth us to himself.  He revitalized us and gave us newness of life.  Paul also tells us that the last man Adam, Jesus Christ, was made a quickening Spirit.  Jesus said that the Holy Ghost would be with us and lead us would give us eternal life.  Has Jesus quickened you? Are you walking in newness of life?

 Sing: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Chorus: Love lifted me, love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me; Love lifted me, love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me.

2011 September 23 - Morning Manna

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

(John 5:30)

Today's Morsel: Have you ever had people tell you that they aren't judging you when you tell them something?  But aren't they really judging when we tell them?  They have to decipher in their minds if what you are telling them is true or error in order to agree or disagree.  So in a sense they are judging.  Jesus said that as He hears He judges and His judgment is right.  I think if more of us would judge what people are telling us before we agree with them, we could help them not make wrong decisions or give them the impression that what they are doing or are about to do is okay.  The gift of discernment is so we can judge with righteous judgment.  Many people sit in church pews each week, hear what is being preached, and never change.  The reason is because they never judge for themselves what is being said.  Paul said, "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Hebrews 4:1-2).  They heard the word, but he said it didn't profit them because they didn't mix it with their faith.  You have to mix your faith with the Word of God for it to be effective. You have to judge to see if what is being said is right or wrong.  If it's right, rejoice. If it is wrong, reject it and move on.

Sing: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!

2011 September 22 - Morning Manna

If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. (Job 14:14)

Today's Morsel:   I was very young when my grandmother passed away.  At her funeral, I felt as though I was walking on pins and needles.  It was the first funeral I can remember that I had ever attended.  Death had never been explained to me.  And so after her funeral, I asked my mother about the service and why so many people were sad.  She explained that we shouldn't be sad but happy, as it was a home going for the one who had died.  It was at that point that I realized that people die and do not live forever.  Job said, "If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."  Paul said, "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).  Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born again. Therefore, in order for one to be born again, he must die.  When we die to the things of this world, Jesus will give us newness of life.  When we repent of our sins, we are dying.  When were baptized in His name, we are being buried with Him, and when we are filled with His spirit, we are given a new life to walk as He walked.  You don't have to fear dying if you are a true born again believer, because your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  So go ahead and let your faith soar and start rejoicing as Paul and take pleasure in your infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake.  One day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.  Isn't the goal of Christianity to live and to reign with Him forever?

Sing: Go ahead, drive the nails in my hands; Laugh at me where you stand; Go ahead, and say it isn't me; The day will come when you will see!

'Cause I'll... rise again; Ain't no power on earth can tie me down; Yes, I'll rise again,  death can't keep me in the ground!

2011 September 21 - Morning Manna

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

Today's Morsel: To increase is to add and to decrease is to subtract or take away.  Therefore, in order for Jesus to increase in our lives, we must take away our wishes and desires and allow His wishes and desires to be fulfilled in us.  Peter said that if we will add to our faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity; that if these things be in us, and abound, they make that we shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).  Who do people see the most of in you?  You or Jesus.  John said that he must decrease so that Jesus could increase. If it is all about you, then you can rest assured that Jesus isn't being seen in you.  If you are concerned about your status and what people think about you, then you can bet that Jesus isn't being seen in you.  You need to decrease.  Because when people can see Jesus in His rightful position in your life, then, then only then can they see you for who you really are.  A servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Sing:  I'm gonna lift up the name of Jesus! I'm gonna sing of the joy since He came! I'm gonna tell of His power every day and every hour, I'm gonna lift up that wonderful name.

2011 September 20 - Morning Manna

And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
(1 Samuel 7:1-3)

Today's Morsel:  I'm sure you've heard the quote, "We have met the enemy and it is us."  Often, we become our own worst enemy. We beat up ourselves for our mistakes and falsely accuse others, when it's our own fault.   No, the devil didn't make you do it, you did it all on your own.  Paul said, "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer" (1 Corinthians 10:6-10).  Israel found themselves in trouble and being defeated for failure to obey God's commandment and word.  They chose to do things their own way.  They were murmuring and complaining against Moses and the prophets, and God called them a stiff necked people.  They were without the presence of the Lord for 20 years.  I don't know about you, but I can't go a day without being in His presence.  They lost their divine protection and safety net to their enemy because of their disobedience.  So Samuel warned them that in order for them to get the presence of God back into their midst, they needed to prepare themselves in order for Him to return.   He told them, "If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."  Friend, if you want God to deliver you, then you are going to have to make some preparations.  And it begins with a changed heart and a changed mind to serve Him and Him only.

  

Sing: Falling in love with Jesus! Falling in love with Jesus! Falling in love with Jesus! Is the best thing I've ever, ever done.

2011 September 19 - Morning Manna

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:1-11)

Today's Morsel: The turning of the water into wine by Jesus, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee has confounded many people. Many see this as a reason or an opportunity (justification) for them to drink and not to change.  I think if we understood what Solomon's mother told him,  "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more" (Proverbs 31:4-7), then we would understand one of the reasons why we shouldn't take everything at face value.  What we need to do is look for the spiritual application of every event and story in the Bible, and not try to apply them simply to our natural thinking and reasoning; as the Bible is a spiritual book.  Paul said, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).  You need the Holy Ghost to understand the Bible.  The wedding represents our final gathering at the wedding supper of the Lamb.  Note, both Jesus was called and His disciples to the marriage.  Not everyone will be called to this supper.  Mary, His mother, says that they don't have any wine.  The wine is symbolic of the Holy Ghost, the new wine.  Jesus said to his mother that His hour was not yet come.  Sorry, but until I ascend to heaven, they can't have the new wine.  When Jesus tells the woman in John chapter 4, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water"(John 4:10), He was referring to the Holy Ghost.  Notice what the governor said, "You've saved the best for last."  Paul said, "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual" (1 Corinthians 15:45-46).  The Holy Ghost, which is the new wine, is always given last.  If Adam and Eve had never sinned in the garden, there would have been no need for God to robe Himself in flesh and come to the earth to save us.  You can't put new wine in an old wineskin for it will break the skins.  This is why we must repent before God will fill us with His Spirit.  When the pots were filled with water, Jesus never said a word but "Draw out and give to the governor of the feast."  And the governor said to the bridegroom, "You've kept the best for last."  Jesus is the Bridegroom and He's kept the best, the Holy Ghost, for last.  So don't be confused about it being okay to drink wine from this story.  It's all symbolic of heaven.  As Solomon said, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" Proverbs 20:1).

Sing:

1.  I thirsted in a barren land of sin and shame, and nothing satisfying there I found; But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came, Where springs of living water did abound.  (Chorus)

2. How sweet the living water from the hills of God, It makes me glad and happy all the way; Now glory, grace and blessing mark the path I trod, I'm shouting Hallelujah every day.  (Chorus)

3. O sinner, won't you come today to Calvary? A fountain there is flowing deep and wide; The Saviour now invites you to the water free, Where thirsting spirits can be satisfied. (Chorus)

Chorus
Drinking at the springs of living water, Happy now am I, my soul they satisfied; Drinking at the springs of living water, O wonderful and bountiful supply.  

2011 September 17 - Morning Manna

"A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Psalms 124:1-8).

Today's Morsel: Every so often, I like to stop and reflect on my life.  Where I was born, where I've been, what I've done, and where I am at now.  I am amazed at what God has done.  Who but God can take a nobody and turn them into a somebody.  Who but God can take a person who had to have a drink everyday and deliver them, causing them to not want a drink again. By the world's standard, I was an closet alcoholic.  I've never been to one AA meeting or counseling session to help me stop drinking.  It took one baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, and the desire and craving was gone.  This is why in my book, "If God Be For Us, Who Can Be Against Us", I try to show that God hasn't changed and that scriptures are full of what God can and will do if we just let Him.  God will work if we'd let him.  David said, If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick. Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul."  Jeremiah said that the reason we aren't consumed is because the Lord's compassion fails not, they are new every morning.  God is on our side, what can man do unto us.  It is better to trust in the Lord than to put your confidence in man.  If God wasn't on our side, we would have already been overtaken with the waters of afflictions and the rivers of depression.  Stop and look for a few moments.  Have you gone under yet?  No, you haven't. You may be picking a little bit of low cotton right now, but God still hasn't left you nor forsaken you.  So let me encourage you, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul " (Hebrews 10:35-39).  Always remember, God didn't save you to leave you. He's still on our side and we win!

Sing:  You know they told me that  someone was talking  about me, but really I don't mind.  They try to stop and block my progress, all of the time; well, mean old things that they said about me don't make me feel bad, because I can't miss a friend that I never had, I've got Lord on my side and that's enough.

2011 September 16 - Morning Manna

And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day. (1 Samuel 5:1-5).

Today's Morsel:  Living in Japan, I became accustom to bowing instead of shaking hands when greeting someone.  I learned that the situation or who you were greeting would determined just how far you bowed down.  For example, I once saw a taxi driver do an illegal turn in the street.  He didn't see the police coming, and as soon as he did the illegal turn the police put their lights on and pulled him over.  The taxi driver was very repentant for his actions and the police gave him a warning.  Each time the policeman said something to the taxi driver, the the taxi driver bowed further and further down.  Not only was he repentant, but he was showing very deep respect and honor for not receiving a traffic violation as it may have cost him his license. 

 

When the Philistines took the Ark of God from the Israelites, they brought it and placed in the same house as their false god Dagon.  And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.  What a fulfillment of scripture, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"  (Philippians 2:9-11).  Even false gods know and have to bow at the name of Jesus. There is no god like our God.  

 

John said,"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created"  (Revelation 4:8-11).   

 

My friend, if false gods know the rules of engagement, then when Jesus is in our midst and presence, we too should honor Him.

Sing: What a mighty God we serve!  What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him, heaven and earth adore Him; What a mighty God we serve!

2011 September 15 - Morning Manna

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8)

  

Today's Morsel:  We often hear in the church about the glory of the Lord.  But just what is the glory of the Lord?  Isaiah says that the whole earth is filled with His glory (Isaiah 6:3). Jesus said to His disciples, "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory" (Matthew 25:31).  He told the men on the road to Emmaus, " 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). When we understand who will sit upon the throne of glory, and who it is that sits upon it, then we understand that glory is a place of honor and praise, the beauty and bliss of heaven; a place where praise and thanksgiving is offered as an act of worship to God.  John the Revelator saw in His vision, " Four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Revelation 4:8-11).  So what Isaiah was saying is that the whole earth is really filled with His honor and with praise to Jesus. The Psalmist said, "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens" (Psalms 113:3-4). Paul further said, "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 12:3).  Now we understand why  we are admonished, "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven" (Psalms 148:13).  And he tells us, "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand" (Psalms 149:5-6).  Therefore, all over the world, Jesus should be receiving honor and praise for who He is and for what He has done for us.  Are you doing your part?

Sing: I'm gonna praise the Lord any way that I can! I'm gonna praise the Lord any way that I can! Praise Him in the morning, praise Him all day long, I'm gonna praise the Lord any way that I can!

2011 September 14 - Morning Manna

"These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth"(1 Timothy 3:14-15)

 

Today's Morsel:  Very few Christians seem to understand the importance of Ethics and Etiquette  in the church.  When we become born again believers, we are expected to go on to perfection and grow to become more like Christ.  I have come to realize that many Christians do not understand what RSVP means when they receive an invitation to someone's home or an outing.  I have also come to realize that they do not understand how to tell time, because they are always late.  I can tell that many of them failed math in school, because they don't know what ten percent is or for some their tithe checks bounce.  Many of them missed health class, because they do nothing about their's and their children's personal hygiene's.   If the Holy Ghost brings us into all truth, shouldn't we have knowledge in these areas?  Why are there so many that don't know how to behave in the church?  The church is an extension of the home.  If there are no ethics and etiquette in the home, then there will be none in the church.  Behavior comes from having an understanding of etiquette.  Etiquette deals with having good manners and decorum.  It's being polite and respecting each other.  It's respecting other people's belongings as well as your own.  Paul said that love does not behave unseemly (1 Corinthians 13:5).  In other words, it doesn't behave inappropriately, improper and unbecoming.  Because God is love, and His Spirit dwells in us, we should not behave unseemly either.  Paul said that we should know how to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  Benjamin Franklin said, " Let your child's first lesson be that of obedience."  Discipline is simply doing the right thing when no one is watching you.

 

Sing:  To be like Jesus! To be like Jesus! On earth I long, to be like Him. All through life's journey, from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.

2011 September 13 - Morning Manna

 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. (Proverbs 2:21-22)

Today's Morsel: I always get a chuckle when saints get upset about all the injustices in the political realm these days.  When will we realize that sinners do sinful things?  The world isn't going to get any better, I don't care what politians promise you.  Scripture says, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13).  Don't get me wrong, I do believe that we should be aware of what is taking place so that we know the correct way to pray for our nation and our leaders, but to get a bent around the axle over their injustices and lose sleep and get stressed out over it isn't going to happen on my watch.  God says that the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.  Therefore, I'll just let God deal with them while I pray for their souls to be saved.   David said, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish" (Psalms 1:1-6).  If you retain your uprightness, you'll see every wicked way perish.

Sing:  Oh I want to see Him, look upon His face, there to sing forever of His saving grace, on the street on glory, let me lift my voice, cares all past, home at last ever to rejoice.

2011 September 12 - Morning Manna

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. 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. (Proverbs 1:10-23)

 Today's Morsel:  Having an opportunity to counsel and minister in the prisons has enlightened me to the age of many of those who are incarcerated.  Many of them are only 18 to 19 years old.  I often ask myself, how did such young men get themselves into trouble that they are now having to spend many years in prison for their bad behavior.  Where did they go wrong?  What was the turning point in their lives that landed them in such a place.  I have asked some of those I counsel with this very question.  And they say to me, "I just wanted to fit in;" "I just wanted to hang with the boys;" "I made wrong decisions and wrong choices;" "I chose the wrong friends;" "The love for money caused me to go the wrong way;"  "I thought if we got caught I would only have to do a few weeks or month in the local jail and then I'd be let go;" "I should have listened to my pastors and stayed in church."  These are just a few of the things they say to me.  But more shocking is that most of them will say, "I should have stayed in church and went to church more than running the streets."  What a price to pay for wrong friends and poor choices.  The Bible says "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment" (1 Chronicles 12:32).  They understood the times and knew what they ought to do.  Do you understand the times?  Paul said, "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)   Now is the time for salvation.  Now is not the time to try to fit in and be one of the boys or girls. Now is the time to come out from among them and be separated unto the Lord ( 2Corinthians 6:17-18).  Now is the time to be holy and set apart for the Master's use.  Don't sell yourself short, eternity in hell is a long time.

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 September 10 - Morning Manna

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. (1 Samuel 2:9)

 

Today's Morsel: Often, when I tell people that I won't pray for them for strength, they give me a weird look as if to say, "How can you be a pastor and say you won't pray for me for strength when I need it."  I tell them that their strength came with the Holy Ghost, the same as love, joy, peace, faith, and anything else that Jesus gives.  You just need to stir it up within you.  Peter tells us to add to our faith (2 Peter 1:5).  Jesus gives it to you, but He's not going to improve it for you.  You have to do that yourself.  As He told Martha, if you want to see you brother Lazarus live again, you're gonna have to remove the stone.  I'm not doing it for you.  (John 1:20-43; my wording).  Hanna said, "For by strength shall no man prevail."  You aren't going to prevail over your enemy and situation with human strength.  It takes prayer, fasting, and faith.  It takes brokenness to prevail.  When you get on the other side of brokenness, you will find that's where Jesus is. When God sent Isaiah to King Hezekiah, Isaiah records, "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city. And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken; Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down" (Isaiah 38:1-8). He prevailed because of his repentance and prayers, not by his strength.  So stop praying for strength.  Establish a strong prayer life and keep the Holy Ghost stirred up within you.

Sing: Hear my cry O' Lord attend unto my prayer, from the ends of the earth will I cry unto Thee.  And when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to that Rock, that is higher than I, so much higher than I.

2011 September 9 - Morning Manna

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. (Proverbs 24:10)

Today's Morsel: This is probably one of my favorite scriptures. Why?  Because it keeps me in check.  It lets me know that if I give up in my trials and tribulations, my strength in the Lord isn't where it's suppose to be.  It has been said that it takes two things to blow down a tree: a heavy wind outside along with rot and decay inside.  So it is with us.  The winds of adversity may cause us to bend, but if we are healthy, strong and vigorous inside, we will arise and grow to new heights after the storm passes.  Why does adversity cause some folks to break and others to break records?  If we were to see ourselves as an oyster, we could understand what beauty can come from our adversities.  When a foreign object is introduced into a mussel or oyster, the animal coats the irritant with a substance called nacre, the same material with which it builds its shell.  Layers of nacre build up to make a beautiful pearl.  So when adversity come into our lives, if we keep coating them with what we use to make use strong; the Word, prayer, praise, worship, compassion, love, joy, patience, and temperance;  we too can produce something beautiful in our lives.

Sing: Something beautiful, something good, all my confusions, Jesus understood, all I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful out of my life.

2011 September 8 - Morning Manna

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace"(Isaiah 9:6)

Today's Morsel:  There seems to be no end to the political battle in the world today.  There seems to be unrest on every front. Demonstrations, riots, job loss, fear, earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars.  Everyone who is running for office says that they have the right answer to fix the problem.  But Paul said,  "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived"(2 Timothy 3:13).  The problem with our world is that we've taken our trust off God and placed it on man.  Scripture says, "And the government shall be upon His (Jesus) shoulder." The world is too big for any man to carry.  Even our burdens are too hard to carry.  The Lord told us to cast them upon Him.  So until mankind places the government back to where it is suppose to be, upon His shoulder,  not only is the economy going to be bad, but the whole world.  Pray for your nation and leaders.

Sing:  Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.

2011 September 7 - Morning Manna

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. (Psalms 119:97-104)

Today's Morsel:  I came home the other day and to my surprise my wife had filled the freezer with Schwan's Ice Cream.  It's really good ice cream and so you have to be careful that you don't eat too much of it, because it tastes so good.  They say that too much of anything isn't good for you.  And I agree, except for the Lord!  When it comes to the Word of God, I just can't seem to get enough of it.  I seem to find myself seeking and meditating on it more and more.  Every day, I learn something new.  I, like the Psalmist, have learned to say, "How sweet are His Words to my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"   When something is good to me, I usually like to read the ingredients for understanding to see what's in it that makes it taste so good, so I can somehow try to duplicate it for myself.  Granted, I cannot add to nor take away from the Word of God, but I do look and read it because I want the understanding so I can understand why it is so good.  As David said,  "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" (Psalms 34:8).  The main ingredient in the Word is Jesus.  And as Jackie Gleason use to say, "How sweet it is!"

Sing: I keep falling in love with Him, over and over and over and over again. I keep falling in love with Him, over and over and over and over again. He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by, O' what a love between my Lord and I, I keep falling in love with Him, over and over and over and over again!

2011 September 6 - Morning Manna

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
(Luke 12:32)

Today's Morsel:  A mother says to her young son, "Son it's time for bed. So go turn on the light and get ready for bed."  The son says, "But mom, it's dark in there."  The mom says to him, "There is nothing to be afraid of, Jesus is in there."  The son goes to his room door and says, "Jesus, if you are in there will you turn on the light."

Jesus said that we should not fear.  We should not fear when things seem uncertain in our health, our jobs, our churches and any other area of our lives.  God desires to give us the kingdom.  Paul said "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).  God desires to give us the Holy Ghost because without it, we are none of His (Romans 8:9).  God desires to put His Spirit in each of us.  Paul told Timothy, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).  When we understand that we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand, we don't have to fear, because, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever" (Psalms 23:1-6).  Quite simply, Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real!  So fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

  

Sing:  He's got you and me, sister, in His hand.  He's got you and me, brother, in His hand. He's got you and me, sister, in His hand, He's got the whole world in His hand. 

2011 September 5 - Morning Manna

And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land. (Exodus 18:5-27)

Today's Morsel:  Our oldest grandson had only met his great-grandmother once when he was 6 months old.  So my wife, my mother-in-law, and I made a trip to Georgia to see our daugther and her family. After the visit, my daughter called almost in stitches from laughing and said, "You aren't going to believe this."  She said that our grandson, who was now 8 years old, said to her,  "Mom, Grandma doesn't look anything like I thought she'd look."  Not knowing exactly what he meant or where his thoughts were focused, my daughter asked him, "What do you mean?  How did you think she'd look?"  He replied, "You know, like an old hag or something!"  We still to this day have no idea how he came up with this idea or concept, but my mother-in-law laughs and tells the story with great delight!!  Out of the mouth of babes.

Many people are wearing themselves out for selfish gain and personal glory instead of getting others to help them.   The best leaders are those who will say when things go wrong, I did it; when they go semi-good, We did it; and when things go really good, They did it.  When Moses' father-in-law Jethro saw what Moses was doing in counsel, he told him that he would surely wear himself away.  In other words, you're going to kill yourself if you don't get someone to  help you.  It's amazing to me the number of people that are suppose to be laborers for Christ that do not have this wisdom and understanding.  Even Jesus chose twelve guys to help Him.  And  if He, being God, chose twelve, I think I need at least twenty-five.  Jesus never asked us to carry the ball by ourselves.  We either recruit or die.  Jesus even made Adam a helpmeet.  There is no amount of money, rank, or position that can replace your life and loss of family and loved ones.  So get yourself some help because if you die, someone else is going to do it anyhow.

Sing:  Are you weary are you heavy hearted? Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus; Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?  Tell it to Jesus alone.  Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He's a friend that's well known; you have no other such a friend or brother, tell it to Jesus alone.

2011 September 3 - 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: Are you prepared for the unexpected?  Do you ever consider what you would do if you lost your job, home, or a loved one?  What preparations have you made should the economy really buckle under and there are no jobs?  Solomon said that we should consider the ant, which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.  Ants get most of their food during the summer because they know that for them that's harvest time. They gather their food for the unforeseen and for the hard times to come.  We can learn alot from nature.  Now is not the time to slumber and sleep.  Now is the time to work.  Jesus said we should work while it is day, because the night is coming when no man can work.  We all have an opportunity while we live and breathe to lay up treasures in heaven.  But if we slumber and sleep, we may get taken by surprise and have nothing to show for our labor when Jesus returns.  Remember, Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you."  But he didn't say anything about putting anything in it for you.  He left that responsibility to you.  "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).  As a Boy Scout, our motto was always, "Be prepared?"

Sing:  So! Get up! Get ready, we're getting ready to go, get a move on child for in a little while, we'll be going home; I've made up my mind I ain't wasting time, the trumpets about to blow; so get up, get ready, we're getting ready to go.

2011 September 2 - Morning Manna

"The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets" (Proverbs 22:13).

Today's Morsel:  You would think that if one knows there is something that will destroy him, that they would take actions to prevent it from happening.  Laziness seems to get a hold of many people and they don't see the need to make a change or correction.  I've seen people who will make no effort to seek employment, knowing they are about to be evicted from their homes, that they have no gas for their car, and they have no food in their house, and yet they do nothing about it.  Then they expect God to bless them.  Friend, God does not bless slothfulness. Why such laziness?  There are numerous deaths caused by drunk drivers and many hospital beds are filled with cancer patients that doctors say is caused by smoking and smokeless tobacco, so one would think that these things would be outlawed.  One would think that people would take action in their lives to avoid using them.  Like the man in today's scripture, he knows that the lion will destroy him if he goes outside,  but because he's too lazy to do anything about it, the lion is probably going to kill him.  The lion can be seen as many things.  Drugs, alcohol, pornography, indebtedness, wrong companions, a love for money, prostitution, and laziness are all things in the streets.  The man who is void of understanding,  Solomon said, there is a rod for his back (Proverbs 20:13).  Paul told the church at Thessalonica,  "Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thessalonians 3:8-15).  Laziness should never be in a born again believer's life.  We are called to be diligent and dedicated to the cause and to let our light shine so that men will see who we really belong.  "Laziness grows on people; it begins as cobwebs and ends in iron chains" M. Hale.

Sing:  Jesus use me, O' Lord don't refuse me, for surely there's a work that I can do, and even though it's humble, Lord help my will to crumble, though the cost be great I'll work for you.

2011 September 1 - Morning Manna

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples,  Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. (John 6:1-12)

Today's Morsel:  How would you have liked to have been in the crowd when Jesus fed the multitude with two fish and fives loaves of bread?  Do you think that there were many ahhhhs and ooooohs there that day?  What do you think went through Philip's mind when he saw what happen?  Often, we are looking for Jesus to do big things before we go, "WOW!"  But little is much when God is in it.  "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe" (John 4:48).  Lately, I've been hearing people say that we need signs and wonders so people will believe this truth.  But Jesus told the man, "Except you see signs and wonders you won't believe."  Is He speaking to you and me, His children.  Can we not believe in His abilities to do what He said He would do without signs and wonders?  Hasn't He shown Himself to be faithful to us?  Hasn't He proven time and time again that He will come through for us?  Doesn't scripture tell us that Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)?  Scripture said that Jesus asked Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"  He did this to prove him to see what he would do; Jesus already knew what He was going to do.  We don't need signs and wonders.  Jesus already knows what He is going to do. We just need to go and preach the gospel, show forth compassion and His love, and let Him fix what needs to be fixed.

 

Sing: He'll do it again!  He'll do it again!  Just take a look, at where you are now, and where you have been. He's always come through for you, He's same now as then.  You may not know how, you may not know when, but He'll do it again.