2012 April 3 - Morning Manna

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. (Matthew 21:28-31)

Today's Morsel: I like to focus a lot on what Jesus said to the religious leaders doing His time. Often, I realize that our thinking may not be the same way that Jesus' thinking is. We may judge people by their lifestyle and draw a conclusion within our minds that they aren't going to heaven. Most of us would agree, that based on the way that we see the scriptures, publicans and harlots would never make it into heaven. But Jesus told the religious folks that they would go into heaven before them. WOW! Jesus was not ordaining their lifestyle, He was trying to get the religious leaders to see that once these people heard the truth of the Gospel they would change their lifestyle and be saved. Mary, who poured the oil on Jesus, was what some scholars say a harlot and Jesus forgave her of her sins. Matthew and Zacchaeus were publicans, and Jesus said that salvation had come to their house. The Lord said through Isaiah the prophet, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). And he also said when they told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices,"And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1-5). Jesus was saying, because I don't think like you, you better make sure that you've repented of your sins, have asked for forgiveness, given forgiveness, and are living a holy and separated lifestyle. Remember, God doesn't think the way we do. When is the last time you took a very good look at yourself to ensure you are in the faith?

Sing: As you make life's great fight, keep the pathway right, there's an eye watching you; God will warn not to go in the path of the foe, there's an eye watching you.

There's an eye watching you, watching you, watching you, every day mind the course you pursue; there's an all seeing eye watching you.