2013 July 31 - Morning Manna

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)

 

Today's Morsel: One of the things about playing the online game "Words With Friends" on the IPad is that it will not allow you to play words that aren't really words. I will agree that sometimes some of my friends use words that I've never heard before. When I try to use some words that I know are words, because they aren't in the system, the game won't allow me to play them. So I guess the IPad must have read Moses' instructions, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you." I believe the reason so many people have trouble serving God is that they try to add to His word to make it fit their liking. But James tells us, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:22-25). We can't change God's Word if we expect it to help us. We have to take it at face value.

Sing: Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little to one to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so.

2013 July 30 - Morning Manna

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:10-14)

 

Today's Morsel: When is the last time you've written a letter to someone like you used to when you were young and in school? You know it seems that the more we move toward the cyberspace and social media, the more we have lost the touch of staying in touch. We don't seem to talk and communicate any more. My wife, though, is good about staying in touch with people. She sends cards, notes, and letters to people all the time. And every so often she will receive a letter back from some of the older, more senior people that she writes to. At Christmas she sends out hundreds of Christmas cards and may get only a few back. She always tell me she doesn't send cards out to get cards back, but to let others know that there is still someone who cares. The apostle Paul seems to be a man who stayed in touched and communicated with others. He stayed connected with those he labored with. As I write this, I'm repenting for not writing more to those whom I know. Even families don't communicate anymore. We never know what a card, note or letter may do for someone. So let's not lose this precious gift. You just may heal someone of loneliness, depression, or even a suicidal attempt. The golden rule is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12). Our song today is what we use to sing during the war in Viet Nam.

Sing: I'll be so glad, when mail call time comes around.(2x) I gonna sit, right down, on the cold and wet and muddy ground, and I'm gonna wake up in the morning with mail call time on my mind.

2013 July 29 - Morning Manna

"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" (Psalms 34:8).

 

Today's Morsel: There are certain foods that I really love. I can remember once when my friend's mother cooked a banana pudding, and my friend allowed me to taste of it without his mother's permission. After that first taste it was so good that I couldn't stop eating it. And before long, a large portion of her pudding was gone. When my friend's mother came home and saw her banana pudding, needless to say she was not a happy camper with us. Just a taste can cause you to want to eat the entire thing when something is good. Some foods are so good, you just hate to see when it's all gone. I have seen people go back for seconds, and when they realize that it is all gone they say, "Who ate it all?" The psalmist tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good. If we will just perceive within ourselves how good Jesus truly is, we will want more and more of Him all the time. God is good. So why not taste and eat all of Him. And the Word was made flesh (John 1:14).

Sing: 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, oh what a love between my Lord and I; I keep falling in love with Him, over and over and, over and over again.

2013 July 27 - Morning Manna

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)

 

Today's Morsel: Every life, whether human or animal, has blood. No life can live without blood. God has made this special liquid with the right stuff to keep us living. If one's blood becomes contaminated, the person can die. When Adam and Eve sinned, it contaminated the blood line. Therefore, for us to live, we must have a blood transfusion. We must now take out the blood of the first man Adam, and replace it with the blood of Jesus Christ. Moses wrote that the life of the flesh is in the blood. Therefore, when we are born again, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. When we have His blood in our veins, we can live forever if we do not allow it to become contaminated by the world.

Sing: O yes, O yes, I'm a child of the king, His royal blood now flows through my veins. I who was wretched and blind now can sing, praise God, praise God, I'm a child of the king.

2013 July 26 - Morning Manna

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
(Mark 5:25-34)

Today's Morsel: I know of so many people today that would love to just be able to touch Jesus the way that this woman did and receive immediate healing for their condition. But what many fail to realize is that this woman had lived with her condition for twelve years before she was healed. Some may ask what the difference is between this woman touching Jesus and her being healed and why they have touched touched Jesus but are not healed? Was her faith stronger than someone else's faith? Most of us reading the Bible would agree that the apostle Paul was a man of great faith. But when he asked Jesus to remove his thorn from his flesh, he was told, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Whatever it was, it was not taken from him, he was basically told to live with it. The man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5) was in his condition for 38 years. The man lame at the Gate Beautiful (Acts 3) was about 40 years old before he was healed. So how long should we be willing to wait for our healing? Until Jesus comes. Just keep believing and trusting Jesus.

Sing: Touching Jesus, is all that really matters, and your life will never be the same, there is only one way to touch Him, just believe when you call on His name.

2013 July 25 - 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 noticed that when you purchase a new vehicle, the dealer goes through such great details to tell you about the vehicle to make sure you understand how everything works and what features come with it? But all too often, when a person receives salvation, they aren't told what they have. They are left to figure it out by themselves. Therefore, by the time the person who should be explaining it gets to them, others have filled their head with so much confusion that the person is saying, "I don't know if I want this or not." Do you know what came with your salvation? Let me list a few things for you: Eternal life, Liberty from yourself so that you can serve others, An abundance of grace and mercy, And a Father and family who loves and cares about you. If you will read the book (the Bible), you can see all the things that you have. Remember, the Holy Ghost is just the earnest of your inheritance, you have a great recompense of reward.

Sing: Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more, here's my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

2013 July 24 - Morning Manna

"When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria."
(John 4:1-4)

 

Today's Morsel: When I was in the army, my secretary would put 3x5 cards with my next day's agenda written on them on my desk so I would know where I needed to be and the appropriate time to be there. I always tried to stick to the agenda because others were depending on me. I knew their time was important as well, and so I always tried to stay on schedule. But sometimes, it was not possible to stay on schedule if I ran into a soldier that had problems and needed to talk with me. Then my agenda or schedule was scrubbed. The Bible said that Jesus' schedule was taking Him to Galilee, and the route He was on took Him through Samaria. While there, He encountered a woman that was not on His agenda as far as we can tell, but she, as well as the people of the city, were placed on His agenda and He spent two days with them ( John 4:40). I want you to know that today, you are on God's agenda and He's going to be passing your way (Luke 19:1-7). If it seems that He's running just a little behind schedule, "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. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 10:35-11:1). If He doesn't get there when you think He should; don't worry and don't doubt, He'll get there according to His agenda.

Sing: We shall see the King. We shall see the King. We shall see the King when He comes. He's coming in His power, we'll hail the blessed hour. We shall see the King when He comes.

2013 July 23 - Morning Manna

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another"(1 John 4:11)

Today's Morsel: Sometimes I wonder why God love us so much that He just keeps doing the things that He does for us. You know, love is one of those things you do just because. There shouldn't be any strings attached to your love. Jesus didn't say I will love you if you do these things. He just said, I love you. I don't love my wife because of all the great things that she does for me. I love her just because I said that I would love her. Love isn't predicated on what others do for you. Love is based on your desire to please others without strings attached. God desired to show us how we should love, and so He gave of Himself to do that. I think that if we ever grasped the true meaning of how much Jesus truly loves us, it's would blow our minds.

Sing: 1. He is jealous for me,love like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, and I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

Pre-Chorus:
And oh, how He loves us so, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us so.

 

2. We are His portion and He is our prize, drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking. So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest, I don’t have time to maintain these regrets, when I think about, the way…

Chorus 2:
He loves us, Oh! how He loves us, Oh! how He loves us, Oh how He loves.

2013 July 22 - Morning Manna

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. (Proverbs 4:10)

 

Today's Morsel: If you knew you were going to live to be 969 years old like Methuselah, what would you want to be? What do you think you could accomplish? What do you think you would look like? Well, Solomon said that if we receive his saying our years would be many. I think this is prophetic. He's trying to get us to see that if we obey the Word of God, we will have eternal life where there is no end.

Sing: The more I seek You, the more I find You. The more I find You, the more I love You. I want to sit at Your feet, drink from the cup in Your hand, lay back against You and breathe, it's overwhelming.

2013 July 20 - Morning Manna

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. (Haggai 1:7)

 

Today's Morsel: When is the last time you sat down and considered your ways? Have you stopped to evaluate your actions to see if they are affecting someone else? Are the things you are doing, your mannerism, and your actions affecting others? Would you say that God is well pleased with you? The reason Jesus calls for us to consider our ways is because it is so easy to get on the wrong road and think that we are on the right one. When I was in the Army, they told us that one degree off on our lensatic compass for every one hundred meters would put us ten meters off our target. That being the case, at a thousand meters I would be off target one hundred meters or over a hundred yards off course. Do you see why Jesus tells us to consider our ways. By just participating in one certain event or watching one wrong movie, it may not appear harmful to you, but it could have an everlasting impact on your children and grandchildren's walk with God. Just one negative word about another person before your children or someone else could cause them to see that person in an evil light, and cause them breed hatred against that person in their heart. I think Solomon said it best when he cautioned us, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil" (Proverbs 4:23-27).

Sing: Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise, for it was grace, that bought my liberty, I do not know, just why He came to love me so, He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary, to view the cross, where Jesus died for me; How marvelous, the grace that caught my falling soul, He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

2013 July 19 - Morning Manna

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(Romans 10:17).

 

Today's Morsel: If you could buy faith, how much would you purchase? I often wonder if God would have required of us to buy salvation, eternal life, and faith, how much would He have charged us for each? God knew that we would not have enough money to purchase these things, so He made them free for all because God operates in equity. I believe that the reason so many people are shallow in their faith is because they do nothing to add more faith to their life. Just because you have checks doesn't mean you have money in the bank. Just because you have a Bible doesn't mean you are going to have faith. Most people have at least one Bible in their home, but if they never read it, they aren't going to have strong faith. If faith comes by hearing , and hearing by the word of God, why isn't everyone's faith bank running over? If a person was to get in to the habit of reading their Bible daily and applying it to their life, their faith bank would be providing them great dividends. The same way as those who have money in the bank are often times confident, those who have faith in their faith bank should be confident as well. How's your faith?

Sing: Faith can move mountains, mountains of fear and of doubt; faith can move mountains, so why don't you try your faith out.

2013 July 18 - Morning Manna

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof"(Psalms 19:1-6).

 

Today's Morsel:I don't think there is any place that I have been in the world that I have not seem the awesome beauty and splendor of God. One of my highlights of living in Asia was watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. In Europe, it was the beauty of the forest and the rolling hills. Visting Africa, it was the beauty of the wild life. And living in America, it is the beauty of the mountains, the farm lands, the oceans and the sky. David said the heavens declare; proclaim, and say publicly the glory of God; and the firmament show His creation. Moses said, "I beseech thee, shew me thy glory"(Exodus 33:18). I think God wanted to say, "Just look up and look around Moses. This is my glory. I have created all the things you see. Every day they speak of My glory. Every night they speak of My knowledge and every tongue sings forth My praise." The psalmist said, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me" (Psalms 139:7-11). If you ever want to see the glory of God, just stand still, look up and look around. For man cannot make the things we see.

Sing: He's got the whole world in His hand, He's got the whole wide world, in His hand; He's got the whole world, in His hand, He's got the whole world in His hand.

2013 July 17 - Morning Manna

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. (Exodus 15:3)

 

Today's Morsel: It seems that the church is afraid to fight these days. It seems that she is afraid to stand and defend herself. She wants to talk about warfare, but not participate in warfare. Some saints will say that they don't like confrontation. Yet confrontation is good and healthy for us. It shows what us what we are made of. Sometimes good debates and disagreements are good because they help to work out problems. Moses said that the Lord is a man of war. Even though Jesus was humble, meek and lowly, He still confronted people when they were wrong. Jesus knew that when He turned those tables over in the synagogue it was going to cause a stir and some disagreement. I believe He did this to show His disciples, that sometimes in warfare there is going to be confrontation, so get ready for it. When John gives us a glimpse into heaven he said, "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:11-16). The battles that are written in the Bible aren' t just stories. They are actual events to show that there is an enemy and he must be destroyed. Friend, Jesus Christ is a man of war, and if you are in His army and are planning to make it to heaven, then you must be prepared to fight in the battle. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Sing: I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery, I may never soar over the enemy, but I'm in the Lords army, yes sir.

2013 July 16 - Morning Manna

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:1-6)

 

Today's Morsel: Some people, even though they are dead, as soon as you hear their name because it has been passed down to us through history, we immediately associate what they did in their life with their name. And this keeps their name alive. For example, George Washington. We immediately think of our first president and that some say he never told a lie. Abraham Lincoln, the freeing of the slaves and the Civil War. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, Christmas, Easter, the Cross of Calvary, and the Last Supper. The list could go on. Jesus said to the church at Sardis, "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." There is nothing hidden from God. Hypocrisy and a lamentable decay in religion are the sins charged upon this church by Jesus who knew her and all her works well. Matthew Henry said of this church, "She had gained a great reputation; it had a name, and a very honorable one, for a flourishing church, a name for vital living, for purity of doctrine, unity among themselves, uniformity in worship, decency, and order. We read not of any unhappy divisions among themselves. Everything appeared well, as to what falls under the observation of men. This church was not really what it was reputed or supposed to be. They had a name to live by, but they were dead; they had a form of godliness but not the power. They hada name to live by,but not the principles of life. Even though it appears that there was not a total hardship in their life, yet there was a great deadness in their souls and in their services, a great deadness in the spirits of their ministers, and a great deadness in their ministrations, in their praying, in their preaching, in their converse, and a great deadness in the people in hearing, in prayer, and in conversation; what little life was yet left among them was, in a manner, expiring, ready to die." The church of today, who patterns itself after the name of Jesus Christ, must not be dead. After three days of being dead, Jesus rose again and is alive forever more; and all those who say they are born again, must be alive as well.

 

Sing: Alive! Alive! Alive forever more, my Jesus is alive, alive forever more; Alive! Alive! Alive forever more, my Jesus is alive.

Sing hallelujah, Sing hallelujah, my Jesus is alive, alive forever more. Sing hallelujah, Sing hallelujah, my Jesus is alive.

2013 July 15 - Morning Manna

"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"Luke 18:1-8)
 

Today's Morsel: Do you ever get to a point that you wonder why pray? I'm sure that there are many who do. Especially when they feel that the wicked are getting the upper hand or they feel that God isn't answering them in a timely matter. What I find is that those who feel this way are usually focusing on themselves and their needs and not the needs of others. I find in scripture that Jesus prayed for himself once and that was in the garden before his crucifixion. He prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. But He concluded, nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Jesus had a consistent prayer life, but it was prayers for others. Even Paul told Timothy to pray for others ( 1 Timothy 2:1-5). Jesus said that if we will pray, we too will not quit and lose heart. In today's passage, Jesus impresses upon us two important things about prayer. Faith and consistency. The Berlin Wall came down because people were consistent. When people really want something, if they are consistent long enough, they will get people to hear them. Faith causes us to believe that Jesus will answer. And consistency says, "I won't give up until I am heard." If we aren't consistent in our prayer life, we will not maintain the faith and we will miss Jesus when He comes again.

Sing: Hear my cry, oh God, attend unto my prayer, from the ends of the earth will I cry unto thee, and when my hear is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I, so much higher than I.

2013 July 13 - Morning Manna

O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
(Psalms 115:9-15)

Today's Morsel: Probably,one of the most hurting feelings a person can experience is when they realize that someone they have confided and trusted in has lied to them or told others what they have said. One of the things I was told when I first started working in the prison was that you have to be careful what you say as you are dealing with cons, and that they will deceive you to make you think that they agree with what you are telling them. I even see this more and more in the church today than before. It just seems harder to trust people who say they are born again believers than before. As the old saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." But the psalmist calls for us to trust in the Lord, because He will not fail us nor will He forsake us. He calls for the people of God to reverence God and to trust Him. You can be sure that God is not like other people. If we will put our trust in Him, He will not only protect us, but He will bless us and our children as well. People may betray us, but God is ever faithful. We can trust Him.

Sing: Jesus, I'm depending on You! Jesus, I'm depending on You! Jesus, I'm depending on You, depending on You, to see me through.

2013 July 12 - Morning Manna

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
(John 17:14-21)

 

Today's Morsel: Isn't it amazing that if I don't agree with the world, than I am labeled as a bigot or hateful. Maybe all the churches in the world should put signs on their building, billboards and websites which read, "We are hateful and bigots so you may not want to contact us when there are disasters." Jesus said that He had given us His Word and that the world hated us. Is this an eye opener or what? Because the true born again believers are not of this world they will be hated. Jesus said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven"(Matthew 5:11-16). Jesus has already prayed for us, so you don't have to worry. Just keep being salt and light in this world and others will see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Sing: What does it mean to be saved? Isn't it more than just a prayer to pray? More than just a way to heaven? What does it mean to be His? To be formed in his likeness? Know that we have a purpose.To be salt and light in the world, in the world. To be salt and light in the world.

Chorus: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, say so, say so! (repeat)

2013 July 11 - Morning Manna

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
(John 4:35-39)

 

Today's Morsel: It's hard to believe that in just a few short months it will be harvest time. The farmers will hit their fields to gather their crops that they have planted. Jesus said that we need to open our eyes now because spiritually the fields are already white for the harvest. Sadly, the church seems to be focusing on politics and government instead of the harvest. We are in the people business and people are our business. People's lives are turned upside down and confused. People are becoming homeless and hopeless. They are looking for hope. They are looking for someone to show them a better way. Government can never fix people's problems. They can only offer them a temporary solution. But Jesus has given us the answer to life's problems, His Word. So if you will pray and go forth weeping, you shall come again, bring your sheaves with you.

Sing: Bringing in the sheaves! Bringing in the sheaves! We shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves.

2013 July 10 - Morning Manna

Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
(John 21:13-17)

Today's Morsel: I can remember when my wife and I were dating, she would ask me, "Why do you love me? or, "Do you love me?" A lot of times, she would ask me when my mind would not be on me thinking about how much I loved her. And so I would have to scramble in my thoughts, as I was thinking about others things to ensure I told her just how much I did love her.

One of the things about serving Jesus, is if you tell Him you love Him, He is going to check you to see if you really do. Having a love relationship with Jesus is the same as being married to Him. There are things you do for someone you love that you won't do for others. When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him more than these (I think the fishes or his career), Peter's reply was 'Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.' But I don't think Peter was expecting Jesus to ask him the same question three times and respond with the same request to feed His people. What Jesus was saying to Peter, and it is for us today, is that if you love Me, show Me that you care. When it comes right down to it, the love you have for someone else is really predicated on two other things, faith and hope. If I can't trust in you and depend on you, then I really can't have a deep love relationship with you. I know I can trust and depend on Jesus; His question to me is, "Do you love me?"

Sing: He knew me, and yet He loved me, He whose glory makes, the heavens shine. I'm so unworthy, of such mercy, yet when he was on the cross, I was on His mind.

2013 July 9 - Morning Manna

"But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus"(Ephesians 4:20-21)

 

Today's Morsel: Wouldn't it be neat if people always told you the truth? But there is something within folks that they just aren't honest. I have found that when people aren't honest or telling you the truth, they can't look you straight in the eye. They will look away or focus on something else. Even in the political realm, we so soon discover that those who say that they were telling the truth were often telling us a lie. But even sadder, is that some people in the church seem to possess this same character trait of satan, a liar. Paul said that if we are still doing the same old things, then we have not learned Christ because the truth is in Jesus. And John said, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (1 John 2:6). Brethren, in Him, Jesus, is no guile at all. Honesty is not only the best policy, it's the only policy.

Sing: T o 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.

2013 July 8 - Morning Manna

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:19-23)

Today's Morsel: When I first enlisted in the Army, I was required to carry and fire an M14 rifle. This weapon was pretty heavy and gave a fairly good kick when you fired it. By the time you finished firing it during a day on the rifle range, your cheekbone was pretty sore and swollen. Then the Army procured the M-16 rifle. It was much lighter and within its stock was a recoil spring to take up the kick and recoil; thus making it easier to fire. Once the soldier didn't have too worry about the kick, he was able to qualify much easier and engage his targets. This is how it should be as born again believers. We must be resilient and able to spring back once we are knocked down. We must learn how to be flexible and able to adapt and overcome. Paul was a man with resilience. They stoned him, and he got right back up and went back into the same city and preached Jesus Christ. How about you? Do you rebound and return to your original state when you are knocked down? The Holy Ghost within you is the recoil spring. It will take up anything that comes against you because greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world.

Sing: Well it's that Holy Ghost and fire that's keeping me alive, keeping me alive, keeping me alive; well it's that Holy Ghost and fire that's keeping me alive, Jesus is keeping me alive.

2013 July 6 - Morning Manna

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. (2 Corinthians 12:7-11)

 

 Today's Morsel: Probably one of the greats football games I've ever watched was a game in the 80's between the Miami Dolphins and the San Diego Chargers. Tight End, Kellen Winslow was injured in that game, but he kept playing through the pain he suffered.  The more his coaches wanted to keep him out, the more he wanted to be in.  And so they let him play even with his pain and suffering.  There is something in all of us that when we truly love the game we will make ourselves do things that we wouldn't do otherwise.  When we are passionate about certain things, it's amazing what we will make our body do to be a part and continue on.  The apostle Paul was passionate about the things of God and he was willing to make his body do things even in pain.  He said, "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake."  What about you?  Are you willing to endure in your pain for Jesus? Will you continue to serve Him with your whole heart and all your strength regardless of the pain you may be suffering?  Always remember, pain is just weakness leaving the body.

 

Sing:  No tears in heaven, no crying in glory, all of God's children will be happy over there; No pain or sorrow, no more worrying about tomorrow, no tears in heaven for you and me.  

2013 July 5 - Morning Manna

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  (1 Timothy 2:1-5).

 

Today's Morsel: How much listening do you do when you pray?  Do you do most of the talking.  I'm sure most of us would agree that when we pray, we do most of the talking as we are seek God for answers or making intercession for others.  Paul enlightened us to some of the things we should pray for.  He said,"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."  Notice, he said that we should pray for those in authority that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with honesty and holiness.   If those who are in leadership over us aren't living and doing right, we'll never have peace and morality. God wants people to know the truth, Paul said.  Revelations are often given from God during our pray times.  If you ever want to know truth, spend quality time listening in prayer.  Jesus will reveal Himself to you during these times.

 

Sing:  Someone is praying for you! Someone is praying for you! When you feel all alone, and your heart would break in two, remember, someone is praying for you.

2013 July 4 - Morning Manna

"As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  Honour all men.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God. Honour the King."  (1 Peter 2:16-17)

 Today's Morsel: Freedom is a wonderful thing. Jesus came to set the captive free.  And now that we have been made free, we should not use our liberty to serve the flesh.    We should use it to love and to serve one another; the same as Christ loved and served while here on earth.  Liberty and freedom are a great privilege, and with every privilege comes responsibility.  It is our responsibility to share His love with others so that they too can be made free.

 

Sing: He set me free, yes, He set me free. He broke the bonds of prison for me.  I'm glory bound, my Jesus to see.  Glory to God, He set me free.

2013 July 3 - Morning Manna

"The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him"
(Lamentations 3:24-25). 

 

Today's Morsel:  As I read the Bible, my mind often wanders and I ponder over the  scripture and I image how long it must have been between different events and transitions.  Can you image being in captivity for 70 years or being held in bondage for over 430 years as Israel was.  I'm sure they never  thought that they would be delivered.  Sometimes, when I speak with men who are incarcerated or those who have been incarcerated about the time they have to do or have done, some of them have told me that they just had to be patient and learn how to wait.  Even Joseph, when he was incarcerated, had to learn how to wait.  Waiting can sometimes bring about hardship and depression if we do not have a relationship with the Lord.  But when Jesus is our portion and our hope, we will be able to endure until He makes us free and brings us to the place He desires us to be.  David said, "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (Psalms 27:13-14).  The best thing about waiting is that it teaches you patience.

 

Sing: Learning to lean, I'm learning to lean, I'm learning to lean on Jesus, finding more power than I ever dreamed, I'm learning to lean on Jesus!

2013 July 2 - Morning Manna

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him,  Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:18-19)

 

Today's Morsel: I have noticed that even though the church is persecuted for her stand for morality and righteous, she still has great compassion for the lost and hurting.  When disaster, death, tragedy, or calamities strike, the church immediately rises up and heads to help the cause.  The church still has the answer to the world's problems today even though many do not want her help.  When Jesus cast the demons out of the Gaderene, he wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him to go tell his friends the great things the Lord had done for him and how He had had compassion on him.  Jeremiah said "Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness"(Lamentations 3:19-23).  If you aren't telling others what great things Jesus is doing and has done for you, then maybe you do not value His compassion.

 

Sing: He knew me, and yet He loved me, He whose Glory makes the heavens shine; I'm so unworthy, of such mercy, yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

2013 July 1 - Morning Manna

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day"(Genesis 1:1-8)

 

Today's Morsel: Someone said that the first mention of baseball is found in the first verse of Genesis, 'In the big inning' (Beginning). Humor.   Don't know if it has to do with baseball, but God sure hit a home run.

When we really look closely at the first chapter of the Bible, we see salvation in its inception.  God's plan was to divide light from darkness.  Paul said that we are the children of the day and not of the night (1Thessolonia's 5:4-5). Because God is light, everyone that is born again is to walk in that light (1 John 1:5).  The first day you became born again is the first day of your new life.  The same way God divided light from darkness and it became the first day, your new birth was a new day for you.  And now, "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).   As John said,  " I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 1:4).

 

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

Chorus:  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, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.