2014 January 31 - Morning Manna

"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."(Galatians 3:19-24)

Today's Morsel: I often hear people say in the church, "That was under the law and we are no longer under the law."  Sometimes, I wonder do people really know what was required under the law.  Most saints of God don't like reading the Old Testament, and so they spend very little time searching out what was required under the law.  The Law was to bring them to Christ.  In other words, it was their roadmap to bring them to fulfillment and completion. People live their lives everyday under man's law, but when God's law are asked to be obeyed, they are scoffed at.  The Psalmist said that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul (Psalms 19:7).  So until my soul and your soul is converted, we cannot strengthen the brethren.  Before you reject that Old Testament Law, read it, because it has converting power for your soul.

Sing: The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimonies of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple, more to be desired are they then gold, much find gold, sweeter also than the honey, and the honeycomb. 

2014 January 30 - Morning Manna

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:10-14)

Today's Morsel: Sharing with our Bible study group a few weeks ago, I asked them if they thought we can ever get to the point in our lives that we don't ask God for anything when we go to Him in prayer and just get into the habit of simply thanking Him for who He is, and what He has done?  I asked, "What if when we go to Jesus in prayer, we just began by saying, 'Lord I thank You that I have eyes to see, ears to hear You speak to me and ears to listen to my fellow man cry out for help. I thank You for my knees that I can bow upon before you, my hands that I can lift in adoration and praise to You, and lips that I can open and speak words of exultation and praise to You, and can be used to teach Bible studies to others. I thank You for the feet You have given me to walk and to carry the gospel to others, and I thank You for the men and women who had foresight to build a church that we could come and worship in."  You see, God already knows what we have need of before we ask Him, so why not just thank Him in advance. The Publican, in a way, was simply thankful to be able to just ask God to be merciful to him.  This kind of prayer will always reach the throne of God.

Sing: Thank You Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You Lord, for making me whole. Thank You Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation, so rich and free.

2014 January 29 - Morning Manna

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1)

Today's Morsel:  Driving home from mid-week Bible study, my wife asked our 5 years old grandson to quote our memory verse, which was Luke 18:1. He did very well until he got to the end of the verse.  His quote went like this:  "And he spake a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray, and not to have a fit."   He may not have quoted it correctly, but he had a point.  It is true, if men would pray they would not have all these sudden, violent outbursts.  They would be able to keep their flesh and attitude under subjection.  Prayer helps us maintain our humility and  keep our pride in line with the word of God.  Anytime you have a sudden outburst that goes against the word of God, check your prayer life for that day.  Was it the first thing you did when you arose, or did you do something that caused you to get off track.  When we don't allow ourselves sufficient time at the start of our day to pray, there will always be that chance we just might have a  fit sometime during the day.

Sing: So let us have a little talk with Jesus, tell Him all about our troubles, He will hear our faintest cry, He will answer by and by, when you feel a little prayer wheel turning, you'll know a little fire is burning, you'll find a little talk with Jesus makes it right.

2014 January 28 - Morning Manna

Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment. (Job 19:23-29)

 

Today's Morsel: When I am reading and studying history of past wars and the wars of ages past,  I thank God that I wasn't serving in the military when they fought with swords, axes, or spears.  Granted we did have bayonets in the wars I fought in, but I never had to use them.  Just the thought of one of those types of weapons sticking or slicing me, sends chills up my spine.  Job told his friends that they should be afraid of the sword, for the wrath (anger and rage) bringeth the punishment of the sword.  John informs us in Revelation 19:15, "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" (Revelation 19:15). The writer of Hebrews tells us, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).  And Paul tells us that sword of the spirit is the word of God (Ephesians 6:18).  There is coming a judgment and it will be based on the word of God.  "Jesus cried and said,  He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:44-48). Always remember, your final judgment will be before Jesus, because He is the Word (John 1:1;14).

 

Sing: Search me, O God, and know my heart today, Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray; See if there be some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

2014 January 27 - Morning Manna

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? (Psalms 137:1-4)

 

 

Today's Morsel:  I often wonder where discouragement comes from.  Why does this obstacle, hindrance, and opposition come against us?  How do we defeat it when it comes?   There are so many people who do not understand how to deal with discouragement.   Many people find themselves in such low a state and they can't seem to pull themselves up out of the pit of discouragement they have fallen in to.  Millions are spent each day on studies trying to find the answer to discouragement in peoples' lives. Books and pamphlets are written trying to help.  The key to overcoming discouragement is found in maintaining a solid relationship with Jesus while obeying His word and having good Christian fellowship.  When we know what the word of God says and we apply that word, and when we maintain fellowship with people of like precious faith, we can overcome the obstacles we face much easier. Discouragement comes to test your resolve and also to increase your faith.  The children of Israel were so discouraged that they hung their harps on the willow and wouldn't even sing or play.   They wouldn't even use them to make music.  Music sooths the soul.  Music will lift your spirit.  Music will lift the heaviness off of you. Isaiah said that, "God hath appointed unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified" (Isaiah 61:3).  When you ramp up the AMP of your praise to God, the deaf tone of discouragement will flee away.

 

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

2014 January 25 - Morning Manna

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you"
(Hebrews 13:17).

 

Today's Morsel: If you were asked how important obedience is, what would be your answer?  Benjamin Franklin said that we should let obedience be the first lesson we teach our children.  Even the Prophet Samuel told King Saul that to obey is better than sacrifice. When we obey God's word and those put over us, we will see how obedience really works and keeps us protected.  Obedience is a sign of discipline and submission.  It reveals a sense of righteousness, contentment, and temperance.  I know that many may not see obedience as being all these things, but obedience really is like discipline, doing the right thing when no one is watching you.

 

Sing: Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.

2014 January 24 - Morning Manna

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
(Romans 8:5-10)

Today's Morsel:  After reading and listening to the news a few weeks ago, they had become concerned that people were not going to spend much money as in the past years' Christmases.  But as times passed, the reports were coming in that most stores were in the black.   I sat and wondered of all the spending taking place, how much of it went towards something to edify the spirit.  I wonder how many Bibles were purchased and given as gifts.  I wonder how much was spent on spreading the gospel to a lost and dying world.  It seems as though the longer the Lord tarries the more people are trying to satisfy the flesh more than the Spirit.  What I have found is this, if you feed and take care of the spiritual man in your life, the fleshly man will be under subjection and he will remain dead, and you will live because your life will be full of righteousness.

Sing: The Lord saved me, why should I be bound? The Lord saved me, why should I be bound? The Lord saved me, why should I be bound.

2014 January 23 - Morning Manna

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)

 

Today's Morsel: Have you ever found that trying to serve two isn't easy to do.  If you try to serve God and man, you will find that it's really a hard thing to do.  "No man can serve two masters," Jesus said.  And then He proceeds to illustrate the necessity of laying up treasures in heaven from a well-known fact that a servant cannot serve two masters at the same time.  His affections and obedience would be divided, and he would fail altogether in his duty to one or the other.   One he would love, the other he would hate.  To the interests of the one he would adhere, while the interests of the other he would neglect.  This is a law of human nature.  The supreme affections can be fixed on only one object.  So Jesus says the servant of God cannot at the same time obey him and be avaricious, or seek treasures supremely on earth.  One interferes with the other, and one or the other will be and must be surrendered.  "Mammon is a Syriac word, a name given to an idol worshipped as the god of riches.  It has the same meaning as Plutus among the Greeks.  It is not known that the Jews ever formally worshipped this idol, but they used the word to denote wealth.  The meaning is that ye cannot serve the true God, and at the same time be supremely engaged in obtaining the riches of this world.  One must interfere with the other" (Barnes commentary).  Are you devoted to Jesus or is something else stealing your heart? If you love Him, then why not serve Him.

Sing: Lord I give you my heart, I give you my soul, I live for you alone, every breath that I take, every moment I'm awake, Lord, have your way in me.

2014 January 22 - Morning Manna

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
(John 8:12)

 

 

Today's Morsel:  During the Christmas season, we heard about the wise men following the star to Bethlehem to find the Savior of the world.  Jesus told Nicodemus, "Here is condemnation, that light is coming into the world, but men love darkness rather than light because their deed were evil" (John 3:17-24).  John tells us, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not"(John 1:4-5).  If we have the life, we will have the light, and be a city set upon a hill that cannot be hidden.  If we are lights on a hill that can't be hidden, then we should be seen.  If we are seen, then we should shining.  If we are shining, we should be bright.  If we are bright, we should be glowing. If we are glowing, we should be radiating.  If we are radiating, we should be sending forth light.  All because there is no darkness in us. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But 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 1:5-7).  If we follow Jesus, there is no occasion of stumbling because the Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway.

 

Sing: This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine; this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

2014 January 21 - Morning Manna

"But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:12-28)

 

Today's Morsel: When I am speaking to people about getting their life on the right track, I always tell them to read the book of Proverbs daily, because it is a book of wisdom. Out of all the books in the Bible, I think I have read the book of Proverbs through more than any of them. Proverbs, because it is a book of wisdom, does something for the soul.  It enlightens us to hidden things of the heart and causes us to become more ethical and upright.  Job, in declaring his sincerity to his friends in their persecution of him, said that wisdom is an excellent thing. And so he asked them, "Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?"  Because they couldn't give him and answer, he told, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."  If you are looking for wisdom, why not peruse through the book of Proverbs and see what you come away with?  When you reverence God and abstain from evil, you will find wisdom and have understanding.  For me, I found that wisdom is found in God.

 

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

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

2014 January 20 - Morning Manna

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:4-5)

 Today's Morsel: The march on Washington, D.C. in 1963, with over 200,000 people of all race, creed and color; and the famous "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, was not to draw some fame and honor unto Dr. King.  It was a call for America to stand up and live out the true meaning of her creed, which says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."  It was a call in America and for America, who at the time there were at least 85-90% of all Americans belonging to and attending some church, to heed Jesus Christ's' advice, "to love thy neighbor as thyself",  and to fulfill the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you."  But, in order of reach that objective, and in order to bring about this bridge of togetherness, there would need to be an approach.  And so I believe that Dr. King chose the nonviolent approach.  He knew that there was already enough hatred and violence in America, and that any approach other than a nonviolent approach would not achieve the civil rights objective;  which was to destroy injustices and segregation. Dr. King often used lines and quotes from the Bible, as well as lines  and quotes from the Constitution and Bill of Rights in his speeches.  He knew that any men or women who were educated with and in the word of God and the laws of this land, and those who had any kind of faith in God, could easily see the injustices and ill treatment being rendered upon people of color in America.  And so he chose the text from the book of the Prophet Isaiah, which says, and I quote, " Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it" (Isaiah 40:4-5).  I believe when he chose this text Dr. King knew that if the playing field was level for all people, then the crooked, wrong and injustices would correct themselves.   What Dr. King was saying was, if you give everyone the same opportunity:

§  For education

§  For employment

§  For leadership positions

§  For housing

§  And the same opportunity for career progression

 

Opportunity not based it upon a person's skin color, then the nation will be stronger and all people could live together, work together, and play together in harmony and brotherly love.  And when he said, and I quote,  "I look for the day, that my children will be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,"  He was saying, "Don't judge a man or woman by their skin color, but judge them for who they are."

ü Judge them based on their moral fiber.

ü Judge them based on their qualifications, and abilities.

ü Judge them on their spirit, strengths, courage, credentials, experience, education, and training.  

But before you can do that, the playing field has to be leveled for everyone. And this will build the bridge of separation between all men and women, boys and girls, regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin and we will fulfill the laws of Christ.  We will love our neighbors as ourselves", and we will, "Do unto others as we would have them to do unto us." 

 

Sing:  1. Way down yonder in the graveyard walk, I thank God I'm free at last. Me and my Jesus going to meet and talk, I thank God I'm free at last. (Chorus)
2. On my knees when the light passed by, I thank God I'm free at last. Tho't my soul would rise and fly, I thank God I'm free at last. (Chorus)
3. Some of these mornings, bright and fair, I thank God I'm free at last. Goin' meet King Jesus in the air, I thank God I'm free at last. (Chorus)
Chorus: Free at last, free at last ,I thank God I'm free at last. Free at last, free at last, I thank God I'm free at last. 

2014 January 18 - Morning Manna

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
(Genesis 1:11)

 

Today's Morsel:  I like fruit. No matter what kind of fruit, I seem to like all of them. When God created the world, on the third day when He made the fruit trees,  God said "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself."  Notice the fruit trees were to produce after his kind because the seed was in itself.  We will reproduce after our kind.   If we are complainers, we will reproduce complainers.  If we are gossipers, we will reproduce gossipers.  If we are liars, we will reproduce liars.  Because the seed is in the fruit and we will produce after our kind.  If we are Christians and are born again of the water and the spirit, then we should be producing love, joy, peace, etc, because the seed is in the fruit and the fruit is in the seed.

 

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

 

2014 January 17 - Morning Manna

If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity. If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction" (Job 10:14-15)

 

 

Today's Morsel:  I is somewhat like Job, too; full of confusion.  Sometimes I find myself scratching my head and asking myself why in the world there are so many people who say that they are Christians, and yet they have no knowledge.  I have had people in the church look me right in the eye and say, "I didn't know that training was going on at our church." And this is after it had been announced for six months!  And then I've had people ask me if it is mandatory for them to attend?  Then there are those who pour their life into their secular job, and when you ask them to do something for the church, they are either too tired or they can't find the time. I am even more confused when someone asks me to pray for them for a job and yet they refuse to fill out the application. Do you understand my confusion?  Job couldn't figure out why the men who were supposed to be his friends were accusing him of wrong doing.  Instead of being a comforters to him in his afflictions, they became his enemy.  Let me encourage you, in these last days we are going to see things that will not only make an owl's head turn completely around, but ours' as well!  So keep your mind stayed on Christ and He will keep you in perfect peace.

 

Sing:  There is power in the name of Jesus! There is power in the name of Jesus! There is power in the name of Jesus, to break every chain, break every chain, to break every chain.

2014 January 16 - Morning Manna

And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. (Exodus 28:4)

 

 

Today's Morsel: When God chose Aaron to be the priest of the temple, he told Moses to make holy garment for Aaron and his son.  Why did God want their garment to be holy? Because God is holy and the ministry always represents God in their duties. When a man or woman who say that they representatives of God are not concerned with their attire and how they look, they become a bad representation of  who God is. I hear some say that it's not about how you look or what you wear because God looks on the heart.  An outward expression of what is in your heart is seen by your attire and the garments you wear.  And unkempt appearance is a sure example of a sinful heart.  It may not seem that way, but somewhere deep down within is a root of pride and sin that have not be taken care of; and sooner or later, that root will bud and bring forth fruit of its kind.  When Peter wrote to the church, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light"(1 Peter 2:9), he was letting us know that we are part of a kingly ancestralship and that we needed to represent it well in everything that we do.  We must always remember that without holiness shall no man see God(Hebrews 12:14).  Holiness always begins with Who's we are and who we are.

 

Sing: Holy! Holy! Holy!  Holy! Holy! Holy!  Holy is the Lord, God Almighty, and He's worthy to receive glory, worthy to receive honor, He's worthy to receive all our praise today.

2014 January 15 - Morning Manna

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Peter 2:4-9)

 

Today's Morsel:  To me, the story of Lot is probably one of the saddest stories in the Bible.  Here you have a man who by all accounts should have been righteous; he lived a righteous life after following and observing his uncle Abraham. But Lo, found himself right in the midst of  a cesspool of sin and debauchery.  The apostle Peter wrote that God knows how to deliver us from our sins.  He used Lot as an example of the delivering power that God has.  He wrote, "And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)."  Notice what Peter said of Lot, "He vexed his righteous soul day in and day out hearing and seeing their wicked and filthy conversations."  But there is no indication that Lot tried to relocate from this place.  Even his son-in-law laughed at him when he told them that God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrha.  From what we see taking place in our world today, we are again back inside of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Now you can sit still and be part of the destruction process when Jesus sends His angels, or you can allow God to deliver you now. "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."(Acts 2:37-39).  God hasn't lost His power to deliver you, but you are going to have to follow His instructions for getting out.

  

Sing:  Once like a bird in prison I dwelt, no freedom from my sorrw I felt, but Jesus came and listened to me; glory to God, He set me free.

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.

2014 January 14 - Morning Manna

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. (Luke 15:11-25)

 

Today's Morsel: How many sermons would you say that you have heard of the prodigal son?  What comes to your mind each time you hear it?  Do you take an inventory of your life to see if it's speaking to you?  Or when you hear it, do you know of someone that fits the script?  Often when we read scriptures, we can find ourselves or someone else's situation in them.  I believe that God has done this so that we can see the importance of maintaining our relationship with Him.  Each time I read or hear the story of the prodigal son I think about the long road home.  Can you image trying to come home knowing that you may not be accepted?  Can you image trying to come home and thinking along the way what others are going to say about you?  Can you imagine trying to come home knowing that you have lost everything that you had, and now you don't even have any shoes on your feet?  Probably the hardest thing for a child of God who has backslidden and is trying to make their way home, is being able to ask for forgiveness.  The prodigal son in today's scripture first came to himself.  He knew that before he could go home he needed to be right with himself.  If you are never right with yourself, you'll never repent of your wrong ways.  Once he was right with himself, he knew that he had sinned against God and his father and it was here that he needed his earthly father to forgive him of these things.  The road home may seem long at first, but if you will allow Jesus to walk back with you, you'll see that it's really not as long as we may think.

 

Sing:   I've home prepared where the saints abide, just over in the glory land, and I long to be by my Savior's side, just over in the glory land.

 

 Just over, in the glory land, I'll join the happy angel band, just over in the glory land.  Just over, in the glory land, there with the mighty host I'll stand, just over in the glory land.

2014 January 13 - Morning Manna

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (Matthew 15:14)

 

Today's Morsel: During night maneuvers in the infantry you travel at a pace where you can see the man in front of you.  We would put luminous tape on the back of our helmets(called cat eyes) so we could see where we were going and we were able to see the person in front of us. Your whole travel and direction depended on the point man.  I have seen nights that the point man all of a sudden disappeared right before my eyes, he had fallen into a ditch.  If I had not been a few meters away from him, I  would have fallen into the ditch, too. I'm afraid that so many today are following blind leaders.  Anytime policies and procedures are implemented by those in leadership that are not in keeping with the Word of God and folks keep following them, pretty soon those folks are going to fall into the ditch.  Jesus said that if the blind lead the blind, they are both going to fall into the ditch.  If people who do not know the doctrine and teachings of Jesus and His apostles are leading you, you are going to fall into the pit.  I always tell the folks in the church that I pastor, know and study your word (The Bible) so that you know if I would begin going wrong and teaching you wrong.  And when you see these things start to come to pass in my life, if I am not in-line with the Word of God, you get off the train at the next stop; don't allow me to lead you into destruction of your soul.  You see, I can say that, because I know that I am going to be held accountable to God for every soul that I lead wrong and away from the truth, so I continue to seek God and ask Him to keep me on the path of truth and righteousness. I tell others to follow me as I follow Christ.

 

Sing:  Follow! Follow! I would follow Jesus! Anywhere, everywhere I would follow on! follow! Follow! I would follow Jesus! everywhere He leads me I would follow on!

2014 January 11 - Morning Manna

"I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 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 24:30-34)

 

Today's Morsel:  I am afraid that with so many fast food establishments, home delivery meals, and microwave meals, people are being taught slothfulness.  It may not seem that way at first, but I think that the enemy of the soul has realized that if he can get people to follow this way, they will become lazy and depend on someone else to do the work for them.  Even trying to get people to read their Bible seems to be a challenge these days.  With all the social media now available, people say, I listen to it on my MP3, IPAD, or IPhone.  I hate to tell you, but listening to it isn't going to allow you to see what is being said or written. You need a picture of what is being said with your eyes, as a picture is better than a thousand words.  There are so many distractions around you when you are trying to listen to the word, you may just miss the meaning and what is actual being said.  Because of apathy, people are looking for the easy way.  Solomon said that the slothful man will say that there is a lion in the street and will do nothing about it.  He said the slothful is willing to let the lion destroy himself and others.  My wording.  So let me encourage you today, do not be deceived by Satan's devices.  What Solomon presents to us in Proverbs 24:30-34, is that if we are lazy we are going to lose everything we have.

 

Sing: When in service for my Lord, dark may be the night, but I'll cling more close to Him, He will give me light, Satan's snares may vex my soul turn my thoughts aside, but my Lord, goes ahead, He leads, where'er betide.

 

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

 

2014 January 10 - Morning Manna

And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. (Numbers 13:25-14:5).

 

Today's Morsel: I'm sure we've all heard the saying, "Quitters never win." The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1).  So many people seem to be falling from the faith these day.  There seems to be a loss of tenacity to keep going.  Israel found themselves right on the doorstep of their promise land and they quit believing that God could do what He said that He would do.  They saw the evidence of the promise, and yet they failed to believe.  They held the promise in their hand, and yet quit believing.  We see and hear the evidence of God's healing power, protective hand, people being filled with the Holy Ghost, testimonies of what He has done, and yet many still fail to believe and they quit.  The writer of the book of Hebrews, which many say was the apostle Paul, would write many years later of the story of Israel quitting on the doorstep of promise, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God"(Hebrews 3:12).  Always remember, if you quit before crossing the finish line, you forfeit all the promises made to you by God of the eternal rest.

 

Sing: I'm going through, yes, I'm going through, I'll pay the price no matter what others do, I'll take the way, with the Lord's despised few, I started out with Jesus and I'm going through.

2014 January 9 - Morning Manna

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings"(Proverbs 1:5-6)

 

 

Today's Morsel: Hearing loss, like so many other medical conditions, has become a concern to the audiology profession. With all of the loud music, both in and out of the church, many seem to have trouble hearing what is being said. It seems as though so many are having to get hear aids to help them be able to hear more clearly. I often hear parents yelling and screaming at their children, "Did you hear what I said?" And the child's reply is, "I didn't hear you." Maybe the child is blocking them out because they are yelled and screamed at so much; but then on the other hand there just may be a blockage of some sort in the ear.  Satan wants to fill your ears with words of doubt and confusion.  If he can get you to listen to his evil and perverse ways, he knows you will not be able to hear clearly what Jesus is speaking to you. Solomon said that a wise man will hear, and will increase in learning. Jesus said constantly, "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear." We must pay particular attention to others when they are talking to us, and we must give heed to every word of God when it is spoken.  A person who listens to God's word is able to keep himself motivated and in right standing with God when he heeds what is being said. But if he doesn't pay attention, and does not listen, then he can be easily led astray.

 

Sing:  Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear; ringing through the sky shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear, a song, a song, high above the tree, with a voice as big as the sea, with a voice as big as the sea.

2014 January 8 - Morning Manna

"When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you"  (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)

 

Today's Morsel: I often hear some Christians who work in the secular world talk of the persecution and battles they face at work. Women who do not wear pants, makeup, or jewelry, find themselves being ridiculed as being a plain Jane; and men who do not sit around and listen to filthy jokes, drink alcohol, smoke, go to clubs, and cheat on their wives are seen as weird. But why do they face such attacks? The answer is simple, they are the children of God versus the children of the devil. When you choose to take a stand for righteous living, the enemy will attack you. This is why the child of God must prepare for the battle on a daily basis. Paul said when you have done all you can do, to stand.  Moses told the children of Israel when it looks like your enemies are more than you, don't be afraid because the Lord is with you.  So my encouragement to you today, is when it seems as though your enemies are surrounding you, making fun of you, and talking about you because you are taking a stand for righteous living, "Let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Always remember, greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.

 

Sing: He's bigger than all my problems, bigger than all my fears, yes He's bigger than any mountain that I can or cannot see. He's bigger than all my questions, bigger than all my thoughts, yes, He's bigger than any mountain that I can or cannot see.  

2014 January 7 - Morning Manna

And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. (Exodus 12:34)

 

Today's Morsel:   When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church,  "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God"(1 Corinthians 2:9-10), he was saying that if you want to know the things of God, you have to allow the spirit to lead you into deeper things. I love it when God reveals to me the meaning of certain things in scripture. I am often amazed at the number of types and shadows of things in scripture that reflect Jesus.  For example, The Ark, The Tabernacle in the Wilderness, The Manna, and the Living Water, just to name a few, are all reflections of Jesus.  When we realize that the Ark was patterned for the salvation of Noah and his family, we can understand why neither is there salvation in any other but Jesus. Everything about that Ark reflects Christ, the same as the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and the other aforementioned things. Even the Spirit like as a dove that descend upon Jesus as He was baptized by John the Baptist, was a type and shadow of the dove that returned to Noah in the Ark. When the children of Israel were departing Egypt, they brought their kneading troughs with them. A kneading trough was used knead the yeast into the flour to make bread and to allow it to rise. According to Wikipedia, a manger is a trough. And since Jesus is call the bread of life, we can see why some say He was placed in a manger/trough at His birth by Mary and Joseph. As Jesus told the religious leaders, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:39-40).  Do you need some manna from heaven today? Well, Jesus is still the bread of life. "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).  Are you having daily communion with Him?

 

Sing: "Come and dine" the Master calleth, "Come and dine," you may feast at Jesus table all the time, He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine, to the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

2014 January 6 - Morning Manna

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. (Proverbs 13:19)

 

 

Today's Morsel: My wife often asks me what my day holds. In other words, she is asking me, "What do you have planned or what are you going to be doing today?"  If it's summer and I have plans for doing work around the house, I will tell her the things I have planned. And when I finish, I always feel so good when I can look at my list and see that everything I had planned for the day was accomplished.  The same holds true for church work days.  The list looks so long at the onset, but when the day is done and everything is accomplished, we all feel good about what we have accomplished.  Ask the young adults who walk across the stage on graduation and are handed their diplomas how it feels.  Ask the young soldiers when they have completed basic training how they feel.  There is that sense of inner pride of accomplishment that is so sweet to the feeling of doing what you have set your hand to do, that you just say to yourself, "WOW, I did it!"  The feeling of self accomplishment can't be explained.  And the same will hold true when we cross that Jordan into the promised land, and hear Jesus say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"  We'll be able to say, "WOW, I did it!"

 

 

Sing: Our beloved Father, Please come down and meet us, We are waiting on Your touch.  Open up the heavens, Shower down Your presence, We respond to Your great love.  We won't be satisfied with anything ordinary, We won't be satisfied at all.  (Chorus)

Chorus: Open up the sky, Fall down like rain, We don't want blessings, We want you.  Open up the sky, Fall down like fire, We don't want anything but You.

Our beloved Jesus, We just want to see You, In the glory of Your light.  Earthly things don't matter,  They just fade and shatter When we're touched by love divine. We won't be satisfied with anything ordinary, We won't be satisfied at all. (Chorus) 

Bridge: Here we go lets go to the throne, The place that we belong, Right into His arms.

2014 January 4 - Morning Manna

"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes"(Proverbs 13:24)

 

Today's Morsel:   I often wonder when I see some kids' bad behavior if I was like that when I was a kid.  I have heard so many parents say that they don't know what to do with their children when they act out.   Discipline of children doesn't start when they are 3 or 4 years old, it starts when they are 3 or 4 months old.  I think because we are all born with the Adamic nature to do wrong, we must direct children at the earliest age possible in what is right. Believe me, there is a difference between abuse and spanking.  Abuse is done out of anger, and a spanking is done out of love.  A spanking is done to correct a wrong action and to bring about an understanding.  Abuse, on the other hand, is designed to hurt.  A child who is spanked out of love will gain understanding and often correct their own wrongs and remember what happens when they don't.  A child that is abused will harbor bitterness and often lash out more.  Solomon said that if we spare the rod we hate our children.  If we do not correct our children, there is a strong indication that we really don't love them.  Some parents don't correct their children for fear of the children not loving them.   But I think that any parent who wants to see their children grow in the correct way, especially in the ways of the Lord, will correct them at the earliest stage of life.

 

Sing:  Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.  Jesus loves the little children of the world.

2014 January 3 - Morning Manna

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.  (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

 

Today's Morsel: In the sports world, everyone seems to be running for the corruptible crowns.  I even have a few of them in my office.  I always laugh when people say they want to be like Mike.  Even though Mike may have scored 50 points in a game, most don't know that Wilt The Stilt scored 100 points in a game.  Many fans aren't aware of greats like Jim Brown, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra, Abdujabar, Jesse Owens, and The Brown Boomer.  Even though these men accomplished so much in the sports world for a corruptible crown, they are so soon forgotten. Their accomplishments are soon overtaken by someone else and they are forgotten.  You see that's how it is with worldly crowns, they so soon fade away.  But if we run the righteous race, then when Jesus gives us a crown, He will never forget us, and our crown will not soon pass away.  The crown He gives us will be a crown of righteousness that will last forever.

 

Sing: I'm running for my life, I'm running for my life; I'm running for my life, I'm running for my life. If anyone asks you, what's the matter with me, tell them I'm saved sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, water baptized, I've got Jesus on my mind, and I'm running for my life.

2014 January 2 - morning manna

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:1-4)

 

Today's Morsel: It seem as though many churches are getting away from the Word of God. Because so many people are suffering and going through things in their lives, many churches are trying to use programs and other avenues to comfort them in their lowliness and hurtful state to bring them into a relationship with Christ, instead of preaching the Word. Programs aren't going to get the job done. Because so many people have fallen into the tricks and traps of the enemy of getting rich quickly, having sex before marriage, birthing children out of wedlock, getting a career first and then servicing God later, buy it on credit and pay for it later, and do what you feel like, many have found themselves drowning in their own foolishness and pernicious ways. And now many are turning to the church for help. Bailing a person out financially isn't going to help. Giving them a sugar coated message isn't going to free them from Satan's bondage.  They need the Word of God, so that they can see who they really are and build a relationship with Jesus so they can learn how to live their lives according to His word so that they do not again fall into the snares of the devil. Paul told Timothy, to preach the word because a man and woman's ways are only cleansed by the Word of God (Psalms 119:9;John 15:3).

 

Sing: Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word, tell me the story more precious, precious than was ever heard.

2014 January 1 - Morning Manna

And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (Exodus 12:1-2)

 

 Today's Morsel: Now that the Lord has allowed you to see a new year, what are you going to do for Him during this year that you didn't do last year?  Are you going to continue to live the same old way you did last year, or are you going to do something greater with your life?  What goals are you going to make for yourself?  You can look back and say I wish I had last year, or you can look ahead and say, "I will this year."  You can embrace the vision that God gives you for your life and go after it.  You can become a better person than you were last year.  You can become a helper to others.  You can read your Bible through.  You can increase your prayer life.  You can teach more home Bible studies.  You can become an encourager to other.  You can even purpose to not be a complainer.  Whatever you decide to do with your life and for Christ, must start today.  This is a new month and a new year for you.  Make the changes that matter, because only what you do for Christ will last.

 

Sing:  I've found a new way of living, I've found a new joy divine, I have the fruit of the Spirit, I am abiding, abiding in the vine.

 Abiding in the vine,  Abiding in the vine, love, joy, peace, He has made them mine; I have prosperity, power and victory, abiding, abiding in the vine.