2014 October 31 - Morning Manna

My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. (Psalms 7:10-15)

Today's Morsel: The only difference between a ditch and a rut is depth.  The longer you stay in a rut, the sooner it will become a ditch.  The Psalmist said that the wicked made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.  Solomon said, "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him" (Proverbs 26:27).  So my question to you today is, are you causing your own troubles?  Are you digging your own ditch?  Are you causing yourself to go deeper and deeper in your lowliness?  If you don't take action and get out of the rut you are in, pretty soon you find yourself in a deep ditch and you can't get out.

Sing: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained with sin, sinking to rise no more, but the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me. Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love, lifted, me.

Thought for Today: Get out of the rut before it becomes a ditch (Parker)

2014 October 30 - Morning Manna

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:1-8)

Today's Morsel: Reading Paul's letter here to the Church at Philippi, he calls for the church to help the women which labor with him.   I  have noticed since I have been saved, that there are more women in the church than men.  I believe that every church should recognize the women in their churches for the things that they do, and give them help when they need it.  I really appreciate the things the ladies in the church I pastor do.  One of the ladies I feel that needs to be recognized is the pastor's or minister's wife. Most people don't realize that the ministers' wives probably take more heat seeking missiles of bad attitudes and bad words then the husbands themselves do.  Some people read the scripture, "Touch not mine anointing and do my prophet no harm," but they don't think that that applies to his wife or children.  I wonder what God thinks about those attacks?  Paul tells us, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:27-29).  If we would all realize that we are laborers together with Christ, we would help one another in every way that we can. Especially, our sisters.

Sing: You're my brother, you're my sister, so take me by the hand, together we will work until He comes; There's no foe that can defeat us, when we're walking side by side, as long as there is love we can stand.

Thought for Today: There is but one body. Where do you fit?

2014 October 29 - 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 (Luke 15:11-20)

Today's morsel: Whether we like to admit it or not, the people we see with all the tattoos and body piercing over their bodies are crying out for help.  They can say that they are just expressing themselves, but really there is something inside that is saying, "Someone help me and direct me in the right way."  I'm not down on these people and please don't think I am, I'm just letting us know that these are warning signs of a confused and inwardly hurting generation.  The story of the prodigal son is usually spoken of in most church services sometime during the year.  I have preached from this story many times and have even seen myself in the story.  But what stood out today to me in the story is the father.  The whole story is about the loving and compassionate father and not the son.  If you will notice, the father sees the son, Jesus said, "When he was yet a great way off".   Notice, the father recognized his son a long ways off.  Even though he was in a terrible condition, the father still knew who he was.  Even today, kids who have tattoos and body piercing, parents still know who they are.  We can never get so low that Jesus cannot recognize us, reach us or find us.  He knows who we are.  And when we make up our minds to come home, He'll see us coming, will meet us, and restore us to our rightful state and place in the Kingdom.

Sing:  If you see my child somewhere, as you are journeying here and there, tell him I am waiting, for my child to come home.

Thought for Today: Jesus over came the world and you can too.

2014 October 28

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (Isaiah 6:1-5)

Today's Morsel: Probably one of the saddest days in a person's life is when they discover that they really didn't know him/herself.  This can happen when you explode on someone in anger or outrage.  You do something that you get caught at, not realizing you were not as close to God as you thought.  You send a defaming email or gossip about someone else.  These things are a self-sign that you have allowed things to get into your heart that you may not have been aware of.  When Isaiah got a glimpse into heaven, he realized that he was a man of unclean lips.  Why didn't he know it before?  He realized that if at that very moment he had to appear before God, he was in trouble.  This is the wrong time in one's life to discover himself, when they have to stand before God.  The Rich Young Ruler thought that he was good to go, only to discover that he was attached to his stuff.   I wonder if this is why Lot's wife looked back, because she was attached to her stuff.  Isaiah cried, "Woe is me."  Luckily for him, it wasn't the final judgment when he discovered himself.

Sing:  Don't let me forget where You found me, let me remember You had to reach way down; let me toil till I'm footsore, let me search till I'm weary, but don't let me stand without a star in my crown.    

Thought for Today: The saddest day in a person's life is when he discovers that he did not know himself.

2014 October 27 - Morning Manna

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
(Nehemiah 1:1-6).

And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven."
 (Nehemiah 2:1-4)

Today's Morsel: Most of us have read the book of Nehemiah, but perhaps many of us may not have captured the insight of Nehemiah.  Somewhat like Daniel, even though Nehemiah is in captivity, he has found favor with the king.  But please note, both Daniel and Nehemiah have God first and foremost in their lives.  They both seem to have grasped what was later written in Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the Kingdom of God.  They are both prayer warriors, if I may use that term.  Before we can find favor with those over us, we need to have a relationship in prayer with the King of all kings; Jesus!  Even though Nehemiah was the king's cup bearer, which is no easy task, when he heard the news that the walls of Jerusalem had been torn down and the gates burned and the city destroyed, he sat down and wept.  He mourned, fasted, and prayed to God.  By all accounts, he may have prayed to God for almost four months before he appeared to ask permission from the king to go rebuild the wall.  Even when the king asked him what was wrong and what was his request, he didn't answer but prayed to God again. This shows the wisdom that he has now obtained.  What I find in this story more than rebuilding the wall again is this:  If you are going to do a work for the Lord, you need to have a committed prayer life.  You always want God to go before you, before you take on any task because you want to make sure that you are in God's will; and when you need resources, you want to know that God has already moved upon the hearts of people that people will provide what you need them from.  Not only did the king allow Nehemiah to go, but he gave him previsions for the resources and a military escort to Jerusalem as well.

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

Thought for Today: Prayer still works. 

2014 October 25 - Morning Manna

"And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel"(1 Kings 18:41-46)

Today's Morsel: The Bible says that without a vision the people perish.  In other words, where there is no sight (mentally), that is a dream, revelation, or oracle, and without direction, people don't know what to do nor where to go.  The children of Israel had been without rain for three and a half years.  And now Elijah prayed for it to rain.  But he needed a sign from God. And so he sent his servant to see if he saw a cloud that would indicate tit was going to rain.  But the servant saw nothing when he went.  Most of us know that if it is going to rain, we usually are going to see a dark cloud somewhere in the sky.  But the servant said there was nothing.  And so Elijah told him to go seven times.  On the seventh time, he came back and said he saw a cloud about the size of a man's hand.  And this was all Elijah needed to hear to know that it was going to rain.  Jesus said that if we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, we can say to the mountain to move and it would move. Once Elijah had been told by his servant about the small cloud, he told his servant to go tell the King to get down quickly from the mountain because there was an abundance of rain coming.   Right now, you may not see anything sign of an answer for what you have been praying about.  Maybe it has been a long time and you haven't heard from God. Maybe you are feeling a little dry and could use a little Holy Ghost rain to shower you right about now, or a word of encouragement to lift you up.  Well, let me encourage you today, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense 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).  Jesus will come through, so hang in there.  The Bible is all the sign you need.

Sing: I feel the rain!  I feel the rain!  I feel it falling down on me. I feel the rain! I feel the rain!  I feel it falling down on me. Well it's the former and the latter rain together, and I'm not talking about the weather, it's the Holy Ghost rain and it's falling down on me.

Thought for Today: The Bible is all the sign you need.

2014 October 24 - Morning Manna

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:15-16)

Today's Morsel: I never would have thought that I would see the day that we buy water to drink.   I notice that on every bottle it says, "pure water".  I bet it's not pure.  For something to be pure, it has to be the real deal.  It was pure when it came from God.  But now, because man has tampered with it, it isn't pure.  I think I would be just as healthy drinking out of the garden hose like I did as a kid, or drawing it out of a well with a bucket, as drinking it out of a plastic bottle.  Wasn't that plastic bottle recycled from something else.  Hmmmmm!

Paul told Titus that to the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  When our heart is pure, our whole life will be pure.  But if our heart isn't pure, then our life isn't going to be pure either.  Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).  If our heart is not pure, clean, and wholesome, we cannot enter heaven. Sin can't enter there. Solomon tells us to keep our heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issue of life (Proverbs 4:23).  We must guard what we allow to come in.  A pure heart produces pure motives, pure thoughts, and a pure mind.  Our ways are cleansed by the word of God.  Therefore, we must allow the word take root within us.

Sing: Create in me a clean heart, O' God, and renew a right spirit within me; Create in me a clean heart, O' God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away, from Thy presence O' God; take not they Holy Spirit from me, restore unto me, the joy of Thy Salvation, and renew a right spirit with me.

Thought for Today: As a man thinketh in His heart so is he. (King Solomon)

2014 October 23 - Morning Manna

And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's. (Genesis 31:19)

Today's Morsel:  We hear a lot about identity theft these days.  I'm still confused as to why someone would want to steal someone else's identity for stealing and personal gain. Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.  And I believe that this caused a curse to her.  I also believe that too many Christians are taking on the identity of the evil one.  The church seems to be a place filled with complainers.  We seem to hear more about aches, pain, politics, and the wrongs of the world by Christians than we do the praises of the Lord.  That's taking on the wrong identity.  James wrote: "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace"(James 3:14-18). Even Jesus said that ye shall know them by their fruit.  If we say that we are Christians, then our identity must be like Jesus.

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

  

Thought for today: Don't take on the wrong identity. (Parker)

2014 October 22 - Morning Manna

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Today's Morsel:  Most people in the church have probably heard this passage more than any other.  But few, if any, have come to accept it and live their lives according to it.  I do believe that inside of every Christian, there is that desire to trust God.  But for some unknown reason, we still put our trust in others over Him.  Is this wrong, or is it the way we were made?  Paul even wanted his thorn removed from his flesh.  But after God told him His grace was sufficient for him, he became a glorifying fool.  In other words, he turned his thinking into continuous worship.  The key to trusting God with all of our heart, is to remove our wants and replace them with only our needs, and to pray, "Not my will be done, but Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Sing: I know the Lord will make a way for me; I know the Lord will make a way for me; If I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right, I know the Lord will make a way for me.

Thought for Today: Trusting God requires you to remove self. (Parker)

2014 October 21 - Morning Manna

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:1-5)

Today's Morsel: I think that some folks think that just because they have become born again they have finished the race, not realizing that they have actually just entered the race.  To be born again doesn't mean that you have finished.  If means that you just entered warfare.  You weren't the Satan's enemy as long as you were not born again.  But now you are on his target board for being a trader.  And now you must decided who will be your commander and chief.  Once you are born again, you must learn how to live, act, and discipline yourself so you do not become a casualty of our own foolishness.  The Bible must become your rule and guide book of how to live.  You must now walk circumspectly, cautious, and watchful toward them that are without to avoid pitfalls that are set now by your adversary.  Being born again means that you have made a decision to start over and live the correct way, the way Jesus desires and commands you to live.

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

Thought for Today: Born again does not mean you've crossed the finished line. (Parker)

2014 October 20 - Morning Manna

And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. (Judges 2:17)

Today's Morsel: What is it about old habits that are so hard for some people to break.  Even after some people are filled with the Holy Ghost, they still seem to have a hard time overcoming the power of sin.  Paul lets us know that Demas had even forsaken him for this present world.   I believe the determining factor is that one must make up their mind to keep themselves pure.  To overcome old habits, one has to cause their flesh to suffer until they have themselves under complete control.  A person must be willing to stand on their promise of not going back to the old way of life.  Scripture says that the children of Israel would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods.  They had become use to serving false idols and so when instructions were given to teach them how to live, they did not obey the commandments of the Lord and they turned out of the way of their fathers.  Old habits can be hard to break, therefore, we should make Jesus a "habit" and we will be able to serve Him all the days of our life.

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

Thought for Today: Old habits are hard to break, so make Jesus the main one. (Parker)

2014 October 18 - Morning Manna

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Today's Morsel:  A few weeks ago, I purposed in my heart to memorize the eleventh chapter of the book Hebrews.  Memorizing the word of God is a hobby that I have taken on for myself to do many years ago.  I really like memorizing scriptures.  Not for showmanship, but to hide the word in my heart that I might not sin against God.  I usually start on a Monday and try to have a chapter or passage memorized by Friday.  But for some reason, Hebrews 11 was a difficult chapter for me to get memorized.  It was not because it was a hard chapter to memorize, but because I kept reflecting on the faith of those who are mentioned in it.  When I came to the part about Abraham, it kept hitting me about his faith.  I felt as though God was asking me in a question, "At what point in Abraham's life do you think he really started to trust Me?"  As I pondered on this, I felt that it was at Isaac's conception.  Scripture says, "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised"(Hebrews 11:11).  You see when you are 90 and 100 years old and bear seed, you know that it is of God! And Abraham became known as the father of the faithful. Scripture also lets us know, "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure" (Hebrews 11:17-19).  You see, when you move to that point of total trust in God, you are willing to give Him your very best.  Even if it's your promised child.

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

Thought for Today: Faith is just another word for acting on hope.

2014 October 17 - Morning Manna

 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:28-31)

Today's Morsel: The church at Rome seems to be a church that wanted to know more.  From the onset of the book of Romans until the last chapter, Paul, by all accounts, seems to have the pedal to the metal and in a full thrust for it seems to bring this church into a fuller understanding of Christ.  His sixth chapter is to reflect upon them that sin will kill you and that they should avoid it at all cost.  The eighth chapter is to let them know that if any have not the Spirit of Christ, they are none of His.  He also pushes for them not to lose their hope no matter what they are facing and going through in their lives. And because they are Christ's, all things will work for their good.  But then, he gives them what I like to call a shot in the arm.  He says to them, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"  The latter part of this scripture I have written a book on.  This statement, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" is powerful!  Paul is letting the church know that God is with His church at all times.  And that if God be for us, everyone else might as well be too.  Like Paul, I am confident just like he told the church in Philippi, "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  (Philippians 1:6).

Sing: If God be for us, who can be against us; If God be for us, who can be against us; If God be for us, who can be against us; just have faith in the power of the Lord.

Thought for Today: If God be for us, everyone else might as well be too. (John Grant) 

2014 October 16 - Morning Manna

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. (Proverbs 19:8)

Today's Morsel:  As I get older, I find myself praying more for the wisdom of God.  I often find myself now studying God's word more than just reading it.  For the past 30 plus years, I have been reading the book of Proverbs every day.  I feel that this is a book of wisdom for men.  I was talking with a minister friend of mine, and I told him, Yyou know, just out of nowhere it seems that God gives Solomon a nugget of gold to drop right in the middle of a passage that doesn't seem to apply to anything I was reading about."  For example, I had read the book of Chronicles  for years, and then Bruce Wilkerson, comes along and stumbles across the prayer of Jabez and makes million. "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested" (1 Chronicles 4:10).  Look at the wisdom in this passage.  All he did was pray and ask God to bless him and enlarge his coast, keep him from evil, and God granted it to him.  This wisdom was found stuck right in the middle of a bunch of names.  So if we aren't careful, we can read right across wisdom.  I don't know about you, but I am going to keep searching for the wisdom in God's word.  I want to be rich in the things of God so that I may find what is good and know how to do what is good. "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Hebrews 13:16).

Sing: 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.

Thought for Today: A soul without knowledge is not good. (King Solomon)

2014 October 15 - Morning Manna

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them,  How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

(Luke 2:48-52)

Today's Morsel: As I was studying the word of God the other day,  it says twice in Luke chapter 2, that Mary hid the sayings in her heart (verses 19 and 51).  What about you, do you keep what people tell you in your heart?  In 2 Chronicles 20,  King Jehoshaphat had to remind God of what He had said to them. "And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help" (2 Chronicles 20:5-9).  When is the last time you prayed and reminded God of what He said.  God is not a man that He should lie, so remind Him of what He said. You are not going to offend Him.  I think He will be pleased that you know what He says to you in His word.  Mary knew who He was based on what she heard the shepherd tell her about Him, and Jesus himself.  And so when they needed wine atthe marriage in Cana (John 2), she just told the servants, "Wwhatsoever He says to you to do, do it."   Do you know Him?  Have you hidden the sayings of Him in your heart?

Sing: Standing on the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring. Glory in the highest I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.

Standing! Standing! Standing on the promises of Christ my Savior, standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.

Thought for Today: The word hidden in your heart today, could mean the difference between life and death tomorrow (Parker).

2014 October 14 - Morning Manna

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life

(Genesis 3:22-24).

Today's Morsel:  God's creation was very unique.  The Bible lets us know, "Out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil"(Genesis 2:9).  If we will notice the two trees spoken of here in the midst of the garden:  The tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  These two tree represent 2 things.  First, which is heaven, the tree of life, and second, the world, which is the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  And it was the latter tree that God told Adam to not partake of.  Some have asked the question, why?  Even though all the trees were pleasant to the eye and good for food, one had evil associated with it.  You see, the world is pleasant to the eye, and it has many good things in it for us, but it also has much evil associated with it as well.  Because most people do not possess the spirit of discernment, they are not able to discern the good from evil.  What they may think is good for them, they may soon discover it was evil and then it is too late.  John tells us, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:15-16).   Notice the three things associated with the world, which are the weapons of Satan.  Lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life.  Satan told Eve that she would not die if she partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil but that she would become a god, knowing good from evil.  His statement was partially true. and partial truth is a lie. And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil. But he didn't say that she would become a god.  Satan told Eve, you will become as gods.  In other words, you will be able to decide for yourself.  You will be able to make your own choices in life. You'll be able to do what you want.   And we see the results of their decision to listen to Satan, and  her and Adam's disobedience today.  Unless man is willing to take hold of the tree of life and live forever, God said he will die; both naturally and spiritually.  The only hope for man today is Jesus, the Tree of Life.  More and more are partaking of the forbidden fruit and they are dying.  We have received the charge from Him.  "And he said unto them,  Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16).  The gospel was designed to bring us all back to the Tree of Life that we may live.  Are you doing your part?

Sing: This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue, the angels are beckoning me, from heavens open door, and I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Thought for Today: The gospel still works, so share it.

2014 October 13 - Morning Manna

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (Luke 5:1-7)

Today's Morsel: Each year, the Wide World of Sports, Bass Fishing Tournament, starts here in La Crosse along the Mississippi River.  It's amazing the number of boats and people that are here in the city during that time. Sometimes when I drive down River Road along the Mississippi River while they are fishing, I see many of the boaters in the same location.  I think to myself, "Why can fishers in the natural get close together when they are fishing, but in the church when we are fishing they want us to be far apart."   When Jesus told Peter to launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught, scripture says, "They enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink."  Notice, they called for others to come and help them and they filled the other ship as well.  If we are going to advance God's kingdom, we must do it ethically and be willing to allow others to fish even in the area where Jesus tells us to let down our nets.

Sing: You're my bother your my sister, so take me by the hand, together we will work until He comes.  There's no foe that can defeat us when we are walking side by side, as long as there is love we can stand.

Thought for Today:  The more fish we can catch together, the less the devil will have in his boat at the end of the day. (Parker)

2014 October 11 - Morning Manna

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. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:39-47)

Today's Morsel: I'm sure some of you have read autobiographies of people before you ever meet them, and once you meet them you are somewhat surprised as they don't look anything like the book you read because of the picture that you drew in your mind of them.  An autobiography is supposed to be a true story.

Many people today read their Bibles the same as the people did in Jesus day.   When they saw and met Him, He was nothing like what they had read of Him.  They were totally confused and were looking for someone else.  They kicked Him out of the temple, ran Him out of town, and called Him a fraud, all because of the picture they had drawn in their minds of Him.   John said, "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:10-14).  When the religious leaders began to question Jesus of His authority and power, He told them to search the scriptures for they testified of Him.  In other words, He was telling them that the Old Testament was part of My autobiography.  And if you had read it, you should have known who I AM!

Sing: [Verse 1]
I am the Lord, I'm the Almighty God, I am the One for whom nothing is too hard, I am the Shepherd and I am the Door, I am the Good News to the bound and the poor

[Chorus]
I am, I am, I am, I am.

[Verse 2]
I am the Righteous One and I am the Lamb, I am the Ram in the bush for Abraham, I am the ultimate Sacrifice for sin
I am your Redeemer, the Beginning and the End. (Chorus)

[Verse 3]
I am Jehovah , And I am the King, I am Messiah, David's offspring.  I am your High Priest and I am the Christ, I am the Resurrection, I am the Light.  (Chorus)

[Verse 4]
I am the Bread and I am the Wine, I am your Future so leave your past behind, I am the One in the midst of two or three, I am your Tabernacle, I am your Jubilee (Chorus)

Thought for Today: Everybody ought to know who Jesus is!  (G.T. Haywood)

2014 October 10 - Morning Manna

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21)

Today's Morsel: I have come to realize that every one of us has the ability to be what God desires us to be or become.  There should be no human being with failures in their life.  God's word teaches us how to be successful in everything that we do.  Most people fail because they don't heed the Word of God.  Failures are so often because of a  violation of the Word of God.  Marriages fail because people don't heed God's word.  Indebtedness happens because of people's wants.   Paul calls it lust.  You show me any failure and I'll show you that a Bible principle or God's Word was most likely violated.  Notice what Paul said, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."  Paul understood that He could do all things through Christ who strengthened him and we should too.  When we allow God's Spirit and His Word to lead and guide us, we have the ability to become whatever God desires us to become.

Sing: I am, cause God said I am; I am, cause God said I am. I'm more than a conqueror through Him that loved me, I am, cause God said I am.

Thought for Today: Every man has the ability to be what God wants Him to be.

2014 October 9 - Morning Manna

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
(Joel 3:14)

Today's Morsel: Most bad decisions are caused by not seeking God or godly council before the decision is made. What I have found is that most people come to you after they realize they have made a wrong decision and then they want you to tell them how to fix it.  One of the problems with this is that these same people, when they come to you, will never tell you the complete story because of self justification.  In other words, they want to be seen as the right one and that the bad decision was really not their fault.  But notice what Joel said, "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."  In other words, everyone, sooner or later, is going to be faced with having to make some decisions in their life.  But he wanted them to know that God is always present when you have to make them.  And therefore, we should seek Him when we have decisions to make (my wording).

Sing: I'm trusting to the unseen hand, that guides me through this weary land; And some sweet day I'll reach that strand, still guided by the unseen hand.

Thought for Today:  Almost all problems are caused by bad decisions.

2014 October 8 - Morning Manna

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

(Matthew 11:28-30)

 Today's Morsel: Here in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Riverside Park is a very beautiful park.  Located on the west side of the state of Wisconsin, three rivers meet here, (the Black, La Crosse, and Mississippi Rivers) and you can look across the Mississippi River into the state of Minnesota from the park.  It is a park for rest, relaxation, entertainment, and touring.  You can see barges going up and down the River. Boats sailing, fishing, and just joy riding.  Tour groups coming to ride the Mississippi Queen.  Bird watchers. Kids playing in the park.  Joggers.  Walkers.  And even those who are there just for relaxation.  But with all this park offers, in order for to enjoy it, I have to go to it.  All this beauty does me no good, if I never go there. The same is true with God.  If we lack rest and we never go to Him for it, even though He has offered it, it's not His fault if we do not have it.  The same way Riverside Park affords the things it does, Jesus does too.  You can go to the park and get rest, but it will only be temporary.  Yet you can go to Jesus and have continual rest.  It's our choice.  "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately"(Mark 6:31-32).  Why not come apart a while with Jesus in the park, so that you do not come apart.

Sing:  I come to the Garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses; And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share, as we tarry there, none other, has ever known.

Thought for Today:  A walk in the park requires you to go to the park.

2014 October 7 - Morning Manna

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6).

Today's Morsel: How often do you question yourself about who you are in Christ?  Do you ever ask yourself if you are measuring up to God's word?  Or do you ever ask God how you are measuring up and if He is well pleased with you?  I have come to realize the soul of man must often times ask tough questions of himself.  I got this from King David when he asked himself, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Psalms 42:11). The best examiner of oneself is the man in the mirror.  Paul tells, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall"(1 Corinthians 10:12).  If we are willing to ask ourselves the tough questions now, and make the adjustment to our lives based on the answer from the Spirit, we won't have to be concerned when we stand before Him on that day.

Sing: Aren't you getting just a bit tired of foolish around? You try to laugh your way through life but you're not gaining ground.  Why not try the Lord today, just ask Him in your heart to stay, and you'll find Jesus love to be the best thing that you ever found.

Chorus: Jesus got a hold of my life and He won't let me go.  Jesus got in to my heart He got in to my soul, I used to be so sad, but now I'm happy free and I'm glad, cause Jesus got a hold of my life and He won't let me go.

Thought for Today: The soul of man must often times ask tough questions of himself.

2014 October 6 - Morning Manna

And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

(1 Samuel 17:22-26)

Today's Morsel: The sign of a true man of God is seen when he is challenged.  If he becomes flustered, bothered, angered, upset, afraid, and agitated, he's not made perfect in love.  When a man is perfected in his love for God and others, he can face any challenge and walk away victorious because he knows in whom he believes.  David saw Goliath as a challenge while everyone else saw him as a mountain that could not be overcome.  Maybe this is where we get the saying, "The bigger they come, the harder they fall."  Goliath sure fell.  David didn't see Goliath as a problem to himself.  He knew what God had already done for him.  And so he was not afraid to face him.  David figured that if God gave him the strength to deal with a bear and a lion he would give him the strength to deal with this giant.  When you are aware of what God has done for you, no problem or challenge should cause you to fear.  You should just see every situations as an opportunity for God to work on your behalf.

Sing: I've got a God who with His angels watches over me, I've got a God who with His angels puts my enemy beneath my feet, I got a God who's with me when I'm sick and when I'm feeling well, I've got a God!  I've got a God, and my God never fails, I've got a God!

Thought for Today: Challenges should be seen as just bumps in the road. (Parker)

2014 October 4 - Morning Manna

And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:1-3)

Today's Morsel:  I often wonder why Israel had such a hard time trusting God.  But then I realize that when a person has carried a burden for a long period of time, and has prayed for it to be removed and it hasn't been, it makes it hard for them to trust God.  What I also find is what affects our trust factor, is we usually want things to happen on our own timeline.  When they don't, we don't think that God is working on our behalf.  And so this too, makes it hard for some folks to trust Him.  The writer of Hebrews tells us that the just must live by faith (Hebrews 10:38).  No one has control over God and no one can tell Him what to do.  This is why we have to learn trust with Him.  But if we say that we know Him, and then don't trust Him, we may not be speaking truth from our hearts.  Isaiah said that God was His salvation and that he would trust in Him and not be afraid.  When you have received salvation, you too must trust Him.  If He gave you salvation based on what He said He would do according to His word, don't you think that He'll still come through for you in other things as well? Notice, the word "Trust" only has one "U".  Therefore, the ball is in your court to make it happen.

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

Thought for Today: Trust is just another word for faith. And without it, you can't please God either.  (Parker)

Answers to yesterday's Manna questions

1. What scriptures tell you how to handle disagreements with each other? Matthew 5:23-24

2. What scriptures tell a husband and wifes how to live?

Ephesians 5:21-33

3. What scriptures tell fathers how to rear their children?

Ephesians 6:4

4. What scriptures tell you how to avoid the lust of the flesh?  Galatians 5:16

5. What scriptures tell you what is the whole duty of man?

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

2014 October 3 - Morning Manna

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Today's Morsel:  How much time of your day would you say that you give to study?  Not only the word of God, but other things as well.  Most people find that it is essential for them to apply part of their time in study so that they can be successful in whatever they are doing while others do not. One of the most effective witnesses for God is a person who knows what God's word says, they have the wisdom and knowledge of how it applies to current situations and circumstances,  and they know when to open their mouths to use it.  I am amazed at the number of people who say that they are Christians but do not possess the wisdom of God's word.  Paul says that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God (Ephesians 6:18).  It is both an offensive and a defensive weapon.  If used wrong, it can kill someone.  If used right, it can save.  It also has the ability to defend and protect you.  We must study it so that we know how and when to use it.  Here are a few questions to determine if you need more study of God's word.

1. What scriptures tell you how to handle disagreements with each other?

2. What scriptures tell a husband and wife how to live?

3. What scriptures tell fathers how to rear their children?

4. What scriptures tell you how to avoid the lust of the flesh?

5. What scriptures tell you what is the whole duty of man?

 I will put the answers in tomorrow's Manna.

We must study God's word, because it will keep us on the right track and will lead us to heaven.

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

Thought for Today: Any man who does not know the word of God is too far from his creator. (Parker)

2014 October 2 - Morning Manna

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:6-14)

Today's Morsel: What is it about sin that it is so powerful and alluring?  What is it about it that seems to captivate so many so easily?  I think Paul helped our understanding to these questions.  Paul wrote to the church at Rome, "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet" (Romans 7:7); "Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression"(Romans 4:15).  You see, when there is a law and you violate that law, that is wrong, and that becomes sin; as all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17).  The laws of legality of the land do not trump the laws of God.  So never think that a law of the land that you live in make it okay to violate God's laws.  God's rules and guidelines are for His people to obey so that they can avoid sin.  As He told Cain, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him"(Genesis 4:7).  Sin is always associated with our disobedience and wants.  Not our obedience and needs. Therefore, we must not allow our disobedience to exceed our obedience and our wants to exceed our needs or we can easily fall into Satan's trap of sin.

Sing: I was once a sinner, but I came pardon to receive from my Lord; This was freely given and I found that He always kept His word.

Chorus: There's a new name written down in glory, and it's mine, O yes, it's mine! And the white robed angels sing the story, "A sinner has come home."  For there's a new name written down in glory, and it's mine, o yes, it's mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven, never more to roam.

Thought for Today:  Sin is a by-product of your wants. (Parker)