Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 11 January 2021

 

Birth Before Growth

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.” (Acts 19:1-7)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Before we can grow spiritually, we must be born-again of the water and the spirit.  When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, scriptures states, “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) Spiritual growth can only occur once we are born again.  If we have not crucified the flesh and the old man, that is what we will still desire to follow and feed, which will cause our flesh to be strong. Even in the natural world, a baby cannot grow to its full potential and state until it is born from the womb and weaned from the breast.  There are many people, who desire to know God, and about the things of God, so that they can mature and grow, but they have yet to be born again.  If you have not followed the advice and instructions by the apostle Peter in Acts 2:38, why not take that step first so that you can be born again according to scripture and can then grow into spiritual maturity.

 

Sing:  Born-again, there has been 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: “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 2:38-39)