Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2 February 2021

 

Ground Hog’s Day

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” (Romans 1:16-25)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Here in America and Canada today, many folks will wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow. Phil is a groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania,  and he is the central figure in the Borough’s annual Groundhog Day celebration.  On February 2 each year, Punxsutawney holds a civic festival with music and food.  During the ceremony, which begins well before sunrise, Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob, located in a rural area about 2 miles southeast of town. According to the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, he has predicted six more weeks of winter-like weather. If Phil does not see his shadow, he has predicted an "early spring."   The Apostle Paul states people would change the truth of God into a lie and worship and serve the creature more than the creator, who is blessed forever.  In place of the true worship of God and trusting in God, they established idolatry. The Lord stated through the prophet Jeremiah, “This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.” (Jeremiah 13:25).  Paul continues by saying that they would serve the creature more than the creator.  In other words, they would turn to animals.  Scripture states, “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.” (Matthew 16:1-4)  If you want to know the signs of the times and what the weather will be like in the days ahead, ask Jesus.

Sing: I lean on You Lord, I lean on You Lord, for the things that I need I lean on You.  When I don’t know just what to do, I’ve got the faith You're going to see me through.  You supply my every need, I lean on You.

 

Thought For Today: Don’t worship the creature more than God!

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