2010 October 16 - Morning Manna

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:1-6)

Today's Morsel: When I was in the Army and I would see soldier just sitting around doing nothing, I would ask them, "Why aren't you working?" They would sometimes say, "No one has told us what to do?" And I would say, "Who did you ask?" And then I would get that deer in the headlight stare because most times they hadn't asked anyone. You know, many folks are like that in the church. They never ask anyone what there is that they can do to enhance the kingdom of God. Have you stopped to ask God what He wants you to do for His Kingdom? I believe that many saints become frustrated because they don't know what God wants them to do. And they aren't too eager to ask Him, for fear of what He might say! I have found that most people are more happier when they know what they are suppose to be doing and doing it, than just sitting around doing nothing or doing something that they don't like doing. Jesus wants you to be happy laboring in His vineyard. Therefore, you need to find out what He wants you to do and where He wants you to be. You may be an unhappy Sunday school teacher because that's not where the Lord wants you. He might want you to be an usher or greeter because of your great personality. Because of your attention to details and great work ethics, He may want you to be the church janitor. He may want you to be a teacher instead of a pastor, because you have the ability to research and apply stories with understanding and clarity. Or He may want you to be the Sunday school superintendent, instead of a ladies or men's leader, because of your love for children and teaching. But you'll never know if you don't ask Him. And you will continue to be an unhappy, frustrated saint of God in your labor. The apostle Paul wasn't about to be unhappy in his calling, and so he said, "Lord what will you have me to do?" And we see the love and passion that he had for the work of the Lord. Jesus said, "You have not because you ask not."

Sing: Jesus, use me; oh Lord don't refuse me, for surely there's a work that I can do; and even though it's humble, Lord help my will to crumble, though the cost be great, I'll work for you.

2010 October 15 - Morning Manna

And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it (2 Kings 6:1-7).

Today's Morsel: I think probably one of the hardest things to do when you've borrowed something from someone else and you lose it is to go back and tell them you've lost it. I think one of the reasons it's hard is that we think that the person may not believe us. But on the other hand, if we go and say, "I lost the item that you let me borrow and I am willing to replace it or to pay you for it," then our apprehension is lessened. The man in today's passage was concerned because the axe was borrowed and he knew the value of an axe, as they were not easy to come by. And so he cried to the man of God for his help in getting it back. Apparently this man was a man of faith, as he knew who to turn to in his dilemma. Elisha asked him where did it fall? And he showed him the place. Jesus told the church of Ephesus in the book of Revelation, "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent"(Revelation 2:4-5). Have you lost any of the things that Jesus has let you borrow? Since everything that we have belongs to Him, do you still have it in your possession? As Jesus prayed in the garden, He said, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled"(John 17:12). Do you still have the peace and joy that He gave to you? Let me encourage you today, hold fast to the things that He's entrusted you with. You will someday have to give an account.

Sing: I've still got my joy. I've still got my joy. After all things I've been through, I've still got my joy. I've still got my joy. I've still got my joy. After all things I've been through, I've still got my joy.

2010 October 14 - Morning Manna

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God (2 Corinthians 1:1-4).

Today's Morsel: I'm sure that most of you have heard the term "Train the Trainer." It is a term that is used when one leader (instructor) trains other leaders (instructors), teaching them how to train others. As Paul told Timothy, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). Who have you provided comfort to today? What about yesterday? Paul said that Jesus comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort others which are in trouble, by the comfort that we were comforted with from God. Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." When God gives and does things for us, we are to use the same methods to comfort and aid others. How much money has God given to you to support missions, so that others can be comforted through the gospel? Did you use it for that purpose? God does so many wonderful things for us, but if we hoard up everything we receive and never use any of it to aid others, who will comfort us when we need help in our tribulations and trouble? Remember, we are called to edify and not tear down. If you see someone today that look as though they need a little help, you be the one that do it, and fulfill the love of Christ. You never know when the shoe might be on the other foot!

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.

2010 October 13 - Morning Manna

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Today's Morsel: Airlines have become stricter for overweight bags. They now charge you extra for any bag weighing over 50 pounds. It seems as though they are trying to get us to travel light. When traveling within Asia, most Asian airlines will only allow you to carry 20 kilos (44 pounds). Travel light or pay the fine. The writer of Hebrews says that we need to lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us. Just what weights are you carrying around? What cares are you holding on to? What weight can't you shake? Peter tells us to cast all our care upon Jesus for he careth for us (1 Peter 5:7). I think it's time that every believer unload anything they are carrying that isn't like Christ. If you've been hurt, lay it aside. If you been lied on, lay it aside. If you've made a bad decision, lay it aside. If you've just gone through an ugly divorce, lay it aside. Whatever weight is impeding your progress in Christ, lay it aside, as you can't bring it into heaven with you anyhow. As Paul said, you brought nothing into this world and you for certain can't carry it out. So lay it aside. You can't run the race carrying them.

Sing: 1. I'm trading my sorrow. I'm trading my shame. I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord. I'm trading my sickness. I'm trading my pain. I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord. (Chorus)

2. I'm pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure, and his joy's gonna be my strength. Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning. (Chorus)

Chorus: And we say yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord. Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord. Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord, Amen!

2010 October 12 - Morning Manna

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:19-22).

Today's Morsel: Today, almost all automobiles need gasoline to run. The manufacturer made it to run off of a certain type of fuel. The gas that is used must be clean and of a certain octane if the automobile is to run without problems. The Lord formed man from the dust of the earth. But all living creatures have blood within them and none of them can live without the blood. If the blood becomes unclean or defiled, orif there is a large loss of blood, it can cause serious aliment or death. Under the law, the blood was instituted by God for purification. The blood was used for the remission of one's sins. It brought about cleansing and forgiveness. It was the blood that the high priest took when he went into the Holy of Holies before the Mercy Seat of God once a year to present an atonement for the sins of the people. The writer said that almost all things were purged by blood. Somethings were purged by water and fire, but when it came to the forgiveness of sins, God said only blood would be used. Therefore, any person who desires for their sins to be remitted will have to be baptized in Jesus name, as that is when the blood of Jesus is applied to one's life. As Peter said on the Day of Pentecost "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" (Acts 2:38). Jesus shed His blood on Calvary for all. And today that is the only blood that can be used for the forgiveness of sins!

Sing: What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!

2010 October 11 - Morning Manna

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours. And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way (Genesis 45:17-24).

Today's Morsel: Christopher Columbus had a vision of discovering an unknown land. So many who have had dreams of a better place, but because of the uncertainties, they are oftentimes afraid to venture forward. Columbus seems to have been a man of adventure, a man that was willing to take the challenge and to take the risk. He was a man that was not afraid to explore the unknown. Reading through his ship log, something got a hold of him, that possessed him to continue on his journey even in the face of hardships, loss, and amidst auguring, bickering, and fighting among those who traveled with him. Some even questioned the legitimacy of his mission. Yet Columbus pressed on until he discovered the new land, America.

When Joseph sent his brother to get his father Jacob and the rest of his family, he told them, "See that ye fall not out by the way." In other words, don't you allow anything to stop you, deter you, or cause you to lose your way. Today, there are many things out there that will try to get you off course, or to prevent you from reaching your dreams and goals. Let me encourage you, don't fall out of the way. Make sure that you stay in the straight and narrow path, as Jesus is leading you to a better place.

Sing: I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining every day; still praying as I'm onward bound, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Lord lift me up, and let me stand, by faith on heaven's table land, a higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2010 October 9 - Morning Manna

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:13-15).

Today's Morsel:  If you've ever seen the movie "The Wizard of Oa", Dorothy is told that to find the wizard, the one who could show her how to get home, she must follow the "Yellow Brick Road."  In order to get home, she had to follow the instruction, stay on the Yellow brick road, and it would lead here where she was trying to get to.  How many times have we received instruction, but, yet chose our own way of how we will do it?   Instructions are for a purpose.  They are designed to ensure that we do things the correct way, and to also get us to where we are trying to get without getting lost or encountering danger.  Jesus had just told his follower, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:13-15).  His instructions were clear.  But even today, many do not heed His instructions, and they are still following false prophets and wolves in sheep clothing.  Jesus said that not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter the kingdom. But only those that obey His Word. The Word is the instruction to get us on the straight road that will lead us to and through the gates of pearls and onto the streets of gold.  Are you heeding the instructions.

Sing:  Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.