2010 November 8 - Morning Manna

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life
(Proverbs 4:23).

Today's Morsel:  There seem to be many people suffering with heart problems these days.  Heart attacks, strokes, heart failure.  So many problems seem to be caused by the heart.  Without the heart, we can't live.  Why doesn't everyone have a healthy heart?  Why do so many have blockage to their heart?  Are you having heart problems and don't know it?  Heart problems can kill at a moment's notice without warning.  You may think that you have a good heart, but Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it "(Jeremiah 17:9)?  Your heart can fool you.  Solomon said that you have to guard your heart.  You have to protect it.  You have to ensure that nothing is coming in, and going into your heart that can destroy you.  David, the beloved psalmist, had committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed, and when his sin was revealed to him by God, prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalms 51:10). David realized that he had a heart problem and only God could fix it.  He wasn't aware that this evil had gotten into his heart. He failed to guard his heart. Even with all the praising and acknowledging the great God, and how good God had been to him, he failed to guard his own heart.  Are you having heart issues?  Are you still clinging to past hurts, bitterness, envy, prejudices, and bad decisions?  If so, be careful. These things can affect the heart and cause it to stop working at a moment's notice.   If you don't guard your heart and ensure it remains clean and pure, it's going to destroy you.

Sing:  Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within.  Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within.  Cast me not away from thou presence, Oh Lord. Take not thou Holy Spirit from me.  Restore unto me, the joy of thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.

2010 November 6 - Morning Manna

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God "(Romans 12:1-2).

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind  (Ephesians 4:22-23).

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee (Proverbs 23:7).

Today's Morsel:  What are you thinking right now?  I'll give you a penny for your thoughts.  Isn't it strange that we will become what we think.  Is it any wonder that the apostle Paul calls for us to renew our mind.  What many fail to see, is that once we become new creatures in Christ, through our new birth experience, we have to change the way we think.  I have counseled with many people during my ministry, and I have noticed that in every session, whether it's marriage, finances, job, or family related problems, the cause of every issue, is that people have not changed their way of thinking.  They continue to operate and walk in the flesh and not in the Spirit.  People who say that they are born again and are Christians, have to learn to think anew and afresh.  If you think the way you've always thought, you will always do what you have always done.  And there is nothing new about that.  And this is why so many people in the church are having so many issues.  If you want to have a good marriage, don't get a divorce and look for someone else, try changing your way of thinking and you'll realize that the knight in shining armor, and the princess in white silk lace is still right there with you.  And all those people you think are mean, micro-managing, and foul-mouthed that you work with, if you change your thinking, you'll see that they need to be delivered from the snares of the devil which haveh taken them captive at his will.  Really, renewing your mind doesn't change others, it changes you.  And when we realize that, then we'll be able to see just how beautiful the things around us really are.

Sing:  Today, no condemnation, abides to turn away; My soul, from His salvation, He's in my heart to stay.

Chorus: I see, a crimson stream of blood, it flows from Calvary. It's waves which reach the throne of God, are sweeping over me!

2010 November 5 - Morning Manna

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD (Isaiah 54:17).

Today's Morsel:  What has always intrigued me about the U.S. Military, is the number of weapon systems.  Boy, does these young men and women have toys to play with.  You name it, it's there.  There have been so many weapons developed by man, that it's hard to even name them all.   But even with all the weapons that have been developed, the Lord said that none of them that are formed shall prosper against you.  That means, that there are weapons the enemy of your soul has already developed that he will come against you with, but you can be confident that none of them will destroy you.  His weapons are lies, deceit, envy, jealousy, hatred, lust, temptations, sickness, distress, indebtedness, and discontentment, just to name a few.  But none of them can defeat you if you keep your armor on and prove it every day (Ephesians 6:10-18).  You must remain strong in the Lord.  And that comes through reading and study of His Word and keeping yourself in His love.  You must not allow what people say about you to cause you to become bitter and angry.  Remember, Satan's soldiers  also appears as soldiers of light.  Therefore, you have to give vengeance to the Lord, allow Him to work on your behalf.  The devil has nothing in his arsenal that can defeat you.  He will use physiological warfare, too, in trying to defeat you.  But you must be sober, vigilant, and steadfast in the faith.  Don't lose heart when the darts of his weapons start to fly your way.  Remember, your shield of faith, which has been give to you by God, can repell them all.  So the next time you feel that the enemy's attack is coming against you, stand your ground, because yielding pacifies offenses.  And we are not about to give Satan what he wants!

Sing:  See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow! In our Leader's name we'll triumph over every foe.

Chorus:  "Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still; wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

2010 November 4 - Morning Manna

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you (1 Thessalonians 4:9-11).

Today's Morsel:  During World War II, there was a song made entitled, "Lose Lips, Sink Ships."  In other words, talking too much and providing too much information could aid the enemy. And even today, we hear terms such as OPSEC (Operation Security), TMI (Too Much Information), and as one of my friends use to say, "You talk too much, you'll make grown folks hate you."

 

Paul said that we need to study to be quiet, and to do our own business, and to work with our own hands.  Why do some people feel that they need to share everything that they know.  I've heard it said that Satan can't read your mind, but he understands every word you say and will use them against you.  So I guess if people that are having problems and circumstances would learn to be quiet and let God handle the matter, they may get through it faster.  Solomon said, "What Say Ye?  Life and death or in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 28:21).  Remember, you don't want to aid the enemy of your soul!

Sing: Deeper, higher, everyday in Jesus, till all conflict pass, finds me conqueror, and in His own image, perfected at last.

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

2010 November 3 - Morning Manna

In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalms 11:1-3)

Today's Morsel:  A few years ago, there was an earthquake in Taipei, Taiwan.  And an apartment building fell and lives were lost. When the inspectors reviewed the structure of the building, they noticed that the foundation had been filled in with old metal drums, cans, and other materials, and thus it was not strong enough to withstand the massive tremble that took place.  Lives were lost because someone chose to take a shortcut.  Many churches today are taking shortcuts.  They aren't sticking with the original foundation.  The book of Acts establishes the church's foundation.  What kind of material is your spiritual foundation built on?  Paul said, "We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:20-22).  That means that the church's foundation is solid because Jesus is The Rock upon which it is built.  David said that the wicked tries to shoot arrows at the heart of the upright.  In other words, the wicked is trying to destroy the foundation of the righteous.  If you follow the media and politics, then you know that the wicked is trying to destroy the foundation of Jesus Christ and what the Christian faith stands for.  Jesus said that we would be hated for His name sake.  But let me encourage you, preach the gospel.  It is the foundation of the church, and it is still the only life changing message for the world.  

Sing: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

2010 November 2 - Morning Manna

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit "(Proverbs 15:4)

Today's Morsel:  When I arrived in Vietnam for combat duty, we were first given an orientation on how the enemy can breach our parameters.  It was amazing to watch how the enemy could get through razor sharp concertina wire.  One guy would slowly and tediously open a hole big enough for the others to easily get through and into the parameter without being seen, and it would be through this breach in the defense that many enemy soldiers would come and destroy lives and material.

Satan's goal is to establish a breach in your defense.  Solomon said, "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit."  How we speak can bring about life to others.  But if we use our words incorrectly or perversely, we have a breach (an opening) in our spirit for the enemy to enter through.  Somehow we have allowed the enemy to get inside.  Somehow we have allowed the works of the flesh to manifest themselves within us.  Therefore, we need to search our hearts and ensure that the gap is repaired and filled so that no other enemies can come in.   Solomon tells us to guard our hearts for out of it are the issues of life.  We must become as the psalmist when he prayed,  "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalms 141:3).  Sticks and stones do break bones and words sure do hurt.

  

Sing:  He touched me, Oh He touched me.  And Oh the joy that floods my soul.  Something happened, and now I know, Jesus touched me, and made me whole.

2010 November 1 - Morning Manna

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

Today's Morsel: Are you content with your life?  We like to say, “Change my circumstances and then I’ll be happy.”  James says, “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you."  If I allow God to get close to me, He will take care of my circumstances.   We have to learn to serve God where we are until He clearly calls us elsewhere.  It’s not wrong to better yourself, but more money or a new position doesn’t necessarily mean a better situation nor a change in your outlook.  Jesus said, "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you." That’s the key to coming into the knowledge and knowing God’s will.  If I’m going to live for God, I can do that at any place or at any location.  I use to have people ask me, "How can you serve God in the military?" And I would reply, "The same way you serve God at Wal-mart, K-mart, Burger King or at any other location, I made up my mind."  You see, I can be content driving a Dodge or Cadillac; while living in a nice home or a military tent.  I can be content serving God whether I'm in Okinawa Japan, or 29 palms  California.  I can serve God single or married.  It doesn’t matter. The ball is in my court and I can choose to serve or let it pass.  It's up to me.  Therefore, I conclude that, contentment is totally up to me.   So the issue is not God nor is it my circumstances, but me, myself, and I.  It doesn't matter if ya person a cook, cleaner, clerk, painter, bank teller, washes the sheets, keeps the lawn, tends the animals, or serves the meals and bus tables, etc.  What does it matter what we are asked to do?  Nothing!  All children of God are honored in His sight no matter what our occupataion or location in this life.  Jesus said, "But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:9-10).   So no matter your location or your position in life, keep your eyes on Jesus and keep Him first in your life.  Do all heartily as on to the Lord, and just say that was my duty and then you will be content.

Sing: I am, so satisfied!  I am, so satisfied! With my Savior, He means more to me than anything, anything, that this world could ever offer me.