2010 November 16 - Morning Manna

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities (2 Corinthians 11:24-30).

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24)

  

Today's Morsel:  Have you noticed that all those commercials and advertisements you hear about the longest lasting batteries really aren't  true?  I don't think that the Energizer Bunny lasts longer than any other battery.  He may beat for a while, but he's coming to an end sooner or later.  If you are looking for something to keep you running and running, and going and going, get the Holy Ghost in your life.  Look at the apostle Paul.  From the time he heard the truth of the Gospel, received the Holy Ghost, and applied it to his life, he didn't stop running until he was bound and couldn't run any more.  And then the only way they could stop him from running was to kill him.  But that really didn't stop him either.  What his death did was cause people to seek for the "product" Paul was selling.  Have you found the product that bears Jesus' name, the One that will keep you running forever?  It's called "Holy Ghost Power."

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth "(Acts 1:8).  

 "And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:7-12).

 If you are going to keep on going to make it to the end, you are going to need that Holy Ghost Power.

Sing:  I got it, the Holy Ghost power.  Do you want it, the Holy Ghost power.  I need it, the Holy Ghost power.  Go back to the altar, Down on your knees, Stay there ‘til you get the Holy Ghost power.

2010 November 15 - Morning Manna

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

Today's Morsel:  The way that the world is going, so many people are on edge and full of unrest.  People seem to be stressed, despaired, perplexed, and hopeless.  I don't know why Christians are so concerned about the way the world is going; they get themselves into such a knot over the way things are.  This isn't our home, we're just passing through.  We are to become insulated from this world.  Remember when the Lord told Noah to pitch the Ark within and without with pitch.  In other words, seal it tight.  You need to be sealed within and without with the Holy Ghost and the Word of God.  Don't think that people who are doing wicked are going to get away. They shall soon be gone as the chaff with the wind.  Don't think that God doesn't see their wicked ways.  He will judge them (Psalms 1). Therefore, you keep your mind and focus stayed on Jesus, keep praying, watching, and you'll see what He does about their wickedness.  You shouldn't sweat the small stuff.  God always has His children's best interest at heart.  Paul said, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints."  Don't let what you see taking place in this world trouble you.  Keep witnessing for Jesus.  Live your life as a His chosen vessel, and you'll be able to rein with Him when it's all over.

Sing: I am weak but thou are strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong; I'll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

 

Chorus: Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it, Jesus is my plea; daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord let it be.

2010 November 13 - Morning Manna

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
(Proverbs 24:10)

Today's Morsel: "Quitters never win and winners never quit."  I'm sure you've heard that quote.  But why are so many winners quitting? You see those who are born again or winners, but yet today, we see so many of them are quitting.  I'm not talking about quitting a career, a profession, or even a position in the church.  I'm talking about how people are just giving up on God.  They are throwing in the towel and walking away.  For some reason, they have become weary in well doing.  I think that weariness has been caused by a shadowed prayer life.  When Jesus told Peter to watch and pray, that he enter not into temptation; He told him, "The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). When you quit, you have been over-come by the temptation called "Quit."  I'm sure many of you have faced this enemy of your soul.  He's always going to be there when you are working for the Lord.  Let me show you how he works.  This spirit will tell you to Quit trying to be so holy; Quit trying to be Miss/Mr. Goodytwoshoes; Quit trying to be so perfect; Quit trying to make people like you;  Quit talking about Jesus all the time; Quit wasting your time on those people, they don't won't to hear about Jesus anyway.  And the spirit to quit will over power you if you don't pray. Solomon said that if you quit in the day of adversity, your strength is small.  Do you need to exercise your faith more?  Jude said that we need to build up ourselves in our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 20).  If you are going to be strong in the Lord, you have to pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything.  Jesus said that if you pray you won't quit.  This is because the more you pray, the more you will see the need to keep doing the right things in your life.

Sing:  I'm learning how to lean, and depend on Jesus.  He's my friend, and He's my guide.  I'm learning how to lean, and depend on Jesus; I found out, if I trust Him, He will provide!

2010 November 12 - Morning Manna

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works

(2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Today's Morsel:  They say that people who are labeled as being identical twins, really aren't identical, but each of them have some differences from the other.  They may look alike from a distance, but once up close, you are able to see some of the differences that each of them possess.  Their eye color may be different; or one may have a different head shape, or nose size.  There will always be something different.  And they will have a unique DNA.  Even though Jacob and Esau were twins, they were different in many ways.  Paul said that Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness.  In other words, they may look like the real ministers of the gospel, but they are totally different in many ways when you get up close.  They may be able to preach the Word with boldness and know the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation; but when you get up close to them, if you know Truth, you will be able to identify those marks that aren't like Christ.  Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruit."  Their fruit won't be sweet.  They will say that they know Jesus, but their attitude and character won't be like His.  Even their lifestyle will reflect the worlds ways and not Christ's.  They will tell you one thing, but do another.  They will preach to you to do, but they won't do.  They will preach to you to give, but they won't give.  But you won't be able to see this from afar.  You will have to get up close to them in order to see them for who they really are.  As Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).

Sing: 1. Satan's like a roaring lion, roaming to and fro; seeking whom he may devour, the Bible tells me so.  Many souls have been his prey, to fall in some weak hour, but God has promised us toda,y His overcoming power.(Chorus)

         

2. On the day of Pentecost a rushing might wind, blew into the upper room, and baptized all of them, with a power greater than any earthly foe, and I'm so glad I've got it too, I'm gonna let the whole world know. (Chorus)

 Chorus:  Greater is He that is in me, greater is He that is in me, greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.

2010 November 11 - Morning Manna

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Today's Morsel:   I watched the flag pass by one day, it fluttered in the breeze; a young Marine saluted it, and then he stood at ease.  I looked at him in uniform, so young, so tall, so proud; With hair cut square and eyes alert, he'd stand out in any crowd.  I thought ... how many men like him, had fallen through the years?  How many died on foreign soil?  How many mothers' tears?   How many pilots' planes shot down?  How many died at sea?  How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?  No ... Freedom is not free.   I heard the sound of Taps one night, when everything was still; I listened to the buglar play, and felt a sudden chill; I wondered just how many times that Taps had meant "Amen," When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend; I thought of all the children, of the mothers and the wives, of fathers, sons and husbands ... with interrupted lives.  I thought about a graveyard, at the bottom of the sea, of unmarked graves in Arlington ... No ... Freedom is not free!  

 

Freedom isn't free.  And today I salute all the veterans who have served that we may have liberty and freedom in our country. 

 

In order for us to be free from our trespasses and sins, Jesus died for us.  Paul said that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  Do you have the Holy Ghost dwelling inside of you?  If you do, than you should be free from yourself.  Solomon said, "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself" (Proverbs 14:14).  The best freedom is freedom from self.  Jesus said that He came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18).  Are you free?

Sing:  He set me free, yes, He set me free. He broke the bars of prison for me.  I'm glory bound, my Jesus to see.  Glory to God, He set me free.

 

Happy Veteran Day, my fellow comrades!

2010 November 10 - Morning Manna

Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD (Jeremiah 9:1-3).

Today's Morsel:  Have you ever seen a child trying to get an older person's hand open, a hand where one of their toys or a piece of candy they've been promised has been placed?  If you will notice, those little hands seem to have a strong pull in their effort to get what they want.  When we lived in Okinawa, I would watch church people sleep outside the post and base exchanges (PX/BX) all night just to be first in line for toys or clothing; yet you could never get them to be on time for church!  It's amazing the amount of strength and energy we seem to have when it's something that we want.  But when it comes to truth, people don't always seem to be too  valiant about it.  How eager are you for the truth?  Daniel said, "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (Daniel 11:32).  Are you avid for the truth?  Are you breaking down the doors of the church to get a front row seat so that you will know more about God?  Are you pushing your way through the crowds at Christmas to get a new Bible?  James said, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17).  Jesus said the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).   So let me encourage you today, put some energy and strength towards getting the truth more than other things.  Without Jesus, you can do nothing.

Sing:  It shall be light in the evening time; the path to glory you will surely find through the water way; it is the light today.  Baptized in Jesus' name. Young and old, repent of all your sin, then the Holy Ghost will enter in, the evening time has come; 'Tis a fact that God and Christ are one.

2010 November 9 - Morning Manna

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan
(Jeremiah 12:5)?

Today's Morsel:  Over the years, I have heard students say, "That was a hard test.  Man, I don't know if I passed or failed. That was the most difficult test I've ever taken."  They live a life of stress and worry because of a test.   Jeremiah said, "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?"  In other words, he says if you think it's hard when it's easy, what are you going to do when it really gets tough?  Some tasks and tesst come easy.  But as you advance, you realize that i gets harder. Therefore, you have to buckle down  a little bit more and study a little bit harder, so that you know how to do what you need to do, or else you will become weary and faint in your mind.  Paul said, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:1-7).  The times we are now living in will try your soul. These are times that will push you harder to see what your faith is made of. These are the times that will determine if you have a relationship with Jesus, or just an acquaintance.  As Paul again admonishes us, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:12-13).  These are the times that are going to try your faith in the fire.  But if you can't run with the horses, and you can't swim the Jordan, how will you get to the other side?  Here's how: "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:14-17).  Don't let go of the Word of God, it is where your strength lies.

Sing:  I can run through a troop, and leap over a wall, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  I can run through a troop, and leap over a wall, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  He's the Rock of my salvation, in Him there is no condemnation.  I can run through a troop, and leap over a wall, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!