2011 January 8 - Morning Manna

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried,  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:5-15).

Today's Morsel:  The parable of the sower touches just about everyone's life.  Jesus said that a sower went forth to sow seed.  The sower is born again believers.  We have been commissioned to go preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15-18). The seed is the word of God.  And the ground is the heart of man.  How many times have you shared Jesus with others and nothing happens or the person looks at you like you are from another planet?  This is because we oftentimes do not do anything to break up the fallow ground, or the heart of man, before we share the Gospel with them.  Many peoples' hearts are as hard as rocks, because they have been hurt, abused, lied to, misused, or cheated on.  Therefore, the first step is to break up the fallow ground.  Dirt is always softened with water.  The Holy Ghost in you is living water.  Therefore, you must use some of it to soften the ground before you can plant the seed (the Word).  The love, compassion, and kindness you show, can prepare the heart for the Word.  Offering words of encouragement, buying lunch, or offering to help whenever you can, can work wonders.  As Paul said, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Timothy 2:24-26).  Remember, your goal is to sow the seed in good ground so that it will bring forth fruit and be meet for the masters use.  Never plant if the ground isn't ready.  You will become frustrated and lose your joy.

Sing:  Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve; waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, we shall come rejoicing, bring in the sheaves.

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

2011 January 7 - Morning Manna

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
(John 15:13-15)

Today's Morsel:  How many people do you know that when you introduce them to others you begin by saying, "Let me introduce you to my friend, ________?"  Why do we have so few real friends?  Solomon said that a man that would have friends, must show himself friendly.  Are our friends few because of  we ourselves?  Why don't we go out of our way to make more friends?  Are we afraid of being let down?  True friendship begins with us.  Even if others hurt us, we must learn to practice being friendly.  Jesus said to His disciples, "I have called you friends."  What does that mean to you? How do you translate that? What did Jesus do to make them as well as us His friend?  He was willing to give His life for us, His friends.  What do you do to make others your friend.  Here are a few ways to recognize true friendship.  First, friends will comfort and support you when trouble or disaster shows up in your life.  Second, friends are devoted to you, they are loyal and willing to change their plans just for you. Third, friends love you no matter the situation or what you have done.  Through thick and thin they are still there.  Fourth, friends will speak constructively - even when it hurts.  And finally, friends will help you.  "A friend is a person who knows all about you, and still likes you." Elbert Hubbard.  I wonder if that's why they say a dog is a man's best friend!

 

Sing: What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!  What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.  Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

2011 January 6 - Morning Manna

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. (Romans 1:16-17)

  

Today's Morsel: Many people say that they are born again Christians.  And many state that they love the Lord and that they would do anything for Him.  But many of those same so-called Christians are ashamed of the gospel.  The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Once it is applied to our lives, others must be able to see Christ in us.  No matter where we are and where we go, God's character should be visible within us.  Paul said that he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because it was the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.  Does everyone you work around and with know that you are a born again Christian?  How many people are you working with that you know they are having family and personal issues, and yet you aren't doing anything about it?  You see, to be born again is to be filled with God's Spirit and baptized in His name.  When His Spirit is in us, we have been anointed to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to the captives, to set at liberty them that are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.  If you don't share Christ with somebody each day, and that can includes your family, you are ashamed of the Gospel.

Sing: We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of salvation; to everyone, to everyone that believes it.  And it's to everyone; to everyone that receives it, we shall have everlasting life.

2011 January 5 - Morning Manna

For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalms 74:12).

Today's Morsel:. The Psalmist said that God is my King of old.  The writer of Hebrews said "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually" Hebrews 7:1-3). Melchisedec was the King that met Abraham when He returned from battle, "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God" (Genesis 14:18).  But notice, Melchisedec is first translated as King of righteousness and King of Peace.  And Jesus was made a High priest forever after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 6:20).  Jesus is the God of righteousness and the God of peace. When we understand that it was the King's job to ensure that the people under him remained safe, we can understand why Jesus, who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lord, provides us with salvation in the earth.  As the Psalmist again said, "The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalms 20:1-7). Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name among heaven given unto men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Sing:  Saved and I'm happy today, thanks be to God for this I can say, that I'm saved and I'm happy today, I'm walking up the Kings highway!

2011 January 4 - Morning Manna

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalms 73:25-26)

Today's Morsel:  What treasures have you laid up in heaven?  Just what do you own in heaven?  If we were to check closely, we would realize that the only thing we have in heaven is Jesus, as He owns everything else.  If He's our desire, then that will be where our hearts are.  Heaven is His home and the earth is His footstool.  Our hopes and desires should be to be where He is.  Peter said, "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.... Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:8&13).  Peter was a man whose goal was heaven.  What about you?  Do you want to go where your heart and hopes are?  Jesus said that where your treasures are, there will your heart be also.  Our number one desire, whether in heaven or on the earth, should be Jesus.  If we keep Him at the center of our hearts and minds, everything else will work out just fine.

Sing:  God is the joy and the strength of my life, He moves all pain, misery, and strife. He promised to keep me, never to leave me. He's never ever come short of His word.  I've got to fast and pray, stay in His narrow way, keep my life clean everyday; I want to go with Him when He comes back, I've come to far and I'll never turn back.

Chorus: God is, God is, God is, God is; God is my all in all.

2011 January 3 - Morning Manna

I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalms 16:7-11)

Today's Morsel:  If someone were to ask you where you live, would it be hard for you to give them the directions to your house?  You would be surprised at the number of people who drive to their homes each day, but still don't know how to tell someone how to get there.  They never look at the landmarks or identifiable constructions to be able to use as marker to help people find their way.  I had one lady say to me, "Do you have a GPS? Just put it in and it will bring you here."  I just laughed and said to myself, "Can't believe she doesn't know how to tell me the directions."  If someone is looking for joy, can you tell them how to find it?   Do you know where joy dwells?  David said, "In his presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand there are pleasures for evermore."  Joy dwells in the presence of Jesus.  So if you want to find joy, all you have to do is locate Jesus and you should find joy there too. Where is Jesus, He's suppose to be in your heart.

Sing:  I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll!  It is like a great over flowing well, springing up within my soul.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory,  It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.

2011 January 1 - Morning Manna

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am
(Matthew 16:13-15)?

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3).

  

Today's Morsel:  What are your goals for this year?  I know that many people will set out to do many things, but will not accomplish them because of one reason or another.  They will find excuses as to why they didn't get it done by the end of the year.  All spiritual accomplishments in your life will happen if you know two things.  First:  Who Jesus is, and second:  Who you are in Him.  Everything in a Christian's life flows from your knowledge of these two questions.  When we understand who Jesus truly is, it moves us into a more personal relationship with Him.  It enhances our worship, as worship is acknowledging Him for who He is.  And it purifies our praise, as we can see more clearly the things He is doing and has done for us.  Moses received his understanding at the burning bush; Job, received his when he went through his afflictions; Isaiah received his when King Uzziah died; Paul received his understanding on the road to Damascus (Acts 9); Peter received his when he was told to launch out into the deep and let down his net for another draught (Luke 5:4); and I received mined in a cold, German, Adolph Hitler Officers Club, which had been turned into a church.  Jesus said that truth shall make you free (John 8:32).  As Jesus He told Thomas, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed"(John 20:29).  When we believe on Him as the Scriptures have said, we will not only see Who He is, but also who we are in Him.  Then out of our belly's shall flow rivers of living waters.

 

SING:  I've got a river of life flowing out of me, it makes the lame to walk and the blind to see.  It opens prison doors, sets the captive free.  I've got a river of life flowing out of me.

 

Spring up, oh well, within my soul.  Spring up, oh well, and make me whole.  Spring up, oh well, and give to me, that life abundantly.