2011 April 8 - Morning Manna

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. (Job 3:25-26)

Today's Morsel:  How do you handle unexpected troubles?  What do you do when your car doesn't start?  What do you do when your teenager comes in and says, "Mom! Dad! I need to talk with you, I'm pregnant."  What do you do when you get a pink slip that tells you your job is over?  What do you do when death knocks on your door?  Job was a man that reverenced God.  Job loved God.  He did things that were right before God.  But even in all his righteousness, trouble still came into his life. I t rains on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).  The Apostle Paul said that we are troubled on every side (2 Corinthians 4:8).  Why do we see it as trouble when it comes and not a blessing?  Why do we see it as distress, anxiety, and a hassle in-lieu-of  a change in our thinking and direction?  Job said that thing which I greatly feared has come upon me.  Like so many, even Job feared the loss of his health, the death of his children, and the loss of his material possessions.  Job was human the same as the rest of us.  So what is the key to enduring trouble when they come?  Well, Peter tells us to cast all our cares upon the Lord.  James tells us to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations.  Paul tells us that it's only for a moment and that it's working a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  But Jesus said, "Fret not little flock, for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  So when trouble comes, don't allow it to deter you, but stay focused and keeping worshipping God. The psalmist said, "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation" (Psalms 91:14-16).

Sing: Trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand, all the ways that God will lead us to that blessed promised land, but He'll guide us with His eye, and we'll follow till we die, we will understand it better by and by.

By and by when the morning come, when all the saints of God are gathering home, we will tell the story, how we've overcome, and we'll understand it better by and by.

2011 April 7 - Morning Manna

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:16-21).

  

Today's Morsel:  Do you take for granted the granted?  Do you think that every day will be just like the day before?  Have you considered eternity lately?  We got a call from our bank that our credit card had been compromised.  Someone had tried to use it to purchase a ticket to Mexico.  After owning this card for over a decade, someone was able to access it.  We had, in most part, taken for granted that this would never happen to us.  But wrong we were.  But thinks be to God for a banking system and the airline agency we use that saw and caught the error.  In many cases, we take so many things for granted.  We think our health will always be good.  We think that our finances will always be good.  We think that our spouse will always love us.  We think that our job will be there until retirement.  We think that our children will always live for the Lord and do right.  We think that all born again believers will do right.  And we often think those who are suppose to be professionals will be professional and do what they know is right.  All these granteds we take can be a letdown and a heart breaker when they don't come to be true.  Jesus told the parable of a rich man whose land brought forth plentifully.  And the man thought within himself saying, "What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."   No one would judge the man for doing what he intended to do.   If we have more then we have room for, we have to expand and build bigger or waste what God has provided to us.  The issue isn't the barn building, the issue is he wasn't expecting to die any time soon and had made no previsions for heaven.  And so Jesus is really speaking to us.  He's warning us and cautioning us to be ready for His coming.  Because no man knows the minute nor the hour when Jesus will come.  Are you ready? Have you considered eternity lately?  You need to plan as though He isn't coming for a thousand years, but you need to act as though He's coming this very moment.

Sing: I'm getting ready to leave this place.  I'm getting ready for the gates of pearls.  Keeping my record right, watching both day and night, well I'm getting ready to leave this place.

2011 April 6 - Morning Manna

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. (Acts 27:9-15)

Today's Morsel:  Hurricanes and typhoons all originate out in the sea. They start with just a little bit of wind and breeze.  But as they begin to pick up velocity and strength they become a force to be reckoned with.  By the time they exit the sea and come on land, they are at a strength to do much damage, and anything in their pathway is subject to destruction.  Luke said that they encountered a storm called Euroclydon.  This massive unrest of the sea is packing a punch and they figured that all hope of them being alive come morning was lost.  Even in our lives, storms are sometimes unexpected.  They come when we least expect them.  Maybe someone turns on us or lies about us.  Maybe  you unexpectedly lose a loved one, or your child gets sick.  Unpleasant news from afar.  Whatever the storm of life is, they shake us.  In many cases, they rip the wind right out of our sails and we are left with no means to control how we steer our lives to safety.  We become hopeless and feel as though we will lose our own lives.  But you must always remember what the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah,  "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isaiah 43:1-3).  Jesus isn't going to let you go through anything you can't handle.  He'll be with you.  When there is a storm is in your life, keep the faith and enjoy the ride.

Sing: There's a storm out, on the ocean, and it's moving, this away. If your souls not, anchored in Jesus, you will sure drift away.  

2011 April 5 - Morning Manna

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Today's Morsel:  They say that when a prisoner is on death row, and when he has used all his appeals and has been given a death sentence, that on the day he is to be executed, as he is being led down the prison halls to the room where the execution will take place, that the guards escorting  him will shout out, "Dead man walking."  Meaning this is the last time you will see him alive.  But for the Christian, when we die in Christ, it's not the last time you will see us alive.  But we rise and walk in newness of life.  When we repent of our sin and are baptized in the name of Jesus, Paul said that we are buried with Christ and risen to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-7).  Paul  was a dead man walking until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.  We must be as Paul, dead to the flesh and this world, but alive to Christ, His Spirit, and our calling.  We must now live by our faith and not by our sight.  The things that we see happening around us must not sway us nor deter us from what Jesus has asked and called us to do.  Faith is being able, in every situation and circumstance that may not look promising, to see God leading and guiding us.  Paul had moved to a point in his life that he knew that Jesus loved him, had given His life for him, (Paul) and he wanted to reciprocate  for what Jesus had done for him.  How do you feel about what Jesus has done for you?  Are you willing to reciprocate to Him?  How much passion do you have for what He asked you to do?  When our passion for the things and work of God exceed our passion for the things and works of the world, we are then dead to the world, and alive to Christ.

Sing:  If you want to be happy and be saved to the uttermost, just repent and be baptized and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  I was lost but Jesus found me, I was dead but now alive; Oh, glory, glory, glory, to the great eternal God.

2011 April 4 - Morning Manna

And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. (Exodus 26:31-34)

Today's Morsel:  When God gave Moses the instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, there was to be a veil dividing the holy place from the most holy.  Some may ask why.  And the answer is that the children of Israel did not yet know how to approach God.  They had  not yet been taught.  Therefore, the high priest was the only one who could come before God to represent the people.  But after Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, the veil was removed and now we should all know how to come before the Lord and approach His throne.  Paul said "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 6:17-20).  He said that there was an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil. What is this Anchor?  It is Jesus Christ.  When we connect to Him, He becomes our anchor (Rock) and we are not easily moved.  Behind the veil was the Ark of the covenant.  Inside of it were the tablets of stone, the pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded.  These were representing the word of life, bread of life, and the resurrection and the life.  When we connect to The Anchor, we will have everything that we need to keep us in Him.

Sing: When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

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

2011 April 2 - Morning Manna

And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. (Exodus 27:20)

Today's Morsel: Most automobile manuals says that you should change your oil every 3 months or 3000 miles. Why?  Because the oil breaks down and doesn't keep the parts in the engine lubicated the way that it should.  When  I was in the Army as a fuel handler, one of the things I learned was that water is heavier than oil.  You can teach kids in Sunday school how to make lava lamps with cooking oil and water in a bottle.  Because water is heavier, the oil will always rise to the top.  When you have been anointed with the Holy Ghost, you are to always be on the top.  Moses said that God would make you the head and not the tail.  You are suppose to always be on the top.  The children of Israel were to bring pure oil.  Pure oil burns clean and gives off a brighter light; there isn't a lot of smoke.  Too many Christians today are burning without pure oil.  They say that they have the Holy Ghost, but they are sending forth to much smoke and not enough light.  They get angry as soon as something doesn't go their way.  They complain and murmur about everything.  Their light is only a flicker.  Their paths are dark.  Isaiah said that God hath given to us the oil of joy for mourning for those times of lamenting and lamentation (Isaiah 61:3).  Each day, we must bring new oil  for the lamp if we are going to burn bright.  We must come before His presence with singing and into His courts with praise.  Do you need to change oil?  You only have to if your don't have the real oil in you.

 

Sing:  He gave me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness, that we might be called, trees of righteousness, the planted of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

2011 April 1 - Morning Manna

Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

(Proverbs 8:1-36).

Today's Morsel: Got Wisdom?  Whoso find wisdom finds life and obtains favor of the Lord.  Are you living?  Wisdom!  It's the principle thing. Don't leave home without it.

Sing: I can hear my savoir calling, I can hear my savior calling, I can hear my savior calling, "Take thy cross and follow, follow, Me."