2012 April 9 - Morning Manna

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11-12)

Today's Morsel: When I was in high school, my friend would always tell me when a Gospel concert was coming to town so that we could purchase tickets to attend. It was always cheaper to purchase a ticket ahead rather than pay at the door. I always purchased the ticket based on the group that I wanted to hear not on the number of groups performing. Even though the other groups that sang were good singers, I don't think I clapped and responded as hard as when the group I had purchased the ticket for performed. John the Baptist was doing what the Lord had sent him to do. He was paving the way for Jesus. Even though John drew a crowd and baptized many, he was not the main attraction; Jesus was. Like the gospel concerts that I attended, the others performed but the main attraction was at the end. John had told the people that when Jesus came, He would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire. They were waiting on Him to come. And when Jesus showed up, John said, "I must decrease and he must increase." John was in essence saying, I've set the stage, now let the real performer take stage. And boy did Jesus show out. Turning water into wine. Raising the dead. Causing the lame to walk and blinded eyes to be opened. Calming raging seas and walking on water. And to top it off, after three days He rose from the grave and ascended back into heaven and sent back the Holy Ghost for everyone that would believe on His name. When people wanted a sign He told them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:39-42). I want you to know that Jesus is greater than anyone who came before Him or that has come after Him. There is none great. Because He was God manifested in flesh as Paul said in 1 Timothy 3:16.

Sing: Our God for whom we waited, will be the glad refrain, of Israel recreated when Jesus comes again, low He will come and save us, our King and Priest to be, for in Him dwells all fullness and Lord of all is He.

It's all in Him, It's all in Him, the fullness of the Godhead it's all in Him; It's all in Him, It's all in Him, the mighty God is Jesus and it's all in Him.

2012 April 6 - Morning Manna

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (Luke 23:33)

Today's Morsel: Some people call today "Good Friday". Some ask how can it be good if Christ died? It is good for that very reason. Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world. He became the ultimate sacrifice for sins of mankind. He became the Passover Lamb. Calvary was the fulfillment of prophecy that had been spoke about Him. Isaiah had recorded this very event and day, "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand" (Isaiah 53:3-10).

The Eunuch in the desert was reading this very passage from Isaiah in Acts, "And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:34-39).

The reason we repent of our sins, are baptized in the name of Jesus, and are filled with the Holy Ghost is to identify with Him. Do you know Him? When is the last time you have been back to Calvary?

Sing: On Calvary's hill of sorrow, where sin's demands were paid, and rays of hope for tomorrow, across our paths were laid. I see a crimson stream of blood, it flows from Calvary, and its waves which reach the throne of God, are sweeping over me.

2012 April 7 - Morning Manna

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:12-22).

Today's Morsel: The difference between the Sadducees and the Pharisees was that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection; neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees confessed both. One was sad you see and the other was fair you see (humor)!! Because false teachings had crept in unaware, the Apostle Paul felt a need to bring this young church back into understanding about Christ Jesus. You see the Gospel is the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And even today, many do not understand how the Gospel and the life of Christ apply. Paul said that some have not the knowledge of Christ (1Corinthians 15:34). Jesus constantly spoke of His resurrection. Destroy this temple and in three days I’ll raise it up again. Here after shall you see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of power and coming In His glory. I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you. Even today, when God miraculously raises someone from the dead, the world is shocked. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was to bring to completion the Gospel message, the Good News for all. If Jesus had never died, there would have been no sacrifice for our sins. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). His burial represents the cutting off and ridding oneself of an old lifestyle. We are buried with Him by baptism in Jesus Name (Colossians 2: 12). And His resurrection shows that we too should rise to walk in newness of life in the power of the Holy Ghost (Romans 6:4-5). As Jesus told Martha, I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Paul said, "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Because He lives, we shall live also.

Sing: I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today; I know that He is living, no matter what men say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him, He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's, narrow way, He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

2012 April 5 - Morning Manna

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem"
(Isaiah 2:2-3).

Today's Morsel: Where were you when you received the Holy Ghost? Did you go from that place telling people about Jesus? The Bible says that after the day of Pentecost, after the out pouring of the Holy Ghost in Jerusalem, the people went everywhere preaching the Word (Acts 8:4). Peter, who was given the keys to the kingdom, went to the Gentiles to preach the Word (Acts 10:36-48), Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also (Acts 15:35). It all went forth from Jerusalem, the place that Jesus had told His disciples to tarry until they were endued with power from on high. Isaiah had prophesied that it would begin at Jerusalem, and so, after Pentecost, it went forth and it's still going forth. No matter what church denomination you belong to, the New Testament roots are at Jerusalem. Let me encourage you, return to the book of Acts, see what happened, see if you are in accordance with the early church preaching and teaching, and go forth doing likewise.

Sing: He is Lord; He is Lord; He is risen from the dead, and He is Lord. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

2012 April 4 - Morning Manna

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16)

Today's Morsel: The Global Positioning Systems (GPS) has really enhanced our abilities to travel. Just put in the address and listen to the voice guiding you to your destination. I've heard of the church services that were held under the old brush arbors and how God poured out His spirit with healing and deliverance. I've heard about how God led His people and provided for them during the great depression. I've heard about the traveling evangelists who would come into an area and stay for a year or so preaching their hearts out each night. I've heard about men and women who went to the missions field with everything they owned in a coffin because they didn't plan to return home until they were dead. The Lord said that we should stand in the ways, and see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and that we would find rest for our souls. Many of us would think that these weren't good ways. But really they were. Because these ways built unity among the saints. Those ways showed that the things of God were more important than one's temporal human life. Those ways built character and determination. They showed commitment and dedication. Those people were not ashamed to be called Christians and they had rest to their souls. If you do not have rest in your soul, ask yourself, Am I in the old paths? Am I in the good way? "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear" (Isaiah 28:11-12). The Holy Ghost is the rest and Jesus is the way. Are you in it.

Sing: I've found the way that leads to endless day, yonder in the glory land; and the road is bright, for Jesus is the light, and I hold His guiding hand.

I have found the way. I have found the way. Glory hallelujah, I have found the way.

2012 April 3 - Morning Manna

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. (Matthew 21:28-31)

Today's Morsel: I like to focus a lot on what Jesus said to the religious leaders doing His time. Often, I realize that our thinking may not be the same way that Jesus' thinking is. We may judge people by their lifestyle and draw a conclusion within our minds that they aren't going to heaven. Most of us would agree, that based on the way that we see the scriptures, publicans and harlots would never make it into heaven. But Jesus told the religious folks that they would go into heaven before them. WOW! Jesus was not ordaining their lifestyle, He was trying to get the religious leaders to see that once these people heard the truth of the Gospel they would change their lifestyle and be saved. Mary, who poured the oil on Jesus, was what some scholars say a harlot and Jesus forgave her of her sins. Matthew and Zacchaeus were publicans, and Jesus said that salvation had come to their house. The Lord said through Isaiah the prophet, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). And he also said when they told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices,"And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1-5). Jesus was saying, because I don't think like you, you better make sure that you've repented of your sins, have asked for forgiveness, given forgiveness, and are living a holy and separated lifestyle. Remember, God doesn't think the way we do. When is the last time you took a very good look at yourself to ensure you are in the faith?

Sing: As you make life's great fight, keep the pathway right, there's an eye watching you; God will warn not to go in the path of the foe, there's an eye watching you.

There's an eye watching you, watching you, watching you, every day mind the course you pursue; there's an all seeing eye watching you.

2012 April 2 - Morning Manna

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
(Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Today's Morsel:I can remember observing my first autopsy. What an interesting procedure. Being able to look inside of a human body and see all the organs and how they were connected was very intriguing. Many people today have heart problems and are on a list for a transplant. There is no telling how long they will have to wait for a donor to come through for them. And each day they wait, there is a chance of their current heart failing or stopping altogether. When we turn to the church, many people have heart problems and don't know it. And then there are many who are on the waiting list for such a transplant. Your heart is your mind, your intellect, your total being. The Lord told Ezekiel that a new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. The new heart is a new way of thinking and the spirit is the Holy Ghost. Once God places his Spirit within us, it causes us to see things in a different light. Our attitudes are different. Our walk is made new. Our ability to think and reason correctly are enhanced. Our total outlook on life is refreshed. Ask yourself, do I awake each day thinking the same old way? Do I see my job as boring and uncertain? Do I see attending church as boring and mundane? Do I have an lack of joy, peace, love, and contentment in my life? If you answered yes to anyone of these, get on Jesus' list for an immediate heart transplant, because your current heart is about to fail you.

Sing: Search me, O' God, and know my heart today; try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray; see if there be some wicked way in me; cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.