2013 May 8 - Morning Manna

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 

Today's Morsel: I often wonder, if we don't sometime miss understand the scripture. I believe that many, when quoting and reading today's passage, fail to hear the words, "to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Even though people receive salvation through repentance, water baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, it doesn't mean that they are called according to His purpose. Yes, we are all called to be witnesses of God. But is that God's specific purpose for you? Do you know what God's purpose is for you? I have asked people why they chose a certain career path? And they say to me, "That is what my parents wanted me to be." So really, that path may not have been God's purpose for their lives. Many children enter the ministry (which is a good thing), yet that may not be God's purpose for their lives. When relating his converstion to the king, the Apostle Paul said, "And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me"(Acts 26:14-18). Paul said that Jesus told him, "For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee." Paul was chosen for a specific purpose and I believe this is why he said this to the Romans "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Paul's original purpose that he had for himself was to arrest and persecute Christians. And by all indications, Paul loved God. But was arresting and killing Christians God's purpose? No! God's purpose for him was totally different than what he expected. Solomon tell us to get both wisdom and an understanding. Paul wanted us to know that if we truly love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, that when God calls us for a specific purpose, then all things will work out according to the purpose God called us for.

Sing: For thou art great, and doest wondrous things! Thou art God alone, teach me Thy way, oh Lord. I will walk in Thy truth, unite my heart to fear Thy name, I will praise Thee, oh Lord, my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Thy name, forever more.

2013 May 7 - Morning Manna

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
(Galatians 5:16-18)

 

Today's Morsel: In the game of tug of war, the goal is to pull your opponent across the line. If you every notice in this game the closer your opponent pulls you closer to the line, the harder you have to pull to keep him from winning. So I conclude that the harder the enemy is pulling, the harder the world seems to be pulling you, the harder your flesh seems to be pulling, then the harder you have to pull the other way toward Jesus. Just as in the game of tug of war, you always put the bigger guy on the end of the rope to serve as your anchor. Paul said, "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 6:18-20). Jesus is our anchor. He's on the end, so we don't have to worry about being pulled across the line and losing as long as we hold to His unchanging hand. His word and His promises are yea and in Him Amen (1 Corinthians 1:20). So the next time you feel the world and your flesh pulling you, ask yourself, "Am I walking in the flesh or the Spirit" If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. We won't be pulled away from Jesus, we will be drawn closer to Him.

Sing: Hold to God unchanging hand, hold to God's unchanging hand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand.

2013 May 6 - Morning Manna

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (Matthew 16:2-3)

Today's Morsel: So many seem to be confused about the weather. People are starting to complain about the weather more and more. Sad to say, even saints of God are starting to complain about what God is doing. If we study God's word and apply it to our hearts, we should never complain about what God is doing. We should be awake every morning and by saying, "This is the day the Lord hath made I will rejoice and be glad in it." If God wants to send tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, snow, sleet, rain or ice, as His child, it shouldn't faze me, because I know that all things work together for the good to them that love God and to those that are the called according to His purpose. If we pray for God's perfect will to be done, then why are we complaining about the weather. Jesus told us "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:25-26). God has a purpose for what He is doing with the weather, so don't try playing the weather man or else you will become confused and disheartened. "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain" (James 5:7). Don't complain, the farmer needs the rain as much as he needs the sun.

Sing: Rain on me! Rain on me! Holy Ghost shower, rain on me; yesterday's gone, today I'm in need, Holy Ghost shower, rain on me.

2013 May 4 - Morning Manna

Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him. And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me. And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father. (1 Kings 2:28-31)

 

Today's Morsel: I've noticed that most Christians sacrifice at the altar, but fewer die at the altar. We give our offerings, pray, and even stand around the altar, but few die at the altar. The sacrifice was killed and placed upon the altar. If we are called to be living sacrifices, then when we come to the altar, we should be ready to die. Once I die to this world and my flesh, I am no longer pulled and tugged by them to draw me away from the Lord. The reason sin is not to have dominion over you, is because you should be dead to sin. And that should have happened to you at an altar of repentance, as repentance is death. Death to this world and oneself. So if we are dead, Paul said that we should not serve sin. In so many ways, we may have to die daily the same as Paul did. (I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily - 1 Corinthians 15:31.) When Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and told Joab, Thus saith the king, Come forth. Joab said, "Nay; but I will die here." Joab said was saying, No, I will die right here at the altar. When I die at the altar by myself and to myself, the second death will have no power over me.

 

Sing: Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your heart, does the Spirit control? Only be blest and have peace and sweet rest, as you yield Him your body and soul.

2013 May 3 - Morning Manna

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

 

Today's Morsel: Often when we are waiting for an answer it can become taxing and even stressful. I know of men and women who say, "I prayed but God doesn't seem to be coming through for me." Even Daniel was starting to feel like God wasn't answering him. But once the angel arrived and told him why, Daniel was content with his answer. I believe that if we would pray for God's will to be done, we wouldn't be stressed while we are waiting for our answer to come. Elijah knew it was going to rain, but he needed confirmation from God. And so when his servant told him, "Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand;" he said, "Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not"(1 Kings 18:41-46). John the Baptist was also wanting and answer. "And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me" (Luke 7:19-23). And when John got his answer from Jesus, he said, "I must decrease he must increase." So if you are waiting on an answer from God, " Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (Psalms 27:14).

 

Sing: Learning to lean, I'm learning to lean, I'm learning to lean on Jesus; Finding more power than I ever dreamed, I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

2013 May 2 - Morning Manna

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:1-10)

Today's Morsel: To be redeemed is to be bought back. Jesus was willing to redeem us knowing that many would still deny Him and reject Him. I once went to a livestock auction and I watched as auctioneers sold herd after herd of livestock to men who had no idea if those animals would live or die. But they put their faith in those animals to reproduce and make more of their kind. In so many ways, this is what Jesus did for us. He was willing to redeem us, putting trust in us that we would do what is right. Even with His disciples, He was willing to take them and train them. Some stayed with Him and turned their world upside down, while others rejected Him and walked away. But even the backslider in heart are starting to make their way home today. So let me encourage you, if you have a loved one not serving God, don't give up, keep praying because the redeemed of the Lord shall return to the church with singing. The price for their redemption has been paid.

Sing: Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and every lasting joy shall be upon their head. They shall obtain, gladness and joy, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and every lasting joy shall be upon their head.

2013 May 1 - Morning Manna

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. (Psalms 78:1-8)

Today's Morsel: Story telling has been around for quite some time. Information of things of the past is being shared each and every day. Every time I go home with my family, my brothers and sisters always like telling my wife and children things that I did as a kid. I guess that's one way for my kids to learn and maintain information about their Dad to pass on to their kids. Each generation must share the truth of Jesus with the next generation. For over 2,000, the stories of Jesus have been shared around the world. Missionaries continue taking the gospel to every village, hamlet, and jungle around the world. Sunday school teachers, pastors, evangelist, and spiritual trainers are continuously telling the story of Jesus. The great commission was so that others would have a knowledge of Jesus and what He did to save a lost and dying world. Aren't you glad that someone told you about Him? Are you doing your part to spread the story to others?
Sing: Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word, tell me the story more precious, sweetest that ever was heard; tell how the angels in chorus, sang as they welcomed His birth, Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.