2014 June 9 - Morning Manna

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  (Psalms 119:18)

 

Today's Morsel: So many people seem to hate laws. The reason being is that they see laws as someone trying to tell them what to do.  But really, laws are for our protection.  I think of my accident last December, of what could have happened to me if I had not followed the law to wear my seat belt.  I don't think I would be writing this if I had not followed that law.   I'm sure there are many people suffering today because they failed to obey a law that was given.  I've seen people walk away from the church because they felt that someone was trying to tell them what they could and could not do.  But some of those same people's lives are so soon turned upside down because they left and did not heed the law that the church was trying to teach them from God's word.  God's law to the children of Israel was for their protection.  But they failed to obey it, they rejected it, and it cost many of them their lives.  The Psalmist prayed, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."  When is the last time you prayed for God to open your eyes so you could see the wondrous things in His law?  Remember, the law had one goal, to bring us to Christ and that hasn't changed.

 

Sing:  The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; more to be desired are they than gold, yeah much fine gold; sweeter also than the honey, and the honeycomb. 

2014 June 7 - Morning Manna

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

 

Today's Morsel: " Please watch your step!" "Caution, slippery when wet!" "No running in the hall!"  Isn't it amazing that most people will obey some warning signs, but not the warning signs that come from God's word?  God's word is filled with warning of how we should walk.  Paul's warning to the church, was that we should walk cautiously and careful because the days are evil.  You don't have to look very far to see that these are evil times that we are now living in.  Therefore, we must ensure that the path we are on is not filled with booby traps, pungi pits, or a path that will ensnare us, and cause us to fall from our eternal salvation. We need the light of God's word to guide us both day and night.  Remember, the enemy is always setting traps, but Jesus has given us a light for our pathway (Psalms 119:105).

 

Sing: As I travel through this pilgrim land there is a friend who walks with me, leads me safely through the sinking sand, it is the Christ of Calvary; This would be my prayer, dear Lord, each day to help me do the best I can, for I need Thy light to guide me day and night, blessed Jesus, hold my hand.

Chorus: Jesus! hold my hand, Lord I need Thee every hour, Through this pilgrim land, protect me by Thy saving power; Hear my feeble plea, O Lord, look down on me, When I kneel in prayer I hope to meet you there, Blessed Jesus hold my hand.

 

2014 June 6 - Morning Manna

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)

  

Today's Morsel: The Invasion of Normandy, France, by the Allied Forces of Britain, America, Canada, and France on June 6, 1944, to attack German forces on the coast of Normandy, France is called D-Day.  With a huge force of over 150,000 soldiers, the allies attacked and gained a victory that became the turning point for World War II in Europe.

But there was another day that is also called D-Day, and that day was the Day of Pentecost.  The Holy Ghost was poured out upon the 120 believers in Jerusalem.  It was the day the New Testament Church was established.  And they went forth preaching the word everywhere with signs following setting the captives free.

 

Sing: This is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.  This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.  This is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made.

2014 June 5 - Morning Manna

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

 

Today's Morsel: A few weeks ago, I preached a message about controlling our thoughts.  It is amazing the number of people who suffer from wrong and evil thoughts.  As I was studying, I felt the Lord speak to me that most people do not understand that His word is also given to us to be used as a sifter to help us sift out evil thoughts that may come into our life through our senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, feel).  Thoughts are first presented to us through our senses, and if we accept them, whether good or evil.  They will grow in our minds if we retain them.  And once they grow, the can become strongholds.   Therefore, we should ensure that every thought is filtered through the Word of God.  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..." (1 John 4:1).  I think it might be time we start bringing our thoughts into the obedience of Christ.  How's your sifter working today?

 

Sing: Sweet peace abides within my heart, under the blood, under the blood; and gifts divine their joy impart, under the precious blood.

Under the blood, the precious blood, under the cleansing healing flood; keep me, Savior, from day to day, under the precious blood. 

2014 June 4 - Morning Manna

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

 

Today's Morsel: Who are you following today?  Are they on the right course that will save your soul?  Are they following Christ?  Who's your mentor?  So many people are following people that they have no knowledge of.  Each year, we all vote people into office to lead us yet we have little or no knowledge of them at all.  Even in the church we select people without even a bio or recommendation from the leaders over them.  Shouldn't we at least have some knowledge of what a person has done for the Kingdom and their character reference? May I suggest, before you vote someone into an office or leadership position you learn something about their character.  As Paul told the church at Corinth, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 

Sing: Lead me Lord, I will follow, lead me Lord, I will go, You have called me, I will answer, lead me Lord, I will go.

2014 June 3 - Morning Manna

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. (John 7:6)

 

Today's Morsel: I always observe my wife when she is preparing for a trip or a meeting she has to attend.  She usually starts packing 2 to 3 days in advance, or she may start deciding what she is taking a week or more ahead.  Sad to say, many people have not considered that final journey from earth.   Jesus said that our time is always ready.  If our time is always ready, I don't plan on missing the train; I have begun preparing for the trip now.

 

Sing:  Some glad morning we shall see Jesus in the air, He's coming after you and me, joy is ours to share; what rejoicing there will be when the saints shall rise, heading for that jubilee, yonder in the skies.

O' what singing, O, what shouting; on that happy morning when we all shall rise; O, what glory, Hallelujah! When we meet our blessed Savior in the skies.

2014 June 2 - Morning Manna

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Timothy 4:12-16)

 

Today's Morsel: One of the jobs I held in the Army was working in the Department of Evaluation and Standardization at the US. Army Quartermaster Center and School. Our goal was to ensure that all army logistic units; active, reserve, and guard; were training and maintaining the standard according to established army doctrine.  I often wonder why we don't have such a department in the church.  Whether we like it or not, Jesus is going to judge us when He returns based on the doctrine.  If you read Paul's letters to the church, he was adamant about holding to the doctrine.  He told the church at Rome, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Romans 16:17).  He told Timothy, "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:3); All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine..(2 Timothy 3:16).  He told Titus, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine"(Titus 2:1). And, "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me"(John 7:16).  I think when Jesus comes again, we are going to be judged based on doctrine not denomination.

 

Sing: He leadeth me! He leadeth me! By His Own hand, He leadeth me; His faithful follower I will be, for by His hand He leadeth me.