2014 June 17 - 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. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:28-31)

 

Today's Morsel: How many of you have read the book, "If God Be For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?" Most people struggles in their lives are due to a lack of knowledge as to Who is on their side.  When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the king's image, they were saying, "We know who is for us."  I hear people all the time quote the scripture, " I'll never leave you nor forsake thee," but few trust God enough to believe it.  As the Lord said through the prophet Isaiah,  "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God" (Isaiah 43:10-12).   Notice, God chose you so that you would believe that He was God, not someone else.  And once you have that knowledge, then you can share with others the same truth.  The only way you will ever believe that He is for you, is when you learn who He is.

(For a copy of the referenced book, see below and order your copy)

 

Sing: When I wake up in the land of glory, with the saints and I will tell my story, there will be one name that I'll proclaim.

When I wake up in the land of glory, with the saints and I will tell my story, there will be one name that I'll proclaim.

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Just that name.

2014 June 16 - Morning Manna

 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (2 Corinthians 4:1-5)

 

Today's Morsel: I often wonder what the church could really become if every born again believer would find their ministry and give themselves holy to it.  Paul told the church at Rome, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness" (Romans 12:3-8).  God expects us to use our faith and do something with it.  If we all did our part, the church would flourish the way that Jesus wants it to.  Do you know what Jesus has chosen you to do? Well, your number one ministry is to share the gospel with everyone; both saint and sinner alike.  And second, it is to be an encourager to others.  As we encourage others, we too will be encouraged.

 

Sing: God's got an army, marching through the land, deliverance is their song, there's healing in their hand, with everlasting joy and gladness in their hearts, well in this army I've got a part.

2014 June 14 - Morning Manna

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Today's Morsel: One of the best ways to overcome something is face it head on.  The way you face fear is to take it head on.  When I was a kid, we lived on a farm and we grew tobacco.  After each week's harvest, at the end of the day, we would have to hang the tobacco in a barn that was at least 20-25 feet high.  And it always took two men to do it.  When I was about 14 or 15 years old, my dad always kept me on the bottom tier (which was at least 6 to 8 feet off the ground) so that if I fell off my tier, I would only fall about 6 to 8 feet to the ground.  But once I had the knowledge of what I was doing and how to do it, he put me up top.  And now if I fell, it would be anywhere from 20 to 25 feet to the ground.  And so I learned very quickly how to overcome my fear of heights.  When we are born of God, John said, we overcome the world.  Because our faith is no longer in others or ourselves, but in Christ, we can conquer the fear of this world and what it can do to us.  I'm not afraid to take the world head on because it no longer has a hold on me.  The earth is His footstool, Jesus said.  And that is where I have Satan, he's right under my feet.  He under Jesus' feet, every time you stand up, it should be a reminder to you, that he (Satan) and this world are under your feet as well.  Are you an overcomer?

 

Sing: O' victory in Jesus, My Savior forever, He sought me and He brought me with His redeeming Blood.  He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.

2014 June 13 - Morning Manna

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35)

 

Today's Morsel:  In the military, soldiers are taught that all marching movements from the halt must begin by stepping off on their left foot first.  The only exception is right step march.  Often, some members will get out of step while they are marching and need to skip until they get back into step.  I believe some members of the church are out of step.  Many of them are out of step when it comes to prayer.  So many of them are putting the wrong foot forward when they get up.  They put that foot forward that heads to the coffee pot, Iphone, or IPad, instead of I-pray. Jesus rose early and went out and prayed.   If you don't begin your day with prayer, you are going to be out of step with Jesus.

 

Sing:  I'm a soldier, in God's Army, and I'm fighting, I'm claiming victory; I will not give up, I will not turn around, I'm a soldier marching heaven bound. 

2014 June 12 - Morning Manna

Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.  (Isaiah 45:11)

 

Today's Morsel:  I asked my wife a few days ago, what she thought La Crosse, the place we now live, would be like if the Lord should tarry for another thousand years?  Do these questions ever cross your mind?  The Lord said that we should ask Him concerning my sons.  As a matter of fact, He said that we should command Him concerning the work if His hand, the things that He has made.  Peter said, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat" (2 Peter 3:9-12).  Peter lets us know that where we are right now is someday going to be burned up and none of us knows when.  And since none knows when and I don't like to be burned, I think I'll do everything I can to remain smoke free.

 

Sing: O' my brother are you ready for the call, to crown your Savior King, and Lord of all. The kingdom of this world, shall soon before Him fall, we shall see the King when He comes.

2014 June 11 - Morning Manna

Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! (Psalms 113:5-6)

 

Today's Morsel: If someone were to ask you to compare God to something else, what would you say?  This is not a new question.  Even the Lord asked, "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One" (Isaiah 40:25).  We can't compare God to anyone or anything.  You cannot make Him co-equal, co-eternal,  nor co-existence with anyone.   God has no comparison.  Paul lets us know that the fullness of the Godhead was in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:8-9).  If you want to compare God, you have to compare Him to the things that He says about Himself: "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things" (Isaiah 45:5-7).

 

Sing: There is none like You, no one else can touch my heart like You do, I can search throughout eternity long, and find, there is none like You.

2014 June 10 - Morning Manna

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. (Psalms 113:1-3)

 

Today's Morsel: I am of a firm believer, that the first three things that go from a person's life before they backslide are: 1. Prayer, 2. Praise, 3. Spirit of Forgiveness.  When a person loses their commitment to pray on a daily basis, they no longer see the value to talk with God and carry their concerns to Him, nor do they see the value to intercede for themselves, their family, and others.  And when there is no prayer, they will not see the need to offer thanksgiving and praise to God for the things that He does for them and others; which leads to an unforgiving spirit.   When we do not have a consistent prayer and praise life, we will not understand to forgive others when they do or say things, that we may not like.  And when these things are absent in a life, that life will walk away from God.

 

Sing: This is the day! This is the day, that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made, I will rejoice, I will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.  This is the day, that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day! This is the day, that the Lord has made.