2015 February 9 - Morning Manna

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10).

Today's Morsel: Have you ever noticed that division and strife are always associated with pride.  I have been looking at this thing called pride a little bit closer than I had before.  Scripture calls for us to check ourselves to ensure that we don't allow pride to get the upper hand.  For example, "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit" (Proverbs 29:23);  "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look..." (Proverbs 6:16-17);

"The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined...The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts"  (Psalms 10:2;4); "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2); "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).  And now Solomon tells us that only by pride comes angry disagreement between people.  He is letting us know that one or both of the people involved in the disagreement have pride within their heart.  Whichever one it is, they should take immediate action to rid themselves of it or else it will destroy them.

Sing: Jesus be the Lord of all; Jesus be the Lord of all; Jesus be the Lord of all the kingdoms of my heart.  Jesus I surrender all; Jesus I surrender all; Jesus I surrender all the kingdoms of my heart.

Thought for Today: Whatever you do, don't be lifted up with pride!

2015 February 7 - Morning Manna

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ... He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end" (Ecclesiastes 3:1;11)

Today's Morsel: Everything we do seems to be measured by time. We work each day based on time.  We take exams based on time.  Doctor appointments are based on time. Our travels are based on time.  Military assignments are usually based on time.  How long we live is based on time.  Divers can only stay under water for a certain length of time.  Food is cooked based on time.  What is it about time? Who came up with this thing called time?  Most people have a watch so that they can tell the time.  Is time really correct?  Solomon said that there is a time to every purpose under heaven and that God has made all things beautiful in His time.  I guess, since God makes all things beautiful in His time, then we might as well allow Him to work in His time.  We can't control the time. "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)"  (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Sing:  Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand; build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand.

Hold to God's unchanging hand! Hold to God's unchanging hand! Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand!

Thought for Today: It's only a matter of time (Bennett) 

2015 February 6 - Morning Manna

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mark 1:1-5)

Today's Morsel:  I'm amazed at the number of churches that do not preach the  baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. When we begin to read Marks account of the gospel of Jesus Christ, he lets us know at the onset that John the Baptist preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. Why preach against sin if you aren't going to baptize people for the remission of sins.  This is why Jesus told His disciples, "And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:46-48).  Jesus told them repentance and remission of sins must be preached in His name.  John the Baptist was aware of that as well.  And so, on the Day of Pentecost, after the 120 in the upper room were filled with the Holy Ghost, Peter began to preach about Jesus Christ, and when the people asked him what they should do, Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:38-41)."  "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount" (Hebrews 8:5).  Peter did not change the pattern that John the Baptist and Jesus had already established.  Later in his own epistle he would write, "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:19-21). Have you had your sins remitted?  Baptism still works.

Sing: Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb, are your garments spotless, are they white as snow, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Thought for Today: Baptism still doth save us.

2015 February 5 - Morning Manna

"Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper" (Luke 14:16-24).

Today's Morsel: During the Pony Express days in America, the horse riders were tasked with delivering the mail as quickly and as safely as possible.  Each postal location along the route of delivery was responsible to provide the rider with a fresh horse.  Because the horses would tire from being ridden so fast, the riders were given a fresh and often times faster horse at the stopping point.  Today, I believe that too many have been chosen by Jesus to deliver the mail (The Gospel), and and they are riding the same horse too long and too far.  The horse that they are riding, whose name is called "Excuse",  needs to be changed out.  He's tired and worn.  He needs a break.  He's been ridden by too many for too long.  Jesus said that a supper was made by a certain man, but those who were invited made excuses why they couldn't come.  In other words, they were riding that same old horse many are riding today.  Excuse!  And they were not allowed to be a part of the supper.  There is a banquet prepared for the church, but if you are riding the horse whose name is "Excuse", you will miss out every time.  Excuse is subject to quit on you before you arrive at the supper.

Sing: Jesus has a table spread where the saints of God are fed, He invites His chosen people "Come and dine!" With His manna He doth feed and supplies our every need; O tis, sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!

"Come and dine", the Master calleth , "Come and dine"; you may feast at Jesus' table all the time, He who fed the multitude turned the water into wine, to the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

Thought for Today: The horse called Excuse needs to be changed (Parker)

2015 February 4 - Morning Manna

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Today's Morsel: Joy is contentment within when there is adversity without.  Peace is calmness within when there are billows over flowing you.  Righteousness is right when others accuse you of being wrong.  When you really know Jesus, you know where these things come from. The kingdom of God is yours if you want it.  Even when weeping and sadness strikes you at unexpected times, joy still comes in the morning,  peace will still calm the strife, and righteousness will still clothe you in white linen.  Fret not little flock, it is in the storms of life that you must not lean unto your own understanding.  God is love and in Him is no guile at all.

Sing: He gives strength to me, as I worship Him, as my heart is filled praise; Jesus breaks the bands, when I raise my hands, He gives glorious victory!

Thought for Today: LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

2015 February 3 - Morning Manna

A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (Psalms 141:1-2).

Today's Morsel: I sometimes sit and think about the number of books that I have read on prayer, prayer conferences I have attended, sermons I have heard on prayer, how many pre-service prayer services I have conducted, how many times I have closed church services and meetings in prayer, and taught on prayer, and I still  feel that I don't pray enough.  Don't get me wrong, I know how to pray, love to pray, and get strengthened through praying, but there are times when I feel that I need to turn up the tempo a little bit more.  It seems that there are more sicknesses, hurts, misunderstandings, divorces, backslidden children, discouraged ministers and ministers wives and their children, and more distresses upon saints today, all these and more that need prayer is becoming more paramount.  All these would fall in the category of intercessory prayer.  And intercessory prayer is essential.  Yet what about the prayer that just gives God thanks and praise?  Do we think that He might want to hear those more from us?  I think if we will allow this type of prayer, the ones that give Him thanksgiving, to flow from us as a sweet smell into his presence, He will hear our faintest cry and He will answer our intercessions by and by.

Sing: Now let us have a little talk with Jesus, let us tell Him about our troubles, He will hear our faintest cry, He will answer by and by, when you feel a little prayer wheel turning, you'll know a little fire is burning, you'll find a little talk with Jesus makes it right.

Thought for Today: Prayer still works.

2015 February 2 - Morning Manna

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matthew 18:7)

Today's Morsel: Some folks misunderstand offenses with spiritual correction.  Offenses are more like an attack against someone. They can be stumbling blocks in another's pathway.   Some folks, when corrected or rebuked, may feel it's an offense or a stumbling block.  But spiritual corrections and spiritual rebukes are designed to build you and strength you in truth, whereas offenses are designed to tear you down.  Peter said of Jesus, " but unto them which be disobedient... a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed" (1 Peter 2:7-8).  Paul said of Him, "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock..." (1 Corinthians 1:23).  Because Jesus often tried to correct the religious, they saw Him as an offense to their teachings. They felt that He was attacking them, and so they saw Him as a stumbling block.  Some people are offended by truth because they are complacent. When a person is satisfied and set in their ways or with where they are in Christ, any request of them, correction of them, or rebuke for them to change is seen as an offense by them.  If we lack spiritual knowledge, it is easy to be offended by truth.  If I make you stumble or offend you for my own selfish ways, I'm wrong and God will deal with me.  But if you get offended because of truth, judge ye (See also John 6:53-71).

Sing: Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; with thanksgiving, I'll be a living, sanctuary for You.

  

Thought for Today: Get wisdom and with all thy getting get an understanding (Solomon).