2015 February 17 - Morning Manna

"I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?" (Luke 12:49)

Today's Morsel:  Wild fires consume many acres and homes each year.  The total value lost to wild fires ranges in the billions of dollars.  Some fires are caused by natural disasters and others are caused by arson.  Jesus said that He was come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?  If the Holy Ghost in each of us is burning, we should see it consuming things in our lives, homes, churches, and communities.  New preaching and teaching points.  New churches.  New labors.  New souls added to the kingdom.  Our theme this year here in Wisconsin is, "Chart Your Course... And Then Burn The Map."  In other words, each local church charts their course by making a plan for the year of where they are heading and what they want to accomplish, then they allow the fire of Holy Ghost to take charge, consume them, and burn up their plans to accomplish them.   I don't know about you, but I am excited to see what God is going to do with our course after the Holy Ghost has burned our map.

Sing: Well it's that Holy Ghost and fire that's keeping me alive, keeping me alive, keeping me alive; Well, it's that Holy Ghost and fire that's keeping me alive, Jesus is keeping me alive.

Thought for Today:  Chart Your Course....Then Burn The Map. (Wisconsin District)

2015 February 16 - Morning Manna

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
(Luke 11:24-26)

Today's Morsel: I often times watch my wife when cleans the house. Sometimes it's just a quick sweep of the floor or dusting to remove the dust and dirt that she can see.  But then other times, when she wants to do a deep cleaning, she gets down on her hands and knees with solution and a bucket of hot water to get into the corners and in hidden places to remove the dirt, grime, and scuff marks on the floor.  This is how it is with some people and their sins. They have only swept the floor.  They have only removed what others could see from the outside.  They've just swept up a little dust.  They have not gotten on their knees to get into the hidden corners of their lives.  This is why the devil finds it swept and all decorated, but there has been no deep cleaning done and he's easily able to get back in to that life.   This is why many folks can leave church, go right back to the movies, bars, sit and watch the same old worldly T.V. shows, and hang out with their same old worldly friends. They haven't gotten on their knees to do a deep cleaning.   Just sweeping the floor and decorating doesn't mean that there isn't filth still there.  You can paint the outside of the house, but if you don't scrape off the old paint, the new paint is only going to hold until the old underneath begins to wear through and peel off; then the house looks a mess. If you truly want sin out of your life, do a deep cleaning. That requires you to get on your knees at an altar in prayer. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Sing: I want to be washed in the blood of the Lamb, I need a cleansing from the fountain, my soul is hungry, I have this burning within; and I want to be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Thought for Today: The blood still has power to cleanse.

2015 February 14 - Morning Manna

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:7-11)

Today's Morsel: One of the most quoted scriptures by Christians and non-Christians alike  is John 3:16, " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  There has been many songs written about love, both in the Christian and secular world alike, trying to inspire and encourage people.  What is it about love that causes us to cry?  Get married to each other? And sometimes do foolish things?  Sometimes, I think that many folks have a misunderstanding of love.  John tells us that God is love. And therefore, if we do not know God, then we will never understand the true meaning of love.  As Moses told the children of Israel, "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt"(Deuteronomy 7:7-8).  When we have an understanding of the One who is true love, then we will understand how to give and share that love.  "Happy Valentine's Day!"

Sing:  Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.

 Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! For the Bible tells me so.

Thought for Today:  If grass can grow through cement, love can find you at every time in your life. (Cher)

2015 February 13 - Morning Manna

 "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding" (Proverbs 9:1-6)

Today's Morsel: Every house is built based on wisdom. From the person drawing the designs, to the carpenter, plumbers, electricians, and brick layers, everyone that has a part in building the house must have the knowledge, skills, and ability to do their part unto completion. Solomon said that Wisdom has built her house.  In other words, Jesus has built His church.  It has seven pillars, which represents the number of completion.  It has everything you will ever need.  And so she, the true church, cries out, 'Come on in, forsake the foolishness of this world and live and go in the way of understanding.'  Will you heed her call?

Sing: I'm talking about the church in the Book of Revelation, it's built on a Rock, it's got a firm foundation, it's been through the flood, it's been through the fire, but one of these days the church is gonna move up higher, it's the church triumphant , O Lord and it's built by the hand of the Lord.

Thought for Today:  Commitment to the church is key to eternal salvation.

2015 February 12 - Morning Manna

"Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed"
(Proverbs 13:21).

Today's Morsel: It seems that the world is turned upside down and evil is on the rise.  Really what is happening is, Satan only knows he has a short time to work and so evil is pursuing sinners.  You see evil, is just one letter short of devil.  If Jesus had never taken our sins upon Himself, He could have probably lived. But as soon as He begin to took on the sins of the world, and forgave people of their sins, evil pursued Him, to kill Him (my thought). Sin is always associated with evil and wrong doing.  Evil is the reward that Satan pays to those who sin.  He knows that those who sin will soon turn to completely to evil ways.  But Jesus rewards and pays the righteous with good.  Good things!  Good life!  And a good family and friends.  Don't let sin remain in your life.  If you do, evil will soon be at your door.

Sing:  Lord I give myself to You, for all the times You've been so true. I wish that there was more that I could do. I give myself to You.

Thought for Today: Let not sin reign in your mortal body.

2015 February 11 - Morning Manna

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. (Proverbs 13:13)

Today's Morsel: They say that a well-worn Bible is the sign of a well feed soul.   At the end of 2013, my wife gave me a new KJV Thompson Chain Bible because the one she gave me when I got saved over 30 years ago was falling apart.  I was so used to my old one and had read it so much that I could tell you if a saying or certain scripture passage was on the left side or right side of the page.  I loved that particular Bible.  I love the new one that she gave me too, but I have had to get used to it.  How much do you love the Word?  John said, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1; 14).   You see, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward" (Psalms 19:7-11).  Let me encourage you today, fall in love with the Word (which is Jesus) and you'll never be destroyed.

Sing:  You are the words to my music, You are the song that I sing. You are the melody, You are the harmony, praises to Your name I bring.  You are the mighty God, You are the Prince of peace, You are the King of all kings.  Now I give back to You, the song that You gave to me, You are the song that I sing.

Thought for Today: Falling in love with Jesus is the best thing a person could ever do.

2015 February 10 - Morning Manna

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. (Proverbs 10:5)

Today's Morsel: How much forethought do you give to life?  I have learned some valuable lessons lately.  For example; last summer the air conditioner went out in my truck.  The first thing the mechanic said to me after he quoted me the price to fix it was, If it was winter it probably would be cheaper."  Really!  Because it was hot, they could raise the price and I would have to pay if I wanted air conditioning in my truck.  So I learned having the A/C checked in the winter might save me money in the summer.  I was also in a store one summer, and they had all their ladies' London Fog winter coats on sale.  The sale was great at  buy one at 75% off, and get another one free.  Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.  Needless to say, my wife got four winter coats in the summer for the coming winter.  Notice, Solomon said, "He that gather in summer is a wise son."  Don't wait till winter comes again next year to buy your family clothes, use wisdom and buy them in the coming sales.  They are cheaper and most of the times you can get them for 50-80% off the regular price.  Oh! And by the way, did you know that you find more sales in the summer than you do the winter?  Wisdom is known of her children.

Sing: To be like Jesus; To be like Jesus; on earth I long to be like Him.  All through life's journey, from earth to glory, I only ask, to be like Him.

Thought for Today: When is the last time you checked the ants?