2015 October 8 - Morning Manna

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 6:2)

Today's Morsel:  How much thought do you put on the word "Now"?   Most people that read the Bible go through their day not  giving too much thought to the word "Now".  The word "Now" can mean that something has already happened or that we need to do something ourselves now.  A parent who is upset with their child's wrong behavior may say, "I want you to do what I told you, NOW!!!!"; calling for immediate action on the child's part.  American playwright Arthur Miller said,  "The word 'Now' is like a bomb through the window, and it ticks."   Paul said that now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.  I think he meant that because tomorrow is not promised we need to act now because it is the accepted time.  It means to do it right now.  Do you need salvation in your life today?  If so, today, NOW, is the time. Read and apply Acts 2:38-42, as that is what 3,000 people did on the Day of Pentecost when they were told to save themselves from this untoward generation. They acted immediately upon the "Now" that Peter spoke of.  Accepting salvation  now can prevent accepting hell later?

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

We shall see the King, we shall see the King, we shall see the King when He comes, He's coming in power, we'll hail the blessed hour, we shall see the King when He comes.

Thought for Today: "The word "Now is like a bomb through the window, and it ticks."  Arthur Miller, American playwright

2015 October 7 - Morning Manna

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him. And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? (1 Samuel 17:26-29)

Today's Morsel:  One of the things the army teaches you in Rifle Marksmanship is how to apply "immediate action" to get your weapon firing again should it ever fail to fire.  They give you this training in basic training so that you can apply it on the battlefield or in combat if needed.  There are so many things that the army teaches that I find myself using even now on a continual basis.  For example, most soldiers that come on an accident know how to apply first aid, they know what to do because it is part of their continual training.  King David had understanding that no one was to disrespect the God of Israel.  And so when he heard Goliath cursing and defying the army and God of Israel, he took immediate action to correct the problem. And God destroyed his enemy for him.  Whether we like it or not, there are going to be times that we need to take immediate action to correct unwanted problems and circumstances.  If we prepare now, we will be ready when  those times come. Training in times of peace prepare us for the days of combat.

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

Thought for Today:  The more sweat in peace, the less blood in combat.

2015 October 6 - Morning Manna

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

(Ephesians 6:10)

Today's Morsel:  Being a born again believer for over 30 years now and walking in truth, I have had plenty of time to observe new and not so new believers in Christ.  One of the things that I find, is that those who are strong in the Lord are more obedient to the things of God and to those who God has placed over them.  When one is strong in the things that they love most, they will be obedient and discipline themselves to remain strong in that area.  If we say that we love God, then we should be strong in Him and obedient to Him.  The apostle Paul calls for us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  If we eat from the word of God daily and give ourselves to exercising our mind with wisdom, knowledge and understanding of that word, we will be strong and obedient in the things of the Lord.  Have you done any spiritual body building lately?

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

Thought for Today:  Obedience begins with strengthening oneself in the Lord.

2015 October 5 - Morning Manna

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? (Proverbs 18:14)

Today's Morsel:  I was talking with a friend a few days ago about all the different illnesses in the world today. Every disease you can think of is before us.  It seems that new illnesses are being named and reported on a daily basis.  And the system seems to be trying to find a cure for all of them.   Then add to that all the unrest in the world, and in the home, many are being wounded in their spirits.  One of the most deadly diseases is a wounded spirit.   A wounded spirit will always be with you unless you allow Jesus to heal you of it.  There is no doctor that can diagnosis any type of medication for it.  They may prescribe different kinds  of pills and drugs, but this disease is not cured by drug.  It is only cured by God.  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Is your spirit wounded?  Are you carrying around past hurts or perhaps present hurts?  Then why not allow Jesus the opportunity to perform what He said that He came to do.  For He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19).  Believe me, He is the only cure for this disease.  Jesus can make you whole.

Sing:  He touched me!  He touched me!  And oh the joy that floods my soul, something happened, and now I know, Jesus touched me and He made me whole.

Thought for Today:  Jesus is still the answer for the world today. 

2015 October 3 - Morning Manna

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:9-11)

  

Today's Morsel: Now that I am getting older, I've had to change my physical activities to more walking than running.  I've learned that the continual pounding on the old knees isn't to good for me.   I find more scriptures about walking than I do running anyhow.  We are told to walk in the spirit and we will not fulfill the lust of our flesh (Galatians 5:16).  The Lord told Abraham in Genesis 13:17 to "Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee."  And then, "When Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). And Abraham is called a friend of God.  Paul told the church at Colossi, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." When we walk according to God's word, we will be blessed in our deeds.  Why not give walking a try, walking with the Lord that is.

Sing:  I am blessed! I am blessed! Every day that I live I am blessed. When I wake-up in the morning till I lay my head to rest I am blessed, I am blessed.

Thought for Today: "Walk on , walk on, with hope in your heart, and you'll never walk alone" (Oscar Hammerstein)

2015 October 2 - Morning Manna

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Today's Morsel:  Sometimes I reflect on my life and I ask myself why didn't I pursue acting.  When I was in school I liked acting in school plays.  I was even asked once about trying out for a part in" Driving Miss Daisy" here in La Crosse at the Community Theater, but I didn't do it.   Ashleigh Brillant, British cartoonist said, "My life has a superb cast, but I can't figure out the plot."  The Lord said through the prophet Jeremiah, "I know the thoughts that I think toward you. Thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end."  One of the surest ways to find what God thinks about us is to read and perform His word.  When we do, we see also what role He wants us to play in this life.

Sing:  Aren't you getting just a bit tired, of fooling around? You're trying to act you way through this life but you are not gaining ground. Why not try the Lord today, just ask Him in your heart to stay, and you'll find Jesus' love to be the greatest gift that you've ever found.

   Jesus got a hold of my life and He won't let me go. Jesus got in to my heart, He got in to my soul. I used to be oh so sad, but now I happy, free and I'm glad, cause Jesus got a hold of my life and He won't let me go.

Thought for Today:  Find the part Jesus has for you, and perform it.

2015 October 1 - Morning Manna

And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.
 (1 Kings 21:1-6)

Today's Morsel: One of the greatest lessons we can learn in life at the earliest stage is that of contentment with what we already have.  When we want or lust after what others have it is sure to lead us into heartache and trouble.  Ahab was a king.  He had more than what one could probably ask for.  But he wanted Naboth's vineyard.  And when he didn't give it to him or trade with him, he became sad and downtrodden.  James said that when lust is conceived, it will bring forth sin, and when sin is finish it will bring forth death.  Anything that causes you to be heartbroken because you can't have it will surely lead you to sin and make wrong choices.  Do not err my beloved brethren.  Be content with the things you have been given.

Sing:  Jesus, You know what's best for me. So lead on, Jesus, I'll go wherever You lead.

Thought for Today:  "Self-Pity in its early stage is as snug as a feather mattress.  Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable."  Maya Angelou, American writer.