2010 June 30 - Morning Manna

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:1-8).

Today's Morsel: The story is told of a man who was hunting and he came upon a bear. When he raised his rifle to shot the bear, the rifle jammed and would not shoot. The man began to run, and the bear ran after him. As the bear got closer to the man, the man stopped and knelt to pray to God for protection. To the man's surprise, the bear also stopped and knelt to pray. The man prayed, "Thank you Lord for saving me." The bear prayed, "Thank you Lord for this food I am about to receive." (Humor is the best medicine.)

Jesus said that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. When we maintain a consistent prayer life with Jesus, it keeps us connected to the power source of our encouragement and motivation. Our spiritual light burns brighter and we become more of a witness of His mercy and grace. For me, prayer always seems to leave me full of life, excitement, and satisfaction. When I'm finished praying, having a good talk with Jesus and listening to the Lord, I come away with a calm assurance that no matter what the outcome of my prayers are, I'm confident that all things will work together for the good to them who love God and to them who are the called according to His purpose. I just get that peace that passes all understanding. And I know that if God is for me, then who can be against me? Jesus said that men ought to always to pray and not give up or give in. In other words, don't stop praying when our answer doesn't come when we think it ought to. We must remember, quitters never win and winners never quit. We win in Jesus, so don't quit. As the writer of Hebrews admonishes us, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). Remember, Jesus said, "All things are possible to him that can believe.

Sing: Someone is praying for you! Someone is praying for you! When you feel all alone, and your heart would break in two, remember, someone is praying for you!

2010 June 29 - Morning Manna

And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there. For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were. And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within (2 Kings 7:3-11).

Today's Morsel: What are you doing with the good news that has been given to you? Are you holding it to yourself, or are you sharing it with others? Jesus said that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to preach the gospel to the poor...and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19). The apostle Paul said that now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. People are seeking for answers to their life and their dilemmas. The gospel is the news that they need to hear. The gospel can bring change and hope to any situation, Jesus is the answer for the world today. The lepers said, "We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household." They knew that if they didn't tell someone, some bad things could happen to them. Remember, if you know about Jesus and you don't tell others about Him, Jesus will hold you responsible for not telling them. Don't hold the Good News in, but go tell everyone you meet.

Sing: There's a call come ringing o'er the restless waves, send the light, send the light. There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save, send the light, oh send the light. Send the light, the blessed gospel light, let it shine from shore to shore. Send the light, the blessed gospel light, let it shine forever more.

2010 June 28 - Morning Manna

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"(Ephesians 6:10-18).

Today's Morsel: When I was a Drill Instructor, our motto was "The more sweat in peace, the less blood in combat." How much of the enemy's darts do you think you can handle? I think that a lot of born again believers do not realize that they were born again to get into the battle. I believe that many of them thought that once they gave their lives to Jesus, everything was going to be a cake-walk in the park. Spiritual warfare is real. But you were born again to fight against the kingdom of darkness. So make sure you prove each piece of your armor daily. One of the worst things that can happen to a soldier in battle is to have the enemy coming against you and find that part of your battle-gear doesn't work. All of the armor God gave you is for defensive measures, other than the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. The Sword is our offensive weapon and we use it to fight. When things start coming against you, know that you were born for this battle and you are equipped to fight it.

Sing: When in service for my Lord, dark may be the night, but I'll cling more close to Him, He will give me light. Satan's snares may vex my soul, turn my thoughts aside, but my Lord goes ahead, He lead whatever betide!

Oh I want to see Him, look upon His face. There to sing forever, of His saving grace. On the streets of glory, let me lift my voice, cares all passed, home at last, ever to rejoice!

2010 June 26 - Morning Manna

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6).

Today's Morsel: When people are looking for something that they can't find, my wife with her wit and humor says, "I bet it will be in the last place you look!" Are you looking for Jesus today? I bet He'll be in the last place you look. He's not far from any of us. We just need to open our understanding and call upon Him as He is as close as the mention of His name. Jesus doesn't play hide and seek. He is open before all of us. But what I have found is that many are looking for Him in all the wrong places. They look for Him by seeking out the perfect church. Churches aren't perfect because they are made up of people. They look for Him in the right preacher. Preachers are human and so they have issues, too. If you really want to find Jesus, you have look for Him with all your heart and you will find Him. Care to look again?

Sing: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you, Hallelu! Hallelujah!

2010 June 25 - Morning Manna

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences (Ecclesiastes 10:4).

Today's Morsel: One of the things about spiritual warfare is the enemy of your soul will try to root you out of your place. Solomon said, "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place." Satan is the ruler of this world, and he is going to do everything in his power to root you out. He will come against you with false accusations, threats, lies, sickness, visa disapprovals, or physical attacks, but you have to stand your ground. A soldier's first general order is, "I will guard everything within the limits of my post, and quit my post only when properly relieved." If Jesus hasn't relieved you or sent a replacement for you, stay put. Solomon also informs us, "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Proverbs 24:10). If you give up when things start to come against you, you don't know Jesus well enough yet and your relationship with Him is not solid. Nothing should be able to separate you from what He has called you to do. The Lord said through Isaiah the prophet, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD" (Isaiah 54:17). And, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him" (Isaiah 59:19). We have much assurance from our Lord. God will never leave you, so don't leave your post, but rather "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).

Sing: The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run in to it, and they are safe. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run in to it, and they are safe.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord most high. Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord most high!

2010 June 24 - Morning Manna

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went (John 6:14-21).

Today's Morsel: Are you aware that when you allow Jesus to come into your life, He can immediately change any situation you may have? The disciples were in a storm, but when they received Jesus into their ship, immediately they were at the land where they were going. They were no longer in the storm of life or danger. Have you considered inviting Jesus into your life today? It could make all the difference whether you will keep having to endure the storm that is raging in your life, or if it comes to an immediately halt. I believe you will receive the latter. What about you?

Sing: Though the storms keep on raging in my life, and sometimes it's hard to tell the night from day. Still there lies a hope within that's reassured, as I keep my eyes upon the distant shores; I know, He'll lead, me safely to, that blessed place, He has prepared; but if the storms don't cease, and if the winds keep on blowing in my life, my soul has been anchored in the Lord!

2010 June 23 - Morning Manna

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited (Jeremiah 17:5-6).

Today's Morsel: It has been stated that the majority of people who say that they are born again believers do not walk by faith, but rather walk by sight. They trust more in man and in themselves than God. They run very low on patience when things aren't in their best interest. It was also stated that if the Christian would stop and do an evaluation of himself, he could see that he is not truly trusting in God, but in others and himself over 75% of the time throughout the day. Many say that they trust God, but really they trust in themselves. It was also stated that the majority of believers only get to a true point of trusting in God when they think that life may be about to expire. The Lord said, "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." David said, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God"(Psalms 20:7). Isaiah said, "Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength" (Isaiah 26:4). Where is your trust today? I pray that it is always in the Lord.

Sing: I trust in God, wherever I may be, upon the land, or on the raging sea; though come what may, from day to day, my Heavenly Father, watches over, over, me.

Chorus: I trust in God, I know He cares for me; upon the land, or on the raging sea, though billows roll, He keeps my soul; my Heavenly Father, watches over, over me.