2013 August 31 - Morning Manna

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 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: The group Chicago wrote a song entitled, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Does Anybody Really Care?" Do you know what time it is? Do you really care. So many don't seem to care because they aren't doing anything their time. They are just allowing it to waste away. So many people exit this world, having made no impact in it or in the life of others. So many people seem to be depending on the government to save them. But the Lord said, "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD"(Ezekiel 14:14). No other person can save you. As Peter told the people on the day of Pentecost, "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. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:40-42). Do you know what time it is? "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). Are you concerned about the time?

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 unchanging hand!

2013 August 30 - Morning Manna

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Today's Morsel:Military personnel have their own language. When a military person receives orders for an overseas assignment or is required to move to another military base, they do a permanent change of station, or PCS. When they arrive overseas, they are immediately given a DEROS date, or a date to return back to the states. Some people will extend their time overseas because they like their duty station, location, or their job. While others can't want to leave and get back to their homeland and families. You know, from the time we are born, we are given a DEROS date and it will be a PCS move. Granted, some people try to get extended, but Jesus usually says no, it's time to come home. Would you say that you are ready to PCS to your home of record? Shouldn't we who say that we are Christians be excited about the move? Like the military, we all have an ETS, Expiration Time of Service. Paul said, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Are you ready?

Sing: When Jesus steps out on the cloud to call his children, the dead in Christ shall rise to meet Him in the air; and those that remain, will be quickly change, at the midnight cry, we'll be going home.

2013 August 29 - Morning Manna

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)

 

Today's Morsel: Being filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in another tongue, is an awesome and uplifting feeling. It's like a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. It's refreshing. It's powerful. Some people have never spoken in another tongue as the spirit gave them the utterance, because they have never been taught the importance of receiving the baptism of Holy Ghost, God's Spirit. When Jesus told His disciples to tarry at Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:47-49), they didn't know that speaking in tongues would be their initial evidence that they were filled. They just knew that God had told them that they would be filled. And once it happened, Peter knew that this was what Jesus meant when He said, " If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39). He knew because of the prophet Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-20). Wouldn't you want to know for sure that you have received what God promised you, rather than to walk around wondering if you have received it or not? "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him" (Luke 11:9-13)? There was no longer any doubt in Abraham's mind, once he saw Isaac, about the promise God made him. And there won't be any doubt in your mind either that you've been filled with God's Spirit once you speak in tongues as the Spirit gives you the utterance.

Sing:Breathe on me! Breathe on me! Holy Ghost power, breathe on me. Yesterday's gone, today I'm in need, Holy Ghost power, breathe on me.

2013 August 28 - Morning Manna

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8).

 

Today's Morsel: Why does it seem that the church is trying to keep pace with the world? Many are changing their church schedules, music, teachings, and even preaching trying to stay in tempo with the world. Isn't Jesus the head of the church? Isn't the Holy Ghost its power and the Word its guide? If Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, why do we keep changing? Why are we writing new Bibles, doesn't the one I have now still serve its purpose? I was told not to add to nor take away from the Word of God. Why are we trying to adapt our Sunday Schools to the way kids are taught at secular school? Didn't Jesus tell us, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20). Shouldn't kids be exposed to God's ways? As Paul told the church at Galatia: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh" (Galatians 3:1-3)? And as he told the church at Colossi: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:8-10). Since Jesus doesn't change, I think I'll just remain old school, in faith, hope, love, doctrine and the Word.

Sing:There's just one, one, one, one way to God (3x), baptized in Jesus Name!

2013 August 27 - Morning Manna

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:17; 26)

Today's Morsel:Back in 1989, I brought an old Datsun (which today is Nissan) pickup. The gas gauge said it had a half tank of gas, and I wasn't aware that the gauge wasn't working (like some folks faith). So when it stopped along the highway, my first reaction was that I had bought a lemon. But once two angels showed up, reviewed the situation and told me that I was out of gas, I was surprised (I don't have enough space in this manna to tell you what transpired, but angels did appear and helped me). Once I obeyed what they told me, I got gas and the truck ran well again. I could have disregarded their instruction and said, "It's not out of gas." But once I stepped out on faith and got some gas in it it ran perfect. James said faith without works is dead. If you say that you have faith but you have no works your faith is going to be dead. Sometimes you just have to do what you are told to do, God may be testing your faith. "Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares"(Hebrews 13:2). Through my truck experience, my faith is stronger in support of angels working on our behalf.

Sing: Faith! Faith! Just a little bit of faith (2x). You don't need a whole lot, just use what you've got. Faith! Faith! Just a little bit of faith.

2013 August 26 - Morning Manna

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (2 John 1:7-8)

 

Today's Morsel: There seems to be an onslaught against the things of God. Many are trying to erode the faith of Christians and the church. But hell shall not prevail. Let me encourage you today, keep examining yourself to ensure that you remain in the love of God and that you are living according to His Word. If the enemy can distract you from your ultimate goal of heaven, he wins. So each day conduct a self examination to ensure you are on track and heading in the right direction, because many false prophets and antichrists are in the world today.

Sing: I'm not sorry! I'm not sorry, I've answered the Master's call; Jesus took my heaven load, now I'm on the glory road, and I'm not sorry! I'm not sorry, anymore.

2013 August 24 - Morning Manna

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30)

 

Today's Morsel: It has been stated that cosmetic companies make billion of dollars yearly on their products, and all because people aren't satisfied with who they are. So many seem to be discontent with how they look and who they are; both men and women. The Bible says of Jesus, "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him"(Isaiah 53:2). Sad to say, if Jesus was on the earth today, I don't think many women or men would want to be seen with Him. But what you find in Christ is that it was not about His outward beauty, it was about His inward character. You see, character is what makes a person beautiful. Granted, there is nothing wrong with being outwardly beautiful and taking care of yourself, but spending money trying to make yourself into something that God didn't intend for you to be is just going to frustrate you and depress you. Trying to change who you are shouldn't be the start of your day. Maybe this is why Paul told Timothy, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Always remember, the woman or man who praises and worships God in Spirit and in truth is already beautiful.

Sing: He gave me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness; that we might be trees of righteousness, the planted of the Lord, that He might be glorified.