2014 December 31 - Morning Manna

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? 

(Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

Today’s Morsel: Does the thought ever run through your mind what is required to make it into heaven?  I’m sure most of us have attended class and the instructors told us up front what was required to pass. In his recap to the children of Israel, Moses brought to their remembrance what the Lord required of them. He told them, “But to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good.”  There is really nothing hard about what he told them. He just basically told them to respect God, do what He tells you, and commit your life to Him, and you’ll be blessed beyond measure (my paraphrase).  The things of God are easy to do if we just make up our minds and do them. Remember, being born again and living holy gets us on the road to heaven, but obedience takes us all the way there.

  

Sing: When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory.

Thought for Today: Being born again and living holy gets us on the road to heaven, but obedience takes us all the way there .

2014 December 30 - Morning Manna

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Romans 5:1-5).

Today’s Morsel: If someone were to ask you to define “justified,” what would you tell them?  The best way to look at justified is: “just (as)—if—I’d.”  Just as if I’d never done anything wrong.  Just as if I’d never made a mistake. Just as if I’d have never lied, cheated, or stolen. Paul said, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:9-11).  You see, once you were baptized in Jesus’ name, it’s just as if you’d never done any of those things Paul mentioned.  The blood of Jesus is like an eraser; it removes our sins.  If you confess your sins, Jesus will wipe them away.  You don’t have to be ashamed of the sins and wrongs you’ve done in the past if you have been born again.  You’ve been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus Christ. Be of good cheer.

Sing: The Joy of the Lord is my strength; The Joy of the Lord is my strength; The Joy of the Lord is my strength; the Joy of the Lord is my strength.

Thought for Today:  Baptism in Jesus name still works.

2014 December 29 - Morning Manna

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia (I Thessalonians 1:5-7).

Today’s Morsel:  Every born-again believe has the power at his disposal to start a new world for someone else.  Think about this for a moment; Jesus said that a man must be born again of the water and the Spirit, and that comes through obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Paul told us that as we have borne the image of the earthly Adam, we must bear the image of the heavenly, Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:45-49).  And Solomon said, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).  Your world can be turned upside down.  Darkness may be all you see in your tunnel, nothing may be going right for you, and you may be even thinking about ending it all.  But obedience to the gospel can put/bring you into a new world of peace, joy, power, and reassurance in who you are and what God created you for.  Remember, Satan’s world is destruction and death, but when you get into Jesus’ world, it is abundance of life. 

Sing: Let there be singing, let there be joy, let there be praise in the house of the Lord. Let there be mercy, rejoice, rejoice, we're building together the house of the Lord.

Thought for Today: Obedience to the gospel can put/bring you into a new world of peace, joy, power, and reassurance in who you are and what God created you for.

2014 December 27 - Morning Manna

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:1-6)

Today's Morsel: I'm often appalled by the people who say that they are Christians, yet they feel that it is okay to maintain a little sin in their life.  They say, you know no one is perfect.  And so because they feel that way, they think that it is okay to sin "just a little".  But little sins are like a snowball rolling down a snow covered hill; they get bigger and bigger.  Sin is like having a boxer bulldog puppy as a pet.  He's cute while he is small but he's not going to stay that way for long.  Little sins never remain little, and they always affect someone else.  Joseph's brothers probably thought it was fun selling him into slavery to get him out of the house.  But little did they know that what they thought was just a little sin would cause their father and the entire family and nation of Israel grief for the rest of their lives. As Moses admonished, "But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).  Paul said that we should not continue in sin once we are saved.  That old sinful man is buried in the watery grave of baptism in the name of Jesus.  There has got to come a time that the sin faucet is turned off, a lock put on it and the key thrown away.  The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.  

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: Leave off sin before it be meddled with.

2014 December 26 - Morning Manna

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

(Proverbs 16:31)

Today's Morsel: Many folks become depressed when they see gray beginning to grow in their hair. Some see this as a sign of growing old, and so they try to change it back to its original (younger) color by dying it.  But Jesus said, "Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black"(Matthew 5:36).  Solomon's words are and should be of great encouragement to us.  He said that the hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.  If we are doing right and living right, then when our hair starts to change its color, God is bringing about illustrious beauty in us.  Righteousness is the white linen of the saints of God.

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

Thought for Today: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Jesus Christ)

2014 December 25 - Morning Manna

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:1-7).

Today’s Morsel:  Christmas! One songwriter says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”  I would tend to agree, but not just because of the happy meetings, the kids' happy greeting, or the mistletoe!   It is the most wonderful time of the year because we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I enjoy my own birthday, and I am thankful when my wife bakes a cake for me and my family and friends help me celebrate the day I was born.  How much more should we celebrate God Himself leaving heaven to come robed in flesh to save His people from their sins?  Enjoy this great day.  Spend it celebrating the greatest gift of all, Jesus’ love for you. 

Sing:  Happy birthday, Jesus; I’m so glad it’s Christmas. All the tinsel and lights and the presents are nice, but the real gift is You.

Happy birthday, Jesus; I’m so glad it’s Christmas. All the carols and bells make the holiday swell, and it’s all about You.  Happy birthday, Jesus; Jesus, I love You.

Happy Birthday, Jesus; Jesus, I love You.

Thought for Today: Keep Christ at the forefront of Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2014 December 24 - Morning Manna

 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:22-23).

Today’s Morsel:  Why would Almighty God robe Himself in human flesh to come to the earth?  This question seems to plague many.  Some have even questioned how this can be.  It even divides the church.  Jesus said, “With men, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”  As God asked Abraham, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”  He questioned Job, “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:2-7).  Not until you have a full understanding and revelation that Jesus Christ was God manifested in flesh can you understand who you are in Him and what He desires to do through you.

Sing: Immanuel, Immanuel, His name is called Immanuel. God with us, revealed in us. His name is called Immanuel.

Immanuel, Immanuel , Sein Name heibt Immanuel. Gott hat sich uns offenbart. Sein Name heibt Immanuel.

Thought for Today: Does God dwell in you today?