2015 August 31 - Morning Manna

And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. (Luke 18:35-43)

Today's Morsel:  Most people who are sight or hearing impaired will tell you that they would like to be able to see or hear.  Just like in times of old, today people say that they see spiritually, but Jesus says that they are blind and cannot see.  The psalmist said that some people are like the idols that they've made.  "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them" (Psalms 115:4-8).  The Lord told the prophet Isaiah, after he requested that he be sent, "Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed" (Isaiah 6:10).  When the blind man cried out to Jesus, Jesus asked him what he desired. And the blind man said, "That I might receive my sight." And once he received his sight, he followed Jesus in the way.  If we say that we see spiritually, then we should be walking in the way called straight.  And that way is in obedience to the Word of God.

Sing:  I've found the way!  I've found the way, Oh glory, hallelujah, I've found the way.

Thought for Today: There is only one way to God, baptized in Jesus name!

2015 August 29 - Morning Manna

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:5-7)

Today's Morsel:  I heard a man once say, "A child unspotted by the world is a trophy of God."  You know, the same way that is it mandatory for every male to register for the draft at 18, I think it should be mandatory that every child has to read their Bible through in school, and pass an examination on it before they can graduate from high school and receive their diploma.  People who are opposed to reading the Bible don't want character in their lives nor their children's lives.  That's the main focus of the Bible, character building.  Yes, I know it has other stories in there, but the overall purpose for the Bible is building character  in your life.  Many will develop their own doctrines from it, but once you come into a true understanding of its purpose  you are going to see that it's all about building character in your life.  All because God is a God is righteousness, and it is His Word.  Notice what Solomon said, "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:5-7).  The problem with the world today is those who are in authority aren't listening to God.  

Sing: I'm a new creation, I'm a brand new man! Old things are passed away, I've been born again. More than a conqueror, that's who I am! I'm a new creation, I'm a brand new man.

Thought for Today:  A diploma on the wall without the knowledge of God is just a piece of paper.  

2015 August 28 - Morning Manna

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. (Job 3:25-26)

Today's Morsel:  Probably one of the greatest stories that should be read and encouraged to be read by Christians, is the book of Job.  To me, Job is a book of life's lessons.  It is a book of ups and downs.  A book of hurts and misunderstandings.  A book of what if's. A book of true friendships. And it is a book of "good things come to those who wait on the Lord."  The book of Job also reflects to the Christian spiritual warfare. It reveals Satan's overall intent.  And that intent is to steal, kill, and to destroy.  Job, however, shows us the value of doing the right thing and building a relationship with God while we are in our right minds, not trying to do it after troubles come.  Job said, "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came"(Job 3:25-26).  When we hear in the news or social media things that are happening to others, we may say, "Thank God for His protective hand that it is not us."  Again, like Job, we hear when it happens to others, but how do we deal with it when it is in our sandbox?  Job simply encourages us with these words, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth"(Job 23:10-13).  Job just said, "I held to the Word."  You see, a daily intake of the Word of God and being obedient to it will aide us when those unwanted troubles come.

Sing: I know the Lord will make a way for me, I know the Lord will make a way for me; if I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right, I know that Lord, will make a way for me.

Thought for Today:  We still have an anchor of hope, Jesus Christ!

2015 August 27 - Morning Manna

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (Psalms 34:1-8)

Today's Morsel: One of the things we like to do when we have guests in town, is to take them up on "Grand Dad's Bluff ".  From up there they can see three states at once; Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  Every once in a while when we go up, I will drop 50 cents into the machine to allow them to magnify their view of our city and the surrounding states.  David said, "O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together."  We know that God inhabits all space and so we cannot make Him any bigger than He already is.  But what we can do, is allow Him to be seen in a bigger way in our lives through our praise, worship, conduct, character,  and daily living.  This is what God desires and one of the reasons that I believe that Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).  Do people see Him when they see you?

Sing:  O' magnify the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised, O' magnify the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised.  Hosanna! blessed be the Rock, blessed be the Rock of my salvation; Hosanna! blessed be the Rock, blessed be the Rock of my salvation.  

Thought for Today: Love still reflects Jesus. 

2015 August 26 - Morning Manna

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:1-8)

Today's Morsel:  Scripture tells us that the Lord said that He had found David a man after His own heart.  I see in scripture many things that bring David into focus of God.  Moses said that God was a man of war; David was a man of war.  God destroys His enemies; David destroyed his enemies.  The list could go on.  But one of the things we see in scripture about David is that he was a man who prayed.  Like Jesus, God in flesh, David prayed.  David wrote, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."  He would later write, "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all" (Psalms 34:15-19).  If you want gladness in your heart, get into the habit of starting your day with prayer and cease not to call upon His name.  Become a man (or woman) after God's own heart.

Sing:  I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.  So shall I be saved from my enemies, I will call upon the Lord.

The Lord liveth  and blessed be the Rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted; The Lord liveth  and blessed be the Rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Thought for Today:  The effectual fervent prayer  of a righteous man still avails much.

2015 August 25 - Morning Manna

"LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah" (Psalms 3:1-8).

Today's Morsel:  Are you feeling a little overwhelmed about all the unrighteousness, indecency, debauchery, and uncleanliness in this land?  If we aren't careful, we can allow what the world is doing to cause us to be drawn into their foolishness and become troubled.  I don't know about you, but I've read The Book and I don't allow what this world is doing to affect me.  My focus is on Jesus because that is where my help comes from. Daily will I seek Him.  David found himself being troubled by many. But he cautions and encourages us that God protected and defended him.  And so David said, I will lay me down and sleep for the Lord will sustain him. We should not fret about the world, it is not our eternal home. If your stakes are down here, you'll be troubled with your surroundings.  But if your heart is set on your eternal home, that New Jerusalem, you'll be at peace and have contentment even in this present world.

Sing: Peace, peace, wonderful peace; coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

Thought for Today:  Inability to sleep because of a troubled mind, means your focus is on the wrong thing. 

2015 August 24 - Morning Manna

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psalms 1:1-6)

  

Today's Morsel:  One of the things about serving God is that He wants us, His children, to be blessed.  If we say that we are His and we are still living with a "below the poverty line attitude and mentality" than we may not be following and obeying the scriptures.  I know that we brought nothing into this world and we can carry nothing out, but that doesn't mean that God's children are to be paupers.  I am not speaking a name-it-and-claim-it doctrine; yet the psalmist said in Psalm 37:25 "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."  I do think there is a stipulation though; David said, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."  We must give ourselves completely to the word of God, and be obedient to it, and then we will see how blessed and highly favored of the Lord we are.  A blessed life is a fruit filled life.  Like the psalmist, I was young and now I am old(er) and I have never seen the righteous forsaken, and I have never seen His seed begging for bread.  God supplies His children's needs when they are obedient to His word and when they sow into His kingdom.

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: The greatest blessing you can receive is remission of sins.