2015 December 31 - Morning Manna

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.
(Hebrews 6:1-3)

Today's  Morsel:  Perfection actually comes in three stages.  Present perfection, continual perfection, and future perfection.  When one goes through his initial stage of the new birth experience, that of being baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost, all his sins are washed away. He is now perfect at the moment in his present state.  But because he is in the world, he will be tainted by the world and its ways.  This is why he must immediately head towards the second stage, continual perfection.  He must pray, read his Bible, and attend church as much as he can because this is where he will learn to grow and mature.  Paul told the church at Ephesus, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-15).  One of the duties of spiritual leadership is to help you continue on that road to future perfection.  They are to help you mature and grow in Christ so that you will reach that final stage.  And that is your future perfection.  It is this final stage of perfection when we shall stand before Christ and hear Him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."   Jesus said, "Be ye perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect" 
(Matthew 5:48).

Sing: I am determined to hold out to the end.  Jesus is with me, on Him I can depend.  I know I have salvation for I feel Him in my soul, I am determined to hold out to the end.

Thought For Today:  Perfection is obtainable if you keep pressing toward the mark for the prize.

2015 December 30 - Morning Manna

Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. 
(Proverbs 24:7)

Today's Morsel:  I often wonder why so many folks seem to have a hard time attaining wisdom.  If wisdom cries in the streets and in the chief places of the concourses, shouldn't those who pass by reach out to her so that they can become wise?  Is wisdom really that high that we cannot reach up and obtain it?  Is wisdom that far elevated that we can't take hold of it?  Why are there so many that seem to lack wisdom?  Solomon said that it (wisdom) is too high for a fool.  What would classify one as a fool?  Solomon tells us that:  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool (Proverbs 28:16), He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool (Proverbs 10:18), One who does mischief, is a fool (Proverbs 10:23), One who is right in his own eyes is a fool (Proverbs 12:15), He that despiseth his father's instruction is a fool (Proverbs 15:5),  He that is full of words is a fool (Ecclesiastes 10:14); and King David said that he who says in his heart that there is no God is a fool (Psalm 14:1).  So I guess if a person falls into any of these categories, we can see why wisdom would be too high for them to attain.  But to the born again believer, nothing shall be impossible for him to attain.  As the Lord said, "Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it" 
(Psalms 81:10).

Sing:  More! More about Jesus! More! More about Jesus; more of His saving fullness see, more of His love who died for me.

Thought For Today:  Wisdom is the principle thing. 

2015 December 29 - Morning Manna

And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. (Ezekiel 47:6-12)

Today's Morsel: When Ezekiel got the vision of the living water issuing from underneath the altar, the Lord told him that wherever those waters went that they would be for healing.  When Jesus told the woman at the well that the water He gave her would be a well of water springing up unto eternal life, He was speaking of the power that those who were filled with His Spirit would have.  Not only within themselves, but also what they would be able to do.  As a Holy Ghost filled believer in Christ, you should be a healer to all people, know matter where you go and whomever you meet.  You should be able to lay hands on the sick and they should recover.  Sometimes just placing your hand on another's shoulder can make a different when they are going through things in their life.  Sometimes just a pat on the back or reassurance after a person's mistake can bring recovery and healing to their heart.  You should be able to heal a troubled mind and spirit by just being a good listener.  You have the ability to do what Jesus said that you could and would be able to do.  Don't look at everything through the lens of your natural mind.  Remember, some of Jesus' greatest miracles were done through the spoken word.  

Sing: I've got the Holy Ghost down in my soul, just like the Bible said.  I've got the Holy Ghost down in my soul, just like the Bible said. Well, I've been to the water and I've been baptized in Jesus name, my soul got happy and I'm so satisfied, I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now, just like the Bible, just like the Bible, just like the Bible said.

Thought For Today:  God will work if you let Him.

2015 December 28 - Morning Manna

But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.
(Ezekiel 46:9)

Today's Morsel:  Do you ever leave church the same old way that you walked through the doors?  Do you ever think to yourself, "What did I even go for?"  Well, if your answer to those questions are yes, then you need to do a self-examination.  Paul told the church at Corinth: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates" (2 Corinthians 13:5-6). You see, we must enter His gates with thanksgiving and come into His courts with praise.  If all you get from church is the reading of the scripture for the sermon, when you leave church you should leave out a different way.  Then you should go home and search it out and see what the Lord is speaking to you.  Oftentimes, the reason we don't get anything out of the service is because we are focusing on people and our surroundings instead of Christ.  You have to purpose in your heart to depart every service changed and in a different way.

Sing:  I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead, here to declare to You my past is over in You, all things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ, I'm moving, moving forward.

Thought For Today:  Always purpose to leave church a different way then you went in.

2015 December 26 - Morning Manna

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalms 100:1-5)

Today's Morsel:  The Psalmist calls for us to enter the gates of the Lord with thanksgiving and come into his courts with praise.  Gates are often associated with an entrance.  And so I believe what the Psalmist is saying is that every time we come before the presence of the Lord we should come with thanksgiving in our hearts.  No matter what we are going through in life, and no matter how many hardships we may be facing, or the weight we may be carrying, we come before Him with thanksgiving because we are coming to bless Him for His goodness and mercy towards us.  When our hearts are filled with thanks, and our mouths are filled with praise, joy will be in our hearts and deliverance will soon be ours.  

Sing:  I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in Thee Lord, the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. Oh 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 of my fears.

Thought for Today: You can't have thanksgiving without thanks. (Parker)

2015 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 of good cheer, 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 when 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. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thought for Today:   There is no Christmas without Christ.

2015 December 24 - Morning Manna

 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:1-2)

Today's Morsel:  Someone said that the wise men were firemen because they came from a far (Humor).  One of the things about wise men and women, is that they will seek out truth.  Through scripture, the wise men knew that the deliverer was to be born in Bethlehem, as the Prophet Micah had recorded this.  And when they had seen His star in the east, the place where Jesus was born, they came seeking Him to worship Him.  According to the apostle John, on the Isle of Patmos, Jesus said of Himself, "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16).  Are you seeking the Star today?  Isaiah said, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).  Now is the time that wise men still seek for Him and still worship Him.

Sing: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

Thought for Today: Wise men still seek Him