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MORNING MANNA FOR 2010

MORNING MANNA - JULY 31, 2010
DO WE CAUSE GRIEF?
Ephesians 4:30 (TLB) - Don't cause the Holy Spirit sorrow by the way you live. Remember, he is the
one who marks you to be present on that day when salvation from sin will be complete. What exactly is this grief, or sorrow, that the Apostle Paul is
speaking about in Ephesians 4:30? I decided to check it out and found that it made me sad but, in a good sense, because it further opened
my eyes to the way to live the abundant life and be pleasing to the Lord. The sad thing is that many times, you and
I have probably grieved the Holy Spirit! We have distressed Him and caused Him to be sad. To be sorrowful.
To be in heaviness. In grief. I sure know, from a personal point of view, what it means to grieve. I'm
sure you do too. But, I just wonder how it is for the Holy Spirit. There are so many of us that have known His
kindness and received His gifts. You'd think that we would be so grateful that we would never think of causing Him
grief! But, it seems that God's children have been doing that for ages! Look what the prophet, Isaiah says
about God's children in this passage. Isaiah 63:8-10 (NLT) 8 He
said, “They are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.” And he became their Savior. 9 In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy
he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. 10 But
they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he became their enemy and fought against them. The
original word used here for, "grieved," means exactly that plus so much more. It has the connotation of
carving. Oh my! Could it be that the very people to whom God has given so much could carve on and grieve
and pain His Spirit? I don't like saying it, but it is true. It is our choice to grieve the Holy Spirit or
to submit to Him and walk in and with Him. You might be asking,
right about now, "So, how do we do this walking in and with Him?" As I have been going through the book
of Ephesians I have seen the Apostle, Paul, trying his best to let us know what we do to grieve the Holy Spirit. There's
a great deal of it spelled out in Ephesians 4. God has sent his Spirit to us to guarantee our salvation. All by itself, that is reason
enough to want to keep from causing Him sorrow! 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NLT) 21 It is God who enables
us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has
identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he
has promised us. Look at this verse from Ephesians 1:13-14 (TLB) And because of what Christ
did, all you others too, who heard the Good News about how to be saved, and trusted Christ, were marked as belonging
to Christ by the Holy Spirit, who long ago had been promised to all of us Christians. His presence within us is God's
guarantee that he really will give us all that he promised; and the Spirit's seal upon us means that God has already
purchased us and that he guarantees to bring us to himself. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious
God. Okay, now we have a motive and reason not to bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit. He is the very
one in whom we are sealed so that we will one day finally see all the good that God has in store for us!
Paul begs us to live and act in a way that is worthy of those who have
been chosen. That's us! I remember that from Ephesians 1! So, let me go back to the beginning of Ephesians 4 and, come with me if you will. I know we all know all of these things already but, with all the distraction
and loud voices coming from the world, it never hurts to have a little refresher course. How to live as a believer,
101. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other. Let your love make allowances for the faults of
others. Be at peace with one another. Remember that we're all a part of one body and you and I are attached to
each other somewhere along the line! Remember that God has given us each special gifts and remember to use them
to build up His Body. Grow up in Christ (this is one that is certainly ongoing). Don't be childish but be childlike
in your faith. Follow the truth, speak it and live it. Don't be bound by blindness and confusion; keep your mind
open to God and His Light. Throw off your old evil nature, which includes lust and falsity. Constantly be changing your
attitudes and thoughts for the better. (another one that is ongoing, for sure). Be holy and be good. Be
clothed with a new nature. Don't sin in your anger. Give it up by nightfall. Don't hold grudges and
thereby give the devil a foothold. Don't steal. Be an industrious worker. Give to others in need.
Don't use bad or crude language. Say things that are uplifting and helpful to others. Bless those around you!
Oh my goodness! That is one big refresher course!! I used the word, "you," many times in this paragraph
and just because I may be pointing at you, you have to know that four other fingers are pointing right back at me.
All of us have an opportunity to grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live. We can choose to forget or ignore the
fact that we are sealed by Him. What does it mean to be sealed? We are, in effect, stamped with God's personal
signet, just as an earthly king might seal something with his signet. The Maker of Heaven and Earth has placed
His private mark on you and me so we can never be taken from His possession! That's why this, "refresher course," is
necessary for each and every one of us. We also have the opportunity to live and act in a way that is worthy of being
a child of God. We don't have to grieve His Spirit. We can be pleasing to His Spirit and walk in Him every step
of the way. Isn't it interesting that God always gives us a choice? What is your choice today?

MORNING MANNA - JULY 30, 2010
DO YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE A MINISTER?
Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) 29 Let no corrupt communication
proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Most of us think, "clergy," when we hear the word, "minister."
We think about the ones who preach publicly and encourage the flock of God. They put together lots of words in a logical
and spiritual way and then speak them to those who attend church services. But, I think that I see here in Ephesians 4:29 that you and I are ministers too. We can either minister grace to our hearers or we can minister
something less productive! The word, "minister," simply means, "to give." It can also mean,
"to grant," "deliver," "bestow," "offer," and a few other things according to Strong's
Dictionary. An example can be of "seed yielding fruit," according to Vine's Dictionary. As believers,
we are supposed to be givers, and cheerful givers at that! We are also supposed to bear fruit. What can you
and I give cheerfully today to God and others? What is one way we can bear fruit? We can do it with
our words. No wonder the Apostle, Paul, is telling us here to watch what we say! The word, "corrupt,"
not only means, "corrupt," it also means, "worthless." The main meaning is, "rotten,"
and it comes from a root word meaning, "putrify," and "perish." Surely, as we speak to one another
and even to ourselves, we must be careful of our words. Not only those three and four letter words, but words
that bring death to the hearer (and ourselves) instead of the grace that we are told to minister. I was listening
to a sermon just this morning and the preacher described words that are less than graceful as, vain, stupid, useless,
powerless, and negative. Obviously, this sort of talk will not be uplifting to the listener! You and I are to speak life to the hearer (and the hearer includes our own self-talk).
God is the giver of life, the giver of good and fruitful words. The enemy is the one who is out to steal, kill, and
destroy - negative words if I have ever heard any negative words! Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) 21 Death and life are
in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. God
is good! He has given us great power in our tongue. Power that can kill or give life. The fact that we
have such power is awesome but the prideful person is going to get into a mess here. The one who is meek will have the victory.
Meekness is power under control. Our tongues are small but James says that when we misuse them, we're in
for trouble! James 1:26 (NKJV) 26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this
one's religion is useless. It appears that useless words make the user useless! Not only
is the user useless, he or she is deceived and he or she has done it to themselves! I hate to say this and so I'm going
to say that the Bible literally says that this person's worship is in vain. It's profitless. It's empty.
How many of us use idle words and then try to worship the Almighty God of the universe? I have done that.
In fact, I spent the afternoon playing Scrabble with my daughter and we used some pretty idle words as we tried to think
of words to play and found that we could think of lots of words that were not edifying. Pretty scary when I realize
that I will be held accountable for every idle word I speak!
Here's what Jesus says: Matthew 12:35-37 (KJV) 35 A good man
out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth
evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt
be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Going back to Ephesians 4:29 again, this is how it is translated in the Amplified Version: Let
no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such
[speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that
it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. Every one of us is
a minister. Every one of us speaks words. What kind of words do we minister to others (and to ourselves)? I
know I have lots of work to do in this area, renewing my mind to speak only words that build up and add to my own and others
spiritual growth. Certainly, crude and abusive language is out of place in the life of any believer. But then
there are also those profitless, useless and idle words. Proverbs 10:31-32 (NLT) 31 The
mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. 32
The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. Be
encouraged today. You are a minister! Minister words of encouragement to others to build them up! Minister
grace. I'll be trying to do that right along with you!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 29, 2010
STEALING AND WORKING
Ephesians 4:28 (KJV) 28 Let
him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have
to give to him that needeth. Even though the times are economically hard today, work is a necessity. When people don't work, they are tempted
to steal. This is a sad affair. I am reminded of what the writer of Proverbs asked of the Lord.
Proverbs 30:8-9 (KJV) 8 Remove
far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of
my God in vain. This is a request by the writer to God to help him stay away from vanity and from
telling lies. I notice how this goes right along with what Paul has said in Ephesians about telling lies. Proverbs 30:9 demonstrates that, if one is very poor, that one will be tempted to steal. I also notice that, here in the King
James Version, taking God's name in vain is right there with stealing. If we say we believe, we need to stay away
from all sorts of stealing! My dad used to bring home pencils from the office. At the time, I didn't realize
that was stealing. I know someone who has been known to take towels from hotel rooms and didn't feel that there was
anything wrong with it. I have been raised in a world that thinks it's all right to do this sort of thing. As
a result, when I started working, guess what I did? I brought home pencils, tablets, notebooks, etc. Then I learned
from the Word of God that this was stealing! Oh my, what a shock! You see, I felt like I was a good upstanding
person because I was ignorant of the Word of God in that area. I just did what everybody else did! Isn't
it interesting that, when many people are doing something, it doesn't seem to be so wrong? But, it is wrong to steal
anything! Well, I looked up the word, "steal,"
in the Greek. Guess what it means? It means - are you ready for this? "Steal." Nothing
else but steal! Whoever has stolen anything needs to work to make money to give to those in need. Now, there's
a novel reason for working! We also have to work to sustain ourselves here on earth with food. Again, if one
doesn't work, that person will get hungry and be tempted to steal something to eat. But, the Word of God says this:
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 (NLT) 6 And
now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers
who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us. 7 For
you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We
never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of
you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give
you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this
command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Ouch! Work is necessary while
we live on earth. Someone in the family must work in order for the family to have food! This may be a reminder
to us to pray for those who are unemployed and homeless during these times. Paul's words in verse eight
remind me of when I was a young wife and mother. My dad worked right next door to the apartment building in which
I lived. Sometimes he would come for lunch. He always insisted on leaving me a little bit of money for the lunch
I had prepared for him! I didn't really want to take the money but, now I realize that he was teaching me a good principle!
Are you stealing? Am I? We can steal from one another
and we can also steal from God! Malachi 3:8 (KJV)8 Will a man rob God?
Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Oh my goodness!
This is a hard saying for some but I'm so glad that I didn't say it. God did! If we tithe on what we earn (that
is giving a tenth), it will make a difference whether we work or not, won't it? If we don't work, we won't have anything
to give! If we do work, and don't give back to the One who has given us the employment, we are stealing from
God! And, stealing may not just have to do with money. How about your time? How do you use it? Are
you idle (as Paul was talking about in 2 Thessalonians 3:6? Without becoming religious about it, how much time do we give to God and others, compared to
the time we spend for recreation? It's just a thought - and one that I have to ask myself all the time.
My grandfather used to say, "Time is money." It's very true that, from the moment you click that time card
(if that is the way your place of employment records your work hours) until the time you click it again to go home, you
are earning money! It was your time in exchange for their money. Now, what are we going to do with it?
First, we give a portion to God in thanksgiving for what He has given to us. Secondly, we buy the food we need and
provide for our family. 1 Timothy 5:8 (AMP) 8 If
anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing
to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters]. After
that, it's time to think about others who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. I like the way the Living
Bible paraphrases 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own
work, just as we told you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will trust and respect you, and you will
not need to depend on others for enough money to pay your bills. Yes, working and stealing are used within
the same verse in the Bible, Ephesians 4:28. Working was not originally designed for us to amass toys and stuff. I am not going to preach here because
I would be preaching to myself. I just wonder if our minds have been turned around by the enemy, in some cases, in
this area. The Apostle, Paul, says it like it is. As I get further into the book of Ephesians, his words get
harder and harder. Yet, it is this same Paul that was willing, because of his love for God and others, to
be chained in a dungeon and go through enormous hardship so that the message of the Gospel could get to the whole world!
So far, God has not asked me to make tents and spend what money I made to send the Good News out. But, if He did
ask me to do that, would I? Would you? Thank God, not many are called to such a task but we are all called
to live as is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. If we are not living that way, it just may be that we are stealing from God and stealing the opportunity from others
to hear about the salvation that Jesus offers!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 28, 2010
DON'T OFFER THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD!
Ephesians 4:26 - 26 Be ye angry, and sin
not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
There is one thing I know in this life, from
experience. If you give the devil an inch, he'll take a mile. If we offer him a foothold in our lives, it will
soon become a stronghold and, without repentance, and the grace and mercy of Jesus, we will not be able to break free.
Maybe you're reading this and thinking, "I wouldn't think of giving the devil a foothold!" I wouldn't think
of doing it either, but sometimes I do! From my earliest years, a weakness in me has been to hold a grudge. I
believe I am growing out from that as Jesus reveals those places in my life; but I certainly do know that staying angry
for a long period of time has many detrimental effects on our bodies, our minds, our relationships, and just about everything
in our lives! It all starts out with anger. Have you met any really angry people? They can explode at
a moment's notice and you never know when it's going to happen. It's quite like a terrorist attack! By
the way, it's really a good idea not to be close friends with that kind of a person. Proverbs 22:24-25 (KJV) 24 Make
no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest
thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. You see, anger tends to be contagious! If you
stay around an angry person you will tend to become angry too! Don't hang around with people who spill poison into
the air with their outbursts of anger. It's okay to be angry but harboring anger and showing outbursts of temper
is not a way to handle that anger. All that does is give the devil an open invitation to our lives! God has given us a little formula here in Ephesians 4:26. Don't lie down to go to sleep if you are still angry about something. Exasperation, fury and indignation
don't make for good bed fellows. While you are sleeping with them, they will multiply and they will take
over, making you sick in mind and body. As I'm writing, I'm thinking of what we talked about yesterday, in that we
should tell the truth in love. Has someone offended you? Has someone made you angry? Before the sun goes
down each day, make a choice to either just forgive that person or to go to them and tell them the truth, in love,
about what they did to hurt you or cause offense. Either way, let love be your guide. Love for yourself
and love for the other person. After all, you may be going to bed being angry at someone who isn't even aware that
they did anything wrong! You let it eat away at you and, pretty soon, you're sick and the other person is going
along merrily through life never knowing they have been a stumbling block in your life. Never having the
opportunity, if they so choose, to make amends and receive your forgiveness!
One commentary that I read says that Paul is saying that we should deal with any anger immediately so that
relationships are built rather than destroyed. Can you remember any time in your life when you stayed angry so
long that a relationship broke apart? And, just maybe, you can't even remember the incident that started it!
Oh, doesn't the enemy love that! Now, he has a foothold in at least one person's life and maybe two! And,
maybe neither of you can remember what started the whole thing. You just bottled up that anger, refused to confront the
situation in loving truth and kept feeding it. Now, the enemy may even have a stronghold because that anger will spill
over into ever facet of your life. I know this for sure. I have been an angry person, I have lived with angry
people, and I have seen many relationships corrupted by anger! Here's an interesting Biblical admonition regarding
anger. Ecclesiastes 7:9 (AMP) 9 Do not be quick in
spirit to be angry or vexed, for anger and vexation lodge in the bosom of fools. Oh my! Why make a fool
out of myself by being angry and vexed? Jesus said an interesting thing about anger too. Matthew 5:21-26 (NLT) 21 “You
have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’
22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If
you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger
of the fires of hell. 23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the
altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24
leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice
to God. 25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle
your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and
you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t
be free again until you have paid the last penny. Well, after reading this, it looks like an angry person
may fall into the category of, not only a fool, but that of a murderer too! Venting anger in the wrong way can
surely destroy another's esteem. It can effectively kill their person hood, making them unable to meet their God-given
potential. It looks like God doesn't even want our offerings if we are at odds with another person. He wants
us to be right, not only with Him, but with others also. Some of us are more prone to anger than others. It will
take a bit more discipline on our part, if we are prone to anger, to get everything settled before we go to sleep at
night. Is there someone that you need to talk to before night falls? The Lord will bless us and Satan will have
to leave us alone if we will be sure to turn an angry situation around before we go to sleep!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 27, 2010
FOR THE SAKE OF UNITY
Ephesians 4:25 (NLT) 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors
the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
I am just sitting here trying to imagine what would happen if my wrist allowed the wrong message to
pass through to my hand as I type. If that happened, I doubt if the message I am trying to send you here would come
out right! My body would not be working right so there would be some malfunction somewhere along the line. Do
you think that's the way it is with the Body of Christ? As I have thought, and said, many times before, if one
part is not working right, the rest of the body suffers! 1 Corinthians 12:25-27
(AMP) 25 So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body
to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another. 26 And
if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment
of it. 27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body and [individually] you are members of it, each
part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].
Ephesians 4:25 is translated this way in the King James Version: Wherefore putting away lying,
speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Lying doesn't just include
telling a bold-faced lie. What about the woman that buys that new dress and puts it in the back of the closet for
six months. The first time she wears it, and her husband says, "Is that new?", she feels okay to say,
"No, it's not new, I've had it for quite a while!" The truth might be that she knew she shouldn't
have bought it at the time she purchased it and she didn't want to risk her husband's wrath or disapproval. I've
done that! However, that is included in the word, lying. Deception is included in the word lying. If we
purposefully deceive another, we are using the same tactics the enemy used in the garden with Eve. We are either not
telling the whole truth or perhaps just saying what will please the listener. It's interesting that this can become
a pattern within us and we can begin to believe our own lies! Have you ever met anyone like that? I certainly
don't want to be that person and I'm sure you don't either. Falsity, as the Amplified version translates this portion
of scripture, is very detrimental to ourselves, as well as the whole Body of Christ. The, "old person,"
that we have been talking about lately in the Morning Manna, will deceive themselves. God has already told us that
the heart is deceitful above all things! Jeremiah 17:9-10 (KJV) 9 The heart is deceitful
above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even
to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. That's why we
have to guard our hearts against deception. Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) 23 Keep
and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
It's bad enough when we deceive our own selves, but, worse yet, when we become less than transparent and deceive
someone in the Body of Christ, putting up a veil or a blockage in the flow of the whole body!
Everything that is in our heart will one day come out our mouth. Matthew 12:34-36 (AMP) 34 You offspring
of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance)
of the heart the mouth speaks. In this passage, we hear Jesus talking to the Pharisees. He's not
happy with them because they don't walk their talk. They, for the most part, are living a lie. We don't want
to be in that crowd! But, here is how Jesus compares the good person and the evil person. 35 The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out
of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. If the good man flings forth good things,
that obviously does not include deception or lies! One day we will all have to give account for every inoperative
or nonworking word we speak. A lie will not qualify for something that works in the Kingdom of God. 36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative,
nonworking) word they speak. So, for our own good, and for the good of the Body, we need to encourage
one another to speak the truth at all times. We belong to Jesus, who is the Truth, so deception and falsehood are totally
opposed to the One we claim to follow! All through the Bible, God lets us know that truth is to be spoken. Zechariah 8:16-17 (KJV) 16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak
ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 17
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these
are things that I hate, saith the LORD. The Lord hates lies! And, no wonder! It brings
division, strife, and dis-unity to His children! Colossians 3:9-11 (KJV) 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with
his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:
but Christ is all, and in all. All of us believers are in this Body together. We can either
be a healthy part of the Body and help the Body to function correctly. Or, we can fail to put off the deception
and lying that we might have done before we were made a part of the Body. It's not always easy to tell the truth!
Some people are put off by the truth, especially if it hurts. Just telling the truth can be dangerous and
even hurtful. But, since most of us love our bodies and would do nothing to not purposefully hurt them, so also
ought we to love the Body of Christ enough to tell the truth in love! Ephesians 4:15-16
(KJV) 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according
to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Wonder of wonders! When we stop all lies and deception and tell the truth in love, we will begin to grow
up into Christ! We will begin to actually look like the One we follow and be effective in making Him known to the
world!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 26, 2010
DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU?
Ephesians 4:24 (TLB) - Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself
with this new nature. Would
you describe yourself as a new and different person? Would you describe yourself as holy and good? Even if you
can't see it yet, that's how God describes you if you are a follower of Jesus and you have made Him the Lord of your life.
Now the enemy will try to tell you differently. He will try to drudge up your past and convince you that you can't
possibly be new, different, holy and good! Let's not forget that the enemy is a liar and He has been that before and
since his garden encounter with our sister, Eve. He tried to tell her that she was not good enough the way she was,
even though she lived in the perfect environment and had close communion with God. He tried to tell her that she was
not a new person. But, she was a new person. She was the first woman that lived on earth - new. He tried to tell
her all sorts of twisted things. Yes, some of the things he told her were true, but he was speaking out of context.
He's an expert in twisting the truth! In this case, as the Apostle, Paul, speaks to us, we see that he is saying that
we must be a new person. A person that is different than the person we used to be. Does that describe us? New?
This is how Ephesians 4:24 is translated in the King James Version of the scripture. Ephesians 4:24 (KJV) 24 And that ye
put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. The word, "new,"
in this verse indicates, "freshness." Are you and I new in the sense that we are a person that we are
unaccustomed to being? Are we new in the sense that we are now a person that is new and usable to God? This
has nothing to do with our age but it does have to do with our form and the quality of our lives. When we receive Jesus,
our spirit is made brand new. A new character begins to form in us and continues to form in us as we go through
the events of life. God is using everything in our lives, past, present and future, good and bad, to work it altogether
for good so that we will be conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 8:28-29 (NLT) 28 And
we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose
for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become
like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Do we really believe
that? Some of us have done some really awful things in our BC (before Christ) lives. Some of us have
had to endure great hardship. Some of us have been able to accomplish great things in our lives. All the good
and the bad are being dumped into God's big mixing bowl and stirred, molded and shaped into a masterpiece. A new
creature. A fresh creature. Does that describe us? It does if we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
God is not working this thing by Himself though. He tells
us, through Paul, to do something. What is that thing that we need to do? What is our part in this new creation?
We have to "put on," this new creation. What does that mean? Literally, it means that we have
to be willing to sink into this new garment! Does that describe us? As God molds, are we willing to "sink
in," to the new person He is creating? The one that looks just like Him? Have we arrayed ourselves with
this new person that God has made for us to be and wear? We do have a choice here. God can give us all things
but it's up to us to receive these things and put them to use. He doesn't want just a form of a new person.
He wants that new person that will fully buy into His will and conform to His plan! In our, "old person," state,
this was not possible, so God has offered us new clothes. Clothes that look good both from the inside and the outside!
Fresh, clean clothes. But, have we put on this garment? This new person? How can we tell? How will
other people tell? How can God tell? Well, we, others, and God, will begin to see within ourselves the following:
righteousness and true holiness! This righteousness will not be, "self-righteousness," that we sometimes find
within ourselves and others. It will be the righteousness of Christ, which will enable us to have actions and
motives like those of Christ. Our character will be changed for the better. Much better! This word was
formerly spelled, "rightwiseness." That makes lots of sense! We will be wise in our motives, thoughts,
and actions! Just like Jesus! It will be very evident that we are truly holy. Not like those who just
look holy, those who may do lots of good things but without pure motives. This will be a true, pure and transparent
holiness that reveals our Savior! Have we done our part? Have we put on this new man (new person)? Does
this describe who I am? Does this describe you?

MORNING MANNA - JULY 25, 2010
RENEWAL REQUIRES REFUSAL
Ephesians 4:23 (KJV) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
Have you renewed your mind lately? It should be a constant process. I know, for sure,
that it is with me and I really don't like it when I am prompted to renew my mind because it has gone wandering back into
things from the past. It requires a decision on my part which is not always easy! The Apostle, Paul, had much
wise advice for us! He said that we need to forget the things of the past! Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV) 13 Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Well, he did not exactly command us to do this. Instead,
he set an example for us to follow, like any true and good teacher would do. It is logical that we can't press forward
if we're clinging to the past. Both the good and bad of the past! Since renewal of our minds is a process, every
day we should be farther along in our spiritual walk than we were the day before! Can you look back on your former
days and see that you are different now than you were then? For the better? That's what happens when we continually
renew our minds in the Word of God. If you don't feel that you have made much progress when you look back for
a moment, or if you find that you have actually gone backwards, can you remember how much you have purposed to open
the Word of God and renew your mind? Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) 1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God. Our progress in walking with the Lord is partly based on our decision
to follow what He says about being transformed by the renewing of our minds! This transformation cannot occur unless
we have been studying and meditating on His Words to us. Earlier
in Ephesians 4, Paul has been admonishing us to refuse to live like those who do not believe. Yes! Refusal
is a big part of renewal! Is that what we are really doing? Refusing the ways of the world that are in opposition
to the ways and plan of God for our lives? Paul talks about the ways of unbelievers but then he says this:
Ephesians 4:20 (KJV) But ye have not so learned Christ; In other words, we should
have learned better ways from Jesus if we were really listening to, and following, Him. Have we learned the truth
that comes from Jesus by opening His Word and reading each day? Not just reading, but even hiding that Word
within ourselves? Psalm 119:11 (KJV) 11 Thy
word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. When His Word is stored
in our minds and its roots grow down deep into our hearts, we won't need a Bible in order to show someone the way
to Jesus! We will be living epistles of His salvation and goodness! How can that happen? By the constant
renewal of our minds. Our thinking is going to determine our actions. When we feast on His Word, we will constantly
be nourishing the, "new man," sometimes even surprising ourselves with a brand new set of actions!
In order to show that we have really heard Jesus, and that we're really
following Him, we do have to refuse the old ways of the world and take off our old nature. Ephesians 4:22-23 (AMP) 22 Strip yourselves
of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and
becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; 23 And be constantly
renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], Most of us would willingly
take off a piece of clothing that was filthy, tattered, didn't fit right, or really made us look bad.
All the more, we should be willing to take off our former nature and begin or continue in the process of renewing our minds
so that we start to think, look, and act, more and more like our Savior. Paul talks about the refusal of worldly
ways many times in the scripture. Romans 6:6-8 (AMP) 6 We know that
our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might
be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin. 7 For
when a man dies, he is freed (loosed, delivered) from [the power of] sin [among men]. 8
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, Jesus has
done the work for us. He took all of our old, "selves," to the cross and they were destroyed there.
Now, it's our turn to live in the abundant life He has purchased for us. Like Lazarus had to get the grave clothes
off after Jesus raised him from the dead, we have to encourage one another to take off our former nature. No more wearing
stinky grave clothes that smell of death! We are new creatures in the process of becoming more and more like Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Now,
we have a choice. We can refuse to renew by not throwing away our old ways and becoming new, as we let God's
Word transform us. Or, we can refuse and renew by refusing our old thoughts and ways,
by refusing to walk and think like the world, letting God's thoughts constantly renew our minds. Which one of
these things are you and I doing as we live out each of our days?

MORNING MANNA - JULY 24, 2010
Ephesians 4:19 (KJV) 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over
unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
ARE WE WITHOUT A SENSE OF SHAME?
Have you noticed that the word, "shame," is not really a popular word in today's culture?
Most people want to do exactly what they want to do without regard to God's principles. Modern psychology pretty much
tells us not to feel shameful. I totally agree! However, if we're going against God's Word, there is something
to feel shameful about! When we totally disregard God's Word and have no sense of shame, we're in a dangerous place!
Please tell me if I'm wrong about the fact that the majority of the world today should feel some shame and do something
about it, but they don't. I wonder if there are areas in my own life where I should check my own sense of shame.
In Ephesians 4:19, Paul speaks of those who are past feeling. Do any of us believers find places in our lives where we get beyond feeling?
Beyond a sense of shame when we go against God's Word? How does this come about? Ephesians 4:17 (KJV) 17 This I say therefore, and
testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, According
to Paul, it happens when we don't refuse to walk a different way than those who do not believe. We insist in
walking in the vanity of our own mind! I'm going to paint this word picture for myself (and for you) once again,
even though it is really disgusting. If we walk in our own ways, we walk in the vanity of our own minds. We end
up without purpose and not useable. We have a sense of wandering and we open ourselves to all sorts of false teaching
and even awful sin. We end up morally depraved. Taking this word down to its root, we find that we
are empty, profitless, idol and vain. Ouch! God doesn't do this to us. We do it to ourselves! Ephesians 4:18 (KJV) 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the
life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Why would
anyone choose to do something like that to themselves? Do we ever refuse to open our eyes? I mean the
eyes of our hearts. As the saying goes, "If you don't use it, you lose it." We can become blind
in our heart by not opening our heart's eyes to God's Word and His ways! We might think we're pretty smart, but, in
actuality, we become ignorant! Blind! Not of any use! Shameful but not realizing it!
Paul speaks of this same principle in Romans 1. He shows the downward spiral of those who do not acknowledge God and then, in a process, become totally
morally depraved. It's a very slippery slope! There was a time in my life that I prayed and I thought I was
right but I was doing shameful things! Praise the Lord, He opened my eyes to this error and has had me in a process
of regeneration for years, slowly giving me back my heart's vision. I certainly don't recommend this road in life!
No! It is better to make the choice to realize that there are some things that are shameful. God gives
us a choice. We can think, those things, watch those things, and do those things. But, the final result will
be that we end up with the understanding of our hearts darkened. Have you ever met anyone like that? They may
say thy are a Christian but their actions don't add up. Dangerous. I know! Been there, done that!
As one who has received understanding in our hearts from the Lord, it is our job to see if we can restore these that are
on their way down because they feel no shame about the things they are doing that displease the Lord. Galatians 6:1 (AMP) 1 BRETHREN, IF any person
is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit]
should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an
attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. Just because we may have the understanding
of our own hearts enlightened, we must remember that it is only by the grace of God that we do not walk in the vanity of
our minds. Yes, we have made the choice to follow him, but we all still have our souls calling us, from time to
time, to shameful things. As they say, and rightly so, when we see someone walking in the wrong direction, even
without any feeling of same, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
I didn't know this until I looked up the word that the New Living Translation names as, "shame,"
and the KJV translates as, "being past feeling," actually means to become apathetic. In other words,
we stop feeling pain when we walk on the rocks of sin, we become callous and insensible to shame! The very sad thing
is that we do have a choice. As I mentioned in an earlier, "Morning Manna," there is scientific proof that
we actually have a physiological place in our brain that allows us free will. We can think what we will, but if we
feed the wrong thoughts, they will become permanently implanted in our brain. Scripture says that people who have no
sense of shame do it to themselves. How God must grieve at our wrong choices! But, but, He is always waiting
to extend grace when we turn to Him in repentance. He's not willing that any of us should slide down that slippery
slope of sin until we are totally apathetic and ignorant and don't even know it! 2 Peter 3:9-14 (NLT)
9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for
your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord
will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves
will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 11 Since everything
around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to
the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the
flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with
God’s righteousness. 14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen,
make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. We have
a choice as to live in repentance and encourage one another to stay away from being lascivious (having filthy behavior,
uncontrolled speaking, and disregarding decency). We have a choice to live in repentance and encourage one another
to live pure lives, or not. We have a choice to live in repentance and encourage one another to stay away from
greediness (which includes fraud and extortion). Let us not be past feeling and ignore the fact that some things
are shameful. But, if we are in Christ and truly following Him, we can rejoice in the fact that He took all
of our shame upon Him and forgiveness is available to anyone who will choose it! Hebrews
12:2 (NLT) 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside
God’s throne. Yes! All of our shame was carried by Jesus to the cross. Let's determine
to live in thankfulness and repentance, knowing that we can receive understanding in our minds and live out God's Word
instead of being like those who love darkness more than light and are not willing to have their heart's enlightened
by His Light. While we are living in the Light, let's try to let it shine on others so that no one will have a
darkened mind and heart, but that all around us will come to repentance!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 23, 2010
WITH WHAT IS YOUR MIND FILLED?
Ephesians 4:18 (KJV) 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance
that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Many years ago, I wanted to see what it would be like to be blind; so I walked around with my eyes closed
in my bedroom and into the dressing room and bathroom to see if I could function. It's not that easy! I'm glad
I did not try to descend the stairs just outside my bedroom door! It's not great to walk in blindness. I have
great compassion for those who have never had, or have lost, their physical sight. Because I have problems with
my eyes, I can relate somewhat, but not totally. But, worse than physical blindness is spiritual blindness.
Or, as the King James Version translates it, having the understanding of your mind being darkened. Having blindness
of heart. Yesterday, I mentioned that all thoughts are either fear or faith based. Fearful thoughts are full
of darkness. Faith-filled thoughts (that is faith in the one true God) are full of The Light! The great
thing is that we have the choice of which thoughts we will think! According to the original meaning of the word, "understanding,"
if our understanding is darkened we will be incapable of deep thought. Things we should be able to see and understand
will be obscured. This is what happens when we deliberately choose to think thoughts of fear instead of faith.
When we fail to constantly renew our minds in God's Word. God
is not a dictator. He is a loving and compassionate Lord but He will not put up with stubbornness forever. He
does not have to punish us. We can bring on punishment ourselves by thinking these wrong thoughts which will eventually
come through in wrong actions! The Apostle, Paul, in Ephesians 4 is urging us not to walk as those who do not believe in Christ. We are not to walk in the vanity
of our minds. If you want to see that ugly picture, go back to yesterday's, "Morning Manna." When we
insist on the wrong thoughts and follow the vanity of our own minds, we become alienated from the life of God. Let
me say one thing here. There is no real life without God. He is the life giver. It is only because
of Him that you and I can sit here and read this today. That we have another breath. That we have the eyesight
to read. That we have any life at all. Acts 17:28 (KJV) 28 For in him we
live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. But,
if we walk in the vanity of our minds, we alienate ourselves from God. Being alienated from God means that we are
far from Him, estranged, and a non-participator with Him. Pretty scary! Probably thinking that we are wise
and intellectual (or perhaps just through ignoring God because we're distracted by other things), the alienation takes place.
God will not force us to acknowledge or worship Him. At least not just yet but there is coming a day when everyone
will be forced to do that, even those who have ignored God. Romans 14:11 (AMP) 11 For
it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge
Him to His honor and to His praise]. Why not do it today, by deliberate choice? 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT) 2 For God says, “At just the right time, I
heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of
salvation. Why choose to be dead in sin and the vanity of our minds when the Life-Giver offers
us abundant life? John 10:10 (NLT) 10 The thief’s purpose
is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. So! What are our hearts filled with? Faith or fear?
Darkness or Light? It's our choice. The New Living Translation states it this way: Ephesians 4:18 (NLT) 18 Their minds are full
of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against
him. From all that I can glean out of these few scriptures in Ephesians 4, you and I have a choice as to what we will fill our hearts with! Jesus has promised to shed His
Light within our hearts. How does He do that? With His love and by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 (KJV) 5 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.
Praise God, His love and His light are in you and me if we have chosen to walk with Him and keep our thoughts directed
in His direction! Do we want to be what Jesus said we are? The light of the world? We can't give what we
don't have so, if our hearts are filled with darkness, we can't be the light of the world and so many others will go astray,
especially if we are claiming the name of Christ and walking in the darkness at the same time. Jesus gave his disciples
a clue. He told them to ignore such people. Matthew 15:13-14 (NLT) 13 Jesus
replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, 14 so
ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a
ditch.” The disciples knew to ignore such people. However, the world out there doesn't
know who it ignore. That is evidenced every night in the news! Somebody is listening to what you and I say and
then they are watching what we do. Because our hearts and understanding are enlightened with the Light of the world,
will those around us be drawn to His Kingdom? Or, because we are saying one thing and doing another, will they (whose
minds are already darkened) continue to walk in confusion and ignorance? What fills our hearts today? May it
be that the Light of the world shines forth from each one of us as we go about our daily business. Just think how much
brighter the world would be if only those of us reading this would let our light pour from our hearts, taking the risk of
letting it shine on everybody with whom we come in contact! Is it time to give it a try?

MORNING MANNA - JULY 22, 2010
HOW IS YOUR WALK?
Ephesians 4:17 (KJV) 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles
walk, in the vanity of their mind,
How and where are you walking today? We know, from scripture that we are to walk in a certain way,
which will be pleasing to God and demonstrate to those around us that we are His people. So, the Apostle, Paul, says
to us that the Lord does not want us to walk in certain ways. That is, He does not want us to follow after or
be occupied with things that occupy the minds of those who have not experienced the salvation of Christ.
So, what is your mind occupied with this morning? We have a choice as to what we will occupy our minds with and,
what we occupy our minds with will determine how we walk! Wow! I just realized that I cannot think about going
shopping while writing the Morning Manna! Great news! I have chosen to think about this and not that!
You can do it too. There is a scientist, Dr. Caroline Leaf, who explains that we actually have a physical part
in our brain that God has given us where, when a thought comes into our mind, we have free will to receive it or discard
it! What are you and I doing in that little God-placed and given center of our brain about how we think?
How and what we think about will determine what we are occupied with. According to Dr. Leaf, we have four days to change
a thought when it comes in and in twenty-one days, we can change a whole thought pattern! Paul is telling us not to have set thought patterns, and consequently walk like, people who have not received
Christ, had their minds renewed by His Word, and walk in the calling and gift that God has given them! It's
pretty easy to get caught in this type of thinking and walking today because it seems that the voices and the draw of this
world is much louder and stronger than that of Christ. However, there is nothing more powerful than someone who has
received Christ, renewed their mind in His Word, walks in the gift and calling God has placed on them, and is accompanied
by the power of the Holy Spirit! These people can do all things, as Christ strengthens them to walk in the right way
and be occupied with the right things! Here is what the New Living Translation says about those who walk outside of
Christ and His Way. Ephesians 4:17 (NLT) 17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as
the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. I don't know about you, but I don't want to walk
around confused all the time. I've been there, done that, still do it sometimes, but sure don't want to. God
doesn't want that for us either. Thoughts that go unchecked create chaos in our brain. This is something that
Dr. Leaf writes about in her book, "Who Switched Off My Brain?". Because God always equips us, somehow,
to do what He has asked us to do, I am excited about the fact that He has equipped our brains with certain centers that
allow us to decide what to think and how long to think it, either creating toxic formations in our brain or creating
good healthy formations! Paul says that we need to create those good healthy connections to be able to walk the right
way on this earth. God has given us a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) 7 For
God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a
spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. Yes!
God has given us a sound mind but it is our choice to walk in it or not! We are not robots. We're made
for relationship, by choice! So, Paul is telling us to choose
not to walk in the vanity of our minds like those who have not received Christ. Have you ever met anyone who
says they belong to Christ but walk just like the world walks? We all do that to some extent and, for some, who are
infants in Christ, we need to help them along to walk in the right way. The best way to help is to walk the right
way ourselves and take them on the walk with us so they can see how to do it, rather than trying to beat them over the head
with it. Now, in this modern age, science can help us to prove that God has not asked us to do anything that He has
not equipped us to do. In that little place in our brain where free-will is given, we can make the choice about
which things we will be occupied with and which things we will discard! Dr. Leaf also explains that all thoughts in
our brain are either fear or faith based. Now, we know that faith pleases God. Hebrews 11:6 (AMP) 6 But
without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily]
believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. So,
spiritually, we should choose only thoughts of faith and none of fear. Even science and anatomy prove this conclusion!
Is that exciting or what! Our walk, and our actions, will be a product of what thoughts we choose to take in and whether
we choose to think thoughts of faith or thoughts of fear. God wants you and me to make the right choice! He gives
us the spiritual power and the physical anatomy to do it! The choice we make will determine whether or not we walk
in the vanity of those who have not received Christ. Do you want to know what vanity means, as Paul describes how we
are not to walk? I thought I wanted to know so I looked up the Greek word. Now, I'm not so sure I really wanted
to know. It's not very pretty, but thank God, we have a choice! Vanity, according to Strong's Dictionary means,
"inutility, transientness, and moral depravity." It is not God's will that we should behave like that! He tells
us not to. But, He leaves the choice to us. What will it be? I certainly do not want to be caught walking
in the vanity of my mind. I want my mind to be utilized for God's purposes and pleasure. I don't want to
be transient, never focusing on what God wants. I, for sure, do not want to be caught in moral depravity (which I
believe goes far beyond sexual depravity and includes such things as pride, greed, bitterness, etc.). That being
said, let me say that I do fall from time to time into one or another of these things because I have not made a clear and
on-purpose choice to only think faith thoughts and walk in them. Walking along a fear-based path will always lead
to a fall because there are rocks of sin along the way that will make us stumble over and over again. Walking along
a faith-based path will lead us closer and closer to and into the purposes of God for our lives; and these purposes will
never disappoint us. They will be more than we can ask or believe (Ephesians 3:20) and they will be good. (Jeremiah 29:11) Not only that, His goodness and mercy will follow us all of our lives! (Psalm 23:6) How we walk is our choice. Making the right choices along the way will make our paths straight and level!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 21, 2010
STOP BEING TOSSED! Ephesians 4:14 (KJV) 14 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;
Have you ever been an a quandary? Are you ever like the character, Tevia, in "Fiddler on the
Roof," when he was talking to God and saying, "God, on the one hand, but then on the other hand........."
Why do we sometimes get like that? We become tossed like a sail boat adrift on a rough ocean. That's not the
way God wants us to live. What He would like in our lives is that we live in order. That we operate in whatever
gift He has given us to help complete His Body. No. The Lord doesn't want His children to be tossed
to and fro. To be confused as to which teachings are really true. To be deceived by others.
It's not His will that we be immature, childish, simple-minded, or a "minor," in the Spirit. Being tossed
to and fro will cause us to fluctuate in our beliefs. We may stray from the One who says, "I am the
way, the truth, and the life." It is not God's will that we should be carried around to different doctrines. We
need to be rooted and grounded in Jesus! We need to stay fixed on the Rock of our salvation, immovable, and steadfast.
Do you ever feel like you're being carried around, drifting and even being stuck in a raging sea of doubt? That's
why Paul writes that we should not be infants in the faith. It is only ye staying in His Word and staying connected
to other rooted and grounded believers that we can be mature in Christ and discern the difference between true and false
teaching. Yes, Satan is working through people who say that they are of God, but they are really wolves
in sheep's clothing. They do not teach according to the scripture. They are crafty and they are just waiting
to try to deceive one of God's chosen ones. We are told by the Lord not to be children any more. In other
words, "grow up." What does it mean
to grow up, spiritually? Ephesians 4:15 (KJV) But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: For
one thing, we need to begin speaking the truth of God's Word to ourselves and to others. We don't need to speak the
Word in condemnation like we see that Job's friends did. They spoke what was right but not at the right time or in
the right place and they spoke it in order to put Job down instead of build him up. Job 2:11 (KJV) 11 Now when Job's
three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite,
and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and
to comfort him. As we see in Job 2:11, his, "friends," made an appointment to meet him and mourn with him and comfort him. Now,
they were really skilled at telling the truth but not skilled at using it for the right reasons and for telling it
in love! Job 32:1-5 (NLT) 1 Job’s three friends refused to
reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. 2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the
clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing
him. 3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability
to answer Job’s arguments. 4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older
than he. 5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. Elihu's
first mistake was probably to speak out in anger instead of in love. What a mess! Poor Job! He was hearing
truth but it was being used against him instead of used to comfort him and build him up again. If you have ever been
down and been condemned or had people around you arguing amongst themselves, you know how discouraging and hurtful
that can be! We need to be able to build each other up in the body of Christ and tell the truth (even the hard
to take truth) in so much love that it cannot possibly be denied! Telling the truth in love helps us stick together properly, each supplying what the other needs according to our
spiritual gifts! This is how it's stated in the New Living Translation Ephesians
4:16 (NLT) 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it
helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. We all know
what happens when we don't take care of our physical bodies. They fall apart. If we are too hard on one part
or another, it begins to wear out and the rest of our parts have to work harder at things they were not meant to do in order
to compensate for the damage to the injured or worn out part! Just think of that in the Body of Christ! Each
one of us is a part. Are we broken or weakened to the point that we can't do our jobs? Then, the rest of the
body will suffer. It will force the Body to focus on itself rather than doing the will of God in the world!
God wants us to work closely together building ourselves up just like a body-builder would build himself or herself
up. The only difference is that they use weights and we count on love. God is love. So, we first
have to look to God for the love that will create unity and proper function. It is God who fits the whole body together
perfectly. Maybe He has placed you as a wrist and you want to be a foot. You're not going to function very
well and neither is the rest of the body if you insist on acting like a wrist. Aren't you glad to have each working
part of your physical body in just the right place? We usually try to keep it all looking good and working right. All
the more, we should work together to see the Body of Christ work properly. We can't do that if we act
like children, always being tossed around with all the new spiritual ideas that come down the pike. We've got
to grow up! Grow up in Christ! We've got to know and speak the truth, not to put each other down but because we
love one another enough to stick together as a Body, doing what we're called to do! Babies are cute but a fifty
year old person that acts like an infant is not pretty at all! Infants are totally dependent on someone else to carry
them around, but watch out when they start walking! Then they are less apt to want to be picked up and carried because
they have grown out of that stage! Don't be tossed and carried by every wind of doctrine. Let's grow up in Christ!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 20, 2010
WHAT IS YOUR GIFT? Ephesians 4:11 (KJV) And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; Because a body cannot function without working
parts, the Lord has given all of us gifts. This is so that the Body of Christ functions properly and is built up and
equipped to do His work. In case we think that God has finished with giving gifts to His church, all we have to
do is look here: Ephesians 4:13 (KJV) 13 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:
God will continue to supply these gifts as long as necessary to perfect the church, making her mature.
This is how the New Living Translation puts it: 13 This will continue until we all come to such
unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete
standard of Christ. I think we have a ways to go, don't you?
There is an underlying theme of unity throughout scripture. Even though we all have different gifts,
unity is the final goal. We do not lose our individuality in unity, rather our individuality is more defined and recognized.
Have you ever mistook your finger for your toe or your elbow for your spine? No! Because your body is working
well and each part is well-defined. But, if you were to take one part away or, if one part became debilitated, your
whole body would suffer. That's the way it is with the Body of Christ. Each of us is important and each is called
to do something and equipped with a gift. Some of
us may be apostles. What is that? Literally, it is, "one sent forth." It is used to describe
the Lord, Himself, in His relationship with His Father. Hebrews 3:1 (KJV) 1 Wherefore,
holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
It is also used to describe the twelve disciples originally chosen by Jesus. Then, it is used again
to describe Paul, who even though he was not with the original twelve, was commissioned by the Lord later. It
is used in Acts to describe Barnabas and some others in the New Testament. Strong's Dictionary describes an apostle
as a delegate and, specifically, an ambassador of the Gospel - a commissioner of Christ (with miraculous powers).
Now, what is a prophet? Strong's describes it as a foreteller or an inspired speaker. By extension, it means,
"poet." Vine's defines it as, "one who speaks forth or openly." Someone who proclaims a divine
message. What about evangelists? Strong's simply defines this as, "a preacher of the gospel."
Someone who announces the Good News. Vine's includes missionaries in this category. There was an evangelist
spoken of in Acts. His name was Philip. Next, some have the gift of pastor and some teacher. The definition
of a pastor is, "shepherd." Can you imagine leading dumb sheep? I can imagine that it might often be
a thankless job with not many earthly benefits but many eternal rewards! And what might be a teacher? This
is a, "doctor," in the sense that this person teaches doctrine and instruction. So, where do we all
fit in here? I just took an on-line test for spiritual gifts. You can go on-line and find free tests, such as
I did. But, the best thing to do first is to simply ask God. He's the One who made us and He's the only
One who knows for sure where we fit into His Body and how we are to function. All of us have the same basic
function and that is to build up the whole Body more and more until it functions perfectly under the leadership of the Head,
which is Jesus. Ephesians 4:12 (NLT) 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his
work and build up the church, the body of Christ. If you have never considered that God has given each
of us a gift to benefit one another, why not ask God now what yours is? You might get counsel from your Bible-believing
church or pastor. Many churches give an evaluation of spiritual gifts. Above all, know that God has given
you a gift and begin to ask Him to show it to you, if you don't already know what it is. If you know what that gift
is, do it with all your heart so that the rest of the Body will begin to function as a healthy, whole, holy Body!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 19, 2010
GRACE - WE'VE ALL BEEN GIVEN SOME Ephesians 4:7 (KJV) 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure
of the gift of Christ. Grace!
We have all been given grace, even grace in abundance. It is in proportion to the measure of Christ's gift, which is
rich and bounteous. Grace is also defined as divine influence upon our heart. Paul tells me in Ephesians that
I have been given an abundance of divine influence on my heart. I notice it says, influence. It doesn't
say that I have to receive it, only that the influence of God is there ready to work in my heart, if I
will receive it. Wow! Grace is given to every one of us! In abundance! Have we received it all?
Every day, I see and experience more of God's grace in my life and heart. Because we are given this grace out
of the abundance of Christ, as a gift, we ought to, maybe, be more thankful for every time we realize that grace is
working in our hearts and lives! This grace that we each have been given is also totally free and unmerited.
There is nothing we can do to buy it or to earn it. But, we do have to receive it in order to have a relationship
with our Father. We have to realize that, in our natural state, we are sinners and that it is only by this unmerited
favor, or grace, that we can be brought back into the family of God and become useful family members, receiving all
the abundant blessings that come with such position! Paul
goes on to say that Jesus led captives captive when He ascended to Heaven. That is, He, according to
Vincent's Studies, led His enemies captive (Satan, sin, and death). Several commentaries link this activity to what
is mentioned in Colossians 2:15: Colossians 2:15 (NLT) 15 In this way,
he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. In
Colossians 2:14, it says that Jesus canceled the record of charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross
(NLT). Grace caused you and me to have the charges of sin against us dropped (if we have received His grace through
Jesus). It also was the weapon that disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities and shamed them publicly! There
is nothing that they can now bring against a believer! They are disarmed so that they cannot force condemnation on
us any longer! Romans 8:1-2 (NLT) 1 So
now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because
you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Grace has
given us freedom while it allowed Jesus to take as His captives sin, death and Satan (with all of
his followers)! When Jesus got the evil powers taken care
of, He gave gifts to men and women. Matthew Henry says that every believer is given some gift of grace. It is
not for us only, but so that we can be of mutual help to one another as a family in Christ. Ephesians 4:8 (KJV) 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men. There is no greater gift that Jesus could give to us believers
than the gift of His Spirit! And He has poured this gift upon all who will receive Him! He did it through
the Apostle, Peter, and He is still pouring today! Acts 2:33 (NLT) 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest
honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon
us, just as you see and hear today. Is His Spirit flowing out of us too so that others can receive?
Jesus has ascended to Heaven where He sits once again at the right hand of our Father. He is pouring
out gifts upon us who are ready to receive them. But, before He ascended, He descended. Ephesians 4:9 (KJV) 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended
first into the lower parts of the earth? Why did He have to do that? Ephesians 4:9 (AMP) 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first
into the lower parts of the earth? It was so that He could fill everything in the universe with Himself!
Ephesians 4:10 (KJV) 10 He that descended is the same
also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) So! No wonder the
scripture declares that the whole earth will be filled with His glory. Numbers 14:21 (AMP) 21 But
truly as I live and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, No wonder in another
place in scripture God is declared to be over all in the heavens and the earth! 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (NLT) 11 Yours,
O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is
yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 12
Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand,
and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. Everything that you and I enjoy today
comes from God and from His grace which is poured out on us who believe! No one needs to be left out but the only way
to have the measure of grace God has provided for us is to receive it through Jesus Christ! If we are believers already, each
and every one of us has some grace. We all have some! Now, let's go share it with others!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 19, 2010
ONLY ONE Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:4-6 shows me in three short verses that God is all about unity. Yet, in our world today, it's almost
like it must have been in Isaiah's day. Isaiah 53:6 (KJV) 6 All we like
sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Today, everybody, and his brother, has a different idea of how things should be. The way to God.
The way to salvation. Actually, there is only one way. And, His name is Jesus. Jeremiah explained
how we get off of the narrow way. But, just because this scripture refers to shepherds, let us not think
that it doesn't apply to us. We all shepherd someone. Whoever you are and whatever you are doing, someone is
watching you and following. That's just how sheep are. They like to follow. So much so that if one
walks off the edge of a cliff many may step over the edge following after that one. But, the shepherd is supposed
to keep the sheep from falling over the cliff! Jeremiah 50:6 (AMP) 6 My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds
have led them astray [to favorite places of idolatry] on mountains [that seduce]. They have gone from [one sin to another]
mountain to hill; they have forgotten their [own] resting-place. Who is your resting place?
Who is your Shepherd? Because men and women are fallible, ultimately we need to look to Jesus as our Shepherd.
He's the only one who will never lead us astray. Psalm 23:1 (KJV) 1 The
LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Only He can lead us in the paths of righteousness.
When the Lord is our Shepherd and we take everything we learn from those we follow on earth before Him
for review, we will not be in want, nor will we be led astray. Even those who shepherd us here on earth, such as pastors,
evangelists, and teachers are all under One. There is only One. Only one way. Only one truth. Only
one life to be desired. There is only One. Ephesians 4:5 (KJV) 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, If there
is only one Lord, how do we find Him? In His Word. If there is only one faith, where do we get it? From
His Word. Romans 10:17 (NLT) 17 So faith comes
from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. There's only one baptism. Mark 16:16 (KJV) 16 He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. In the Strong's Talking
Dictionary, "baptism," means to be, "fully wet." We, who believe, are baptized with water symbolizing
our death to sin and our resurrection with Christ in His righteousness. We are saturated with water, physically.
But, perhaps another way to look at it would be to look to His Word and be so saturated with it that we are fully clean
and pure. Ephesians 5:25-27 (NLT) 25 For husbands,
this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to
make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did
this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be
holy and without fault. In this context, Paul is speaking to husbands about how they should love their
wives but he is really trying to show us how Christ loves us, as His Church, as His own body, His Bride. There
are lots of pools in the world in which we can immerse ourselves and be baptized. If we choose those, we will
find ourselves unclean and tainted instead of fresh and clean! John the Baptist told those being baptized at the
time that Jesus would soon baptize them with the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11 (AMP) 11 I
indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily
amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I
am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. While
water baptism is a symbol of a changed heart, baptism by the Holy Spirit is a completion of the water baptism because only
the Holy Spirit in us (and hopefully we are immersed in Him) can give us the power to live lives that show that we have
found the One Way! Now, no matter what the sign says over
the door of the building in which you or I may go for corporate worship, there is only one God. Ephesians 4:6 (AMP) 6 One God and Father of [us]
all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all. There is only
one Father. There is only one Way to the Father. His name is Jesus. John 14:6 (KJV) 6 Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Since there is only one Father
and the His Word is the standard for those who believe, there is only one way to become reconciled to Him (because
we were once dead in our sins and trespasses). That Way is through Jesus. The only Way! I am more
and more seeing that God shows how we can have the unity Jesus prayed for. John 17:11 (NRSV) 11 And now I am
no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you
have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. When Jesus was on earth, He explained that He
and the Father were one. John 10:30 (AMP) 30 I
and the Father are One. I believe that's the kind of oneness Paul is promoting here in Ephesians 4:4-6. I remember a song from a while back entitled, "Let The Walls Come Down." Right now, for practical
reasons, we worship in different places, but there is only one God, one Father, one Savior, one Way! Jesus is
pulling His Church, His body, together and I believe we will be surprised to find that when it's all complete we just
may be sitting next to someone who wasn't in our denomination or in our local church. There is only one Head,
one Shepherd, and He is leading His sheep along right now through the stony paths of this world. They are placed
all over the world. Hopefully, each of the sheep are following Him and no other! When it comes right down
to it, there's only One! Do you know Him today? As another song says, "Please don't turn Him away."

MORNING MANNA - JULY 17, 2010
THE WAY TO LIVE
Ephesians 4:3 3 Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace
with one another. We sure
have lots of self-help books out there on the shelves today and magazines have a myriad of articles teaching us how to live.
There are even, "life coaches." Of all of those things, some are good, if their foundation is centered on
Jesus and on the Word. Paul gave us a few words to help us know how to live. He was an excellent, "life-coach,"
in my opinion. He didn't just write or spout of a bunch of things for us to do. He wrote and preached as
he, himself, went through. He gives us things to do, and we need to do those things, but it is never by our
own power that we do them. For instance, Paul wanted us to be at peace with one another. So does Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is well able to lead us but He doesn't make it happen for us without our participation! It's
Paul's conclusion that we need to live peaceful lives with one another, led by the Holy Spirit because of all the benefits
he has told us about in the first three chapters of Ephesians, such as being: blessed, adopted, favored, redeemed,
forgiven and chosen. Ephesians 4:1-3 (TLB) 1 I beg you—I, a prisoner here in jail
for serving the Lord—to live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as
these. Our lives are to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit so that we will be acting in a way that
is worthy of having been chosen! Essentially, Paul is letting
us know that we should live in a way that is worthy of our calling. Ephesians 4:1-3 (KJV) 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Being interested in, and wanting
to know more about what Paul meant when he used the word, "vocation," I found that it meant, "invitation."
The Lord has invited us to be a part of His Kingdom and of His family. We each have an individual, "invitation,"
but it is all for the glory of God and the good of His Kingdom. This word is used basically as an invitation
to us to accept the benefits of salvation. The same word is used in Romans 11:29 (KJV) 29 For the gifts
and calling of God are without repentance. When God invites us in, He doesn't change His mind.
We may wander from our calling and from Him, but God has not changed His mind. So, it is well for us if we make
up our minds to walk in what God has called us to do! One thing we are all called to do, as evidenced in Ephesians 4:1 is to be led by the Holy Spirit. Another thing is to live at peace with one another. A third
thing might be to be witnesses to the gospel just by the way we live. We don't have to worry, thinking we're not
worthy to be called of God! 1 Corinthians 1:26 (KJV) 26
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble,
are called: Most of us who are called are not the most famous or the wisest, strongest or the most influential
by worldly standards. One writer writes that it is not usually the, "brightest and the best," according
to the world's standards. God doesn't look at you and me like we look at ourselves and others. It is in The Message,
that the writer writes that many times God uses the men and women that our culture may exploit and abuse. The
explanation for that idea is that God, "chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the
"somebodies." Remember when all of the sons of Jesse were passed over and young David, just a shepherd
boy, was made the king? Perhaps we don't see ourselves as worthy (and no one is really worthy in and
of themselves), but God decides who to call, what to call them to do and when to call them. What has He called you
to do? All of
us are called to do some of the same things, such as living a life led by the Holy Spirit and living at peace with one another.
In an effort to help us see how we ought to live as called and chosen children of God, Paul says this: Ephesians 4:2 (TLB) 2 Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for
each other’s faults because of your love. Here is the translation from the King James Version
of the Bible. Ephesians 4:2 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Oops! This part isn't so easy for some of us but we are all called to do these things.
We're all called to be humble. That means, "having lowliness of mind." Do our lives show that we have
humility? We're all called to be patient with one another. Have you been out driving lately? I wonder
if we could pick out the ones who are truly followers of Christ by their driving habits? Or, have you ever let someone
elderly or feeble get in front of you in a grocery line even though you had your mind racing with your own agenda?
Are we patient with our children and with our spouses when they don't quite meet our expectations? Like I said, for
me there are a lot of, "oops," in this area. We are all called to, "put up," with one another.
That's what the word, "forbearing," means in Ephesians 4:2 (KJV). How much do we, "put up," with in those around us because our love for mankind is based on our
Father's love for mankind? Tough questions. Why look for any self-help books out there. The Apostle, Paul,
hits the nail right on the head. We are all called to love. Love so much that we are patient, peaceful
people who are willing to put up with the faults and weaknesses of others because we know that God puts up with a lot
in us, yet He still chooses us and calls us to Himself! In just three short verses, Paul has given me enough to work
on for a lifetime in the way of learning how to live in love. Do you know how to live the way God wants us to live
or do you listen to the way the world says to live? These two ways of living are worlds apart! How
many things can you pick out of these three verses in Ephesians 4:1-3 that you need a little tune-up on? If you can't think of any while you're sitting here reading this, you
will find opportunities to think of it when you are kept too long on hold on the phone, when someone cuts in front of you
in traffic, when your spouse does the very thing that irritates you most, when your children push you to the limits, when,
when, when.................... We have no excuse for not knowing how to live but do we practice what we know?

MORNING MANNA - JULY 16, 2010
FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Ephesians 3:14 (KJV) 14 For this cause I bow my knees
unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
We really like to hear of those who will do something for a good cause, don't we? The Apostle, Paul,
was one of those people. Because (or for the good cause of) what he had been given to do for the Lord, Paul prayed
for the church in Ephesus and it came right down through the ages in scripture for you and me too! Paul gives us many
good examples in scripture and this prayer is just one of them. For the good cause of the Good News of Christ, Paul
is willing to bow his knees (perhaps sometimes on a cold, filthy prison floor, to our Father, God. Paul did this for
us. He proclaims that this family of God on earth and in heaven is named after Jesus! Aren't you glad this morning,
if you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that you are in this family named after Him? Ephesians 3:15 (KJV) 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. There's
just something about being a part of the family of God that is comforting. We feel secure. We know we are loved
with an everlasting love. That's the way our own families should be here on earth, but, alas, we sometimes have trouble.
Why not use this prayer that Paul prayed for those in Ephesus and for us and pray it for those in our biological families
who may not be where they should be? We can pray it for one another too. Everybody can use what's in the
prayer that Paul prayed for a good cause. Here's how we can pray, just like Paul,
for one another. We can ask God for strength in the inner man, in the heart of those we love (and we ought to
be praying for our enemies, as well - Matthew 5:43-45 (NLT) 43 “You have heard
the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray
for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.
For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. Paul
prayed the following: Ephesians 3:16 (KJV) 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory,
to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Now, anybody who is granted strength in
his inner person according to the riches of God's glory is going to be one strong person! No one can exhaust
the riches of God's glory! But, Paul continued to ask for more. He prayed that Jesus would dwell in our hearts
by faith and that we would be rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:17 (KJV) 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being
rooted and grounded in love, Are our hearts rooted and grounded in the love of Christ who is dwelling within
us? And, are we praying that for those around us? When we have both feet firmly planted in God's love, we can
begin to do even more and Paul continues to ask for more. God is certainly able to do very much more than we can ask
or believe! (Ephesians 3:20) Have you ever wished you could understand more?
I have. There are lots of things I don't understand, but wish I did. Well, Paul prayed in that direction for
you and me and we can do it for others too! Ephesians 3:18 (KJV) 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the
breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. The love of Christ has many dimensions. Paul
is asking that we be able to comprehend, to understand, with all believers, every dimension of the love of Jesus.
When this happens, it will surpass mere knowledge. In fact, we will be given understanding, more and more as the days
go by. We will not understand it all until we see Jesus. But, it will open the door for us and those
we pray for to be filled with all the fullness of God! Wow! That's a life-long process. Let the process
begin, because we know that God is able to do way, way more than we can ask. He said to come boldly to Him and that's
just what Paul did. That's what we should do to. There's not a thing that God cannot do. We can think as
hard as we can and we will never be able to really know just how far-reaching His power in us can be! He is able
to do ever so much more than we can ask or even think to ask! Ephesians 3:10 (KJV) 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, If we just asked these things that
Paul prayed for us, here in Ephesians, can you imagine how different the world would be? I think it is said that we
don't have things because we don't ask for them. God said that. Not just for ourselves, but for others too.
For a good cause. For the cause of Christ and the salvation of others. Of course, God will get much glory out
of answering all those prayers that we dare to ask, out of faith, believing that He can do that; and lots more!
Ephesians 3:21 (KJV) 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all
ages, world without end. Amen. For all of you who are reading this now, I stand in agreement with Paul that
you would receive all of this and more. I know it's for a good cause! Glory to God! As a very special
person in my life always says, "Have an Ephesians 3:20 day!"

MORNING MANNA - JULY 15, 2010
CAN GOD USE ME? Ephesians 3:8 (NLT) 8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people,
he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
Do you, or have you ever, wondered whether God could use you,
maybe because you don't feel that gifted or maybe because you have done some pretty bad things in your life? As I
read Ephesians 3:8, I realize the none of us are deserving of being used by God for anything. Without His redeeming, transforming
power, we are useless to Him. However, like the Apostle, Paul, we, too, can now consider ourselves as the, "least
deserving," yet very, very privileged to be usable by God! Ephesians 3:7 (NLT) 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given
the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Just knowing that we are undeserving is
a very good place to start! Pride will get in the way of service to the Lord every time. 1 Peter 5:6 (AMP) 6 Therefore
humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may
exalt you, First of all, we can do the very same thing Paul
was doing as he was speaking in Ephesians, Chapter 3. We can tell others (both Jews and Gentiles) about the endless
treasures that God has been waiting to give them when they receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah.
Paul had lots of reasons to be proud of himself but he was literally forced to humble
himself before the Lord so he could be made usable. Acts 22:6-7 (NLT) 6 “As I was
on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting
me?’ The Lord found Paul on the Damascus Road but Paul's heart had definitely been on the wrong
road! He had been gathering Christians together to persecute them and some even were killed. Paul stood idly
by while they stoned Stephen to death! Paul admits this of his own accord. Acts 22:20 (NLT) 20 And I was in complete
agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’
Does today find any of us on the wrong road? Are any walking apart from the Holy Spirit, instead of
with Him? Are there things in our lives today or in the past that we need to admit before God, of our own accord, in
order to receive His forgiveness and become useable? If we have sinned, we definitely have an advocate who will
bring forgiveness and open the way for us to be used (used again if we have once tried and fallen).
1 John 2:1-2 (KJV) 1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for
our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Maybe today is the day you
hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Paul was willing to
go through much hardship so that we could benefit and he didn't seem to mind at all! He wrote letters of encouragement
from dark prison floors, letting us know that we should not lose heart. He told us to rejoice always. He even
told us that we should be honored and encouraged that he was willing to endure suffering so that we could get the message
of Christ! Ephesians 3:13 (NLT) 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am
suffering for you, so you should feel honored. In the Amplified Version of the Bible it says that
we should not become despondent or lose heart through fear because we know what Paul suffered. We know what other
believers have suffered in the past too. Maybe the question is, "Are we willing to suffer for Christ or for
another, joyfully?" For me, that's a tough question because, like many in America, I am addicted to
comfort. I am really a wimp when it comes to suffering. I don't know that I would choose to do it unless the
Holy Spirit put it on my heart and gave me the strength! Somehow, in His own way, that's what God did for Paul and,
if and when, necessary, He'll do it for us too if we are keeping in step with His Spirit. God can and will use
us if we are submitted to Him but we need to want to be used. Hearing about Paul's struggles can put some fear
in our hearts as to just how God is going to use us. But, whatever it is, He will put the encouragement in
our heart that He put in Paul's heart to do His will. Paul was excited about being chosen, even chosen to suffer!
The message far outweighed the suffering in Paul's mind because he, undeserving as he was, was being used by God.
I doubt if Paul knew at the time just how influential he would be! And we don't know what God's power can and
will do through us either. We may not even know till we get to "the other side!" Ephesians 3:9-11 (NLT) 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God,
the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 10 God’s
purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities
in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out
through Christ Jesus our Lord. Not only did God use Paul to influence us, He used Paul to display His
wisdom to the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. God used Paul to spread the news that His plan
was completed in Christ. Do you still wonder if and how God will use you? All we have to do is ask. God
will show us His wisdom in rich variety too. He has something for each one of us to do for Him. He's as
close as your faith will allow you to believe. Believe it. Go boldly before the Lord and just ask, "Can You
use me? What can I do for you?" Ephesians 3:12 (NLT) 12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly
and confidently into God’s presence. It may be that He asks you to do little things but don't be
surprised when those little things you do every day for Him become a lasting legacy of His love and grace!
Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, told the servants at the wedding feast, "Whatever He (Jesus) tells you to do, do it."
God wants to, and can, use you and me too!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 14, 2010
SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN TO ME!
Ephesians 3:6 (NLT) 6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles
and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same
body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. The Apostle, Paul, had the great pleasure, privilege, and responsibility
of revealing a secret from God to those of us who are not Jewish, by physical birth. God revealed His plan for all
of us through Paul, and His plan included us! We get to share equally now in the promises of God with those Jewish
people who have received Jesus as their Messiah. In fact, we're so close that we're all in one Body - the Body of Jesus.
We all belong to Him. Now that's a good security plan! As, the song says, "When I call on Jesus, all
things are possible." And scripture confirms that! We ought to call on Him always in ever situation
but some of us only call on Him when we're in trouble..... Many people have alarm systems in their homes and cars today.
When someone tries to break in, the alarm center is notified and then they call you and you have to give them your password
and then they ask you if you are all right. It's not that way with the security system we have in God's plan.
When we call on the Father, the only, "middle-man," is Jesus. Just calling His name will show us that God
takes care of those who have become a part of His family. I know. This has happened to me more than once and
I found that Jesus doesn't ask a lot of questions, He's just right there to save and protect you! Why? Because
we are His heirs and He's going to protect what belongs to Him! Here is how it is translated in the King James Version:
6 That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in
Christ by the gospel: Sounds like a plan to me! God's plan. And, His plans are always
good! (Jeremiah 29:11) Even though Paul had the great privilege of
revealing God's long-hidden, "secret," he considered himself a prisoner of Jesus so that we could have the
benefit. Ephesians 3:1 (KJV) 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of
Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, Now, we know how good God is and that His plans for us are for good and
not to harm us. But, think about the Apostle, Paul, for a moment. He gave his whole life so that us Gentiles
could have the knowledge that we're included in the good plans of God and heirs to everything He has promised to the
Jews. Paul considered himself to be a prisoner of Jesus Christ for us! He was a voluntary prisoner in his
spirit but this many times led him to be a real prisoner, found in a dungeon. When we look at great people of the past,
we have to wonder, "What am I doing for Jesus?" Granted, God is not going to call every one of us to be
like Paul. But, He does call us. When you're part of a family, you have your own personal chores that you
need to do (if your family is functioning properly). What has Jesus called you and me to do? It will probably
be different things, but He has called each of us to do something within the Family. Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) 10 For we are
his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Now, please don't get caught up in condemnation or go on a guilt trip because I wrote this. You cannot
decide, nor can I, what God has called us to do. So, don't just go out there and try to do good stuff, thinking that
what you are doing is pleasing to God. It may be good, but it may not be pleasing to Him because it is something
someone is called to do and not you! We have to have such a close relationship with the Lord that we keep in step with
His Spirit. He will tell us where to go and what to do if we are just listening! Isaiah 30:21 (AMP) 21 And
your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you
turn to the left. We have to walk so close to the Lord that we, not only hear Him, but we make the
turns He says to make. We have a choice. Paul chose to be a prisoner of Christ in order that we
might benefit. Are there people that might benefit if we also chose to be a prisoner of Christ? In the times before Paul, us Gentiles didn't know a thing! But, because
Paul became a prisoner of Christ, he was given the privilege of letting the, "secret," out! Ephesians 3:4 (NLT) 4 As you read what I have written,
you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not
reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. But
now, we are all allowed to know God's plan because God is good and because Paul was obedient to do what God called him to
do by the Holy Spirit! What if us believers had never been given this Good News? We would be a
sorry lot, indeed. But now! We know the plan. Now, we, too, can participate in making the Good News known
to everybody, not matter what their race, nationality, ethnicity, color, gender, etc. Have we such a grateful
heart that we will become a voluntary prisoner for Christ? That's a very serious question, and one I have to
ask myself. Oh, there are many trials and responsibilities to become a prisoner of Christ, but there are also
many blessings in store for us and only God knows what we will leave behind for future generations, just as Paul did.
There is a song that says, "And may all who come behind us find us faithful." Yes,
it has always been God's plan that the current generation should tell the future generations about Him and about His good
plans for them. Psalm 22:30-31 (NLT) 30 Our children
will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. 31 His
righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done. If we
are not telling the Good News to our children in this generation, who will tell them? Basically, what Paul was
telling us all is that we are not doomed to die! God has a plan! Psalm 102:18-20 (NLT) 18 Let
this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD. 19
Tell them the LORD looked down from his heavenly sanctuary. He looked down to earth from heaven 20
to hear the groans of the prisoners, to release those condemned to die. God wants His plan
recorded for people who have not yet even been born. Paul participated in that. How are we recording God's goodness
in our own lives and for the future benefit of others? Are we walking closely enough to Him to hear His directions
and are we obedient enough to follow, joyfully? If not, we might want to start practicing so that the, "recording,"
of our lives will be of benefit to others. I would think that God would be pleased if we did that. Sounds like a plan
to me!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 13, 2010
A, "BEFORE AND AFTER," PICTURE
Ephesians 2:11-22 (KJV) 11 Wherefore
remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision
in the flesh made by hands; As usual (like we see in advertisements), the, "before," picture is pretty bad. However, this is
not an advertisement with trick photography and airbrushed people. This is for real. God put aside His
chosen people for a while so that you and I, heathens, could have a, "before and after," picture of ourselves
to remind ourselves of where we would be if it weren't for Jesus. It's also a reminder to others that they can have
the, "before and after," pictures of themselves too! God says that we should remember that once we were
without Christ. We really didn't stand a chance out there in the cold. 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: We were strangers to
God's chosen people and strangers to His covenants of promise, which are so very important to us believers! We had
no hope. That was the, "before," picture and it was pretty grim and quite ugly.
However, there is an, "after," picture too and this is what we look like now. 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. We've
been brought into God's own family covered by the blood of Christ. I just thought of the fact that, when a new baby
is born, it is covered with some blood too! God re-birthed us right into His own family! Wow! He ignored
His chosen people for a time so that we could share in His love and covenants but He has not forgotten them all together.
He's trying to get them to come to Him still by making them jealous of the fact that we can now share in all that
belongs to our Father. Romans 11:13-16 (NLT) 13 I
am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,
14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have,
so I might save some of them. 15 For since their rejection meant that God
offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were
dead! 16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants
will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if
the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too. If God's chosen people had not been so, "stiff-necked,"
we would not have the opportunity to receive Christ! Our, "after," picture would look the very same as our,
"before," picture - not very good at all! Now,
we're in the, "family picture." There is nothing separating us from anyone else who will receive Jesus as
Savior. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and
hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in
his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man,
so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which
were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Now, we all can be in the "family picture" because
we all have access to the Father by His Spirit! 18 For through him
we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now, we are all in the same house built on a great
foundation of which Jesus is the cornerstone. We're secure with no reason to fear because we're living in the house
built on the Rock! 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And
are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Along with the, "before and after," picture there's good news. We have all the blessings in
the temple of the Lord, of which He is making us a part. But, there could be bad news too. It's really up to
us. Romans 11:17-21 (NLT) 17 But
some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you
Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised
Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off.
You are just a branch, not the root. 19 “Well,” you may say, “those
branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those
branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t
think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not
spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. We can't be like we were when we were
children and we got something that maybe someone else was really wanting. What did we say? "Na-na-na-na-na"
(remember that little tune?). We are, of all people, most blessed because the Holy Spirit has drawn us to salvation.
Our prayer should be that of a mature child, a sensitive child, a compassionate child, wanting all to be saved because that
is the desire of our Father. Is that our desire too? It will be if we remember that we are now all the things
that our, "after," picture looks like! We might even want to get out the, "family picture,"
to remind ourselves of just how we've been blessed to be a part of the Body of Christ!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 12, 2010
WE WERE DEAD Ephesians 2:1-10 (KJV) 1 And
you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Right now,
you and I who have received Christ are blessed. We're chosen. We're adopted. We're favored. We're
redeemed. We're forgiven. That's what some of the lyrics say in the song, "Ephesians, Chapter One."
I got so excited checking out the whole of Ephesians, Chapter One, after singing the words to that song that
I went through as much as of it as I could in the last few days. Now, I've decided that, Ephesians, Chapter One was
so good, I'll just keep going on into Ephesians, Chapter Two. Paul prayed in Ephesians 1 that we would understand just who God really is and that we would know that He is in us and that He
is above all power and authority. We're covered. And, we're made whole from the inside out because Jesus lives
in us! If you are like me, you sometimes forget that this is a process. Some days just don't feel good.
It's on those days that I have to feel around for my faith. It's in here somewhere! I am blessed, chosen, adopted,
favored, redeemed and forgiven whether I feel like I am or not. God said so and He did it all. His power
is far greater than any of my feelings. He is also fully able to start and finish the work of faith He started in
me and in you. Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) 2 Looking
unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. There was
a time in the past when I walked just like the world is walking. Ephesians 2:2 (KJV) 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this
world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
I was listening quite closely to the devil (the prince of the power of the air). Right here in the, "now,"
I don't want anything more to do with that liar! He tried to make me think that I could do what the world did and have
all that the world had and then I would be happy. Not so. I remember walking into the little apartment of a
nun one day for a visit. There was one couch and one table. Nothing else. Such peace! I'm not
saying that we should not have things. I am saying that the greater part of us must be progressively Holy Spirit-led.
The junk and the clutter of our lives has to be cleaned out and we need to let in the fresh air of the Holy Spirit and take
a big breath. His peace will fill the house and He will be our focal point. Disobedience clutters up our lives
so much so that we, not only can't see Jesus, we can hardly begin to find out who we are! It blocks the knowledge
and peace of knowing we're blessed, chosen, adopted, favored, redeemed and forgiven. God did not want to leave
us where we were so He sent Jesus. We were as dead, spiritually, as Lazarus was physically. Our sins and worldly
walking had killed us instead of doing what the enemy told us it would do. John 10:10 (KJV) 10 The thief cometh
not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly. Jesus came so we could be made alive again! There will be a process and it's possible
that we will fall down a few times before we start walking with mature steps but, if we are trusting the power of Jesus to
make us fully alive and mature, He will take care of all of that. The secret is not to give up and stay down! Proverbs 24:16 (KJV) 16
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Because
we have traded our sin and shame for the righteousness of Jesus, we are the ones who may fall but we will rise again if
we don't get discouraged and quit. Those who refuse the life that Jesus offers will fall and stay down (even going
down further). When we walked like we see the
world walking, we were walking in death instead of life. Did you ever behave like the world? Hopefully not, but
I think, if we are honest, all of us still buy into some worldly stuff now and then. Ephesians 2:3 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation
in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children
of wrath, even as others. Just as it says at the beginning of Ephesians, Chapter 2, we were dead
in sins and trespasses. We were immersed in the ways of the world and we followed all of the sinful, selfish, destructive
ways of our own fleshly desires. Yet, I love this phrase: "But God." Ephesians 3:4 (KJV) 4 But
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even
when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Yes!
God looked down and saw that we had fallen into a pit and, in fact, we were dead. But God. God raised us up together.
He gave us the best seat in the house. Because we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, we are above
all because He is above all! Ephesians 2:6 (KJV) 6 And hath
raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Now, we are not,
"squished," down under our circumstances. We are seated way above them with Christ. He will pull it
all together. He will finish the good work He has started in us! Philippians 1:6 (KJV) 6 Being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Yes! Not only did He raise us from death from sin, He began a good work in us and He will not fail to
complete it! As He works it out, there will be days that just don't feel too good. That's the process.
We are being molded and conformed to the image of Jesus. Sometimes our flesh gets just a bit stubborn in the process
and it hurts a lot more than it would if we would just submit to the molding, then go look in the mirror and see what
a beautiful thing God is doing. He is doing this so that He might get the glory. And, if you have been redeemed,
really redeemed, you are going to be itching to give Him the glory because you know in your heart of hearts that you could
not have saved yourself! Everything is by the grace of God! Ephesians 2:7-8 7 That in the ages to come he might
shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
If you have never received Jesus or you have fallen or you are in a painful process, look up, reach up,
and get up by the power of God. It's only by His power that we can be made fully alive! 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For
we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
No matter what you feel like today, if you have received Jesus, you are fully alive and He is doing a great
work in and through you. He is leading you into the good works He created for you to do before you even knew
about it. If you have not received Jesus, He is waiting to lift you from the pit of death and destruction and
make you alive again - really alive. We were dead. But now, by His love and power alone, we are fully alive
in Him and in the process. Remember, He never fails to complete a project so count on the fact that you are
blessed and all those other things too! By faith, trust in the fact that He has chosen and adopted you and He's
not about to give up on you or abandon you. You are no longer dead but fully alive in Christ!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 11, 2010 ABOVE ALL
Ephesians 1:21 (KJV) 21 Far above all principality, and power,
and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
If you have given your life to Christ, you
are in and covered by the One who is far above everything in this world. Including all of your problems and my problems.
In fact, powerful enough to solve the world's problems and He will! Yesterday, I was amazed again to be reminded of
the mighty power that He has put in us. That same power that raised Jesus from the dead. You can't get much
more powerful than that! God has shared that power with us and reminded us, through Paul's prayer for the people in
the church of Ephesus (and us), that God wants to open the eyes of our understanding to these great truths. To the
great power and authority under which we are covered and by which we operate in cooperation with the Holy Spirit! There
are lots of powerful leaders in the world today saying lots of threatening things. Lots of boastful things.
They really think they are something. Yet, none of us are really anything without Christ. Some may boast that
they will do this or that but have they forgotten that Jesus is far, far above them when it comes to power? To might?
To dominion? Jesus is far above any ruler or authority or leader. That's how the New Living Translation describes
Him in Ephesians 1:21. He's above everything and, not just in the world where we live at the moment, but in the world to come! If
we listen to the news, we can be terrorized without even enduring a physical terrorist attack. Men and women around
the world are trying to build their own kingdoms and they think they're pretty powerful. We hear about plots and plans.
But, soon, and probably very soon, the One who is above all of them will show them a thing or two! It's not going
to be pretty for those who have tried to usurp His power. Nobody's name is going to matter any more.
Only the Name of Jesus! Jesus is the King of the Kingdom
in which you and I have citizenship if we have received Him as Lord and Savior. We win, if we are following Him!
God has given Him all authority over everything! God has made Him the head of the church (not just the Baptist Church,
or the Church of God, or the Nazarene Church, or the Charismatic Church, or the Pentecostal Church, etc., etc.). All
of these will fade away as He brings His Body, The Church, together. God has given Jesus this authority so
that you and I would have a secure place in Him. It's for our benefit and the benefit of all those within His Body.
He's going to make His Body complete. What is He reminding you of today? Has He placed some faith in you that
you need to exercise to bring others to the Kingdom or display His healing power? What is your function within the
Body? It's His Name that will last and none other. Everything and everyone is going to have to bow to His Name.
Why not bow right now? Philippians 2:10-11 (KJV) 10 That at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Why
not confess His Name now so that others can be made aware of His power and authority? That's what we should be
praying. Something akin to the prayer that we find in Ephesians, Chapter One. That all of our brothers
and sisters in Him should understand exactly who He is and operate fully under His power and authority. That all
of our brothers and sisters in Him should realize that He deserves all the honor and glory in our lives and in whatever
we do or have done for Him. There isn't a dictator in this world that can withstand the coming King. He truly
is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 1 Timothy 6:15 (NLT) 15 For at just the right time Christ will
be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. That's
what Paul was praying that we would see, and know, now. The world, as a whole, does not see this
yet. But, by faith, we, not only see, we can understand His power and authority. We not
only see and understand it, we can operate in it so that the world will get a glimpse of this, soon to be revealed King,
and perhaps some will come to Him before it's too late! Ephesians 1:22 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head
over all things for the benefit of the church. What Paul is praying for us and what we should pray for
others is that everyone should know that God has put everything under the authority of Jesus and made Him the head of all
things. Whether we're a pastor, evangelist, church member, or whatever, the only authority we have is in Christ.
It's His Body and His Church. All of our churches and ministries are wonderful as long as we remember
that Christ is the head and what we do must benefit the whole Body of Christ. When the eyes of our understanding are
opened by the Holy Spirit, unity will begin to form in the church. Ephesians 1:23 23 And the church is
his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. We will
begin to understand that no one person and no one ministry has to all together completely. We are all a part of
something bigger, the Body of Christ, of which He is the head and no one else. We will all begin to work together
for the good of the whole Body and those who are without will be won to Christ because they see how lovingly and powerfully
He works through each part of His Body. It was, and is, the desire of Jesus who has all power over everything
now and forever that His Body (which is us) should be in unity with Him and with each other. John 17:21 (NLT) 21 I pray
that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in
us so that the world will believe you sent me. When we pray for each other
that we will all grow in the knowledge and understanding of all that God is, we will begin to come into unity under Him through
Jesus. What are you praying for and for whom are you praying? I'm so glad that, even though I know I have only
skimmed the surface of the depths of Paul's prayer in Ephesians, Chapter One, I have learned more of His power and authority
and more of His Lordship over all. That's what I want for those around me too, my family and my friends. Really,
for everyone who will believe. While we all have specific needs, the contents of this complete prayer, when answered,
will help us to know, on a deeper level, how to get through trials and troubles of this life and give us hope for the next.
It will give us confidence that Jesus truly is Lord over all and that nothing at all can change the fact that
He is in control and always will be. Since we are in Him and He in us, all of this is ours now and forever.
Lord, help us to understand this more and more as we look to You to have our spiritual eyes opened wider and wider!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 10, 2010 IT'S HIS POWER
Ephesians 1:19-20 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of
his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which
he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Well, Paul goes on to pray for those in the
church in Ephesus and for us. We should also go on praying for the believers in our lives (and of course for those
who have not yet believed). However, sometimes we, especially I, tend to give God advice about what others need specifically.
While I do think that the Holy Spirit will lead us to pray something for someone that is specific in nature, I believe He
wants us to pray like Paul prayed - for the deep things. Paul prayed that we would know the overwhelming magnitude
of the dynamite power of God toward us who believe! This dynamite power is that same power that raised Jesus from
the dead. Is that how we pray for those believers around us? That they might know that God has flung dynamite
power in their direction that is so powerful that nothing can stand against it? Do we believe that for ourselves?
If we believe it for ourselves and pray it for others, we can, not just get through life, but get through with a, "bang."
The world around us will be moved too as all of the dynamite power explosions of our prayers and actions rock and shake
things around us - for the good. And, for the glory of God. God's
mighty power still works and it will work wonders through us if we will have the faith to know and believe the exceeding
greatness of it. To know that that greatness is dwelling in us just waiting for an opportunity to make a difference
in this world. We, in our own strength cannot change much of anything (unless, of course, to make a mess of things).
But, when we know God's power and have the faith to let it be released through us, miracles will happen. People
will be healed. Lives will be changed. Relationships will be restored. All the yucky stuff will be blown
up by God's power and He will step in and make everything new! 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (KJV)17 Therefore if any man
be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry
of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Yes! God's power within us has the potential to help us in the ministry of reconciliation so that he can reconcile
the world back to Himself. Some of us know what it is not to have our children around us or to have them
wandering rebelliously. Such grief! God surely must be grieved at the state of the world today but you and I
can pray for each other and others that His power will work in and through us to make us ministers with Him in reconciling
His children back to Him. Oh, how it must please God when we are courageous enough to let some of that dynamite
power go! And, lest we should think that we're so good when we do that, we are nothing. We can do nothing of
ourselves but God's Spirit working through us will set off the fuse that will change everything - including us! Zechariah 4:6 (NLT) 6 Then
he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says
the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Oh,
how God wants us to recognize the fact that we have His power (which is really so much greater than dynamite) living
in us. The power to move mountains if we will believe and use it. Matthew 21:20-22 (KJV) 20 And when the disciples
saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21 Jesus
answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is
done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall
be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing,
ye shall receive. Moving a mountain requires quite a bit of dynamite so, we must remember that all of
that is dwelling in us and seek to use it at the discretion of the Holy Spirit. We must pray for one another and encourage
one another to know that power that God has put in them and to be willing to use it for God's glory. This is what God
told Zerubbabel. Zechariah 4:7 (NLT) 7 Nothing,
not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel
sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’”
Are we seeing mountains that keep us and others from where God would like them to be becoming level plains
because we are believing in and using the power God has put into us? Are we praying for others that they will use the
power. Are we linking our power and faith together and making a difference in this world to the glory of the Lord.
If not, we need to give it some thought. What has God called you to do? I'm realizing that it may just be the
little things that will make the biggest difference. God has given you His power. Go, use it wisely, be an ambassador
for Him in what He has called you to do. Don't be discouraged because His power will remain the same forever!
Isn't it awesome that He has given it to us!!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 9, 2010 HOW ARE YOUR EYES?
Ephesians 1:18 18 The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the
glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Yesterday, I started thinking about who I pray for and began to think of how important it is that we pray
for other believers to have more and more of the spirit of wisdom and revelation from our Lord. Today, I am thinking
more about how God wants us to pray for others. I'm still looking at the prayer that Paul prayed for the church in
Ephesus and, of course, it's for us too since God saw fit to include it in the Holy Scripture! Jesus is concerned about
our eyes and the eyes of other believers. He proved that, in the physical, when He healed the physical eyes of people
as He went about doing good. There was a particular blind man in scripture, the eyes of whom Jesus opened.
Here is his statement. John 9:25 (KJV) 25 He answered
and said, Whether he (Jesus) be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Amazing
grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found. Was blind but
now I see. Just think how hard it would be to get around in life if we could not see. I have had
trouble with my eyes before and it is a great hindrance. Jesus healed the physical eyes of the man mentioned above
but He healed the spiritual eyes of the writer of, Amazing Grace. How are your eyes today? Paul
has prayed that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened. How can that happen? It can only happen
when we invite the Light of the world into our hearts and let Him light up our understanding. No more walking around
like blind people in the dark! We can walk in understanding. But, we do have a part in this healing as we always have a part in the work of the Lord. We have to choose
to renew our minds by His Word and cast out the worldly thoughts and reasoning by which we once tried to walk, tripping
along the way! Romans 12:2 (KJV) 2 And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God. To renew our minds in God's Word is not always easy. As one of
my friends has said, "I have lived a 'soulish' (worldly way of thinking) way of life for a long time."
The Lord is waiting today to open the eyes of our spiritual (as opposed to our soul) eyes through the renewal of our minds
(our soul, will, emotions, feelings, reasonings). Both soul and spirit must agree! When the eyes of our understanding
are opened by the Lord and His Word these two that are often opposed to each other will disagree until our soul comes into
line with our opened spiritual eyes of understanding. When they agree, we will feel much better and make much better
decisions in life. Even our bodies will have to come in line when spirit and soul agree! I'm not saying
that I'm all that today but I want to be more of, "that," every day. I also want that for those I love and
for every believer in Christ. We can be a believer and still be oppressed by feelings and circumstances because we
have not received the gift of God. The opening of the eyes of our understanding. Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) 7 Wisdom
is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. The writer
of Proverbs has told us to get understanding and God has promised to open the eyes of our understanding, if we will ask
for it! Not just for ourselves but for all of His children! Because we are chosen and taken into the family of
God, we have a rich inheritance but we won't see it unless we have wide open eyes of understanding! It's a glorious
inheritance! Do we understand it? Maybe not all of it now. It's too big to get all at once but, as God
opens the eyes of our understanding day by day, we will be more and more hopeful and more and more confident in what He has
given us, what He has done for us and what He wants us to do for others. Today, will you pray for others that the
eyes of their understanding will be opened to these glorious truths of God. Moreover, if you are having trouble seeing,
receive Paul's prayer down through the ages that your own eyes of understanding will be opened and then open your Bible
and participate in that healing as you renew your mind with Jesus! He wants us to have open and clear vision and understanding so we can lead a life of freedom and the ability to
think, not only of ourselves and our own problems, but about others too. To pray for them, not just for their specific
problems, but that they eyes of their understanding will be opened. After all, if you can see, you're much more likely
to be able to find a solution to your problems! God wants our eyes of understanding to be opened so that we can know
what is the hope of His calling. He wants us to remember that He has given us a confident hope. He has called
us to Himself. Chosen us. John 15:16-17 (NLT) 16 You
didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever
you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. We're
chosen and God wants our eyes of understanding to be open to that fact. We didn't have anything to do with it but we
do have something to do with it now. We have a choice. We can ask and allow God to open the eyes of our understanding
by reading His Word and communing with Him or we can go blindly on our way, stumbling over all the worldly rocks in
our way. We can also pray, like Paul did, for those believers in our lives and all over the world that eyes of understanding
will be opened all over the place! That hope will be restored. That confidence will flow. And, most importantly,
we can show that we love others by praying this prayer for them!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 8, 2010
WHO DO YOU PRAY FOR?
Ephesians 1:15-16 (KJV) 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Do we stop to give thanks for those believers that God has placed in our lives? After all, it is
those very people that encourage us along the way! I'm so thankful that many people have offered prayers for me to
our Lord! They have taken the time to make mention of me - and God has heard and answered! Because
we have so many blessings from God, Paul prays for us. It's easy to forget, from time to time, that we are blessed,
chosen, adopted, redeemed and forgiven. It's easy, with all that the world hurls at us to forget that God has
a good plan for our lives and that His plans never fail. Paul had heart for the faith and love in the people in
the church of Ephesus. He kept them in his prayers and, his prayers, through the scripture, have gone to God for us
down through the ages. OK, let's be like Paul and remember
to pray for those we know are faithful believers. No doubt, they have their trials too! James 5:16 (KJV) 16 Confess your faults
one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much. There's not a one of us believers that is perfect yet. We all need the prayers of righteous
people and we all need a healing touch from Jesus in some area of our lives. Will we be that righteous one (righteous
in Jesus, of course, and nothing on our own) who will pray for others? We need to remember one another in prayer
so that we will remember, even through our trials, that God says that we're blessed and all those other things too.
If He says it, it has to be true! Numbers 23:19 (KJV) 19 God is not a man,
that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken,
and shall he not make it good? Who has loved and supported you in prayer? Thank God for them
this morning and call their name to Him in prayer too. You know, Job prayed for his, "friends." When
Job was down and out, his, so-called, "friends," came to support him, but really all they did was insult and depress
Him. Oh, they knew the Word of God but, in this case, they did not have a spirit of wisdom and revelation and they
did not rightly divide the Word of God. Poor Job. Nevertheless, he determined in his own mind, even though he
was in destitute condition to pray for his friends. Job 42:7-10 (NLT) 7 After
the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends,
for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So take
seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for
you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately
about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the
Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. 10 When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him
twice as much as before! Maybe some people you considered friends have disappointed you.
They may be believers but have just not been discerning toward your situation. Go ahead and, like Paul, pray for them,
give thanks for them. Like Job, pray for them anyway. See God bring changes in their lives and in yours!
When Job prayed for His friends, God gave him twice as much as He has lost.
Paul kept on praying for the spirit of wisdom and revelation for the Ephesians and for us. That's
what we should pray for our fellow believers. What is the spirit of wisdom and revelation? In the Strong's Dictionary,
it means wise in a general sense of the word. We must be wise in spiritual things and also in everyday practical things
here on earth. Jesus became wisdom for us, so His Spirit gives us the spirit of wisdom. Don't you want that spirit
of wisdom so you can make proper decisions in life and say and do the, "right," things? And, how many times
do we pray for those we know who are believers? They all need the spirit of wisdom too. May I say that we especially
need to pray for those who minister the Word of God to us? They need that spirit of wisdom to lead the flock in the
right direction. Have you noticed that when, unfortunately, a leader in the Christian world may not operate in the
spirit of wisdom, a whole lot of other folks go down with him or her? They lose the little faith they might have had.
Besides that, the Name of Jesus is brought down in the world's eyes. Jesus has not changed. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT) 8 Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But, the way He is seen by unbelievers and those
weak in the faith changes - and not for the better. So, we need to pray for one another. We need to pray for
salvation for unbelievers but especially for the spirit of wisdom for those who teach us and preach to us. We also
need to pray for the spirit of wisdom to fill parents today so that they can raise up a generation of people who will trust
in and believe in the "real," Jesus. Not the Jesus that the world would like to tell us is weak and just
a, "crutch," for wimps. No! Jesus is wisdom, itself. With wisdom, comes power and He
has all the power in the world and in Heaven! We need to pray, like Paul, also for the spirit of revelation.
That is that God will reveal Himself to those we pray for, more and more. God has revealed Himself in scripture
and the more we renew our mind with His Word, the more revelation we will have. There is even a book at the end of
the Bible which is called, "Revelation." It is the revelation of the person of Christ. We ought to
be praying for our leaders and for other believers that they would have this spirit of revelation. That they would
renew their minds constantly in God's Word so that unbelievers would see that we, as the Body of Christ, are living
proof that He wants everyone to be blessed, chosen, adopted, forgiven and redeemed. Who do you pray for?

MORNING MANNA - JULY 7, 2010
HIS PLANS FOR YOU ARE GOOD AND HERE'S THE PLAN
Ephesians 1:10 (NLT) 10 And
this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in
heaven and on earth. I'm so glad that, long ago, God declared that
His plans for those who would follow and obey Him are good! Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLT) 11 For I know
the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future
and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14
I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I
will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” If
you have been bound in captivity by a sinful lifestyle, come to Jesus. Let Him restore you. Hear the good plans
He has for you. He says they are good and that He's not out to harm us, but to give us a future and a hope.
He said, back in Jeremiah's time, that, if we would look for Him wholeheartedly, we would find Him. He will allow Himself
to be found by us. He will end our captivity to whatever is binding us and holding us captive. Maybe you have
never received Jesus. He's knocking at your heart's door right now. Just open the door and let Him in.
Maybe you have slipped into the pit of some addiction. You might not want to admit you're there. After all,
you are a Christian! That's not enough really. You need to be honest with yourself and with God. He doesn't
want you to be captive to anything or anyone but Him; and He's able to deliver you! 2 Kings 17:39 (KJV) 39 But
the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. God wants
us to fear Him because He is so mighty that He can do anything, including deliver us from any and all of our enemies.
He wants us to follow Him, be transparent with Him and trust Him to help us obey. Then, at the right time, His
time, He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ! In the meantime, in your life and in my
life, at the right time, His time, He will answer our prayers and let His answer be manifested in our lives.
We must learn to look for Him wholeheartedly. We may find Him in the most unlikely of places.
I heard a story on the radio the other day about a little boy who packed a little bag for himself with some
twinkies and a six-pack of root beer. He left the house, telling his mother that he was going out to see
if he could find God. He went to the park. There on the park bench, sat a haggard old man so the boy sat down
beside him and the old man smiled, happy to have a young boy's company. They talked together and the boy noticed that
the old man was hungry and thirsty, so he shared his stash of twinkies and soda with the man. The man smiled his toothless
smile again. At the end of their visit, both returned to their own homes. The boy's mother asked if he had
seen God and the boy answered, "Yes! And God's smile is so wonderful!" When the old man returned home,
he told his son, to his son's amazement, that he had lunch in the park with God. Then he said, "You
know, I never realized that God was so young!" When we're looking for God wholeheartedly, we, too,
may find that we see Him where we didn't expect to find Him and that He looks and acts a whole lot differently than we might
have expected. We can't expect to find God in a little box somewhere, neatly contained. He just may be waiting
in the park for us to take time to sit down with Him and have lunch!
There's a, "furthermore," or a, "moreover," to God's Word to us in Ephesians, chapter
one. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have
received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
I already see that His plans are good for those who will trust Him and follow Him. Sometimes His plans
don't feel very good to us, but, by faith, we know that they are good. He makes everything
to work out according to His plan, in His time. With me, are you counting on the words from
Jeremiah 29:11 that His plans for us are good and not to harm us? What feels like harm at times can only turn
out for good if we're looking for Him and His plan and purpose in our situations. Here is God's purpose. Ephesians 1:12 12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were
the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. It was God's purpose that the
Jewish people would bring praise and glory to God and they will because God has ordained it, in His time.
But, since the Jewish people, as a whole, did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah, God gave us Gentiles a chance, a
wonderful invitation to be grafted into the Vine (Jesus). Ephesians 1:13 13 And now you Gentiles
have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own
by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. God has graciously revealed the Messiah to
us and given us hearts to receive His Spirit. We have a guarantee, because of His Spirit, that He will give us eternal
life, as He promised. We are adopted, just as if we were His own people but He looked across time and chose us.
Then He purchased us so that we could become His own people! Why would He do such a thing for such an unlovely bunch?
Because it would bring Him praise and it would glorify Him. How would it do that? It would do it when we open
our mouths and sing, with gusto," God says, I'm blessed, I'm chosen, I'm adopted, I'm favored, redeemed, yeah,
I'm forgiven. Makes me want to sing, I'm a child of the King and now I'm really livin' - Ephesians One 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and
that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. If
today finds you pressed down, on the ground, thinking you might lose your mind, refuse that! Renew your
mind. The song, "Ephesians One," also says I opened up the Bible and found I could rely on
Ephesians Chapter one." Yes, you can rely on every Word that God has given us in scripture and you can
let those Words override anything that is coming against you right now. You are blessed according to His plan and God
never makes a plan that He doesn't carry through. Besides that, its a good plan! If you need to, get your Bible
right now and open it to Ephesians, chapter one. Read each word slowly letting the Word sink into your spirit
and bring healing and restoration to your soul and your body. That's His plan for you! Me too. I just
want to thank Him today for loving me and you through His Word and carrying out His good plans for us at just the right time!
As my sister would say, "Sounds like a plan to me!"

MORNING MANNA - JULY 6, 2010 YOU ARE FORGIVEN BECAUSE OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE!
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
You and I are redeemed and forgiven. That's more than a mouthful and more than enough to reflect
on without ever getting to the very depth of the significance of it! The very strange thing about it (according to
worldly standards) is that it is God's good pleasure to forgive us! No matter what we've done. To redeem us,
no matter how filthy we are when He picks us up out of the pit. It's all because of, and according to, the riches
of His divine influence on our hearts (his grace). Now, if we had done anything to deserve it, it might be fathomable
that God would maybe think about giving us forgiveness and redemption but we did not do anything to deserve it and, moreover,
we would never be able do anything to deserve it! However, God desires and delights to do this for us! He not
only does this out of the kindness of His heart. He adds all wisdom and understanding! Ephesians 1:8 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
We are truly blessed! Jesus, Himself, is our wisdom and He lives inside of us if we have asked Him in.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NLT) 30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him
to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31
Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” This
freedom we enjoy from being redeemed through the blood sacrificed by Jesus is simply that. Through the blood of Jesus;
and there is no other way to have that kind of freedom. If you haven't repented of your sins and asked Jesus to redeem
and forgive you, it's time to do it right now. It's His good pleasure. It's His desire. It's His delight to save
you! He has given us minds with which we can understand this
simple, but profound, invitation. He has also given us Himself to be our wisdom in life. He'll be there to guide
us into making right decisions if we will listen. I have a little problem in that area. Sometimes, I listen.
I hear. Then, I go the other way! Wrong!! That only means I am not fully accepting this priceless gift
that God has given me. Maybe you can relate to that. God has given us wisdom and understanding too but we have
to take it and then use it! James 1:22-24 (KJV) 22 But
be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For
if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man
he was. Since the Apostle, Paul, was speaking to Christians, I suppose it is possible that we can
deceive ourselves by just hearing the Word and then refusing or forgetting to do it. It's not just what we know but
what we do with what we know that counts. God has done all the hard part. He has redeemed us, forgiven
us, given us wisdom and given us understanding. He has even given us faith. Romans 12:3 (KJV) 3 For I say, through
the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but
to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. The more of God's Word
we know, the easier it is to fall into that trap of thinking of ourselves more highly than we should. God has given
us everything we have, even that measure of faith, but faith without works is not really faith at all. We have heard
but we have not acted on what we heard. James 2:17 (AMP) 17 So
also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative,
dead). How awesome is it that the
Almighty God, Creator of this universe, has done all of this for us. It wasn't a random act of kindness.
He purposed it in Himself and it was according to His own delight! Now He has let us in on the secret!
He has let us understand the mystery of His will if we will walk according to the Word that we know! Ephesians 1:9 (KJV) 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his
good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: It was with purpose and determination that God carried
out the plan of redemption for us, unworthy though we are, without Christ. God is a God of purpose and we, because
we are made in His imagine, need to be people of purpose. Our pastor spoke this past Sunday of two of the
purposes we should have in our lives. These two purposes will help us to be doers of God's word. One is to be
salt. Matthew 5:13 (NLT) 13 “You are
the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out
and trampled underfoot as worthless. Here's something we can do. We can function as salt and flavor
and preserve the world around us. But, if we get diluted too much with worldly thinking, we won't be salty any
more and we will be good for nothing. How sad. Our purpose has come to an end. We need not let this
happen! We must set our thoughts on God's Word so that what we do will be directed by what He says. The other
thing we can do is to be light. Here again, it is good and right for the world to see the glory of God in the
way we live (what we do). Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) 14 “You
are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No
one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone
in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to
see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Don't put your light under a basket.
It will only start a fire and burn up the basket with you inside. Stand up on the hilltops of the world and let the
world see that God has redeemed you and forgiven you. Let the world know that God wants to do the same for them!
His great desire is that all should come to repentance. But, unless we are doers of the word and not just hearers,
others will not know of His love. They will not see the changed lives of those God has redeemed and forgiven.
God says I'm blessed, I'm chosen, I'm adopted, I'm favored, redeemed, yeah, I'm forgiven. Makes me want to sing,
I'm a child of the King and now I'm really livin' - Ephesians One Yes, God said all of that. Now it's time
to show the world it's true by the things we do and the way we live with understanding and wisdom!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 5, 2010
YOU ARE REDEEMED!
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) 7 In whom
we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed through
His infinite mercy. His child , and forever, I am. Maybe you know that old hymn that speaks of the
redemption that Paul tells us about in Ephesians, Chapter One. Songs and hymns are a great way to remind ourselves
of who we are in God's eyes, through our Lord Jesus Christ. If you have never trusted your life back to your Heavenly
Father, through the blood of Jesus Christ, today is the day to do it. God says that today is our day for salvation
(if we will receive it). 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NLT) 1 As
God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped
you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. Yesterday,
here in America, we celebrated our independence. We celebrated the fact that we are free. But, freedom has a
cost and it has a responsibility, as well as all of the privileges we get to experience. Our Pastor spoke about freedom
and how we have been given freedom for a purpose, not just to make us feel good and go about doing whatever
we please. As a citizen of whatever country we live in, if we are free to worship, we should thank God and take advantage
of that freedom. If you live in a free country I would venture to guess that God made it that way so you could
worship Him, praise Him, live for Him, and tell others of the good news of the Gospel. Do you find that to be
your purpose if you are living in a free country? And, most of all, do you complete that purpose? You and I were born into bondage because of the original sin of our ancestors,
Adam and Eve. Yet, God did not want us to stay that way. So He sent a Redeemer. If we receive
Him, we become a part of the Body of Christ. We become a part of the bride of Christ. This Redeemer was
foreshadowed in the person of Boaz, in the book of Ruth. If you have a moment, read the very small book in the Bible
and see Jesus in the person of Boaz. See how God did not forget Naomi, who had become bitter after losing her sons
and her husband to death. See how God honored Ruth, who was loyal to her mother-in-law and followed Naomi's God instead
of the idols of her own country. See how a foreigner could become one of the top citizens in a different country and
be part of the Kingdom of God. All because of a redeemer-kinsman, which Boaz was.Ruth 3:9 (NLT) 9 “Who
are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over
me, for you are my family redeemer.” In this story, Ruth follows
her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to her homeland. In those days, if a woman was widowed, a person from the family
could redeem that widow in order to keep the family going. To make a long story short, that's what happened with
Boaz and Ruth and, boy, did the family keep going, for we find Ruth, a very unlikely choice, in the lineage of Christ
Jesus, our Redeemer. Ruth could have stayed with her idols, met a man in her own country and remained as
she was - in bondage to idolatry. Instead, she chose Jehovah God, followed Naomi to where she could find her kinsman-redeemer
and the rest is His-story! It's important that we remember
that we are redeemed and just who our Redeemer is. We can fall into idolatry if we think our jobs, position,
fame, inheritance, spouse, parents, or any other person or thing can free us - redeeming us from the curse of sin.
All of these things listed above are only gifts from God but the greatest gift God ever gave us was a Redeemer. There
will be times in life that we don't feel redeemed. Job certainly must not have felt pretty "unredeemed,"
when all the awful things started to happen in his life. If you have more time, read the book of Job. Then, if
you have something going on in your life that is uncomfortable or painful, you won't feel so bad! Everything awful
that you could think of happened to Job. He lost his children. He lost his wealth, He lost his health.
His friends insulted him. His wife discouraged and abandoned him. And, on and on. Yet! Job was resolute.
He knew he had a rRdeemer. He didn't understand why all of these awful things were happening in His life, but he
chose to trust that this Redeemer was there and that he would, one day, see Him and then understand. Perhaps,
because Job chose to trust in his Redeemer even though he could not see Him or understand Him, Job was blessed
in the end, very much more than he had been before (and before, he was number one in the land in wealth and integrity).
Job 19:25-26 (AMP) 25 For I know that my
Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth. 26 And
after my skin, even this body, has been destroyed, then from my flesh or without it I shall see God, Job,
"kept the faith," as they say and he did not even know what we know today about the Redeemer! Here in America, we pay homage to the man brave men and women who have given their lives so that we could
live in this free country. How much more should you and I remember that the Lord is the King who sacrificed Himself
so we could have the freedom from sin that we now enjoy. This is how the write of The Message paraphrases this.
Ephesians 1:7 (MSG) 7 Because
of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties
and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! Did
you know that you can live in a free country and still be bound? You can live in a free country and not be free at
all! You are only free if the Son (the Redeemer) has set you free. Then you are free, indeed. Are you free
and do you remember that He has set you free, not only to enjoy His blessings, but to serve Him with all that He has given
you? God says I'm blessed, I'm chosen, I'm adopted, I'm favored, redeemed, yeah, I'm forgiven. Makes me want
to sing, I'm a child of the King and now I'm really livin'" - from the song, Ephesians One. If you have
received the Redeemer, you are redeemed and all of these other things go with your redemption. Does it make you want
to sing? It should because you are a redeemed child of the King!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 4, 2010
YOU ARE CHOSEN!
Ephesians 1:4 (KJV) 4 According as he hath
chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
God says I'm blessed, I'm chosen, I'm
adopted, I'm favored, I'm redeemed, yeah I'm forgiven. Those are part of the lyrics of the song I mentioned
in the Morning Manna a few days ago, "Ephesians One." Well, the writer of this song didn't just pick
words out of the air that rhymed and went with the beat (although the song will make you dance for joy). These words
are the writer's expression of what is mentioned by God to us in Ephesians, Chapter One. Yesterday, we were reminded
that we are blessed. Here in Ephesians 1:4, we see that God chose us before the foundation of the world. Pretty amazing. Especially for me,
since I was always the last one chosen for the team in PE class. He chose us to be holy and without blame before Him
in love. The only way we can do that is through Jesus. He is the only One who lived a perfect life and can stand
before His Father holy and without blame in love but God has given us, as chosen, adopted children, the same privilege!
We are set apart for God's use. That's holy. We are justified if we have received Jesus, just as though we had
never sinned. That makes us without blame. If we love Jesus, we will obey His commandments and stand before
God in love. John 14:15 (NLT) 15 “If
you love me, obey my commandments.
Just as the song says, we are adopted. That may sound as though we might be second class citizens
but it is just the opposite. Someone who is adopted is really, really wanted. Ephesians 1:5 (KJV) 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, God had two perfect children in the beginning.
Adam and Eve. However, they sinned and left the rest of us to be born with a sin nature that would keep us forever
from God. I imagine that thought really grieved God's heart of love for His creation so, although I don't pretend to
understand predestination, I do understand that God loves me and He loves you too. He knew what was going to happen
to humankind because He can't help it that He knows everything. Yet, somehow, He planned to adopt us as His children
by Christ Jesus. Now when He looks at those of us who have received Jesus, He doesn't see the sin nature. Only
the nature of His perfect Son, Jesus Christ. God wanted us so much that, way ahead of time, He designed a plan to adopt
us back into His family by giving up Jesus to be crucified, dead and buried after living a perfect life. The amazing
thing is that He rose again and now we, too, as adopted children through Jesus, will rise again one day to live forever in
the presence of our loving Heavenly Father. All of this pleased God. His will is that all of His children should
return to Him and now He has made a way! 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning
his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance. Yes, Jesus is coming back for us chosen and adopted children to
take us all to be with Him forever. God is not willing that any should be absent when we all are taken back to the
perfect Paradise. His perfect will is that we should all come to repentance. Have you stood in agreement with
God that you are a sinner and that you need to turn around and go in His direction instead of the direction the enemy and
the world is trying to lead you? Jesus would probably come back right now but God is patient because there are still
some that need to repent and He doesn't want anyone to be left behind. Are you one of those He is patiently
waiting for? God is delighted that He has offered
us the invitation of adoption back into His family. He is even more delighted when someone accepts that invitation. Luke 15:10 (KJV) 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy
in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Really, God is satisfied,
even delighted in the fact that He has made a way to choose and adopt us. I'm sure He is blessed when we
stand before Him in love. Ephesians 1:6 (KJV) 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he
hath made us accepted in the beloved. Our Father has done all this to the praise of the dignity
and honor of His graciousness toward us. He has purposed to offer us His divine influence on our heart so that we
will want to live by His principles and live in love with Him and with others. He has chosen, by adopting us,
to show His graciousness, to show His dignity and honor. Then He has chosen to highly favor us by bestowing these
things on us. We're blessed, we're chosen, we're adopted, we're forgiven (if we have repented) and
we're also favored. There's a whole lot to think about in those few phrases. When we really meditate on
these things, it will change the way we think about ourselves and the way we think of others. It will definitely
change the way we think about God because we will realize that when we had no chance at all (except Hell), God bought us
back by paying the price of the blood of His Son. Then He brought us back into His family. Many times children
are biologically born that are not wanted or loved. But, when you're adopted, you know for sure that you are wanted
and that you are loved, especially since God chose you. Makes you want to sing doesn't it? You really should
sing because you're a child of the King. Nothing can hold you back from living the abundant life that Jesus died
to give you!

MORNING MANNA - JULY 3, 2010
Ephesians 1:3 (KJV) 3 Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
YOU ARE BLESSED First of all, let us all do what Paul did in his letter to the
Ephesians. All together now, let's say, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
It's really all about Him and He is so much more than we are that it is amazing that He should even pay any attention to
little old us. Have you ever wanted anything really badly, gotten it, used it for a while, and then forgotten about
it or maybe even decided you didn't like it any more (especially if it didn't do or look like what you had expected)?
Well, God certainly could feel that way about humankind. He made us beautifully, wonderfully, perfectly, and gave
us everything we needed and then we wanted more. We wanted the one thing we shouldn't have. We messed ourselves
up in sin. We took of what God said, "Do not eat." (Of course, this could go into another Morning
Manna, "Do not eat," since many of us have a problem with that temptation and often fall prey to it, including
me!) When you think of the way God made us and what He expected of what He made (even though He gave us free choice
to listen to Him or go our own way), you (or at least I) might think that, since we didn't do what we were supposed to do
and, because of that, we don't look the way we should look, my interest would wane and I would go on to creating or getting
myself something better. After all, if He gave us everything and we blew it, what was to keep God from either ignoring
or just destroying us? I'll tell you what it was. It was His love for us. It was His love for His creation.
You see, He creates things with a potential for life and abundance but we sometimes think we know better and expect something
forbidden to give us our potential and our abundance. Never mind that. God is merciful. He is forgiving.
He loved us imperfect creatures so much that He gave His perfect Son so we could be forgiven. He blessed us beyond
our wildest imagination and He still continues to do that when we seek Him. Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) 20 Now
unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in
us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,
world without end. Amen. Yes, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should
have blessed Him before He gave us anything, but He has now given us everything we need to operate in His Kingdom way
far more than we could ever ask or think! Bless Him now. Give Him the glory!
God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places with Christ. First of all, let's
be sure we are with Christ. Have you given Him your life, repented of your sin and made Him King of your heart?
If not, just do it now. He's patiently knocking at your heart's door but only you can open the door because the door
knob is only on the inside. Revelation 3:20 (KJV) 20 Behold, I stand
at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he
with me. Besides that, our God is gracious. He is a gentlemen. He's not going to force
His way into your heart and force you to receive abundant life and all of His other almost unbelievable promises.
He's not going to force you to accept, receive and use all spiritual blessings in heavenly places! But, He really
wants you to! There is a condition though. You have to be willing to live a life in close communion with
Him. If you reread what you have just read, who would need to be forced? Do you like to have your things
stolen? Do you like to operate under a curse where you have to watch out for your life all the time for fear of destruction
or death? I really doubt it. So, if you have not already made Jesus the King of your life, won't you
do it now? He won't disappoint you. You just have to ask Him in. Are you feeling hospitable today?
When you open that door. you're going to get so much more than you bargained for! John 10:10 (KJV) 10 The
thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly. One more thing. Once you have invited Him in (and you may have
done that years ago), perhaps you have not given Him full run of the house? If there is a drawer (you know those drawers
we through stuff in when company's coming and then forget it's in there), let Him help you clean it out. There may
be stuff in there that's not good for you or even rotten stuff. Maybe you have a closet in your heart where you
have been storing resentment, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc. You put it in there and close the door and
then try to sit at the kitchen table with Jesus and share a meal. It's going to be uncomfortable. Since
He already knows your heart, let Him into that closet. Give all that deadly clutter to Him. Let Him turn your
closet into a place of peace and prayer. He's willing, but are we? It could be that you have a whole room in
your house where you stuff things, especially when company is coming. Then you close the door and declare that
room, "out of bounds." I know. I have done that much of my life! But, when there is a room in
our heart like that, Jesus may not feel completely welcome and comfortable. Is Jesus comfortable and blessed
in your heart? Is your heart orderly, every drawer, every closet, every room? Have you allowed Him to see everything,
get rid of the extra clutter and dirt and help you redecorate? He's here to bless us but, first, this morning, let's
just bless our loving Father who loved us enough to send Jesus down to help us clean our houses and keep us company,
even eating joyfully with us! Just what all has he given
us? Only everything in Heaven. Salvation. The gifts of the Spirit. Power to do His will.
The hope of eternity with Christ. An intimate relationship with Christ. These are all things that are in Heaven
but God has chosen to give them to us now through Jesus Christ. Are you enjoying Jesus today? Do you feel the
impact of all those things He has given you? When you have your heart (house) in order, you can find any one of those
things, and more, at a moments notice. They all look like and work just as God intended and they are all at your disposal.
You are blessed. I am blessed! Here's more confirmation from The Living Bible. Ephesians 2:4-7 But God is so rich in mercy; He loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead
and doomed by our sins, He gave us back our lives again when He raised Christ from the dead - only by His undeserved
favor have we ever been saved - and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with Him in the
Heavenly realms - all because of what Christ Jesus did. And now God can always point to us as examples of how very,
very rich His kindness is, as shown in all He has done for us through Jesus Christ. Wow! Are we
ever blessed. Lifted up from the grave into glory, along with Christ! Sitting with Him in His house (and He in
ours) and enjoying everything that is at His disposal (which, by the way, is everything). So, what
will it be for us today? Will we be the example that God can point to, demonstrating the fact that He has been more
than kind to us through everything He has done for us through Jesus Christ? Or, will we go into some of those drawers,
closets, and rooms that have not been cleaned out and lead a life of depression, oppression and doom? What's the
first step to being an example of how good God is? It's to bless Him with our mouth and with our life.
As they used to sing, "When the praises go up, the blessings come down."
Let me be careful to say here that the praises that come from just singing in corporate worship are not what
brings the blessings from God down and they don't lift us up into the Heavenly places with Christ where we can sit at peace.
They are merely a result of living a life of praise all week long! God does all for us when we choose to live
for Him and bless Him by the way we live. He's more than willing to give you and me everything in the Heavenlies.
Are we more than willing to live consistent lives that bless God?

MORNING MANNA - JULY 2, 2010
PAUL HAS PRAYED THAT YOU HAVE GRACE AND PEACE FROM THE LORD Ephesians 1:2 (KJV) 2 Grace
be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you started your day yet or are you just getting started by doing what we should all
do first, reading the Word of God and communicating with Him? I'm still thinking about the "Ephesians Chapter
One" song. Boy, does it rev up your spirit and get your soul to start agreeing to who God says you are!
But, in the meantime, I decided to carefully go through the chapter and see what else I could find. I want to share
that with you. I don't know what you have to do today (or what you think you have to do). I do know, though,
that God has provided you and me all the grace and peace we need to go through the day (and probably more since Psalm 23 says that our cups run over). Since we have stuff running over in our saucer, why not
pass it along to somebody else? Perhaps somebody that looks and acts like their cup is empty, if not crushed and broken?
The Apostle, Paul, prayed that you and I would have grace and peace from God. Not just somebody in the great somewhere
that we call God, but God our Father. Our perfect father. We may not have had a dad on this earth that
promoted grace and peace in our family but, now that we have believed in Jesus, we have the Perfect Father and in this
family, grace and peace reign. It reigns because the Lord Jesus paid the price for it. John 14:27 (KJV) 27 Peace
I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid. There may be some things that are coming your way today that you do not expect or
you may be right smack dab in the middle of something so difficult that you feel like you're not going to make it through!
When we really think about it, we were not going to make
it through to eternity and peace and joy forever with the Lord. Until. Until Jesus came and paid the price for
us so that we could be saved by grace. Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV) 4 But God, who is rich
in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins,
hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised
us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Yes, we are saved
by grace and nothing else. All by the blood of Jesus. Right now a praise and worship fest should be bursting forth
from all of us reading this. But, this grace did not just save us. The meaning of grace is show to
us in the Strong's Dictionary: from <G5463> (chairo); graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or
spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) :- acceptable,
benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy). Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew
Dictionary. So, each and every day, with its joys and trials, we have God's divine influence on our heart to reflect
on as to how it will show us just what to do in every situation. We can be thankful that we have His gift of
favor, joy, liberality, His pleasure and we need to be so thankful for all of this! Whatever it is you are doing today
and, if you are going through a trying time, remember that you have God's divine influence on your heart. Reflect on
it. Open your spiritual ears and see what He is saying about what you need to do. Be thankful that He has given
you the gift of His favor. You have His benefits and as some would say, "And don't you forget it." Psalm 103:2-5 (KJV) 2 Bless the LORD, O my
soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who
satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. God has answered Paul's prayer right down through the ages and
we are the benefactors. We have peace that Jesus said He gave us. We have grace which was supplied when
Jesus paid the price on the cross. Maybe we should just stop today and, at every turn, no matter what it looks like,
say, "Thank you Lord for the peace and grace that You have given me. Thank You for Your define influence
on my heart that will help me through anything if I will just receive that influence. Thank you that I can breathe
in Your peace every moment and that it lives inside me so that I can call it to rise up in any situation."
Thank you Lord for your benefits and your favor on my life. Lord, I don't feel good about my situations sometimes but
thank you that You heard Paul's prayer for me and for anyone who will receive You and You're still answering each individual
who is calling on You. You have enough favor, grace, peace, benefit, wisdom, and joy to go around (and more).
You are the giver of everything I need and you give liberally. Help me to give to others as my cup overflows with
all these things. Thank you for forgiving my iniquities, for healing my diseases and redeeming my life from destruction.
Thank you for Your lovingkindness and the tender mercies you have shown in my life. Thank you for the physical
and spiritual food You have given me. Good things so that your promise can be completed in my life that my youth is
renewed like the eagle's!" Oh my, some of the words to the song, Ephesians One are these. "GOD SAYS I’M BLESSED I’M CHOSEN I’M ADOPTED
I’M FAVORED I’M REDEEMED YEAH I’M FORGIVEN" That's a lot of benefits right there. We have grace and we have peace. It's already
been given to us by the Lord and He paid the great price for it! Maybe we should stop praying for peace within ourselves
and boldly thank God for putting it there. Maybe we should stop praying for more grace and thank God for the grace
He has already put inside us and walk in it. Everything God does is complete. Nothing missing, nothing
broken, except maybe our way of thinking because we have not renewed our mind through the Word enough to know that,
no matter what happens in this life, we have been given grace and peace by our Father. You're blessed, chosen,
adopted, favored, redeemed and forgiven! Me too. I don't always walk like that in confidence but I'm working
on it. How about you?

MORNING MANNA - JULY 1, 2010
CAN YOU BE DEFINED AS, "EVER LOYAL TO THE LORD?" Ephesians 1:1 (KJV) 1 Paul, an apostle
of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
In these past few weeks, I have been concentrating on who I am in Christ. How God
defines me. And, how God defines you, if you are a believer in Christ. There are so many positive ways that God
defines us in the scripture and all of them are because He did it for us. I have been encouraging myself by singing
a song called, "Ephesians One." It's all about what is said about us in Ephesians Chapter one.
It's great because it's got a beat that makes you jump for joy if you're singing it. Even if you're not singing,
you'd probably jump for joy because of the reminder of all the things that God says we are just in one chapter in the
Bible. So, I began to read Ephesians, chapter one, with a close eye to ask God what all He was saying.
Lots was said in the song but I have found even more in the scripture. First of all Paul, the Apostle, is writing
to the church at Ephesus. However, some have described this as a circular letter that probably was read at
all the churches where Paul had influence. And, it certainly has proved to be a circular letter because
it is in the scripture and it speaks to you and me today just as it spoke to the first readers!
Paul tells us who he is. An apostle of Jesus Christ. He clarifies the fact that he did not
appoint himself as such, but that it was by the will of God. There are many who call themselves apostles today.
May it be that they really all are apostles by the will of God. However, we are told that we must watch out for wolves
in sheep's clothing so we might watch the, "apostles," of today to see if their lifestyle is in line with the Word
of God. You can't be an apostle unless you are in line with the Word. Paul is writing to the saints in Ephesus.
Now, you might think that he is writing only to those who perfectly keep the law, but no. He is writing to those who
believe and who have trusted their hearts and lives to Jesus. In the same way today, he is writing to you and
me and calling us saints. The Word is inspired by God so it is really God that is calling us saints. Only He
knows our hearts but, if He looks in there and sees Jesus, He sees you as a saint. That's how He defines
you. All of us saints are not in the same place as far as the renewal of our minds but our spirits are safe
and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. Then Paul includes all who are faithful
in Christ Jesus. Does that include you? Are you, "ever loyal," to the Lord? Does this description
define you and me? On this one, it's a choice. God will define us as ever loyal and faithful to him if we will
do what it takes to define ourselves as such. Because we have given our lives to Jesus, we are saints, set apart and
consecrated for the Father. But, Paul says, in the Amplified Version, "who are also faithful and loyal and
steadfast in Christ Jesus." There is the choice. This is where we make the choice as to how God can define
us. Are we faithful? Are we loyal? Are we steadfast? You may say, "I am faithful to my
spouse," and that is definitely God's will and it is a wonderful thing. But, this is not the depth Paul is talking
about. Are you as faithful to Jesus as you are to your spouse? If Jesus has given you instructions through His
Word or by Holy Spirit revelation, are you faithful to follow? If others around you are denying Him with their words
and their actions, are you faithful to Him, or do you join right in? Are you loyal? Many are loyal to the country
in which they reside. This weekend, being the fourth of July, a celebration of America, I can say that I am loyal
to my country. I may not like everything that is going on now and I do know that the people of God need to seek His
face and turn from their wicked ways so that our land can be healed and blessed. So, are you loyal to your
country because you like the way it is, even if it is not following God's principles? Or are you loyal to Jesus Christ,
being a living example in your country of Kingdom living and loving? This is what Paul is talking about.
Loyalty is a great thing but, unless our full loyalty is in Jesus, the rest is inconsequential. Are you steadfast?
You may be steadfast at your career with dreams of climbing the corporate ladder. You may even be steadfast at your
career because you know you must provide for your family. Providing for your family in a material way is necessary
and it is a Godly trait. However, Paul is speaking about those who are steadfastly growing in the knowledge and
revelation of the Lord. Those who are steadfast and loyal and faithful, even when faced with the severe trials we
go through on this earth. As a matter of fact, when Paul wrote this to us, he wasn't just telling us to do these things.
He was being an example. This letter was written while he was in prison being loyal to the Lord and steadfastly and
faithfully giving testimony to the power of the Lord both to his captors and to us! This was his choice.
God wants to define us as "ever loyal to Him," but He cannot do so without our permission. We have
to make the choice to put all of our loyalty in Him and steadfastly stay in His Word and in prayer. We have to
faithfully walk in the Spirit and keep in step. So, what is our choice today? How do we want God to define
us? How do we want our children to define us? How do we want society to define us? Hopefully, our answer
will be that we will be among those who are spoken of as being "ever loyal to Jesus."

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 30, 2010
SOMETIMES YOU JUST DON'T FEEL REDEEMED!
Colossians 1:14 In Whom we
have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.
Just how would you describe yourself? You may come up with quite a few negatives and some positives
too. Hopefully, one of your definitions of yourself will be how God defines you. That is, you are redeemed!
You know, some days, though, I just don't feel redeemed. I have a good idea that I'm not the only believer
who has days when they wonder why they feel like they feel. Not very redeemed. It doesn't
matter how we feel, God says we're redeemed if we have received Jesus as our Savior and Lord. So it's settled.
You are redeemed and I am redeemed! That is who we are. It didn't come at little cost either.
We have our redemption through the blood of Jesus. There is power in the blood. Power to forgive sins and power
to heal. But, are there some days that you just don't feel like you have much power? I have to admit that this
is one of those days for me. I, not only don't feel redeemed, I feel like having a melt-down! Maybe
some of you can relate. Even though we're redeemed, that
doesn't mean that we won't go through challenges. Some days are harder than others. The writer of The Message writes
that: Colossians 1:11 11 We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not
the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and
spills over into joy, 12 thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take
part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. 13 God rescued
us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, 14
the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating. On
those days when we don't feel redeemed, God reminds us that we are redeemed. That means we don't
have to grit our teeth. We can count on God's strength to get us through everything and anything. That's part
of our redemption. Even though we are delivered from
the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of Jesus, we will go through days where it feels like
that is not true. That's when it's so important that we know that we are redeemed. That we know who
we are. The redeemed of the Lord. I started out my day today with a good attitude and stayed balanced for the
first part of the morning. Then I was sure that God would bless my day so much that I would feel it.
Well, let me tell you that just the opposite happened. Most of my day was wasted on hold on the phone trying to get
satisfaction with a service I have purchased and for which I have paid a high price. As the day wore on
and nothing I had planned to do got done, I found myself feeling not quite redeemed. Resentment and anger filled my
soul. I tried to be kind to those I spoke to but still the thoughts were there. It just wasn't fair. Paul
prayed in Colossians 1:11 that we would have all the endurance and patience we need. I'm so glad he prayed that because
God never forgets a prayer and I was certainly in need of some endurance and patience today. Ever had one of those
days? I hope you don't have one but I do have to admit it is an opportunity to lean into God when you feel like
you're going to fall apart and you are getting nowhere fast! Paul also prayed that we would be filled with joy.
No wonder he prayed that. The joy of the Lord is our strength! We have reason to be joyful. We are redeemed
and we should always be thanking God that He has allowed us to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people.
By the way, on dark days, we need to remember that the redeemed live in the light. Always. Even the darkness
is light to God! Psalm 139:12 (AMP) 12 Even
the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.
We share in that because of who we are - redeemed! May this day find you knowing you are redeemed and
living in the light even if circumstances make you feel like you are not redeemed and living in the darkness.
The enemy just loves to make us feel worthless and unredeemed but let me remind you, redeemed person that you are,
greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. No matter what anybody says and no matter how we may
feel at times, we are redeemed. Praise the Lord! If you know this hymn, start singing:
"Redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed through his infinite mercy.
His child, and forever I am." God said it. So be it!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 29, 2010
CONFIDENT Philippians 1:6 (NLT) 6 And
I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day
when Christ Jesus returns. One way that Paul helps us see ourselves as God sees us, to define ourselves as God does, is this. Paul said
that he was confident that the good work that God started in us would not be left unfinished. Paul was certain.
Paul was persuaded. Paul had full belief in this. He trusted in it and he was convinced of it. We should agree
with Paul and with God. God began a good work in us when we trusted Christ as our Savior. That was only the
beginning. The work continues. Our work and God's work in us. God began the good work within us and He
will finish it on the day when Jesus returns. First of all, have you received Jesus so God can begin the good
work within you? If not, you can do it today. The Bible says, "today is the day of salvation."
If you have never done this, all you have to do is come into agreement with God that you are a sinner, unable to keep
every law perfectly and receive God's gift of unconditional love provided by the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus.
The good work that God begins in us is a lifelong process and, if we are in
communion with God, reading His Word, and praying constantly as the Word tells us, He will communicate with us, helping us
to grow in that good work. It is God that begins the work, continues in perfecting it and finishes it through the
power of the Holy Spirit working within us. Galatians 3:2-3 (NLT) 2 Let me ask you
this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because
you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be?
After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
If you are like me, you might get caught up in the "good works," method of perfecting yourself.
Let me tell you, from experience, that it will not work. In fact, it will only make you more anxious (and Jesus tells
us not to be anxious about anything). We don't need to be anxious or come up with tons of good works and self-help
books to perfect ourselves. It is God who does the work. We just have to cooperate and be obedient, walking
in His Spirit. Galatians 5:25-26 (AMP) 25 If
we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go
forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] 26 Let us not become
vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being
jealous of one another. You see, when we don't
realize that God has already defined us as finished and that He is now completing the good work He started in us,
we think it is about us. We tend to try to walk alone, feeling independent and smart enough to run our own lives. If
you are old enough, you will remember the commercial where the little girl tells her mother, "Mother, I'd rather do
it myself." When we try to tell Father that we'd rather do it ourselves, we open ourselves up to some pretty
rotten stuff. First of all, we forget it is HIS work in us not our own work that is being done. We tend to run
ahead or lag behind the Holy Spirit instead of walking with Him (notice it does not say, "running"). I have
this compulsion in me that says I must hurry all the time. I run myself ragged, getting pretty much nothing completed
because I'm not walking with the Spirit and letting God work out whatever it is He is doing for me and in me. I need
to remember that He began the work in me, He will continue working it out, and He will finish it just in time. Now,
that's peace. Maybe none of you have that problem but I'll just bet you know somebody who does. Let's encourage
one another this morning that we (in God's sight) have had a good work begun in us by God. Let's remind ourselves
that we need to stay in step with His Spirit so He can continue that work. Also, that He never, ever gives up or neglects
to do what He says He will do. He's going to finish the work! If we try to take over and make it happen, it will
cause us to be competitive. We will be jealous of one another maybe thinking that somebody else is progressing faster
than we are. And, maybe they are. Remember it is God's work and He will get it done in all of us. It's
not any of our business about the other guy. We will begin to get irritable and grouchy toward one another.
Anyone relating yet? We may even provoke those the closest to us even though we love them and then struggle with
the guilt of it all. But, if we are confident, as Paul is, that God has begun a good work in us and that He will continue
it until it is perfectly finished, we don't need to worry about anything. Our countenance will reflect confidence.
Not confidence in ourselves but confidence in our God who never breaks His Word and who has promised to conform us to the
image of His own Son! (Romans 8:28-29). In that conformation (the continuation and finishing of the good work God started in us), some things may be hard
and life may get a little tough but God has promised that everything we go through will turn out for the good because
we love Him and are the called (He started a good work in us and is continuing it) according to His purpose. Not our
purpose. His purpose. As we go through these things, walking in step with the Holy Spirit, there will be progress
in our lives and whatever didn't feel so good while it was happening will be turned to good. That's something to be
confident about. That's how God defines you if you believe His Word about this. Confident. Now, lets get
in step with the Spirit and let God lead us through to the completion of the good work He started in us!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 28, 2010
ONE WITH ALL AND ALL FOR ONE 1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but
ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? Today
there is an emphasis on local churches and individual ministries. Both local churches and individual ministries
are good and necessary if they are proclaiming the gospel of Christ. However, the emphasis should be on the whole
body of Christ. If we have received Jesus, we are co-workers with God. Both individually and as local
churches. The trouble today might be that we have put too much focus on the local church and the individual ministry
so that, instead of uniting the body of Christ, we have divided it. This is nothing new. It started way back
when the church began and is evidenced in the following scripture. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (KJV) 5 Who
then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So
then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to
his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry,
ye are God's building. Notice that Paul had to set the people straight in his time. The same is
true for our time. We are only ministers, some planting and some watering but it is the King of the Kingdom that gives
the increase. Paul even says that we who do the planting and watering are not really anything at all. The focus
is on the One for Whom we all work with one another to prepare for increase. God sees everything that you and
I do and He also sees the motive behind everything we do. If it is for our own glory, it's not going to amount to
much, although God has been known to talk through donkeys! We will all be rewarded as to whether we have obediently
and joyfully done what God told us to do. Everybody can't plant because the seeds need watering. Everybody can't
water because nothing will grow if you water ground that has not been planted. No, we labor together. It
is one with all and all for ONE - God! We are partners with
God in getting His Kingdom built. In fact we are that building! (1 Corinthians 3:9). Every part has to work the way the Master Builder made it to work in order for the building to be
strong and functional. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NLT) 1 As God’s partners, we beg you not
to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For
God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right
time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. As partners and co-workers with God, He supplies
the gifts necessary to get our work done. He kindly supplies us with salvation if we will repent of our sins and ask
for it. Then He puts us to work but not out there on our own. We are His co-workers. By the way, if
you have never received salvation from Jesus, won't you ask right now? You see, the scripture says that, today, is
the day of salvation. When you have received that salvation you will have a job to do also to bring others into the,
"Building." But, it's not just a job. It's a joy to know that you have eternal life and that you are
connected to God and connected to those that love and serve Him, no matter if they are, "Paul's" or "Apollos's".
Baptists or Assembly of God. Every one of us has a specific work to do in the Kingdom and we are all co-workers with
God, giving Him all the glory. None of it goes to ourselves or our denominations or our ministries. It all goes
to God. Paul said that we are really nothing when it comes to the work. God is the one who is bringing the body
of Christ together and fitting everyone who will into their proper place to build an unbelievable Building! He is bringing
the increase as we work together with and for Him! Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT) 8 God
saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do
the good things he planned for us long ago. Not only are we co-workers and partners with God in getting
His Kingdom together, we are His masterpiece. Each one of us and the finished building too! Everything we have
within us is a gift from Him in Whom we living and move and have our being. We can take nothing for granted.
Not in the physical realm and certainly not in the spiritual realm. Our salvation is a miracle. A gift that
we cannot earn by working. But, we do work because we have been given the gift. When you have the gifting to
do something, it's not really like, "work." We can boast in nothing we have done to receive salvation.
We cannot boast in our denominations or ministries and how many people we have won to Christ either. It is God who
gives the increase. We are only planters and waterers. God created us as brand new when we received Christ
Jesus. He created each of us a unique masterpiece and He already had planned long ago which good things we were
to do. If you're like me, you look around and you want to do every single good thing there is to do. But, that's
not God's thinking. For you, he has created special good things for you to do and equipped you to do them. For
me, He has done the same thing. What good things are you doing in the Kingdom of God and are you taking the credit
or are they all for His glory? Do you busy yourself doing, "good," things so others will see how, "spiritual,"
you are? I have probably done that at times. It made me feel better about myself. However, God has already
assured us that we are a masterpiece. How much more do we need to feel good about ourselves. Only the
Creator of the Masterpiece knows exactly where to place His creation. Yes, there are lots of good things to be done
in this world and it seems there may be a lack of people to do them. Not so! If we would all just get
in touch with the Creator by the Holy Spirit and walk in the good works He created us to do, we would be successful co-workers
with Him and valuable partners. The world would then see that He truly lives. They would not be looking at competitive
ministries and local churches that look too much like the corporate world! Each and every individual, church and ministry
has a part in God's Kingdom. All with one and all for ONE! There's only one Kingdom and Jesus is King
and Lord over it all! To God be the glory!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 27, 2010
DID YOU KNOW THAT GOD DEFINES YOU AS DEAD?
Colossians 3:3 (KJV) 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ
in God. The title
of this Morning's Manna sounds a bit spooky to me. Yet, it is true. God defines us as dead. But, not the
kind of dead we might think of. Just dead to the things of this world dead to sin. If we received Jesus and
He did not protect us, the world and the devil would be too much for us to handle (not to speak of our own vain imaginations).
So, God considers us dead as far as this world and the sin of the world is concerned. But, He considers
us very much alive in Christ, hidden there in secret, protected from the destruction from the world, the devil, and even
from our own selves. We are still physically alive but it is Jesus that lives in us and through us now that we
believe. He is our life. He is just waiting to return to this earth and allow us to appear with Him in glory,
unspotted by sin because God has carefully hidden us away with Christ in God. One day Jesus will return and, when
He does, if we have allowed Him to live in us and through us, we will look just like Him. Perfect in every way
(except He will be the only one with the scars that He received so that we could be hidden with Him and made perfect)! Colossians
3:44 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Imagine
that! You and I will appear with Christ in glory. We have been hidden for a purpose, for preservation and perfecting
for this wonderful time that we will stand with Christ, just as He is, in glory! It's not so spooky when I think about
it that way. In fact, it's encouraging and uplifting. Even though we are hid with Christ in God, Jesus said he
would give us life and life more abundantly. So dead, in this sense, is much better than the world's idea of life!
(John 10:10) I have done a lot of things in the past that I regret.
From bad attitudes, to wrong thoughts, to wrong actions. But, because of Jesus and the price He paid on the cross,
it's just as if I never did those things. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around all of that. I'm sure
you have done things that were not right also. God's Word says that we have all sinned and come short of
the glory of God. We have all failed and missed the mark but, if we have received Jesus and repented
of our sins, He has justified us and by faith we believe it. Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
God has forgiven and forgotten our sins and He tells us so. He wants us to enjoy peace with Him.
By faith we believe His Word and such a peace overwhelms us to know that. because of Jesus, we don't have to dwell
on or keep on regretting our past sins. God has forgiven them and justified us. It's just as though we never
did any of those things. Enjoying the privilege of knowing we are justified will free us from living in a sea of regrets
from the past. It will free us to forget what is behind, and move on toward the goal God has for us. What
a privilege and what a gift. Justification of our sins. What things might you have done in the past that you
have repented of and God has forgiven you? It's just as though you never did them! So, if you're still dwelling
on them, cast them on Jesus, be free, and move on to where He wants to lead you.
You and I because of this justification also, by faith, can access the grace of God and that's good
reason to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 (KJV) 2 By whom also we have access
by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Remember, Jesus is coming back and we will stand with Him in His glory! Yes, we are justified, we are hidden with
Christ in God and we have access to the grace of God, all by faith. We also rejoice in the hope of the glory
of God and know we will stand with Jesus when this glory is manifested. In the meantime, although our spirits
are hidden with Christ in God, we still live in a world that seems to be spinning out of control. People are now calling
evil good. Isaiah 5:20 (KJV) 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put
darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! In
a whole discourse of, "woe's," this is just one listed in a discourse from the prophet Isaiah. You'd
almost think he was speaking to the world today, wouldn't you? A, "woe," from God is not something I want
to hear! But, because we live in a world that does not like the light or the good or the sweet, we will endure some
trials in our physical circumstances, since we represent those very things. We rejoice in the hope of the glory
of God but here, in this world, we many times see just the opposite of the glory of God. We see trials, troubles,
griefs, challenges, tribulations. The Word of God says that we not only rejoice in the hope of the glory
of God, we also rejoice in all of these things listed above because, as always, God is in the business of turning all things
meant for evil to good for His children. He is working all things together for good so that we can look just like Jesus
and stand with Him in His glory when He comes. Romans 5:3-5 (KJV) 3 And
not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4
And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 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.
As I put these facts together, I realize that I, as a believer am hidden with Christ in God. Whatever
I have done in the past is forgiven and I am justified. I have the abundant life that Jesus promised in spite of tribulations
because, through these problems, Jesus is not only hiding me and protecting me, He is growing my hope and faith in the love
of God. He is allowing my hope to grow by the power of His own Holy Ghost which He has given me. I
live a, "no lose," life because of Jesus. And so do you if you have received Him. Yes, we will feel
some pain and trouble at times but greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world. We are hidden in
the greater One and we can go through knowing that our patience, experience and hope is being built. The enemy
may have meant something in our lives for evil but He can't get all the way to us. We are hidden in Christ with God.
Hard as He may try, the enemy is only going to succeed in helping us grow as we hope and trust in our God. Yes, part
of who we are is, dead to this world of sin. But, the other part of who we are is justified and hidden, filled
with faith and hope for which we will never find ourselves ashamed before God! Defined as being dead doesn't
seem so bad after all when I think about it like this!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 26, 2010
WE'RE ONE COMPLETE TEMPLE OF GOD
1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV) 20 For
ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
In these days where people are trying to, "find
themselves," and use that as an excuse to do all sorts of strange things, we as believers, do not have to look
far. Those still trying to find themselves need to stop looking at the media, TV, movies, and the latest
"who done somebody wrong song," and find Jesus. He's not far from any one of us and He's just waiting for
us to notice that He's there and let Him remake us into a complete and majestic temple. If you are a believer, that
is how you are defined. A temple of the Holy Spirit. Complete in Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV) 16 Know
ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If
any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
So, right about now are you feeling the awesomeness of the fact that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:17 says that if any man defile the temple of God (that's you and me, as believers), God will destroy that man for
the person has defiled something holy. You and I are holy, by the blood and grace of Jesus Christ. We are His
temple. The scripture says, "if anyone," defiles the temple, that person faces bad news! Does this
say to you that we need to be sure that we are living righteous lives in order not to defile God's temple? That's
the way I see it. However, I also see it saying that if anyone else chooses to defile or try to destroy us (as
God's temple), that person will suffer greatly. This temple,
of whom we are, is truly magnificent. Would God want to live anywhere but a holy and magnificent place? He paid
a great price for His home. We, as mere sinful human beings, are not worthy to have God make us the home
of his spirit. He cannot live in sin and unrighteousness. Why would He want to anyway? God is a God
of order and I don't think He appreciates the clutter and filth of sin. He doesn't want to live in a garbage dump!
Just now, I am thinking about order in my physical home. There are some places that need to be cleaned out.
I find it rather peaceful to live in a home that is not cluttered and disorderly (notice that I did not say that I always,
or maybe ever, achieve this goal). However, even psychologists have said that people who live in organized and orderly
homes are much more peaceful people. I can relate. Imagine now, God's holy temple (of which we are). Is
it orderly inside? Have we kept things put in their proper place? I'm speaking about our priorities and
how much time we spend taking care of the inside of the temple in all ways. Spiritually, emotionally, and
physically. Are we known by God as people who treasure the temple or people who trash the temple? I would hope
that it would be the former. If you are now or have ever been feeling a little bit insecure or like you
don't measure up to what the world says you are supposed to be, take a second look through God's eyes. Your head will
raise up and you might even through up your arms in praise. God made you His magnificent home and He desires
to live in and with you! Can you see Him now? Are there a few rooms you need to clean up a little bit so He
will be comfortable there? He will work right along with you until it is just right!
Okay, so now you know what a beautiful palace you are if you have trusted Christ as your Savior.
And, even though there may be a few rooms that need a little cleaning, you are also complete in Christ. That's how
God sees you and me. Colossians 2:10 (KJV) 10 And ye are
complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: What a freeing and restful thought
to know that God sees us as complete in Christ. Don't we struggle here on earth to be all that we expect
ourselves to be and all that we perceive others expect us to be? We don't have to strive or struggle, because God
sees the finished picture of this temple. He sees us as complete in Christ. Nothing missing and nothing broken.
Every cleaning job finished and ready for company! Christ is the head of all principality and power. Don't
you know that the enemy would love to come in and destroy this temple of God? He'll come around any way he can, especially if
we leave the temple unguarded. Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) 23 Keep
and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. The
enemy would just love to defile this temple! When reading in the Amplified Bible concerning 1 Corinthians 3:17, I found that defilement can come in many different ways. It can be corrupted with false doctrines so be careful just
who you invite into your living room for fellowship and teaching. Check out what comes into you (God's temple)
through your eyes and your ears. Make sure it is in accordance with God's Holy Word. Don't just let anyone into
the temple. God does not fellowship with unrighteousness. He will forgive it and make Himself at home in
a clean temple but He's not going to participate in unholy activities in one whom He calls His temple. Does this seem
harsh to you? Maybe it is a little straight-forward. But, on the other hand, what a blessing. What
a privilege. We are the home of God's own Holy Spirit. Along with that comes the responsibility of working with
God to maintain that temple. Deferring maintenance can lead to a condemned building. God's definition of us is
correct. It is marvelous. We are His complete temple. Our job is to live there peacefully with Him and
keep it clean and organized, making it exactly the way He wants it. Or, we can choose to defile it and destroy
ourselves. As they say, the choice is a, "no-brainer." Walk today in who you are with your head held
high and your heart open to others who need to see God in you. Don't show off but let God show off in you! You
are a complete and beautiful temple of the Lord!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 26, 2010
UNDER THE CARE OF THE MASTER GARDENER
John 15:1 (KJV) 1 I am the true vine,
and my Father is the husbandman. I'm still reminding myself (and hopefully you too) of who I am in Christ. One of the most important things
is that you and I are branches from the true Vine. I have been experimenting with growing some cuttings, herbs, tomatoes
and such. I'm not a great gardener. But, I belong to the Master Gardener and I am a branch on His Vine (Jesus).
He knows just what I need as one of His, "branches." Working in my garden a little bit has shown me that
some things need different kinds of soil to grow effectively and produce fruit. If the soil is deficient, they will
be dwarfed, not produce, and even die. As the gardener, I need to know just what kind of soil they need and how to
feed them. Our God is not only the Master Gardener, He is the Soil. He is the Source of the Vine. He is
also the Vine. John 10:29-30 (AMP) 29 My
Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the
Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are One. He is the great I AM. He is fully grounded in every way. Being a branch on the Vine is to be able to
get the nutrients from the Soil. It is being watered with Living Water. It is being fed with the Word.
These things will allow us to bear fruit. It will be fruit in accordance with the Vine. Living, sweet fruit.
Nutritious fruit. Encouraging fruit. It is possible
to ignore the Master Gardener and be like a "sucker," on a rose bush or a run-away weed intertwined around the
vine trying to suck the life out of it. But, if we have really have not given our lives to the Gardener and
the Gardener finds that we are not bearing fruit the way we should, He will know that we are a fake. A sucker, if
you will. Today, there is great discussion about cleansing of the body in natural medicine. Every so often,
they say we should take something that will totally clean out our intestinal tract, making it able to absorb the nutrients
we need to live a healthy life and have energy (be able to bear fruit). If the Gardener has looked into our lives
and found that we are fruitful, there will be some "purging," done for our own good. We will be cleansed
and revived so we can bear more fruit. John 15:2 (KJV) 2 Every branch in me that beareth
not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Purging
can be uncomfortable. However, if He finds that we are not bearing any fruit, His Word says that He will take us away.
I just now read that this does not mean that Jesus takes away actual parts of His body (actual branches) but
only those that have pretended to be branches, those were only acting out the part. Of course, if there is no
nourishment coming from the vine, that "actor," will not last long! Jesus said that those of us who believe
are now clean through the word he spoke to us. John 15:3 (AMP) 3 Now ye are clean through the word which
I have spoken unto you. It is the water of the Word that allows us to grow as branches and become
one with the Vine just as God instituted marriage and says that the man and woman will become one. It is the water
of the Word that flows through us helping us to bear fruit as those rivers of living water flow through us branches refreshing
all of those around us. John 7:38 (KJV) 38 He that believeth
on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. The Master
Gardener is also the Water that keeps the Vine and the branches alive. He keeps the fruit coming. Luscious,
mouth-watering fruit, full of juice! All we have to do is cling to the Vine. John 15:4 (AMP) 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. There's
not a thing we can do to bear fruit except abide in and draw nourishment and guidance from the Vine.
John 15:5 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth
in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. At times,
I get grand ideas in my head about all the fruit I can bear. I can be a missionary. I can go feed the homeless.
I can prayer walk around my neighborhood or the neighboring schools. I can volunteer at a soup kitchen.
There are lots of things I can do (in my mind) to bear fruit but, unless I am contentedly abiding in the Vine, I can do none
of those things. Besides that, maybe that is not the fruit He has in mind. The fruit comes from Him and His
purposes; not from me personally and my own idea of whether I should be a peach or an apple! When we stop abiding in
Him or have never really been abiding in Him, the Master Gardener will cast that branch away and it will be used for fire
wood. John 15:6 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a
branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Not
a pleasant thought but then, that is not who we are in Christ if we are abiding in Him and His Words are abiding in
us. John 16:7 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye
shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. It is the unity between us and the Vine
and the Master Gardener that brings forth the perfect fruit. No wonder Jesus said that His Father would be glorified by
having our prayers answered. If we are truly abiding in the Vine, we are in agreement with the Vine who is in
agreement and obedient to the Master Gardener. John 16:8 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much
fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. The truth is that we are a branch of the true vine and, as the e-mail
I read says, a channel of His life, if we are abiding in Him and His Words are abiding in us. That's pretty awesome.
We don't have to worry about the fruit. We just have to be One with Him and the most perfect fruit will appear
for His perfect purpose! Sometimes branches don't seem that important. After all there are lots of branches in
this world on lots of vines and trees. But, you and I are special branches nurtured by the Master Gardener and
grafted into His very own Son, the Vine. Did you remember this morning that you are a true branch of the Vine and
He wants to use you to be a vessel to carry His fruit into this hungry and dying world? Don't worry about what
it is. Just abide in Him and it will appear before your very eyes, you knowing that you had nothing to do with it.
It was just Him flowing through you to do something awesome that will encourage another and bring Him glory!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 24, 2010
WHO ARE WE? FREE, FRUIT BEARERS, CONFIDENT, AND STRONG! Proverbs 14:26 (KJV) 26 In the fear of the
LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
God has made us so amazingly well and full of good stuff but do we sometimes take it for granted?
We are free to approach God with confidence. A humble confidence, if you will, in what He can do. Not
an arrogant confidence that shows self aggrandizement. Ephesians 3:10-12 (NLT) 10 God’s
purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities
in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through
Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come
boldly and confidently into God’s presence. It is completely through God's grace in Christ
that we have the privilege of freely going to God in boldness and confidence. Not in our own strength or boldness
or in our own confidence but in the strength, boldness, and confidence that comes through Jesus, who takes up residence
in us. Taking God for granted just because we are given such privileges and because He has defined us as free, fruit
bearers, confident, and strong, is absolutely wrong! We need to remember to have a reverential fear of the Lord.
That is what will keep us in confidence. That is what will give us the confidence that we will never be left unsheltered.
We will always have a place of refuge with our Father because we are His child (John 1:12). This morning, as I was pondering on the fruit
bearing part of this Morning's Manna, I asked the Lord how to bear fruit. It was a simple conversation in which I
just got the feeling that I would go about my day and He would find the opportunities for me to bear some fruit.
Well, I had to go to the doctor. I don't really like going to the doctor but I am thankful for the wisdom that God
has given to some of them. Oh that they would all look to the Great Physician for healing anointing and gifting!
Not only did I have to go to the doctor, I had to go to an office that he has to which I don't like to drive. He has
an office near my home but I couldn't get an appointment there in a timely manner. Anyway, I went (a bit resentfully
to tell the truth). However, God created clear roads for me with not much traffic. God is good to us in so many
ways. I opened the door and there sat a woman that I was sure I knew. Before I had a pulmonary embolism last
September, I went to some nursing homes and sang with and for them and encouraged them with visits and the Word of
God. Since that time, I have not done it because I have not felt physically able - yet. Anyway, this woman
was a patient from the nursing home and she had an appointment at the same time I did. She was sitting alone and
I began to talk with her, she remembering me (amazingly). We had a wonderful reunion and she asked why I didn't come
back to sing. All of a sudden, I realized that God had given me the chance to bear some fruit. It wasn't in a place
that I had chosen but a place He had chosen. Another of His children was placed right next to me in a very (as
the world would say) coincidental way. It was no coincidence. I was able to chat with her, bless her and she
me. God allowed some fruit bearing to go on right there in the doctor's office (which, by the way, often tests
my patience because I don't like to wait). Did you know that you are chosen and appointed to bear fruit? John 15:16-17 (NLT) 16 You
didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever
you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. The
garden could be anywhere: a doctor's office, the grocery store, your employment, school, just any place.
Why? Because the Master Gardener lives in us and He knows who and where the fruit needs to grow. As I left
the office, my friend took my hands and kissed them. That is what Jesus commanded as we bear fruit - to love one another.
We can't decide to bear fruit. We just cling to the vine and remember that He has chosen us to produce fruit.
As we do that, it will just pop out sweet and fragrant, at His appointed time and will.
Speaking of going back to a ministry in the nursing home. Perhaps this was God prodding me to step
out in faith even though I don't physically feel like I can do it. What is it that He may be prodding you to do
and arranging the circumstances to both encourage you and urge you? I don't know yet what the purpose of that
meeting I had this morning was but I know it wasn't to leave a urine specimen. Oh, I did that. But, the
real purpose was that divine meeting that will bear lasting fruit and have lasting consequences. You see, a few
hours after I left the office, they called and said they had thrown the specimen away by accident so I have to go back tomorrow
to leave another one. I wonder what God has in store for tomorrow. For today, a urine specimen was not on His
mind, obviously. It was my friend, "Quin," and an opportunity for me to be an encouragement to her and
her to me! If I am supposed to go back to doing ministry at the nursing homes, here is what God promises. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) 13 For
I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. It's for sure that I cannot do this ministry
at this time in my own strength or frame of mind. If I do it, it will have to be totally by faith in the fact that
I can do whatever it is that God is calling me to do, by faith. He is saying the same thing to you this morning.
There may be something you would like to do but fear or weakness has kept you from stepping out to do it. If God calls
you, He will equip you with the strength and courage you need to do it! I am now preaching to myself but I'm sure
that there are some of you out there who just might get the drift of what I am saying. God defines us
as people who are free, able to bear fruit, confident and strong. And, oh, there is so much more. It's all because
of Him. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. No need for getting a swelled head because we
are all that! Just a need to reverentially fear the God who has made us all that and also has the power to take
all of that from us! He wants to give us more and more if we will humbly, gratefully, and fruitfully use what He has
put in us! In the fear of the Lord we have strong confidence and a permanent refuge. He takes care of what
He makes!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 23, 2010
WHO WE ARE IS PRETTY AMAZING!
Psalm 8:3-5 (AMP) 3 When
I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You
care for him? 5 Yet You have made him but a little lower than God [or heavenly beings],
and You have crowned him with glory and honor. "Amazing
grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found. Was blind
but now I see." Some of the old hymns say so much in just a couple of lines. We sometimes think of
ourselves as less than we are. Of course, sometimes we think of ourselves as more than we are too. Romans 12:3 (AMP) 3 For by
the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly
than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each
according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. We are warned not to think too highly of ourselves.
I think the key word here is, "ourselves." We've got to remember that we are just dust balls, created out
of a lump of clay. Psalm 103:14-18 (KJV) 14 For
he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are
as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over
it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the
mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do
them. The miracle of it all is that God can take, even a dust ball, and make something magnificent out
of it and that is exactly what He has done for you and me. We must not think highly of ourselves because, without our
Creator, we are nothing. However, with Him, we are quite amazing! Did you remember when you woke up this morning that you are established, anointed, and sealed by God? 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (KJV) 21 Now
he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who
hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. To be quite honest with you,
that wasn't the first thought on my mind this morning. In fact, I can hardly remember the first thought on my mind
except that I needed to wake up and I was having a hard time. This is not the greatest frame of mind to be in
when opening your eyes to the miracle of a new day and seeing that God has been faithful to make the sun come up for you
once more! If I could remember, all of the time, that I am established, life would go more smoothly. The little
glitches that come along wouldn't make me stumble because I know that I am established by the King of Kings, Himself!
And, yes, I am anointed (even though there are times when my faith waivers and I wonder about that fact). I should
not wonder. I should just remember it and trust in God that the anointing He has placed in me is unique and to
be used just for His purposes. There is no one else on this earth that has the same anointing as I do and no one else
that has the anointing God has given you either. We have this anointing from Him so that His Kingdom will work
well and function as it should. Yes, we are anointed and we need to remember that and be satisfied with the anointing
God has chosen to give us. No comparing with others. His anointing on us is for good and it will work marvelously
when we cooperate with Him in it! Established. Anointed. And, sealed! Because of the Holy
Spirit, you and I, if we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are sealed. What does that mean? In general
terms it means we are stamped (as with God's signet ring or His private mark). We are secure and preserved. Another
thing that interested me about this word sealed is that, by implication, we are kept secret. I don't pretend to know
or try to tell you what that means but I am thinking that God has kept me secret and invisible sometimes when it comes to
the devil's attempts to get me to forget who I am in Christ. I believe God has kept me secret and invisible when an
accident was about to happen and I escaped! Although it may not mean that at all, I am feeling secure this morning
that I am established, anointed, and then sealed (so that anointing can't get away) by my God! If things don't look
so good, I've got to call on what I know and so do you. We're quite amazing because God has been mindful of us and
kept us for the duration. Secretly established sealed, anointed and all, within His loving Hands!
Because I am anointed and established, I also know that all things
are going to work out for the good in my life and for God's Kingdom as I walk in the anointing (the purpose God has for me.)
Romans 8:28 (KJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Of course, none of this would be
possible if I did not recognize Jesus as my Lord and Savior and love Him! Why do you suppose that God is working
out everything for good in our established, anointed, and sealed lives? It's because He is conforming us to the
image of His own Son! Romans 8:29-30 (KJV) 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to
be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom
he justified, them he also glorified. For starting out as dust balls, God has been doing some amazing
and miraculous things in us, hasn't He! There are things that come into our lives that help conform us to the
image of Christ that we don't always appreciate. Even though Jesus took our sin and gave us abundant
life, we sometimes forget that He was called a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Isaiah 53:3 (AMP) 3 He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man
of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised,
and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him. We want all the good stuff, don't we?
We don't really like it when the Potter has to break us and put us back on the wheel again to make us more like His
Son. Jesus took the full load of all of these things but He also said that, in this world, we would have trouble.
John 16:33 (AMP) 33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have
[perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good
cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm
you and have conquered it for you.] Being established, anointed and sealed is a great privilege
and it makes us know we are secure. However, we might not always feel secure as the conforming process
takes place in the secret place of the Potter's wheel. We may have to face some sorrow, grief, pain, and sickness.
Jesus did. But, He promised to take the greater load. If today, you are sure that you are established, anointed
and sealed, but things don't seem to be lining up the way you think they should. Keep knowing.
If God said it, it's true. If you are weary, come to Jesus. He said He would carry the heaviest part of the yoke
(or burden). He said, He would lead the way. He would be the head of the team. It's for sure,
because God said so. All things will work together for good because the amazing thing is that
us, "dust balls," are established, anointed, sealed, loving God and walking according to His purpose, being conformed
to the image of His perfect Son! What an amazing and miraculous change - from dusty to glorified! Praise the
Lord for His Word that assures us of who we are in Him. Not who we are by ourselves or who we are according to
the world's definition, but who we are, as we are being conformed to the image of Christ. The neat thing is that,
right now, God sees the finished product. Be encouraged! Be all that God has made you to be and be thankful that
He has done all of this for us because of His great love! Pretty amazing!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 20, 2010
YES, WE ARE ALL THAT AND MORE!
Genesis 1:26-28 (KJV) 26 And
God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over
the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male
and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful,
and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the
air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The Lord didn't make junk when He created us. Admittedly, we can take what He made and turn it into
something it was not made to be, but that, of course, is not His will. In the past two days we have discussed
who we are in Christ. Who we are if we have received Jesus as our Savior and found that we now have a restored
relationship with our Father. We've already discussed at least eight positive things that we are but sometimes we forget
the power, love, and other things that are in us, that make us who we are so I'm taking time to remember some of those
things. Today, I will remember, and hopefully you will want to remember with me, one more of those things that
define who we are. One of the things I forget quite often is that I am no longer under any condemnation.
Romans 8:1-2 (KJV) 1 There is therefore
now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death. Because God has placed His Spirit within us, we have the power to walk in the
Spirit and not after the flesh. That does not mean that we will not falter at times and need to ask for forgiveness.
1 John 2:1-2 (KJV) 1 My little children,
these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only,
but also for the sins of the whole world. Thank God, Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but
to save it. To save you and me. John 3:17-18 (KJV) 17 For
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Jesus came to offer us forgiveness
and love. To save us from condemnation which comes from the evil one. Jesus says that you and I are no longer
under condemnation (although the enemy will try to whisper otherwise in your heart if you perceive that you have made
a mistake.) If we miss the mark, we must repent immediately and not make a practice of sin. The Holy Spirit will
convict us to do this but He will not condemn us if we believe. If we remain condemned, it is only because we have
made the choice not to believe. One thing that defines you
and me is forgiveness. There is NOW no condemnation in us. How could there be if Jesus lives within us?
If we choose not to believe in the power of His love and grace to forgive and save, we are condemned. We will continue
a pattern of evil which will end up in death and eternal destruction. Psalm 34:21-22 (AMP) 21 Evil
shall cause the death of the wicked; and they who hate the just and righteous shall be held guilty and shall be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the lives of His servants, and none of those who take refuge
and trust in Him shall be condemned or held guilty. Because you and I are choosing to believe in Jesus
and His love and forgiveness for us, we won't be condemned or held guilty. He will redeem our lives. On
the other hand those who choose to ignore such a gift will condemn themselves by their continual wickedness and their hatred
for the just and righteous. They shall be held guilty and condemned. Think of all the, "religions,"
in the world (including those who have called themselves Christians). Have many religions chosen to condemn those
who do not believe as they do and then carried out wickedness upon people who are just and righteous? In case you are
not sure of this answer, the answer is, "yes." Jesus did not come to condemn the world. He did
not come to kill people. He came to save them. That is our job as His follower. Because we believe that
He has freed us from all condemnation, we have the power through the Holy Spirit to resist condemning others even if
they don't believe the truth of the gospel. We don't need to condemn them any more than Jesus did.
We need to pray that they will stop condemning themselves and truly believe. That's what defines us. We
are forgiven, free from condemnation and then sent out to take the saving gospel message of forgiveness to the rest of a
dying world. If they choose to believe, they will be saved. If they choose otherwise, they will have condemned
themselves. How sad to live under condemnation when forgiveness and eternal life is offered. We are truly blessed
because we are no longer under condemnation. We believe in Jesus and His forgiveness. Like any
child, we will make a mistake but our Heavenly Father is quick to forgive a chid who comes to say, "I'm sorry
and then turns the other direction." It is the conviction that comes out of who we know we are - a child
of God - that causes us to repent. It is the refusal of those who are bent on unbelief and wicked living that
causes them destruction. Aren't you glad that you are defined this day as one upon whom there is no condemnation?
Now, that's a big one! The next time the devil, the accuser of the brethren, tries to tell you to give up because
you didn't quite live up to what you knew you should as a Christian, tell him who you are. You can agree with
him that he's right about the thing you might have done but then you can also tell him that you have given it to Jesus,
repented and it is under the blood. Then put one foot in front of the other, continue walking in righteousness through
the Holy Spirit and show the world (and the devil) who you really are in Christ! We are made in God's image,
the image of love and forgiveness. It is His will that we should live in freedom from condemnation and freedom
from the condemnation of others. That's who we are!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 19, 2010
MORE OF REMEMBERING WHO WE ARE
Psalm 119:16 (KJV) 16 I will delight myself
in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Yesterday we talked about five scriptural definitions of who we are in Christ. There are lots more.
Today I want to remind myself and remind you of some more of them lest we look to the world or listen to the devil's lies
and get a sort of amnesia about who we really are. Who we really are is great. It's not about our own ability
or anything we have done to achieve greatness. It's about who God says we are and it's about Who He is! He has
made us personal witnesses of who He is and of His Word (which is Jesus). That's one definition of who we are.
We can be a witness because we have seen what He has done in our lives. He has given us salvation when we were less
than deserving. He has stepped in and made a way out of no way when we were sure we were about to go under. He has
healed. He has touched. He has refreshed. He has relieved. We are a witness to all of these experiences
we have had with our Friend. We are also witnesses of what we have read and studied in His Word. Psalm 119:11-12 (KJV) 11 Thy
word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed
art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. We can't be a witness to something we have not seen or do not
know. That is why it is important for us to read God's Word and study it. It will not only make us a witness,
it will constantly reassure us of who we are! We are powerful, Holy Ghost filled, witnesses of Jesus Christ and our
witness can go all over this world, especially in this age of technology! Acts 1:8 (KJV) 8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both
in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. We are not only witnesses of Jesus, we are the evidence of Who
He is in this world. We are salt and light! Matthew 5:13-16 (KJV) 13 Ye are the salt of
the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to
be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the
world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle,
and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven. You know, the devil knows who we are and he is constantly trying to get us to lose our saltiness
by trying to get us to cave into the traditions and ways of this world! We've got to remember that we are the
salt. We must remain salty or we will be worth nothing according to God's Word. Salt is there to preserve.
This earth and it's people need preservation. That's for sure! Salt is also good for helping things to taste better.
The witness we are will taste much better to the world if there is a bit of salt added! We're not just salt. We're
light. Oh, how the devil hates the light. He can't stay in it so what does he do? He tries to get us to hide ourselves
under a bushel so we can't shine. No way! God says to let our light shine on everyone. Let everyone
see that He is the Light working through these little lights of ours. Let them see that we are going about doing good
just like Jesus (who is the true Light of the world did). Acts 10:38 (AMP) 38 How
God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went
about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was
with Him. Jesus has given us His Spirit that we might go about doing good, just as He did. He lives
within us, therefore God is with us. That's who we are. We are powerful, anointed, consecrated people with strength
and ability and power that comes from the Holy Spirit that lives within us! Do we remember that often? More importantly,
does the world see who we really are so that they can see who He really is?
Being a witness and being salt and light in this crazy world seems like a big job but that's exactly who
God says we are! He does help us by giving us another definition of who we are and this helps us with the privilege
and responsibility we have of being witnesses and salt and light. He says that we are members of the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:27 (AMP) 27 Now
you [collectively] are Christ’s body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each
with his own place and function]. We definitely are important and special people to God and He put us
in this world with His power to live inside of us so we could enjoy the privileges that come with being special and
so we could meet the responsibilities of being important. Then He did something even greater and helpful for
us. He made us members of His own Body. Each of us has a purpose. We don't all have the same purpose.
The salt, light, and witness in us comes through in different ways, just as feet don't do the same thing as hands.
But, all the parts, working together in unity, create a healthy body which has even more power and ability than just one
part of the body. So, even though we are unique and wonderfully made individuals, we are each a part of something
(or Someone) so much bigger. A part of the body of Christ. He has something special for each of us to do
that only we can do as we bring salt and light to the world and witness to the power of Christ in us and the power of Christ
to change others and bring the salvation, peace and abundant life. As I am writing this, I am realizing that
I do not always define myself in these ways. Sometimes, I guess I forget who I really am. I concentrate on my
weaknesses, my mistakes, my sins, or my shortcomings. Do you ever do that? None of those things are what defines
us. We are God's child. We are a friend of Christ. We are united with the Lord. We are bought with
a price. We are saints! We have a personal witness of Christ. We are salt and light. We are an indispensable member
of His body! That's not all! More later. But, just think of how our lives can change and how we can make
a positive influence in our world for Christ if we remember the truth about who we really are, according to God's holy Word!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 18, 2010
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE
2 Peter 1:12-13 (NLT) 12 Therefore, I will
always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have
been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as
long as I live. There is so much to remember in this life!
As we grow from babies to pre-schoolers, we learn to sit up, to crawl, to walk, we learn words and concepts of
life. Then we go to school and learn about many subjects. We are expected to remember all these things and are
quite often tested on them. For me, the only way to really remember things is to keep on being reminded of them, to
meditate on them and get them fixed down deep in my heart. Peter didn't seem to think it was wrong to remind the saints
of the scriptures over and over again. He considered that to be part of his, "job," until God called
him home. I would encourage you today to remember who you are. The world will try to tell you who you should
be, what you should look like, how you should act, what you should say. The world will try to define you through
deceptive media and make you feel less than worthy if you do not meet those expectations. The devil is right in there,
whispering all of these things to you too. Trying to tell you who and what you are without any real factual basis.
He is interested in getting your emotions so mixed up that you don't know who you really are. We may even have
our own ideas of who we are and try to live out those ideas. Usually, at some point, we will find that this doesn't
work either. It could even lead to a meltdown. An e-mail has been circulating
for a long time and I am going to use that e-mail today to remind you and me of who we are. The only One qualified
to tell us who we really are is the One who made us! Do you believe that? If you have given your heart to Jesus,
I will now remind you of who you are. And, the truth is that this is not all you are, but it's enough to get you started
out on a positive foot this morning and help you through each day knowing that you don't have to compare yourself to
anyone else and you don't have to meet your own impossible expectations. You are who you are and this is what God
says about that. You are God's child. John 1:12-13 (NLT) 12 But to all who believed
him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not
with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. Now,
you may have been born into unfortunate earthly circumstances. You may not have had the best parents or you may have
been abused, neglected or even abandoned by your parents. But, God's word says that you are His child.
Because of Jesus, you have been born again. You are no longer defined by that biological family who may not have
met your needs or nurtured you. You now have the most Perfect Parent anyone could have. You are God's
child. You are also God's friend. John 15:14-17 (NLT) 14 You
are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because
a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting
fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This
is my command: Love each other. It may be that you have some earthly, "best friends."
Love them and bless them whenever you get the opportunity. They are truly God's treasure to us. Love your enemies
too because that's what Jesus commands. But, the greatest treasure is that, whether we have an earthly friend at all,
we have Jesus to be our friend if we follow His commands. There can be no better friend than Jesus. Our dearest
earthly friends can fail and disappoint us without even knowing it. We are all weak and we don't have the capacity
that Jesus has to meet every need of our friends. Jesus is a Friend that will meet every need we have with
consistency and love. You may have had some wonderful earthly friends that have deserted you, so to speak. They
have had to move to another geographical location or the Lord may have taken them Home to be with Him. This will leave
a void in your life but our best Friend, Jesus, has promised never to leave us or forsake us. He will fill
whatever void we have in our lives if we will let Him in. You and I are united with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 6:15-17 (NLT) 15 Don’t you realize
that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute?
Never! 16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute,
he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” 17
But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Being united with the
Lord is a most holy privilege. We need to realize that He is not united with just anybody. Only those who will
confess Him as Lord. We should, therefore, not engage in things like prostitution, pornography, crude speaking,
negative thinking or any other thing that is not something that would go against Jesus, the one to Whom we are united.
Being united to Jesus is both a privilege and a responsibility! We are bought with a price! If the
price would not have been paid, we would belong to the devil and end up in destruction but Jesus paid the price! A
great price, indeed. That just shows us how much He loves us and how special we are to Him. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) 19 Don’t you realize
that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
We have received such a great gift of salvation and the privilege of being the home of the Holy Spirit but
our responsibility is to keep this, "temple," in order. We must honor God with our body and everything we
do with it! Another thing we are is a saint. Lots of people would disagree with this and not receive it but if
God says it, I believe it. And He does say that you and I are saints. The Apostle Paul wrote to the, "saints,"
in the church in Ephesus and his writing was passed along to us in the scripture. Ephesians 1:1-2 (KJV) Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Just
what is a saint? It is, according to Vine's Dictionary, a believer. Not just someone of exceptional holiness
or someone who has died and been deemed to be a saint. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV) 10 When
he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you
was believed) in that day. Jesus is coming again to be glorified in his saints (that's us believers).
That's who we are, saints! Now, these are just a few things for us to remember to keep us encouraged and to keep our mind
focused on who we really are. We are Gods child, His friend, united with Him, bought with a price and a saint!
That's five things that describe who you really are. If today, the devil or the world tries to tell you anything contrary
to those things, refuse those thoughts and take the captive. Give them to Christ and let Him remind you of these five
things that you really are. More is coming but, for today, this is enough to focus on. It may make us take
some thought as to what we have been thinking of ourselves and about who we are that is contrary to the truth of God.
As my mother used to say, J'ever think about that?" Remember who you really are! God is the One
who defines who we really are!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 17, 2010
WHAT ARE YOU HOLDING?
Exodus 14:14 (AMP) 14 The Lord will fight
for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. Just
what are you holding today? Are you holding grief? Are you holding anxiety about a financial situation?
Are you holding jealousy? Are you holding anger against something that someone has done to you? Are you holding
on to the past (either the good things or the bad things)? Are you holding on to your own strategies for fighting
life's many battles? Look what the Lord told Moses to tell the people of Israel (Exodus 14:14) They were to hold their peace! Don't you think that is what the Lord is telling you and me today?
It's pretty hard to hold peace (for the peace of God is great and spiritually heavy) when we're trying to hold on to
all those things I mentioned above and I'm sure I didn't even begin to describe some of the things I have been trying to
hold on to! Maybe you too! God wanted His people to know that, in their battle (and in all of our battles,)
He will fight for us. All we need to do is hold our peace and remain in His rest. Jesus has so graciously called
us all who are weary from the battles that seem to come from everywhere to come to Him and find rest. Matthew 11:28 (AMP) 28 Come to Me,
all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh
your souls.] When we're busy trying to hold on to and control everything but the peace that God gives
and the rest and relief He offers, we can't even receive it. The enemy has distracted our minds so much that we have
forgotten that Jesus said we would have trouble in this world but that He had overcome the world and given us His peace.
The peace that we are supposed to hold is in Him, in spite of the battles we face! John 16:33 (NLT) 33 I
have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart,
because I have overcome the world.” What are you holding on to right now? Is it His peace
or the many trials and sorrows this world has to offer. You can't hold on to both at the same time! God is fighting for us and if God is for us, nobody and nothing else can be
against us! Romans 8:31 (AMP) 31 What then shall
we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] While
it is true that we do have an enemy (who doesn't acknowledge yet that he has already been defeated), God is on
our side. God already did the fighting for us through Jesus on the cross and defeated that enemy. We need to
walk in thankfulness and walk, by faith, in the victory that has already been won! Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT) 13 You
were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ,
for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against
us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed
the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. God,
through Jesus has made peace for us. For all of us. His peace that we can and must hold on to. Everything
else must go. We cannot carry the world's bad news in our hands and hearts when God has offered us the Good News
of the gospel of peace! Colossians 1:19-20 (NLT) 19
For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and
through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s
blood on the cross. Since it is true that God made peace, what are we choosing to hold on to today?
Are we holding on to the peace that God told Moses to tell the children of Israel to hold on to or something flimsy that
the world has offered to us? Or, our own problems which cause us to remain in our own private peaceless pity party?
One translation puts it this way: Exodus 14:13-14 (NLT) 13 But Moses told
the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today
will never be seen again. 14 The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
What is it that might be causing you fear today? God says, "do not fear." What is trying
to make you yield to that fight or flight syndrome? The Lord says, "just stand still." What is it that
makes you think that you are so much, "all that," that you can rescue your own self from any problems you might
have? God is the only One who is "all that." God is the One who will fight for you if you will receive
His peace and rest and get out of His way! What is causing you anxiety? God says, "just stay calm."
Yesterday, I received a call from a very close family member who is dealing with anxiety issues that are affecting many
members of the family. The Spirit of the Lord reminded me that this person has always dealt with unfounded fears.
But, God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He has given us a sound mind. I can let myself get caught
up in this anxiety-ridden situation or I can cast all these cares upon the Lord and know that He cares for me and for
every member of my family. I can remember for myself and for those who will listen that God has promised His own peace
that will pass all of our human understanding. He is fully able to step into this situation and insert His peace
in place of pandemonium. Philippians 4:7 (AMP) 7 And God’s peace
[shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and
being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison
and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. God has given us His peace to guard (just
like body guards guard an important person) our minds and our hearts. I choose that peace. Do you?
What are you holding right now? Anxiety over family members or other issues in your life? Drop them in favor
of that peace that you won't even be able to understand but, suddenly, you will know that God's angels of peace have
surrounded your heart and mind until you almost have that feeling that you don't even care any more! That's it!
Cast all your cares on Him. He cares for you. You are an important person. So important that God wants
to guard your heart and mind with His own peace. Will you drop everything else and let Him do that? He
has offered you and me, if we believe in Him, a peace that we could never find in this world. John 14:27 (AMP) 27 Peace
I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your
hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit
yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] The Israelites were in a precarious
situation and so might you and I be this morning. However, Jesus said that He left HIS peace with us. Nowhere
in the world will it be found. It is only found in the hearts of those who trust Him. Therefore, we don't need
to be troubled or afraid - of anything or anyone! We need to stop allowing ourselves to be agitated and disturbed,
cowardly and unsettled. We need not be intimidated or fearful for God has told us numerous times in scripture
not to be afraid. He has promised that He has not given us that spirit of fear. If you have that, it is from
the devil. Drop it. Cast it down in Jesus name and hold your peace that comes from Jesus! What a relief. His
peace is so full of everything that we need that it's very heavy in a glorious way. On the other hand, it is
so light that we will find ourselves being relieved of burdens that we are not supposed to be holding on to because Jesus
said to give them to Him. What are you holding this morning?

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 16, 2010
THE WORD FOR THE DAY IS, "FAITHFUL."
Genesis 39:21 (NLT) 21 But the LORD was
with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.
Yes! The word for today (and everyday),
is, "faithful." I have had that confirmed several times in listening to sermons and in conversations with
other believers lately. There are two ways to think about the word, "faithful." One is God's faithfulness
to us. The other is our faithfulness to God. In Genesis 39:21, I doubt whether Joseph was feeling like God was faithful to him. He was in prison for
something he didn't even do. But, but..... The Lord was with Joseph, even in the prison and the Lord showed Joseph
His faithful love! Today, with all the stuff going on in our lives and around us, we may feel like we're in some sort
of prison. There may be figurative bars that keep us from doing what we feel we need to do. They may hold us
back from something we feel God has told us to do. They may cause depression and cause us to just sit in the corner
of that cell and feel sorry for ourselves and helpless. Or, they may cause us to be angry and beat our head against
those bars in an attempt to break them; which will only cause us a bloody head, along with a headache. If you are feeling
like you're in some sort of prison that is keeping you locked out of real and abundant life, remember this. The Lord
was with Joseph in the prison and the Lord showed Joseph His faithful love. Now, whether you are sitting in a corner
looking down and feeling left alone and depressed or whether you are the angry one butting your head against those bars,
STOP. Open your eyes! Look up! God is faithful to you and He wants to show you His faithful love but you
won't be able to see it if you're focused on your depression or anger. Jesus came to set the captives free. Luke 4:18-19 (NLT) 18 “The Spirit
of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives
will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and
that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” So, if there are some sort of bars in
your life, ask for that freedom. As He sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (KJV) 36 If
the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Now, hopefully, if you have never received Jesus and asked Him for freedom from the captivity of your sin,
you will have just done so in this moment. In the case of Joseph (and sometimes in our own prisons), the bars
do not fall down right away. God did not deliver Joseph from the prison walls right away but He did show
Joseph His faithful love right there inside the prison. There's no greater testimony than us being faithful to God
even in the midst of a great test! We can do that because God's faithfulness to us is never ending. It may not
always feel like it, but it is. We may not see the effects of the good He has in store for us right at the moment we want
to see it, but His faithfulness is there! Deuteronomy 7:9 (AMP) 9 Know, recognize,
and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy
with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations, Joseph had been through
many tests in his young life; awful things that will probably never happen to you and me. However, Joseph did not
give up on God. He was faithful to God in obedience. Twisted as it sounds, that's why Joseph was in prison!
Many are in prisons all over the world today and tortured unmercifully because of their faithfulness to God and, if you
asked them if He was faithful to them, they would undoubtedly answer, "Yes." Despite what they are going
through their faith would tell them that God is faithful to them and they determine to be faithful to Him, even unto death,
if need be. Revelation 2:9-11 (NLT) 9 “I
know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say
they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don’t
be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for
ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. 11
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. Would that be my faithful response?
Would it be yours? Getting back to Joseph, who was in prison,
God showed Joseph His loving faithfulness. If we look around today, no matter what situation we might be in, we will
be able to see God's faithfulness toward us. If you woke up today and you are able to read this, God is showing
you His faithfulness. It probably was not easy for Joseph to be in prison but God's faithfulness can even override
the uneasiness in our problems and trials, even in those prisons (which, by the way, we sometimes create all by ourselves).
God showed special favor upon Joseph because God is always faithful to His children. God gave Joseph favor with
the warden of the prison. Now, Joseph had special privileges that the other prisoners did not have because God
was being faithful to Joseph who had refused to be unfaithful to God! Even in unpleasant situations, we must remember
that these are temporary seasons. Joseph would not remain in prison forever. It probably felt like it to
him, but it was not so because God's children are always triumphant because of His faithfulness. Sometimes our prisons
are pre-arranged, not to hurt us, but to put us in a position for promotion. That's the way it was for Joseph.
The story turns out better than anyone could imagine but Joseph had to trust God's faithfulness, even during the times he
had to press through terrible situations and Joseph had to remain faithful to God and obedient to His Word (which he did).
So, no matter what the situation for us is today, tomorrow or any day, "faithful," is the word for the day.
God's faithfulness to us is always going to be there. Our faithfulness to Him depends on our ability and willingness
to get out of our pity party, open our eyes to the Light of His faithfulness and then step into that Light and be faithful
to Him. Will it always be easy? No sirree! It wasn't for Joseph but will God give us the strength
to remain faithful even before He lets down the bars of those prisons? You betcha! Philippians 4:13 (KJV) 13 I can
do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. If you find yourself in some sort of prison
today (even if it is one that you have made all by yourself), and, if you are still having trouble remaining faithful to
God and remembering that He is always faithful to you, remember the following verses. Then lift up your eyes, take in
His loving faithfulness and pour out your faithfulness to Him. Luke 1:37 (AMP) 37 For with God nothing
is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. And this
one, Matthew 19:26 (KJV) 26 But
Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Not
even prison bars can keep God's faithfulness from you and me or keep our faithfulness from reaching Him! The word for
the day is, "faithful."

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 15, 2010
WHOM DO WE EXALT?
9 And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom,
10 but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.
It doesn't really matter which earthly nation
we belong to if we are believers in Christ. Our true citizenship is in Heaven. However, the way the government
of our earthly nation chooses to operate does make a difference. Also, the way we, as individuals, choose to operate
will make a difference. There is not a nation that exists in our world, or ever has existed, without God allowing
it to exist. It is His will that all nations (all individuals, since nations are made up of individuals) pay homage
to Him and exalt Him. Not just with what they say or write on their currency but with the way they live and by the
goodness of Christ in their heart. Matthew 15:7-9 (KJV) 7 Ye
hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth
nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Yesterday was
flag day here in America but does that really mean anything any more as far as God's blessing is concerned? Please
don't get me wrong and stop reading right here. I have a very large American flag hanging in my window.
I am blessed to live in America. It has long been a land of freedom and opportunity. However, many have
forgotten the fact that it was God that blessed us with such things. Some think that it is their
own intellect and new world thinking that will save America. Let me say here, unashamedly, that only Jesus can save
America and those who live here. And, lest you think I am being elitist, only Jesus can save and bless any nation
as they turn to Him. The Lord wants to do good to His children,
all of His children from America to Zimbabwe and in between. But, He does want them to recognize that they are His children
and to obey Him as any good child would obey a parent. His gifts are great and more amazing than we can ask or believe.
That's just the kind of Father He is. He desperately wants to shower the world with those gifts if they will
recognize that He alone is God. Deuteronomy 10:21 (NLT) 21 He alone is your
God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own
eyes. Right now, it may be that some of you are saying to me (or yourselves), "Yes, but God
was talking to Israel." Yes. You are right. He was, but there is are principles involved. God alone
is our God whether we believe it or not. Acts 17:28 (NLT) 28 For in him we live
and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ It is because
of God that you and I are living, moving and breathing! God is the only one worthy of our praise. He is worthy
of our praise because He is just and His principles for living are good for His children.And, He loves us! However, some
people have decided that they know what's best for themselves and they are bringing destruction on themselves and their
nations (no matter what nation we might be talking about). Romans 1:24-25 (NLT) 24 So
God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things
with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie.
So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Large
groups of people have begun to abuse their own bodies and the bodies of others, to live in unnatural ways. Even
to kill innocent children before their little eyes have a chance to see this world that God created for them. God
is not pleased with any nation that turns away from Him in such a manner and, in His own time, if the individuals of that
nation, do not repent and seek Him, He will bring judgment and destruction on them. God is the one who has done mighty miracles in our lives, whether we be from
Israel or America (or anywhere else in this world). The blessings we have all experienced, wherever we live, are
from Him. That's why He, alone is worthy of our praise. We should have a balanced respect and love for the country
we live in and for its flag but we should never exalt our own rules and intellectual ideas over those that God has given
us in scripture. We can say anything we want to say about being Christian, but if we don't follow God's principles,
it's going to show in the way we live. Whether anyone else sees it or not, God is going to see it. We can
even go to church and raise our hands in a show of worship to exalt God but, if our hearts are not right, it will mean nothing
to Him. In fact, it just may bring more judgment upon us because we will be proving that we are living a lie.
How many of us, when we were children, did not believe that our parents would discipline us for doing something that
they said was unacceptable? I would say, not many! How much more do we think that, as created beings of
God (His beloved created children), our Father does not mean what He says when He asks for obedience and for us to exalt
Him above everything else? Yes, everything and everyone else. Everything from our country and it's
flag to the name of our church denomination, to our children, to our spouse, to our pets, to our material possessions,
etc. You name it! These principles are outlined in Jeremiah 18:5-13 (NLT) 5 Then the LORD gave me this message: 6 “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in
the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. 7 If I announce that a certain nation
or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, 8 but then that nation renounces
its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. 9 And if I announce that I
will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, 10 but then that nation turns
to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. 11 “Therefore,
Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am planning disaster for
you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’” 12
But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly
following our own evil desires.” 13 So this is what the LORD says: “Has
anyone ever heard of such a thing, even among the pagan nations? My virgin daughter Israel has done something terrible!
Just how do you want God to look at the nation in which you live? Certainly not as He looked at those Israelites who
ignored their Father, living in their own stubborn ways. Is it time to re-think our priorities? Is it time
to truly exalt God in our lives and in our hearts? Is it time to pray for the nation we live in and become exemplary
citizens as we live out God's principles? This may sound negative and not encouraging but, folks, the blessings
of God come to the good and the bad but they are poured out without measure on His obedient children. So, please
take this as an encouragement and study and meditate on His Word, giving Him the exaltation He deserves with your heart
and with your life. I am going to try to do the same thing. When He sees such a turn from the evil ways of this
world, He just may postpone or cancel judgment and pour out some of the blessings we desperately need today! Just
whom do we exalt? Ourselves and our own ways? Or, God and His ways that please Him and bring His blessings
upon us?

MORNING MANNA - FEBRUARY 14, 2010
WE CAN'T GIVE WHAT WE DON'T HAVE
John 7:38 (KJV) 38 He that believeth
on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
If you are like me, you would like to give someone who is a homeless a home, someone who has never
been on a vacation, a cruise, someone who has no food, food enough to last a lifetime. If you have ever watched the
TV programs that show children having to drink dirty water that gives them disease and creates early death, then
you would like to give them clean water. When you see a person in need of something material, you would like
to provide it. Sometimes, when you walk away, unable to provide it, you feel heart-broken. You can't provide
the thing they need because you don't have the means. You don't have what it takes. You can't give away something
that you don't have. Jesus proclaimed that He was the living water when He spoke to the Samaritan woman at
the well. John 4:10-11 (KJV) 10 Jesus
answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest
have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. He is that water, so He
had no trouble giving that water away, as much as anyone would need. 11
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou
that living water? Of course, like we do most of the time, the Samaritan woman was thinking in
natural terms. She had to go to the well each day and carry that heavy water pail from the well
back to the town. Now she is looking at Jesus, realizing that He doesn't even have a bucket to draw water from the
well. What could He possibly be talking about? Have you ever thought you heard Jesus talking to you about you
doing something impossible and wondered what He could possibly mean? The woman didn't understand right away.
She had to have more conversation with Jesus before she really realized what, "living water," was. Before
she realized who HE was! But then, she understood, received that water and ran to the town without her bucket,
but full of water that would satisfy many people! It's interesting,
isn't it that Jesus chose to reveal Himself as the living water and as the Messiah to a woman? A woman of
a different race, and a woman who wasn't exactly the model citizen of the town she lived in? Jesus will reveal
Himself to anyone who will stay long enough to get to know Him! Once we stay with Him, talk to Him for a while, realize
all that He is, including the living water, we know exactly where to get the provision we need. Not just for ourselves,
but more than enough to share with others. So, this morning, it doesn't matter who you are or what you've
done in life, there is living water for you and all those around you if you will just stay at the Well long enough to learn
about it and receive it! We may not be able to give homes to the homeless, vacations to those who need a rest, or other
material things that we so desire to give, but we can give living water to anyone who is thirsty because Jesus
said that, when we receive His Spirit, that living water will flow from us. I mean really pour, if we are willing to
let it out. It will come out of us in rivers. This morning I heard someone say that it could be a river
of healing, a river of financial help, a river of reconciliation of relationships. Whatever we need, that living water
will flow and bring it. Nothing is impossible with God. It very well could be that He will bless us so much
that we can start giving homes to the homeless and food to those who are hungry. There is nothing missing
in God's Kingdom. He has more than enough for everyone and everything He created. But, we have to be willing
to be vessels from whom things can flow. There can't be a plug in the pipeline so that we end up keeping everything God
gives us! But, the truth is, that we can't give what we don't have. This
has to do with the living water that God want's to make flow through us in mighty rivers. It also has to do with love.
Do you remember that God loves you so much that He gave His only Son for you, even though you were His enemy at the
time? Romans 5:10-11 (NLT) 10 For
since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be
saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful
new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. When we do remember
that, we can rejoice just as the scripture says. Then comes the next step. We can't just revel, individually
about how much God loves us and what Jesus did for us. We have all of that love inside and now it's time to give it
away. If we don't have that love, and know that we are loved, we can't give it away! John 13:34-35 (KJV) 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That
ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. When we know we are loved, we
can give love away because Jesus has given us love that is overflowing. When God pours something into our cup, He
doesn't just fill it up. It overflows! Psalm 23:5 (NLT) 5
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup
overflows with blessings. I notice that the Psalmist says here that his cup is overflowing with
blessings from God. Not only that, God is pouring those blessings into his cup right in front of his enemies.
Yes, times are hard right now. The enemy is trying to steal from God's people but God has more than enough to restore
to us what the enemy might temporarily take from us. One of the ways God restores is to allow rivers of living water
to pour through us into the cups of others. Do you see someone with an empty cup today. Has Jesus
given you whatever it is that is needed to fill their cup? Then put the devil to flight and fill the cup!
You can't give away what you don't have but there is nothing (but Satan's temptation to keep it for yourself) to keep you
from letting all the living water pour from you, in whatever form it comes from Jesus, in order to bless someone else
and give them water so they can keep on giving to others. It's just like that little stone we through
into a still pond. The ripples just get bigger and go farther. If you have received the living
water from the One who is the living water, let it flow today. Be a refresher to others. If you have not received
that water, go to Jesus right now. He's just waiting to pour it on (and into) you! Then you will have
something to give away!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 13, 2010
WE WILL MAKE MISTAKES Romans 8:28 (KJV) 28 And we know that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
While is seems obvious to me that Romans 8:28 has a much deeper spiritual meaning and effect on our lives than I am going to write about this morning,
it also seems clear to me that it has to do with the entirety of our lives, spiritual, mental, emotional, and practically.
The purpose for God to work things together for us who love Him and are called according to His purpose is found in Romans 8:29 (KJV) 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also
did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. There
could be nothing better than for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus! We will make mistakes but He didn't ever make
a mistake. There will be a time in this process of God conforming us to the image of His Son when we are completely
like Him and live with Him forever. In the meantime, it is a process. The end of the process is found in
Romans 8:30 (KJV) 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,
them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. We
can now only see our justification and glorification by faith. But. one day we will see it as it is. We will
look at Jesus face to face. We will find that we are just like Him.
What happens in the process? I don't know if Jesus had a bank account (I doubt it) or if He
kept His own financial records (I doubt it, since Judas seemed to be in charge of that). But, I do have a
bank account (and I'm sure you do too). Unless you are quite well off, you probably keep your
own financial records. I do. I also have a cell phone. I'm sure Jesus did not have one of those!
Why would He need one anyway. He already knew everything! Besides thinking about strategizing our financial
affairs, I also have to keep up with the cell phone technology if I want to stay connected (to the world, that
is). So, I keep my cell phone charger plugged in on the headboard of my bed and plug in the cell phone each night
to charge it. Even though I leave it set on, "vibrate," sometimes I wake up when a message comes in.
My e-mail comes in to my cell phone, as well as text messages and regular telephone calls. Last night I awoke to
one of those, "vibrations," succumbed to checking the message on the phone, and found that the mortgage payment
(also done electronically through the bank) had not been paid because I had insufficient funds! Now, that's not the
normal way I do business. I'm not a check-bouncer! I knew there would be enough money in there yesterday
to pay the mortgage because my husband had gotten paid (also electronically through the bank). What I forgot
was that, in the heat of trying to get our house in another state ready for rental, I had written a hefty check to a repairman.
Since I count on the bank to keep my records straight because I rarely write a check anymore, it slipped my mind
that I had written one! I made a mistake. A big one! Now this is a mistake that has to do with practical
life here on earth but there are mistakes, called sin, that we make in our spiritual life too. You know, I am having a hard time separating my spiritual life from my
practical life. I'm beginning to know that, because I belong to Jesus, I'm in the process of being conformed to
His image in all ways. Spiritual and practical. I am (in God's sight) forgiven, called, justified and glorified.
He sees the finished product. Last night, when I saw the "bad news," on the phone message, I felt pretty
bad. Really bad. I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to fix it. Still not all the way sure. In
my tendency to fall into depression and the, "I'm just so stupid." mode, I remembered that God works ALL things
out for the good because I love Him and I am called according to His purpose. Okay, so I messed up on my financial
stuff. My strategies may not have been as good as they could have. Maybe I even left Jesus out of some of the planning,
not intentionally, but it happened Maybe He had a better way that would not have brought me so much humiliation
and bank changes if I had followed it. But, the fact is that, even in my mistakes (and this is a small one compared to
some of the spiritual mistakes I have made), God is working everything to the good. He is conforming me to the image
of His Son. He still sees me as called, loving Him, justified and glorified. I want to encourage you this morning.
If things look bad (and even if you made some sort of mistake - large or small), God sees you the same way as He sees me.
Called, loving Him, justified and glorified. The finished product. One day we will see ourselves that way.
In the meantime, faith leads us through the conforming process. When we hear voices like, "You dummy, how could
you do such a thing," we know they do not come from the Lord. Now the Lord may let us bear some consequences from mistakes
in order to help us learn to do better next time but, to Him, we are loved and being processed into something
more wonderful than we can believe, the image of His own Son, no matter what mistakes we may have made. God truly
is working all things out for good if we love Him and are the called according to His purpose. He doesn't let our
mistakes thwart his good plans for us. Somehow He works everything out!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 12, 2010
WHO'S YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Proverbs 18:24 (KJV) 24 A
man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Friends are very important to have and they are fun
to have. They share your joys and your tears and, if they are good friends, they will be there even when you
find yourself in a mess of your own making. One of my daughters was a, "social butterfly," in her younger
years. No matter that she had several brothers and sisters. She was interested in friends. She always
wanted to be out with her, "friends." However, these so-called friends were always in some turmoil.
It was more like a clique or a few cliques. You were either, "in," or, "out." It could have been
just because you didn't have the right designer jeans. She was always crying over what so and so said about her.
They did have some fun together but these friends seemed to be the center of her life. Of course, if she really needed
something, I doubt if any of them would have been there to help. They were young and most of them had families that
provided everything they needed so I'm assuming that the other little girls would run home to their parents crying the blues
about what one of the others said about her or how she was overlooked at the latest get-together.
As we get older, friends get more important, I think. I know lots and lots of people but
there are only a few that I can really talk to know that they will accept me just where I am. I have grown to
treasure these few friends. A few years ago, my friend, whom I had known since we were two years old were getting close
to celebrating our sixtieth birthdays. Even though we were aging, we still had plenty of life and were looking forward
to sharing with one another of the joys of our families and life experiences. Then, just before she turned sixty,
a brain tumor took her life. She is now with the Lord. When I turned sixty, it wasn't so much fun because I couldn't
share it with her. There is a little part of my life that is empty now because I can't e-mail her or pick up the
phone and call her. When things didn't look so good, the Lord told me to go to her. She was in a California
hospital and I had just moved to Texas where I was busy and tired unpacking boxes. The urge from the Spirit was so
strong that I purchased airline tickets, left the next day, was picked up at midnight by her son-in-law, and ushered into
the ICU ward where she lay unable to do much of anything. But, when she saw me she struggled to say, "I
love you." As we talked a little while, her strength came up a bit and we laughed over old times like when we
cut each other's hair when our mom's were not looking and other such funny things. It so happened that, when I got
to the hospital, I didn't think they would let me in, in the middle of the night, so I said to the nurse in charge, "I'm
her best friend." Now that was quite pretentious on my part since I don't really know if she considered me to
be her best friend. In actuality, she was my best friend. She was the one who always went the extra
mile. From the time we were two years old, she had cared for me, helped me through financial hard times,
emotional hard times and we had our share of fun times together. I was in awe that she would use her last bit of energy
to tell me that she loved me! I'm glad I followed the urging of the Lord because, the next day she was unresponsive.
Her family let me stay in her room alone with her while they went out for a break and I sang the old hymns to her and
reminded her of scripture even though I did not see a response. I believe we were still connected by the Holy Spirit.
That evening she went to be with the Lord. Who is your best friend?
Are there not times in some of our lives when we feel like we don't really have a best friend? However, if
we have received Jesus, we have that, "best friend." He will stick closer than a brother. Sometimes we're
not as close to our siblings as we would like to be and sometimes they can't or won't help when we really need someone.
But, there is One who will. His Name is Jesus. He is my best Friend. The wonder of it all is that
He calls us His friends! John 15:14-17 (KJV) 14 Ye
are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not
servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard
of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have
chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever
ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things
I command you, that ye love one another. We didn't choose Him as a friend. He chose us! Like
my friend, Gloria, she was my best friend, even though I had said, "I'm her best friend," in an attempt to get
in to see her before she left this earth. She did stick with me. She was an example of Jesus and how He will
stick with us through thick and thin! I miss Gloria. Even though we lived far apart from one another most of
our adult lives, we knew that we were there for one another, especially she for me! When she knew she was about
to leave this earth, she said, "I love you." You know, Jesus lived on this earth for a while demonstrating
the love of friendship, as well as the love of the Father. When He left this earth, He did so on a cross of pain and
suffering. Basically, He was looking across history at you and me saying, "My friends, I love you this much."
And then He spread out his arms and died for our sins. He is still our best friend if we will enter into that relationship.
He is with us in every joy and trial on this earth. He will be there to usher us into Heaven when our work here is
done. We will live with this Friend who has stuck with us closer than a brother for eternity.
We will also live with those we have seen go on before us. Friendship is made of love. My friend Gloria
proved that to me by her friendship. Jesus proved that to you and me by His Friendship and He has promised that
He will never leave us or forsake us. We are not part of a clique where some are left out and some are hurt by others.
We are part of God's family and our Big Brother Jesus has and will stick by us forever. His desire is to be our best
friend. Who's your best friend? If it is not Jesus, He's waiting right now for you to ask Him to be that
Friend that sticks closer than and brother and that Friend who will never, ever leave you.

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 11, 2010
IT IS WHAT IT IS
Exodus 3:14 (AMP) 14 And God said to
Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM
has sent me to you! I
have often heard people use the phrase, "It is what it is." This phrase has most often been a sort of negative
way of coping with things that do not go the way people think they should be going. I want to turn that around in
my life today. Yes, it is what it is! It is not what it feels like. It is not what it looks like.
It is what it is! So, what is it? The answer is the same no matter what situation we are going through and no
matter how we feel. It is not an it. He is a He. He is the "I AM," of whatever it is that we
need at any given moment. Yes, the circumstance is what it is. The feeling is what it is but the great, "I
AM," can and will circumvent the circumstance and feeling if we will ask Him! How awesome is that - that,
"It is what it is," can be turned around to the Creator of the world trumping that statement by telling us
individually, "I AM what I AM. The circumstances may not seemingly be going in our favor.
Our feelings may be obstinate and try to keep us in a depressed mode but is it really what it is? Or, have we looked
to the "I AM what I AM? Actually, it is what it is
in a positive way. His Word will always be true and it is what it is. It does what it says. Are you fearful
today? It is not what it feels like. It is what it is. God has not given you that spirit of fear.
(2 Timothy 1:7) In fact, God has not created you to be a coward and cringe at every challenging situation. It is
what it is. God has given you a spirit of power and of love and of a clam and well-balanced mind! That's
what it really is! How about the economy we live in in this world? Although we live here in the earth,
we, as believers, are actually citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. There is no economic downturn there and there never
will be! Just because we are believers does not mean than we will not have economic challenges. Some of
them may come from our own ignorance and even willful disobedience concerning our spending habits. However, God's
principles do not change. God told Israel eon's ago that He is the One who gives the power to get wealth.
Our power to get wealth does not come from our government, nor our place of employment. It comes from God Himself
as He pours His favor out upon us. It is what it is. God is our Provider and we will do well to remember
that. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (AMP) 17 And
beware lest you say in your [mind and] heart, My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. 18
But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that
He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Now, if we choose to
forget that it is God who has provided all that we have and given us the power to get them, we will fall into idolatry.
It is what it is. And, the following was told to the Israelites if they chose to forget. Deuteronomy 8:19-20 (AMP) 19 And
if you forget the Lord your God and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day
that you shall surely perish. 20 Like the nations which the Lord makes to perish
before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God. God
is Who He is. Willing to provide for us and give us the power and favor to get the wealth we need to survive.
But it also is what it is if we choose to think that we have done this for ourselves and start to worship our stuff instead
of our Savior! Are you one of those unfortunate
people that have been hurt extremely badly by another? Of course, it is what it is. You can't change the past.
You can also hold a grudge against that person for the rest of your life because of what happened to you. Nobody would
blame you for that. Nobody except for God. Because it is what it is. God said that we need to pray
for our enemies, pray for them and even bless them! Ouch! But, it is what it is because God said what He
said. Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV) 43 Ye have heard that
it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I
say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully
use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is
in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans
the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?
do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Father which is in heaven is perfect. Not only has God said that we need to love our enemies and
bless them but also that we have to forgive them. It is what it is. He said that He cannot forgive our sins unless
we forgive the ones who have sinned against us. Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT) 14 “If
you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But
if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. There are so many things
that are what they are in this world and those who do not know the Lord just muddle through as best they can in their own
power. However, the above examples are just the tip of the iceberg concerning what you and I might be facing
today or some time in the future. These things are not what they look like. They are not what they really
feel like. They are things that have to fall in line with God's Word which is really the only thing that is what it
is! It is what it is because it came from the mouth of the One who is the great "I AM," of everything we
could ever want or need. What are you going through today? Whatever it is, open up your Bible, ask God
to lead you to a scripture that will allow you to speak His Word over your situation. Don't just sit back and
negatively pout, saying, "It is what it is." Hold your head up high. You're not walking alone.
God is right there with you. Whatever He has said about your situation in scripture is what it is!
You are righteous if you have Jesus as your Savior. You are powerful in every situation because the same power
that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. Your mind is balanced. You are not fearful. You love
others and forgive them just as God has forgiven you your many trespasses. When God looks at you, He doesn't see your
many sins, He sees the blood of Jesus who has made those scarlet sins as white as snow. You may feel grief but you
have joy that is so much deeper than your grief because God put it in you. You can do anything God gives you to do
because it is He that will strengthen you to do it. There's lots more there in the Bible for you to cling to! When
the world says, "It is what it is," in a negative way, you just respond within your heart, God said, (repeat the
scripture He has given you) and, "It is what it is because He is Who He is." Go for it. God wants
to bless you with what it really, truly is.

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 10, 2010
IT'S NOT ALWAYS HOW IT FEELS
Isaiah 59:10 (NLT) 10 We
grope like the blind along a wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. Even at brightest noontime, we stumble as though
it were dark. Among the living, we are like the dead.
First of all, let me say that I am not writing this to discourage us but to encourage us. In Isaiah 59:10, the Israelites complained about having to grope through life, clinging to anything that was stable.
The Word says that they, "felt," their way like people without eyes stumbling through the dark. They felt
like they were dead people stumbling blindly and hopelessly among the living. Are there days you feel that way?
Some of us are more prone to depression than others. Others of us operate chiefly on our feelings rather than
what we know in our minds. As they say, "they wear their feelings on their sleeve." When
we think of these people, who act mostly on feelings that have been hurt, we can usually see that they are people with,
"a chip on their shoulder." God gave us feelings and I don't think feelings are good or bad in general.
I think they can be good or they can be bad. They are most definitely not totally reliable because they can change
at a moment's notice with the change of a circumstance. We can let our feelings run away with us instead
of us being in control of our feelings. There is no doubt about it, our feelings will get hurt at some point even if
we are not one of those that wear them on our sleeve. As believers, we are people of love and people who love often
get hurt but, as another saying goes, "It is better to have loved and lost (gotten our feelings hurt) than never to
have loved at all. There will be times in our life that we feel like no one understands how we feel!
But, there is always One who does understand how we feel because He has felt everything that we could possibly feel.
He has felt everything that everyone who has ever lived has felt! Hebrews 4:15 (AMP) 15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable
to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults
of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. If we let
our feelings run away with us instead of keeping them in check, we will find ourselves in a mess every time. Unlike
Jesus, we will end up sinning. All feelings, good and bad, should be run through the filter of God's Word and then
only acted upon at the leading of the Holy Spirit. Feelings
of pain can feel really bad. When we have surgery, the pain is intense, yet it is the surgery that is going to bring
us relief from whatever problem we had. Sometimes we have to feel spiritual pain because God, in His mercy, is not
willing to leave us in the sickness of sin until we eventually succumb to death. That's the way the Israelites
were feeling in Isaiah 59:10. They had turned away from their Father and found themselves depressed, blinded, and lost. The only
thing God could do was to let them experience that pain that would eventually turn them back to their Great Physician who
could and would open their blinded eyes, give them joy for mourning, and strengthen their weak legs. When we wander
from God's ways and then feel the pain (which we might call, "consequences,") this can
be a good pain. It is a mercy from God to let us know that we have a Way to get relief from that pain but we have to
turn around and head for the Doctor. It's not always how it feels. Feeling badly in this case can lead to feeling
better than we have ever felt before as we get into line with God's Word!
Sometimes God is showing us something that is within us just as He showed Jonah through a worm and a bush.
This was a very painful feeling for Jonah but it gave Him a better perception of His God. God, through pain, showed
Jonah His love for others while Jonah was just intent on his own feelings of comfort. It isn't always what it feels
like. Jonah 4:7-11 (NLT) 7 But
God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away.
8 And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah.
The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!”
he exclaimed. 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry
because the plant died?” “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!” 10 Then the LORD said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put
it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000
people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” Jonah
felt sorry for only himself but God showed Jonah that He has a heart for every person He created! It was a painful
lesson but a good one. Just as surgery may leave it's scar and leave us feeling painful for a time, God's surgery
may do the same thing. We may have to feel worse before we feel better! 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (AMP) 9 Yet I am glad now, not because you were pained,
but because you were pained into repentance [and so turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel,
so that in nothing you might suffer loss through us or harm for what we did. 10 For
godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance
from evil, and it never brings regret; but worldly grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world)
is deadly [breeding and ending in death]. It really is not always how it feels! Godly grief
and pain is permitted by God to help us come to true repentance, bringing salvation and deliverance from evil. It may
feel bad for the moment and it may even feel like the pain will never end. But, God says it never brings regret.
It is different from the worldly sorrow that just feels badly as a result of getting caught in a dastardly deed.
This is just a selfish feeling of sorrow. When God works with us through pain, it is to make things better.
To bring life instead of the death that worldly self-pity can bring. It's not always how it feels. Have you felt
rejection? It hurts. But, if you know you are in the hands of your Savior, you know He has something better for
you ahead. Are you feeling the sting of the financial downturn? That hurts too. Just today,
I heard of someone who was very well off and now has lost just about everything. Unfortunately, this person does not
have faith in Jesus Christ. We, who do have faith, know that He has promised to meet all of our needs so we need not
feel so much pain, even though the journey can be hard. Our feelings can lead us totally astray because it's
not always how it feels. Something may feel good to us when it is really bad for us and, on the other hand, something
can feel very bad when God is in the midst of doing something wonderful for us. There is one thing for sure, if we
are rooted and grounded in God's Word, our feelings will line up with what He says. Ephesians 3:14-21 (KJV) 14 For
this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the
whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according
to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and
height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye
might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able
to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Only then will our feelings be accurate.

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 9, 2010
IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Romans 1:17 (KJV) 17 For
therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
What does your life look like this morning? For
you all, I hope it looks real good. However, there may be some of us who have some things in our lives that don't
look so good. That is why I want to say this morning, and every morning for that matter, if it's negative, "It's
not what it looks like" Romans 1:17 tells us that the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. It says that the just shall live by
faith. First of all, there is an, "if," in this statement. The righteousness of God will be revealed
from faith to faith. He reveals His righteousness but we have to be looking for it and discern it when He reveals
it. Not only do we have to be looking for it and discern it, we have to walk in it. Today may bring us into a
test of faith because we are looking at something from the natural point of view. If it is negative, it's not what
it looks like. Here's another, "if." When the Bible says that the just shall live by faith, it implies
that, if we're not living by faith, we can't look at a thing that looks negative in the natural and know that God
is really going to turn it to the positive! If we have received God's righteousness through Jesus Christ and
God is revealing it to us, we must live by it! The just shall live by faith. Just who are the just? According
to the Strong's Dictionary, they are equitable (in character or actions). They are, by implication, innocent
and holy (both absolutely and relatively). The are righteous. If the just shall live by faith (if the righteous
shall live by faith), they will relate to the righteousness of God as He reveals it to them.
Does that mean that everything will look sweet as pie in our lives?
Not so! There will be those times when God is revealing His righteousness to us and leading us from faith to faith.
The road from one level of faith to another is not always an easy road. There are pot-holes, confusing road signs,
distractions from worldly billboards and a host of other things that may try to get us to detour from one level of faith
to another. But these tests that come from faith to faith are only to make us more just. This is a good thing. We
will become more like Jesus as we travel from faith to faith, discerning God's revelation of His righteousness. Yes,
there will be trials as we go from faith to faith. There will be things that look bad. But, again,
it's not what it looks like in the natural for the believer. Romans 8:28 (KJV) 28 And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. God
has designed us uniquely for His own purposes and, ultimately, for our own good so that we can meet the potential that our
Creator had in mind. Anyone who has ever trained for a skill, or worked for a high degree in school or even started
kindergarten, knows that some days are harder than others. Some days, it looks like we can't make it. That's
the same way it is in the life of the believer. The Devil (the liar) is always trying to get us to focus on what looks
bad in our lives so that we forget that "it's not what it looks like." He wants us to live by sight so he
can keep us down, confused and unproductive. But, he truly is a liar and we have the Truth living in us so, as we live
just lives and watch for God's revelation through these tests of faith leading to new levels of faith, the devil can have
no place in us, in our lives, or the lives of our families. In John 14:30, Jesus says that the prince of this world is coming. In the Amplified Bible, he calls the devil an
evil genius and ruler of the world. But, but, but.....Jesus says that the devil doesn't have anything in common
with Him and that nothing in Him belongs to the devil. We belong to Jesus! Therefore, we are protected
by Him from the devil since nothing in Jesus belongs to the devil! Jesus also says that the devil has no power over
Him. Because we are in Jesus, the devil has no power over us either! It may look like it sometimes, but, again,
"It's not what it looks like!" If there is anything negative that is affecting your thoughts or actions
this morning, know that you are not powerless. These negative things are not what they look like. They are just
difficult, character building places in the road from faith to another level of faith. God has given us Himself and
He has given us His power, even that power that raised Jesus from the dead. If you see something with your eyes that
looks bad, put on your spiritual glasses and look again! You will see that it was not really what it looked like to
you and that God has promised to take what the devil has meant for evil in your life and turn it into good. Into life
and prosperity! Genesis 50:20-21 (KJV) 20 But
as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people
alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones.
And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. By faith, we know that things are not
always what they look like!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 8, 2010 RELATIONSHIP
NOT RUTS Exodus
34:14 (NLT) 14 You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is
jealous about his relationship with you. First of all, let me begin by saying that, even though I do not personally know some of you who read the, Morning
Manna, I feel like I do know you. Romans 12:4-5 (AMP) 4 For as in one physical
body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, 5
So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another
[mutually dependent on one another]. I think of you when I am writing. I think of you more
than you might know. I always pray to the Lord that, if just one person, is blessed, encouraged or miraculously saved
by reading this, I will be willing to do it. I love to do it, but there has been a time in my life recently when earthly
responsibilities and the stresses associated with them plus physical challenges have caused me to get behind and to get
tired. Not tired of sharing the Lord and His goodness but physically tired and much more stressed than I should
be about earthly things. I hope you will all forgive the fact that you have not received your, "Morning Manna,"
(supposed to be breakfast), at breakfast time. I do hope that if you were really hungry for the Word, you just opened
your Bible, read another devotional, or went straight to Jesus had a little talk with Him. I sing a song called,
"Just A Little Talk With Jesus." It says we can tell Him all about our troubles and tells us he will hear
even our faintest cry. All of us have some seasons where we know that our cry to Him is pretty faint. My friend
calls it a, "bleat," instead of a "baaaa." I want to tell you the truth. This past three
weeks has been one of the most blessed times of my life but I have become faint. Even so, I did cry out to Jesus
and He heard my cry. So, if you're finding yourself a little faint, don't give up. The enemy loves to try to
tamper with God's children when they get faint. He's always looking for somebody weak and tired so he can try to devour
them. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that
are in the world. But just that faintest call to the Shepherd and it will bring Him running.
He will pick you up and carry you if He has to, right back to where He can give you the rest and safety He promises
and nurse you back to health. Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) 28 Come
unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take
my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Some times
it just feels like we can't go on. Am I right? We know we have been trying to do all the right things, yet time
gets away from us, earthly cares (such as financial, relational, and health) try to hold us down and distract us.
Right at this moment, I am confessing that I am having that little talk with Jesus about whether I have let any of these
things come into conflict with His will for my life and with the continuation of the Morning Manna. Quite honestly,
I would be empty without it because I love the fact that I get to take the time to sit and talk with Him about what to write.
I love the fact that I am not trying to teach or preach, necessarily, but that He is teaching me how to live and
then allowing me to share with you. We are having a sort of cyber worship time. I have asked Him if
this is a new season in my life and there is something else He has for me to do or whether I have just let my mind and emotions
get caught up in the running of the practical worldly issues so much that I have not spent enough time relating to Him,
trusting Him, listening to Him and putting Him first in my life. I would appreciate it so much if those of you who
are reading this, would take a moment, to pray that He will help me figure out what I may be doing wrong or if there should
be a change in the format of the Morning Manna. I know many of you read it because I get comments even from those I
don't know. Rarely is there a negative comment. Almost always, the comments are that you can relate and the
scriptures contained herein are just what you needed that day. That is what blesses me so much. That is one of
the things that helps me want to encourage and uplift my brothers and sisters in Christ. So, if after praying, you
would want to send a note of suggestion, I will prayerfully consider it. Before I neglect to do so, thank you all
so much for sharing the scriptures with me. We are all members of the Kingdom of God, whether we know each other or
not, no matter whether we are male or female, no matter what color our skin is and whether we live in the same country
or not. Having believed in Jesus, we have His blood running though us and we are all related! For those
of us who will believe, we will all live in the same Country one of these days, and Jesus will reign as King! As we
continue to live our lives on earth here, let's strive to let Him reign as King of our lives so that we will be at peace
with Him and with ourselves and be a testimony to the world that He is alive and well and He is our Provider and Sustainer.
So, while it is my great desire to write, sometimes I just feel empty. I do not feel
led to simply repeat what I have heard preached or read in a book, although I do share that many times. There's
an urging down deep inside to share life with you. To have a relationship. Not just get into the rut of writing.
There's a desire to reach the broken-hearted, rejoice with those who rejoice, share the practical problems of life and
how our Savior wants to enter into them too and help us. There's that desire to be one with Him and one with you through
His Word as we grow through these times when we feel in a, "funk." I know that was not a very spiritual
word but, in all practicality, it does happen at some time or other as we live through the perplexities of earthly
life. It is my desire to repeat over and over again the promises and conditions of the Lord so that we will
not lose our way and give in to things that make us feel weak and tired. Ready to give up. Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow weary in well doing, for in season we shall reap, if we do not
lose heart." Whatever we do for Jesus should never become a rut. A ritual. It should
be something alive that enhances our relationship with Him and with others. Something that actually introduces others
into a relationship with Him! I have been having that little talk with Jesus about the Morning Manna. He has
not told me to stop. He has only told me to ask for your patience and understanding while His Spirit gives me a, "second
wind." As they say, "I'm peddling as fast as I can peddle." That reminds me of another story of
a tandem bike ride. Jesus is in the front seat and you or I are on the back seat. We travel up rocky trails
that overlook deep valleys and dangerous drops into the deep ocean. As we look down and over to the side, we begin
to shake in fear. All that we can see when we look ahead is the back of Jesus. We might even slow up on the
peddling from fear and distraction. However, the story goes that, as we begin to ask Jesus where we are going and what
this hard thing we are doing is all about, He just says, "Shut up and keep peddling." He's the One
in control. He's the one doing the steering in our lives and keeping our, "bicycle," on the narrow,
though sometimes rocky paths of eternal life. He knows the way and it is He that will get us there
safely. He made the path, He made the bike, and He made us! All He wants is for us to do
the part He has asked us to do, without fear and without giving up or complaining. Are you suffering in a bit of an
earthly, "funk?" That doesn't even mean that things are necessarily going badly in your life. It just
may mean that there is a little talk that Jesus wants to have with you and, as the song goes, "Just a little talk with
Jesus makes it right." He's that friend that watches day and night. He's the friend that knows our every
care, allowing us to bring them to Him in prayer. Has your life become a series of ruts instead of glorious relationship
with Jesus and with others? Are you emotionally, physically, or spiritually tired? He's right ready to change
that now, if we will just ask! As Exodus 34:14 says, He is very jealous about His relationship with us.

MORNING MANNA - MAY 7, 2010
GOOD-BYE'S 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV) 13 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. Good-bye's
are usually not easy. Especially if you are leaving those you love the most. Many of you my still be grieving
the death of a loved one. The Apostle, Paul, is speaking to you in 1 Thessalonians 4:13. However, we have to
say some good-bye's many times during life that are very hard. Today, I am leaving all of my children and grandchildren
and going back to where I live fifteen hundred miles away. Believe me, I have a lump in my throat and I have shed
some tears. We have no guarantee when we say, "good-bye," whether it will be for a while on earth or whether
one of us will go to be with the Lord before we see each other again. It is not easy to hold a loved one in your
arms and say, "good-bye." I was not feeling well during this trip and was asleep when one of my daughters
and her daughter left my son's house, where I was staying, after a visit. I had fallen into a deep sleep and thought
I had missed saying good-bye to them. My heart felt heavy. Today, I spoke to my daughter on the phone and she
told me that she and her daughter had come up to my bed to say, "good-bye." They were thinking about not
waking me up but then my daughter remembered something. The last time she saw her daddy alive was when we were delivering
some Christmas presents to him. He happened to be asleep so my daughter went in and put the presents on the floor near
him and we left. She had felt she should wake him up and tell him she loved him and give him a kiss. But, she
didn't. That was the last time she saw him alive. She has lived with that regret all of her life. Lesson
here - let those you love know that you love them every time you can do so. So, she had her daughter wake me up to
give me a hug and a kiss good-bye. Apparently, I was so, "out-of-it," that I did not remember that; but
my daughter assured me that I told the little one that I wanted to squish her forever and that I loved her. (Squishing
is what most people might call a, "bear hug," in our family). Boy, did I feel better knowing that we had
said proper, "good-bye's!" Right about now, I feel some grief as I sit in the airport alone. However,
I have the assurance that my Jesus is with me and that He will never leave me. No, "good-bye's," with
Him! I do grieve somewhat because many of my children and
grandchildren do not really have a relationship with Jesus. However, even in this, I do not grieve without hope because
I have dedicated and committed them all to the Lord. He has told me in His Word (and you too) that He is able
to keep that which we have committed to Him. He has also said that whatever we asked, believing, we would receive.
I know I am asking for all of their salvation and service to Him within His will because He is not willing that any
should perish but that all should come to repentance. So, though I leave not knowing how God will work all
of this out, I leave with hope! Hope that will never leave me ashamed because God never fails on any of His
promises! If there is anything you are grieving over
this morning, please remember that God knows how you feel. We have a High Priest that is acquainted with
everything we ever feel. Jesus as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. His Spirit, who is our Comforter,
will keep us in peace and filled with His joy even through the earthly grieving we may have to endure.
If you have a loved one that has gone to be with Jesus, remember that it is only a short time before we finish our work here
on earth and find ourselves seeing our Lord Jesus face to face and being reunited with our loved ones. If we happen
to go home before our wayward family members manifest the salvation we have asked God for, we can know that He will
not stop working and we will eventually be reunited with them to after He finishes His work of salvation in them!
There are other things we tend to grieve over such as lost jobs, bankruptcy, death of pets, children or friends moving
far away from us, etc. However, if any of those things (or a host of other things that can make us sad), are bothering
you this morning, Remember that you are not without hope! Keep looking up and know that all that you have committed
to the Lord is in His strong, safe Hands. He is aware of your feelings and is just waiting for you to turn
to Him and His Spirit who is called your Comforter! That's what I'm doing now. If you need to do that too, please
feel free to join me. There's room for anyone who will come!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 6, 2010
IN EVERYTHING VICTORIOUS
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) 10 Don’t be afraid,
for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up
with my victorious right hand. God's right hand is His hand of power. There could be nothing more secure than being upheld by His right hand.
That's what makes us victorious. Thee are times that I do become afraid, although, I must remember that God
has not given me a spirit of fear. When I find myself giving in to the temptation of fear from the evil one, I must
remind myself that fear has no place in me because God has promised me power. That power is from His own right hand
holding me up. He has also given me love. His love that is unconditional and never-failing. On top of all that,
even when things appear to be scary, I have a sound mind. All of these things given to me by the God who upholds me
(and you) with His victorious right hand. Besides sometimes
feeling fearful, I many times feel discouraged. Maybe that happens to you too. This week, you may have
noticed that I am somewhat behind in getting the Morning Manna to you in a timely manner. I have been traveling and
then found myself with a host of heavy responsibilities requiring more finances than expected. As we all know, juggling
finances is a stressful situation. On top of that, I found myself weak and suffering some of the symptoms that I experienced
last year during a pulmonary embolism that would have taken me out if it hadn't been for the victorious right hand that
held me up and kept me alive against all odds. Are there things that are fearful in your life this morning? Are
there things that make you tempted to feel discouraged and forget that God will make a way where there seems to be no way?
If we can just get a vision of the Creator of the earth holding us up above our circumstances with His victorious right hand,
we an find the will to keep on keeping on even when it seems like there are no solutions. Victory is always ours through
Christ Jesus if we will trust Him. Not only will we be held
up by God's victorious right hand, He promises that He will strengthen us. Even this moment, as I write, I am feeling
without strength. I'm totally aware that I need help. It is so comforting to know that God has promised to strengthen
me with His victorious right hand! No matter what it feels like, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me. He is my strength. His Spirit is that One who comes along side and helps me when no one else is there.
Or, sometimes, He directs people into my pathway who have the means to give me the help I need. No matter what, you
and I must not give in to discouragement and fear. Not over finances, relationships, grief, health, careers, school,
the bad news we hear every day in the media or anything else. We have the God who created the earth, who tells us He
is our Father, who promises to uphold us with His victorious right hand. The same hand He used to form us and sustain
us every day. If today finds you a bit discouraged or faced with something fearful, get a picture in your mind of God's
victorious right hand with you right in the center of it, being held high above your circumstances. Know you are secure
there because He will never let us go! Know that the victory is yours, no matter what things feel like or look like. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV) 57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 5, 2010
NEW LIFE 1 Peter 2:2-3 (AMP) 2 Like
newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may
be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,
Today we are going to have a baby shower. We are celebrating two new births in our family.
One, Sofia, a granddaughter, born on the 13th of May. The other, Cohen, a great grandson, born on the 14th of
May. We are truly a very blessed family. Watching these new babies makes me think so much of the goodness of
the Lord. I know that they have been fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139:14-16 (KJV) 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from
thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. I know that,
even though we could not see them being perfected before they were born (except for the sonograms), God was carefully watching
them and keeping a record of everything that He was creating in them. Psalm 139:16
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written,
which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Now their days on earth
have started and we can see all the wondrous ways God has made them. Unique little human beings with perfect
fingers, toes, and bright eyes that seem curious to find out just where they have been placed. Eyes
that check out each adult that is anxious to hold a brand new creation of life. A new life. A
miracle of the Lord. However, these unique little creatures have another feature that can make a new
mommy and daddy very tired. They are quite hungry for their mother's milk or their formula. They sometimes wake up
every couple of hours craving some milk because they are growing and, if they are not fed, their little tummies hurt;
and after a time of not being fed they will become, sick and malnourished. If not fed at all, they will
die. We wil also die spiritually if we are not fed. God
says we should be like newborn babies, spiritually when we first learn about Him. We should literally cry out for His
Word. For the spiritual milk of His Word that will sustain us and grow us and nurture our spirits.
We will feel this spiritual hunger within our spirits, just as a new baby feels the pangs of hunger within
themselves. They do not hesitate to let their parents know either. When it's time to eat, there's no stopping
a new baby from crying. They cry louder and louder the longer they have to wait for their milk. Are we
that way? Do our spirits cry out often for the milk of God's Word so that we might grow and become nurtured and
completed in our salvation. Do we cry out for the pure milk of God's Word and not some twisted deception of the
scripture that Satan has out there to lure us when we're really hungry? One thing a new baby must do
is stay close to its parents. That way the perfect milk is always available. We, too, must stay
close to our Heavenly Father. When I am distracted by this world, it seems like I am not as close to my Father as
I should be. My spiritual self hungers for His Word and, although I have read and meditated on His Word so many times,
sometimes I still need some of the milk of His Word to keep me going. There are times when I have not taken
the time to just sit and meditate on His Word and my spirit feels sick. Like having the stomach ache that
babies get when they are hungry. At those times, even though I should be desiring the meat of the word, I
really need the milk of the Word to rejuvenate me and make me feel satisfied spiritually.1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (KJV) 1 And
I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are
ye able. The Apostle, Paul, compared the members of the church at Corinth to babies in Christ.
They were still carnal creatures. Paul wanted to give them the meat of God's Word but they could not digest it,
just as new born babies cannot digest meat. In no way would we try to feed a tiny baby steak and potatoes!
Why could Paul not give the Corinthians the meat of God's Word?
1 Corinthians 3:3-4 (KJV) 3 For ye are yet carnal:
for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Like
brand new babies, they were very self-centered. You can't blame or judge a new baby for being self-centered because
it is helpless and totally dependent upon its parents for all of its needs in life. That's the way these Corinthians
were. When a parent is blessed twins, triplets, or more, the babies cry at the same time for milk. They don't
care that the others are crying and hungry too. They just want theirs. If their diapers
are dirty, they want theirs changed and they don't even notice or care that the others are also uncomfortable. They
look to their parents and care takers for help and they are still at the point of thinking that they are the center of everyone's
world. We sometimes help them think that way because they are so cute as they try to decipher the world around them.
These people in Corinth were looking to Paul and Apollos to be their providers when they should have been looking higher.
They should have already received the milk of God's Word from Paul and Apollos and begin to chew on the meat of the Word
from their Father, God. Still they were not able to eat the meat of the Word because their sights were not set high
enough. They were still looking to men instead of God. New born babies are a blessing and they are so adorable.
They need to be fed and nurtured but, if they become twenty, thirty, forty and so on and still have to drink milk because
they cannot digest meat, they have a problem. Christian new babies can still be carnal because that is the way they
have lived. They are used to that "dog-eat-dog," lifestyle. But, as they grow on the milk of the Word
given out by those who have learned to eat meat, they will begin to mature from "cry-babies," to strong men and
women of God, eating the meat of His Word and giving it out to those who are just being born-again and perhaps to those
Christians who have become weak spiritually and need some milk to get them going again - back to basics, so to speak. Hebrews 5:11-14 (NLT) 11 There
is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull
and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought
to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like
babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.13 For someone who lives on milk is
still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right.14 Solid food is for those
who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Where
are you and I today. Are we new-born babies in Christ, are we those who have been suffering spiritually or are we those
who are mature in the Word, eating the meat of the world and being trained by it. Are we able now to recognize the
difference between right and wrong? The writer of Hebrews suggests that some may be spiritually dull? Is that
what we are? Or, are we eager to start eating more and more of the rich Word of God and then teach it to others?
New-born's are cute and the world does seem to revolve around them but they do have to grow up and then start nurturing other
young ones. It is the same with us believers. Where are we in this process? God is the gracious giver
of new life, both physically and spiritually and He is also the sustainer, by His Word, making us older brothers and
sisters partners in spreading the milk and meat of His Word.

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 4, 2010
RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 20:2222 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
A long time before
Jesus was born, Isaiah testified about Him. Here is part of what he said: Isaiah 42:5-7 (NLT) 5 God,
the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone,
life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is he who says, 6 “I, the LORD,
have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people,
Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. 7
You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark
dungeons. God indicated in Isaiah 42:5 that He gives breath to all people on the earth. I can testify to that after having blood clots clog both of
my lungs leaving me unable to breath. It was the Lord who saved me and allowed me to recover and be able to breath
again. Truly, it is God who gives us all physical breath and it is He that can take it away from us in the twinkling
of an eye! However, God also gives us spiritual breath through
the Holy Spirit. He is the One who breathes His own Spirit into us giving us counsel, consolation, and he power to
live His life through us so that others may also realize that it is God that sustains them physically and spiritually with
His own breath. It wasn't long after Jesus had been crucified that the disciples were meeting in a locked room
because they were afraid of what might happen to them because they were followers of Jesus. And then, one of those,
"suddenly's," happened. John 20:19 (NLT) 19 That Sunday evening the disciples
were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among
them! “Peace be with you,” he said. If you are in some situation in your life where you
are sort of, "locked in," by the spirit of fear, remember that Jesus has breathed the words over you that He has
not given you a spirit of fear. He's given you power, love, and a sound mind. If you and
I will turn to Him at the first thoughts of fear, we, too, will have a, "suddenly," in our lives! His
Spirit will rise up in us and cause us to remember all the words He has breathed over us in the past. By faith (and
sometimes by vision) we will see the Lord. John 20:20 (NLT) 20 As he spoke, he showed them
the wounds in his hands and his side. 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! The disciples could not help rejoicing when they saw
the Lord! They were filled with joy and so will we be when we realize that He is with us by His holy spirit.
Even through tears and temptation to fear, we can be filled with His joy because He has breathed His Spirit into
us and has breathed His Word through the scriptures. Just as he did for the disciples, He will bestow His peace
on us in any and every situation. As He continued talking to the disciples he gave them a commission which
you and I also have, seeing that we have also received His Spirit if we have asked for Him. John 20:21 (NLT) 21 Again he said, “Peace be with
you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. In the very beginning, God breathed His breath
into the first man, Adam. Then sin entered into the world by the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Now, because
Jesus, the second Adam, has lived a perfect life, died, risen again, and sits on the right hand of the Father to take away
our sin, we can receive His Spirit just as the disciples did that day. He is constantly breathing on us. It is His
great desire that we should receive that breath and take in His Holy Spirit. As He said to the disciples of that day,
I believe He is saying to us today, "Receive the Holy Spirit." He is offering us life. His life.
Will we make the choice to receive Him? Will we breathe in that spiritual breath and then go into a spiritually
dying world and breathe out the words of life as prompted by His Spirit?

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 3, 2010
ASK AND CONTINUE TO ASK
Luke 11:13 (AMP)
13 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to
their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue
to ask Him! If
you are anything like me, you have a hard time living for the Lord at times. Oh, your spirit is so willing
but your emotions and body don't always stay in agreement with that willing spirit! I'm so thankful that we have
such a loving Father. His faithful love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NLT) 34 Give thanks to the
LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Some of us have had wonderful parents with
Godly values and others of us have had parents that did not follow the Lord. Some have even been abandoned by
their parents, either physically or emotionally. Some have had the awful experience of the death of
their parents at a very early age. None of us have had perfect earthly parents because we are all human. But,
all of us have a perfect Heavenly Father who has promised that He will be with us always and never abandon us if we will
invite Him into our lives through His Son, Jesus Christ. Psalms 27:10 (NLT) 10 Even
if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.
If we have been blessed with loving parents, we will feel secure in having our needs met and asking for
what we need (even what we want). This is the way our Heavenly Father is. He made us and he knows that a good
earthly parent loves to give good gifts to their children. All the more He, being the perfect Parent, greatly desires
to give the best of gifts to His children. What could be a better gift than the gift of His own Holy Spirit?
The Lord is telling us to look at ourselves and how we desire to give good things to our children. We are far from
perfect. If we like to give such gifts to our children, we cannot even imagine the desires of our Father to give us
good gifts. After all, if we woke up this morning. we have been given the gift of a brand new day with His brand new
mercies! Now, of course, a good parent will not give a gift
to their child that they know will harm them. Neither will our Heavenly Father. If we are following Him, His
gifts for us are to do good to us all of our lives, to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11) Sometimes, as parents, we want our children to ask for what they want so that we know we are giving them something
that will make them happy, as well as be good for them. That's what God wants us to do regarding His Spirit.
He wants desperately for us to have the good gift of His Spirit but He also wants to know that we really want that gift.
That's why we need to ask for the Holy Spirit and all of His power to live a life of righteousness, love, and boldness.
Not only do we need to ask but we need to keep asking. I can testify to that myself at this moment. I am so
very blessed, but, with great blessing, also comes great responsibility and seasons of challenge. I want to be led
by the Holy Spirit but I can get easily distracted, especially when I'm emotionally and physically spent. Therefore,
all the more, I need to ask and keep asking for the infilling of the Holy Spirit to give me the strength I need to keep going
and, more than that, keep going with a good and Godly attitude! Can anyone relate? How extremely loved and blessed
we are that the Creator of the earth is our own Heavenly perfect Father and that He listens every time we ask for more of
His Spirit! No matter what season you are in, ask and continue asking for the Holy Spirit. Your Heavenly Daddy
loves to hear your request and He will certainly grant it!

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 2, 2010
JESUS REJOICED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Luke 10:20 (AMP) Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirit are subject to you but
rejoice that our names are enrolled in heaven.
I'm sorry this, "Morning Manna,"
is so late. It will also be short. I have had some extra responsibilities that made me feel as though there
was just no way. But, like you, when you have those times, I remember that God will make a way when there seems to
be no way. Also, with God, nothing is impossible! I cling to the fact that I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me. Jesus always gives us the victory but sometimes we get tired as we go through the process.
Spiritual warfare takes place leaving us tired emotionally. If physical work is involved, we also get tired physically.
How convenient for the devil to think he can come in and convince us to just, "give up." However, we
have the victory in Christ, according to His Word. I
would encourage you today, just as one of my good friends encouraged me, this morning, to read and remember all of those
promises of the power and grace you have if you are going through something that seems way too hard for you. If it
is too hard for you, it is just right for God. He will make a way for you if you trust Him. It may not be the
way you expected but it will be the best way. Never give up. Do not lose heart. God says that, if we don't
get discouraged and give up, we will reap a harvest. God never lies. So, if this is a hard time for you, hang
in there in faith. Cling to the Vine and know your strength and life is coming from Him. I am doing that too
and I know our God will never, ever fail us. During these times, we are growing in faith and endurance. When
the next season of testing comes, we will be all the more ready with strength, courage and determination. Jesus is
Lord and He has promised to give us strength and to be with us to the end of the age! Be encouraged! Know you
are loved by your Father and that His plans for you are for good. Nothing that feels bad at the moment is meant to
ultimately hurt you. Your future is secure in Him! We
need to keep our spiritual armor on and do spiritual warfare as the enemy tries to take us down and we will win; but the
biggest miracle is that our lives are written in the Book of Life and we will have a glorious life with the Lord for ever
and ever where no more troubles and trials will come our way. Rejoice, if you have believed in Jesus. Your name
is written in the Book of Life and, today, you have the power to claim the victory over whatever the enemy might be trying
to do in your life. Here's what Jesus said about that: Luke 10:21 (AMP) In that same hour He rejoiced an gloried in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank
You, Father., Lord of heaven and earth, that You have concealed these things (relating to salvation) from the wise and understanding
and learned, and revealed them to babes (the childish, unskilled, and untaught). Yes, Father, for such was Your
gracious will and choice and good pleasure. Even in the hardest of times, Jesus lets us know that He
has revealed His presence and victory to us, as well as all that our salvation does for us now and forever.

MORNING MANNA - JUNE 1, 2010
GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS HOLY SPIRIT
Romans 5:5 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly
God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Lots of times you and I run into problems and trials. Troubles
and things that cause us anxiety. Of course when we do run into those things, they don't feel good but they are for
a purpose if we are following Christ. Therefore, they are reason to rejoice! Romans 5:3 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know
that they help us develop endurance. What is happening when we are being put through these difficult
times? God is using then to help us develop endurance. Everyone goes through difficult times but those
of us who are willing to hang on to our faith and keep on trusting the Lord will be developing endurance. There's no
doubt about it, once we get through one problem and come out of it with the Lord's help, we will be strengthened.
Then, after a time, there will be another problem just because we live in a world of problems caused by sin. So, if you
are not in a problem or coming out of one, know that your time is coming and remember that God is using each one to
help us develop endurance. That is reason for rejoicing. I have found myself rejoicing even when I don't
feel like rejoicing because my circumstances seem so impossible. But, as I open my mouth and sing praises
or speak out loud to the Lord about how good He is and begin thanking Him for His power in my life, I begin to feel
better. I begin to feel hope building up in me. Romans 5:4 (NLT) 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens
our confident hope of salvation. How wonderful is it that God uses the difficult things of this world
to grow us and develop in us strength of character? Then that character in us strengthens us to have confident hope
of salvation. The salvation we have is what helps us through this world and into the next. The hope that
we have in salvation will never make us disappointed. Not now and not for eternity! Romans 5:5 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Why
will we never be disappointed? Because we know that God loves us so much. Much more than we could
ever imagine. And, we know that He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. This will help
us to show, by our speech and actions, His love to others around us. There are many around us that don't
know the love of Jesus. If we have gone through hard times victoriously because God has used those times to strengthen
and grow us, we will be able to show a non-believing world that salvation is offered to everyone.
There was a time when we couldn't help ourselves. Romans 5:6 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at
just the right time and died for us sinners. We were sinners unable to help ourselves out of the pit of sin
but, just at the right time, Jesus came and died for us so that we could be set free from sin. We didn't deserve to
be saved and we could not do it by ourselves. Most people would not be willing to do anything to save us, much less
die for us! Romans 5:7 7 Now, most people would not be willing to
die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.
Not a single one of us is, or was, especially good. We have all missed the mark of God's standard. Romans 5:8 (NLT) 8 But God showed his great love for
us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And
since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. God
has given us His Holy Spirit to instill in us the hope that we have salvation, both now and for eternity. We used
to be God's enemies when we followed the ways of Satan and this world. But, God loved us so much that, instead
of destroying us, He loved us into His Kingdom by giving us His Son and then giving us His Holy Spirit. Romans 5:10 (NLT) 10 For since our friendship with God
was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his
Son. We now have a wonderful new relationship with God, through the Holy Spirit, because Jesus went
through death and resurrection to make us friends with God! Romans 5:11 (NLT) 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful
new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Hope is ours,
no matter what the situation. And, that hope will never make us disappointed because God has loved us freely and without
measure. He has loved us so much that He has given us His Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.
Now, it seems logical to me that, if God loved us that much and gave us so much hope and love, including
the power of the Holy Spirit in our hearts to give love, we should be looking for those who need hope, love, friendship
with God, the filling of the Holy Spirit and spread these things that God has given us to others.

MORNING MANNA - MAY 31, 2010
EVERYONE WAS AMAZED Acts 10:45 (AMP) 45 And
the believers from among the circumcised [the Jews] who came with Peter were surprised and amazed, because the free gift
of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed and poured out largely even on the Gentiles. Peter, like you and me, was just an ordinary person but he was
called of and committed to God. One day he went up on to the roof of a house, (which was a normal
thing to do in that day) and he began to pray. He did not know it but another man, Cornelius, had a vision of
an angel. Acts 10:3-8 (AMP) 3 About
the ninth hour (about 3:00 p.m.) of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God entering and saying to him, Cornelius!
4 And he, gazing intently at him, became frightened and said, What is it, Lord? And
the angel said to him, Your prayers and your [generous] gifts to the poor have come up [as a sacrifice] to God and have been
remembered by Him. 5 And now send men to Joppa and have them call for and invite
here a certain Simon whose surname is Peter; 6 He is lodging with Simon a
tanner, whose house is by the seaside. 7 When the angel who spoke to him had
left, Cornelius called two of his servants and a God-fearing soldier from among his own personal attendants. 8 And having rehearsed everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. As is always true with the Lord, He was working with just Cornelius. he
was working with Peter also. Peter was up on the roof praying, he became hungry. Acts 10:9-16 (AMP) 9 The
next day as they were still on their way and were approaching the town, Peter went up to the roof of the house to pray, about
the sixth hour (noon). 10 But he became very hungry, and wanted something to eat;
and while the meal was being prepared a trance came over him, 11 And he saw the sky
opened and something like a great sheet lowered by the four corners, descending to the earth. 12
It contained all kinds of quadrupeds and wild beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, saying, Rise up, Peter, kill and eat. 14 But Peter said, No, by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and
unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean. 15 And the voice came to him again a second
time, What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, do not you defile and profane by regarding and calling common and unhallowed
or unclean. 16 This occurred three times; then immediately the sheet was taken
up to heaven. Peter was probably pretty confused about the whole vision. In fact, that's just what the
scripture says. Acts 10:17-18 (AMP) 17 Now Peter was
still inwardly perplexed and doubted as to what the vision which he had seen could mean, when [just then] behold the messengers
that were sent by Cornelius, who had made inquiry for Simon’s house, stopped and stood before the gate. 18 And they called out to inquire whether Simon who was surnamed Peter was staying there.
Aren't there times in our lives when we hear the Spirit speaking to us but we are not
exactly sure what He is saying? At first it doesn't make sense. But God doesn't leave us in the dark.
Acts 10:19 (AMP) 19 And while Peter was earnestly revolving
the vision in his mind and meditating on it, the [Holy] Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you! Isn't
it interesting that the vision Peter had happened three times and that there were three men looking for him?
Peter continued to listen to the Holy Spirit and
went down to see the men who had come to see him. Acts 10:20-21 (AMP) 20 Get up and go
below and accompany them without any doubt [about its legality] or any discrimination or hesitation, for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, I am the man you seek; what is the
purpose of your coming? Right about this point, God was ready to reveal how he had been working
in Cornelius and in Peter, neither of which knew each other! Peter invited them in and they spent the night with him
and the next day they and some of the men from Joppa went with them to the house of Cornelius. (Acts 10:22-24 ) Don't you just love it when God puts you together with other believers and, even though you
don't know them, you find that you are connected by the Holy Spirit! God was about to cause amazement among the people
that knew Him. He was about to show his love, grace, and power. As these men traveled to the home of Cornelius,
he was waiting for them with a group of his family and friends. Peter explained that, under Jewish law, he was not
allowed to enter the house of a Gentile but that the Holy Spirit had him, basically, that all people
were of equal value to God, (Acts 10:25-29). As Peter spoke of God's will to bless anyone from any nation who revered Him, the Holy Spirit fell
upon Cornelius and those with him. Acts 10:44-45 (AMP) 44 While Peter
was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message. 45
And the believers from among the circumcised [the Jews] who came with Peter were surprised and amazed, because
the free gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed and poured out largely even on the Gentiles. All
those that saw this wonderful even were amazed. We should be amazed also, that God, even though He knows us through
and through, is willing to pour our His Spirit on us too. He will do whatever it takes to bring His people together
to bless them and allow His Spirit to flow! Everyone was amazed at what they saw and heard! Acts 10:46-48 (AMP) 46 For
they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and extolling and magnifying God. Then Peter asked, 47 Can anyone forbid or refuse water for baptizing these people, seeing that they have received
the Holy Spirit just as we have? 48 And he ordered that they be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Then they begged him to stay on there for some days. Jews and Gentiles, men
and women, were praising God and moving as the Spirit led. Of course no one wanted to leave this event. When
we find ourselves in the presence of the Holy Spirit, we tend to want to stay there! Time seems to stand still.
They stayed for a season and then God began to do His work through each of them as only He can do! There are no
words adequate to express the work and power of the Holy Spirit or the love and mercy of God in allowing Himself to flow
through such as us! There is nothing impossible with God when it comes to uniting people of all sorts in Himself and allowing
them all to praise Him together. Really, it is amazing!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 30, 2010
IT IS NOT YOU THAT WILL BE SPEAKING
Mark 13:11 (NLT) 11 But when you are
arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it
is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
As believers, we have many opportunities to tell others about Jesus. This is because Jesus said that
the gospel had to be preached in all the world. We, who are His followers, have that privilege and great responsibility.
He did not say it would always be easy. In fact, Jesus said that we would have trouble in this world. If He said
it, it's a promise! However, most people don't really like to claim that promise as much as they like to remember
the promises of provision, protection, prosperity, etc. Thankfully, Jesus finished those words about us having trouble
in this world with the words for us to be of good cheer because He had overcome the world. He also told us that He
would never leave us or forsake us and that He would be with us until the end of the age, as we told others about him
and made disciples. In the passage in Mark 13, Jesus was talking about people being arrested and standing trial just because they were believers. In Mark 13:9, He said that this would be their opportunity to tell others about Him. It's pretty obvious that, if we were
dragged into court, and even beaten for being a Christian, it would be a difficult scenario. Many of us, I fear, would
want to retaliate. Some of us might want to do what Peter did in the Garden of Gethsemane and get out our
swords or other weapons. After all, there is nothing wrong and everything right about being a follower of Jesus! So,
why not do something to prove that we are right? Why not fight back? First
of all, we are told to pray for our enemies and do good to them. For another reason in Mark 13:9, we are told that this is an opportunity to tell others about Jesus. What He did say about this situation was
that thy should not worry in advance about what they were going to say. They were just to count on God to tell
them at the time they were questioned. Then Jesus assured them that it would not be them speaking but the Holy
Spirit would speak through them. How's that for a test of faith? Would I pass? Would you pass? That's
an interesting question to ponder. But, what about our everyday life? We probably have many opportunities to tell others
about Jesus. Some of us have learned from,"scripts," that others have made of how to tell someone about
Jesus. This is good so that we know what His Word says and that we rightly use it when speaking to others but
there are times when a, "script," is not what someone needs to hear. They need to hear something
directly from the Holy Spirit. These people may be very challenging and unruly people that we would rather just, as
they say, give them a good hit, "up side of the head." However, if the opportunity arises to meekly, but
with authority, open our mouth and let the Holy Spirit speak, lives will be changed (including our own as we submit to God's
agenda, rather than our own intellect). The next time we find ourselves not knowing what to say in a difficult
situation, I wonder what would happen if we would just cease to worry about what to say, believe that God will tell
us instantaneously, and trust that it will not be us speaking but that the Holy Spirit will use us to speak His own
Words that will cut to the heart of the listener? I'm anxious to give this a try! I want to be led and fully surrendered
to the Holy Spirit. I think my mouth is the part that needs the most practice! Will we let the Holy Spirit
speak through us in all instances in life?

MORNING MANNA - MAY 29, 2010
MONEY CAN'T BUY THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS
Acts 8:18 AMP) 18 However, when Simon saw that the [Holy] Spirit
was imparted through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he brought money and offered it to them,
There are so many things that we are told
that we should have today. From airplanes to zebra skin coats and everything in between! We are made by the
world and the devil to think that the more money we have the happier we will be and the more things we can get. The
trouble with that is that all those things and just more money does not bring happiness. It brings depression and
chaos. When you have lots of money, people always want it and are looking for a way to take it from you even if they
have to lie about you in court to get some sort of settlement for something that never even happened. When you have
lots of stuff, you have to take care of it, find places to store it and move it around. Most of life is filled with
taking care of and trying to hold on to our toys! However, there is another thing that money can temporarily buy for
you if you know the right people. That is power. Worldly power. Political power. There are many
people who crave that power and will lie, cheat, and steal to get it. Worse than that is that there was a certain person
by the name of Simon who saw that great power came to people upon whom the apostles laid their hands. It was the power
of the Holy Spirit. Now for power-crazed people, you can't get any greater power than that.
Simon saw that others were receiving this power. Acts 8:14-17 (AMP) 14 Now when the apostles
(special messengers) at Jerusalem heard that [the country of] Samaria had accepted and welcomed the Word of God, they sent
Peter and John to them, 15 And they came down and prayed for them that the Samaritans might receive the
Holy Spirit; 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them, but they had only been baptized into the name of the
Lord Jesus. 17 Then [the apostles] laid their hands on them one by one, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Now, instead of submitting himself to the Lord and humbly asking to receive the Holy Spirit, Simon, being
most likely a man of worldly thinking, thought he could certainly just purchase this power and be done with it.
So he proceeded to offer money to the apostles so he could receive this incredible power. Acts 8:19 (AMP) 19 Saying, Grant me also this power and authority, in order that anyone on whom
I place my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. Of course, this probably incensed the apostles to think
that anyone could be so brazen as to think that the Holy Spirit could be bought with money. So, they gave a proper,
but very terse, response to Simon. Acts 8:20-23 (AMP) 20 But Peter said
to him, Destruction overtake your money and you, because you imagined you could obtain the [free] gift of God with money!
1 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is all wrong in God’s
sight [it is not straightforward or right or true before God]. 22 So repent of this
depravity and wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this contriving thought and purpose of your heart
may be removed and disregarded and forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the
gall of bitterness and in a bond forged by iniquity [to fetter souls].
Right about now, I'm going to say something that may be offensive to some, but hopefully, not. Today,
we have all sorts of power crazy people in the world. They are in the political field and in the corporate world; but,
yes, they are also in the religious arena. Some are good people with proper motives and some are not. It is the
power of the Holy Spirit within us, as believers, who will give us the discernment to tell the difference. Perhaps
you have heard religious ministries asking for money (an offering so to speak) so that you might have the infilling
of the Holy Spirit. Nothing at all is wrong with an offering and God is pleased with our offerings that come from
joyful and willing hearts. But, when someone tries to get you to give something out of compulsion in order to
receive something from God, I do not believe this is from the Holy Spirit. In fact, I do believe that, like Peter
told Simon, destruction might just overtake us and our money, including the ministry that erroneously told us we could
bring an offering to receive anything from God. God does not need our money. What He wants is our hearts
and lives. We could never give an offering big enough to receive anything from God. Simons heart was not
right with God. He had his own agenda in mind and intended to us the power of the Holy Spirit for his own purposes.
Peter rightly told Simon that the Holy Spirit was a free gift from God. There is absolutely nothing we can
give to receive this gift except for our hearts! When our hearts are right, we will want to give offerings, not to
receive something, but in gratitude for all that we have received and for who God is. We will want to give offerings,
not to get something but to give so that the Gospel message can be given to everyone who will listen! If anyone
is making you feel guilty or that you might be missing the fullness of the Holy Spirit because you don't give a certain
amount of money, turn quickly to the Lord, Himself, and ask Him, by His Spirit to show you what to do. We don't
want to end up like Simon! We do, however, want to be filled with the Spirit of the Lord so that we can have the power
to do mighty things for Him, beginning with loving others, giving to those in need, spreading the Gospel and so many
other jobs within the Kingdom of the Lord. There are some things money cannot buy. The Holy Spirit is one of
those things. I guess Simon didn't ask how much it would cost but he should have. As the saying goes, if you
have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it." How true. We cannot afford the Holy Spirit or
any other of God's wonderful gifts. But, we can have them because He loves us and wants to give
us gifts if we have a heart and mind surrendered to Him. Forget money! You may be the poorest person in the world
but be so filled with the Spirit that you will change the world. You may be the richest person in the world, but if
you have not surrendered your life and your money to the Lord, you will end up in destruction. God isn't as interested
in our money as He is in our lives. He isn't interested in our political or corporate power. He's interested
in bestowing a greater power within us - that of His Holy Spirit. Today, we can receive that gift, if we just ask!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 28, 2010
I HAVE HEARD OF YOU
Daniel 5:14 (AMP) 14 I
have heard of you, that the Spirit of the holy God [or gods] is in you and that light and understanding and superior wisdom
are found in you.
During the days of Daniel, people had noticed
that he was a man of God and that the Holy Spirit was with him. They may not have understood, but they did notice.
Belshazzar, who was a king and also was a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar, had made a great feast for the nobles in his
kingdom. He had served the finest of wine, but he served it in the things that had been taken from the temple of the
Lord. Vessels that had been set apart as holy but then stolen by Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 5:2-4 (AMP) 2 Belshazzar,
while he was tasting the wine, commanded that the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out
of the temple [out of the sacred area—the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies] which was in Jerusalem be brought, that
the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.3 Then
they brought in the gold and silver vessels which had been taken out of the temple, the house of God which was in Jerusalem;
and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They
drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. First of all
they were using things that were set apart for God for their revelry. Secondly they praised the gods of gold and silver,
of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Unfortunately, that sounds a lot like things that are happening in our day
to me. We, as believers, are set apart for God. We are made holy by the blood of Jesus. We are chosen vessels.
Yet, how many of us have some habits that are not holy. How many of us use our minds and bodies for worldly revelry?
How many of us would be unwilling to let go of the things we have collected that are made of gold, silver, bronze, iron,
wood, and stone? Hopefully, we are all aware of how set apart we are and we are living lives that compared to Daniel's
life. At one point, Nebuchadnezzar realized that he needed
some counsel about a dream and all of his wise men and magicians could not help him. Daniel 4:4-9 (AMP) 4 I,
Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I had a dream
which made me afraid, and the thoughts and imaginations and the visions of my head as I was lying upon my bed troubled and
agitated me. 6 Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon
before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then
the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not
make known to me the interpretation of it. 8 But at last Daniel came in before me—he
who was named Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God—and I told the dream
before him, saying, 9 O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that
the Spirit of the Holy God is in you and no secret mystery is a burden or troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that
I have seen and the interpretation of it. After exhausting all of his worldly wise men and counselors, Nebuchadnezzar
found that Daniel could help him. Why was this so? Because Daniel had the Spirit of the Holy God in him.
Daniel did not necessarily tell Nebuchadnezzar anything pleasant, but he told him the truth and it came to pass.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and led by Him. When we keep in step with the Spirit, He will
speak through us and people notice! Not only will they notice, but they will remember!
Now, Belshazzar was needing some help. As he and his partying friends drank from God's holy vessels
and praised everything but God, a finger wrote on the wall. Pretty scary! Daniel 5:5-17 (AMP) 5 Immediately
and suddenly there appeared the fingers of a man’s hand and wrote on the plaster of the wall opposite the candlestick
[so exposed especially to the light] in the king’s palace, and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the color and the [drunken] hilarious brightness of the king’s face was changed,
and his [terrifying] thoughts troubled and alarmed him; the joints and muscles of his hips and back gave way and his knees
smote together. 7 The king cried aloud [mightily] to bring in the enchanters or soothsayers,
the Chaldeans [diviners], and the astrologers. The king said to the wise men of Babylon, Whoever will read this writing
and show me the interpretation of it will be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold put about his neck and will be
the third ruler in the kingdom. 8 And all the king’s wise men came in, but
they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation of it. 9 Then
King Belshazzar was greatly perplexed and alarmed and the color faded from his face, and his lords were puzzled and astounded.
10 Now the queen [mother], overhearing the exciting words of the king and his lords,
came into the banquet house. The queen [mother] said, O king, live forever! Do not be alarmed at your thoughts or let your
cheerful expression and the color of your face be changed. 11 There is a man in
your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the holy God [or gods], and in the days of your father light and understanding and
wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—the king, I say, your father—appointed
him master of the magicians, enchanters or soothsayers, Chaldeans, and astrologers, 12 Because
an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, clarify riddles, and solve knotty problems were found
in this same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. 13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. And the king said to Daniel, Are you that Daniel
of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah? Now, it had
been a while since Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream for him. Nevertheless, the queen mother remembered
that Daniel was filled with God's Spirit. Then Belshazzar called for Daniel and said, "I have heard of you."
Well, I'm sure that Belshazzar had heard of lots of people but he had heard that Daniel had the Spirit of the holy God in
him. Because the Spirit of God rested in Daniel, he was filled with light, understanding and superior wisdom!
That's the way it will be with us if we allow the Holy Spirit to rule and reign in our own lives. I don't know how
long it was between Daniel's audience with Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. It may have seemed to Daniel like nobody
really knew him. He might have almost felt invisible. But, because of the Holy Spirit, people remembered him.
They heard of him and, in God's timing, Daniel was called and used mightily. It may be that you are going through
a time of feeling like nothing is happening in your life. Like you are not really being used of God. Trust in
the fact that the Spirit moves as it will and no one really knows from where it comes or where it goes - just like
the wind. Daniel was able to help Belshazzar and Belshazzar thought he should make some sort of payment to
Daniel for his insight. But, Daniel was wise and He knew that the glory belonged to God. Daniel 5:16-17 16 But I have heard of you, that you can make interpretations
and solve knotty problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed
with purple and have a chain of gold put around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.17
Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be for yourself and give your rewards to another. However,
I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. Daniel knew that
he was endowed by the Spirit of God and he did not want any earthly reward for helping the king. As we find opportunities
to help others by operating in the gifts and love of the Holy Spirit, we should not ask for earthly rewards because
we know that God will reward us in ways we can not even ask or believe! (Ephesians 3:20) Be encouraged! Walk in the Spirit. Help those in need. Know that people will notice you and
remember you but, better than that, God notices and remembers!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 27, 2010
HOW SAD TO GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
Isaiah 63:10 (KJV) 10 But they rebelled,
and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
In the days
of Isaiah, as he recounted the Lord's care for the children of Israel, he also recounted the fact that, despite the miraculous
care of the Lord for His children, they rebelled against Him! They were bitter and unpleasant toward Him. They
resisted Him and provoked Him even though He had consistently, lovingly and carefully provided for them! They
disobeyed Him and turned against Him. If that wasn't bad enough, they vexed the very core of God - His Spirit.
The word, "vexed," really means, "to carve." If you have ever had a broken heart or felt yourself
cut to shreds by the rejection or abuse of someone you have loved with all of your heart, then you know a little bit about
how God felt when the Israelites vexed His Spirit. They caused him worry, pain and anger. They really displeased
him. They grieved Him. They hurt Him. Everything they did made Him sorry. If you are a parent and
your child has ever turned against you, you know a little bit about what God felt when all of His children rebelled against
Him and vexed His Holy Spirit! While it is true that God
loves us with an everlasting love and His patience is unparalleled, it is also true that He is a God of anger and wrath
when He encounters sin. He is a just God and sin must eventually be dealth with. He always gives us the
choice of whether to obey and have a heart that pleases Him; but He won't make us do that. If we are determined
to rebel against Him and, figuratively, put a sword through our Heavenly Father's heart, at some point we will encounter
His wrath. That's what He told the children of Israel. Of necessity, He had to turn away from the children
He loved because of their sin. He had to fight against the sin in them and, essentially, He became their enemy.
There is no way that I want God to fight against me! I doubt
that you do either! First of all, we wouldn't stand a chance! Secondly, we would experience total destruction
and separation from our Creator. Not a good scene at all. Today, if we have received Jesus, we have His
righteousness and His Spirit. We have these things, not because of anything good we have done or because of how
good we are. We have them simply because our Father is the giver of good gifts and He loves us more than we could ever
imagine. We have them to help us live lives of love, power and discipline. We have them to give us
the boldness to share His goodness with others. Still, even in the New Testament, we are warned about grieving His
Spirit. Ephesians 4:30-32 (KJV) 30 And
grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let
all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven
you. We don't want to imitate the rebellious and bitter children of Israel and grieve the Holy Spirit
as they did. Will there be days when we are tempted to do so? Yes! There will. Our carefully
made plans may be changed in a moment and we may find ourselves in challenging and difficult situations. Even
painful situations. However, it would be, to put it bluntly, just plain stupid, to grieve the only One who can
give us power, love and a sound mind with which to get through these things. We will have trouble in this
world. That's a promise from Jesus that most of us do not want to claim! However, Jesus has also promised
that His Spirit would be with us giving us everything we need to get through those troubles in victory. Do we
ever grieve the Holy Spirit (maybe even in ignorance)? The list in Ephesians 4:31-32 gives us a list of things from which we can make a "spot check." Are we bitter in any way?
Are we prone to rage, anger, and chaotic living? Is our language crude and do we speak positively instead of negatively?
Do we wish anyone harm? Are we kind to one another? Are our hearts sensitive to the feelings of others?
Do we forgive one another easily. Do we remember how many times God has forgiven us over and over again?
These are just a few things that we can use to see how we're doing in the area of either pleasing or vexing the Holy Spirit.
May it be that every day finds us more and more led by the Holy Spirit, walking in joyful obedience because of all that He
has done for us! How sad to grieve the Holy Spirit!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 26, 2010
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD
Isaiah 61:1 (NLT) 1 The
Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort
the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. The Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus and now He has offered that
same Spirit to us. He brought us the good news of the gospel when we were poor and didn't even know it. There
are many people living today that have a multitude of things and property who would be considered to be very rich by most
people in this world but they are really poor because the have never heard of Jesus and His redeeming power. Money
and things cannot buy the eternal joy of the gospel. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord that was upon Jesus is
offered to us today, as believers, so that we might also bring the good news of the gospel to those who are poor and without
any spiritual foundation. We, too are anointed to bring good news to the spiritually and materially poor of our generation.
Jesus, by the Spirit of God also comforted the broken hearted.
There is so much tragedy and confusion in our world today because of rampant sin. There is rejection and abuse.
There are people walking around with smiles on their faces but inside their hearts are broken. You and I could very
well be one of those people. In any case, Jesus is the answer. He was. is, and always will be anointed to heal
the broken hearted. And you and I, if we have received His Spirit, are also equipped to comfort those whose hearts
are breaking. I was in a market check out line two days ago and the checker told me of her own broken heart because
her friend had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was able to share with her about how the Lord works in the
hearts of those who are distressed and how He can be the Comforter in the midst of the hardest times. I told her I would
pray for her and her friend, Joanne. She was so appreciative. This is how the Spirit works. He offers us
opportunities in the strangest places to bring His comfort to the broken hearted.
I have people in my own family who are still prisoners and captive to the world and to the lies of the
devil but, because Jesus has given me His Spirit, I believe that, as I am led by that Spirit, these people will be freed.
They will no longer be captives or prisoners. The Truth that they know because, by the Holy Spirit, I introduce them,
will set them free. I don't see this happening on a moment by moment basis but, by faith, I believe it is being done.
As the Spirit brings opportunity, I pray that I will let His anointing come over me and share the good news that Jesus has
come to set the captives free. Not just those in my family but also those in other families whose loved ones are
praying for them. And then, of course, there are those lost souls out there for whom no one is praying.
John 8:32 (AMP) 2 And
you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. And how will those in the world who are prisoners
and captives know the truth an be set free? This will only happen when we receive the Spirit
of the Lord and walk in power and anointing, spreading the good news of the gospel, comforting the broken hearted and preaching
the person of Jesus, who is the Truth, who will set the captives free! Are we up to the task? If we are
willing, we can do this. We can do all things through Christ who will strengthen us! (Philippians 4:13) Today is a great day to watch for those opportunities and take advantage of them!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 25, 2010
GOD'S PROMISE TO HIS CHOSEN ONES
Isaiah 44:3 (KJV) 3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry
ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
Because I have been meditating on the Holy Spirit
and the season of Pentecost, this scripture from Isaiah 43 caught my attention. Not just because I was dwelling on the Holy Spirit, but because I happen to be visiting
my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As I see these new born babies and small children growing up in
such a harsh world, I am drawn to the promise that God made to Jacob. In the King James Version, the heading of this
section of scripture refers to God's comforting promise to the church. Let me tell you, I am comforted when I
look at the blessing of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and then look at Isaiah 44:3 where God says He will pour out his Spirit upon my children and their children and their children!
God is speaking here to Jacob here, His chosen one. However, as
believers in Christ, we are all chosen of God and it is His desire that all of our children walk in His ways and receive
His Spirit. Now, it is true for many of us that we do not see that happening yet with our physical eyes; but we
must continue to walk by faith and be prayer warriors for our children and all that come after them. God does not do
for one what He will not do for another of His own children. Like Jacob, if we believe and follow in God's ways
and His Word, the blessing is for us too. Before we ever knew it, there were others praying for us. Our parents,
our grandparents and other loved ones. Sometimes people who don't even know us have prayed for us. God has
His people in place and He, by His Holy Spirit, prompts people to pray for others. We, though some of us may like
to think we are, are not self-made. God tells Jacob. "I made you and formed you from the womb and I will
help you. Fear not because I have chosen you." (My paraphrase of Isaiah 44:2) There are things in life that really tempt us to fear. Such things as how our children and grandchildren
will fare in this life and whether they will be lead astray by the evil one and so on.
I am so comforted by this verse in Isaiah 44:3. I know that I can trust God to watch out over all my children and those that come after them.
I know I can pray with confidence for their salvation and blessing because I am chosen (not because I deserve it but
because of God's mercy). I know I can pray that they will come to repentance, and be praying within God's will,
because His Word says that He is not willing that any should perish. I'm thinking that He is especially not willing
that any of those He has chosen to believe on Him will have children or grandchildren upon whom, at some point
in their lives, will not turn to Him and receive His Spirit! Not only am I comforted in these words of the Lord,
I am also made confident. As I read on, here is what I read: Isaiah 44:6-8 (NLT) 6 This
is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies: “I am the First and
the Last; there is no other God. 7 Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove
to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future.
8 Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?
You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!” God
is God and there is not other! He has established us and our families and explained our future in His Word.
We need not fear. God has written down His purposes for us long ago! And His purposes for our children, their
children, and their children! We, who have believed in Christ are truly His witnesses. By His Spirit, we live
and move and have our being. We proclaim Him as Lord as the Spirit fills our mouths with His Words. We can pray
with confidence to our Rock of ages that His Spirit will surely be poured out on the children which He has so graciously
blessed us and loaned to us for a season here on earth. May it be that they see His Spirit in us as they watch us live
and experience the love that flows from us by the power of the Holy Spirit! Let us never forget the promises God has
made to His chosen ones nor forget that we are His chosen ones through Christ Jesus!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 24, 2010
I HAVE PUT MY SPIRIT ON HIM
Isaiah 42:1 (KJV) 1 Behold my servant, whom
I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
We are so fortunate that God saw fit to let
us know years before the fact that Jesus would come to earth. The one in Whom the Father's soul would delight.
Jesus would have God's Spirit upon Him! And Jesus would send that same Spirit into us after He was crucified, buried,
raised, from the dead and ascended into Heaven. John 14:26 (AMP) 26 But the Comforter (Counselor,
Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place,
to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of,
bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. Today, if we will ask to receive Jesus as
our Lord and Savior, He will come in and His Spirit will live within us. God will take delight in us just as He takes
delight in Jesus. Before the Holy Spirit was poured out on those still in the world who would receive Him,
they would have to wait. Luke 24:49 (NLT) 49 “And
now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills
you with power from heaven.” For me, as much as I want to walk in and be led b the Holy Spirit,
certain situations come into my life when I just can't seem to hear Him. Times when maybe, quite honestly, I just want
to get myself out of the situation however I can. Those that were first to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit
were told to wait. Waiting is not always easy. There's that small doubt that what we are waiting for
will not actually materialize. As in all of God's Words, they always accomplish what He says. So, the people
waited just as they were instructed. They obeyed the Words of Jesus and it happened just as Jesus had
said. The people obediently waited and here is what happened.Acts 2:1-4 (KJV) 1 And when the day of
Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven
as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 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. We may
have been believers for a very long time and, yet, there are times when Jesus may be saying to us "Wait until
the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with the power from Heaven." There are many situations in our lives
that will not be solved unless we have waited for and received the power from Heaven. Are we willing to wait on
Him even though the enemy is constantly urging us to take things into our own hands?
Jesus, who was God's delight and upon whom he Spirit of God rested, was not a boisterous and arrogant person.
He did not cry out in the streets. He didn't have to. God's Spirit was so strongly upon Him that He attracted
crowds wherever He went. People flocked to Him. They knew there was something different about him and they wanted
to see what it was. Isn't that the way it should be with us, who are believers in Christ? We should
not have to yell in the streets or media trying to get people to some to our churches and flock to our ministries.
All we need to do is be like Jesus. When God's Spirit is upon us, people will naturally be drawn to Him. who lives
n us. Isaiah 42:2 (KJV) 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the
street. Also, Jesus would be, and still is, very gentle. When we're bent and broken, just about
on our last legs, He will not bruise us more. When we see people down and out, what is our first reaction?
To crush them because they are a frustration to us? Or to help hold them up and work to heal them because that
is what Jesus wants to do for them through us. Isaiah 42:3 3 A bruised reed
shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. And,
finally, Isaiah 42;4 (KJV) 4 He shall not fail nor
be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Yes,
finally Jesus will be consistently and totally energized to finish His mission of letting the nations of the world know
His truth. All will be given the choice of receiving Him and His mercy and salvation or receiving judgment.
How are we dong in the world for Jesus toady? Are we waiting carefully for His Holy Spirit to grant us power form Heaven
before rushing out there and making a decision? Are we lifting up and helping those who are broken and bruised?
Are we spreading the truth of His Word so that all will have the opportunity to respond to it receiving salvation?
God delighted in Jesus and God's Spirit was upon Him because that's what Jesus did. Are we doing the
same because God's Spirit is in us also? We can have His Sprit if we will ask for Him, receive Him and
wait for Him to fill us with His power and love.

MORNING MANNA - MAY 23, 2010
NOBODY IS EQUAL TO THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD
Isaiah 40:13-14 (KJV) 13 Who hath directed
the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom
took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to
him the way of understanding?
Do you ever tend to "advise," the Lord when you are praying? I have to admit that I do.
I tend to think I know what I need and what others need instead of submitting my problems and the problems of others
to the wise counsel of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah asks us the question, "Who has taught the Spirit of the Lord."
Obviously, no one has taught Him. He promises to teach us if we will listen. John 14:26 (KJV) 26 But the Comforter, which is
the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you. As I live out my everyday life, I am more and more aware that
there is nobody equal to the Spirit of the Lord. I am more and more aware that I need to listen to His teaching and
follow His directions even when they seen illogical. They may even seem to be contrary to what my mind thinks needs
to be done. For instance, today, I had the opportunity to
share the Lord with several members of my family. The times and opportunities were inconvenient when I thought about
how I really wanted to write the, "Morning Manna." I didn't have a whole lot of time to myself to think about
what I thought the Lord would have me write. Instead, I had a lot of interruptions which I would normally consider
to be just that. Interruptions distracting me from the, "mission," that the Lord had given me.
To write. To convey His Word. This is very important. But, what the Lord is showing me, as I age,
is that it is so much more important to live what we know than to know a lot and just talk about it or write about it.
God is all about people. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He
loved everyone in the world so much that He gave His own Son to die for even those who would mock Him and refuse to
receive the gift of eternal life. God's Spirit knows everything and He doesn't need any advice from me.
He just needs me to be aware of His presence, receive His power, and operate in His love wherever He puts me,
no matter who He brings across my path. So, what
is our, "mission," in life? Of course, we all know it is to serve the Lord. Just how do
we serve Him? We love what He loves and spread that love to those who come into our pathway. The Holy Spirit knows
just when to bring the opportunities to speak words of love and words of affirmation to those who are broken and have lost
their way. He knows the word each one will need to help them get on the right path. The narrow path that leads
to the Lord. He sees the young children that somehow know He's there but have not had anyone to explain just how He
wants to be their Heavenly Father. He sees the older people who have seen His works in the past but are noticing
that He is constantly being left out of the busy lives of today's young families. He so carefully and lovingly places us
in these situations where we get to, and need to, give up our own, "mission," in favor of loving each
of these people just as Jesus loves them. To be His hands, His feet, His heart to a world who hardly knows Him any
more. It was my desire to put much more scripture in this morning's, "Morning Manna," but
the Spirit of the Lord, of Whom there is no equal, and Who needs nothing from me except my surrender, has given
me the opportunity to live out some of the scripture I have been writing about in days past. He has allowed me to speak
His Words of love and encouragement into lives from the newborn to the very elderly and sick, all in one
day! We must study God's Word. We must know God's Word and meditate on it. But, most of all, it must become
our lifestyle. Whatever it is that the Holy Spirit has taught us through His Word, He will also teach us to live out
in the practical world. I am so blessed today and I pray that you are too. Today, I gave up advising
the Holy Spirit (hoping I will remember this for the rest of my life). I just saw Him work and flowed with Him.
It was wonderful. Everything went with the scripture I have already learned and the Spirit blew from person to person
bringing love, encouragement, affirmation, tears, laughter - yes Life! After we have studied and meditated on
scripture, there are times when we just need to flow in all of it as the Spirit leads. This is one of those days
for me. A day of peace, contentment and confidence that God is working in and through my life and in and through the
lives of those He loves, and I love, to bring us all closer to Him. I cannot direct the Spirit of the Lord and
neither can you but, oh, it is glorious when we realize that His Spirit is directing us, giving us understanding and
counsel that will change hearts and lives, including our own! Nobody, not a one of us, is equal to the Spirit of the Lord,
yet He graciously allows His Spirit to flow through the likes of us! Who will you meet today that may require that
you stop what you were intending to do in order to give them a world of love, affirmation, encouragement, peace, hope,
or whatever the Holy Spirit puts within your spirit. Will you stop? It may be the word that changes a life
for the better, gives new hope and even release from suicidal thoughts. Who knows what the Holy Spirit has in mind?
We do know that it is good! And, we never know if this will be our last opportunity to share with others the
love of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit flow through each of us today like never before as we cease from advising
Him and flow with His direction.

MORNING MANNA - MAY 22, 2010
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD'S SPIRIT IS POURED OUT?
Isaiah 32:17 (NLT) 17 And
this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever. A very long time ago, the Words from the Lord,
"...in quietness and confidence will be your strength," were spoken over me. Again and again the Lord
has used people to speak those words over me and I receive them. I realize that, although challenges in life come,
when I am quiet before the Lord and confident in Him, I have peace. My circumstances do not always change but something
inside me changes and peace fills the atmosphere of my being and sometimes it even spills out into the atmosphere of
the building where I am! This is not because of me. It's because of the Spirit of the Lord which I have let
have control and He really does make everything all right. It may not look all right on the outside yet, but it is
all right because He says so. And God's Word never fails! When I first read these words about quietness
and confidence, I read them from, Isaiah 30:15 (KJV) 15 For thus saith the Lord GOD,
the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and
ye would not. As I read the words, I realized God's deep longing to give His people strength by allowing
them to be quiet within themselves and confident in Him. Then the next words broke my heart and made me search
my own heart. God said to the people that He wanted to bless so greatly, "...and ye would not." They
refused to let His peace and quietness engulf and indwell them and they refused to be confident in Him. So, they lost
their battles! I have always prayed since then, "Oh Lord, help me to return to you in quiet and confident
rest in every situation, knowing that you are the One in control and that You will supply the strength I
need to meet every battle in life." I don't want to be like the Israelites who refused such a marvelous gift from
God. And yet, there are times in my life, when a surprisingly difficult situation comes up, that my mind starts fretting
and I get maybe more than a bit testy because I have forgotten that my strength and my rest is in returning to the Lord
and receiving the quietness and confidence that will lead me victoriously through my battle and, even better, be a testimony
to those around me that God is, indeed, alive and well and His Spirit lives and works through those who will come to him
with every challenge and every decision in life. Today
I read again in Isaiah 32:17, about this same quietness and confidence. As I read the context, I read about the women of Israel
who had become complaisant. They were blessed greatly by the Lord but they took it for granted. They didn't show
Him the reverence they should. They sort of just expected that they would have fine things and great harvests that
the Lord had given them. But something was happening. There were people rising up who were causing error to
be preached to God's people. These people were oppressing the poor (not just the poor in material things, but also
those who were depressed and overwhelmed with life. While all of this was happening, the Lord was ushering in a Kingdom
of righteousness. Isaiah 32:1-4 (NIV) 1 See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule
with justice. 2 Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams
of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. 3 Then the eyes of those who see
will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. 4 The mind of the rash will know
and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear. Although I do not claim to be
a Bible scholar or teacher, I am seeing something here that perhaps relates to today. There is a battle going on between
good and evil. Jesus stands at the door of each heart, knocking to see if we will let Him come in and fill us
with quietness and confidence. Some in the world will answer the door and others won't. So, the battle will
continue to rage until Jesus finally returns to rule the earth. Hopefully, you and I have made the decision to open
the door and allow the Savior to bring us His quietness and His confidence which will, as a result, strengthen us to fight
this battle. During this time that Isaiah speaks of there
was great complacency. Isaiah 32:9 (NIV) 9 You women who are so complacent,
rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! Today, especially
in America, complacency seems to reign. Although the economy may be down, for the most part we are satisfied with
the full shelves in our grocery stores and the many clothes in our closets. We just sort of expect this to keep on
flowing and, yet, because some will not answer the knock from Jesus on their heart's door, nations will turn against Him
and judgment will come. It can come to any nation, including our own, if we leave God out. If we forget to bless
Him and thank Him for all that He is, all He has done for us and for His protection. In this passage, God is speaking
to the women of Israel, however, in my opinion the message goes out to men too. God is not looking for His followers
to be lukewarm and complacent. Oh my! Revelation 3:15-22 (KJV) 15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou
art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to
buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the
shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,
and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to
sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Let's not be
deluded and complacent as those women in Israel were and then find that we are under great judgment (reading all of Isaiah 32 shows what happens to them. No! It is time for us to be on fire for the Lord. It is
time for us to receive His Spirit in all of its fullness. When God pours out His Spirit upon us, the wilderness
becomes a fruitful land. Maybe some of us are experiencing wilderness times in our lives. The answer is
to allow God to pour His Spirit into us, to remain quiet in the shadow of His wings, confident that the battle belongs
to Him who is able to bring victory every time. The answer is to allow His Spirit to overcome us so much that
we become strong in our weakness because we are receiving His strength and not counting on our own. The answer is to
stop being lukewarm, complacent, spoiled children of the King. It's to walk in and be led of His Spirit, operating
in confidence and strength, quietness and peace! Isaiah 32:14-20 (NLT) 14 The palace and the city will
be deserted, and busy towns will be empty. Wild donkeys will frolic and flocks will graze in the empty forts and watchtowers
15 until at last the Spirit is poured out on us from heaven. Then the wilderness
will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops. 16 Justice
will rule in the wilderness and righteousness in the fertile field. 17 And
this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever. 18
My people will live in safety, quietly at home. They will be at rest. 19 Even
if the forest should be destroyed and the city torn down, 20 the LORD will greatly
bless his people. Wherever they plant seed, bountiful crops will spring up. Their cattle and donkeys will graze freely.
Friends, the Spirit is now poured out on us if we will receive Him and walk in Him. God says
we can have peace, quietness and confidence forever. We can be at rest. Judgment will go on round about us but
the scripture says that the Lord will greatly bless His people! That's what happens when the Spirit of God is poured
out! If you haven't opened your heart to receive it yet, now is the time. If you have gotten complacent and forgotten
Who has blessed you so greatly, repent and ask to be constantly filled with the Spirit of God that He so much wants
you to have! Today, may peace, quietness, contentment, and God's strength be yours by the power of His Holy Spirit
in you!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 21, 2010
NOT OF MY SPIRIT Isaiah 30:1 (KJV) 1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel,
but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Today, it is so important that we are led of the Holy
Spirit. It is important that He, alone, is our Counselor. If we trust in our own understanding, we can get into
big trouble and end up being rebellious. None of us want this to happen because we know that God says that rebellion
is the sin of witchcraft. 1 Samuel 15:23 (KJV) 23 For rebellion is as the sin
of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also
rejected thee from being king. We can see what happened to Saul when he was stubborn and rebellious
against God. Now in Isaiah 30:1, we see the Israelites doing the same thing. They think they know best. I've been in situations where
I thought I knew best too but that wasn't the case because I hadn't consulted the Holy Spirit. All I succeeded
in doing was making a mess. Thank God, that even when we make mistakes and get ourselves into a mess, God is able
to turn it into a message if we will come back to Him and take counsel from Him. How many times have we taken
counsel from the world instead of going to God with a problem? God
says that His children walked down into Egypt without asking Him. Isaiah 30:2 2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not
asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Doesn't
what we see with our eyes sometimes lure us away from the Holy Spirit? We tend to forget that we walk by faith and
not by sight. Those Egyptians looked pretty good to the Israelites. They seemed strong and secure.
So, instead of checking it out with God's Spirit, they went back there expecting to find security and protection.
What did they really find? Shame. Confusion. When we get distracted by the world and the things of
the world, they can look like the strength and security the Israelites thought they saw in Egypt. We can get pulled
back into those things so easily. There is a song that says something like this:, "God, You took me out of Egypt,
now take Egypt out of me." The glitzy and soulish things of this world can have a big pull on us, even as believers,
when we are not walking by faith and seeking the counsel of God's Spirit. If we venture back into the world expecting
to find happiness and peace, we will only find what the Israelites found in Egypt. Shame and confusion.
The Devil would love us to "go back to Egypt." To put
our confidence in the things of this world. He knows that his work would then be a whole lot easier. All we
would find is disgrace and shame. When we make our own plans, disregarding the Spirit of the Lord and His
plans for us, we will only be piling up our sins. (Isaiah 30:1) We can make that choice if we want to but God has such a much better offer for us! The world
will only offer us, "quick fixes," that will wear off quickly. God's Holy Spirit offers us permanent help
and security. Galatians 5:24-26 (NLT) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus
have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Do you think the Israelites may have been jealous of what they thought the Egyptians had because they saw
with their eyes instead of with their faith? Do you think that the Israelites lost sight of the Spirit of God even
though they had been blessed with so many miracles in the past? Were they tempted to go back to their very captors
in search of security and protection? All of those temptations can be so great for us in this world today, can't they?
Everything we see and read tells us we will be happy if we just have so and so. We will be secure if we just live in
this place or that. We will be, "covered," by all the things of this world. But, just sometimes, we
may forget to see if that fits in with the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Are we running back to something that
will only add sin and pain to our lives when we could be running to Someone who will bring peace, joy, and unfailing
love into our lives. Freedom from condemnation. Truth that will set us free? Galatians 5:16-23 (NLT) 16 So
I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives
us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other,
so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed
by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.19 When you follow
the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition,
dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like
these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
2 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There
is no law against these things! This is our answer. No going back to Egypt, looking for safety,
security, and stuff! No going back to the world to satisfy our needs only to find that we have fallen into shame
and confusion! No! Instead of going off on our own like the Israelites did, let us let the Holy Spirit guide
our lives. His counsel is always best!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 20, 2010
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD
Isaiah 11:2 (KJV) And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord; It is so exciting, during this season of Pentecost, to know that
God predicted that He would send His Son into the World and that His Spirit would be in His Son. Then, at Pentecost,
Jesus sent His Spirit so that we could all be filled! It seemed as if all was lost when Isaiah wrote Chapter 11.
Isaiah 11:1 (KJV) And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow
out of his roots: But God promised a rod would come out of the stem of Jesse. A Branch would
grow out of his roots! God was talking about Jesus. To us, as believers, Jesus is everything. And God proves
that when He says that His Spirit will rest on Him. Because
of the Spirit of the Lord in Jesus, he has a spirit of wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NLT) 30 God has united you with Christ Jesus.
For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us
from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast
only about the LORD.” As clever and wise as we think we may be, Jesus is wisdom.
He is our wisdom. We can boast of nothing wise that we do unless we give all the glory to Wisdom, Himself, without
whom we would be totally ignorant. He also has the Spirit of understanding Isaiah 11:3 (KJV) and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD... Not
only does Jesus have a quick understanding of the reverential fear of His Father, He also understands us like no one else
can understand us. When we go through times of temptation and trouble, He knows exactly how we feel
Hebrews 4:15-16 (KJV) 15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need. If this morning finds you feeling like nobody else could
possibly know how you feel, then look up. Jesus knows! He went through everything you and I could ever go through
but He, unlike us, did not sin. He is our perfect High Priest and we are invited to go boldly before His throne of
grace to get mercy and grace during our hard times. Jesus also
has the Spirit of counsel and of might. Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) 6 For a child is born to us, a
son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor. He was born for that purpose.
He is our Mighty God, even the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace! Do you need counsel on a very disturbing situation
this morning? Jesus will give it to you. But, He would like you to ask for what you need. Do you need
deliverance? He is your Mighty God. He, being the Prince of Peace, will bring peace and harmony back into you
life where once there was confusion and strife. Jesus has God's Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Just look what we have because Jesus has God's Spirit of knowledge! 2 Peter 1:2-4 KJV) 2 Grace
and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According
as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that
hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the
world through lust. Jesus knew all about the reverential fear of God. Hebrews 5:7-9 (AMP) 7 In the days of His flesh [Jesus]
offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted but needed] and supplications with strong crying
and tears to Him Who was [always] able to save Him [out] from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God
[His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father]. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered 9 And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and
Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him, Just because He was the Son
of God, His life was not a bed of roses. In fact, as the song says, "Like a rose, trampled on the ground,
You took the fall.........." Out of reverential fear of His Father, He took the fall so that we could
have the benefit of salvation! Because the Spirit of God is also in Jesus, He can look at us from the
inside out. And now, that same Spirit is in us if we have received it.d He's not interested in our fine
clothes, diamonds and designer shoes. He looks inside at the heart and its motives. It doesn't matter if we are
poor or rich, Jesus doesn't look at those things so much as he looks at our character and our relationship with Him.
Isaiah 11:4-5 (KJV) 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with
equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips
shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
We have something to rejoice about today and every day. Jesus, the root of Jesse, is our Counselor,
our Mighty God. He is our Wisdom and Understanding. He is our knowledge and He has shown us by example how
to live in the reverential fear of the Lord by obedience. He knows everything we are feeling because He has felt
it Himself and He cares. All of this is because of the Spirit of the Lord! If you have not done so before today,
won't you invite the Holy Spirit into your life? He will give you counsel, knowledge, power, comfort, the power to
obey God and so much more! As we approach the day the church celebrates Pentecost Sunday, let's get reacquainted with the
Holy Spirit. While it is true that the Holy Spirit does signs and wonders through us, the great miracle is that
He gives us the power to live for the Lord. To live a righteous and holy life. The wisdom to make proper choices.
The understanding to know His Word. He truly is the essence of God. Of Jesus. The very Spirit
that makes them who they are and will make us obedient, joyful, prosperous, wise, peaceful, and powerful children
of the living God!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 19, 2010
I CAN'T HIDE FROM YOUR SPIRIT
Psalms 139:7-16 (KJV) 7 Whither
shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
It can be quite overwhelming to look at Psalm 139:7 both in good ways and, to put it quite frankly, in scary ways. One thing is for sure. It will encourage
our reverential fear of God. Of course, if we are believers, we are filled with His Spirit so we can't really hide
from it, although some of us try to do it at times. Like when I go shopping and try to leave the Holy Spirit out on
a park bench so I won't feel convicted about buying things I might not need! I'm sure you can think of times when you
might have liked to try to hide from God's Spirit also. How about while watching an "R" rated movie?
Or, it could be a midnight refrigerator raid which includes eating a half a gallon of ice cream. No matter whether
we are believers, who have God's Spirit dwelling in us or whether we are unbelievers, the fact is (whether we believe
it or not), we cannot escape His Spirit. We, as believers, long for and enjoy the manifest presence of God in
our lives. But, even those fools (and I did not say that, God did) who say there is no God can't run far enough to
get away from His presence. He made the world and everything in it and He does not let anything escape His
watchful eye. Psalm 139:8 (KJV) 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou
art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Perhaps you, like me, have had some times
when we felt as though we were so close to the Lord that we were almost experiencing Heaven. Yes, He is
right there! And then, hopefully you are not like me in this area where there are things in our life that we
don't know why we did them but we virtually made the choice to make our bed in Hell. Well, let me tell you
from experience and from the Word of God. You can't even get away from Him when you do something like that! He
is there. He is not wanting to destroy you. He is longing to take you out of the pit. To be your deliverer.
Now, the Israelites found it to be true, as scripture says, that God will not strive with people forever. So,
if you happen to be in that pit of misery because of your own poor choice, repent and allow the Spirit of God to
deliver you. To lift you out. Don't wait to respond to His offer of forgiveness and be too stubborn.
Look what God says about not being able to get away from Him in the sense that, when His patience is spent, He will
set His eyes on those who insist on stubbornness for harm and not for good! Amos 9:2-4 (KJV) 2 Though they dig into hell, thence
shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: 3 And
though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my
sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them: 4 And
though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set
mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. Of course this is not what God wants for us. He
wants us to turn to Him because His desire is to give us a hope and a future and not to harm us. (Jeremiah 29:11) It is also His desire that all of us should come to repentance and that none of us should face destruction.
2 Peter 3:9-10 (KJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning
his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Still the choice
is left to us. The day is coming, and perhaps soon, when there will be no more opportunity to turn around and go God's
way instead of our own stubborn way. Psalm 139:9-10 (KJV) 9 If
I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even
there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. This morning I am taking the wings
of an airplane to go to visit my newborn grand daughter and great-grandson. How's that for blessing upon blessing!
I have never liked to fly. I had a great fear of flying because of seeing a plane crash when I was a very young
child. However, God says when I take those wings this morning, His right hand shall hold me. I have enjoyed
being on cruise ships also and found myself in the uttermost parts of the sea for days when I didn't see a speck of land.
This is an awesome experience because you know that you are nothing compared to that great expanse of water all around you
but God lead me there too. His Spirit has never left me, nor has it left you. Psalm 139:11-12 (KJV) 11
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both
alike to thee. I also had a great fear of the darkness from the time I can remember but, now I know God's
Word. Even in the darkest of night, God is the Light. I am never in darkness, especially now that I have received
the Light of the World as my Savior. In a very dark and dangerous time, He literally manifested Himself to me
as light and warmth, healing a sickness that the doctors could not diagnose. Now, I don't mean to be politically incorrect
but I cannot agree with abortion because God's Word tells me that His Spirit possessed me even when I was in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13 (KJV) 13 For thou hast possessed
my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. He possessed you too, even before anyone saw you.
No wonder we need to praise His Name! He has never left us alone. He has always been with us, even if and when
we refused to acknowledge that it was Him! We are not self-made people. We are wonderfully and miraculously made
by God. Psalm 139:14 (KJV) 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Try as we might
(but who in their right mind would want to), to get away from God's Spirit and from His presence, it is impossible for the
created to hide from the Creator! Nothing is hidden from Him. Psalm 139:15 (KJV) 15 My substance was not hid from thee,
when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Wow! The Spirit of
God was watching as we were made in secret within the womb. Our substance can be translated our power. It is
from God. Curiously wrought? That means fabricated, embroidered. It denotes a piece of needlework done
in various colors. Psalm 139:16 (KJV) 16 Thine eyes did see my substance,
yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there
was none of them. What does it mean when it says that God saw our substance, yet being unperfect.
It means that He saw us in the embryo stage! Everything about us was already written in His book! We were literally
squeezed into shape and molded into a vessel there in that warm place just as a potter forms a vessel for a certain purpose!
You have a purpose and I have a purpose within God's plan. It was there even when we were just in embryo form.
God's Spirit and God's presence have not lost sight of a single nano-second of our lives from the moment of conception even
to this very day and beyond! If we were to be playing a game of, "hide and seek," with God, we would surely
lose. We can't hide from His Spirit. On the other hand, because He has offered to gift us with the indwelling
of His Spirit, we will always win. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV) 57 But thanks be to God, which
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord, that we cannot hide from Your Spirit.
Jesus, you are our victory!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 18, 2010
DON'T TAKE YOUR SPIRIT FROM ME!
Psalms 51:11 (KJV) 11 Cast me not away
from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Even the best of us can yield to sin and go astray. The consequences of our waywardness may have
long-lasting effects but, thank God, we can be forgiven if we confess that sin! That's because our God is loving
and faithful and just! He made a promise to do that but we have to keep up our end of the deal. 1 John 1:9 (NLT) 9 But if we confess our sins to
him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. We tend to
find those, "if's," attached to all of God's promises! Not a whole lot of people like to preach on repentance
these days. Those kinds of sermons don't fill the churches to overflowing, in general. However, narrow is the
way into the Kingdom of Heaven. It doesn't matter how many people beat a path to the doors of our churches, if
the Word is not preached, not many will find their way to the Kingdom of Heaven! Most churches preach about all
of God's wonderful promises such as healing, prosperity, peace, joy, etc. And, those are all true!
But the promises of curses are also all true if we do not follow in His Word and His Way (His Way being Jesus).
Repentance sounds harsh but really it's a mercy because, without it, we are never forced to look at ourselves for what we
really are without the righteousness of Christ. Without it, we are not able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, no matter
how, "good," we may think we are. Like I said,
even the best of us can stoop to do some pretty sinful things. King David was not above falling, even though he
was a man after God's own heart. Acts 13:22 (NLT) 22 But God removed Saul and replaced
him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything
I want him to do.’ God took His Spirit from King Saul because of disobedience and He chose David
to be King of Israel. God said, "He will do everything I want him to do." Perhaps David did do everything
God wanted him to do but, obviously, he also did a few things that God didn't want him to do! Psalm 51 was written as a song of repentance after David had been found guilty of committing adultery with Bathsheba.
It would be good if you would take the time to read the whole thing, but for now, I'm just thinking about verses ten through
twelve. David knew he had sinned and when it was pointed out to him, he was quick to repent. He knew that his
heart had been blackened by his sin and he new that his own spirit had become complaisant. He also new that sin
would break the relationship of having the pleasure of God's presence with him. He knew that God had removed His Spirit
from Saul and so David, probably having learned through Saul's mistakes, asked God not to take His Spirit from
him. It would be a great testimony if we were able to live out our lives, never having sinned but, that, possibly, could
lead us to the sin of pride which is so subtle. We all have sinned, some in smaller ways and some in very big ways.
We all can pray what David prayed this morning. Psalm 51:1-2 (NLT) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, because
of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. Oh the joy of knowing that God will
wash us clean from our guilt and purify us! He will even blot out our sins! This is certainly a much better state
of life than living with sin from which we have not repented and carrying the burden every day. Besides that, the
sin that has not been washed away by Jesus can just continue to grow and fester inside of us bringing on all kinds of negative
things in our lives! David said the following: Psalm 51:10 (NLT) 10 Create in me a clean heart,
O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. We can have a clean heart when the Lord takes our sin away. We
can become new creatures. The Lord will take our hard heart and turn it into a sensitive heart. David longed
to have a right spirit within himself. He knew that his loyalties had strayed away from the God he loved. Maybe
some of us have been disloyal to our God too. If so, this is our opportunity as the Holy Spirit prompts us, to confess
that and receive a clean heart. David asked God not to take His Spirit from him and to restore the joy of the salvation
God had given him. We may have salvation but, if we slip and fall into sin, our joy will fade away quickly.
Good news! God news! He will restore the joy of the gift of salvation. Sin keeps us at a distance from
the Lord but repentance restores the closeness of His presence. There is no way we can, by ourselves, keep from making
mistakes, missing the mark, or in plain words, sinning. Lastly, this morning, I am awed by Psalm 51:12: 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit. David asks God to uphold him with His free spirit.
What does that mean? To me it is glorious. It describes God's Spirit as being generous, voluntarily upholding
us, magnanimous, willing to hold us up. It comes from a root word that means such things as, "offered willingly,"
and "presented spontaneously." The Spirit of the Lord is beyond description. What are people
(as the scripture says), that God should even be mindful of us? Yet, He generously, voluntarily, magnanimously,
willingly, and spontaneously presents His Spirit to us when we are willing to come to Him in repentance. Repentance
is not a harsh or ugly word! It is a merciful word. It is a word that, when acted on, causes God to
act willingly and spontaneously on our behalf to uphold us and restore the joy that sin has stolen from us.
Repentance anyone?

MORNING MANNA - MAY 17, 2010
MAKING A SOLEMN CONFESSION OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND OUR SINFULNESS Nehemiah 9:20 (KJV) 20 Thou
gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for
their thirst. If your mind
works like mine, you forget things sometimes. It is especially easy to forget (or deny) wrong things we have done. We
all tend to deal with sin in our lives differently. Some of us refuse to think we sin but that is not true at all
since we still walk around in an earthly body and in a dirty, sinful world. Thankfully God gives this promise.
1 John 1:8-10 (KJV) 8 If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If
we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. The Israelites, very
long ago, made a solemn confession of their sins and we, too, need to do that daily so that we don't let anything slip
by the offer of God's forgiveness. Some of us repress things. We stuff it back into the recesses of our minds
and deceive ourselves thinking that it is not important or even that it's not there any more. If we have not repented
of that thing, it is still there. Not only that, since it is still occupying a part of our mind, no matter how deep
we have, "stuffed," it, there is still the potential that it will raise its ugly head again and send us down a
path of sin. It can come back and take our focus off of the narrow road and get us onto a side road that leads
to destruction. The Israelites came together for a
fast and a time of repentance. Nehemiah 9:1-2 (KJV) 1
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes,
and earth upon them. 2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed
their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. God's people separated themselves from the world
(strangers). They stood and confessed their sins but that's not all they confessed. They confessed even the
iniquities of their fathers; their ancestors. How many times have you stood before God and confessed the sins of your
ancestors? Whether we like to believe it or not, traditions (some of which are innocently started), personality traits
(especially negative ones), addictions, etc. wind their way down through the generations and we suffer because of them if
there are things that have not been brought to God in repentance. Maybe our ancestors did these things in ignorance.
Maybe they were willfully disobedient. Whatever the case, it's time for us, through the Holy Spirit, to pray that these negative
things (curses) will be broken here and now in our generation! God is faithful and His arm is not too short to reach
back through the generations and cancel anything that has come into our lives through the lack of repentance in those who
have gone before us. Just in case you think that church is not right if it lasts more than one hour, consider
this: 3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their
God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God. Now,
that's a long service! But, well worth the wait because the weight of their sin was removed and, for this gift, you
can't worship God long enough! No wonder we need eternity to do it!
The Israelites took a long time to review all the things that God had done for them in the past.
If we're alive and reading this, God has, indeed, sustained us this far. We have not done it ourselves. It is
totally by His Spirit who gives us new mercies for each new day. Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV) 21 This
I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD'S
mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new
every morning: great is thy faithfulness. It is totally by His Spirit that we have made it this
far in life and seen the accomplishments He has allowed in our lives. Zechariah 4:6 (KJV) 6 Then he answered and spake unto
me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the
LORD of hosts. You see, the people of Israel had rebelled and had become hard-hearted complainers, not
satisfied with what they had, but instead focused on what they didn't have. Nehemiah 9:16-17 (AMP) 16 But they and our fathers acted
presumptuously and stiffened their necks, and did not heed Your commandments. 17 They
refused to obey, nor were they mindful of Your wonders and miracles which You did among them; but they stiffened their necks
and in their rebellion appointed a captain, that they might return to their bondage [in Egypt]. But You are a God ready to
pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great steadfast love; and You did not forsake them. However,
the bottom line was this: Nehemiah 9:19 (KJV) 19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies
forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither
the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go. God did not forsake
them in the wilderness. They were in the wilderness a very long time because of their complaining and grumbling.
But, even then, God did not forsake them! If you are in a wilderness season in life, give up the complaining.
Stop grumbling! God has chosen not to forsake you but you have the choice as to whether or not to forsake Him.
In the wilderness God led His naughty children with a pillar of cloud in the daytime and a pillar of fire by night.
He never stopped giving them direction! He's never going to stop giving us direction either. We have it through
the B.I.B.L.E. (basic instructions before leaving earth). We have it through His Holy Spirit who has promised to teach
us all things (if we will stop to listen). John 14:26 (AMP) 26 But the Comforter (Counselor,
Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place,
to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of,
bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. As we read about the time the Israelites were in the
wilderness, we see that God provided them with everything they needed. Nehemiah 9:15 (KJV) 15 And gavest them bread from heaven
for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should
go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them. What they needed was Jesus.
And, although He had not been born yet as the Son of Man, God gave them Jesus in the wilderness. He gave them the Bread
from Heaven and the Living Water, along with the assurance that the Promised land was theirs! All of those things
are still here for us today, even when we are walking through a wilderness season. The one thing that will start us
out of that season and into a season of refreshment and revival is repentance. I didn't say it. Jesus did!
Matthew 4:17 (AMP) 17 From that time Jesus began to
preach, crying out, Repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins),
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. If we go before God, baring our heart before His eyes, He will convict
us to the point of repentance. He will not condemn us. He will convict us, giving us the opportunity
to make the choice to repent. When we do, like the Israelites, we won't be able to stop worshipping Him! The
scales of sin that used to blind us to His greatness will be taken off and we will see Him for the loving, awesome, powerful,
compassionate, healing, protector, Father, Friend............. You can keep on with this list. It will take
eternity. He is Lord! He has given us His Spirit! Whether we worship Him in silence because we are speechless
at the thought of His greatness or whether we worship Him with a loud voice of excited celebration, we need to worship Him.
And one more thing. Worship is a sacrifice that is pleasing to God. The very first time the word, "worship,"
was used in the scripture was when Abraham used it in connection with offering his son, Isaac, back to God when God asked
him to do so! Repentance and worship will mean that we turn around and go God's way, surrendering everything in our
lives to Him. We can't make such sacrifices on our own but He still offers His Spirit to instruct us and give
us the power to repent and worship Him.

MORNING MANNA - MAY 16, 2010
OH, THAT ALL OF GOD'S PEOPLE WOULD BE FILLED WITH GOD'S SPIRIT AND PROPHESY!
Numbers 11:29 (AMP) 29 But
Moses said to him, Are you envious or jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that
the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!
Unfortunately, Moses, as patient and humble as he was, became overwhelmed with the grumbling of the people
of Israel. The Lord had provided Manna from Heaven for them to eat and it tasted like cakes baked in fresh oil. They
always had just the amount they needed for the day and, although they had to go early in the morning to gather it, they did
not have to gather on the Sabbath because enough was provided on the day before the Sabbath for two days. This Manna
was actually a representation of the true Manna from Heaven, which was Jesus,. Himself. One of the hard sayings
from the scriptures is the following verse. John 6:57-59 (KJV) 57 As the living Father hath sent
me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This
is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread
shall live for ever. 59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
In my opinion (for whatever it might be worth and, hopefully, I am led of the Spirit here), I think Jesus
was referring to Himself as being the Word. Every morning (and all day through), we have the Word available for
us to feast from. Like the children of Israel, perhaps we, too, get tired of the Manna and desire the tasty tid-bits
from the world. Anyway, Moses felt extremely burdened by
all these complainers and I would think that He felt a righteous anger because the people were so complaisant about
the gift of the Manna that God sent every day for their sustenance. Nothing like slapping God in the face when He gives
you a gift. Finally, Moses could handle it no longer. Numbers 11:10-15 (KJV) 10 Then Moses heard the people
weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also
was displeased. 11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy
servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me,
Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? Whence
should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour
in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. Have you ever been so overwhelmed with the demands
of those you have been given to care for that you finally said, "I can't bear this any more Lord! Just kill me!"?
We can get overburdened, especially if we try to balance career with family and if we are blessed with very large families
who have many needs. God is good. He heard Moses's plea and He made a way where there seemed to be no way,
as usual. Numbers 11:16-17 (KJV) 16 And
the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the
people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit
which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it
not thyself alone. God arranged for Moses to have seventy of the elders of Israel meet at the tabernacle
and stand with him. Then God would take His Spirit, which was upon Moses, and put it on these men so they could help
Moses bear the burden of the people. God was about to bring relief. That's the way He is with us too, isn't
it? He now has poured out His Spirit upon all who will receive Him and has become our Comforter; our burden-bearer.
Are you overburdened today with pressures and demands from family, employment, school, or church? God will bring relief
to you also if you will go to Him in prayer! So, the Lord made good on His promise to Moses. (God always makes
good on all His promises!) Numbers 11:25 (KJV) 25 And the LORD came down in a
cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to
pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. So far, very good,
right? There was just one hitch. Two of the men did not make it to the gathering at the tabernacle for some reason
but the spirit fell on them too and somebody heard it and felt the need to be a "tattle-tale."
Numbers 11:26-27 (KJV) 26 But there remained two of the
men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they
were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. Oh
dear, more strife! This young man ran to tell Moses that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp.
He told Moses; but Joshua just couldn't resist getting into the mix! Numbers 11:28 (KJV) 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the
servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. Poor Moses!
First he had to put up with all of the people overwhelming him with their complaints and now Joshua, who was a man of God,
felt the need to start telling Moses what to do! Moses seemed patient enough, although I admit that, if I
would have been Moses, I probably would have raised my voice a bit about this time! Numbers 11:29 (KJV) 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest
thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! I
have checked many different versions of the scripture and they all say basically the same thing for Numbers 11:29. Moses wanted all the people to be prophets and he wanted the Lord to put His Spirit on all of
them! Perhaps Joshua had a moment of jealously in his own heart. Who knows? We're all capable. After
all, Joshua was Moses chosen one to lead the people after his death. Maybe Joshua was not yet the servant-leader he
should have been. Maybe he had some more growing to do. However, Moses had God's desire within his heart.
He wanted all of the people to have God's Spirit. Today, that is possible. Moses's desire was granted (although
we are given the choice as to whether to receive the Spirit or not). As for those people who were complaining so badly
about the Manna, God answered their complaining too. He sent them so much quail that they got deathly sick.
What they insisted upon having, God gave them, showing them that it would have been much better to enjoy what God had given
them rather than complain about what they didn't have! First of all, are we satisfied and even enjoying the Manna from
Heaven, God's Word which is fresh for us every day? Secondly, are we complainers and grumblers, insisting on our own
way only to be left throwing up and losing the very thing we desired most? Thirdly, is it our desire that all
men should receive the Holy Spirit and prophesy or are we jealous if one seems to have more of the Spirit than we do?
I found many things in this one scripture. Things to be thankful for and things with which to check
my own heart. Be encouraged today, Enjoy the Word. Feed on the Manna from Heaven and share it with
everyone. Let the Spirit lead us and let us rejoice with all who are also walking in the Spirit! Would
that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 15, 2010
JOSHUA HAD THE SPIRIT OF GOD TOO
Numbers 27:18 (KJV) 18 And the
LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
We all have a specified time here on earth.
God was getting ready to take His servant, Moses, Home. Numbers 17:12 (KJV) 12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount
Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also
shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. God spoke to Moses about
his rebellion against God at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin when there was strife among the
congregation. Even among strife in our lives, God expects us to reverence Him before others. You can probably
think of times when there was strife in your family, your school, your workplace, and your church when you were just
so frustrated, you were tempted to sin. Moses was one of the most humble men that ever lived. Numbers 12:3 (AMP) Now the man Moses was very meek
(gentle, kind, and humble) or above all the men on the face of the earth. Yet, even Moses, mighty man
of God that he was, succumbed to sin when strife arose among those he was trying to help! Moses had the Spirit
of God on him but, obedient as he was almost every time, his flesh and anger got the best of him. When this happens
to us, the first thing we need to do is repent as quickly as possible and fall on our face before the Lord asking for His
forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 (AMP) If we [freely] admit that we have
sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss
our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose,
thought, and action]. Moses was, obviously, forgiven because he was one of the two that appeared
on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus. (Matthew 17:3) However, Moses did have to suffer the natural consequences of his sin. He was not able to enter the Promised
Land after leading that bunch of complaining and grumbling people for forty years! So, if there are people in our
lives who are stirring up strife, we need to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit, putting anger (even righteous
anger), bitterness and rage away from us and let the Spirit operate in all of His fullness. At the end of our lives,
God may deal with us about ways we have, "missed the mark." That's why it is so important to be sensitive
to the conviction of the Holy Spirit constantly and repent quickly so we don't carry along extra baggage that is going to
have to be dealt with sooner or later. Better sooner! Now that Moses was finished with his work on earth, God was ready to set up another leader for the Israelites.
He is never in favor of His sheep (another word for His children) to be without a shepherd. Now that He has sent His
Son, the Lamb of God, to be a perfect sacrifice for our sins, we have a perfect Shepherd. The Good Shepherd.
John 10:11 (KJV) 11 I am the good shepherd: the
good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Now, if you have not taken any time to rejoice yet today
(which is the day the Lord has made just for you), this is good reason to start singing and send your song winging
up to the Lord. He is our Shepherd. We don't have to want for anything! (Psalm 23) Moses had such a heart after God's own heart that, even though he knew he was about to die, his
mind was on the people that God had given him to lead. Is this not like Jesus? Even in death, Jesus thought of
others. He thought of His mother. He thought of the Apostle John. He forgave those who
murdered and mocked Him. He looked across time and eternity and thought of you and me! So, Moses spoke with the
Lord and, as it turned out, his thoughts were in accord with God's will! That's how it will be with us too when our
hearts and minds are fully committed to our Shepherd! Numbers 27:15-17 (KJV) 15 And Moses spake unto the LORD,
saying, 16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man
over the congregation, 17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before
them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have
no shepherd. Moses and God were in agreement that the one chosen to lead the people into the Promised Land
must have God's Spirit within him. Moses had a certain person in mind too. His name was Joshua.
Again, I'm so aware of the detail and depth of God's Word! Joshua
means, "Jehovah saved." It's another word for Jesus! Joshua is a type of Jesus. One chosen by
God to save His people. Joshua is just a little glimpse for us of the coming Jesus who would once and for all lead
His people out of slavery, through the wilderness, over the Jordan, and into the Promised Land of the Kingdom of Heaven!
Glory, glory! Jesus is our Savior. He is the One that Jehovah sent to save us! Joshua was the son of Nun.
How about these names God uses to show us He is so involved with the affairs of men! The name, Nun, has to do with
perpetuity. It has to do with something that is perpetual. Nothing is more perpetual than Jesus! And, Joshua
was a type of Jesus! Just as an aside here, I saw something I had never noticed before when reading Numbers 27:15-17 . Moses acknowledged God as the, "God of the spirits of all flesh." If
we look around today, it is interesting to note that many people do not consider that their spirits are under the dominion
of God! There is much arrogance and pride going on in our world today because men and women have not realized that
God is the God of the spirits of all flesh. If you have ever had a near-death experience, that fact will
become extremely clear to you! As the scripture lets us know, we are but the clay. God is the Potter.
Isaiah 64:8 (KJV) 8 But now, O LORD, thou art our
father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. And, if
we are believers, we are not our own. We are bought with a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (AMP) 20 You were bought with a price
[purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. None
of us would be living, breathing creatures if God had not breathed the breath of life into Adam. The word for breath
also means spirit. Genesis 2:7 (AMP) 7 Then the Lord God formed man
from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. Yesterday,
I saw that the Spirit of God was in Joseph. Today, I see that the Spirit of God was in Joshua too. They were
both types of Jesus. They were both chosen of God, not so they could be proud of their position and have others serve
them. No! They were leaders ruled by the Spirit of God. They served others. Even others that hated
them, ridiculed them, complained, about them, lied about them, tricked them, and even worse! If we are led by
the Holy Spirit today, God has chosen us to do something very special and it is not for our own aggrandizement or glory.
It is for Him and for His Kingdom. Since He is a lover of every person He created, the highest calling we
can receive is to serve others in the Name of the Lord. The Spirit was in Joseph and Joshua. Is the Holy
Spirit living and ruling in you too? If so, be prepared, God has a job for you to do that will bring Him
glory! And, in case you think going through some of the things that Joseph and Joshua went through is just too hard
for you, remember that Christ will give you the strength and then God will reward you! It will all be more than worth
it! We can't do anything for God without receiving much more in return. He's just that kind of, Daddy!
Lead on Holy Spirit in our lives (like you did in Joseph and Joshua) and use us to make a difference in this cold and
cruel world!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 14, 2010
WE ARE GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD
Exodus 31:3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all
kinds of crafts. A
very long time ago, God had a project in mind. He could have very well miraculously completed that project all by Himself.
Nothing is impossible for God. But, also, nothing is impossible with God. How gracious and amazing it is that
God will use us to work with Him on His projects here on earth! He was orchestrating the construction of the tabernacle
and all that went in it. So, He spoke to Moses and told Moses He had chosen Bezaleel and filled him with
the Spirit of God. Now, Bezaleel means, "in the shadow or protection of God." Bezaleel was from the
tribe of Judah. Judah has within its meaning, "praise and worship." Do you think it is any
accident that God chose someone in the shadow of and protected by Himself and from the tribe of praise and worship
to be one of the key players in the building of the tabernacle? Because of Jesus, you and I are in the shadow
and protection of God. Psalm 63:7-8 (NLT) 7 Because you are my helper, I
sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your strong right hand
holds me securely. Because of Jesus, we are told to rejoice always and then told to rejoice again!
Philippians 4:4 (NLT) 4 Always be full of joy in the
Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Today is the day that the Lord has made and we are in the shadow
of and protection of God. Today is the day to praise and worship letting the joy of the Lord flow from us!
Just like Bezaleel, we, too, have been chosen of the Lord for a special task. Gifted to do a certain thing in partnership
with the Lord to build His Kingdom! The King James Version says that God called Bezaleel by name. Can you hear
God calling you by name this morning to commission you to the tasks you were created to do for Him before the beginning
of the world? God not only called Bezaleel by name, He filled
him with His own Spirit and poured in, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and (as the King James Version says), all manner
of workmanship. In other words, deputy ship in ministry! God's Spirit caused Bezaleel to be able to devise all
kinds of cunning works, giving him the imagination to devise inventions, to work with purpose and thought. God is
no respecter of persons. He has called each one of us and gifted us by His Holy Spirit with the ability to be a "deputy,"
in the ministry of His Kingdom. Obviously, He has not called everyone to do the same thing because many
things are needed within the Kingdom. However, He will enable us to develop those gifts He has given us so that
we, like Bezaleel can work with purpose and thought, devising and imagining ways to have our work glorify God. Are
are feeling stuck in a rut and you don't know exactly what you're supposed to be doing? Ask God. He is faithful
to show us His will. Romans 12:2 (KJV)) 2 And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God. I wonder if Bezaleel knew that he could perform such feats as God was preparing him to
do? Through Christ, we can do things we never dreamed would be possible if He has called us to do them.
God called Oholiab to be Bezaleel's assistant. Oholiab means,
"tent of his father." And, who was his father? It was Ahisamach, meaning, "brother of support."
Names meant a lot in those days. It's so interesting that Oholiab was from the tent of his father, Ahisamach which
means, "brother of support." Oholiab was a brother of support to Bezaleel! God is very orderly and
often leaves us clues within scripture to help us put the whole picture together and understand His Word more fully.
Some of us were created to be top leaders and others to be assistants, both of which positions are crucial to building
the Kingdom of God. Then there were others under them who were also gifted with certain special skills.
Exodus 31:6 (NLT) 6 “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach,
of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make
all the things I have commanded you to make: God has gifted each of us believers in Christ with special
skills with which to use to help build His Kingdom and glorify Him in the process! What has He given you to do?
It is not good to compare ourselves with others because that will only cause confusion and strife. What we need to
do is to learn to be comfortable in our own skin and be led of the Spirit of the Lord which He has placed within us.
He will do the rest as we follow His directions. Whether we are top leaders, assistants, or skilled workers, we
are all loved by and important to God and He has chosen us carefully to perform His will in the thing He has given
us to do. So, whatever it is we have been called to do, let's determine not to look at what others are doing but
to do what we are given to do with all our might, "as unto the Lord." Colossians 3:23-24 (KJV) 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall
receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. As God has gifted us through
His Holy Spirit to do specific things, we also should pass those things on down to others. That's what happened in
the case of Bezaleel and Oholiab; they were also to teach others. So are we. God expects us to, "pass
the torch," so to speak so that others can continue in the giftings from the Holy Spirit and help build the Kingdom whose
foundation and builder is ultimately God but aren't you glad He has chosen you and me, filled us with His Spirit and
gifted us with exactly what we need to work in unity with Him? Abraham, the father of our faith, could only
look for what we have today. Hebrews 11:10 (KJV) 10 For he looked for a city which
hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. We get a glimpse of how God works through Bezaleel and
Oholiab. But, right now, today, let's ask the Lord to show us exactly what He has gifted
us to do and get to work doing it! I think I remember that Jesus said to work, for the night is coming.
Then we will no longer have the opportunity to use the Holy Spirit giftedness to help a lost and dying world enter into
the "tabernacle," of the Lord. Into the Kingdom of Heaven. John 9:4 (KJV) 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh,
when no man can work. Is it not time for us to follow the example of our Lord who has so graciously
put His own Spirit into us, empowering us to do the same works He did? Works even greater than Bezaleel and Oholiab?

MORNING MANNA - MAY 13, 2010
THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN US WILL BE NOTICED!
Genesis 41:38 (KJV) 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as
this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
Pharaoh saw something good in Joseph! Joseph had lived through some very hard times in his life.
In fact, he barely lived when his brothers got so jealous of that good thing in him that they tried to kill him by throwing
him into a pit to die. Because Joseph had favor with God and God had a plan for his life, one of his brothers,
Reuben, made sure he was pulled from the pit. But, still, they sold him to some Midianite merchants who were traveling
through the land. Here is a story we can all desire to have in our lives and we can have it. We can
go from the pit to the palace, not by our own strivings, but because our God has offered us His Spirit and, if we have received
this offer, people are going to take notice! Things are going to happen in our lives, not by our own might or power,
but by God's Spirit! That's what the Lord says! Here
was Joseph, young, away from his earthly father whom he loved deeply, betrayed by his brothers. Most of them actually
wanted to kill him! All because they saw that he had favor. The Spirit of the Lord was with him. Perhaps
the Lord had nudged his brothers with His Spirit also but, just maybe, they didn't listen. Or, worse yet, they were
not interested. We don't know; but we do know they exhibited traits that were not of God's Spirit. James 4:1-6 (KJV) 1 From whence
come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye
lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye
adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be
a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit
that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Isn't it true that Joseph's brothers wanted what Joseph had
and ended up trying to kill him when all they had to do was humble themselves before God and receive the unique calling
and gifts God would give them through His Spirit? All they had to do was ask!
Well, some of us can relate to the things Joseph had to endure even though the Spirit of God was
with him. He ended up going from a pit, to Potiphar's house, to a prison before he finally ended up in the palace!
Along his journey things did not change. He went through trial after trial including temptation, scandal, false accusation,
being taken advantage of, and being forgotten. Not to speak of his grief from not knowing if his father was still
alive and well. I'm sure that most of us can relate to going through some of those things (and maybe many of those
things) in our own lives. However, because Joseph had the Spirit of God in him, he never gave up. We must not
give up either! He operated with integrity and kindness. Even though this is a story from the Old Testament,
Joseph demonstrated the characteristics of God's Holy Spirit. Going through all of those challenges could have left
Joseph a bitter man who only thought about all the times he was, "done wrong." However, he maintained his
Godly character and waited a very long time in extremely hard circumstances. Finally, one day, when
times were very hard in Egypt, Pharaoh looked for a man to help bring relief and deliverance to the people. Guess
what? All of Joseph's Godly living paid off! Pharaoh looked at his servants and asked if it was not true that
they could find no other man such as Joseph! Why? Because the Spirit of God was in him! Everyone in
Joseph's life had noticed this but most of them were so jealous that they persecuted him instead of following his example.
It could be that it's been that way for some of us too. But, this one day was like no other day. This day, Pharaoh,
the ruler of the whole land, noticed Joseph and exalted him to the second highest position in the land. Genesis 41:39-43 (KJV) 39 And
Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be
ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said
unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. Again, God has never said that we would
go through life with no trials, only that His Spirit would be with us. Joseph didn't give up through all the trials
he had to endure (and there were many that I did not have time to mention). He lived the life that God's Spirit moved
him to live. That's what we have to do too. When we do, people will take notice. Some will persecute
us and mock us but, in God's perfect timing, we will see what God has been planning for us all along. It will be good!
It will be very good. So, let us not be weary in well doing. In season, just like Joseph, we will reap
if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9) By the way, Joseph was able to save the lives of the family that he still loved, even though they had rejected
him, because He lived a life under the leading of the Spirit. It may be hard for us now and our families may not recognize
that God is working through us to do something wonderful for them but, even when it looks like no one else seems notice,
if we have invited the Spirit to live within us, God notices! His desire is to save our families and we, like Joseph,
can be used to bring that about. There is a palace waiting for those who are willing to stick with the Lord even through the
pit, the "temptation in Potiphar's house," and the prison! God is good and His Spirit gives us the
power to meet the potential that He has placed in us! His Spirit in us cannot be ignored. It will be
noticed and He will get the glory!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 12, 2010
IS GOD'S SPIRIT HAVING TO STRIVE WITH YOUR SPIRIT?
Genesis 6:3 (KJV) 3 And
the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and
twenty years. When God wrote
these words in Genesis 6:3, it was because there was great wickedness going on in the world. I would suppose that God is seeing
that same thing happen in our day, wouldn't you? We have been given the opportunity to turn to God numerous times.
In fact, all through scripture, God begs and pleads with men and women to acknowledge that He is God. He allows
circumstances to come into the lives of people and then says, "you will know that I am God." The
following is just one example of His great desire that we know that He alone is God. Exodus 6:7-8 (NLT) 7 I will claim you as my own people,
and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. 8 I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it
to you as your very own possession. I am the LORD!’” His
desire is that we follow, obey, love and serve Him because His plans are best. After all, no one knows how to work
with the created better than the Creator! In so many ways and with so many loving and caring Words, God calls us to
Himself. He breath's; His life-giving Words over us to help us come close to Him. Yet He does not force
us. He wants it to be our decision. Hopefully, if you are reading this, it has been your decision to accept
His invitation to come to Him and find real life through His Spirit. In the day
that God spoke the words of Genesis 6:3 ,and I daresay in our day, there were people who would not recognize or acknowledge God. They
either turned away from hearing His Spirit call to them or they were just too busy with their evil-doing to even hear it
at all. At that point, God said that His Spirit would not always strive with man. In other words, His Spirit
would not always plead with man. One version of the scripture says that God's Spirit will not "put up with
men for a long time." Another version says that God's Spirit will "not forever dwell with man." Still
another says, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever." The Living Bible says, "My Spirit will
not forever be disgraced in man, wholly evil is he." The writer of The Message puts it this way: "Then
GOD said, "I'm not going to breathe life into men and women endlessly." These are all pretty accurate in
that God cannot look upon evil and, though He is patient and desires men to turn from evil, He has a specified time, that
only He knows, when He will quit breathing His Words of live into and over us. Our time to make a choice to follow
Him is limited but we don't know how limited it is. The Strong's Dictionary lists the word, "strive," as
being translated in the following ways: judge, plead the cause, contend, execute, plead, strife, and strive.
Can you imagine God's sadness and grief when His Spirit constantly breathes love and invitation to people, only to be turned
away time and again? Some people hear His Spirit pleading but they decide to, "wait a while," before answering
the call. There are some earthly things they want to experience before surrendering. Very dangerous! We
do not know when the time for each of us will come to an end and God will stop striving, pleading, inviting, and breathing
His Spirit over and into us! There can be a very happy and
glorious ending to this story regarding the words in Genesis 6:3 though. Although we are only flesh, created from the dust of the earth, we are still made in God's
image. His desire for us to end our striving with Him was so great that He sent His Son in the form of a man to live
a sinless life, be crucified with the weight of all of our sin on Himself, raise Himself from the dead by the very Spirit
of God, ascend back to Heaven and then send that Spirit back to us so that we could be filled. We can now
be filled with the very Spirit that has been pleading for us to come to Him! Galatians 5:16 (KJV) 16 This
I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Isn't it wonderful of
our God to fill us with His Spirit and allow us to walk in it so we won't do those evil deeds that displease Him so much
that He finally decides to stop pleading with us? He didn't say it would be easy though. Galatians 5:17-18 (KJV) 17 For the flesh lusteth against the
Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that
ye would. However, we do know that He said we could do all things through Christ, who would give us
the strength! We are promised that if we allow God's breath or His Spirit to lead us, we will not be under the law.
Galatians 5:18 (KJV) 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye
are not under the law. We won't need the law because the Spirit of God is perfect and we will be walking in
it, doing what is good! How exciting is that? The very things that made God say that His Spirit would not always
strive with people are listed for us and we know that, if we have received His Spirit and are walking in it, we have no
desire to do those things any more! Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) 19 Now the works of the flesh are
manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that
they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Praise the Lord that, if we have received
Jesus and been filled with His Spirit, we will not do those things mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21. Instead of being left out of the Kingdom of God, we will walk it out on earth and walk right into it when our work
on earth is done! If God is still striving with you and me in any area of our lives, let's just throw up our hands
and give up! Let's make that decision to walk in His Spirit and be led by Him! So many in our world
have chosen the ways listed in Galatians 5:19-21 but we can walk in the Spirit of God and be an example, perhaps snatching some from the kingdom of darkness and ushering them
into the Kingdom of God. Perhaps God would like to use you and me to plead with those people to
hear His Spirit and walk in it. Are we up to the task? He is breathing over us now calling us away from the
evil world into a Kingdom of peace, joy, and abundant and eternal life. Who, by our example, will be coming along
with us? May it be that God's Spirit will no longer have to strive without spirit because we have willing surrendered
to Him!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 11, 2010
THE SPIRIT IN THE BEGINNING
Genesis 1:2 (KJV) 2 And the earth was
without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Perhaps because we are moving toward the day of
Pentecost, I have been really thinking about the Holy Spirit. It is interesting to me that the Spirit of God moved
upon the face of the waters when the earth was without form and void. Interesting because, before Christ comes
into our lives, we are pretty much like the earth was when it was in darkness. The earth, at that time, according
to the Hebrew word translated, "without form," was lying in waste. It was a worthless thing. Confusion reigned.
It was an empty place. Maybe you remember your life being like that before Jesus sent His Spirit into your heart.
It's also possible that we know people who have lives that are empty and wasted. Many times, we don't even know we're
in that condition. We might feel empty but we have no idea about how to fill that void so we turn to the things of
this world, continually searching for and trying things that only bring more confusion and desolation into our lives.
When the Bible speaks of the earth being void, it is indicating that it was an undistinguishable ruin. How
often do we see people whose lives are an undistinguishable ruin? For those of us who have the Spirit within us, it
is so important that we hold these people up in prayer, asking God to open their eyes to His Spirit fluttering
over them and open their ears to His Spirit calling to them. Right in the beginning, there was darkness on the face of the earth. The earth was just an abyss of surging
water. It's interesting, isn't it that our bodies are made up of mostly water? Without the Holy Spirit,
like the earth was at the beginning, we are just filled with misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow and wickedness.
We are children of darkness without the Holy Spirit But, with Him, we become children of light, children of the day.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 (KJV) 5 Ye are all the children of light,
and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Some people, unfortunately,
love the darkness. They are like a victim of a kidnapping who have become bonded to their captor and would rather
stay in that condition because it has become normal to them. They are deceived. John 3:19 (KJV) 19 And this is the condemnation,
that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. How
sad that we get so used to the darkness and confusion that we can't see or embrace the light! As we stay in the
darkness, we take on the deeds of darkness. But, God didn't leave His world in confusion and darkness. All
the while, His Spirit was moving on the face of the waters. God was brooding over His creation, but apparently
not the way we might brood as human beings. His Spirit was relaxed and fluttering over the earth. He was moving
it, shaking it, bringing order to it. That's what His Spirit is doing today over you and me and even over those who
seem disinterested in coming out of the darkness into the light. He is not anxious over us because He knows that He
has the power to bring order out of chaos. Not only does He have the power, but He has the desire. Added to that
desire is His patience and love for us. If you are not a believer and you do not have the Holy Spirit within you,
you may just be feeling a bit of divine shaking right about now. God loves us all too much to leave us in darkness
and confusion. If you are a believer and there is something in your life that is out of order, you can know that the
Spirit of God is fluttering over you wanting to bring peace to your troubled spirit if you will listen to Him and obey.
No matter what you may be going through today, the Spirit of the Lord
is that Spirit that broods over all that concerns you. He flutters over you waiting for you to feel that gentle
breeze. He may even shake up some things in your life in order to create something of beauty and order. If we
are sensitive to His Spirit moving in and around us, we will be able to feel that peace that He has given us rise up
within us and be content as He moves things around within us and around us to bring order. Right from our
beginning, God's Spirit has been moving over us drawing us to Himself. Although our lives may be filled with confusion
at times and we may experience darkness, especially if we have not surrendered our lives to the Spirit that has been
drawing us to come to Him, the fact is that we cannot bring order to our lives in and of our own ability
or effort. I found the following illustration that pretty much says it like it is. The Spirit
of the Lord is the only one who can complete such a task in us and we will do well to remember that! You Can't Do It! An old man once said, that it took him forty years to
learn three simple things. The first was that he could not do anything to save himself; the second was that God did not
expect him to; and the third was, that Christ had done it all, and all he had to do was to accept the accomplished fact.
When it comes to Holy-Spirit filled living and the grace of God, always keep this little saying in your hearts and minds:
You
can't. God never said you could. He can; He always said he would! Bible
Illustrations - Bible Illustrations – Practical Bible Illustrations From Yesterday and Today.

MORNING MANNA - MAY 10, 2010
SOME OF MY FAVORITE, "BREATHS," FROM GOD - PART TWENTY-FOUR
Unlike the all the rest of the, "Morning Manna," devotionals,
this one does not contain a specific verse. This one will be different and I hope you will be blessed by it.
Yesterday, I heard a recitation that reminded me of something I wrote in one of the earlier, "Morning Manna's."
I said that this series would be very long if I were to write on all of my favorite, "breath's," from God because
every word in the Scripture is, "God-breathed," and each and every one contains life from the Life-Giver.
I am going to share what I heard yesterday morning and hope you will be as encouraged and lifted up as I was when
I remembered just a tiny bit of what God is to me, and for me, in each book of the Bible. It just made me want
to read the whole thing through and through; finding God in every verse! I hope it has that effect on you too.
And, I dare say that, even these few things that show us some of the characteristics of the great God we serve will brighten your
day, let you know that you are loved, lift you above your circumstances and remind you of the many ways in which
God lovingly works in your life! The words were written by Jeoffrey Benwrd and Jeff Silvey. The first thing
I noticed is that in the Book of Genesis, God is described as, "the breath of life." In Genesis, He's the breath of life In Exodus, the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our High Priest Numbers, the
fire by night Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice In Joshua, He is
salvation's choice Judges,
law giver In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer First and second Samuel, our trusted prophet In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign Ezra,
true and faithful scribe Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage In Job, the timeless redeemer In Psalms, He is our morning song In Proverbs, wisdom's cry Ecclesiastes,
the time and season In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream He is, He is, HE IS! In
Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace Jeremiah, the weeping prophet In Lamentations, the cry for Israel Ezekiel,
He's the call from sin In Daniel, the stranger in the fire In Hosea, He is forever faithful In Joel, He's the Spirits power In Amos, the arms that carry us In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior In Jonah, He's the great missionary In Micah, the promise of peace In Nahum, He is our strength
and our shield In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage In Zechariah, our fountain In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
He is, He is, HE IS!
In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah In the
book of Acts, He is fire from heaven In Romans, He's the grace of God In Corinthians, the power of
love In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin Ephesians, our glorious treasure Philippians,
the servants heart In Colossians, He's the Godhead Trinity Thessalonians, our coming King In Timothy,
Titus, Philemon He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant In James,
the one who heals the sick In First and Second Peter, he is our Shepherd In John and in Jude, He is the
lover coming for His bride In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
While I only heard the above part yesterday, I looked up the whole song and it ends like this: He
is, He is, HE IS! The prince of peace. The Son of man. The Lamb of God. The great I AM. He's
the alpha and omega. Our God and our Savior. He is Jesus Christ the Lord. And when time is no more He is,
HE IS! Normally, I would not use just the words from a song for the Morning Manna, but God
is also a God who sees the future and helps us be prepared for the unexpected. I am now recovering from what I hope
is either food poisoning or just a really bad case of the flu. I was so weak that I felt I could not sit up and write
the Morning Manna. However, God had prepared me ahead of time to be able to share something that I pray will help you
ponder throughout the day, come what may, that you are covered by an awesome God who is everything you need. You can
find a breath of life anywhere you look in any of the above books of the Scripture because Jesus is The Word! Of
course, God is ever so much more than what is described in the lyrics of this song, but this is a good start. Actually
God is, the, "I AM," of whatever it is that you need in your life today!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 9, 2010
SOME OF MY FAVORITE, "BREATH'S," FROM GOD - PART TWENTY-THREE
Matthew 18:20 (KJV) 20 For where two or
three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. This verse is a very special breath from God for me.
It means that it's good to have company. Jesus likes a good, "get-together," with His children.
He likes it when the get-together is about Him! He deserves to be the center of attraction and, in fact, He probably
won't stay unless He is the center of attraction! Although Jesus said these words in a specific application
concerning church discipline, I believe it is one of the principles that you and I can count on in every situation in
our lives! Jesus said these words in Matthew 18:20 at the end of a discourse where He was explaining what we are supposed to do if another believer
sins against us. And, no, the first thing we should do is not to run and tell everybody about it (even if it is masked
in the form of a, "prayer request.") The first step is to go to the one who has offended us by doing
something which is against the Lord's Word that has affected us, personally. Matthew 18:15 (KJV) 15 Moreover if thy brother shall
trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. As much as we might like it if we could call fire down from Heaven on this offender,
God's purpose is not punishment, but healing and reconciliation. After all, if we are soldiers of God and
we wound and kill each other, we're not going to be much of an army! Some of us are more stubborn than others
and more prideful so Jesus has given us the second step in this process. We're supposed to take some witnesses.
Matthew 18:16 (KJV) 16 But if he will not hear thee,
then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. I
dare say, these two steps are not really followed in many instances within our churches. At least I have not seen
it happen and I have been in a variety of denominations and non-denominations. Well, some people tend to be pretty
tough nuts to crack. This third instruction from Jesus is the next step. Matthew 18:17 (KJV) 17 And
if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as
an heathen man and a publican. All of these steps are Jesus offering the way and the opportunity to
bring about reconciliation. But, there may be a few offenders who will not hear anyone, including the church.
In that case, Jesus says, "let him be like a heathen or a publican to you." A heathen is a Gentile
and a publican is a tax collector. Both of these types of people were not liked by the Jews (to put it mildly).
However, that puts them right back out there in the field of sinners who need a Savior. So. maybe we should not
be too quick to write them off before trying to bring them to the full knowledge of Jesus and His power to change even
the hardest heart. Then Jesus begins to speak about things that we bind on earth and how they will be bound in heaven
and things that we loose on earth being loosed in heaven. The terms binding and loosing, here, have to do with
things like loosing someone from sin by reminding that person of the scriptures indicating the need to turn from sin and
be saved. Also things like binding a demon from someone who has been indwelt. But, here again, this verse is
a principle of God and could be used in many applications in life. I have gone in a room in my home, where I
knew that someone had invited demonic activity and bound it in the Name of Jesus. However, as we see here,
Jesus is probably talking about two people (or more) being in agreement on the binding because He proceeds to talk
about agreement. Matthew 18:19 (KJV) 19 Again I say unto you, That if
two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is
in heaven. Don't you think that Jesus is really trying to get us to understand a principle here.
He says, "Again I'm telling you...." Usually, when He repeats something, He is wanting to let us know
that it's important that we hear what He is saying. He certainly enjoys it when His children get together and focus
on His power to change things! He's so straightforward about what will happen. If even two of us will
agree and ask anything here on earth, our Father is going to answer! It's my humble theory that we don't see more of
that happening (and powerful stuff) for two reasons. One is that, even two of us, have trouble totally agreeing
on anything! Two, is that our faith is too small. Maybe that's from lack of exercise on our part. I sure
don't want "flabby faith," do you? There are any number of things that we, as believers, could agree
on, pair up, and have faith to believe, inviting Jesus to be the center of our point of agreement. This world
is in trouble at the moment but it only takes pairs of believers, in unity, using every bit of the measure of faith God
has given them, to bring about radical changes!
Finally, at the end of this discourse, Jesus says these words.
Soothing words. Strengthening words. Encouraging Words. Sobering words. Compassionate Words.
Words of assurance! Matthew 18:20 (NLT) 20
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Another
translation says, "in the midst." Just for the moment, let's forget the idea that
we're going to as the Lord for something. Let's concentrate on the fact that, when just two or three of us
who follow Jesus get together, He promises to be in the midst of us. His presence is with us! What could be more
magnificent? What could be more humbling? What could be more life-giving than to have the Giver of life right
in the midst of us! There's something to be said for all the mega-churches that are springing up. God will use
anything to get His Word to everyone. However, there's a lot more to be said when we find that right there in the
middle of two or three of us, Jesus has taken time to sit down and have a conversation with us! That means that, if
you are married to a believer, you qualify to have Jesus in the midst of your conversations and your times of petition!
It could be you, your spouse, and your child. There are many combinations but the key is that each one has to be a
believer and be in agreement within the group. I really like going to church and singing praises with a giant roomful
of people. I love watching the variety of people when they step forth to take communion. I feel very close to
Heaven knowing that each of these varied races, genders, and ages are symbolically stepping right up to the feet of Jesus.
However, I also love to know His presence in the midst of just two or three people whose focus is totally on Him with no
inhibitions or agendas of their own. Only to enjoy the presence of His company. Of course, He never comes to
a conversation without bringing presents. The answers to our prayers, the guidance we need, His comfort, His encouragement,
and of course, His love. All of those presents are just right for us and in accord with His will; but His presence
far outweighs any other gift He might give us. The gift of His presence is the greatest present you or I will ever
receive! Is He perhaps breathing over us this morning that He would love to be invited into the center of groups of
two or three of us who are seeking Him with all of our heart and desiring to bring petitions that only He can grant, according
to His will? If we do this, the very first thing that will be changed is our own heart. You can't be in His presence
without coming away a changed person. The next thing that will happen is that people and circumstances around us will
begin to change because we have been in agreement with our prayers in a personal audience with Jesus! Is anything holding
us back? If it is, it is not from God. It's the Devil who does not want us to do this because He knows God's
promises to us concerning the agreement of two or three here on earth and He surely doesn't want us to see those promises
manifest themselves in our lives! He's out to try to steal them from us! So, I encourage and challenge
myself, as well as you, to pair up and even add a third. Get together with the Lord in one accord. Enjoy His presence,
being so close to Him that you can hear Him breath! Then, obey anything He says and look for big changes in yourself
and in this world! Can we do it? Yes, we can, through Christ who strengthens us!

MORNING MANNA - MAY 8, 2010
SOME OF MY FAVORITE, "BREATH'S, FROM GOD - PART TWENTY-TWO Psalms 118:24 (NLT) 24 This is the day
the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Well, are
you all ready to do a little dance this morning? This is a very special day! I know it's maybe not your
birthday or your anniversary and it's not a national holiday. It's today. It's a gift to us! The Lord
didn't have to open our eyes this morning and wake us up. But He did. He woke us up to a day that
we have never seen before! Yes, a very special day. His mercies are new today. For those of us who might
feel a twinge of guilt because we didn't do as well as we wanted to yesterday or the day before, this day provides brand
new mercies. Lamentations 3:22-23 (AMP) 22 It is because of the Lord’s
mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. 23
They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. We
serve a God that offers second, third, and sometimes many more chances to get things right between us and Him.
Every morning His mercies are brand new. We get to start off with a fresh slate. For me that is something to
rejoice about because, you see, I tend to use up almost all of the mercies God gives me each day! Each day is
a day to remember to, as a good friend used to always say to us, "Have an Ephesians 3:20 day. In case you're not familiar with Ephesians 3:20, here it is. Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) 20 Now
unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in
us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,
world without end. Amen. This is a new day to remind ourselves that God is able to do so much more
than we can ask or even think about because of His power that works in us. He does wonders among us too and the
result is that we rejoice and give Him glory! As soon as we wake up in the morning, we should listen for God, as He breathes over us, "I made this new day
is just for you. It is a canvas on which you can paint me your best picture of your attitude, your actions,
and your love." What are we supposed to do with all of the new days God gives us? Rejoice and be
glad in them, of course! Now, it's quite possible that you and I have had some problems in the past that distracted
us from making it our purpose to rejoice in each new day as we open our eyes in the morning. Hardship, abuse,
grief, financial stress, illness, marital troubles, children gone astray or even lost, and a number of things can take our
mind off of the fact that every day is a new day in which we have the opportunity to do the very best thing; the thing that
will bring glory to our Savior. Rejoice and be glad. Even if we have cast all of our cares on the Lord the
day before, knowing that He loves us and will take care of them, we may have to live in them until, in His perfect timing,
He removes them. For instance, we might have to go through an illness with a souse, child or parent that seems to drag on
and on. We may have actually recently gone through the Homegoing of a loved one. Financial times may take longer
to straighten out than we want them to. It might seem like forever before that wayward child turns to the Lord.
But, this is the day that the Lord has made, complete with new mercies and the promise that, if
we are following Him, He's going to do a new thing in our lives. Jeremiah 29:11-14 (KJV) 11 For I know the thoughts that
I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14
And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from
all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the
place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
Some of those situations
that seem to drag on from day to day may be a result of our own poor choices. A result of not walking in complete
and immediate obedience to the Lord. The Lord doesn't punish us as much as He just lets us make our own choices and,
if they are not based on His Word and they do not follow His dictates, we will not do very well. In fact we will end
up making a mess! Someone who was very close to me used to say that God would answer our prayers by saying, "yes,"
"no," or, "if you insist." We never want to be found in that, "if you insist," category.
I've been there and done that. The results were very much less than favorable and my joy and peace seemed to disappear!
God wil
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