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A SONG AND A PRAYER |
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MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 1-15, 2006
Enter subhead content here MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 1, 2006 - LOVE, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Love, knowledge and understanding. That's quite a mouthful. Yet, that
is what Paul spoke of and he did it all in Philippians 1:9. His prayer was that the Philippians (and we too) would be filled with love. He prays
that our love would be exceedingly filled with knowledge and judgment. Love
- boy is that an overly used word today. We say we love everything from shoes, to ice cream to Jesus! The Greeks
had a better idea. They had different words for, "love". In this case, Paul is wanting us to be filled
with the love of God. Not a sentimental, blind love but an unconditional love for God and for one another. Knowledge in this verse has to do with recognition of something or to be fully aquainted
with it. It also involves our perception. Judgment here has to do with discernment and perception. How is your love toward God today? Is it filled with the knowledge of His Word?
Is your perception of God correct and can you back it up with who He says He is in His Word? If so, you will have no
problem loving God with an unconditional love because He loved you that way first (1 John 4:19). How is your love for others? When we perceive the Word of God correctly, we will know that because
we have received such undeserved love, we can and must pass it along to those around us. So, my prayer for you (and for me too) is based on Philippians 1:9 . May your unconditional love abound more and more in the knowledge and discernment of God's
Word. May it overflow like a river out into this world. What the world needs now is Love - not just sweet love -
GOD's love! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 2, 2006 - ARE YOU SINCERE? We're still gathering our morning meal from the first chapter of Philippians.
There's lots of manna in that field! Paul speaks of us being sincere as he is praying here in verse 10. Are
you sincere? Being sincere is being pure. It comes from a word that means "the sun's ray" and another
word that means "distinguish" and "decide". So it actually is a picture of being tested by light
as being genuine. In Philippians 1:10, Paul's prayer for us to be able to discern and prove those things that are better than any other.
He wants us to look at things from a Christ-like point of view. He says that this is so that we can be sincere and unoffensive
till the day of Christ. The day of Christ is coming and is
now even here because He lives in those who will receive Him. Are the rays of the Son shining
upon you today proving you are sincere? Some people say they are sincere but they are "sincerely" wrong! That's
not what we mean. Are you proving and discerning God's more excellent way of living by meditating on His Word
and pursuing that direction? Let's pray for one another that we may do just that. "Shine Jesus, Shine" - fill us with the light of Your being that we might know and walk sincerely in Your
way! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 3, 2006 - FULL OF FRUIT What are you full of this morning? In Paul's prayer for the Philippians, He
finishes in chapter 1, verse 11 with a request that we be filled with the fruits of righteousness. The New Living Translation
translates the phrase, "fruit of your salvation." Whether you think of it as righteousness or salvation, it
comes from Christ. The fruit comes from Christ. We have no righteousness in ourselves. The scriptures say
that our righteousness is as filthy rags in God's eyes (Isaiah 64:6). We could never be good enough to claim any righteousness of our own. We do have the righteousness of Christ if we have surrendered our lives to Him. It is a gift purchased
by Him on the cross (Romans 5:17). Jesus told the disciples in John 15:8 that it would glorify the Father if they would bear lots of fruit. It was a qualification for being
a disciple. We are not given the gift of righteousness just for ourselves. We are expected to learn (be disciplined
by Jesus) to show it, to live it. We are to bear the fruit of it. Self-righteousness
produces rotten fruit but the righteousness of Christ produces sweet, wholesome fruit. The Amplified Bible
says that the fruit of His Spirit consists of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life (Ephesians 5:9). So, what are we full of this morning? Here's a good check-list: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22). Boy, with all that in us, there won't be room for anything else! Yes, let's be filled
with the fruit of righteousness. Then there won't be room for anything unwholesome. Besides that, it's
supernaturally sweet!! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 4, 2006 - WHEN BAD EQUALS GOOD When you go through a trial, what is your first reaction? I hate to divulge mine!!
Looking at Philippians 1:12, we find Paul (who is writing from prison) trying to be sure that the Philippians understand that the things
which have happened to him are good. To the natural eye, they seem bad. They seem hard. They are
hard. But Paul looks beyond the trials to the way they have opened doors of opportunity for him to spread the gospel.
When was the last time you turned away sympathy from a well-meaning friend; instead, assuring that one that the trial
you are going through is good because it has given you a chance to witness for Jesus? Looking at trials that way is not easy. It certainly does not come naturally! We have a tendency
to want to say that every seemingly bad thing that happens to us is of the devil. Some of it very well may be.
But hold on just a second. When did Satan become stronger than God?? God is God over Satan also. Amen.
God's Word tells me that ALL things work together for good if we are the called according to His purpose and if we
love Him (Romans 8:28). Paul certainly understood this. He
was showing that he truly had been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20) . His desires for the Kingdom of God were more important than his own agenda and comforts.
He was living by faith that the things he suffered were working together for the good of the Kingdom. It was also working
together for good for Paul. It will for us too. Because of his sufferings and his faith and commitment to the
things of God, he was being more and more conformed into the image of Jesus. Oh, that's a hard word, my friend.
But, that's what it's all about. Next time you go through a trial, remember Paul. Don't deny the trial.
Praise God in it. Go through knowing that somehow in God's sovereign, loving plan, it will work together for good.
Just remember Who called you and love Him with all your heart! You're looking more and more like Jesus every day!! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 5, 2006 - BONDAGE BRINGS FREEDOM! If we lived in Paul's day and, if there was a morning newspaper, we might find an
article entitled something like, "Bondage Brings Freedom!" Paul often found himself persecuted or imprisoned.
As he wrote to the Philippian church (Philippians 1:13), he told them that everyone, including the soldiers in the palace guard, knew that he was in chains because
of Christ. I wonder what people know about us when we go through a trial. Do our trials come about because we
have lived a life of integrity in a world that shows very little integrity? Do they come about because we unashamedly
voice the good news of the Gospel and live it out? If so, we're in good company. Paul certainly did live the gospel and preach it fearlessly even when he was ordered not to. Because of this,
he found himself a prisoner. Although Paul lived in his own rented dwelling, he was guarded by the palace guard.
The custom was for a prisoner to be chained to the wrist of a soldier. If that was the case with Paul, can you imagine
what that soldier heard constantly? If he did not receive Christ, it was not going to be Paul's fault. Paul
used his imprisonment to reach the palace guard. Don't you know that the gospel must have reached the palace too.
Everyone in Rome knew Paul was not a criminal. He was in prison because he preached the gospel. What the authorities
were trying to quench was only fueled and spread by Paul's imprisonment. Paul was really the free man. Those without Christ were the ones in bondage. Paul partnered with God
in offering freedom to all those around him by giving them the good news of Jesus. Wow! Do we realize
that our trials can be the very thing God uses to allow us to spread the gospel? Will you take what the enemy means
for evil and let God turn it into good? Will you let what feels like bondage bring freedom to someone without
Jesus? Remember, no matter what is going on in your life, whom the Son sets free is free indeed!! - John 8:36 I know, that was a lot of manna this morning but
it is freeing, not fattening! Have a wonderful day. MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 6, 2006 - BONDAGE BRINGS BOLDNESS What kind of example to others are you and I? Paul was a good example in so many
ways to so many people. It was in his trials and hardships that others benefited. In verse 14 of Philippians, Chapter one, Paul lets us know that, because of watching him in bondage, many
of the Christians in Rome seem to have lost their own fear of being placed in chains. They watched as
he demonstrated patience in his own imprisonment and took courage from it. The result was that they became more bold
in telling others about Jesus. It is interesting that, in watching Paul, they became more sure of themselves in their
faith. Are those that are watching our lives becoming more
bold in their faith as they see us going through trials. Do they see in us the willingness to die for the Lord if necessary
- and do it with patience? Will our example lead to others having a fearless faith? It's a high calling to
live up to. But, others are definitely watching. They are looking to see just how much we will do for the cause
of Jesus. Our trials may just be the thing that gives the next generation of believers the faith they need to live through
persecution. When the trials come, we have a choice - we can be patient and bold or we can be pity-filled and
bitter. Regarding our trials, may our choice be to become better, not bitter. Like Paul, may it be that others
are emboldened by our faith! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 7, 2006 - MOTIVE MATTERS We, especially as Christians, do lots of good things. At least I hope we do!
However, what makes us do those things? Does our preaching and doing of good deeds spring forth from a heart of gratitude
for what Jesus has done for us and our love for our fellow man or are we motivated by something else? This is a hard
question and requires some soul-searching. The result will be rewarding though. God's word says that we must
be single-minded. James 4:8 tells us to purify our hearts if we are double-minded. If we are double-minded we will be unstable
in all of our ways (James 1:8). If our motivation for spreading the gospel is not pure, that makes us a double-minded person.
Today, let's agree to lay our hearts before God and let Him purify them. In his letter from prison to the Philippian church, Paul spoke of some who were preaching the gospel because they
were jealous of the way God had used him. They were jealous of his reputation as a fearless preacher. The Message
version of the Bible says in Philippians 1:15, "It's true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they'll
step right into the spotlight." The motivation of these people was certainly far from pure and they were certainly
far from being single-minded. They were a perfect example of what we do not want to be! But, there was another group who preached. They were an example of single-minded people with pure motivation.
They preached out of good will. What is your motive for the things you say and do? I must say that I am going
to have to search my heart more often and pray that my motives will be solely based on good will to others and a heart full
of love and gratitude for Jesus. Anything else is impure. And motive matters! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 8, 2006 - THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY Have you ever noticed that, when you're already having some problems, the ugly seems
to throw itself right in your face? Poor Paul! He was in prison because he was motivated by love to preach the
good news of Jesus. That was bad enough but there were some people that just had to add insult to injury! Philippians 1:16-17 tells us that some preached the word there in Rome out of contention. Another version says some
were preaching because of greed, glad that Paul was out of the way, because they hoped to gain something for themselves out
of it. All that is bad enough. But, it gets uglier. Some were actually preaching in order to try to make Paul
feel worse!! Now, that's ugly!!! Paul could have gotten really negative and bitter over that but he looked
to the other group who were preaching. They were doing it because they loved him and knew that it was God who had placed
him there to spread the gospel. With pure and loving motives, they joined in his vision, encouraging him by spreading
the Word of God single-mindedly. In this age of mega-churches
and ministries, it is easy to get caught up in a spirit of competition. Unfortunate as it may seem, many who call themselves
"Christians" fall into the trap of stepping on someone so they can rise to the top and be recognized.
It would do us all well to go back and study the sections of scripture that let us know that God is the one who exalts and
He is also the one who will bring us to nothing, if necessary. How about this: Don't be selfish;
don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. - Philippians 2:3 TLB And how about this: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand
of God that He may exalt you in due time - 1 Peter 5:6 And if that isn't enough, check this out: James 4:6b......"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." We all like to lay hold of God's precious promises. Here's one that could be considered negative, but
it's still a promise. In actuality, it is very positive. It encourages us not to fall by the wayside
as those who were driven by the wrong motivation in Paul's day. The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked
down to the ground. - Psalm 147:6 Be humble, God will lift you up in due time!! If you find yourself down on the ground
today, check your "mean-meter". It just may just be that you need to give the Master conrol over your
motives. Have a loving and lovely day. MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 9, 2006 - REJOICE ANYWAY! Paul recognized something that I would like to remember at all times myself. He
recognized that many will preach, but not all will be preaching for the right motives. He also recognized that the efficacy
of God's Word does not depend upon the messenger. God's Word will not ever return void.
It will accomplish what He pleases (Isaiah 5:11). God has been known to speak through a donkey to get the attention of a human (Numbers 22:30) and He has said that He can even use stones to cry out His praises (Luke 19:40)! Have you ever been disappointed because
a leader went astray or you found out that his or her motives were based on something besides the love of God and man?
Well, it is a common thing today. It was in Paul's time too. However, be encouraged! Even an unbeliever
can speak the Word of God and, if you receive it, it will not return void in your life. You see (sometimes we who want
to spread the gospel forget this), it's not about the messenger, it's about the message! Whenever anyone speaks
the Word of God, you and I should go to the Word and confirm that it is being spoken in truth. If so, we
can receive it joyfully as from the Lord. Paul declared in Philippians 1:18-19 that he was rejoicing because Christ was proclaimed in every way. He got his focus off the motives
of the preacher and onto the truth of the Word. He realized that, whether the Word was coming from a preacher with the
right or the wrong motive, it was still effective and true. Because of this, he said it would work for his own good
as well as the furtherance of the Kingdom. Romans 14:4 warns us not to judge anyone else's servant (only God knows the heart and motives
of His servants). God will take care of the other guy. We need to be sure that our own motives are pure and pray
for those who appear to be on the wrong track. God is not willing that any should perish (John 3:16). He wants us all to walk in the Truth of His Word (Psalm 119:160, John 17:17, Psalm 26:3). But, we are all human. If you are troubled today by some messenger, just keep your eyes on the
One from Whom the message comes. Rejoice like Paul did because you KNOW that His Word being preached (however and by
whomever it is preached) will turn out for your good and the good of God's Kingdom. Let's follow Paul's
example and rejoice no matter what. Rejoice anyway!! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 10, 2006 - A WIN/WIN SITUATION As Paul writes from prison in Rome, he does not know whether he will be released or
whether he will be martyred for his faith. Instead of worrying or feeling sorry for himself, his tone in his letter
to the Philippians is encouraging and filled with faith. He has chosen to be in a win/win situation. Wow!
In Philippians 1:20, he states that he's not going to be ashamed no matter what happens. He also states that he is going
to remain bold despite the consequences. He has a plan. He has a purpose. His plan is that he will be bold
and unashamed of the gospel. His purpose is to magnify Christ in his body. Trials do come to all of us although probably no one reading this has suffered as Paul did. In these precarious
times, it would be well to have a plan such as Paul's and get our purpose firmly rooted in our hearts and minds.
We do not know what the future will bring for those of us who believe in Jesus. We know the end but not the "in-between."
We do know that He has required that we be faithful to the end, however and whenever that end might come (Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13). The present is a good time to begin the discipline
of carrying out our plan and purpose. We can begin now by boldly seizing any opportunities God might give
us to spread the gospel message. We can also get up each morning and encourage ourselves and one another in
the purpose of magnifying Jesus in our bodies. For each of us that will mean something different. We all have
our own burdens, trials and areas of weakness but God wants to take all of those things and allow us to use them to magnify
His Son. This morning let's plan to be bold and purpose to magnify Christ in our bodies. When we glorify Him,
He honors us. It truly is a win/win situation. MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 11, 2006 - WHETHER I LIVE OR LIVE The apostle Paul said, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). The writer of The Message Bible puts it this way, "Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead,
I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose." Isn't that just like our Jesus!
He purchased life for us when He chose to be obedient to death. This life is for today and forever!! Our Jesus
said that whoever believes in Him will never die (John 11:26). Interesting, isn't it? I wonder why I speak of death. If my life is hidden in Christ,
there is no death. There is just life and more life. Abundant life both here and in Glory. At the same time
Jesus said that those who believe in Him would never die, He asked a question. Here it is: "Do you believe
this?" Of course, we know that He knows our heart and knows exactly whether we believe it or not. He was
asking the question so we could examine our own hearts. If you have not made Jesus the King of your heart and life, will you
ask Him to come in and forgive you just now? If you are not sure if you believe all His words, including the above,
will you let Him fill your heart with total surrender and belief? Paul
believed! He expressed it in Philippians 1:21. Living or dying, he knew that he had the victory because He belonged to the Victor. He knew that,
whether he was to be martyred from prison or let go to continue his work on earth for the Lord, he would gain.
You can't outdo or out-give the Father. Whether you live for Him here or leave this earth in service to Him, you
have abundant life. There is no way to lose! It's life versus
life! Do you believe this? MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 12, 2006 - THE CHOICE Life is full of choices. Really, we have the choice to live or take our lives.
I know that is not a very positive statement on the surface but it is our choice. Thankfully, not many choose to take
their own life! But.... in a way, in a spiritual way, all of us do make the choice to give up our lives -
one way or another. We either give it up by refusing the gift of salvation purchased by Jesus on the cross and spending
eternity separated from Him (to put it bluntly, this is Hell). Or,..... we give it up by choosing to live and die for
Him, thereby receiving abundant life in this world and a life that lasts eternally in His presence. Paul said, in Philippians 1:22, "...if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better." (NLT)
Paul had already made his choice. He had chosen to receive Christ, make Him Lord of his life, and serve Him whether
the outcome would be a longer life in this world or the beginning of His life in Heaven. His faith told him that
if he was allowed to stay on earth longer, he would be used of God in the furtherance of His Kingdom and his work
would prove fruitful. In spite of the fact that he was in prison, he knew that God was still using him and would
continue to use him somehow no matter what circumstances he found himself in. His faith also assured him that if he
was martyred for his faith, he would be instantly in the presence of God where he would suffer no more. It appeared
that he had to make a choice there as to which option was better, but God is gracious. Paul did not have to make that
choice because he had first chosen to surrender to God's will. Now he could know that he would be more than OK either
way. Aside from choosing to take our physical life (which does
not always succeed because God is in complete control of everything), we are left with the two choices. 1) continue
to spurn the gift of salvation and face eternal death or 2) receive the gift of salvation, along with life in God's
presence both here and for all eternity. As the world says, this is really a "no-brainer".
Abundant life now along with eternal life is the choice we are all offered. It is the choice God wants us all to
make because it is not His will that any should spend an eternity in Hell (2 Peter 3:9). If you make or have made the choice to be a follower of Jesus, know this. As long as you are
alive here on earth, there is good work for you to do (He planned it before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 2:10). The day is today. The time is now. The choice? It is yours........
MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 13, 2006 - DESIRES AND NECESSITIES Paul, in writing to the Philippian church, spoke of his desire and of necessity (Philippians 1:24-25) . Like Paul, our desires do not always match up to necessities. My mother used to say that I
didn't know the different between "wants" and "needs". I will be honest and say that she was
right. I still have trouble in that area!! Needlesss to say, my desires are not always as noble as Paul's.
But, there is still a principle involved here. Paul desired
to be with Christ. He wanted to go home to Heaven. It was not just a mild desire. The word used for, "desire"
is a word meaning, "lust". As we know, "lust" is usually a very negative word and used to describe
sin. In this case, I think Paul's desire was noble. Yet, it still had a tinge of selfishness in it.
He knew that once he was with Jesus, he would be relieved of all the suffering and turmoil of life in this world. His troubles
would be over. Yet, he made the choice, at least in his mind and as far as he was in control, that it would be better
for him to live because of his brothers and sisters here on earth. Now,
if you and I were given the choice of a mansion or a prison, I wonder which one we would take..... Paul chose a prison
over receiving his rightful inheritance too early. He did it out of love. His motive, instead of being self-centered
was God and others-centered. Depending on where you are in your walk with the Lord, you're beginning to know or
you already know that it's not about you. It's about God and His Kingdom. That's a hard pill to swallow
and the first pill doesn't always do the trick. There are levels to this realization. But, God is speaking
today to all of us. Won't you listen to him on whatever level you find yourself? What He wants is for you
to take yourself off of the throne of your heart and let Him sit there for a change. After all, it's His rightful
place. Before you choke on this morning's breakfast, just remember that He makes a much better King than we do!
Oh, just a parting thought - it also relieves you of all that tension. Trying to be the ruler is stress we don't
need. I speak from experience! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 14, 2006 - FREEDOM'S PURPOSE In Philippians 1:25-26, Paul expresses his confidence that he will be released from the prison and not meet death there. He
did spend two years of his life as a prisoner in Rome and he was released. He had the confidence that he would
be released but possibly not for the same purpose I might choose. He was not excited about being released
so he could further his career, look for a wife, attend a play or concert or any other self-serving reason. He
wanted to return to his brothers and sisters in the faith so he could help them move forward. When you and I are in bondage, spiritual or natural, I wonder if our motive for wanting release is to continue (or
even start) helping others. I know that I have not always been motivated by that purpose! For example,
when you are sick, why do you want to be healed? Is it so you can be out of pain? Is it so you will not lose any
time from work (and lose money)? Is it so you can spend the weekend having fun? It's good to be out of pain.
It's good to have work and provide for yourself and your family. It's good to have recreation. But, there
is a better motive. Paul had found it. It was in helping others increase their faith. This brought him joy
and it brought joy to those he was around. Paul again gives us a
wonderful example of motive, of purpose. He may not have been happy in prison, being probably chained to the wrist of
a soldier. But, it would appear that the joy of the Lord remained his strength. It is evident that the motives
of his heart to help others kept that joy flowing. He had a higher purpose than just taking care of and furthering himself.
So what is my purpose today? What is yours? Do we desire freedom so we can go where we want to go, do what we
want to do, etc.? Or, do we want the freedom to go out and help others? We might find happiness (although it will
be elusive) in the former. But the latter will bring us joy and bring joy to those around us. Is freedom's
purpose in our lives to bring joy to others? If so, we will also receive it. God's Word says that whatever
we sow, we will reap the same. I hope today finds you freely and bountifully sowing joy into the lives of
others. Tomorrow will surely yield a bumper crop in your own life!! MORNING MANNA - AUGUST 15, 2006 - STAND FAST IN UNITY - AND BEHAVE! How is your behavior? Paul writes to the Philippians (and to us too) instructing
us to be sure our behavior is worthy of the good news of Jesus Christ. He has the hope and expectation of hearing that
their behavior will be exemplary whether or not he sees them again or just hears of their activities. The word, "conversation",
used in the King James Version of the Bible actually means, "behavior" or "to behave as a citizen".
Paul is telling us that we need to behave like citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. That's quite a broad statement.
But he doesn't leave us hanging there. He goes on in Philippians 1:27 to indicate that we must be of one mind and one spirit, laboring and even wrestling as one
body for the faith. We are to do this so others will be able to receive the good news of the gospel. There are so many things we seem to find that keep us divided in the body of Christ
rather than walking in one mind and one spirit. So many times our minds do not line up with our spirits or worse yet,
His Spirit. It's hard to put our own opinions down on the lesser things and focus with other members of His
body on the important news that Jesus came to save souls. Yet, how much wrestling for the faith can we do if
we wrestle against one another? I'm not going to answer my own question. I think we all know. Knowing is one thing and doing is quite another! Being in the refining process,
along with you (and I'm sure that many of you are leaps and bounds beyond me), I can only press toward the mark of being
in unity, first with my Heavenly Father and then with His children, the citizens of His Kingdom. This unity will naturally
take place the more you and I are conformed to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29) . Jesus knew that and He prayed for you and for me. We can't do it in our own strength but
we can do all things through Him as He strengthens us. I leave you this morning with this very comforting prayer
of Jesus. A prayer for you and me! John 17:20-21 (The Living Bible) Enter content here Enter content here Enter content here Enter content here |
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