MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 16-30, 2006

Hebrews 11:29 (Amplified Bible)
^{29 (AMP)}[Urged on] by faith the people crossed the Red Sea as [though] on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do the same thing they were swallowed up [by the sea].

Are you urged on by faith? When you are backed up against a wall, do you just give up and slump down to the ground doing nothing? Or, do you look for a way when there seems to be no way. There is a wonderful song that speaks of God making a way where there seems to be no way. It is very true. God does do that. But it takes faith to believe it before you see it! Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt promising to deliver them to the land that God had promised them. Then they found themselves on the shores of the Red Sea with the Egyptians close behind in hot pursuit. There was nowhere for them to go. That's what their eyes told them. But faith told a different story. Moses, by faith, lifted his staff and the waters of the Red Sea separated! (Exodus 14:16) There was a miraculous pathway!!

If you are up against a wall this morning, God can give you a Red Sea experience also. However, it won't come about by negative thinking or speaking. It won't come about if you just shut your eyes and bunker down waiting to be destroyed. It will only manifest itself when you look up to your Redeemer, watch for His direction, listen for His command and obey. That sounds pretty simple but you may have to obey by doing something that looks or feels like it just won't work. Moses just had to lift his staff in the air at the command of God. Can you imagine today going to your checkbook and lifting whatever God has put into your hands in the air expecting that He will show you the way out of your financial troubles? Well, if He tells you to do that, it would be a good idea to do it no matter what you think of the plan or what anyone else thinks about it. Faith many times requires us to do something we've never done before.

It is not the thing that you do or what is symbolically in your hand that you lift up that brings your deliverance. It is our obedience to God and our relationship with Him that makes the way plain and opens the pathway for deliverance. God is in control and has promised that no temptation (or trial) would come against that would be too hard for us to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). He will make an escape route for us when He sees that we are in a place where we have no more human options or strength just as He did for the Israelites at the Red Sea. We need to be trusting that He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We need to believe that He is a loving and compassionate Father (Psalm 103:13). We need to be giving thanks in every situation (1 Thessalonians 5:18) knowing that God knows exactly where we are and how close the enemy is (Psalm 106:10). When the time is exactly right, our Red Sea will open and we will go through unharmed and dry - by faith. When we look back safely from the other side, the pathway through the sea will be closed and the waves will have consumed what was about to destroy us. The thanks we were giving while going through the situation will turn into great praise to the Almighty who always delivers His people! Amen!

Hebrews 11:28 (Amplified Bible)
^{28 (AMP)}By faith (simple trust and confidence in God) he instituted and carried out the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn (the angel) might not touch those [of the children of Israel].

Moses had such great faith! He had a simple faith. If God said it, he believed it. If God asked it, he did it. He received the Word of God to institute the Passover. Although it was not something that had ever been done, by faith he received the Word and passed it along to the Israelites. So, when the destroyer came, the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed. The Israelites did not lose their firstborn if they followed the instructions for placing the blood of the Passover lamb over their door posts and on the two side posts.

How sad to have to kill a lamb in order to put it's blood over the door posts of your home. This was not an ordinary lamb. It was a lamb without blemish. It was not just a lamb from the flock. It was a lamb they had to separate and keep close for a time before they killed it. What does this bring to mind? Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God, sent to spill His blood on the cross for us so that we can be passed over when the enemy comes to kill our souls. He was with us for a while. He walked with us and among us but we killed Him. He died on a cross. His blood was spread horizontally and vertically on that cross just like the blood that was spread over the door and side posts of Moses time.

Yes, Jesus is our Passover Lamb and we are the beneficiaries of salvation if we put our faith in Him. When He walked this earth, nothing like it had ever happened. The Father had sent a part of Himself to us in human flesh (1 John 1:14). Flesh that would be torn and bruised for our iniquities and infirmities (Isaiah 53:4-5). The Passover Lamb was sacrificed for you and for me. Now we have the opportunity, like Moses, to operate in faith, receive the promises and be hidden from the destroyer of our souls. What a wonder. What an awesome God! Now is the day of salvation for those with faith (2 Corinthians 6:2). As in Moses day, no foreigners (unbelievers in today's world) may eat thereof (Exodus 12:43). They had to become believers (be circumcised) before they could eat the Passover (Exodus 12:48). Thus, no one who is unwilling to come to God in repentance can taste of salvation. But, those who are willing to come humbly under the cross where the blood flowed across and down will be hidden under the blood of the true Passover Lamb once and for all. Hallelujah. If you have never confessed your sin and given your life in repentance to Jesus, won't you come to the foot of the cross by faith this morning and place yourself under the blood of the Lamb? You will surely hear Jesus say as he said to the repentant woman, "your faith has saved you, go in peace!" (Luke 7:50)

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 28, 2006 - KEEP GOING - BY FAITH

Hebrews 11:27 (The Living Bible)
^{27 (TLB)}And it was because he trusted God that he left the land of Egypt and wasn't afraid of the king's anger. Moses kept right on going; it seemed as though he could see God right there with him.

Have you ever been in a situation where it seemed that you just couldn't keep going? If not, just wait, you probably will. Fear is the opposite of faith and it will try to pop up at every turn when you're on a mission for the Lord fulfilling the purpose He planted in your heart. Of course, we know that fear is not of God. He has not given us a spirit of fear. He has given us power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Moses trusted God and left the land of Egypt. He refused to fear the king's anger because he was a child of the King of Kings! He was not about to be subject to any bondage other than that of the bond servant of God. We do not need to be either. We have been adopted into God's family through faith in Jesus and we can now cry "Abba" or "Daddy" just as a child would when it encounters fear (Romans 8:15).

Think of the things in your life that cause you to fear. Then replace those things with faith. Give them to Jesus who told us not to fear (Luke 12:32). How can we do this in a practical way? We can take each thought of fear as it comes up and confess faith over it using God's Word. For instance, if you have a fear of not being able to sleep at night, instead of worrying about it, start speaking positively about sleep and thanking God for His promises. "Thank you Lord that You have promised me good sleep because You promise to keep me safe." (Psalm 4:8) Just go around repeating that all day and encouraging yourself with it. You can do that with anything that causes fear. Moses surely must have rehearsed what he knew about God in order to keep going by faith.

Faith always keeps going. It's not about all of a sudden, "being there" as far as our faith is concerned. It's about going from faith to faith and glory to glory (Romans 1:17). It's a journey and we must not sit down to camp in the territory of fear. We will be able to sit down only when we reach our final Glory and know that it was by taking steps of faith that we arrived safely. Moses kept going as though he saw the presence of God. How much more should we keep going knowing that His presence has been promised to us. His Spirit dwells in us to lead and guide us even through dangerous territory. The demonic forces that inhabit that territory may come against us but the Spirit that is in us is much greater (1 John 4:4). So, when fear comes against you in any form, keep going. God is in you and with you. He will never leave you. You can take that with you all the way to Heaven's banks!

Hebrews 11:24-26 (The Living Bible)
^{24 (TLB)}It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the grandson of the king, but chose to share ill-treatment with God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.
²⁵
²⁶He thought that it was better to suffer for the promised Christ than to own all the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking forward to the great reward that God would give him.

When Moses grew up, he exercised his faith and gave up great fame and fortune. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and instead identified with his own people, the Israelites. The Bible says he chose to share in the ill-treatment with God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. Are we grown up in our faith today? Are we wiling to identify with believers and with Christ when we are out in the world and so tempted to "fit in?" How about the gossip at the water fountain at work (not to speak of what goes on in the church many times described as a "prayer request"). How about the off-color jokes and e-mail forwards? Does our faith tell us that it would be better to identify with the Word of God and true believers in it or do we excuse ourselves and go along with the world? These are hard questions to ponder and to answer honestly.

Jesus had not yet come to earth so Moses did not have the New Testament and had not seen all of His miracles or heard of His teaching. Yet, by faith he thought it was better to suffer for the promised One than to own all the treasures of Egypt! We have the New Testament. We have all probably heard of Jesus's teachings and the miracles He performed. Many of us have experienced those miracles in our own lives and have received revelation from His Spirit as we read and studied scripture. But have we suffered for Jesus? Among all the promises of great blessing, there is also the promise that, if we are like Jesus and one of His own, we will suffer (Philippians 1:29). Suffering is not really appealing to me. Is it to you? I doubt if it was appealing to Moses either. But he chose it! We are not really persecuted here in America for our beliefs like many in this world but the time may be coming when we will be. I want to be ready. I hope we are all ready and have already made up our minds that we will suffer for Christ if and when need be.

Why did Moses choose to suffer? He was looking forward (by faith) to the reward that God had for him. God has also promised a reward to us. We have a heavenly home with him if we endure to the end by faith (2 Timothy 2:12 ). However, if our faith gives way and we deny Him, He will also deny us. Right there is good reason to keep the faith. But, more than that, we should remain faithful because of our love for the One who loved us enough to die for us. Loving God is obeying Him (John 14:15). This is being truly Godly. Paul tells us that all that will do this will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Lest this suffering sound too negative to you, we are told to consider it all joy when we are faced with trials (James 1:2). Although they may be uncomfortable for the moment, God is working something good out of them (James 1:4). Besides that, our troubles are light and momentary compared to the reward (2 Corinthians 4:17). Although we may suffer for a moment, we have a great and powerful deliverer. Almighty God! Nothing can separate us from Him if we are walking by faith (Romans 8:35-39). Just as Moses gave up everything he had for the cause of Christ (before even having heard of all His glorious deeds), let us who have seen and heard do the same. There will be a reward. God is a debtor to no one. You and I are no exception!

Hebrews 11:23 (Amplified Bible)
^{23 (AMP)}[Prompted] by faith Moses, after his birth, was kept concealed for three months by his parents, because they saw how comely the child was; and they were not overawed and terrified by the king’s decree.

Can you imagine being a Hebrew parent in the days when there was an edict placed into effect by the king of Egypt that all Hebrew baby boys should be killed at birth? What anguish must have been felt by Moses parents as they realized that their new baby was a boy! However, it appears that their anguish gave way almost immediately to faith. They looked at him and realized that he needed to live. God somehow revealed to them that they must keep him alive and gave them the faith to do it. What should have been terror on their part became resolve to do God's will. They somehow, by faith, were able to conceal him for three months. And we know the rest of the story. If Moses had not had parents with such a strong faith, he would have ended up like all the other Hebrew baby boys - dead. God used the faith of Godly parents to protect and conceal a child of promise and destiny - a deliverer of His people. He did that with Mary and Joseph also (Matthew 2:13).

Today we have the same opportunity as Moses and Jesus's parents had. We can have the faith it requires to raise our children to also be faithful and fulfill their purpose. We must fight for the right to raise them in a Christian atmosphere and conceal them, if necessary, in their formative years from the barrage of secular humanistic teaching that will do worse than kill their bodies - it will steal their souls! The Bible says we should raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). If this means that we have to home school them or send them to a private Christian school where true values are being taught, then we must do that. If it means we must restrict them from seeing certain movies or TV shows, yes, we must do that. Maybe it is certain "friends" that are not good for them. Whatever the case, we must conceal our children from the enemy. The devil is out to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). There is nothing he would like better than to kill a child born to Christian parents. As was in Egypt, (Exodus 1:9,2;22) he is afraid that the Christians will become too many and overthrow his kingdom (little does he know that Jesus has already overthrown it). He will go after your children if you are a believer before he will go after the child born to an unbeliever (since he's pretty sure that child's parents will not raise him or her to follow Christ).

What are we doing to conceal our children from the enemy today? The above things are practical in nature but there are spiritual things we can all be doing as parents, grandparents, friends, relatives, etc. We can ask God to place a hedge of protection around them as He did for Job before the time of his testing (Job 1:10). We can pray that God will fill them with wisdom and prepare them to go out into the world (Ephesians 1:17). We can ask the Holy Spirit to come alongside them and be their Counselor and Teacher (John 14:26). We can ask God to dispatch His angels to watch over them and protect them until such time as they are fully settled in their salvation (Hebrews 1:14). Every child is special to the Lord so we can pray for the children of unbelievers, as well as our own children. Jesus loved the little children and was angry when the disciples tried to keep the parents from bringing them to Him (Mark 10:14). Most of all, we can conceal them under the blood of Jesus who died so that they could live and serve Him. Who knows, you might just be raising or praying for a little Moses!

NOTE: To hear the song, "Let Us Pray For Our Children", vist the "Listen To Our Music" page.

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 25, 2006 - FAITH PASSES THE PROMISE

Hebrews 11:22 (Amplified Bible)
^{22 (AMP)}[Actuated] by faith Joseph, when nearing the end of his life, referred to [the promise of God for] the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his own bones.

All throughout our life, if we are believers, we should be spurred on by the fact that we are mere foreigners on this earth. There is a promise of a better land. Joseph also saw into the future by faith to the promise of a better land for the Israelites. A land free from the bondage they were under in Egypt. So, we too, will be free from the bondage of the sin of this world when we enter our Heavenly home. Unlike the promised land of the Israelites, our home will be permanent and its glory never-ending. As Joseph neared the end of his life, he spoke of the promise of God for the departure of his people from Israel. He also gave instructions for his own burial. All this was done by faith.

What sorts of things do we speak of today. Is faith prompting us to let others know that there is another promised land? A permanent land free from tears and suffering? (Revelation 21:4). Life is short and life is fragile. None of us knows what the next moment will bring. If we believe the Word of God, we do know that no matter what the next moment brings, we will never be out of His presence (John 14:16). We know that Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for us so that we could be with Him forever (John 14:2-3). Like Joseph, we have a promise to convey to the next generation. There is hope. There is a future, not only for this life but forever! If we are believers in Christ, we have this assurance. We have also been sent to deliver the promise to the next generation.

Planning is good. My mother-in-law planned the both her own funeral and that of my father-in-law years before their deaths. When the time cam to say good-bye, we knew what they wanted and everything flowed smoothly. That was wonderful because saying good-bye, even if for a while, is always hard. Joseph gave instructions for his own burial. It would be good if we did that kind of planning. But, an even better thing is to let those left behind know where they can find us - really find us. Then when it is time for the good-bye's of this earth, they will not have to grieve as those without any hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Yes, there will be a departure for all of us. It will be to a much better place if we are prepared and have, by faith, placed our lives in the Savior's loving hands. Are you ready? Actuated by faith, have you passed along the promise?

Hebrews 11:21 (King James Version)
^{21 (KJV)}By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Grandchildren are such a blessing. They are our way of living on. A small piece of us will continue here on earth long after we have departed. But, which small piece will it be? Jacob blessed Joseph's sons with the blessing that God intended. He did it out of faith. He did it on his deathbed. However, it was something he was prepared to do because of his lifestyle. It was a lifestyle of faith and of worship. No doubt his grandchildren never forgot the blessing they received. It was not a blessing of ritual or tradition. Jacob had his eyes on God and his ears tuned in to His voice. Even though he knew the tradition of giving the eldest the greater blessing, he followed God's direction and gave the blessing to the youngest. His eyesight was failing but he saw the grandchildren and their future by faith. He crossed his hands placing his right hand on the younger giving him the greater blessing (Genesis 48:13-20). He saw by faith into the future because he was a man of worship. He was not bound by tradition or human logic or even political correctness.

What we see in Jacob is both an encouragement and a challenge. What part of ourselves will we impart to our grandchildren that will live on when we are gone? Hopefully, we are immersing ourselves in the Word of God, listening to His voice, receiving revelation from His Spirit, prone to worship and praise. Not only will our grandchildren (and everyone else around us) see this but when the time comes for us to depart to a better place, we will be able to do as Jacob did. Worship and by faith, leave this earth leaving the blessing of God on those we leave behind.

The Word of God says that three things will endure - faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). Of course, the greatest of these is love. Love for God is what will cause us to develop and maintain a life of faith and worship. Like Jacob, may our faith endure to the day we leave for glory. We may not have a staff to lean upon as we die but we can still be found in worship at that time. What a legacy we have the opportunity and privilege to leave for our children and grandchildren! God's blessing on them personally and a life exemplified by faith and worship. Yes, it is a privilege but it is also something to work to attain. We will be tested but God has promised to give us the strength to overcome. Maybe you have never thought of it in that way and maybe you think it is too late to start now. It is never too late!! God is still looking around seeking those who will, by faith, worship Him (John 4:23). Will you be the one? In doing so, you will be leaving a gift to those around you. What legacy will you leave?

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 23, 2006 - FAITH SPEAKS BLESSING

Hebrews 11:20 (Amplified Bible)
^{20 (AMP)}[With eyes of] faith Isaac, looking far into the future, invoked blessings upon Jacob and Esau.

How will your children and grandchildren remember you? Isaac took a lesson from his father, Abraham. He practiced a lifestyle of faith. Because of that faith, he was able to see beyond the present and into the future. He, by faith, passed along the blessing of Abraham. He spoke into his children's future. Isaac's children would most likely remember him for his faith in God. Isaac had so much faith that he knew the blessings he was pronouncing would come to fruition in the future.

What sorts of things are you speaking over your children and grandchildren (or even others in your life). Faith will cause us to walk in obedience. An obedient thought life will cause us to think about those things which are pure, true, lovely, praiseworthy, holy, worthy of reverence, honest, etc. (Philippians 4:8). Now if we are thinking on these things, those are the kinds of things that will come out of our mouths. Whatever is in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth (Luke 6:45). Jesus said that we should be more careful about what comes out of our mouths than concerned about what we put in them (Matthew 15:11). God has made our tongue very powerful and it will speak whatever is in our heart. That's why it's so important that faith in God resides there. Our spoken words not only have the potential of defiling us but also the potential of destroying others. In fact, the power we hold in that very small member of our body can cause life and death (Proverbs 18:21). No doubt, you do use your tongue to bless God. That is wonderful and good. However, when we speak negativity over others, we are in essence speaking cursing. This should not be so. (James 3:9-10). Oh, that our faith would allow us to bless both God and our fellow man, especially those in our own household that God has given as gifts.

Isaac used his faith and his tongue to pass along blessing. What are we doing with ours? Is our faith strong enough to allow us to bless our children even when we don't think they deserve it? Who really does deserve to be blessed? I don't mean that we overlook sin and neglect discipline. But, do we see beyond the sin to the person made in God's image? Do we speak positive things into their lives by faith knowing that, once we release the words, God will use them to accomplish His purpose? This is a lot harder for some of us than for others. Some children are compliant and words of encouragement and blessing are easily spoken over them. However, there are others with such strong wills and so bent on going the wrong way that it takes great faith to see the image of the Creator down under all of that. God has a great testing ground for our faith already in place if we have children! If God's faith could be tested, think how it must have been with His first children! However, the Author of our faith did not give up just because His children went astray. He kept on speaking words of blessing. So much blessing that I am able to write this right now and you are able to read it. The next time you speak to someone, especially a child or grandchild, remember that they are created in the image of God. Speak to them and over them by faith. Encourage and bless them. God has given you that power. Faith has been placed in your heart and your tongue is the vehicle that can speak life. Will you exercise your faith and choose life for yourself and those around you?

A BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL TODAY - MAY GOD BE GLORIFIED AS WE ENJOY THE ABUNDANCE HE HAS PROVIDED Psalms 9:1 (Amplified Bible)
^{1 (AMP)}To the Chief Musician; set for [possibly] soprano voices. A Psalm of David. I WILL praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds!

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 22, 2006 - THE TEST OF FAITH

Hebrews 11:17-18 (The Living Bible)
^{17 (TLB)}While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, and so he offered up his son Isaac and was ready to slay him on the altar of sacrifice;
¹⁸yes, to slay even Isaac, through whom God had promised to give Abraham a whole nation of descendants!

Have you been tested lately? Abraham surely was! God promised that he would have a son. He waited and waited (although he stepped in a bit early on the advice of Sarah and tried to help God with His promise - which is never a good idea Genesis 16:1-4). Even today, we are living with the turmoil in the Middle-East that arose when Abram (who had not yet been renamed by God) decided to help God out. Even though Abraham was a man of faith, he was a man of flesh. He had his weaknesses just like you and I have ours. However, Abraham had faith. Abraham grew in his faith and so must we.

Just as we have received the promises of God, Abraham received the promise of God that he and Sarah would have a son. He had to wait a very long time to see the promise come true. I can only guess how much he treasured Isaac, his promised son. Then one day, the supreme test came. God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. It is not an unusual test. Sometimes God will test us also to see if we love the gift more than the Giver. Sometimes he will ask us to give back what He has given us. Abraham was willing to follow God's direction because he had faith. He marched up the hill with Isaac and the wood and knife for the sacrifice in faith. He believed that, even if Isaac died God would bring him back to life (Hebrews 11:19). Of course, God did not take Isaac's life. He provided a ram in the bushes for the sacrifice but only after they got to the top of the hill in obedience and worship (Genesis 22:13). Faith tells us that God will provide whatever it is we need. But first, we have to be obedient and willing to offer our most prized possession to the Lord.

The story of Abraham and Isaac's journey to the hill of sacrifice is a picture of God sending His only Son to the hill of Mount Calvary to die for our sins. This time God allowed the sacrifice to be made and did just what Abraham believed was possible. He raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 5:30) to be a once and for all sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (Hebrews 9:26). Now comes the test of faith. Do you believe that? (Romans 10:9) Have you received the gift of forgiveness purchased by the sacrifice of His death? If not, this morning would be a good time to obediently receive it and begin to walk in faith (2 Corinthians 6:2). There will be more tests. Perhaps you have been given something wonderful by God and now He is asking you to give it back to Him in some way. Go ahead and do it. He will never ask for anything unless He is going to somehow use the situation for your good (Romans 8:28). Faith tells us so. Maybe you have not seen your promise yet. Just keep waking in faith. When the tests come, know that they are working out patience in your spirit (James 1:3). When you pass the tests, joy and peace will be yours (Romans 5:1). By our faith we receive salvation (1 Peter 1:9) which allows us the privilege of living forever in the presence of God. So, when you hear the voice of God saying, "Testing - 1, 2, 3 - testing," just say, "Yes, yes Lord."

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 21, 2006 - IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

Hebrews 11:11 (New Living Translation)
^{11 (NLT)}It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep his promise.

Do you have a dream that God has placed inside you this morning? Have you waited and waited for it to be birthed but have seen no evidence of it? Remember faith is our evidence! (Hebrews 11:1). Perhaps you are getting older and say, like Sarah did when God told Abraham that they would have a child, "I am worn out and my master is old." (Genesis 18:12). Now when she said old, she meant it. He was 99 and she was 90. You may not be that old but the point is that God kept his promise to them and Isaac was born. Abraham did not deny the fact that he and his wife were well past child bearing age. He simply put his faith in action and believed God for the results. (Romans 4:19). He looked well past the circumstances to the power of God.

What is it that God has placed in your heart to do for his Kingdom? Perhaps it will cost money that you don't see right now. It could be that there are people you will need to meet for it to come into place and you don't see yourself there right now. Maybe, like Abraham, you will even need to let go of some things or move to another place, though you don't know what those things are or where that place is right now. The point is that nothing is impossible with God. Can God lie? (Hebrews 6:18) Can He break His Word? Absolutely not!! I really like the way The Message Bible puts it in Hebrews 6:17-18: "When God wanted to guarantee His promises, He gave us his word, a rock-solid guarantee -- God can't break His word. And because His word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable." Maybe you think you are too old or too much time has past. Maybe you have done sone things that you are still feeling guilty about. Remember, Abraham was not perfect. He had times when he failed (Genesis 12:10-13). He lied about Sarah being his wife to save himself. But, God is above our failures and sin. His promises will never let go of us because He is the One that made them, not ourselves. He is looking for those with a heart of faith.

What has God placed in your heart to do in this life for Him? If it is not complete, do you believe He will complete it? His Word says that He has definitely created good works for us to do and had them all planned well before we came into being (Ephesians 2:20). Faith will tell us that, though we don't see anything in the offing, we must not grow weary. It will all happen in due time (2 Thessalonians 3:13). Maybe right now you feel discouraged or even depressed because you have not realized the dream that God has given you. You have waited and waited to give birth - but nothing. Like Abraham, rest your faith in the Word of God. He never changes and His timing is perfect. He is even now perfecting you so that you will be able to handle whatever it is He is going to do in your life. When your dream is finally birthed, you too will have joy like Sarah and Abraham. Isaac was finally born when they were very old, too old physically. Isaac's name means, "laughter". Can you imagine the joyful laughter that arose when this child came into the world? It is never, never too late. We, too, will be given joyful laughter if we abide in faith and persevere in labor until God births the purpose He has placed in us.

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 20, 2006 - LIVING BY FAITH

Hebrews 11:9 (New Living Translation)
^{9 (NLT)}And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in a tent. And so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise.

Abraham finally made it to the land that God had promised him. He made it by sheer faith. Remember that God had told him to leave his family and his home and go someplace. But he was not told where he was going. He was just to start at God's direction and follow all the way. It was doubtless not an easy walk. Trust and obedience were the key. When God makes a promise, many times it is not an instant gratification promise. More often, it is a promise that must be believed for a season before we see it with our eyes. However, during that season (and some seasons are very long), we must live as though we already have the promise. Part of faith is believing that what God said is true no matter what we see with our physical eyes. What we see with our eyes is really not the evidence. Our faith is the evidence (Hebrews 11:1). There will be distractions. The evil one will try to cast doubt in our mind. We may even begin to doubt ourselves but we must take all those thoughts captive. They are totally against God (2 Corinthians 10:5). If God has promised, anything that makes us doubt is setting itself up against God. That gives us good reason to cast all of our own doubts away. Nobody wants to find themselves fighting the living God! It's a sure lose!!

Faith is not a one time thing or something to use if you're up against a wall and need a miracle. Faith is a lifestyle. Abraham displayed that lifestyle. It was an example for his children. It is an example for us. We are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7). Even after Abraham received his promise and was living the land God gave him, he did not change that lifestyle. He lived there by faith. He lived as a foreigner knowing that this land, as wonderful as it was, was only a picture of what was to come. His children, Isaac and Jacob lived the same way. God has promised us also that his mercy and salvation endures to every generation. We must teach our children to live in this land by faith. It is a blessed land but it is not the land of the final promise. There is still faith to be exercised until we reach our final destination - Heaven.

How are you living in this wonderful land that God has given us today? Especially as Americans. Most of us here have more than those in any other country in the world. Are you rooted and grounded in the blessings of Abraham or are you still living by faith knowing that the final promise is still to be received? We used to sing a song that went like this. "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through. My treasures are laid out somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door and I can't feel at home in this world any more." Although Abraham was totally and radically blessed on this earth by our most gracious God, He knew the principles of that song. We must remember them this morning also. If you're feeling very settled and at home in this world today, stretch your faith and realize that part of the promise is still to be received. Do enjoy every blessing that God has poured upon you. Do give thanks with a grateful heart. Do share generously what you have been given. But, in all of this, keep your faith alive and glowing. It will be contagious and others around you will be spurred on to believe the promise of abundant life here and eternal life with Jesus.

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 19, 2006 - WHERE AM I GOING?

Hebrews 11:8 (New Living Translation)
^{8 (NLT)}It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.

Where are you going this morning? If you are like most people, you have a plan, an agenda. It is not only for this morning but, if you are really organized, it may be for many days and months ahead. There is nothing wrong with planning and a vision for your life is good. To be without a vision is not a good thing (Proverbs 29:18 - see the KJV). However, if our plans and agenda are so inflexible that there is no room for the Holy Spirit to work, that is not a good thing either. We must be in sync with God and attune to His voice.

Sometimes God will ask us to do things that really don't make much sense intellectually. If they don't make sense to us, they certainly won't make sense to those around us. But, whose voice would you rather listen to? Your own? Has it always led you in the right direction? To others? Do others really know what is best for you? Or, to the living God who is the only One who promises life and can deliver on His promise? It is not always easy to listen to His voice and obey. Other voices are loud, including our own voice of logic. However, Abraham, the father of our faith (Romans 4:12), obeyed when God called him to leave his home and go to another land. God promised to give it to him as his inheritance. Just one catch. It was blind obedience. He did not know where he was going. He was led solely by God Himself!

Faith always demands obedience. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore, without obedience, it is impossible to please God. Faith always produces a work (James 2:26). Our faith is not really faith at all if we are not operating in obedience and out of that obedience producing good deeds. So, where are you going this morning? Hopefully, we have all asked God to direct our steps and He has promised to do that (Psalm 37:23). Just this morning and just returning from a flight back home from California, I heard this analogy. When we want to get somewhere on an airline, we go to the gate to which we are directed for that flight. After we walk through the gate, it's not our business to get ourselves to our destination. It is the pilot's business. Will you go to the gate of faith this morning and let God, your Pilot, take you to a wonderful place that you know not of? He is in the business of taking us wonderful places (Jeremiah 29:11). He is ready to take us places that are more wonderful than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). We have an inheritance both here and for eternity (Ephesians 1:18). Just go through the gate marked faith. And leave the flying to God!!

Hebrews 11:7 (The Living Bible)
^{7 (TLB)}Noah was another who trusted God. When he heard God's warning about the future, Noah believed him even though there was then no sign of a flood, and wasting no time, he built the ark and saved his family. Noah's belief in God was in direct contrast to the sin and disbelief of the rest of the world--which refused to obey--and because of his faith he became one of those whom God has accepted.

Noah is a wonderful example of faith for us to follow. He heard God's warning about the future. I mean he heard God's warning. When we really, really hear something, it causes us to act upon what we hear. Noah began to act immediately even though there was no outward sign that the warning was even possible. God told him to build an ark. OK, building a large boat is not all that strange. Unless, of course, there is no water and it has never rained! Noah lived in a time of great rebellion and sin. Much like the day we find ourselves in today. In fact the Bible speaks of the end times being just like the times of Noah (Luke 17:26). When we look outside of our church walls, we see that most people today are indifferent to the things of God. Unfortunately, even inside some church walls, people are indifferent to the things of God much preferring their own agendas and programs to the moving of the Holy Spirit.

We also have God's warning today. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Jesus said so. When he said that, he also said we must repent. What things are we doing today that we must bring to the Lord in true repentance? Are we hearing the warning as Noah did and taking it seriously even though there is no outward sign of judgment? Noah's faith not only served to save him but also his family. With so much pull into the world today, many of us are struggling to keep our children and grandchildren close to God. How did Noah do it? By faith. A faith that prompted him to heed God's word even though it caused him to do a strange thing in the eyes of the rest of the world.

The ark was a shadow of the ark that we have today. God has provided the Ark. His name is Jesus. By faith, we run into Him and are saved. By faith, we commit our families to Him and believe Him for their salvation. Acts 16:16-34 tells the story of Paul and Silas being put in jail but ends up with the jailer being saved. His whole household was saved along with him. Many other places in scripture give examples of how, if we walk in faith and speak that faith to our children, they too will be safe in the Ark. By faith, Noah saved himself and his family. Now, despite the pull of the world around us, are we doing the same?

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 17, 2006 - DO YOU HAVE ENOCH'S FAITH?

Hebrews 11:5 (The Living Bible)
^{5 (TLB)}Enoch trusted God too, and that is why God took him away to heaven without dying; suddenly he was gone because God took him. Before this happened God had said how pleased he was with Enoch.

Enoch lived for over 300 years in an extremely evil culture. He prophesied to the culture but, somewhat like today, people did not listen (Jude 1:14). Despite having to walk in the opposite direction of those around him, Enoch chose to walk with God. He walked the same direction (Jude 3:3). He walked the same path. He kept the same pace (Galatians 5:25). All this was done by faith. Enoch trusted God so much that He did not stray from Him in any way even though he was in effect, "swimming upstream."

Suddenly, after over three hundred years of life, Enoch disappeared! All of a sudden he was gone! God took him and he never experienced death. We are told that we may have that experience also. As Enoch prophesied in Jude 1:14, Jesus will come again with the holy angels. We also read in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 that those of us who are alive when He returns will be changed and receive new bodies. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says that we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Sounds much like Enoch who was suddenly gone because God took him. He was taken because his walk pleased God. It was a walk of faith. Faith that saw beyond the wickedness of the atmosphere in which he lived. Faith that caused him to walk in total agreement with God although it put him at odds with everyone else of the day.

We have the same opportunity today to walk with God and commune with Him along the way. We have the opportunity to, by faith, keep in step with the Spirit even though it will most likely make us look somewhat (or a lot) like fools to the rest of the world. Remember though that God has chosen the things that appear foolish to this world to confound those who are wise in their own eyes (1 Corinthians 1:27). Will we live by faith? Will we continue by faith believing that we too may be caught up like Enoch to meet the Lord in the air. In the culture of today it would seem more like a myth than a reality. However, if God said it, we must believe it. If we believe it, how is it affecting our walk? Is it causing us to walk the exact same direction God is going? The exact path? The exact pace? Do we have faith like Enoch? Without such faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). God is a rewarder of those who look to Him in faith but it takes faith to believe that. I don't know about you but I need to take another look at my own faith and my own walk. If I truly believe God and all He says in His Word, does it show in my daily walk? How about it? Do we have faith like Enoch?

MORNING MANNA - NOVEMBER 16, 2006 - DO YOU HAVE ABEL'S FAITH?

Hebrews 11:4 (The Living Bible)
^{4 (TLB)}It was by faith that Abel obeyed God and brought an offering that pleased God more than Cain's offering did. God accepted Abel and proved it by accepting his gift; and though Abel is long dead, we can still learn lessons from him about trusting God.

How scary to note that the first two brothers, Cain and Abel each offered God a sacrifice but only one of them was accepted. We see that God accepted Abel's sacrifice but rejected Cain's. Why would God do such a thing? At first, it seems almost mean. But, the clue is that word, "faith". Abel offered his sacrifice by faith. Faith requires obedience even when it doesn't make sense to us intellectually. It must have been hard for Abel to kill the best of his animals. Yet, somehow God had put it in his heart that only a blood sacrifice would do. As far as I can see, the only thing that had been sacrificed before this time was the animal or animals God sacrificed to cover Adam and Eve after they had sinned in the garden. He did that to show that only a blood sacrifice could cover for our sins. It was a shadow of the blood sacrifice Jesus would ultimately make on the cross. Since Abel was not yet born when God sacrificed the animal for Adam and Eve's covering, he had may have never seen death. Can you imagine what he thought when he was prompted by God to take the life of something he treasured?

Cain, being of the same family, obviously knew what Abel knew. Unlike Abel, he did not operate in faith. Being a tiller of the ground he brought an offering from the ground. This sort of offering represented a thank offering but not an offering for the atonement for sin. Cain's first offering needed to be an offering prompted by his faith in believing that he must present a blood offering to atone for his sin. Instead, Cain came to God in his own righteousness. Abel came to God knowing that he needed to provide an offering for his sin and do it in obedience. So, we too must come to God knowing that we need a blood offering to atone for our sin. God has graciously provided that for us in His Son. There is only one way to come to God and that is through the shed blood of Jesus. Unfortunately, the world would tell us that there are more ways than one. They would tell us that it is enough to believe in God and a "thank you Jesus" will suffice. No, the devil also believes there is a God. A complacent "thank you" is not enough either.

Like Abel, our hearts must be contrite enough and obedient enough to come through the only sacrifice available to us today. The blood of Jesus. How is your faith this morning? Is it like Abel's faith. Do you obey the Word of God even though sometimes it seems so backwards compared to what others are doing in their self-righteous religion? Or, do you come like Cain with your own "good works" and expect God to accept that? It won't work (Isaiah 64:6). God accepted Abel's gift and Abel is still remembered this day because of his faith in God. If we operate in faith, we will be remembered too just as Abel is and so many others mentioned throughout the Bible (Hebrews 11:2). God is so merciful. He demands a blood sacrifice. Abel had to kill his best and offer it. Today, God has provided us with the sacrifice He demands. He allowed His best to be killed - and for us! Jesus paid the price and is accepted by the Father. Ours is only to believe and receive by faith.