MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2007

Galatians 1:10 (New Living Translation)
^{10 (NLT)}Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant.

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 - ENJOYING THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE

2 Corinthians 13:11 (New Living Translation)
^{11 (NLT)}Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Would you like to know that the God of peace and love is with you at all times? If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then God is with you at all times. Jesus promised that to us when He went back to Heaven to sit at His Father's right hand. (Matthew 28:20) When Jesus made that proclamation, He was giving a commission to go and teach the world to observe those things He taught. We always have a part to do in receiving what God wants to give us. How can we go and teach the world to follow Jesus? We can start one by one with those closest to us. The Message says, "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near." How can we train unless we are trained? That's exactly why we get together each morning and read His Word. It trains us if we follow it. When we follow it, we are following Jesus because He is the Word. (John 1:1) When we are following Him, we can train others just as He commanded.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul closes his letter to them by giving four ways in which we can train ourselves and, by example, train others. Of course we can preach the gospel. Our words should always be consistent with the Word of God. (Mark 16:15) But a two-fold training program is much better. We train, not only by how we talk, but by how we walk. Most people will learn very effectively by example. (Matthew 16:24) They will learn one way or another. Will our example lead them closer to or farther from the Lord? That will depend upon whom we are following. (1 Corinthians 11:1) As Paul closed his letter to the Corinthians, he gave them some pointers as to how to be the example that the world needed to see back then, as well as achieve intimacy with God in their own lives. When we achieve intimacy with the God of love and peace, the world will take notice! They'll want it too!!

The very first thing mentioned is this. Rejoice! We are to let the joy that Jesus has put in us rise to the top and bubble forth. Paul not only mentioned this to those in Corinth, he also encouraged the Philippians to do the same. In fact, when he talked to them about rejoicing, he said it twice. (Philippians 4:4) "I say it again - rejoice!" It seemed that Paul thought it important to make his parting words to believers an encouragement to rejoice. Instead of saying good-bye to a friend next time, why not depart with, "Joy!" Do circumstances always lend themselves to joyful thinking? No. But, we don't rejoice in the circumstances, we rejoice in our relationship with God. He has made us His friend. (Romans 5:11) What better Friend could you have when going through life here on earth than the living, powerful, merciful, gracious God? The joy-Giver? Okay, now that we're all rejoicing, the second thing Paul mentioned is to change our ways. That really means, "to complete thoroughly." How can we do that? By applying His Word to our everyday lives and letting it change us from the inside out. It also means, "to mend, repair, adjust and restore," among other things. We are to examine ourselves. (2 Corinthians 13:5) We need also to ask God to test us. (Psalm 139:23) When we examine ourselves and let our Friend examine us too, we will probably find some areas to mend, adjust or restore. Are you up to the challenge? When those around us see that we can change, they are encouraged to know that they, too, can make changes in their lives for the better. The third thing Paul brings to mind is encouragement. We are to encourage one another. In this dog-eat-dog world, what an example that would be all by itself. That word, "encourage," actually is a word that comes from the Greek word, pronounced, "par-ak-al-eh'-o." It essentially means to call near or invite by imploring someone, exhorting someone or consoling someone. So, how can we encourage one another? We can invite them into our lives and provide them with whatever it is they may need at the time. It may be in any one of several areas, from exhortation to comfort. In the world, there is a phrase used to help people find success. "Find a need and fill it." That's exactly what we're supposed to do for one another! And, according to God's Word, we will have success. How much more successful can one be than having the God of peace and love with them constantly? Lastly, we find that we are to live in harmony and peace. Harmony means unity. We are to be of one mind. That mind would be the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 2:16) We are to live peacefully with one another. All of these things, when lived out in our lives will be effective and powerful tools to show by example that Jesus lives. In us! We will not only be able to show the world, but we will encourage one another as we grow in these areas. The result? The God of unconditional love and peace will be with us. He is always with us but when we become obedient and loving children, His love and peace (meaning rest, quietness, prosperity, oneness with God) will be manifest in and through us! What encouragement we can find in this small closing scripture written by Paul from the heart of God!

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 13, 2007 - GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE

Psalms 56:9 (New Living Translation)
9 (NLT) On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side.

Do you need to do some calling out this morning? Maybe you're already calling out for somebody, just anybody who can help you in your difficult situation. If you're in a difficult situation this morning and you don't know Jesus, I have great news for you. He is that Someone who can bring you relief and deliverance from any situation. Call out to Him right now. The very first thing He wants to relieve you of is your sin. We've all sinned - no question about it. (Romans 3:23) God is a holy God and He can't look upon sin. He can't be on our side as long as we have sin in us. But, and here's the best news you have ever heard, He loved us so much that He made a way for us. (John 3:16) He gave His own Son to be sin for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21) If we have confessed our sin and believed that, we can now say with the psalmist, "This I know: God is on my side!" (Romans 10:9) Wow!

The psalmist, David, was in a very difficult situation when he wrote Psalm 56. Because of this fallen world we live in, sorrows will come and we will have tears at times. Situations will be difficult. They were for David and they will be for us. But, David encouraged himself in the Lord, even in the middle of his difficult situations and we can do the same. (1 Samuel 30:6) We may not receive all the answers we would like as to why we are in a particular situation, but we can know that God is on our side. He is keeping track of everything, including all those sorrows and tears. (Psalm 56:8) Jesus, our deliverer, knows how it feels to be in every situation we could possibly go through. He's touched with those feelings that we have. (Hebrews 4:15) He's not just looking down from above while we muddle through our circumstances. He's feeling exactly what you and I are feeling and He's touched with compassion. Sometimes we think nobody can understand how we feel. Not true. Jesus understands. He feels our pain. He has compassion. And, He is able to deliver us! (2 Timothy 4:18) How's that for having Someone on your side? You and God are a majority!

David came to the realization that, because God was on his side, he could walk in the presence of God. He could live in that life-giving light. Yes, yes. God does not play favorites. David could walk in God's presence and in His light. You and I can too! Is there a dark situation in your life this morning? There's no brighter light you can shed on it than God's life-giving Light. Open His Word this morning. It will be a light to your path. (Psalm 119:105) It's not just words on a page that you will be reading. It may be in a book but it's not just a book either. It is a person. The person of Jesus Christ. (John 1:14) It is His presence that we are receiving when we read the Word. It is His resurrection power and His life that we are receiving. (Hebrews 4:12) It will keep our feet from slipping. It will even rescue us. Even from death. (Psalm 56:13) There's not a single thing in our lives this morning that cannot be taken care of by the God who is on our side. No person can effectively fight against Him. (2 Chronicles 13:12) Because we belong to Him and are on His side, not one weapon formed against us will ultimately prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) If you have not already done so, make sure you are on His side this morning. That you are abiding in Jesus. (John 15:4) If you are already doing that, you have the assurance that He is abiding with you forever. (John 14:16) And finally, if God be for us, there's nothing and nobody that can be against us! (Romans 8:31) God is for you. He has good plans for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) Submit to Him, resisting the enemy. Your enemies will have to retreat. (James 4:7) He's on your side!!

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 12, 2007 - WOULD PAUL HAVE REASON TO FEAR TODAY?

2 Corinthians 12:20 (New Living Translation)
^{20 (NLT)}For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won't like what I find, and then you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly behavior.

If the apostle, Paul, were to visit one of our modern-day churches right now, would he have reason to fear what he would find? He had nurtured and spiritually fed the church at Corinth. Then he had gone about taking care of other churches. When he wrote this second letter to the Corinthians, he said that he was afraid of what he would find when he visited them again. (2 Corinthians 12:20) Paul was not a fearful man. He had been through many hard things. Why was he so fearful about visiting the church at Corinth?

He thought he might find quarreling. Oh my! Some of us in our churches are very religious. We even fast and tithe. All the time. But, do we quarrel too? Isaiah 58:4 says we might as well just stop all of that if we keep on fighting and quarreling among ourselves. By the way, if your spouse is a believer and you quarrel with each other, that's still the church. We are the church. Just because members of your congregation don't see you quarreling doesn't mean that you don't bring that spirit with you when you enter into corporate worship! Paul was fearful of finding jealousy too. No wonder he was afraid to find jealousy. (James 3:16) Where there is jealousy, there is every kind of disorder and evil! Those things certainly do not belong in the church. Paul mentions, among his fears for the Corinthians, that there would be outbursts of anger. Remember now, we are the church. These outbursts of anger may not show up conspicuously during a Sunday morning worship service. But, do they show up in our business meetings or our homes? Maybe in our cars. You know, the cars with the, "I love Jesus" bumper stickers. How about selfishness? (Philippians 2:3) Would Paul find that among us today? Do you have a special place that is "yours" in the church? Does it upset you when someone takes "your" seat? Backstabbing was another thing Paul feared finding in the Corinthian church. (1 Peter 2:1) In how many churches today would he find that? Some backstabbing is masked very well in "prayer requests." It goes right along with gossip. Do we ever call someone and ask for prayer for another to cover our need to pass on a dainty morsel of dirty gossip? (Isaiah 58:9) I know. This is a hard writing. I am asking myself these questions too. As my outreach pastor says, "If it doesn't apply, let it fly." Apparently Paul was voicing his fears because some of these things did apply in his day and I would say that some, if not many, apply in our day too. I find myself this morning re-evaluating my life in some of these areas. Then Paul mentioned conceit. (Galatians 5:26) Do you know anyone like that? Hopefully, its not the one you see looking back at you when you look in the mirror. And lastly, in this verse, Paul mentions disorderly behavior, which includes such things as confusion and instability. It indicates an inability to be steadfast. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

As if all of these things, or any one of them, are not enough, Paul did not stop there. No. 2 Corinthians 12:21 goes on to include more. Paul had invested much of his life in discipling those in the church at Corinth. Now he was having to fear finding such things as mentioned above in addition to the lack of repentance for other things. When we realize that repentance means a turning away from sin, it is pretty evident that there were people in the church there who were morally unclean which included such things as harlotry,adultery, fornication, incest, and figurative idolatry. Now that's a list! However, we need not look far within our churches to find many of these things. How would Paul feel today if he visited your church or came to your house to stay a while? This is not a finger-pointing session. Merely a check to see if our actions would humble and sadden Paul after he has written us so much about these subjects. (2 Corinthians 13:5) More than that, there is someone else who has poured his life out for us and then into us. He, too, has given us clear instructions on all of the above subjects. If we are believers, that One is resident with us in our homes and in our churches. How comfortable is Jesus? Is He grieved because His sacrifice has been taken lightly and we have not heeded his very first preaching? That of repentance? (Matthew 4:17) Just because we can check off most of these things as not being a part of us, if there is even one on the list that may apply, we would do well to seek His strength to repent. It's never too late to begin again in the right way. Whatever we are as individuals will be exactly what our church will be. We are the church. Our corporate meetings of worship and business will reflect the sum of every one of us. Will any portion of that sum grieve the Holy Spirit? (Ephesians 4:30) Will it quench His power among us? (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22) Will our actions encourage our leaders or cause them some fear? Why not determine this morning to, with the grace and help of God, be an encouragement to our leaders and a testimony to the power of Jesus?

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 - FROM VISION TO VICTORY

Isaiah 6:1 (New Living Translation)
^{1 (NLT)}In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.

Do you have a vision this morning? A vision of just how big and holy and glorious our God is? Isaiah saw the Lord. The Lord was high and lifted up. The word translated, "Lord" here can denote, "my Lord." What Isaiah saw was personal. He took it personally. He saw his Lord! In fact, he took it so personally that he promptly became undone. He was brought to silence and even possibly felt as though he would die. The Word of God says that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:3). Isaiah was feeling that totally reverential awe and fear because he realized just how sinful he was in the light of His Creator. (Isaiah 6:5) If we have such a vision of our Lord and Savior today, we will also realize that we have come very short of His glory. (Romans 3:23) We've come short of His glory but that isn't the end of the story!

Our God is a holy God. As Isaiah recounts what he saw in his vision, he describes the mighty seraphim that hovered around the Lord. As they did so, they sang, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with His glory!" (Isaiah 6:2-4) The singing was so loud that the foundation of the temple was shaken and the sanctuary was filled with smoke. When I read this, my heart longs to be in a worship service where the whole place is shaken and filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Doesn't that scene Isaiah describes remind you of the upper room scene from Acts 2:1-3? The believers had, in obedience, waited just where Jesus told them to wait. (Luke 24:49) They were in one accord just as is the will of our Father for us, as believers. (Acts 1:14, John 17:20-21) Just as Jesus promised, the glory of God came down and filled everyone there with His Spirit. (Acts 2:3-4) The seraphim in Isaiah's vision sang, "The whole earth is filled with His glory," Jesus, in His prayer to God for us, said that He had given us His glory. (John 17:22) He also prayed that we would be able to see His glory. (John 17:24) We can see the glory that Isaiah saw in His vision. Our Savior, the Son of God, has asked the Father that we might see it. Are we walking in obedience today? Are we walking in unity with those who acknowledge that Jesus has come in the flesh? (1 John 4:2-3) If so, we are poised in position to see the glory of God. To be in that place of awesome wonder that Isaiah experienced. Wouldn't it be wonderfully overwhelming to be in a place where you see the glory of God? That is possible today!

Isaiah instantly knew he was undone and unclean. (Isaiah 6:5) He knew he could not stick around in the presence of Almighty God without being destroyed. But, Almighty God is also a God of mercy and provision. Unlike most of the people in Israel at the time, Isaiah knew his condition. He knew he was totally unworthy to stand before God and he admitted it. Many in our world are much like the Israelites of Isaiah's day. They don't think much about the vast difference in holiness between themselves and God. Moreover, many do not even care or acknowledge that there is a God and that He is holy. (Psalm 14:1) In light of eternity, that is a very precarious and foolish position to take. If we have believed God's Word, we will know what Isaiah knew when he found himself in God's presence. We are undone too. But, Jesus has made a way for us to be cleansed of all that muck that is in us. The first thing we have to do is confess that we are undone just as Isaiah did. (1 John 1:9) God provided Isaiah with a burning coal from the altar to cleanse him from his sin and unrighteousness. (Isaiah 6:6-7) Jesus has provided us with His blood which covers all our sin and iniquity. (1 John 1:7) Not only are we cleansed from every sin, but we have fellowship with others that have also received His forgiveness. That means we are partners with one another, we communicate with one another, we share with one another. That's unity. Unity allows God's glory to come through and manifest itself among us. Do you have a vision this morning? A vision of just how holy God is and how that holiness can be spread through all the earth through us, His church? His glory does fill all the earth. His Word says so. Isaiah was cleansed of his sin. Then he was called to go and preach. Have you been cleansed of your sin? The next question God is going to ask is this, "Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8) Isaiah answered rightly. "Lord, I'll go! Send me." If we have a vision this morning of just how awesome our God is, we also have a mission. Like Isaiah, God is asking every believer to go and do something. It may be different for you and me than it was for Isaiah. The question is, will we answer rightly just as Isaiah did? Will our vision lead us to fulfill God's call on our lives in victory? He is asking this morning for our availability. We may not have the ability, but God is a God of provision. Just as He had the angel touch Isaiah's lips with the hot coal, so He is still able today to give the ability to those who are available. When that hot coal touched the lips of Isaiah, all unclean things left and his mouth was filled with God's Words. Has Jesus cleansed you and made you whole? Do you have a vision of just how powerful and holy our God is? Then God has a vision for you. He intends to equip you to fulfill that vision in victory. He's the one who started the work in you and He will finish it! (Philippians 1:6) All we have to do is follow the vision He has given us.

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 - KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY

2 Corinthians 11:6 (New Living Translation)
^{6 (NLT)}I may not be a trained speaker, but I know what I am talking about. I think you realize this by now, for we have proved it again and again.

The apostle, Paul, was not an unlearned man. Besides his learning from a worldly standpoint, he was well taught by the Holy Spirit. He had knowledge of the things of God. He knew what he was talking about when he spoke to and wrote to the churches he tended to. It appears that he spoke like a common man. The things that he said were uncluttered by the eloquent style of the day. I once heard a speaker say that, half the time, he couldn't figure out what some theologians in our day are saying when they speak. Everything seems cluttered with words and the simplicity of the gospel message is hindered from going out because the speaker gets in the way. Have you ever been to a meeting like that and come out wondering exactly what it is you heard? Jesus spoke simply. What is hard to understand about the words, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."? (Matthew 4:17) That's the first thing Jesus said when beginning His ministry shortly after He was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness. He came out in great power and in utter simplicity, knowing exactly what He was talking about. Paul, too, knew exactly what he was talking about. He spoke with the authority of Christ rather than the eloquence of man. (2 Corinthians 2:17)

No matter how much Paul really knew and could do in the natural, he chose to let the power of the Holy Spirit work through him instead. He decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and the cross. (1 Corinthians 2:1-2) No lofty words, as was the Greek style. Paul went and spoke in weakness. In plain language. (1 Corinthians 2:3 )

What happened? The Holy Spirit was powerful among them! Paul chose to do it that way so that his listeners would trust the power of God in their lives, rather than human wisdom. (1 Corinthians 2:4) When God calls us, as believers, to deliver His message to someone (it may be an individual or a crowd), we would do well to be like Paul. No matter how learned we are, we can deliver the message realizing our own weakness just as Paul did. Paul got out of the way, humanly speaking, and let God have His way. We may not have the answers to everything but we do have the answer to another's question, "What must I do to be saved?" It's not a hard answer and we can all give it in plain and simple language. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Those eleven words may seem quite inadequate compared to all the words we hear every day. However, there is more power in those eleven words than in all the words we hear daily through the media. If those eleven simple words are received by an individual, we have delivered the message of eternal life and a soul has been saved.

Whether Paul was qualified to be an orator is not the question. Anyone can be trained by the world to use words but not everyone can use the Word effectively. It's not by our own power and persuasiveness that we can change lives and turn people toward God. It's by the power of His Spirit working through us. (Zechariah 4:6) You and I might not be "qualified" in the worldly sense to speak to others but that's not the point. As has been often pointed out, God does not necessarily call the qualified. He qualifies the called. We know, if we are believers, that we have been called. Every believer has been called to go and tell others of the good news of the gospel. (Mark 1:17, Matthew 28:19) When Paul was called on the Damascus road, he was a very unlikely candidate for his calling. He wasn't qualified at the time of his calling but, as he was called, he was qualified. It's probably true for you and me also. We may be very unlikely candidates for the calling God has placed on our lives. That's good! It just shows that God is who He says He is. He isn't looking for your resume or for your long list of qualifications. If he was, David may never have been chosen to be a king. Paul may never have been chosen to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. Whatever God has called you and me to do may seem very unlikely. That's okay. That's good. It's His work and He will do it through us. Qualifications or not, He will complete what He has started in us and He will get the glory. (Philippians 1:6) Has God called you to do something beyond your qualifications or the ability you think you may or may not have? He probably has. If we will let him, He will show off through us. We may speak simple words. We may seem weak. But, beyond the words we speak, the unsaved world will see that God is real. His use of the unqualified, but called, will reveal His power to those looking on. Even we, will be able to do nothing but give the glory for any accomplishment to God. That's where it all belongs anyway. (Psalm 115:1) As the song says, "To God be the glory, great things He has done!"

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 9, 2007 - NO COMPARISON

2 Corinthians 10:12 (New Living Translation)
^{12 (NLT)}Oh, don't worry; I wouldn't dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness!

Have you compared yourself with someone else lately? We're always being tempted to do that, especially with the media always showing us seemingly "perfect" people. But, as the old saying says, "You can't always judge a book by it's cover." We tend to look at what's on the outside. (1 Samuel 16:7) God looks at the heart. We may compare ourselves with someone that God has already eliminated. If we make comparisons of ourselves with others, what are we really opening ourselves up to? Jealousy? (Galatians 5:26) What does jealousy cause? For one thing, Proverbs 14:30 says it rots our lives away. Here's how the Amplified Bible translates it. "Proverbs 14:30 (Amplified Bible) ^{30 (AMP)}A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones." When our mind and heart is calm and undisturbed, we have physical health. When our heart and mind is anxious and disturbed, we have the opposite. When we are envious of others, jealous or others or prone to anger, we usually find ourselves sick. Have we been comparing ourselves to others and not even realized it? Do we sometimes feel less of a person because we can't measure up to our perception of what others are like, even though we may not even know them? Have we at times opened ourselves up in this way to anxiousness, sleepless nights and a disturbed way of life? We may have done this for a long time, and without really realizing it. It seems as if we suddenly find that we get sick more often or stay in a state of dis-ease.

God has told us in the scriptures that we are each important. There's not a single other, "you" in this world. We are each awesomely made. (Psalm 139:14) A one of a kind. Marvelous. With the signature of the Creator in our being. God had a specific purpose and plan in mind when He created each one of us. No one can complete that purpose and plan but the exact one created to complete it. That would be you! If we compare ourselves with others, how will we ever find our own destiny? The prophet, Jeremiah was assured by God that he was created for a certain purpose. That God had known him and set him apart for a special purpose even before God formed him in his mother's womb. (Jeremiah 1:5) Now, what if Jeremiah had decided to compare himself with his contemporaries instead of believing that he was specifically formed and created for the purpose God had in mind? We don't always know exactly what God's plans and ways are. They're much higher than our ability to comprehend. (Isaiah 55:9) But, we do know that He has made us in His image and for a specific purpose. By comparing ourselves with others, we can slow that purpose and even bring it to a grinding halt. Instead, we should busy ourselves with walking and talking with God, finding out who we really are through His Word. Then we won't even have time to look at others and compare ourselves with them causing ourselves to enter into the sin of envy. (Galatians 6:4)

Comparison and one-upmanship has always been a problem with us humans. Remember Cain and Abel? Cain's offering was not accepted by God but Abel's was. He got angry with God because he felt he didn't compare with his brother, Abel. (Genesis 4:5) Then, instead of talking with God about it, he took out his anger on Abel and killed him. That's what happens when we compare ourselves with anyone but God. That's why we need to guard against the sin of envy (or comparison with others). We are not to judge anything before the end of the story. And that won't be till Jesus comes back to show us the whole picture. (1 Corinthians 4:5) We don't have to worry about the other guy. We've got quite enough to keep us busy following the plan God made for our lives. The apostle, Paul, was sarcastically talking about those who compare themselves with others trying to make themselves look better. In 2 Corinthians 10:12, he says that their comparisons, one with another, are foolish. Yes, there were ministers of the gospel comparing themselves to one another! That's still going on today. If we all just compared ourselves with the Lord, we would have nothing to brag about except His grace and His wonderful plan for our lives. We would have nothing to worry about either because He paid the price for us to be clothed in righteousness. If we let God be our standard, we don't have to be envious of anyone and we can't think ourselves better than anyone. No one can compare to God. (Psalm 71:19) We're all the same in that sense. We should not think too highly of ourselves. Neither should we belittle ourselves. Our thoughts of ourselves need to be sober thoughts. (Romans 12:3) That is basically to think of ourselves with a sound mind. What makes us compare ourselves with others? Perhaps one thing is fear. But, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind! (2 Timothy 1:7) Look at the Amplified Version of this verse: "2 Timothy 1:7 (Amplified Bible) 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." As we just noticed in Proverbs 14:30, that calm and well-balanced mind will bring health to our bodies. Our minds will be in control and stable. We will not be afraid or envy what anyone else has because we will be settled in the fact that God has given us exactly what is best and right for us. We need not commend ourselves or compare ourselves with anyone. When the Lord says something is good, it is good. (2 Corinthians 10:18) If you have received Him as your Lord and Savior, God's pronouncement over you is, "good." He doesn't see anything but the blood of His own dear Son when He looks at you. All of your sin and imperfection is gone. Now, do you really want to compare yourself with anyone else? Especially with one who has not yet received the gift of forgiveness? Let's get to the business of walking in our own calling, being steadfast in it and thankful for it! (Amplified Bible) ^{7 (AMP)}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. As we just noticed in Proverbs 14:30, that calm and well-balanced mind will bring health to our bodies. Our minds will be in control and stable. We will not be afraid or envy what anyone else has because we will be settled in the fact that God has given us exactly what is best and right for us. We need not commend ourselves or compare ourselves with anyone. When the Lord says something is good, it is good. (2 Corinthians 10:18) If you have received Him as your Lord and Savior, God's pronouncement over you is, "good." He doesn't see anything but the blood of His own dear Son when He looks at you. All of your sin and imperfection is gone. Now, do you really want to compare yourself with anyone else? Especially with one who has not yet received the gift of forgiveness? Let's get to the business of walking in our own calling, being steadfast in it and thankful for it!

Proverbs 22:24-25 (New Living Translation) ^{24 (NLT)}Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, ²⁵or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Does anger rule you? Perhaps you know someone who is like that. Proverbs 22:24-25 lets us know that it is not a good thing to stay around a person who will not let go of his or her anger. The King James Version translates these verses like this: "Proverbs 22:24-25 (King James Version) ^{24 (KJV)}Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: ²⁵Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." The original Hebrew word which is translated, "friendship," is a root word meaning, "to tend a flock." It can mean to graze and generally to rule. Also, "to associate with (as a friend)", etc. In other words, we should not associate with someone who is constantly getting angry. The word, "angry," has within its original meaning the idea of anger and wrath and its root is a word meaning, "enraged," among other things. Do certain things elicit rage in you? If so, don't be surprised if your brothers and sisters give you a wide berth. They will be right in doing so. We are told to keep away from angry people.

We're not to abide with or go around with furious people either. That word, "furious," also has the meaning of wrath, along with fury and rage. It even includes in its meaning, "poison." Have you ever been around someone who is easily angered? Who flies into a rage? It's like poison fills the atmosphere. We don't want to breathe that kind of air! Proverbs 22:25 indicates the reason we should not be associating with that kind of a person. And, for sure, we should not be that kind of a person. (Ephesians 4:27) Uncontrolled anger or rage gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. If we stay in the atmosphere where the Devil has a foothold, there's a good chance he will get both feet in the door and create a stronghold in us. We tend to be like our environment. When we choose to stay in an evil environment, the Word says it can become a snare to our soul. A danger to our soul. (Proverbs 22:25)

In this fast-paced world in which we live, we can even get impatient with the microwave! We want everything now! We want everybody to get out of our way! Have you been on the highways lately? As believers, we're not to be like the world. It is angered easily. Just look at the nightly news. Or check out the court dockets. Ephesians 4:26 says that we are not to sin by letting anger gain control over us. The only one who should have control over us is the Lord Jesus. For sure we should not let a day pass that we hold on to any anger. If we do, it will soon build with tomorrows irritations until we're just constantly angry and we don't even know why. That's why Ephesians 4:31 says we should get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, etc. Is there anger in your soul this morning? If God reveals it to us, why don't we just give it up? Colossians 3:8 says that now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, etc. The Lord wants our corporate prayer to be attended by people lifting up holy hands to God that are free from anger and controversy. (1 Timothy 2:8) The Message says this: "Psalms 37:8 The Message) ^{8
(MSG)}Bridle your anger, trash your wrath, cool your pipes—it only makes things worse." Whatever makes us angry and out of control is what is really controlling us. If we want to be more and more like the Lord, we will be slow to anger. (Psalm 145:8) Full of love. Proverbs 14:29 says that if we are slow to anger, we have deep understanding. Staying around angry people will endanger our soul because we will learn to be just like them. If we happen to be an angry person, this morning is the time to get rid of it. Now is the time to let God cleanse us and fill us with the power of His Spirit of self-control. (Proverbs 16:32) It is better to be patient (not angry) than powerful. Those with self-control are really more powerful than someone who can conquer a city, according to the book of Proverbs! Living in the Spirit will give us that self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) What controls us? Anger? Or is it the sweet, sweet Spirit of the Lord? It's our choice. Now is the time to make that choice.

Psalms 50:23 (New Living Translation)
^{23
(NLT)}But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God."

Are you ready to give thanks this morning? Somebody may be saying, "It's hard." It could be that there are circumstances in your life that are so sad or heavy that you are weighed down with some sort of grief. Hopefully, that is not you this morning. Still, we can give thanks. God knows your heart. He knows of any pain and sorrow in your life. In fact He has recorded each one of your sorrows in a book. (Psalm 56:8) Just knowing that should help us to maintain a grateful heart. He has not forgotten a one of our sorrows. Not only that, God sent His Son to live here on earth. A man of many sorrows. (Isaiah 53:3) He was thoroughly acquainted with deepest grief. He has experience with everything and more that you and I could ever experience. (Hebrews 4:15) He's touched with the feeling of what we feel. Besides all of that, He's promised to give us His strength. (Philippians 4:13) He's promised to supply all of our needs. (Philippians 4:19) He's promised to go with us through every earthly trial. (Hebrews 13:5) Who is ready to give thanks to God this morning? If for nothing else, those things just mentioned.

It is good and necessary to be a giver. Tithes and offerings are necessary. We live in a Kingdom. Kingdom's can't run on earth without money. We would be greatly penalized if we didn't pay our taxes in this country. We live in this country. We owe the taxes. We also live in a Kingdom and we're privileged to support that Kingdom with our tithes and offerings. While these things are good and necessary, that alone will not reveal salvation to us or bring us God's favor. The Pharisees were careful to tithe on everything. They were glad to let everyone know they did it too. Jesus was angry with them. Not because they tithed and gave offerings. He was angry because they did it, broadcasted it, and were proud of themselves for doing it. The problem was, they neglected the weightier matters such as justice, mercy and fidelity. (Matthew 23:23) I would imagine that, as Jesus was rebuking them, He might have added that they did not have grateful hearts, though the scripture doesn't say that. However, if you have a grateful heart for what God has done for you, you will most likely have a merciful heart toward others. We should be givers but our gifts should come from a heart so full of thanks to God that the gifts are just an expressive overflow!

Everything we have comes from God. He owns it all. (Psalm 50:10) He is the one who gives it all to us. We would not have any wealth at all if it weren't for the fact that God supplied it. It's all through His power. (Deuteronomy 8:18) Come to think of it, that's another reason to be thankful! God's power works in us to help us with everything we need. (Colossians 1:29) Yes, like the apostle, Paul, we need to work; but it is ultimately God working through us that will bring a good result. Is God needy? Is that why we bring tithes and offerings? No. We bring them out of love and gratitude. (Psalm 50:12-13) We bring them out of and along with a thankful heart, the latter being of more importance. God says he wants our true thanks. (Psalm 50:14) He wants us to fulfill the vows we have made to Him (which includes our commitment to support His Kingdom). He wants us to trust Him in our times of trouble and give Him glory as He rescues us. (Psalm 50:15) If we are really trusting Him, we will be free to give Him thanks, as a sacrifice, in spite of any seemingly overwhelming circumstances. Can we truly honor God this morning by giving our thanks, even though it may be a sacrifice? It's a win-win situation. When we do that, we will not be torn apart by God, as is the fate of the wicked. (Psalm 50:22) Instead, by staying on His path and giving thanks to Him, we will receive the full revelation of salvation! As the song says, "And now, let the weak say, 'I am strong,' and let the poor say 'I am rich because of what the Lord has done for me.' Give thanks. Give thanks. Give thanks!!" That kind of sacrifice truly honors God!

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 - FINISH WELL ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU HAVE

2 Corinthians 8:11 (New Living Translation)
^{11 (NLT)}Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give whatever you can according to what you have.

There are two aspects of 2 Corinthians 8:11 that caught my eye right away when I read it the other day. One has to do with finishing what I start. The other has to do with giving according to what I have. Both are places I need to work on in my life. How about you? Left any projects unfinished lately? Had the opportunity to give something and didn't take it?

First of all, finishing is important. Many people can start something with a spurt of energy but then, for one reason or another, they can't finish. Have you ever been one of those people? I can say that I have. Too many times we get all enthusiastic at the beginning of a project but we have failed to count the cost. (Luke 14:28) There is a cost to be paid for not counting the cost of a proposed endeavor. Jesus pointed out that, if we fail to count the cost, we may be ridiculed and laughed at. (Luke 14:29-30) We end up looking foolish and, if we are believers, our testimony is greatly damaged. God is a finisher. He began a good work in each one of us and He has promised to complete it. (Philippians 1:6) He had already counted the cost. The cost was extremely great but He paid it ahead of time. It was His own Son. Jesus is also a finisher. He endured the shame and pain of the cross until He had finished His mission here on earth and then He said, "It is finished." (John 19:30) I have a very close and dear friend who is a finisher. No matter what she starts, she is determined to carry it through. It can be a project of her own or something she does for others. Besides that, her enthusiasm never wanes. That's exactly what God wants us to be like! What an encouraging example she has been to me through the years. I want to be a finisher. Don't you? There are lots of things we begin in life but none so important as the race we are running. It's a race we must finish. The apostle, Paul, said, "...I have finished my course......" (2 Timothy 4:7) What was his course? He kept the faith. Even in the midst of troubles and trials, he remained enthusiastic. (Acts 16:25) He was in prison and it was midnight. Silas was there too. They were singing songs of praise so loud that all the prisoners heard them. That's enthusiasm for you! Did you know that the word, "enthusiasm," comes from the word, "theos," meaning, "God"? The first definition in Merriam-Webster's dictionary is, "Belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit." Is God in you? Then you and I can be enthused or "en-theos." in all that we do. That's enough to inspire us to finish!

Giving is the project that Paul is discussing in 2 Corinthians 8:11). The Corinthian Church had begun a project of giving when the Church in Jerusalem had become needy. (2 Corinthians 8:10) Maybe they had slowed down or forgotten to finish this project well. Paul was encouraging them to finish what they started by showing them that the Macedonian Church had picked up their idea and had given even when they, themselves were in need. (2 Corinthians 8:2) The Corinthians, though they had started the project, needed encouragement to finish it well. They were obviously called to do it. They seemed to have the ways and means to do it. The Macedonians didn't have much but they gave what they had. What is it that you and I have to give this morning? Money is the obvious thing that is emphasized in our giving. And, money is important. The love of it will cause us to hoard it and fall into sin. (1 Timothy 6:10) It may cause us to ignore completing a project we have started for the Lord. There are also many other things that we can give. Everything we have comes from God. Everything we have is a giving possibility. Do you have time, talent, special skill? Are you gifted at teaching, hospitality, administration? Any of these things as well as tons of others are giving possibilities. Paul told the Corinthians to give according to what they had. Obviously they had a lot more means than those in Macedonia. What is it that we have today? Whatever it is, God gave it to us. Are we really giving according to what we have? The woman with the alabaster box had saved that expensive perfume for a long time. It may have been something she was saving to take care of herself in her later years. But, she gave it to Jesus. (Mark 8:3) She decided to give according to what she had. She was ridiculed for it in public. (Mark 14:4) However, when Jesus saw what she had done in such extravagant worship, He said that she and her giving would be spoken of wherever the gospel was preached throughout the world. One woman gave according to what she had. Two thousand years later, we are inspired by her story to do the same. We may be misunderstood if we give extravagantly too. But, I'd rather be misunderstood by people and commended by Jesus any day. How about you? Mark 14:8 says, "She has done what she could.........." Are we doing what we're capable of doing? Are we doing what we can when it comes to giving? Finishing and giving are two basic principles in our Christian walk. Enthusiasm will help us live out these and other principles. Now that we've finished this little reading, searched the scriptures, been inspired to give and been reminded that God in us equals enthusiasm, let's have a blessed and fruitful day!

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 - WISDOM CALLS, LET'S LISTEN

Proverbs 22:17 (New Living Translation)
^{17 (NLT)}Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

Do you hear someone calling you this morning? Most probably, many voices are calling for your attention. Proverbs 8:1 says that we should listen as wisdom calls out. Is anyone listening? With all the voices that call to us each day, sometimes we miss the voice of wisdom. It may not be as loud or as enchanting as some of the other voices. But, it is consistent and it is the voice of truth. Whose voice is it? It is the voice of Jesus, Himself! (1 Corinthians 1:30) That anointing of wisdom that comes from Christ is passed on to those who will take the time to walk and talk with Him. To stay in the Word of God. Staying in the Word of God really means to stay in the presence of Jesus. He is the Word. He will walk with us through the city and in the country or wherever we walk just like He walked the shores of Galilee and the road to Jerusalem while He was here in earth. He will walk in every situation and talk with us, giving direction in every area of our lives. He calls to us every day of our lives, showing us the path to abundant life. (Psalm 119:105) He doesn't shout rudely. (Isaiah 42:2) He calls with grace, meekness and consistency.

What is your heart seeking this morning? The momentary pleasures that come from the world? Or, are you seeking satisfaction that will last a lifetime and into eternity? We may get sidetracked at times by the tug of those things that look and sound enticing. But, that's just what those things are, enticing. That's a tactic of the enemy to lure us into something that will lead to sin and even death. God has offered us wisdom. If we have Jesus residing in our heart, we have Wisdom, Himself. God has also provided other believers around us who are wise because they also have Wisdom living in them. When two or more believers begin to fellowship and help one another, the Bible says, "Iron sharpens iron." (Proverbs 27:17) That's why it's so important to choose our friends wisely. We don't want to have close friends and associates who are not believers. (2 Corinthians 6:14) That is not wise. If God separated the light from the darkness, who are we to try to put them together? There are those that appear to be "friends," but the opposite is really true. The Message lets us know how we can begin to discern wisely who our friends really are. "Proverbs 1:10 (The Message) (The Message) ^{10 (MSG)}Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don't go along with them."

Proverbs 22:17 says we need to apply our heart to the instruction of wisdom. In essence, we need to apply the center of our being to the Word of God. He is Wisdom. If we do that, our thoughts, words and actions will reflect the wisdom we have applied in our heart. The Message says in Proverbs 22:18, "...you'll give it bold expression in your speech." Wisdom is even more important than money! (Ecclesiastes 7:12) The Bible says wisdom can save your life. God has given us the book of Proverbs in order to make sure our foundation is trust in Him. (Proverbs 22:19) Is that your foundation this morning? When things in life go in the opposite direction that you wanted or expected, is your trust in the God who has a good future planned for you? When you're puzzled about what to do next in a given situation, do you have enough of the Word in your mind and heart to begin to be able to discern what God is revealing to you? We really need wisdom every day in every way. We should never stop gaining wisdom and understanding. To what is our ear tuned this morning? The latest world news or the good news of the gospel? To fleeting human ideas and plans or to godly wisdom and understanding? (Proverbs 2:2) God grants wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6) Yes, He is calling this morning. One of His names is Wisdom. Are our ears tuned in to that call?

2 Corinthians 7:10 (New Living Translation)
^{10 (NLT)}For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death.

There are some times that we must endure sorrow in our lives. God can and will use even grief for His own purposes. His purposes for us are always ultimately good. He has plans to give us a hope and a future but sometimes we get in His way. (Jeremiah 29:11) Earlier in 2 Corinthians, Paul calls us to come out from the world and be separate. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) He calls us to live holy lives. Lives of purity. (2 Corinthians 7:1) It could be that we have not known the scriptures because we were not raised in a family that made God the center of their lives. Or, it could be that we have just been in the world and slipped into some of the habits of the world. It may be that someone reading this has never even given their heart and life to Jesus. No matter where we are this morning, we may encounter some grief in our lives. Instead of asking, "why me," maybe a better question would be, "why not me?" There is so much sorrow in this world. Why do we think we should be immune? Job encountered intense grief and sorrow in his life. His wife even encouraged him to curse God and die. (Job 2:9) Job, though thoroughly drowning in sorrow, would have none of that kind of talk. (Job 2:10) He seemed to know that God had higher ways than his. (Isaiah 55:9) Maybe he had a glimpse of the content of Romans 8:28-29. God really does have our best interests at heart. He is in the process of making us to look exactly like His Son, pure and holy.

When we encounter sorrow in our lives, will we let God use it to help us turn more toward Him? Will we let that sorrow help turn us from sin? Even seek salvation if we have not truly made Jesus Lord of our lives? That is what God wants from us. We don't have to be happy about sad circumstances and situations. But, we are supposed to give thanks while going through those situations. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Thanks to God because we truly believe that He is helping us to work out our salvation. (Philippians 2:12) If, through sorrow, God reveals to us something that we need to turn from, then praise the Lord! Let's turn in godly repentance. We will never regret it. That is the kind of repentance that God honors and rewards. That is the kind of repentance that will produce a change in our lives, making us consistently more like Jesus. There is an old song that says, "Take the dearest things to me if that's how it must be to draw me closer to thee. Let the disappointments come, lonely days without the sun if through sorrow more like You I'll become." The song is titled, "Whatever It Takes." For sure, I would not pray for negative things. I know God desires to give good gifts to His children and I am His child. (Matthew 7:11) I desire everything good that God has for me and I hope you do too! However, I'm still convinced, like Job, that God knows what He is doing. If it should take sorrow to make me more like Him, then that's what I need. That's not a negative thing. That's a very positive thing. To be like Jesus, whatever it takes, should be our goal. (Galatians 2:20) Sometimes the very best gifts can be wrapped in the most unlikely packages.

There is a kind of sorrow that produces nothing. No fruit of repentance. It's just a blubbering sorrow more sorry that it was caught than sorry for the sin. God does not respond to that. In fact, it leads to death. That's pretty much the way the world is today. Just look at the news and it's so evident. People are on there every day even sometimes crying tears because they have been caught in some sort of deception or sin. But, do they change their ways? Most times not. In fact, many times, they just make excuses for their sinful ways and go on with them, all the while saying they're sorry they hurt people. God plainly says that kind of sorrow leads to death. (2 Corinthians 7:10) Paul was writing these verses to those in Corinth who had demonstrated the godly type of repentance. He assured them that they had done the right thing and that they were also now demonstrating the good fruit of that repentance in their lives. Now they were seeking God's ways and turning from evil ways. (2 Corinthians 7:11) Paul had written to them previously and it was a hard word because they were condoning sin in their congregation. But now, after hearing and receiving that hard word from him, they were better off than before. On their way to a more holy way of living. Working out their salvation in the right way. (2 Corinthians 7:8-9 ) Yes, sometimes we will read something hard in the scriptures. It will cause us sorrow because God reveals to us that we are not walking the way we should. We may hear a hard word from the preacher or another Christian who loves us enough to confront us with the truth. It, too, may cause us temporary sorrow. But that sorrow can be turned into joy and good fruit as we turn from those things that are detrimental to our growth in the Lord. Paul was sad that he had to speak a harsh word at first. Sin causes sorrow not only for the sinner but for those around them that truly love them. But, God's Word, no matter how harsh it may seem for a season, will always turn the sorrow of sin into the joy of salvation if we act upon it with repentance. Is there something in your life that is bringing sorrow at this time? If it's because sin, turn away in godly sorrow and repentance and let the Lord restore the joy of your salvation! (Psalm 51:12) He's willing and waiting.

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 3, 2007 - ARE YOU IGNORING GOD'S FAVOR?

2 Corinthians 6:1 (New Living Translation)
^{1 (NLT)}As God's partners, we beg you not to reject this marvelous message of God's great kindness.

The apostle, Paul and his companions, when writing to the Corinthians begged them to do something. First of all, why should Paul, a giant of the faith, a man called of God to bring deliverance to the Gentiles, have to beg those in the church to follow God? That is not the main point of today's writing but it is a valid point and one we might all think about. How many times does a minister in the congregation need to beg those in attendance to do a certain thing because it is in God's Word? Something such as tithing or serving or humble living? How many times have you even heard a preacher begging for those who are not right with God to repent? In addition, I have heard preachers beg whole assemblies of Christians to receive such things as healing and deliverance! I'm glad there are preachers, like Paul, who will still stand up in front of those who are supposed to know and do the Word and beg them to walk their talk. But, should it have to be that way? Those who are over us in the church are given a mandate by God to equip us to be ministers also. (Ephesians 4:11-13) How can they do their job in the most effective way if they have to get up and beg us to do and receive the basics? Timothy was told to patiently teach and encourage those in his flock. (2 Timothy 4:2) But, who will encourage the Timothy's, the Paul's and the ___________'s (put the name of your leader or leaders in the blank) when they constantly have to beg their congregations to receive God's best? How can we encourage those who are leading us by teaching us, preaching to us and, yes, even begging us to believe, receive and live all of the great kindness that has come from our God? One way is be receiving and living those principles they are teaching.

Another version of this verse that I read had the word, "ignore" in the place of the word, "reject." If we need to be begged, we are doing either one or the other of those things with what God is trying to give us. 2 Corinthians 6:1 is translated this way in the King James Version. "^{1 (KJV)}We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." Two words in this verse struck me as being important this morning (although every word in God's Word is important). These words are, "grace" and "vain." God has poured out his great kindness, or grace, upon us and He continues to do so. If it were not for grace, we would not have salvation. Grace, according to the Strong's Concordance and Vine's Dictionary, means much more than it looks like on the surface. Here's part of what it means. "The divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life." You and I know we have had God's divine influence upon our hearts because we have given our lives to Jesus. We have received salvation. If you are reading this and you have not received salvation, you can do so right now. (Romans 10:13, 2 Corinthians 6:2) The fact that you are reading this is proof that God is calling you, giving you a chance to receive His grace - His divine influence upon your heart. (Hebrews 3:7-8) No one can come to the Son, to Jesus, and receive salvation unless that person is drawn by the Father. Now that's divine influence on a human heart! (John 6:44, John 6:65) When our hearts are divinely influenced by God's grace, we will be different people. There will be a reflection of it in our lives. But, even this reflection is just that. It is a reflection of God and His grace. It's God living in and through us. And it happens only because of His grace. That word, "grace," also means favor. God's favor. We can have it, but we have to embrace it and receive it.

But there is that other word in this verse that really spoke to my heart. It's the word, "vain." We, especially in the free countries of this world, are privileged to be able to hear the Word of God preached and taught just about anywhere and any time we want to. Yet, again, how many of our leaders are begging and pleading for us, and I mean even those of us in the church, to receive the grace of God - really receive it. Paul was speaking to the church when he begged them not to receive God's grace lightly. Not in such a way that it just rolled off their backs like water off a duck's back. James tells us not to be just hearers of the word but doers also. (James 1:22) We can deceive ourselves by thinking we have scripture memorized (and that's a good thing). But that's only one step. Those words that are programmed into our heads must get down into our hearts and then out through our lives. God's Word will never change and we can hear it but that's only the first step. It will still be God's Word even if we only hear it but it will be manifested in us only when we receive it and don't ignore it. Only when it becomes a part of our everyday lives, both our thought-life and our actions, will we have received in in all its glory. How many are receiving God's grace in vain in our day? How many sit in church pews (remember Paul was talking to the church) and walk out after an hour thinking they have received God's grace just because they sang three songs and heard a twenty minute message? Where does that grace (reflection in the life) go on Monday when a spouse does something to irritate us or when a driver cuts us off on the highway while we're on our way to work or when nobody has made the coffee after we get there? Is there any grace left over from our Sunday morning worship encounter? Have we received the grace of God in vain or ignored it? Maybe we have even rejected it by not opening our hearts and submitting to it. Those actions I spoke of that could happen on a Monday morning are an indication of one of those three things. It is only by God's grace that we have what He says we have in His Word. It is His favor that He's willing to shower upon us by His Word (which is Jesus). Is there anything in His Word that you have ignored or rejected? Healing, deliverance, patience, hope, joy, peace, rest, abundant life? Although this small verse, 2 Corinthians 6:1 is just a tiny part of the scripture, it says volumes to me. It asks probing questions of me. Maybe it is also searching your heart today. If so, be encouraged because God has not left us to wallow in our ignorance or rejection of His Word. He's still pouring out His grace. (Psalm 84:11) He's reminding us of His help that comes at just the right time and urging us that NOW is the right time for whatever it is we have to receive, starting with salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2) Such marvelous grace must not be ignored, rejected or taken in vain!

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 2, 2007 - YOU'RE AN AMBASSADOR!

2 Corinthians 5:20 (New Living Translation)
^{20 (NLT)}We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!"

Did you know that, if you are a long-time believer in Christ, you have a position in the Kingdom? Yes, you do! And so do I. We are ambassadors for Christ. The word, "ambassador," in the Strong's Concordance and in Vine's Dictionary carries with it the meaning of, "elder" or "senior." It carries with it the meaning of being a representative or a preacher. How long have you been following Jesus? The longer you follow Him, the more you will become like Him. (2 Corinthians 3:18) As we become like Him, we will have His desires. (2 Peter 3:9) He came to reconcile people to Himself and, like the apostle Paul, we are called to carry out His desires, to be a representative of Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5) The Message puts 2 Corinthians 5:20 in language easy for us to understand. We're Christ's representatives. "^{20 (MSG)}We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you." When people look at us, what do they see? Someone who looks like Jesus? Someone who represents Him correctly? I find it interesting that in 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul was talking to the Corinthian Church. It's not just in the world of unbelievers that we should represent Christ, but within the Body of Christ, itself.

There may be people within the church who are saved but still have some things in their lives that need to be changed and reconciled to the ways of God. We, as ambassadors, can either be an example to help them reconcile their issues or we can be a stumbling block. (1 John 2:10) It's not hard to figure out that we're supposed to help a brother or sister over their hurdles and not cause them to fall over them. We're not just to stand around and watch while they fall over them. Is there someone in your life that needs some help? A word of encouragement or admonishment? (Galatians 6:1) It is only by the grace of God that we are where we are at this point. That we have made it this far. As we help a weaker believer over a hurdle, we need to do so in love and with gentleness. We don't have any guarantee that we will not be the ones that need the help tomorrow. We also must know that we are very close to the temptation that caused them the trouble while we are lending them a hand. We need to watch that we don't stumble into that very same temptation. None of us are so good, in and of ourselves, that we're immune from temptation and from stumbling.

Then there are those all around us in the world who may never read a Bible or hear about Jesus unless we represent Him. Every day, people go through heavy trials, sickness, sorrow and even death. All the while, we sit in our comfortable pews at church or listen to our teaching tapes in our car or sing to our worship music at home and never share the gospel with them. My own daughter reminded me of my responsibility in that area just last night. Who in your life may enter eternity without knowing Jesus because you failed to share the gospel? I know. It's hard. They might not receive it. They might even get angry with you for trying to share the love of Jesus. Does that matter in the scope of things? God has not only made us ambassadors and representatives. We are also watchmen. We have been told of the enemy and his tactics. We know He comes to steal, kill and destroy. He comes to try to take the souls of men and women into eternal damnation. (John 10:10) We know this. We know that the enemy is running around just looking for someone to destroy. (1 Peter 5:8) We need to be careful and watchful, not just for ourselves but for those around us who are totally clueless. We are God's watchmen. (Ezekiel 33:6) God requires that the watchman warn those who are unaware. According to Ezekiel, the watchman who does not warn the person who is unaware will be responsible for that person. I'm not for using fear tactics because fear is just the opposite of faith. But, if we have such great faith, is fear keeping us from sharing it? Or maybe it's apathy. Whatever it is, we might want to check ourselves in that area. There's an old song entitled, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." One of the lines says, "His Word will not fail you He promised. Believe Him and all will be well. Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell." Yes, there is a world all around us needing to see Jesus represented. Needing to hear that He saves, heals, delivers, comforts, guides, restores, revives, etc., etc. His Word won't fail us. If we have received and experienced this at all, we are at some level of ambassadorship. How are we doing with that today? Will we be worthy of the King's, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."? (Matthew 25:23) As an ambassador, have we filled our post with loyalty and devotion to our King?

MORNING MANNA - SEPTEMBER 1, 2007 - GIVE UP AND DON'T GIVE UP

2 Corinthians 4:8 (New Living Translation)
^{8 (NLT)}We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit.

To focus on the negative is never good. It will always lead us down the wrong path and cause our choices in life to be less than optimum. If you read yesterday's Morning Manna, you have already been thinking about the subject of giving up. God has so much to say on the subject. Though giving up or quitting may sound negative, we need to take it and turn it to the positive. There is no question about the fact that we have all felt like giving up. If you haven't yet, there will probably come a time that you will. The apostle Paul mentioned it several times in his writings. In 2 Corinthians 4:8, he was explaining how he was pressed on every side by troubles, and even perplexed. But he wasn't about to give up and quit! Does this morning find you pressed from many sides with some trouble? If so, just think, you can totally relate to the scripture that Paul has penned. He said that even though the troubles were pressing, they were not crushing and breaking him. He was perplexed but that only made him fight more. Do you know what it means to be perplexed? I know what it feels like but this is what it means. It means to be in doubt according to Strong's Concordance. It means to feel as if you have no way out and as if you don't have the mental clarity to find one. Oh my, have you ever been there? Did you feel a slight bit of guilt for being in that place? The apostle Paul was certainly one of the greatest men of God that ever lived and he was in that place a time or two. It's what we do when we're in that place that will help us to see that there is no condemnation there. (Romans 8:1) We belong to Christ. We may be pressed and perplexed, but we still have His promise that we can do all things because He will strengthen us. (Philippians 4:13). We can just give up and sit down in our p.p. (pressing and perplexity) or we can strengthen ourselves in the Lord and decide never to give up or quit. Paul decided to get up and go on. That's one of the things that made him the man of God that he was. Will we follow in those footsteps?

Do you think Paul sometimes felt weak? Do you think he felt like he could not go on? I do. It was Paul who let us know that he was, and we are sometimes, so weak that we don't even know how to pray. (Romans 8:26) Is there something in your life today that concerns you, yet you don't even have the slightest idea of how to pray about it? That's okay. Paul was obviously there too and he found the answer for himself and for us. This is how The Message phrases Romans 8:26. "(The Message) ^{26
(MSG)}Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans." So, instead of giving up on life when things get difficult and we can't even figure out how to pray, we need to give up and give it to the Holy Spirit. He knows exactly how to intercede for us for exactly what it is we are in need of. Go ahead, it's okay to bow your heard or turn your head toward Heaven and just direct a sigh toward God regarding your situation. His Spirit understands that language of weakness and translates it into a prayer of power.

Paul was also weak when it came to dealing with people and preaching the gospel. He was intelligent and educated. He could have operated in the natural and used big words and great sounding speeches to deliver the gospel. He could have even used some of his worldly influence. But, his choice was to become weak in his own strength. He chose to rely on God's strength. When he did, God's power became Paul's power. See how The Message puts 1 Corinthians 2:3-51 Corinthians 2:3-5 1 Corinthians 2:3-5. "(The Message) ^{3 (MSG)}I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it— ⁴and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, ⁵which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else." Have you ever felt totally inadequate in a situation? I have. We are afforded two choices at this time of crisis. We can give up or we can really give up. What do I mean by that? We talked at the beginning about how we can turn giving up into something positive. This is how we can do it. Jesus said, "If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." (Mark 8:35) In other words, if we get into an impossible situation with a possible negative outcome, we can either use some of our "fancy and emotional footwork" and try to cling to and maintain control of the situation or we can choose what Paul chose. We can choose to give up our life right into the hands of God and let His power take over. No matter what choices we have made in the past or what will come into our lives in the future, there is one thing for sure. We may feel like giving up and maybe we will have succumbed to that pressure a time or two. But, God will never give up on us. (1 Corinthians 1:9) The Message puts it this way: "(The Message) ^{9 (MSG)}God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that." We may feel like giving up on life but the only way to find real life and real solutions to those things that press on us and perplex us is to give up our lives to the Lord. The Lord, on the other hand, will not give up on anything that He has planned to do. He has planned for us a hope and a future if we will give up our lives to him. (Jeremiah 29:11) It is the Lord who began a good work in each of us and He has committed to complete it. (Philippians 1:6) He never gives up! How can we give up on any situation when we're given hope like that? Do you feel like giving up today. Don't give up on your situation. Just give up your life to Jesus. Give up and don't give up!