Sep 30 - DON’T JUDGE TOO SOON

 “Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife” (Gen 20:14).

We don’t read of God appearing to Abimelech as He did to Abraham, or of Abimelech performing mighty miracles as Elijah and Elisha did. Nevertheless, in many respects Abimelech was much greater than Abraham, Elijah and Elisha.

In the face of the mendacity of Abraham and Sarah, which could well have led him and his righteous nation into sin, Abimelech showes no sign of malice; only of benevolence. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour” (Rom 13:10). Abimelech could have ordered Abraham and Sarah to leave his country declaring, “We do not want such hypocrites and false prophets troubling us in our land.” Had he done so? it would have been justifiable. But instead, Abimelech just gave them gifts! Jesus taught that one ought to love one’s enemies, but we find no one in the entire Bible practising it such an outstanding way.

Abimelech is not known as a saint. His name doesn’t appear in the table of heroes in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. Nevertheless, his character shines out through all ages.

The people we think insignificant in saintliness often have more divine natures than the greatest of saints. Heaven is a place of surprises, it is said. How many unexpected people we are going to meet in heaven, we do not know. So dear child of God, let us not despise anyone but rather love everyone and live peacefully with all.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 29 - SEE GOD BY FAITH

“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible” (Heb 11:27).

If we see God by faith we can suffer with Him, as in Him we find grace.

The man who has seen God Who is invisible need not be afraid of any visible king. Moses knew that the King of kings and Lord of lords and God of gods had called him and sent him with a message; therefore he could not be touched by any visible king or his emissaries. Without any fear, Moses walked right into the palace of the king though there might have been soldiers with drawn spears at the gates and guards with drawn swords on either side of the king.

Elijah displayed a similar boldness when he confronted the king with the words “As the Lord God liveth before Whom I stand…”

Child of God, if you do not have a clear vision of your invisible God, the problems and trials you encounter sill easily move you; you will be easily troubles and maybe even driven to despair.

To see the invisible God every day, we should deal with every invisible sin as with a great sin. And unless we forsake visible pleasures we cannot enjoy invisible pleasures or lasting pleasures.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily

Sep 28 - COVENANT BY SACRIFICE

“Gather My saints together unto Me: those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice” (Psa 50:5).

We have to make a covenant with our God by SACRIFICE. Every covenant we make involves making some sacrifice – a sacrifice of some comfort, pleasure or treasure. Those who do not make covenants with God, those who take life easy, cannot lay hold on greater things. They cannot go on with God.

"My saints … those who have made a covenant.” Christian life begins with a covenant. At water baptism we first enter into a covenant with our God – by which the Lord becomes our God and we become His people. After that, at every stage of our spiritual life, we draw closer and closer to God by making various covenants. These we must faithfully keep till the Lord appears in His glory. Whether a man is a saint or not is proved by whether he is standing in his covenants with his God or not.

It is time for the Lord to appear. Soon we are going to hear Him announce, “Gather My saints unto Me!” Then those who have made a covenant with the Lord with sacrifice, those who have been true to it till the end, will be gathered into His eternal Home. O child of God, will you be in that group?

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 27 - YOU NEED A MIGHTY ANOINTING

 “Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath : and behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand” (Judg 14:5,6).

This was the beginning of the mighty deeds or ministry of miracles that God wrought through Samson. His confrontation with the young lion was totally unexpected. No one would have ever imagined that a lion would be hiding in the vineyards. Similarly, in our spiritual life too, trials may confront us suddenly from unexpected corners, and in the least expected way. However, “the Spirit of God came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid” (vs 6).

One reason for the Spirit of God coming MIGHTILY upon him was that he had nothing in his hand (vs 6). Often the Spirit of grace does not come upon us at the crucial moment of our trial, all because there is something in our hand that is not consecrated in our hand. How blessed it is to empty ourselves in the presence of God and experience God as “a very present help in trouble”!

What we need when we face a great trial is, nothing more and nothing less than a MIGHTY ANOINTING. When the first century church faced GREAT persecution, ‘GREAT grace was upon them all’ (Acts 4:33).

Though God chose Samson from his mother’s womb to be His servant, his ministry did not start until he received this mighty anointing from the Lord (as in the case of our Lord Himself), which enabled him to face the young lion triumphantly. In the same way, though God may have called us with a great high calling, we need a mighty anointing to take the victory in our trials so that we can be vessels unto honour, meet for the Master’s use.

           “Let us not be just filled with the Holy Spirit,

            but filled to overflowing;

            Anointed not just with the Holy Spirit,

            but with a double portion of the Spirit;

            For we are called not to be ordinary people,

            but a chosen generation,

            a royal priesthood,

            a holy nation,

            a peculiar people.”

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 26 - WHEN YOU DIE…

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).

Many years ago, in East Surrey Hospital, London, a lady, Mrs. Burgess, lay dying. The bed next to her was occupied by another lady named Joan Plumridge who was also very sick. One night Joan saw a demon with two horns enter by the main gate of the hospital and come straight to Mrs. Burgess and, even as she looked on, she saw the demon carry her away. Mrs. Burgess screamed loudly and the next moment she was dead. That very moment, Joan Plumridge who was a drunkard, was convicted of her sins and she committed her life to Christ. Later on she became a wonderful servant of God and led hundreds of souls to Christ.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Yes, first the devil, the thief, steals peace, joy and grace out of our lives. Finally he steals our very soul. However, Jesus came to give us life and abundant life.

If you die today, where will you spend your eternity? Will Jesus and the angels come and carry you to heaven or will the devil carry you to hell-fire? Choose to follow Christ. He is our life and peace. Your decision will determine your destiny.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 25 - THE BIG DIFFERENCE

“Every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground… and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark“ (Gen 7:23)

The very waters which lifted up Noah who was in the ark, drowned the people who were outside the ark. Here we observe the vast difference between sinners and saints, between those who trust in the Lord and those who trust in man or in themselves, and between those who love the Lord and those who don’t. While those who without Christ drown in the trials they face, those who cling to Christ and hide themselves in Him, are lifted up and drawn closer to God and heaven. “”All things work together for good to them that love God”" (Rom 8:28). It has been rightly said, “”Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions.”"

So don’t panic when faced with problems. Like David, say, “My soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast” (Psa 57:1). If you are in the ‘Ark’, no flood, no problem, no matter how big, can drown you.

                  “Seas of sorrow, seas of trial
                   Bitterest anguish, fiercest pain
                   Rolling rages of temptation
                   Sweeping over heart and brain -
                   They shall never overflow us!”

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 24 - WHEN NOT TO SPEAK

We are living in an age in which people are often weary of their life, family, children, wife or husband, and everything around them. This is the age in which we should learn, as never before, how to speak to the weary to bring them to Christ. Sometimes, even the sweetest words, and words we think would best befit the occasion may boomerang and worsen the situation. People everywhere tend to be tension-ridden, and indifferent and provocative, rather than receptive to any word.

How upset Peter must have been after denying the Lord thrice! Any word of rebuke or correction could have hardened or embittered him. But one look from Jesus did greater things than the greatest sermon ever preached by the most gifted preacher on the earth. “And the Lord turned, and LOOKED UPON PETER. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord … and Peter went out and wept bitterly.” (Lk 22;61,62).

One LOOK from the Lord, a look of compassion and love, a look of sympathy with the sweetness of sincerity – that did the work; it brought to remembrance the word of the Lord, it made him to go out of the bad company, and the best of all, it made him weep bitterly for his bitter sin against the sweet Saviour. We should discipline ourselves, not only to know how to speak, but also to be silent as the situation calls for and as the Lord guides. There are times when silence proves golden while sermon proves irksome and out of season.

           “A caring heart, a listening ear,

            A compassionate look, a gentle tear

            Will help to lift the heavy load

            Of weary souls along life’s road.”

  – Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 23 - SPIRIT OF HOLINESS

“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom 1:4).

Holiness is the greatest power to conquer the greatest enemy, the power of death. From this text we see that Jesus was raised from the dead according to the spirit of holiness. Our spirit should get sanctified and become the spirit of holiness. In other words, our spirit should be free from defiling elements such as lust, pride, envy, jealousy, anger etc.

When we die, we are going to entrust our spirit and not our body, into the hands of God. That is why, while dying, Jesus said, “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Stephen, the first martyr who readily forgave his murderers, prayed while dying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59).

So let us pray with the Psalmist – “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psa 51:10). When we have a right spirit we will have a right spirit towards everyone, including the one who spits on our face!

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 22 - VANITY OF VANITIES

“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun” (Ecc 2:11).

Solomon had vineyards, gardens and orchards. He had pools of water, he built many mansions, he had silver and gold, men singers and women singers. Although they may not be sinful pleasures they are indeed pleasures of the world.

Being the richest king of the time, Solomon could enjoy all the pleasures of the world and this he did try. But the statement he makes at the end of his life is that all these pleasures, in the end, only brought trouble to his spirit (vexation of spirit), and that his inner man was restless. He confessed the emptiness (vanity) of his heart. Repeatedly he says, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” The more he tried to enjoy the world, the more miserable and unhappy he became. Apart from the life that comes from God, everything is emptiness or vanity. The Psalmist says, “In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psa 16:11).

St. Paul emptied himself of everything in the world and towards the end of his life, although in prison and waiting to be executed, he was jubilant. Look at the triumphant words of this saint: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord, to write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous… Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!” (Phil 3:1). “I have all and abound: I am full” (Phil 4:18).

Look at the contrast between St. Paul who counted all things as loss for Christ and Solomon who gathered all the pleasures of the world to enjoy them. The end of the life of the man who counted all things but loss for Christ had such a joy and triumph. Even today St. Paul’s life and words give life and light to millions.

Living a lowly life for the sake of Christ will bring joy, peace and triumph, particularly at the end of our life.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 21 - REBEL NOT, O SINNER !

 “Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden” (Gen 4:16).

All of God’s love and protection could not keep Cain in God’s presence, as he had no repentance for sin. Therefore we see him going out from the presence of God.

“Dwelt in the land of Nod”- ‘Nod’ means trembling and shaking. True, once a person commits sin and loses the presence of God, his sin makes him restless even on a bed of roses. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest… There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isa 57:20,21).

Though the Lord had said he would be a vagabond and a fugitive, he obviously wanted to resist the punishment, for he built a city there and dwell there (vs 17). Every work that is not of God cannot stand; apparently, the city was completely destroyed by the flood.

You get nothing by going away from God. You only lose all your blessings and bring destruction upon yourself. So dear reader, if you have stayed from His presence, come back. If you will yield to His love and return with genuine repentance, you can once again enjoy the peace and joy and rest that you can get nowhere but in His presence.

“Come unto Me… and I will give you rest.”

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 20 - TRUTH-SEEKING

“Behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he… sought to see Jesus Who He was” (Lk 19:2,3).

Zacchaeus’ profession was looked down upon by society. ‘Publicans and sinners’ was a term used by people to denote their hatred for them. The work of a publican was to collect taxes for the Roman government. As there were no strict rules concerning tax collections, publicans used to take bribes.

Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus and wanted to know Who He was. As he was short, he climbed up a sycomore tree. The sight of the rich little man climbing a sycomore tree must have been amusing to the crowd; but shame or ridicule did nothing to diminish Zacchaeus’ desire to see Jesus and get to know Him. Does reproach and ridicule discourage you from seeking the truth?

It is amazing to note that Zacchaeus chose a sycomore tree to climb. There were many other tall trees in Jericho. What made Zacchaeus climb up this rather insignificant tree? The reason was that though this tree was not great in many respects, it was standing by the side of the very road along which Jesus was to pass, and was therefore the only tree which could help him see Jesus. The sycomore tree is a type of a true servant of God who lives ‘in the way’ of the Lord. “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen…”  (I Cor 1 :27,28).

Dear reader, are you looked down upon by the society? Are you an object of ridicule and shame? Jesus Who came in search of Zacchaeus needs you. Seek the help of the true servants of God. They may be insignificant, just as that sycomore tree was, but are great before God; they are helpful to seekers of truth.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 19 - BOLDNESS THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh” (Heb 10:19,20).

In the Old Testament the way to the holiest (most holy place) was blocked by the veil. Even the high priest entered it once a year with the blood of the animal sacrifice, with great fear and trembling, as it could prove to be the way of death. But thank God, the blood of Jesus turned the way of death into the way of life, the living way.

We can boldly enter the holiest, we can live a most holy life, through His blood. Even in deep troubles, a blood washed-saint will have divine boldness. “The righteous are bold as a lion … which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any” (Prov 28:1 & 30:30). If you keep any sin hidden in your life, you will not have any boldness in the time of trouble; your heart will melt like wax - “If thou faint in the time of adversity, your strength is small.”
 

May the Lord help all of us to keep our hearts washed in the blood of Christ so that we can have boldness to enter into the holiest (New Jerusalem and Zion). The text doesn’t say, “enter into the holiest place,” but “enter into the holiest” i.e., we have boldness to enter into the holiest life by the blood of Jesus. What a great privilege!

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 18 - GREATER WORKS

Peter denied Lord Jesus and he was the first to go back to his fishing after Jesus’ death. But after he received the Holy Spirit he was a changed man.

Perhaps the most surprising (and all-surpassing) grace that we see in the ministry of Peter is seen in Acts 5:14-16: “MULTITUDES brought forth the sick in the STREETS, and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the SHADOW OF PETER PASSING BY might overshadow some of them. There came also A MULTITUDE OUT OF THE CITIES ROUND ABOUT Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: AND THEY WERE HEALED EVERY ONE.” In fact, such a miracle has not taken place at any other time in the history of Christianity (and even in the Old Testament). Peter’s shadow falling on bed-ridden sick people was enough to heal them. There were such crowds that no house or hall was large enough to hold them; the sick had to be laid on the streets – “AND THEY WERE HEALED EVERYONE.” The Lord Jesus gave Peter such a tremendous ministry, which He Himself did not do. The hem of the Lord’s garment healed many, but not His shadow. See what wonders the grace of God, thorough the power of Holy Spirit, can do in a persion!

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know… WHAT IS THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TO US-WARD WHO BELIEVE, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY POWER” (Eph 1:18,19).

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily

Sep 17 - YOU CAN’T HIDE FROM GOD

 “They heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God” (Gen 3: 8).

The very voice of the Lord which once brought joy to them, now brought fear and terror. It was not a change in God’s way of walking or a change in His voice that brought terror, but the change in man’s character. Now also, fear and worry are not brought about by our environment, but by the state of our inner life.

Adam could have rightly confessed, “I was afraid because I had sinned” rather than saying, “I was afraid because I was naked.” Adam was not only hiding from God, but was also hiding the fact from God. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper”(Prov 28:13). Though man tried to cover himself with fig leaves, it wouldn’t help. All our own righteousness is only filthy rags in God’s sight (Isa 64:6).

Sin stripped man of his good conscience and he became naked in his own sight and in the sight of God. Now he runs for cover to refuges which are no refuges at all. God is our hiding place; where can a man hide from God? “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13).

A time will come when all false refuges will disappear. “The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies and the waters shall overflow the hiding place”(Isa 28:17). Let us therefore give up all our false refuges. Instead of trying to cover up our faults, instead of trying to hide from God, let us, like David, cry, “Whither shall I flee from Thy presence ? … Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee … the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee” (Psa 139:7,12).

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 16 - ARE YOU THAT DONKEY?

 “Ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither… because the Lord hath need of him” (Lk 19:30,31).

There may have been horses and other gracious animals available, but Jesus wanted this wild, bound and untameable donkey. If you are thinking you are a great man in this world, Jesus doesn’t want you.

The donkey was not thinking about Jesus. Jesus was thinking about the donkey. The donkey did not show any love to Jesus. It was Jesus  Who loved the donkey.

The donkey was tied in a place where two ways met. Before every child of God, there are two ways kept – “My will” and “God’s will”. When Jesus saw the donkey, He sat on it. The Word of God says that nobody could sit on it before that. It was so wild. Nobody could control it. But Jesus sat on it and from that moment, its direction, its ways, completely changed.

When Jesus sent His disciples to bring the colt, He did not tell them, “Train it and tame it”. He said, “Bring it as it is.” When Jesus sat on the colt, everything about it changed. “Behold O make all things new.” If God has not changed you, the reason is that you have not realized that you are a wild donkey. If God is not able to bless you spiritually, one reason could be that you are not able to realize that you are but a wild donkey. God wants people with the degree FWBDN (i.e. ‘Foolish, Weak, Base, Despised, Not’ – see I Cor 1:27,28). Your pride is the greatest hindrance for God to work for you.

– Taken from Morning Manna - Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 15 - SHED ‘GODLY’ TEARS

 “Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength every one of them in Zion appeareth before God” (Psa 84:6,7).

‘Valley of Baca’ means valley of tears. ‘Valley’ shows humility. Only humble people can weep for godly things. Proud people cannot weep in the presence of God. Our tears show we have a broken and a contrite heart.

The first thing Jesus had to do after His resurrection, as the High Priest, was to go to the presence of the Father with His atonement blood. On the morning of the resurrection, Jesus was about to go to the Father. But before He could do that, another important thing came up. Somebody was weeping for Him. Seeing the tears of that person, Jesus’ heart did not allow Him to go to the Father right away. Mary Magdalene had come to the sepulchre early in the morning and all alone. She was weeping just in front of the sepulchre.

While Jesus was alive on earth many might have wept and pleaded with Him for healing, deliverance, etc., but here Mary had not come to Jesus for a blessing. “I want to take Jesus with me” she says. All she needs is Jesus. Child of God, how much time have you spent in the past weeping before Jesus saying, “Lord, I want You.” You might have prayed to get blessings; that is good. But in a deep sense, if you have Jesus you don’t need any of the blessings of Jesus. “I want only Jesus!” When we come to this state we will forget to pray for material things.

In the 16th century there was a saintly lady named Madam Guyon living in France. She told the Lord, “Lord, all that You want to give me on earth, give to my enemies, and all the blessings You want to give me in heaven, give to the saints, but give me Yourself.”

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psa 30:5). This is a night-time for us, a weeping time; but after these days are over, when our tear bottles are full with godly tears, then joy will come in the morning. Your tears will become a pool of blessing. Whether it is your death or the Rapture, it will be a glorious bright morning.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 14 - ARE YOU A LEPER?

“In hell he lift up his eyes, being in torment and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Lk 16:23).

The rich man saw Abraham and Lazarus afar off. Where you will be in eternity, depends on how you lived in this world. Abraham is a type of God’s presence. While on the earth the rich man was far away from the presence of God, and now he finds himself far away from the presence of God after death.

How can you make out you are far away from God? You may be in a service in church but you could be far away from God. You may be singing and praising God and worshipping God and may spend much time in prayer, but your heart could be far away from God. If you don’t feel the presence of God it means you are far away from God. To the extent you feel God close to you now, you will be close to God in eternity.

In the Old Testament times, lepers had to be outside the camp. The parts of the body affected by leprosy do not have any sensation. You can take a big needle and pierce the part, but the leper won’t feel any pain. The minister may be preaching and pouring out his life before you, but you don’t feel anything. You are a leper in the sight of God. If you don’t feel the presence of God you are a leper. But the power of God, the grace of God can heal that leprosy. God can give you brand new flesh.

When Naaman, that proud, arrogant man dipped himself in the waters of Jordan, he got new flesh. You need to be dipped in the grace of God. You need to be dipped in the Word of His grace. You need to be dipped in the water of the Holy Spirit.

Come back to God today and say, “Lord, I don’t want to be far away.” If you keep a distance between you and God, the devil will take that place. So have a real intimacy with Jesus. After you leave this world it will be too late to realize that you are far away from God.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 13 - HOW SHOULD WE FIGHT?

“Who through faith…out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of aliens” (Heb 11:33,34).

When we accept the Word of God and believe that our weak points are made strong points, and praise God, we may not at once experience all that we accepted and believed. It may appear just the opposite.

Let’s suppose our Christian life needs a thorough sanctification in thoughts, words etc, and we sincerely believe His Word and stand on this promise. It is possible to feel, at least for a short time, more unsanctified than ever! This should not discourage us – we are not ignorant of the devices of the devil. AGAINST EVERY CONSECRATION WE MAKE AND EVERY PROMISE OF GOD WE CLAIM, DEMONS MAY BE SENT – TO BREAK IT AND FRUSTRATE US.

 If suppose we decide to get up early next day to pray or read the Bible, we may have to go to bed very late making it impossible to get up early the next day, or we may wake up early the next morning with a splitting headache! This is why the Word of God says “…waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” That is, we should not only take up the promise that all our weaknesses are turned to strength, but also fight valiantly (“I fought a good fight…I have kept the faith” - 2 Tim 4:7), and turn to flight the armies of the demons till we fully enjoy the promises of God. “Let the weak say, I am strong” (Joel 3:10). “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). This is why God has chosen weak people, to turn into heroes of faith (1 Cor 1:27).

Dear reader, are you weak in holiness, in your prayer life, in meditating on the Word of God, in your love for God, etc? Claim by faith that all those weak areas have become strong areas of your life. Are you often given to discouragement, depression, anger, frustration, etc? Claim the victory. In the physical areas of our life also we can apply this promise of God by faith. Let the weakest part of our physical body become the strongest part. Let the weakest part of the Body of Christ (the weakest believer) become the strongest one.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 12 - BRIDE-MAKING

“The Lord God … took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman” (Gen 2: 21,22).

Before the bride was made, GOD CLOSED UP THE FLESH. Yes, before God forms the Bride out of the Church (garden), He closes the FLESH of man. In other words, if God is to prepare us for His Coming, our fleshly nature should go.

This is the first mention of FLESH in the Bible and thank God, He closed it up. If God has closed up the flesh, why should man open it up?

If one single rib (rather a weak bone in the body) could be instrumental in making a bride, how much more God can make use of the servants of God who are in His hands, to form the Bride! “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (I Pet 5:6).

In the body, the ribs are close to the heart, protecting and covering the heart. So also, in the Body of Christ, some saints are close to the heart of God. God takes them, and by means of their life and prayer, does the wonderful work of forming the Bride of Christ.

Let us mortify the deeds of the flesh or ‘close up the flesh’. God is looking out for ‘weak’ and fleshless saints who live close to the heart of God to use them for forming New Jerusalem.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 11 - GET UP AND GET GOING

“Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan” (II Kgs 6:1,2).

When the disciples of Elisha realized their low state (spiritual), they felt the need to confess this to their master. Have we ever confessed to our Lord that our spiritual life is far short of what it should be?

“Let us go, unto Jordan”. Once we realize our real spiritual state, we will not only confess it to the Lord, but will also be urged to do something to remedy the situation. We will be inspired to go to “Jordan”. Jordan is the place of fulfilling God’s will. There, Jesus fulfilled the will of the Father by taking water baptism (Matt 3:15). Just as the disciples of Elisha decided to go to Jordan, we should decide to fulfil the whole will of God. “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” should ever be a prayer of ours.

The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “I pray thee, go with thy servants” (vs. 3). Many Christian lives are struggling – struggling to do God’s will. Even with the best of motives and sincere dedication, we will not be able to do God’s will unless we ask the Lord to go with us and help us. Elisha’s immediate response to the request of the prophets was, “I will go”; so will the Lord go with us. If you find that the Lord is not going with you, not helping you to do His will in your life, it may be because you have not urged Him to come with you.
 

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 10 - ALL POWER IS YOURS

 “Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt 28:18,19).

When Jesus was raised from the dead all power in heaven and in earth was given to Him. “Go ye therefore” shows that the same power and authority is given to us – although we appear to be insignificant to the world.

A missionary lady in Africa had a small fellowship of African souls. One day, as they were worshiping the Lord, a witch doctor entered the church and challenged her power. “I‘m going to perform a miracle,” he said, “If your Jesus can perform a greater miracle, I promise to become a Christian.” The missionary lady knew that Jesus had greater power and authority than all the demons put together. Her little congregation also encouraged her to take up the challenge and prove that Jesus had greater power and authority than the devil.

The witch doctor came up to the front and lay face down on the ground, and as he kept chanting something, his body started rising from the floor. The body rose almost up to the pulpit in the lying position. The missionary lady wondered what greater miracle she could do; in fact, she had never performed any miracle. But as she and the whole congregation were praying, the anointing of the Holy Spirit came upon her with power and authority. Stretching her hands towards the man she said, “In the Name of Jesus, get out, you demon!” Instantly, as if he had been shot, the witch doctor fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes. He could not even move his limbs till he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear child of God, He that is in you is greater than he (the devil) that is in the world. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Our God will do great things for His glory.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 09 - THE CLOSEST RELATIONSHIP

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psa 91:1)

“Dwelleth”, in the Hebrew tongue is ‘YASHA’ meaning ‘marrying’ or ‘to marry’. It shows the relationship between Christ and the Bride. “I am married unto you,” says the Lord (Jer 3:14).

The relationship between a husband and a wife is the most intimate of relationships. The next most intimate relationship is that of a mother and a child. Both these relationships are mentioned in the 1st verse of Psalm 91. [‘Almighty’ is ‘El-shaddai’ which, in Hebrew is ‘mother-like God’].

The Lord wants to have a very close relationship with us. All the promises mentioned in Psalm 91 are for those who have an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Those who live in the heart of God will have the closest relationship with God.  But we must have this relationship with God while on earth itself.

When we live in the heart of Go, our heart will become like the heart of God. What does that mean? Our heart will be full of peace, joy, love, grace, purity, humility, forgiveness, etc. If you are in the heart of God, God’s heartbeat will be your heartbeat. You will want to think only what God puts in your mind. You will desire only what God puts in your heart.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 08 - FRUITS OF REST

 “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made” (Gen 2:3).

God blessed the seventh day because He completed all His work of creation and rested on that day. So, blessings follow when a person completes his work and enter into rest. Our life is full of battles; we must overcome every battle and enter into a rest. In this Grace Period, we have to get the spiritual experience of daily entering into God’s rest.

The process of sanctification begins within us when we start leading an overcoming life. God commands His blessing upon us and completes the process of sanctification when we cease to strive and struggle, and rest in God. “For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His” (Heb 4:10).

God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. The blessing of God goes together with sanctification. Sanctified life is indeed a blessed life.

God sanctified the seventh day because He completed His work and rested on that day. It is only when we have a rest in us that God will be able to sanctify us. We should see that our rest is not disturbed in any way as that will prevent us from getting sanctified.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 07 - TREASURES OF DARKNESS

Often, darkness and night are closely linked with occasions of tremendous victory and blessings. Before Jesus raised the shout of victory ‘It is finished’ on the cross, He had to face the blackest darkness for three whole hours. In the life of Jacob too, the most remarkable and blessed events took place during the night. First, in the desert of Bethel, in that night of flight from the father’s home, he saw the heavens opened and the angels ascending and descending with the promises of God. Another time, while fleeing from Laban’s home, he wrestled with an angel of God during the night and was so greatly blessed that his very name (which indicates his character) was changed, and he became Israel, meaning ‘a prince with God’.

It has been said that the supply of attar of roses for the whole world is from the Balkan Mountains. An amazing thing is that the roses that are picked between one and two after midnight have been scientifically proved to be the most fragrant. In our Christian life also, darkness and night are permitted by God to make our spiritual lives more fragrant.

Dear reader, God permits dark nights in our spiritual lives, not to destroy us, but to enable us to ‘divide the spoil’. One of the blessings Jacob pronounced on Benjamin was ‘AT NIGHT he shall divide the spoil’ (Gen 49:27). Instead of getting discouraged by darkness, let us learn to ‘divide the spoil’ or, enjoy the rich blessings of God. God’s promise is, ‘I will give thee the treasures of darkness’ (Isa 45:3). There are treasures in darkness; unless we go through darkness, we cannot receive them.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 06 - THE ACCUSING TONGUE

If you speak evil of others, even your dreams will be defiled. “These FILTHY DREAMERS defile the flesh, despise dominion, and SPEAK EVIL of dignities” (Jude 8). The Word of God therefore warns, “Speak evil of no man” (Tit 3:2). It is amazing to note that the holy archangel Michael, while disputing with Satan, does not “bring against him a railing accusation” (Jude 8,9). If the holy angel himself does not speak accusingly to the devil, how careful we should be not to speak evil of any man!

It is the devil who is the “accuser of the brethren.” “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Rev 12:10). From this text we realize that accusing the brethren is an evil spirit directly from Satan. Once this spirit goes out of us, we can enjoy God’s salvation, His strength, the kingdom of God (righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost), and the power of Christ, in our day–to-day life.

Dear reader, the tongue can influence the whole body. “If any man offend not in WORD, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the WHOLE BODY” (James 3:2). This points to the fact that YOU WILL NEVER BE PERFECT UNLESS YOUR TONGUE IS TAMED AND BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 05 - GOD’S GREATEST FAITHFULNESS

 “Hear my prayer O Lord… in Thy faithfulness answer me and in Thy righteousness” (Psa 143:1).

 God’s greatest faithfulness and righteousness is going to be revealed in His answering one of the greatest prayers of the saints in these last moments of the last days. What is that prayer? “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20).

 “Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds” (Psa 36:5) – till we reach the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, our God is going to be faithful to us. What a great encouragement! It is God’s faithfulness that makes us faithful – “they that are with Him are … faithful” (Rev 17:14).

 Child of God, rejoice! God is faithful. He shall “confirm (perfect) you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:8). “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ” (Phil 1:6). “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it” (I Thess 5:23, 24).

“Great is Thy faithfulness!”

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 04 - GUIDED WITH HIS EYE

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle” (Psa 32:8,9)
 

God can guide us in two ways. “I will guide you with My eyes” means “I will guide you with love.” God’s desire is to guide us, and lead us gently and in love. That’s how a shepherd leads his sheep. The Lord is our good shepherd. “My sheep hear My voice…and they follow Me,” He says (Jn 10:27). But if we will not be guided by His love, then the Lord will lead us with bits and bridles like a horse or donkey is led. If you are riding a donkey, to make it turn to the right, you have to whip it on the left side, the opposite side. Some people obey only when some sickness, accident or some other calamity comes their way. Then they cry, “Oh! I have gone wrong. I will obey God.”

The Lord says, “Be not like the horse or mule.” Let us not harden our hearts. The Lord told the Israelites that if they will ‘diligently hearken’ to His voice and give ear to His commandments He will not put diseases upon them (Exo 15:26). Isaiah says, “He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned (disciple)” (Isa 50:4). Let us therefore diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord – like a disciple listens to his master. The Lord will not fail to guide us – lovingly, gently, tenderly.”
 

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 03 - CREATIVE POWER OF DIVINE CHARACTER

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so” (Gen 1:11)

"Fruit tree yielding fruit”. Saints are fruit trees yielding all manner of spiritual fruits. An interesting feature in God’s creation is that every fruit tree (saint) had seed in it. All divine virtues and spiritual qualities are called fruits. In Galatians 5:22 we read of the fruit of the Spirit viz.love, joy, peace, etc. The ‘seed’ shows the ability to create in others a desire to acquire divine character. Every genuine good character in us should create in others a desire for that character.

It is not enough to be ordinarily humble, holy or patient. These divine traits should be marked in our lives that others are drawn to them. Those who see us should long to be like us.

God did not command the earth to bring forth merely grass and herbs, but also fruit trees yielding fruit. Similarly, God did not merely create man with flesh and bones. but also saints bearing spiritual fruits (divine character) who in turn help in growth of many more saints with divine natures.
                            

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 02 - DO THINGS LOOK BAD?

Many of God’s children are not concerned about purity in life and so THEY FIND THEIR LIFE FILLED WITH EVIL. In one sense, “WHEN OUR HEART IS NOT CLEAN, EVEN THE GOOD THINGS GOD DOES FOR US WILL APPEAR EVIL TO US”.

The gracious Lord gave the children of Israel manna from heaven. Manna was the best food they could ever get. It was freely and freshly given every morning. It had the taste of “fresh oil” (Num 11:8) and “wafers of honey” (Ex 16:31). It was angels’ food. There was not one feeble or sick person among those who ate manna. But the evil Israelites could find nothing good in it!

“WHEN YOUR HEART IS EVIL, EVEN THE BEST THING GOD DOES WILL SEEM AS THE WORST”

The same truth is also applicable the other way around. When our heart is clean, even the evil others do to us will turn out for our good! Look at the example of Joseph in Genesis. His brothers hated him, put him in a pit, sold him and did a host of other evil, but God turned them all into good. See the very words of Joseph in this context: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but “GOD MEANT IT UNTO GOOD“, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Gen 50:20).

If you really love purity of heart, you will enjoy heaven every day and every moment! Right now surrender your whole life for a life of purity with uncompromising zeal, and come out of that dungeon in which you have been bound for so long.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

Sep 01 - LAUGH AT THE DEVIL

“He that is sitteth in the heavens shall laugh” (Psa 2:4).

Suppose you are in a huge ship and the captain is Jesus – if a shoal of little fish approach and threaten to drink all the water, and dry up the ocean and make the ship get “stuck”, won’t you laugh at the multitude of little fish? If so, why don’t you laugh at the devil right now? He is a defeated foe. He cannot do anything against you. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh” at the devil. Why don’t you also join the Lord in laughing at the enemy?

God has already defeated the enemy and brought him under your feet. What for? To crush him ruthlessly under your feet. Remember the promise, “Thy shoes shall be iron and brass…” (Deut 33:25). If you are wearing iron shoes, you must be an iron man! Don’t you worry about whether you feel that way or not ; that is what the Word of God says. Indeed, God has given you shoes of iron and brass, to crush Satan under your feet. He shall “thrust out the enemy from before thee; and say, Destroy them” (Deut 33:27).

Jesus has already defeated the devil on the cross and brought him under our feet. And now we are given the privilege to destroy him. Let us join the Lord Who sitteth in the heavens in laughing at the devil.

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion