Morning Manna

In military operations, reconnaissance or scouting is the exploration outside an area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about natural features and other activities in the area. One of my favorite Bible stories has a great illustration of God knowing everything and giving us heavenly recon. It's critical for us to remember that God knows everything that is happening in our lives and our world. Psalm 56:3 says; "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."

I drive a white Kia Soul and let me tell you... it shows dirt quickly. With all the ice, snow and chemicals on the road, Miss Daisy gets dirty. I have a monthly subscription at the Zips Car Wash here in Lynchburg and I can and do, go as many times in the month to keep Daisy sparkling. In the same way, in the process of life, we too pick up a lot of dirt and grime. But we don't need a car wash subscription because we have the Word of God.

I love the encouragement of Psalm 23:4 - "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Valley trips are certainly challenging but we don't face them alone. God is with us every step of the way. Let's talk about it on today's Morning Manna.

Today's episode come from the YouVersion verse of the day... "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19. It so easy to focus on the wilderness and wasteland experience and miss the new thing that God is bringing forth in the midst of all the chaos. Let's talk about it on today's Morning Manna.

We've got some icy road conditions today in our area. So what do I need to do? I need to be careful right? Let's talk about it on today's Morning Manna.

So what is Pure Religion? James 1:27 gives us the answer. "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." Let's talk about it on today's Morning Manna.

This week the United States has experienced unusually cold and freezing weather. It has presented major challenges to many. Some like it hot and some like it cold. As I've been thinking and praying for friends who are experiencing dangerous ice storms, my mind went to a passage in the book of Revelation - “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." Let's talk about it on today's Morning Manna.

Today, February 16th, Pastor Craig Groeschel's new book releases. The book is titled, Winning the War in Your Mind - Change Your Thinking Change Your Life. In today's episode I want to share with you some important thoughts he shared in his message this past weekend. You may not be what you think you are... but what you think... you are.

Romans 12:10 says; Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Our thoughts and personal preferences, seem so important to us. We can so easily look down on people who don’t see things our way. But if we turn to the Bible for answers, the answer is straightforward and simple. Romans 12:10 calls us to Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.

Waiting on God is incredibly important. One of the most memorized verses in the Bible talks about that. Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. But here's the thing... waiting can also be weighting. Let's talk about it on today's Morning Manna.

Expediting is a concept in purchasing and project management for securing the quality and timely delivery of goods and components. The expeditor makes sure that the required goods arrive at the appointed date in the agreed quality at the agreed location. We are expeditors. We use the a different term called discipleship. We help people to get from where they are to where they deed to be... fully devoted followers of Christ.

In today's episode I'm going to share with you an Uber ride I had yesterday with a Rabbi and the experience we had together. In today's society and especially for us as Christ followers, we must like the Apostle Paul, look for ways to have common ground. He understood the importance of finding common ground with his audience before launching into sharing his faith.

Faithfulness in little things is a big thing. That's the message of Luke 16:10 - He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Be faithful on focused on the little things today and see God work in powerful ways.

In 1965 Nina Simone released a hit song called, "Feeling Good." The words go like this - Birds flying high, you know how I feel, sun in the sky, you know how I feel. Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel. It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me, yeah it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me, ooh and I'm feeling good. Today is Monday... a new day and the beginning of a new week and that means new mercies and new faithfulness.

Many times we think of blessings as kind of like perks... extra things we weren't expecting like a raise or a surprise refund. Perhaps one of the greatest and less thought of blessings, is the way God forgives and restores when we mess up. Let's talk about it on today's Morning Manna.

Rest in peace or it's abbreviated form, R.I.P., are often shared about those who have passed away. The desire is to be encouraging and comforting and the sentiment can be powerful. But at the same time, I'm reminded that in the Bible, there are only two destinations after death. One is Heaven and the other is Hell. My challenge to us all today is to remember that we are on mission to share the gospel... the only life saving message... the only path to eternal peace. Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

On an Uber ride yesterday, a passenger said something that I'd never heard before, or if I had, I didn't remember it. She said; "Don't get lost in the sauce." Later I researched the saying and found some inspiration in it. In today's episode I share that with you.

Who are we really? How do you see yourself today? Galatians 2:20 gives us the answer... "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Live it out today!

Title sounds a little strange right? Today's episode is not about indifference or apathy. It's about the powerful principle of sowing and reaping. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." Galatians 6:7 Let's talk about it on today's Morning Manna.

Today is our 49th wedding anniversary. What a blessing and a testimony of God's faithfulness, grace and love over the years. In today's episode I share about how we met and one of the powerful reasons for meeting this milestone. It's all about the weeds.