Monthly Archives: June 2023

TODAY’S MANNA for Friday June 30, 2023

June 30, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

Your Lawyer

My little children, these things write I to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Your Lawyer?
You have a lawyer that represents you before God the Father!
We are not to sin, but God knows that man is fallible, so He provided a way to be cleansed and made righteous before Him if we did sin (Not that He wants us to). The Word of God is the truth and it says He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), the Word is alive for evermore. God provided us with an advocate (a lawyer if you will) (G3875. parakletos, par-ak’-lay-tos; an intercessor, consoler:–advocate, comforter), a mediator to go before God the Father on our behalf. But we must first ask Him for that forgiveness, a heart felt repentance (change), not just lip service, He knows our hearts. Then we must allow Him to effect a change in us. And when we are judged by God this is what happens: Standing in God’s court and the accuser of the brethern (Satan) lists all of the things you have done wrong and stands back and smiles at you. Then Jesus stands up, looks at the Father and says: Dad, I already paid the price for “Put Your name here” sins. Father God slams His gavel down and says “Not Guilty!”

MY PRAYER…
Father, thank You for giving me an advocate with You, someone I could go to when I need forgiveness. Someone who is not of this flesh that can stand before You on my behalf. Father, I thank You for Your Son Jesus, whom You gave for me and to me, to be my Lord and Savior. Thanks Dad that I have a way back into Your righteousness. A way for You to welcome me Home. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen

Christians don’t seem to understand you give to get. Some of you are NOT obeying God!
They would support sports or even gambling, but NOT a true Christian work!!
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TODAY’S MANNA for Thursday June 29, 2023

June 29, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

Receive Therefore The Grace of God

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in the present age, looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:11-13 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Receiving Grace!
In a world that has no absolutes, in a world of failing, decaying moral standards, lost ethics, and just plain human moral degeneration to an animalistic state, salvation by the unmerited grace of God beckons us to change our lifestyle in response to God’s grace. In a world that has digressed to the same state as Sodom and Gomorrah, which God destroyed because of their degenerate homosexual lifestyles. Anyone who receives grace and refuses to pursue Godly righteousness (refuses to allow the Word of God to change them) demonstrates his/her ignorance or just their plain hardness of heart. Have they really received His Grace? God will give the worldly up to their unrighteousness, He will allow them to do what they want to do, before they are destroyed for it. This includes all those of the world who practice homosexuality and other degenerate immoral lifestyles, Paganism, Wicca, or any other non Christian religion, and even those who condone such a lifestyle. That does not mean He approves of it or is a part of it, they make their own choice. In our day, in our time, to be saved means we must also pursue righteousness — not so that we may earn our salvation, since salvation is the gift of God and not of works, but so that God’s saving grace will not be fruitless in us. It also means we should NOT stand idly by and let the world become an immoral, homosexual cesspool, that some call gay! There’s nothing ‘gay about homosexuality. We need to stand our ground and help keep the moral and civil laws governing us pure and Godly in nature. God, His Word, the Bible do not condone ‘same sex’ marriages! Looking to Jesus, who HAS (past tense) redeemed us with His precious blood, making Him the Lord of our life. When Jesus is the Lord of your life you will let Him lead and guide, change you from the inside out. You will begin walking the talk of a Christian life, not just talking it, but living it every day. Being a Christian means living a lifestyle according to the Word of God. Living like Jesus did!. Knowing and understanding “Jesus Christ and Him crucified for us!” Receive Therefore The Grace of God. Receive His Grace and be changed.

MY PRAYER…
Holy Father, I confess that I live in a confusing time. Satan is always distorting the distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral. Father, I thank You that You have sent Your Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and our Guide and Teacher. That He will lead us into all truth of You and will expose the lies and deceitfulness of Satan in the world around us. Because You have been so gracious with me, may my life today reflect the righteousness You gave (past tense) me through Jesus. May the words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, and the actions of my life be pleasing in Your sight. That which is not from or of You I denounce in my life. Through my Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer, Jesus, I pray.
Amen

TODAY’S MANNA for Wednesday, June 28, 2023

June 28, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

Without Sin

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Without Sin?
There isn’t a man that ever walked the face of the earth that didn’t have sin, save the Man Jesus Christ Himself. And there will be NO man who walks this earth in the future that is without sin either. Even if you think you are without sin, you are not! “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.(Rom 3:23)” For we were born of the first Adam’s seed, who put mankind into sin, gave us a sin nature by inheritance, and we have deceived ourselves if we say we have no sin or have never sinned. But, God (everybody say, “But, God “) in His great mercy (un-merited favor) saw fit to send His only Son to pay the price for us and for our sin. He had to because there was no other way we could be made righteous before Him. NO priest, or minister can absolve your sins for you, the Bible says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9) He, God, Jesus will forgive us. He did not say to go ask the priest to forgive you, he can’t, God has to. God’s righteous judgment would have demanded our death. But, Jesus bought us out of sin, sickness, disease, poverty, depression, bondage and whatever else you might need recovered from with His blood on the cross that great day over 2000 years ago. We must now walk (be renewed by) in the light of His grace and mercy. Receive what Jesus has already done for you and allow His Word to change and conform you into the image of Him. Go to God, in the name of Jesus, and ask for His forgiveness. The Word says, “…He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9). The priest, or reverend, or Mary, or some other canonized saint can NOT forgive your sin. It is God who forgives, not some man or woman and God alone.
No man has ever walked this earth without sin, except the Man Jesus Christ!

MY PRAYER…
Loving Father, thank You for making a way for me where there was no way. Thank You for showing me the sin in my life and making a way for my forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. Father, help me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to walk and live a sinless life from this day forward. Change me Lord and renew my mind in You. Help me to know that I have been cleansed with the blood of Jesus and been made righteous before You, through His righteousness. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

TODAY’S MANNA for Tuesday, June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

Does your lifestyle make God appear to be a liar?

He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself: he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
1 John 5:10 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
God? A Liar!
If you believe in the Son of God the Word says you will have an inner witness within you. That means that you will know from the inside out that you are saved, that Jesus is at work in your life. That you will begin to change and be conformed into His image as He leads and guides you. You do not have to change before you come to God, but you must allow His Word to change you afterward. The worldly and the un-Godly ways in your life should begin to disappear. You won’t have to rely on someone else telling you, you’ll know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the change is necessary. You’ll know that you know, that you know, that you know you should be changing. Your knower will tell you so! If you remain unchanged after making Jesus you Lord then you make God out to be a liar, when really it’s just you and your hard heart and unwilling nature that stops the changes God would have had you make. But if you don’t believe what the Word of God says about you, you’ve made God out to be a liar. I sure wouldn’t want to be in those shoes!

MY PRAYER…
Abba Father, Most Holy God, thank You for filling me with Your Spirit. Thank You for that inner witness at times when doubt tries to creep in. Thank You Father for Your ever present presence in my life. Thank You for knowing me and having a plan for my life to please You. Help me from this day forward to glorify You in what I do and say. Let Your Holy Spirit lead and guide me in all things, teaching me Your will and Your ways, by being my inner witness. Help me Father to remove all un-Godly things and ways from my lifestyle and to become God inside minded. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

TODAY’S MANNA for Monday June 26, 2023

June 26, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

God’s plan

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. – Galatians 6:7

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
God’s plan – Sowing and reaping!
There are many out there that don’t understand this principle from God. “You will reap what you sow!”
Those of you practicing immorality know this, You will reap from what you sow. If you are homosexual you will reap of the diseases that affect those who do so. Don’t think that LGBT is okay,it is NOT okay in God’s eyes and you will reap the consequences.
Just because you feel like you’re under pressure these days, you’re not alone. Satan is putting more pressure on more people right now than ever before. He’s pressuring us mentally, physically, financially, emotionally and every other way he can. The pressure has gotten so great everywhere that governments don’t know what to do. Businesses don’t know what to do. Families don’t know what to do. Some Churches and pastors don’t even know what to do.

But praise God, Jesus does! He says we can give our way right out from under any pressure the devil brings to bear.
Giving is always Jesus’ way out. Whenever there’s a need, He plants seed! In fact, in Mark Chapter 4, He compares the entire kingdom of God to a seed. Just think about the importance of seeds for a moment. Every living thing on this earth came from a seed. You came from a seed. Then you were born again from the seed of God’s Word. Jesus Himself was The Seed planted by God. God sowed Him in sacrifice. He came forth and grew up into many brethren.

So, when Satan puts you under pressure, go to Jesus and let Him tell you how and where to plant your seed. If you’ll do it, that seed will grow up until it breaks the powers of darkness and lack. It will release you from the pressure the devil’s been putting on you. I’ve seen it happen.

If the devil’s pressuring you, don’t panic…plant! Do you want to reap blessings? Plant (sow) your money where God tells you to. Plant (sow) your time. Plant (sow) your tithes. Plant (sow) the clothes off your back.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 NKJV
When your harvest comes in, you can laugh and say, “Hey, Devil, who’s feeling the pressure now?”

MY PRAYER…
Most High God of the Mountains, the seas, the plains, and the skies, You are my source for all of my needs It is your law of sowing and reaping that makes things happen. I acknowledge Your presence in all I do and everywhere I go. Please, continue to lead and guide me by Your Holy Spirit. Help to know when and where to sow and to what to sow that I may receive the harvest that You have for my life. Continue to remind me that You are always present in everything I do or say. Father, help us to understand Your ways. In the name of Your Holy Child, Jesus, I pray.
Amen

TODAY’S MANNA for Sunday, June 25, 2023

June 25, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

Being #1

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Mark 9:35 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Last?
Nobody, I mean NOBODY likes to be last. But, Being #1! We have a hard enough time settling for second place, much less last place. But, Jesus reverses the rank or order when He talks with His disciples here. He confounds the world with His foolish ways! The person who is most important to Him is not the person seeking the status and the notoriety of being number 1! The most important person is the one most like Jesus Himself: willing to give up rank and status and importance to serve his brethren. For Jesus, last means being first in service, first to lay your self down for some else’s benefit, and first in the eyes of God because you have given yourself to Him first in the service of others. I did not want to, nor did I myself choose to be a Pastor – Jesus decided that I should be a Pastor, He told me that I was to be a Pastor for Him and I chose to accept. Ministry means service, service means WORK, ministry means serving others first before self just as Jesus did! Do you want to be first, to be recognized and have status before others? Then you first need to be a servant to all! But serve “As unto the Lord” not unto man or because you have to. Remember it’s a choice, you get to, you don’t have to! You always have a choice. And always remember that it is really the Lord you are serving not some man or woman. Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

MY PRAYER…
Magnificent Father, creator of all that was, is, and ever will be, You have made this wonderful world for me and have given Your Son to redeem me. How can I ever thank You or repay You for Your Grace, Your Mercy, and Your Kindness. Today help me see those You want me to serve for You. Lord extend Your grace and kindness toward me as I try to be more like You. I can not do it on my own, this I know, but through Jesus all things are possible. Lord I give You my body, a living sacrifice. Change me, purge me, rearrange me Lord, into a vessel worthy to serve You. A vessel that will bring glory and honor to Your name and Your Kingdom. In the name of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus.

Amen

TODAY’S MANNA Saturday, June 24, 2023

June 25, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

Your Calling in Your Christian Life

[Zechariah prophesied concerning John,] “You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God.”
Luke 1:76-78 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
What is your job or calling in your Christian Life?
John’s job, his calling in life, was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus to come to us and bring Salvation and forgiveness. His job was not to be the number one or the one in the limelight. Rather he was a preparer, a servant if you will. But, where does salvation come from? Does it come because we realize that something is desperately wrong and that we need to change it and make it better? Does it come from our doing good works and being a good person? Does it come because we got lucky one day? Does it come because we have done nothing wrong and are worthy and deserve it? Does it come because we have kept all the commandments (No man/women can do that!)? No, NO man (or woman) deserves forgiveness or salvation, we all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God, we were ALL born with a sin nature because of Adam. Does it come from membership in a particular church or religion? Absolutely NOT! Does it come from rigorously obeying everything in the law (from being religious)? NO! again I say NO! Salvation and forgiveness come only from one source,
A church or your religion can NOT save you EVER. There is only one source for Salvation, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” There is NO OTHER WAY! Period. Therefore John’s job, his calling in life, to prepare the way for the Lord was the most important job one could ever have. Every single Christian has that same job! We have all been made able ministers of the New Testament (Gospel of Jesus Christ) according to God’s Word. (2 Cor. 3:6) And there is NO other way to God except through Jesus Christ, I don’t care what you think or believe. The Word of God says one way, therefore there is only one way!

MY PRAYER…
I confess, Father, that at times I’ve tried to earn my salvation. At other times, I have taken it for granted and trampled on Your mercy and grace. Today, Father, I want to live for You: not to be saved or gain salvation, but to please You and reflect Your character and nature. Your mercy and grace have redeemed many people from the worthless way of living that I see so many others still trapped in. Thank You for Your salvation, for everything that is included with that salvation, but please help me to live in a way that shows the joy of that salvation in all I say, think, and do. Through the name of Jesus I pray.

Amen

TODAY’S MANNA for Friday, June 23, 2023

June 25, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

You Have Heard

[Jesus said,] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:43-45 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?
No this verse is NOT a cruel joke, it is VERY true. Remember God is Love (Unconditional Love). We often talk about the privileges of being a child of God – forgiveness, salvation, a future in heaven with Him, the gift of the Holy Spirit, prosperity, healing, and health, and ultimate victory through Christ. One of the greatest privileges we get as children of God however, is the opportunity to act toward those who dislike and hate us in a way that reflects the character of God himself. Anyone can return hate for hate, but it takes a child of God to return a blessing and a prayer to their enemies. The last bit of that verse also indicates, to me anyway, that this action of loving, blessing, and praying for those who hate and despitefully use us is a necessary action, a condition if you will, to becoming a son or daughter of God. “Faith without works is dead!” Works = corresponding actions, actions involved in doing the Word of God in Faith. Because in doing the Word of God you work out your salvation through His grace.

MY PRAYER…
Father, thank You for loving me while I was still an enemy to You. Thank You for offering the death of Your Son Jesus to offer me the chance to accept or reject Your love. As You have promised, You are pouring Your love into my heart so I may love even my enemies as You have loved me. Thank You Father that there are no “undesireables” when it comes t your love for mankind. Father, it is not by my might or by my power that I am able to love and pray for my enemies, but by the power of Your holy Spirit that works within me. Continue Lord to fill me afresh each and every day. Through Jesus, the gift of Your love, I pray.
Amen

TODAY’S MANNA for Thursday June 22, 2023

June 22, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

Tiny Seeds

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Galatians 6:7-8 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Out of the tiniest of seeds huge trees grow!
This principle is so important that I have to preach on it again this week.
Out of the tiniest of seeds huge trees grow! A very small acorn can produce a giant majestic oak tree over time. Whatever we sow is what we will reap. As Creflo Dollar would say “You don’t plant corn seed if you want collard greens!” This principle runs true throughout all of life. It is a principal ordained by God and it controls nature. When we sow to the flesh (or the carnal, lustful sin nature of man) by yielding to such things as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, greed, anger, adultery, pornography and other such lusts of the flesh, we will only reap the destruction that will come from it. (“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23) (or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23) Take a good look at modern society today and you will see what I mean. Men with men and women with women, and trying to tell the world it’s okay. It is NOT okay, it is an abomination to God! It is not what God intended for us to do. Even the animals don’t live like that, they have more sense than humanity in that respect! Why else would He have made male and female? Adults sexually abusing children, pornography all over the internet and even cable TV. Liars, cheaters, and illegal aliens as politicians, even as a president. The list just goes on and on. We can not get completely away from the seeds we have already sown, but we can control what seeds we will sow in the future. We can control our future harvest. It is possible to uproot the seeds before they sprout, if you will turn to God and His Word. So let’s not fool ourselves by trying to do a “snow job” on God. He knows what you are sowing, just like you know what you are sowing. If you’re sitting in front of the ‘boob tube’ all evening instead of meditating the Word guess what your harvest is going to be? Ever wonder why they call the television the ‘boob tube’? Seek first the Kingdom of God. Sow to the spirit and spiritual things instead of to the flesh, and you will reap eternal life. Yes, those things of the flesh seem pleasant and fun to do, BUT it is only for a little while and then there is a price to pay. If it’s not of faith in the things of God, it’s sin. Sin, when mature produces death. Let’s make sure the seeds we sow are the ones we want sprouting up later! Remember God SEES and HEARS all that you do and say and He even knows what is in your heart!

MY PRAYER…
Heavenly Father, God who lived before creation and who will be the Great “I AM” when time is no more, help me to sow seeds in my life that will bear eternal fruit. Let Your Spirit guide and teach me to sow to the spirit and to avoid those seeds that are carnal and lead to destruction. I know that I can not accomplish this on my own, I know that I need You and Your Spirit to help and guide me every step of the way. So Father, I ask You to fill me afresh each day with Your precious Holy Spirit that I may be endued with power from on High to accomplish that which I can not of my self do. Through Jesus, who died and was buried and rose on high so that I might have life and it might forever flow forth from me by the power of the Holy Spirit within me. My Lord and my Saviour, in Jesus name I pray.
Amen

TODAY’S MANNA for Wednesday, June 21, 2023

June 21, 2023Mannasotm@comcast.net

Walking In Love

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Do you always walk in love?
Always love? Pretty tall order and pretty tough stuff. Only God is “always.” But as Christians we can be fueled by HIS Love to always be walking in love through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit! God is Love (Agape) and if His Holy Spirit is living in us then we are (or should be) His love personified. And remember, our Faith works by love. His Love working in and through us. Check out the promised source of always love in Romans 5:5.

MY PRAYER…
Precious Father on High, I humble myself before You, recognizing Your boundless power to love, the incredible need for love in the lives of those around me, and my limited ability to love them. Please continue to pour Your Holy Spirit into my heart and Your anointing oil upon my head and in so doing empower me by Your Holy Spirit with Your love toward people. Through the power of Your indwelling Holy Spirit, fill me with the power to love as You do, unconditionally always. In Jesus’ sweet and precious name I pray.
Amen