I think some of these have been blocked out by Aristotle Spam. We hope this week to get DSL thru Suddenlink.
I will let Brother Tom know once I have a new address and maybe these will come thru when he sends them. Please remember me for my surgery on kidney stone. Jan 29 I go in Springhill to have tube put in kidney and on 30th Dr. Kuhn, goes in to crush the stone and suck out the debris. He is best and a Christian. Thanks. I appreciate all of you and you are in my prayers. God Bless
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:22:14 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna for Jan. 16-17
Morning Manna (Jan. 16); BP: Rom. 6:15-23; RBTTY: Mt. 11; Gen. 39-40
January 16 “Whose Slave Am I?”
“Know you not that to whom you yielded yourselves servants to obey his servants you are to whom you obey—whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness? But, God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you, being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness.”
Romans 6:16-18
If we choose not to choose, we’ve already chosen; but as Oswald Chambers said in My Utmost for His Highest, “When we choose deliberately to obey Him, then He will tax the remotest star and the last grain of sand to assist us with all His Almighty power.”
Obedience.
The mere sound of this word evokes some type of response in all of it. To most, it conjures up the picture of “crime and punishment” and a strict, disciplinary atmosphere while growing up. Or, it reminds them of their boot-camp days in the military when the drill sergeant made their lives miserable.
Paul’s analysis of it contrasts being a “slave to sin, self and satan” or a willing “slave to Christ.” No doubt he was very familiar with the Roman practice of oftentimes chaining the vanquished foes behind the victorious general or emperor’s chariot and parading them through the streets as they returned home from war.
Not a pretty sight at all.
But, dear Pilgrim, that’s exactly the same thing that happens when anyone “yields himself as a servant (Grk. ‘doulos’—‘bond-slave, one in subjection or subservient to, etc.’) sin.” He is inwardly “chained” to that sin’s “chariot” and unable to free himself because he’s been “blinded by the god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4a) and “taken captive by him at his will” (II Tim. 2:26).
But, it doesn’t have to be that way!
A thousand times no!
Not when Jesus conquered sin, death and the grave and has taken up residence in our hearts. He didn’t come to give us partial deliverance or incomplete salvation. He came to “proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of prison to them who are bound” (Is. 61:1c). Hallelujah!!
Thus, it isn’t a question of “Is He able?”
It’s “Am I willing?”
Am I so tired of spiritually shooting myself in the foot and continually being held captive in the “strongholds of sin” (II Cor. 10:5) that I’m ready to be “chained to Christ’s Chariot”? Do not the Scriptures say “He that is dead is freed from sin” (Rom. 6:7) and we are to “reckon (Grk. ‘logizomai’—‘to take an inventory of, conclude, consider it so, etc.’) ourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:11)?
Assuredly they do. Therefore, isn’t it time today we declare war on “sin, self and satan” and begin going on the offensive instead of continually living in disobedience and guilt? Today’s your day, Pilgrim. You’re a child of the King of kings. Begin living like it.
Morning Manna (Jan. 17); BP: I Pet. 1:13-21; RBTTY: Mt. 12:1-23; Gen. 41-42
January 17 “Like Father, Like Son”
“But as He Who called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation—because it is written, ‘Be you holy, for I am holy’.”
I Peter 1:15-16
It’s both a matter of dedication and deprivation.
Holiness.
We don’t hear much of it from the pulpits these days. Instead we hear encouraging messages on “How to Live the Spirit-filled Life” or “Eight Ways to Be Successful” or “Being All You Can Be In Christ.” While these are well-and-good, the fact remains that it’s impossible to embody any of these without making today’s Manna a priority in our daily spiritual diet.
Part of our aversion to this is because of our unholiness. We know we “ought” to be this way or that; however, we fall so short in “being holy as He is holy.” And, instead of letting this produce “Godly sorrow which brings forth repentance” (II Cor. 7:10), we grovel in guilt, lamenting our condition and inability to change.
But, dear Pilgrim, could it be it’s more an “unwillingness” than it is inability?
Could it be it’s easier for us to live in the misery of guilty than it is to say “Enough!” and do what’s necessary to live that life of holiness?
Tough questions, aren’t they?
Assuredly they are.
However, we cannot be “holy in all manner of conversation (Grk. ‘anastrophe’—‘behavior, daily conduct or lifestyle, etc.’) until we’re so sick of sin and grieving the Holy Spirit that we cannot rest until those needed changes are made.
Again, this will not be easy; however, the Holy Spirit has promised to help us gain the victory.
So, the question now is “What areas of my life are there that are unholy? Is it my tongue—i.e., do I participate in telling off-color jokes or gossip? Is it my temper—i.e., am I easily offended and quick to give someone a piece of my mind, feeling justified in doing so? Are there ‘secret sins’ of thought and/or deed, hidden to everyone else, but always seen by the Heavenly Father?”
If so, do not rest until these “strongholds are pulled down” (II Cor. 10:3-5).
The Greek word “hagios” is used here for “holy” and also means “to be set apart, sacred, consecrated, dedicated to God’s service, etc.” Thus, it’s the picture of vessels in the Temple with but one purpose: To be used in the worship/service of God. And, dear Pilgrim, that’s what we are when it comes right down to it: Holy vessels unto the Lord (II Tim. 2:21).
Therefore, is there a need today to spend some time taking spiritual inventory on your life? Are there certain books you’re reading or shows/movies you’re watching that are ungodly and arouse sinful passions within you? If so, cry “Be gone!” and “reckon them dead” (Rom. 6:11). Is a root of bitterness, watered by an unforgiving spirit, defiling your relationship with God and others (Heb. 12:15)? If so, get on your face before a Holy God, repent and begin allowing His sweet love and forgiveness to flow through you. “Be holy—because He is holy.”
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