Daily & Weekend Manna
Mobile-friendly daily/weekly devotional readings based on the NIV Bible New International Version (1984) or the NIrV Bible New International Readers Version (1998), Published by Hodder & Stoughton Ltd., London.DAILY MANNA (EDITOR'S CHOICE)
Extracts from Old and New Testament Bible teachings for today based on the Easy English NIrV Bible: prepared daily (Mon to Fri) at 0600 hrs and uploaded at approx. 0730 hrs GMT. It was Manna author Fred's last wish to his editorial team before he died that Old Testament teachings should be viewed in the light of their New Testament fulfilment and that NT teachings for today should be viewed in the context of God's purposes and promises expressed in the OT, under Holy Spirit guidance.9th April 2021.
Malachi 2:10-17 warns against unfaithfulness to God and to the people of God. Malachi is told that this is like a man who is unfaithful to his wife whom the LORD God Almighty "made one" (v.15). God's purpose in faithful marriage is to "seek godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. I hate divorce" (v.15-16). In this way, God was revealing to Malachi how the people of God had broken their covenant with Him which was established at the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Instead, they had raised up children from marriages to unbelievers (v.11). They had wearied the LORD with their unfaithfulness to Him and constant questioning, "Where is the God of justice?" (v.17).
Acts 11:19-21 records the time when God encouraged the followers of Jesus to spread the Good News not only to believing Jews (v.19) but to believing Gentiles (v.20). In this way, "the Lord's hand was with them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord" (v.21).
Lord Jesus, help us to understand the need to be "faithful to God and to the people of God" under His new covenant with His people. May we therefore proclaim the Good News and raise up "godly offspring" to extend His promised worldwide family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Help us not to compromise His plan for the Kingdom of God You spoke about so many times to Your disciples. Enable us through Your Spirit to minister to others in a selfless way with Your compassion but without yielding to the ways of sinners and non-believers. Help us to patiently endure as we "obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus" (Revelation 14:12). Amen.
Read our Current archive for 2021 or Archive for July-December 2020 or Archive for April-June 2020 or Archive for Jan-March 2020
WEEKEND MANNA (FRED SAID)
Extracts from Manna Publications Bible teaching commentaries by the late Fred Morris based on the Easy English NIrV Bible with cross-references to the KJV where useful.10th/11th April 2021.
Romans 13:8-13. The law of love
Paul knew that Jesus said we must love God first and then our neighbours (Matthew 22:37-39). We can never repay the debt of love we owe to our Lord. But we can show His love to others: our relatives, friends and neighbours at home or at work. This law of love also encourages the Christian to pay his taxes, his debts and to be a good citizen. "Those who love others have done everything the Law [of God] requires" (Romans 13:8).
Many of God's Ten Commandments apply to our relationship to others. Paul says that they all fit under a wider command of "Love your neighbour as yourself" (13:9). God's love in us enables us to go beyond the legal demands of the law, which include "Do not commit adultery, murder, steal, nor envy what others have".
Paul quotes some of these Ten Commandments given to Moses as a guide for living in love and peace with neighbours. He repeats, "Love does everything the Law requires" (13:10).
Paul added, "Keep in mind the times we are living in" (13:11). He warns the believers that they must now live as if Christ would soon return. Paul then adds his own guidelines to holy living: no wild parties, no drunkenness, no sexual sins, no evil behaviour, no fighting or anger, no jealousy. Above all, we must learn to live in the light of Christ, not in the darkness of sin (13:12-13). Paul's teaching remains true today, nearly 2000 years later.
Extracted from "LIVING IN CHRIST" Bible teaching commentary by Fred Morris, © 2007, 2012.
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Read our archived PDF files of "Fred Said" devotionals:
Current archive 2021 or Archive for 2020
or Archive for 2019 or Sept/Dec 2018 and March/Aug 2018
"MY BREATH" (PASTOR PETER)
God's 'now word' for today for worldwide believers in the One True and Almighty God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Spoken through Manna supporter Rev Peter Luck (Kettering, UK) based on "The Lord Jesus breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' " (John 20:22). Note that 'Holy Spirit' or 'Holy Ghost' means the 'Holy Breath of God' who is the 'Breath of Life' (Genesis 2:7).The 'now word' for meditation week commencing 11th April 2021:
"My Breath is the encouragement for all who strive."
Read our current archive.Manna Publications provide easy-to-read Bible Teaching Commentaries free to download with Western culture/jargon removed and religious terms explained, which are also easy to translate into local languages. Print your own or contact us
Photos
Read the life story of Manna author Fred Morris "From Navy Boy to Missionary".
Manna author, Australian missionary Fred Morris, retired to the USA and established Manna Publications (USA) in the year 1990, Manna Publications (UK) in the year 2000 and Publications Manne (France) in the year 2006. The first overseas printings of his Genesis Bible teaching commentary Part 1 were with his former missionary contacts in Mongolia and Kenya. Over 600,000 low-cost A5 booklets have been printed and reprinted (typical print runs are 500 copies per title) in 40+ countries and as many languages at various points of need since 2001, plus undocumented quantities before that.
Fred died September 13th 2018 at the age of almost 94. He leaves a worldwide volunteer organisation of administrators, donors, prayer supporters, editors, proof-readers, publishers, printers, translators and distributors, who endorse his Bible teaching in easy-to-read commentaries and welcome the opportunity to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ 'to the ends of the earth'.
Fred's ministry not only fulfils the vision given to him over 30 years ago but also fulfils in part the promise of Jesus Christ to enable His followers to do even more than He did when He lived on Earth 2000 years ago! God's Enabler or Helper is the power of the Holy Spirit given to the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ, which is received in faith by all who repent and are then baptised (Luke 24:47; Acts 10:47-48).
Front cover of Manna Bible teaching book translated and published in Myanmar.