'NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD'

"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." (Gen 3:3).

The woman described the treee as 'the tree which is in the midst of the garden' instead of 'the tree of the knowledge of good and evil' as stated by God. Obviously, she speaks of the tree as being in the midst of the garden, because it was in the midst of her heart's lust. She might have also intended to convey that the best of God was in the midst of the garden and that she was debarred from enjoying it. By that she was questioning the love and kindness of God.

We know from the Word of God that all that was created on the earth was for the use of man (including the tree of knowledge of good and evil). But man was supposed to eat of the fruits of all the other trees first, and, after he was mature enough, to eat this fruit also. 'Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb 5:14). So it is very clear that the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil belonged to those who had 'full age', which our first forefathers did not have when they tasted it.

Let us not misunderstand the ways of God or doubt the plan of God for our life. Let us be filled with the love of God and place our trust in God. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

FLEETING HONOUR..!

The frightening fact about pride is that, not only will their life be miserable but their death and eternity too will be most miserable.

Look at Saul, the first king of Israel. Normally, people who sin ask pardon from God when they realize their sin. But look at what Saul said when his sin was pointed out - "I have sinned: yet honour me now" (I Sam 15:30). How sad that, instead of seeking forgiveness, Saul was seeking honour, knowing he had sinned against God. When a man seeks honour, it is a sure sign of the presence of hidden (unwashed) sins in his life.

When Saul was "sore wounded of the archers" he knew he was dying, and yet, instead of using the last few seconds or minutes to repent and prepare for his eternity, he was still seeking dignity and honour! (I Sam 31:4). Obviously he did not want anybody to say after his death that he had been killed by an uncircumcised person. Whoever it was who killed him, he was going to go to hell; but that appeared to be his least concern!

The armourbearer refused to kill him. Saul therefore took a sword and fell on it. But his suicidal attempt failed. He realized that even death was hating to kill him. The Amalekite stood upon him and cut off his head. In what pathetic backslidden state he ended his life!

Saul's end is a warning to every one of us. It proves how pride can make our life and death and eternity most miserable. Saul did not want an uncircumcised Philistine to kill him, but what a disgrace it was to have to ask an Amalekite - the Amalekites were worse and more abominable than the Philistined - to kill him. The honour of this world is like a shadow - the more we follow it, the more it flees from us.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in "Morning Manna"

DIE IN FAITH...:

"These all died in faith" (Heb 11:13).

All the heroes of faith died in faith. We need faith, not only to live a life that's pleasing to God, but also to die pleasing to God. The Old Testament saints died in faith although they did not receive the promises.

What is meant by dying in faith? Dying trusting in divine healing is, in a way, dying in faith. But all those who die without taking medicine may not die in faith. Many die filled with fear - tormented with the fear of death, fear of hell, or the fear of the devil. Dying in faith means dying fully trusting in God, without any fear at all. Some may have wonderful gift of faith - faith to heal the sick, raise the dead, etc. But that faith will not help them at the time of death. We need faith as a character, faith, the fruit of the Spirit.

When the founder of our mission, Pastor Paul, was about to die, the old priest of his former nominal church came to see him. Pointing to the boils on his body he said, "Look at all the pain you are suffering now." Then Pastor Paul smiled and said, "You are only looking there; you didn't look here (pointing to his heart). There is a lion roaring inside!" Even if the whole of hell rises against us, we should not be afraid. The righteous are bold as a lion. Even in the deepest trouble, even at the time of our death, we should be like a lion.

When Pastor Lazarus was dying he was extremely weak but his spirit was roaring like a lion. Raising his hand he was saying, "The gates of hell cannot prevail against the militant Church of God."

Some people may appear bold and may seem to have greater faith but when the time comes for them to die they are shaken. The heroes of faith stood for the faith, lived for the faith, fought for the faith, and also died for the faith.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

"THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP"

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them" (Psa 34:7).

Once, when a mother was attending a prayer meeting, her little daughter sneaked out into the church compound and went out into the street. Suddenly, during the meeting, was heard a terrible screeching of tyres, and a car stopped right in front of the church. To her horror, the mother noticed that her daughter was not near her. She rushed into the street and found her daughter calmly sitting on the pavement, and the driver of the car in a shocked state. "Elizabeth, what happened?" shrieked the excited mother. "I did not see the car coming, and I ran into the middle of the street. The car hit me but an angel of God took me up in his arms and made me site here, "replied Elizabeth calmly. The mother looked her daughter over. There was not even a scratch on her. And, though the driver looked dazed, Elizabeth was very calm and looked like a sweet angel.

How often the angel of the Lord delivers us from harm and danger! We may not be thanking God for them; we may not have even realized how we are being protected and cared for. How blessed a people we are!

"There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Psa 91:10-12).

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in "Morning Manna"

THE MOST BLESSED PRIVILEGE...!

"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (Jn 1:12).

The word 'power' also means privilege or authority. Indeed, this is perhaps the most wonderful privilege anyone can have on earth.

Dear friend, if you have not received Jesus into your heart, receive Him RIGHT NOW. His compassions and care and tender love are all available to you. He is waiting just outsite your heart to come in and embrace you and live with you. If you confess your sins to Him, His blood can wash away all your sins and make you a child of heaven.

Countless privileges follow the person who receives Christ into his heart. He has the privilege of being the son of God. Jesus becomes his brother then. That's why He is known as the 'firstborn among many brethren' (Rom 8:29). Sometimes our own blood brother may let us down. But Jesus will be to us "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov 18:24).

Moreover, when we become sons of God, we experience our God as EL-SHADDAI, mother-like God! Sometimes, our own mother may not be able to understand the burden and sorrow we have in our heart. Our God is more than a mother to us. Our earthly mothers cannot carry our sicknesses and pains, but our El-Shaddai can. Our mothers could carry us only when we were babies, but our God has promised to carry us even in our old age! See Isaiah 46:4. "Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you."

"There is an arm that never tires

When human strength gives way;

There is a love which never fails

When earthly loves decay.

How sad it is that millions of people have either not discovered this blessed privilege or have rejected it to their own doom!

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

NO FAMINE IN GOD'S HOUSE!

We have often heard of the greatness of Abraham as the Father of faith, as a man of obedience and sacrifice etc. But there was an ugly scene of backsliding in his life. Just as we learn many things from his faith, obedience, etc. we learn many lessons from his backsliding.

"Abraham journeyed going on still toward the south. And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there" Gen 12:9,10). Leaving Bethel, Abram moved down to the south and faced a famine. 'Bethel' means, 'house of God'. Abraham should not have left Bethel; there's no famine in Bethel. The prodigal son could not get even swine's husk to satisfy his hunger, while those in his father's house had bread to spare.

Child of God, don't ever go away from God's house; don't be slack in attending all the meetings arranged for you. The Lord has provided for all your needs there. "The children of men... shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures" (Psa 36:7,8).

If you find you are running short of spiritual food, if you have no desire for the Word of God, you must be moving in the wrong direction. And if you don't get enough spiritual food, take note, you will start craving for Egyptian food. It will do you good to remember that it can never satisfy your soul - it is only 'husk' that is meant for swine!

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

A BRAND NEW BODY!

"Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh... received up into glory" (I Tim 3:16).

This is amazing. "God was manifest in the flesh." God's divine nature was manifest while dwelling in this human body. This is the first sign of the mystery of godliness and this was very true about Jesus. He "was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (Jn 1:14). While we are in the flesh (in this physical body) we should manifest God's glory. What is glory? 'Full(ness) of grace and truth.'

Some give the excuse, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." When sin entered man the body indeed became weak, although the spirit is willing. In water baptism, this weak (disobedient) body is removed (buried). Now we are the body of Christ, the Church. WE CAN DO GOD'S WILL IN THIS BODY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, BECAUSE HE HAS REMOVED OUR OLD (WEAK AND DISOBEDIENT) BODY AND HAS GIVEN US A NEW BODY. HALLELUJAH!

The final aspect of the mystery of godliness is, "received up into glory." First, 'manifest in the flesh' and finally, 'received up into glory.' Indeed, if God is manifested in our body now, in the end, our body shall be changed and we shall be received up into glory.

Dear reader, stop giving the excuse: "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." That is a trick of the devil. Why not thank God for that BRAND NEW BODY of yours and "glorify God in your body"?

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in "Morning Manna"

CONSTANT CARE...:

“What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that Thou visitest him?” (Heb 2:6).

What a loving and caring God we have! “What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him? and that Thou shouldest set Thine heart upon him? And that Thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? (Job 7:17,18).

God setting His heart upon us and visiting us every morning with His blessings show how mindful our God is of us. “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits” (Psa 68:19). His mercies and compassions are new every morning (Lam 3:22, 23).

“Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.”

When our God visits us in the morning, if we are lazy or too busy to spend time with Him (in morning devotions), how sad He would be! We sent Him away on many mornings when He came to load us with His blessings – as we were too busy to receive Him.

Every moment the Lord tries us or checks our life; every moment He checks our thoughts, desires, imaginations, words, deeds and feelings - to see that they are unblameable before Him.

He watches over us every moment and "waters us every moment" or pours grace every moment. "I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day" (Isa 27:3).

Why does our God do all these things for us every day and every moment? Only with this blessed hope - "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump... we shall be changed" (I Cor 15:52).

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

EFFECTS OF BEING HURT...:

We are living in an age in which people often get hurt, offended or wounded, and that, very easily. One saint rightly said, “If we are hurt, it is indeed our pride which is hurt.” Haman was in a high position in Persia; but look at how much his pride was hurt when just one person did not bow before him – see Esther 5:11-13.

I Kings Ch 22 relates the story of a defeated king who pleaded, “Carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.” Yes, a wounded man can no longer fight the battles of the Lord. He has to be taken off the battlefield in disgrace.

Jesus disclosed the truth that those who get offended lack spiritual depth. (Mk 4:5,6,17). Does that speak to us? Do we have spiritual depth or do we harbour hurt feelings and find fault with those who appear to be wounding, hurting or offending us? We are called to be good soldiers of Christ (II Tim 2:3). We have a ‘good fight’ to fight – against sin, against principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places – in order to lay hold on eternal life. So let us be careful not to get ‘hurt’ in the battlefield.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

LIKE STARS AND SAND..:

“Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore” (Heb 11:12).

Abraham’s children were like stars and like the sand of the seashore. We need both these experiences.

Stars shine in the dark night and guide travelers on their way. Those who turn people to righteousness are like stars (Dan 12:3). Are we, by our life and by our words, helping people find the way to peace, joy and rest, to holiness and victory? Does our holiness in all our conduct show people living in the dark the difference between right and wrong, the difference between holiness and most holiness?

It isn’t enough if we are high in the sky, bright and shining. How do we respond to the hard-to-take situations and people we face in our day-to-day life? The sand of the seashore is continually, day in and day out, battered by the rolling waves, and made smaller, rounder and whiter as days pass. The hardships and problems in life should not knock us flat, but help us to become humbler, softer and purer. It is our attitude towards them that makes all the difference.

How are you going to face today? Will you be a star? Will you be a grain of sand on the seashore?

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

WAY OF HOLINESS...:

"An highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it... the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon... and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads" (Isa 35:8-10).

The blessedness of the way of holiness is beautifully portrayed here.

(i) It is a highway. - This way is in our hearts. If your heart is narrow, the way to heaven will also be narrow to you; holy living will be narrow and difficult.

(ii) It is the cleanest way because, "the unclean shall not pass over it."

(iii) It is the easiest way because, "the wayfaring men, though fools shall not err therein." If fools will not make mistakes in this way, it must be a very easy way indeed! However, those who are worldly-wise may go astray in this way. Unless you are a fool for Christ, you will never know or value the way of holiness.

(iv) It is the safest way as, "no lion shall be there nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon." No wild beast or anything that can cause fear can be found there. In spite of this, some people of God do not choose the safest way, the way of holiness.

(v) It is the most sacred way as only redeemed people have the right to walk in this way.

(vi) It is the most joyful way as the people walk in it "with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads." All along the way we will be singing, and keep hearing others sing. And it's not ordinary joy but everlasting joy that will be upon us. True happiness comes through true holiness.

(vii) It is the most blessed way as it leads to the most blessed place in heaven, Zion.

Do you love the holiness of God? If you do, you will find the way of holiness to be a highway, the cleanest way, the easiest way, the safest way, the most sacred way, the most joyful way and the most blessed way to Zion. So, "keep thyself pure" (I Tim 5:22).

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

DARE TO GO TO JESUS...!!!

"Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water" (Matt 14:28).

Though there were twelve disciples in the ship, only Peter had the longing to go to Jesus, braving the wild winds and waters. In the same way, though many have been met by Jesus and know His loving grace and wonderful power, there are only very few who, like Peter, venture to go to Him. Others may give the excuse of the sea being rough or the waves being wild, for refraining from going to Jesus.

The real Christian life is a life of 'walking on the water' - not one of sailing comfortably in a boat or one of basking on the seashore. Yes, the wind and the waves are rough, but Jesus wants to brave it all and go to Him. How happy Jesus must have been when Peter said, "Bid me come unto Thee on the water!" The reply of Jesus was sweet and short - "Come." Peter lost no time getting out of the ship and, 'he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.'

Some children of God want to go to Jesus without walking on the water. 'Waters' refer to trials, difficulties and sinful temptations. Without overcoming these, we can never go to Jesus.

Peter did not walk in the water, but on the water. Dear child of God, if you walk in sin you can never go to Jesus. Jesus walked on the water and showed an example that we too may walk over all sins, trials and temptations, without getting drowned by them. Living above sin while in this mortal body is indeed a possibility by the grace of God. Jesus walking on the water was a shadow of this truth. Like Peter, let us also dare to go to Jesus.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

ARE YOU HOMESICK?

Truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned" (Heb 11:15).

When Abraham left his country, he left it even in his mind. However, when Lot's wife left Sodom, she did not leave it in her heart. Hence she looked back and became a pillar of salt.

Note that the word 'country' is in italics in the Bible. So we must read the text as - "Truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out..." This means that we must leave not only our country but also anything that our Lord asks us to leave. We may leave it literally but it may be in our heart. Some people go back to their drinking and smoking or other vices after some time. They may have been cherishing them in their heart; so when they faced a temptation they succumbed to it. So, whatever it may be that the Lord asks us to leave, we must leave it in our heart and mind, just as the heroes of faith did.

"Now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly" (vs 16). Since they desired a better country they did not have a desire to go back to their own country. The Living Bible renders - "they were living for heaven." If we live for heaven, our heart will be heaven and all the way to heaven will be heaven for us.

If heaven is a 'better country' to you, you should be 'homesick' while on earth. Child of God, are you 'homesick' for your heavenly home? The Lord has prepared for us "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away" (I Pet 1:4). So set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

THE CURSE OF SIN...:

"Now art thou cursed from the earth ... when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth" (Gen 4:11,12).

God did not curse the person of Cain but pronounced him 'cursed from the earth' so that the earth may not yield its crops when he tills the ground. Material prosperity in the hands of a sinner is very dangerous. So God restricts it in His mercy. Riches in the hands of a drunkard could ruin his own health and the welfare of others.

The earth has a 'strength'; it gives man the strength of prosperity, health, etc. 'Strength' also meant 'power' in the original. While sin deprives you of the power of health and riches (though sinners sometimes have riches, they cannot really enjoy them due to fear, ill health etc.), saints can claim all these blessings for the kingdom of God and for the glory of God. Hallelujah!

"A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth." Now that Cain had become a murderer, a liar and a rebel against God, he needed scope for repentance. If he was settled peacefully in one place, he would live without giving a thought to heaven. But now, since his life is uncertain, he has to look to the place where he can be finally settled and peaceful, that is, heaven. 'Fugitive and vagabond' in the original is, 'wanderer and bemoaner'. The more we sin and harden our hearts, the more suffering and punishment we will have, and the more difficult it will be to turn to God.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

DON'T DECEIVE YOURSELF..:

"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red" (Prov 23:31).

Some people who drink (alcohol) take the words of St.Paul in I Timothy 5:23 and say that a little wine is good for the stomach. But look at the previous verse (v 22). "Keep thyself pure". The original word for 'wine' used here (please check Young's Concordance) means 'pure grape juice'. When the Word of God very clearly says that looking upon wine (with a desire) is a sin, how much more sinful it would be to drink even a drop!

There was once a child of God who sincerely desired to please God in everything. One day it was his birthday and his daughter bought a cake and presented it to him. He tasted a little and realized that there was some alcoholic percentage in it. Still, not wanting to offend his daughter, he ate a little, and left the rest of it in the fridge. That night he had a dream. He was going to heaven, and on the border he had to pass the customs. The customs officer opened his box and, finding a big bottle of liquor in it, pointed to the prison and said, "That is the place for you." With that, the child of God woke up. The Lord then told him that he was guilty of eating the cake knowing it had an alcoholic ingredient. Immediately he repented and threw away the cake. In later years, he became a great man of God.

Dear child of God, don't deceive yourself. Perhaps, in your home, there is not a cake with alcoholic ingredient, but a liquor bottle, a television set, some novels or some worldly magazines. Right now, sincerely repent and remove any such unholy thing from your house - so that it may not prevent you from reaching heaven.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

Drawing Power of the Blood of Jesus..:

Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)

In one sense, the blood of Christ has the greatest magnetic power in the world. Just as a magnet draws an iron piece to itself, the blood of Jesus draws a sinner to Jesus. [A magnet may draw an iron piece to itself, but the magnet cannot transform the iron piece into a magnet. But the blood of Christ can not only draw a sinner to Christ, but also transform the sinner into a saint!

When you really repent of all your sins and are washed in the blood of Christ, the blood has power to bring you very close to the Lord – “made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

Living presence of God is feeling God all over you. If you want to speak something wrong, you find God virtually closing your mouth. You feel as if you can reach out and touch God. He becomes so real and so near. Psalm 139 speaks beautifully about the manifest presence of God or the immediate presence of God. David says, “There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it” (Psa 139:4-6). The manifest presence of God is such a unique experience; even the thoughts are checked when they are far away. And, in this presence there is fullness of joy and eternal pleasures.

The blood of Jesus Christ is able to bring us so close to God as to enable us to have these beautiful experiences. In other words, the blood of Jesus will enable every fibre of our being, including our words, deeds, thoughts, imaginations, etc. to be directed and dominated by God’s presence every moment. Oh, what a wonderful power there is in the blood of Jesus! Even the holy angels cannot comprehend this.

Let us claim this glorious experience available through the precious blood of Jesus. Its power will never fail; its power will never be in vain. Even all through Eternity we will be praising the power in the blood of Christ!

“Saviour, more than life to me,
I am clinging, clinging close to Thee;
Let Thy precious Blood applied,
Keep me ever, ever near Thy side.”

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in "Morning Manna"

ANGER - THE SPIRIT OF MURDER..:

“Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell… Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” (Gen 4:5,8)

When your face (countenance) changes, beware – a murderous spirit might be entering into you, and it could lead you into killing your own brother or sister!

Dear child of God, do you realize that when you are angry and upset and your face changes, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you”? Many of God’s children have not realized that wrath is the spirit of murder. When this foul spirit entered into Saul, he wanted to kill innocent David (I Sam 18:8,11). Herod, in his fury, slew thousands of babes under two years (Matt 2:16). And Pharoah, furious with Israel, slew all their male children (Exo 1:22).

When Simeon and Levi, the sons of Jacob were furious with the Shechemites, they hid their anger in their hearts and outwardly showed themselved to be friendly, even to the extent of suggesting marriage ties with them. However, after a few days, when they found an opportune moment, they massacred all the males in the country. [Perhaps the worst form of anger is keeping resentment and bitterness in the heart and pretending to be godly and friendly on the outside.] Their wrath was so detestable that even their own father, when in his deathbed, instead of blessing them, said, “Instruments of cruelty are in their habitations… for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel” (Gen 49:5-7).

Dear reader, do not wait for the demonic spirit of anger to destroy both you and others. Flee to God with a broken and contrite heart. God, in His mercy, can renew a right spirit within you (Psa 51:10). Instead of your face becoming black with anger, let it be changed into a glory with grace.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in "Morning Manna"

RULE YOUR MIND..:

How are we to keep our thoughts, our mind pure and clean? First of all, we should realise that, in one sense, our evil thoughts are more sinful and serious than our actions.

St.Peter says to Simon the sorcerer, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee”. (Acts 8:22). Simon desired the anointing of the Holy Spirit but his intention was to make a living out of it. It is this wrong thought which is considered as, ‘wickedness’ by Peter.

Why does God want us to take our wrong thoughts seriously? The reason is that every thought will be judged by God (Eccl 3:17); We are accountable to God for every thought of us. Our God lives in a ‘secret place’, and he wants us to live with Him in that secret place (Psalm 91:1) – for which we must not have any secret sins.

When unsanctified thoughts try to come in, thrust them out of your mind by the grace of God. Sooner or later, you may face the same problem or a similar trial. Again, by the grace of God, fight against it. Such a life of fighting the good fight is called an overcoming life. It is for an overcoming life that we are called; let us not give in to sinful thoughts.

We cannot grow above our thoughts. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov 23:7). If you think like the devil, you are like the devil indeed. If you think like Christ, you are like Christ.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in ‘Morning Manna’

THE CENTRE OF GOD'S WILL..:

“As one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, where it fell? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in hither; and the iron did swim” (II Kgs 6:5,6).

Once the axe head comes off the handle, it is of no use to the owner. Child of God, you are that axe head. It is only as long as you are attached to the handle, only as long as you stay in the centre of God’s will, that you will be an instrument meet for the Master’s use.

When selecting a person for any ministry, the Lord always looked for someone who would do His will. “I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in My mind,” He once said (I Sam 2:35). On finding David He says, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, which shall fulfil all My will” (Acts 13:22).

The axe head that is broken off from the handle is not only useless but also dangerous; it could easily cut or kill someone. Dear reader, does this in anyway speak to you? Rebelling and going against the will of God is dangerous.

Here, the axe head fell into the water. Child of God, have you fallen into troubled waters? You might have lost the joy of salvation, your peace of mind, or your first love for the Lord. Obviously, the one who lost the axe head thought he would never get it back. You too may be in a similar position. You may be thinking you will never be able to get back the spiritual experiences you lost. Do not be discouraged. There is nothing impossible with your God. Arise and come back to the centre of God’s will.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in ‘Morning Manna’

TODAY IS THE DAY...!

“Today thou shalt be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:43).

Christ spoke the word of salvation – ‘Today’. Yes, salvation is always ‘today.’ “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (II Cor 6:2). “As the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil art of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But, exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:7-13).

Child of God, when the Lord speaks to you, respond immediately. Jesus told Zacchaeus, “today I must abide at thy house” and he made haste and came down and received him joyfully! (Lk 19:5,6). Jesus wants to come into your life TODAY. Make haste and receive Him and His blessings today.

The penitent thief hanging on the cross had no further opportunities, but you and I do, while it is still called, “Today”. Be baptised (by immersion in water) by an anointed minister, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (with the sign of speaking in new tongues).

Join a spirit-filled assembly led by consecrated servants of God and learn how to live the life of the kingdom of God. Then you can join the great throng of the redeemed and sing the high praises of our glorious Redeemer:

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,

O what a foretaste of glory divine,

Heir of salvation, purchase of God;

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!”

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in ‘Morning Manna’

REJECTED TO BE RESURRECTED..:

The path of rejection began in the life of our Lord right at His birth and continued till his death. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (Jn 1:11). "He was despised and rejected of men" (Isa 53:3). Dear child of God, you too will have the "privilege" of following the footprints of your Master. You can take rejection in the right spirit (in the spirit of Christ, singing and rejoicing), or you can curse God, murmur, and complain of those who have rejected you.

Often, when children of God feel rejected, they mourn and complain and indulge in self-pity, blaming others for their misery. Such will end up in final rejection at the Coming of the Lord. But if we learn to rejoice when rejected, it will lead us to the glory of resurrection. You will be resurrected or caught up when Jesus Christ comes. Rejection leads to resurrection. The rejected stone became the corner stone. The stone that joined this Corner Stone should also have the character trait it has.

Dear child of God, you must be going through a path of rejection right now. It may be very agonizing, and the situation may appear to be prolonging. But do you realize that your rejection leads you to resurrection? The more you are rejected, for the sake of Christ, the more you will be "accepted in the beloved" (Eph 1:6). and the day is certainly not far off when you will be raised to glory.

"Foes may hate, despise, revile you,
And thy friends unfaithful prove;
Still unwearied in forgiveness,
Let thy heart know only love".

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

TEST OF LOVING OBEDIENCE..:

"Of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen 2:17)

God placed the tree of knowledge in the garden and commanded man not to eat of it, in order to test his loving obedience. Man, unlike all other creations, was created as a responsible being. God gave him a freewill or the wisdom to choose for himself, and wanted him to serve Him willingly and with his whole heart. God could have made man like a computer; obedience could have been programmed in him. But God did not want to be a robot; He wanted him to be a free being in all respects. Hence he is the crown of creation.

"In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This death is applicable in the physical sense as well as in the spiritual sense. The very day man ate of the fruit his soul died i.e. he lost eternal life God had given him. According to the Word of God, the very day he committed sin he died physically as well, for in the sight of God a 1000 years are as one day (II Pet 3:8) and vice versa. Adam did not live altogether even ONE DAY (i.e. a thousand years).

Dear reader, let us serve our God willingly and become victors in the test of loving obedience. If we fail, it is 'death' we have to face for certain.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

PRAYERS OUT OF A PURE HEART..:

Another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne" (Rev 8:3).

Although the altar, incense, etc. belong to the earthly tabernacle, this is a heavenly scene. The altar before which the angel stood may be the incense altar in the holy place. It is worth observing that everything connected with the incense altar is of pure gold. The altar was made of gold, and incense was carried in a golden censer.

The incense altar made of pure gold represents the prayers and praises coming out of a pure (golden) heart. Every saint of God who prays from a truly pure heart is a golden censer in the sight of God. (Every child of God who is washed in the blood of Christ is called a saint - see I Cor 1:2).

"The smoke of the incense, which came up with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God" (vs 4). God has a very special regard for prayers which come out of a pure heart. INDEED, THEY ARE MOST POWERFUL - MORE POWERFUL THAN THE MOST POWERFUL EARTHLY WEAPON. Prayer life without a pure life is like the fruitless fig tree which Jesus cursed - so many leaves (prayers), but absolutely no fruit (result); it is indeed a hypocrisy.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

THREATS TO YOUR COVENANTS..:

When you are standing on the covenants you made with your God, you are like Samson who did mighty deeds for his God and for the people of God. As per God's covenant with Samson, a razor was not to touch his head. As long as Samson was steadfast in that covenant, he was a mighty man of God. But alas, because of Delilah's influence he had to break that covenant and hence had to die a very miserable death.

The meaning of 'Samson' is 'like the sun'. The sun is the sun of righteousness - our Jesus. We are called to be like the sun or like our Jesus, as was Samson. Delilah stands for the world or worldly pleasures. The meaning of the word 'Delilah' is 'delicate'. Delicate worldly pleasures undermine the very foundation of our covenant with God. Like Samson's, end the end of such people would be most pitiable. Let us take every care that not even a small wordly pleasure enters our life.

Sometimes, by the way we dress, behave, or move with others, we may give room for some cunning Delilah to creep in and make a havoc of our spiritual life. Today, find out from your personal life who or what that Delilah is, that is trying to break your covenants with your God. Destroy that Delilah right away and do away with it for ever.

"Earthly pleasures vainly called me,

I would be like Jesus;

Nothing worldly shall enthrall me

I would be like Jesus."

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

"OPEN THY MOUTH WIDE"

"I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it" (Psa 81:10).

Here, the Psalmist very clearly reviews the blessedness of opening our mouth to pray and to worship the Lord - seeing He has brought us out of Egypt. In other words, if our mouth is bound, it may imply that we are still bound in the land of Egypt. Those who open their heart and mouth to pray and to praise and adore God, will be free from the bondage of Egypt (sin).

"My people would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would none of Me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels" (vs 11,12). Just as it happened thousands of years ago, even now some are not hearkening to the voice of God in this respect, that is, in opening their heart and mouth to pray and worship the Lord. What happened to the people who did not open their mouth? God gave them up to their hearts' lust that they may walk in their own counsels. If we are not willing to open up to God we will not be able to do the will of God.

"Oh that My people had hearkened unto Me, and Israel had walked in My ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned My hand against their adversaries" (vs 13, 14). Another blessing in obeying the command to open the mouth and pray and praise God is that we will find that our enemies are subdued by God. Furthermore, when a man's ways please God, his enemies become his friends (Prov 16:7).

"He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee" (vs 16). What a blessing in opening the mouth and heart and praising and glorifying God! We receive the finest of wheat - the best spiritual food - and honey out of the rock. While the rock is one of the hardest substances on earth, honey is one of the sweetest things on earth. As we go through the hardest or most difficult paths (rock), the Lord will make them sweetest experiences (honey).

Should we not then open our heart and mouth to worship, to pray and to praise God - that He may fill us with His best?

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

THE SECRET of SUBDUING..:

"God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion..." (Gen 1:28)

Just as parents get everything ready for their child even before the child is born, God created everything for man's need before he was created. Everything was created for God's glory and for man's use. But when God's glory departed from man, the things which God created started getting misused and abused. (For example, grape juice is fermented into liquor.) Therefore thorns and thistles started coming up. As bad and bitter things appeared in man, bad and bitter things appeared in other creatures also. When we change, whether for better or for worse, we will see everyone around us changing accordingly.

To 'replenish' means to 'refill'. This indicates that there was a time when the earth was inhabited. [The angels were first on the earth - they were in the garden of Eden. (Eze 28:13).] Some of the angels fell due to pride and because of that the whole earth became formless and void. But God wanted to replenish the earth again. 'Subdue' indicates that evil powers (obviously the powers of the fallen angels) were already on the earth and that they were to be restrained. "Replenish the earth and subdue it". The secret of subduing is by replenishing.

Our hearts always should be filled and refilled with God's love and grace or, it will be filled with hatred and bitterness. When our hearts are thrilled and filled with heavenly character, we can subdue sin, satan and the world and have dominion over everything.

- Late Pastor T.U. Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

"BY FAITH... PERISHED NOT"

"By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace" (Heb 11:31)

What a faith! Let us put ourselves in the place of Rahab. The enemies of the country (two spies from a foreign country) are coming to spy out the city. How can we receive such spies with peace? Moreover, Rahab's house was on the wall. It would have been the first to fall if the wall of Jericho was to collapse. She was in such a vulnerable situation. What a terrible trial!

Some of our trials are like these spies - most dangerous in the natural way; but faith welcomes them in peace. What was the final result? Jesus was born in the lineage of Rahab. The Lord will make our greatest trials greatest blessings if we welcome them by faith.

"By faith... perished not." People perish as they have no faith. Here, faith made the potential destroyers real protectors.

It is interesting to note that when Rahab's wonderful faith is recorded, she is referred to as 'harlot Rahab.' From the title we can see that she was one of the foremost unbelievers in the city and one of the worst sinners as well. So she should have been one of the first to be destroyed along with the unbelievers. However, her faith that her sins could be forgiven, her faith that God could have mercy on her helped her to be saved from destruction. She says, "I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you." (Josh 2:9,10). These words of Rahab's confession show the faith she had.

Dear reader, even if you are the worst sinner or backslider, there is hope for you if you will trust the Lord and confess your sins and turn to Him for His mercy.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

RAISE THE BANNER OF VICTORY...:

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Is 59:19)

One marvelous ministry of the glorious Holy Spirit is stated here. When the enemy comes to attack, and that like a flood, in multitudes, it is normal for one to reinforce one’s own army to confront the enemy forces. It would be ridiculous to raise the standard (flag) then. Normally, the flag is hoisted only after the victory over the enemy. But spiritually, if the Holy Spirit is ruling, and raining in our lives, we do not have to fight the battle when the devil's forces come against us, for, the battle belongs to the Lord Who is enthroned in our hearts. Let us join the Lord in raising up the flag against the enemy by standing firm in faith. If God be for us, who can be against us? Just as the people of ISrael shouted praises of victory before the wall of Jericho fell down, we can, through faith, shout praises even before we see the victory. "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand" (Psalm 149:6).

The devil is not almighty, but God is. He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. (I Jn 4:4). Let us live in the power of the Holy Spirit so that the banner of victory may be raised when the enemy comes like a flood.

"Each one a one-man army, can storm through any host;
We're an army of overcomers.
An army then of armies, filled with the Holy Ghost;
We are an army of overcomers."

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

RENEW YOUR VISION...:

Chapter Two of the Book of Daniel relates the strange dream of Nebuchadnezzar. He forgot the dream, and that troubled him greatly. His sleep was disturbed. He commanded his wise men and magicians to tell him the dream and its interpretation, and threatened to cut them in pieces and turn their houses into dunghills if they failed to do so. How strange of him to threaten to cut them! Had they to be blamed for his forgetfulness?

Even today there are many Nebuchadnezzars - who forget the dream or heavenly vision given by the Lord. The God of heaven gave the king a kingdom, power, strength and glory (Dan 2:37,38): our God has promised us a greater kingdom, power, strength, glory and majesty. Our heavenly calling is of greater importance than the dream of the Babylonian king.

If we forget our heavenly vision we may, like the king, try to 'cut in pieces' those who are innocent. Nebuchadnezzar really forgot his dream. But modern Nebuchadnezzars conveniently try to forget their vision or calling in order to fulfil their own plans and desires. Let us renew our vision and respond to the heavenly call before its too late.

Thank God for Daniel! He earnestly sought the Lord till the dream and its interpretation was revealed. He reminded the king of his dream and told him its interpretation, thus rescuing many from being massacred. We need Daniels whose dwelling is not with flesh - those who have mortified the flesh. Such saints alone can help restore the lost vision of God's people. They alone can avert a spiritual disaster which already threatens the spiritual world.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

FIRST MOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...:

"The earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Gen 1:2).

In Genesis 1:1, we find 'In the beginning God' and hence 'heaven' is also found in that verse. But Genesis 1:2 begins with 'earth' instead of 'God'; hence we do not find heaven there, but instead, confusion, emptiness, 'deep' and darkness. It's no surprise therefore that those who give first preference to earthly things end up in darkness, confusion and emptiness - which all portray hell. Dear child of God, let God be first; let Him be the beginning of every detail of your life. Then you can enjoy heaven on earth.

Thank God, the move of the Spirit of God - the Holy Ghost is the first and prime Mover. The Spirit of God moved, not when all things were alright, as we would expect, but when everything was in a chaotic state; not when there was light, but when there was darkness; not when all were on fire, but when everywhere there was only cold water! What an encouraging thought for those who are waiting for a mighty revival and interceding for it!

The Psalmist shares with us a similar revelation: "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psa 27:13). He did not see the goodness of the Lord, and yet he believed to see it, or he would have fainted and become discouraged. Dear reader, are you fainting and getting discouraged because you do not see a revival? Take heart, believe, and you will surely see it.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in "Morning Manna"

BLESSEDNESS OF TRUSTING IN GOD...:

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee" (Isa 26:3).

A simple definition for 'trusting in God' is stated in this verse. Trusting in God is, our mind staying on God.

Noah found mercy or grace as he looked to the eyes of the Lord, and was able to live a perfect life in his generation. Some find it difficult to live a just and perfect life. As they do not look to the eyes of the Lord or trust in Him, they lack grace. When our mind stays on the Lord we receive the grace to realize our own emptiness, and God's fulness. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (Jms 4:6).

Trusting in God, looking to the eyes of God for mercy, our mind staying on God, humbling ourselves - all these mean more or less the same thing.

Perfect peace is another blessing we get from trusting in God. In the original, "perfect peace" is shalom shalom. Shalom means peace, wholeness, completeness, good health, etc. It virtually means that if we trust in the Lord, we have a double (perfect) portion of His peace, good health, etc.

Perhaps the most blessed text on the blessings we receive by trusting in the Lord, is Psalm 21:6,7: "Thous hast made him MOST BLESSED FOR EVER: Thou hast made him EXCEEDING GLAD WITH THY COUNTENANCE for the king trusteth in the LORD." Consider the words 'most' and 'for ever'. Those who trust the Lord are most blessed - now and in Eternity. No one can expect a greater blessedness or a blessedness for a longer period, than this. Those who trust the Lord are made blessed, yea, most blessed! And they are made glad, yea, exceeding glad with His countenance. So THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD ARE MOST BLESSED AND EXCEEDING GLAD PEOPLE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PROBLEMS THEY FACE AND THE BURDENS THEY CARRY. If so, those who do not trust in the Lord (but trust in the arm of flesh) are most miserable and exceeding sad people. "... for the king trusteth in the Lord." Indeed, those who trust in the Lord are not ordinary people, but kings.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'