New Beginning Apostolic Church
4680 Raleigh LaGrange Road Memphis, TN 38128
(901) 377-1920
Morning Manna
"Walking with God"
I’m not sure if you’ve ever walked with a neighbor, a friend, or the pet dog and noticed that everyone (including animals) walk at a different pace. There are times we find ourselves waiting for the other party to catch up or the other party is waiting on us to catch up and continue the journey. This is a very common scenario when we walk with God! There are times when we struggle in keeping up the pace God has ordained for our lives. Many times frustration can set in as we fall out of step with God’s plan for our lives. In addition, sometimes when we tend to pace ourselves ahead of God’s plan and end up functioning in self-will versus God’s will for our lives. I’m so glad that God has left us without excuse in the great examples of Enoch, Abraham, and others who walked with God – by faith! Micah 6:8 reminds us of our sole mission in life – “….and what does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God”. We must ask ourselves the question – am I walking at God’s pace or do I need to adjust? Last but not least, I’m reminded of the song that says – “Precious Lord take my hand, lead me on and let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Precious Lord take my hand and lead me home!" There couldn’t be a better recipe for walking with God!
"Is It Dead, Yet?"
How many times have we gone to the dentist for a routine filling,
root canal, etc. Our dentist has to make lots of provisions to prepare us for the procedure? When applying Novocaine, my dentist has a way of letting the medicine fully penetrate the area being treated. Then, he will always check back after several minutes and ask – “Is it dead, yet?" What a thought provoking question that we can apply to the process of living holy!
In Romans 8:13, Paul declares that we (through the Spirit) must die out to sin – in order to live (spiritually)! Therefore, I would submit to you that the “deadening process” to sin is ongoing. The bible also declares that we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice – holy and acceptable unto God. If we are indeed presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice – the ultimate question is “have I fully died out to the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life”. The Holy Ghost is a spiritual Novocaine that can assist us in dying out to sin – when we let it work in us, and on us!
~Presiding Bishop, Bramlett Cooper
One Year Chronological Reading Plan