Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 Apr 24

Oppression

 

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20)

 

Today’s Morsel: There seems to be a great onslaught of depression, oppression, confusion, and low self-esteem in the church these days. People seem to not know where to turn. Children are not wanting to attend school because it is boring. People are sitting on church pews playing with their electronic devices because they are not interested in church. People don’t want to go to work because it is boring. People don’t want to go out into nature because they may get bit by a bug. Fear is gripping their hearts.  Satan has blinded the minds of many that believe not. People have fallen into his trap and now find themselves worrying and confused. But the answer to fix these problems in found in the gospel. As Paul told Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2) The gospel is the answer. You can’t take Jesus out of the equation and expect people to build a relationship with Him. Church songs which used to be sung drew you to and caused you to be concentrated to Christ. But now it is all about strobe lights, bust your ear drums, and go home with a headache because of too loud of sound. But when Jesus was upon the earth, the noise the people heard was because Jesus was in the house. People sat and listened to what He had to say, and they were amazed at His doctrine.  As Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19) We’ve got to get back to the basics of the gospel, or people are going to be in an even worse condition then they are now.

 

Sing: Lord, take me back to the old landmark, help me make a new commitment, and begin a fresh start. Help me find my direction, place a burden in my heart. O’ Lord, take me back to the old landmark.

 

Thought For Today: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls...” (Jeremiah 6:16)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 April 23

Knowledge Is Powerful

 

“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

 

Today’s Morsel: Solomon says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) He tells us that a house is built by wisdom, and by understanding is it established. You don’t build a family in a shack or ruins when you have godly wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. These things only happen when these three things are missing from a life. As Solomon again states: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalms 127:1) Jesus even tells us where we should build our house. And that is upon the rock. David states: “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalms 18:2); “For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?” (Psalms 18:31) Are you building your house upon the true rock?  Peter tells us how to build our house so that it doesn’t fall: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” (2 Peter 1:5-10) When the knowledge of Christ is absent, folks are subject to just throw anything together and call it a home. But as Paul told the church at Corinth: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

 

Sing: I thought number one would surely be me.  I thought I could be what I wanted to be.  I thought I could build on life’s sinking sand.  But now I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.  Lord, I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.  The mountains too high and the valleys too wide.  Down on my knees that’s where I learned to stand.  Oh Lord, I can’t even walk without You holding You holding my hand. 

 

Thought For Today: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 April 22

A Balanced Life

 

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” 

(James 4:14)

 

Today’s Morsel: How would you define life? Based on your definition, would you say that you are living or just existing? Do you know how to balance your life? Do you know how to manage your life? A balanced life is one where you may have many situations and circumstances coming against you, but you are able to maintain peace, confidence, and stability in Christ, with others, and yourself in them. A balanced life is not fazed by what others do or think. Living a balanced life is essential to physical and mental health. John states: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 1:2) But notice, for this to happen your soul must prosper. Your inner man must be kept fed and in good health. But if you cannot balance your life, your health will probably suffer because of it. As Jeremiah states: “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5) If you can’t handle life when it’s easy, what will you do when it gets hard. A balanced life is a spirit filled life without all kinds of confusion, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

 

Sing: I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me, it makes the lame to walk and the blind to see.  It opens prison doors, sets the captives free. I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me. Spring up O’ well, within my soul; spring up O’ well and make me whole.  Spring up O’ well and give to me, new life abundantly.

 

Thought For Today: LIFE ... Living In Faith Every day. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 April 20

Let’s Change Courses

 

“And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.” (2 Chronicles 34:19-21)

 

Today’s Morsel: If we are not careful, we can find ourselves on a course that isn’t working. When I was in the army, there were times during Land Navigation Training, that I would get off course and could not find the point that I was looking for. But we had been taught that if we were to get off course, that we should return to the last known point and start again. Does it seem as though things in your life aren’t working? Then why not stop and evaluate your situation and see if you need to change courses. You don’t want to stay on the same old course that isn’t working for you. The ones that may be causing you heartache and pain. When the King Josiah heard the words of the Lord given to him, he realized that they were off course and were not following what God had said in His Word. He realized that they needed to reverse course immediate. When your situations and circumstances may be rewarding you evil instead of good, you may need to check God’s Word to see if you are off course. Always remember, if you find yourself walking in darkness, you are not in the will of God. As His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. 

 

Sing: Change my heart, O’ God, make it ever true. Change my heart, O’ God, may I be like You. You are the potter, I am the clay; mold me and make me, this is what I pray. Change my heart, O’ God, make it ever true. Change my heart, O’ God, may I be like You.

 

Thought For Today: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 April 19

 

Don’t Take on The Spirit of the Narcissist

 

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.” (Proverbs 27:1-3)

 

Today’s Morsel: Narcissism seems to be taking center stage in the world. People are self-centered, self-important, and self-loved. It’s all about oneself. My space, my right, my life, my body, my church, my home, my money, my, my, my, it’s all about me. When we become self-centered and egotistical, we are headed for self-destruction. Solomon states that “A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.” In other words, when it’s all about you, foolishness is about to bring you down. Jesus has already told us that without Him we can do nothing (John 1 5:5). So, keep that narcissistic attitude as far away from you as you can. A $5 bag of potato chips still has more air in the bag than chips. And God doesn’t have a problem with letting your air out and hanging your dirty laundry on the clothesline for everyone to see.  So, let me encourage you, “Do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8) 

 

Sing: I’m so glad that the Lord saved me, I’m so glad that the Lord saved me. If it had not been for Jesus, where would I be. I’m so glad that the Lord saved me.

 

Thought For Today: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14)

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 April 18

How’s Your Self-Confidence?

 

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that the word of God ought to do for us is give us self-confidence. Confidence within our own self and abilities. Paul said that the gospel did not come in word only, but also in power. That means that when you received the Holy Ghost, it gave you power to make right choices and decision. The power to stand on your own two feet and not let people push you around. The power to speak up for wrong and injustice. The power to confront wrong and to show people their errors. Boldness does not mean arrogancy or bullying. It means confidence. If the great commission is to be accomplished in and through you, then you are going to need self-confidence. Solomon states: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” On a scale of 1-10 with 1o being highest, how’s your self-confidence?  If you are lacking, then Jesus says: “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:7-9)

 

Sing: He gives strength to me, as I worship Him, as my heart is filled with praise. Jesus breaks the bands, when I raise my hands, He gives glorious victory.

 

Thought For Today: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 Apr 17

Distractions

 

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.” (Acts 16:16-18)

 

Today’s Morsel: In today’s world, the enemy is using many distractions to get us off track from accomplishing God’s purpose in our lives. Things such as political division, murder, suicide, discouragement, stress, sickness, and attacks on churches and religion.  These are all disruptions to take our focus off God. The woman in today’s passage was correct. Paul and his companions were there for one purpose, and that was to make Jesus known and to bring salvation to the people. But her actions and daily proclamation proved to be only entertainment and a show to disrupt God’s purpose and plan, and to make the people think that it was all a joke. Paul recognized the enemy’s goal and cast him out of her. Thus creating more disruption in the city which caused them much hurt. They were beaten and cast into prison, but God’s purpose was still done. As Christians, we ought not to think that distractions will not come. As Simon Peter admonished: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4) He continues: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) Jude admonished: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:3-4); “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” (Jude 1:9); “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 1:16-23)

Stay focused, as the enemy of your soul is out as a roaring lion, not only to seek whom he may devour, but also to distract you from God’s purpose in your life.

 

Sing: I’m gonna make it, He’s already said that I would, I’ll keep on trusting, because I know He’s working all things for my good; He goes before me, and heaven is in my view, and I’m gonna make it through. 

 

Thought For Today: “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)