Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 20

“Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him” (John 11:5-10).

Today’s Morsel:  Sometimes in our walk with God, we enter what I call danger zones.  It may be a place that you’ve been threatened before.  It may be a city that you desire to start a church, but you were rejected.  It may be in a home where someone wants a bible study, but there are drug dealers in the area.  These danger zones can sometimes try to inflict fear in us.  But we must remember that if it is of God, nothing will be able to separate us.  They had threatened to stone Jesus at Bethany before.  And so, when He told His disciples that He was going there again, they were concerned for His safety because they knew this was a danger zone.  Even the apostle Paul having been stoned and left for dead at Lystra, he re-enters that danger zone to preach again.  And scripture says, “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22).  Always remember, greater His He that is in you than he that is in the world.

Sing:  Greater is He that is in me.  Greater is He that is in me.  Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.

Thought For Today:  Don’t be afraid of your danger zone.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 19

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Today’s Morsel:  They say that the fruit that ripens the fastest, also rots the fastest.  Fruit which is seen outward on trees seems to rot faster than fruit which grows underground.  Therefore, I believe that the fruit of the Spirit must first be developed inside of us.  If we do not have any roots when the trials and tests come, we will rot away (see Luke 8).  Jesus told the religious leaders, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27-28).   Jesus said we must “either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Matthew 12:33).  If your fruit is going to remain then it must first be developed within.

Sing: Will you decide now to follow Jesus?  Will you decide now to follow Jesus?  Will you decide now to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

Thought For Today:  The fruit that ripens the fastest also rots the fastest.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 18

“And I charged Baruch before them, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days. For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land. Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying, Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 32:13-19).

Today’s Morsel:  Someone asked the question, “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  If we can determine the false prophets by their fruit, shouldn’t we also be able to determine a true Christian by theirs?  The Lord told Jeremiah to buy his uncle's son’s property, as He would return His people to the land again.  And so, he brought it and he told Baruch; “Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.”  Notice, the evidence was both sealed and opened and he placed it into an earthen vessel.  Paul said, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).   Jesus purchased us with His blood.  Therefore, we must have the evidence of His purchase within and without.  Acts 10:44-48 says, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”  Do you have the Holy Ghost?   It’s the evidence that we must have within and without to show that we are His.

Sing:  Our Lord God, thou hast made the heavens and the earth, by Thy great power.  Our Lord God, thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thine outstretched arm.  Nothing is too difficult for Thee, nothing is too difficult for Thee; Great and Mighty God, great in counsel, mighty indeed, nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is too difficult for Thee.

Thought For Today:  Do you have the evidence? (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 17

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:14-22).

Today’s Morsel:  The city of Laodicea was located on the ancient highway leading up from Ephesus going on to Syria.  The city was founded about 250B.C. by Antiochus II, who named it after his wife, Laodice, and populated it with Syrians and Jews whom he had transplanted from Babylonia.  It was situated on an almost square plateau a hundred feet above the valley and was surrounded by extensive fertile fields and good grazing grounds.  It soon became famous for its beauty and its wealth, derived largely from sheep, whose glossy black wool was woven into garments and carpets.  The city was also a center for banking and other financial operations, conducted for the most part by a prominent and wealthy Jewish circle. We can see why that church would have easily been drawn into the attitude of trusting in their wealth and stating that they have need of nothing.  Paul told the church at Colossi, “Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:15-16).  You see, Colossi was only about six miles from Laodicea, and it would be easy for this church to share his concerns with them.  We must never get to a point that we think that we do not have need of anything because of our wealth and status in life.  As Paul told Timothy, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7).  Our daily need for Christ is always great.  

Sing:  For above all else, I must be saved.  For above all else I must be saved.  Lord whatever you have to do to me, don’t let me be lost for eternity.  For above all else I must be saved.

Thought For Today:  Be careful. Riches can be here today and gone tomorrow.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 16

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).

Today’s Morsel:  If someone were to ask you to define the world, what would be your reply?  I think that once we understand Truth, we can determine what the world really is.  We live in this world, it is not our permanent home yet not everything in it is bad for us.  We must have the wisdom and the knowledge to determine what is good and what is evil, we must know the difference.  We know that God created the heavens and the earth and that everything that He made was good.  John tells us to love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. The reason being is that if we love something, that’s where our heart will be, and it will be easy for that thing to draw our heart away from God and cause us to want to stay here; and we know that's not what God desires.  John lists three things that are associated with this world that we must avoid.  Those three things are lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  I believe that these three things are associated with this world and will destroy your walk with God.  They will turn your heart from Him.  Therefore, they must be avoided if we are truly born-again believers.  Do you know the difference?

Sing: This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.  My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.  The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

O’ Lord you know I have no friend like You, if heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do.  The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Thought For Today:  Don’t put stock in this place (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 14

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:1-6).

Today’s Morsel:  As I sit and read magazines and the daily paper, I'm saddened by the number of young people who are filled with troubled lives.  Many of the stories that I read offer no hope for these people or the reader that is reading them that may be seeking help for themselves.  They are writing to sell these periodicals, but they offer no hope or no help.  Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).  Jesus is still the answer and hope for the world today, even though many are afraid to say so.  Until we get Jesus back in His rightful place, in our lives and homes, many more are going to have troubled hearts and minds.  For without me you can do nothing, Jesus said (John 15:5).  But as Isaiah encourages us, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).  A new life starts with a new reason.  And Jesus is that reason.

Sing:  Something beautiful, something good; All my confusion Jesus understood.  All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful out of my life.

Thought For Today:  A new life starts with a new reason.  Jesus

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 13

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:1-10).

Today’s Morsel:  I believe that the most important thing in any person’s life is when they have a clear understanding of the gospel and how it is applied to their life.  I believe that the reason so many people are having troubles in their lives and homes is that the gospel is missing.  Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).  If we never allow Him to come in, we will never understand His love for us and His desire to help us.  First, we must understand that the Gospel is Jesus Christ Himself.  It is His death, His burial, and His resurrection.  And this is how His life becomes our life: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:3-11).  If you want to see a change in your life obey Acts 2:38.  The gospel is not only the good news, it’s the best news.

Sing:  I’ve got the Holy Ghost, down in my soul, just like the Bible said; I’ve got the Holy Ghost, down in my soul, just like the Bible said.  Well I’ve been to the water and I’ve been baptized in Jesus Name, my soul got happy and I’m so satisfied; I  wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now, just like the Bible, just like the Bible, just like the Bible said.

Thought For Today:  The Gospel is not only the good news, it’s the best news.