Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 January 2019

Grace

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Today’s Morsel:  Not only is ‘Grace’ God’s unmerited favor in our lives, but it is also His divine influence working in our lives.  How we handle what we are going through and facing will determine how much of His grace is in us and how we see it.  I like to think of God’s grace this way:  It is His goodness, rest, assurance, compassion, and example that He has set before me for my good.  If His grace is sufficient, then we have nothing to fear or worry about.  So, rejoice!

Sing:  Grace! Grace! God’s grace.  Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.  Grace! Grace! God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Thought For Today:  Weakness equals strength in the Lord!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 January 2019

The Dream

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:16-17)

Today’s Morsel:  Today, we celebrate and honor a man who was willing to sacrifice for all Americans, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Dr. King is not only credited for his many marches for equality and against racial injustice, but also for his ‘I Have A Dream Speech’ at the Lincoln Memorial, in August 1963.  What a great speech that should be read by all repeatedly.  Each year at this time, I am reminded why we must act to keep the dream alive.  And here’s why.  Because equality and justice are built when we work together, play together, and serve each other.  It helps us to resist and eradicate bigotry, disunity, and unrighteousness from our workplaces, military, schools, and communities.  We must continue to celebrate this day so that every generation will have knowledge of the progress we as a country have made and will live to make things better. And so that every generation will realize their role in keeping the dream alive.

Sing: My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.  Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.

Thought For Today: “Let Freedom Ring!”

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 14 January 2019

The Gentle Touch

“And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them” (Matthew 8:14-15)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the fruits of the Spirit is gentleness.  When I am praying for others, I often ask myself if I am being to be demonstrative.  One of the things that we find about Jesus in scripture is that sometimes He touched people without making a scene and they were healed.  I believe that when we are led by the Spirit of God, He will lead us to pray for others and to touch others in His name without making a scene. And when we do, it will be through that gentle touch that they will be made whole.  Scripture says, “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her.”  He just touched her hand.  A gentle touch. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).  When we minister to others it is for them to receive from God, not for others to see us.  So they know He has touched them.  

Sing: He touched me, and O’ the joy that floods my soul.  Something happened, and now I know, Jesus touched me and made me whole.

Thought For Today:  The Fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 12 January 2019

Sight Without Vision

“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” 

(2 Kings 6:15-17).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things I see a lot of in the church today is that folks have sight but no vision.  To have vision is to have divine communication, prophecy, and revelation.  It is without vision that one perishes. When Jesus asked His disciples who did men say that He was (Matthew 16:13)?  It was Peter who had vision. While the others saw Jesus, they did not know.  And Jesus said to Peter, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). Continual sin in a person who says that they are born-again, is a life without vision.  Clear your vision by seeking the Lord daily, drawing close to Him through prayer and reading of the word.  When you seek Him, you find who He is.  

Sing:  Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You, I want to see You.  Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You, I want to see You.  To see You high and lifted up, shining in the light of Your Glory.  Pour out Your power and love as we sing holy, holy, holy.  I want to see You.

Thought For Today: Sight without vision is dangerous (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 11 January 2019

Divine Protection

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee” (Psalms 91:1-7).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about insurance companies is that they all offer you protection.  And they will all tell you they will be there when you need them.  Well, I have found that to not always be the case. Some of them will give you the runaround and never come through.  But it’s not that way with Jesus.  The psalmist said that God will protect us and deliver us. God won’t give you the run around when you need Him. He is always as close as the mention of His name. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).  Are you under the shadow of His wing?  He is a sure assurance.  You can trust in Him for protection.  

Sing:  I am covered, covered, covered by His blood.  Walking by faith, living in love. I am covered, covered, covered by His blood, Jesus has rescued me.

 Thought For Today: Your protection is in the name.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 10 January 2019

Battle of Life

“And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian” (Judges 7:14-15).

Today’s Morsel:  How do you feel when you overhear a conversation and others are talking about you?  This is what happened to Gideon.  He was chosen by God to lead Israel, but his confidence was not to the level of the task, and so God allowed him to hear what his enemy was saying about him to encourage him.  What battle are you facing today?  Sometimes when that still small voice you hear inside of you speaks to you, it may be God using your inner self to encourage you to the task He has chosen you to do.  Be still and listen to His voice today.

Sing:  Victory is mine!  Victory is mine!  Victory today is mine!  I told Satan, to get thee behind.  Victory today is mine.

Thought For Today:  God never calls us to a task that He’s not with us.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 9 January 2019

Strong Man Weak Man

“And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him” (Judges 13:24).

Today’s Morsel:  When most people hear about Samson, they relate him to his strength and his fall at the hand of Delilah and the Philistines.  Samson was blessed by God.  Therefore, he should have been strong in character, but he became foolish, putting his confidence in his strength and not in the ways of the God that gave him that strength.  Sad to say, many folks are like Samson today, strong in worldliness but weak in character and holiness.  Where do you fit on the scale?  Let's build our confidence in God and not in the fame and wealth of this temporary world.  

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:  Know whose lap you are laying your head in.