Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 April 2021

 Decisions

 

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
(2 Timothy 2:11-13)

 

Todays’ Morsel:  Decisions can take us out of God’s will but never out of His reach.  The patriarchs of old made some decisions that took them out of God’s will but not out of His reach.  The Prodigal son’s decision to go into the world and waste his life on riotous living may have taken him out of his father's will, but not out of his reach.  Joel states, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” (Joel 3:14-16)  Many folks' decisions have led them out of the will of God, but they can still be reached by Him if they will come to themselves and repent.  As Isaiah states, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:6-9)  Have you made a decision that has taken you outside of God’s will.  Well, do not feel defeated.  If you will make the decision to repent, it can lead you back into God’s will.

 

Sing:  I have decided to follow Jesus.  I have decided to follow Jesus.  I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

 

Thought For Today:  Your decision may take you out of God’s will but not outside His reach.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 April 2021

 Read The Instructions

“Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.” (Proverbs 4:13)

 

Today’s Morsel:  If at first you do not succeed in putting something together, try reading the instructions.  Just about anything can be put together by you if you would just read the instructions.  That manual in the glove box of your car could save you hundreds of dollars on auto repairs if you would just read it.  Solomon states, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9)  He also states, take fast hold of instructions and let her not go. Keep her for she is thy life. Wisdom is thy life.   “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, Paul said, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  Notice, it is given for instruction in righteousness.  They communicate religious knowledge; for schooling mankind and making one complete in his work. “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” (Proverbs 12:1)  Whoever loves instruction loves discipline and correction, and loves knowledge.  Correction is the way to knowledge.

 

Sing:  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  When I am afraid, I will not fear for I know that You are near me.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

 

Thought For Today:  If at first you don’t succeed, try reading the instructions

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 Apr 2021

 

The Measure of A Man

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

 

Today’s Morsel:  My wife has a plank attached in our garage wall so that when the kids and grandkids come to visit, she can measure how tall they have grown since the last visit.  When God measures a man, He puts a tape around his heart instead of his head.  When Samuel was sent by God to Jesse to anoint David as King, Samuel assumed that one of the elder sons would be chosen as Saul’s replacement.  But God told Samuel that He sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but He looks on the heart (my wording).  Man only sees what is without, but the Lord sees what is within; only the outward visible form of the body is seen by man, but the inward qualifications and abilities of the mind are seen by the Lord.  We are quick to choose people based on their status, outward qualities, and who they may know.  But that is not how God chooses.  God looks on the heart.  He knows what is in us, what wisdom and judgment, justice and integrity, mercy and goodness, love and kindness, and other qualifications are in us.  “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” (Proverbs 21:2)   Every man seems righteous to himself, but the Lord weighs him in the balance of righteousness and truth.

 

Sing:  Change my heart, O’ God, make it ever true.  Change my heart, O’ God, may I be like You.

 

Thought For Today: “When God measures a man, he puts a tape around his heart instead of his head.”  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 April 2021

 

A Special Cemetery

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

 

Today’s Morsel:  It has been stated that everyone should have a special cemetery to bury the faults of friends and loved ones.  The apostle Paul informs us, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Why do folks like to hang on to the faults of others?  If God forgave us, why can’t we forgive others?  Why do people keep allowing the devil to separate them?  You know, Jesus had the power to destroy everyone that rejected Him, spat on Him, beat Him with a cat o' nine tails, drove the nails in His hands, and pierced Him in his side. But He said from the Cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”  If we are not willing to forgive others their faults, God will not forgive us either. Go ahead and dig that special cemetery so that when others do wrong things you can write it on a piece of paper and bury it.  Get in the habit of giving forgiveness quickly.  

 

Sing: Fill my way every day with love, as I walk with the heavenly dove.  Let me go all the while with a song and a smile, fill my way every day with love.

 

Thought For Today: Burying the faults of others will help keep your heart right. 

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 14 April 2021

 

Listen

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” (James 1:19)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When my wife and I were first missionaries and traveling in America for our deputation, we did not have GPS or cell phones.  We had to call pastors and get directions to their churches and the hotels that they were putting us in. So, when you got the pastor or the church secretary on the phone, you listened very carefully so that you got the information correct.  It has been stated that if people would listen to hear instead of listening to answer, there would be fewer arguments, fewer hurt feelings, fewer misunderstandings, and less murmuring and complaining.  Are you aware that none of us have all the answers?  What did you miss that was said because you were listening to answer instead of listening to hear?  It has been stated that in a conference of Christians, 85% of what is spoken is not heard because they feel that they have already heard it before.  James tells us to let every man be swift to hear and slow to speak.  Since the Gospel, the word of truth, is the means and instrument which God makes use of in regeneration, and in forming people for Himself, we ought to listen.  You cannot be a Christian and not listen.  God just might be speaking something for your good.

Sing:  I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory.  How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me.  I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning; then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

O, victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever.  He sought me and brought me with His redeeming blood.  He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.  He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.   

 

Thought For Today: Ignorance is always the swift to speak.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 13 April 2021

 

Lost In The House

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:8-10)

 

Today’s Morsel: Are you aware that you can be lost in the house?  There are many folks who go to church every week and yet they are lost right in the church house.  Some folks go to church and pray aloud like the Pharisee that Jesus spoke of, and yet they are still filled with complaint, murmuring, gossip, backbiting, fornication, and all evil works of the flesh.  Why is it that folks who go to church seem to have a harder time transforming and living for God?  Why don’t they understand that serving God is a lifetime commitment?  It is not a part-time commitment.  The Apostle Paul, and Ruth, show us what a true Christian ought to act like.  They both were committed to the end.  Jesus states, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)  Don’t find yourself lost in the house.  Believe me, not everyone goes to heaven, not even folks who go to church.

 

Sing:  There was a time on earth when in the book of heaven, an old account was standing for sins yet unforgiven, my name was at the top and many things below, but I went unto the keeper and settled it long ago.

Long ago, down on my knees, long ago, I settled it all, yes the old account was settled long ago; and my records clear today for He washed my sins away when the old account was settled long ago.

 

Thought For Today: Don’t find yourself lost in the house.

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 12 April 2021

 

Getting Delivered From Expectations Of Others

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people… And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” (Acts 12:1-4,11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that drive kids into being bullies, gang members, using alcohol, being drug abusers, and filled with anger, is they are often told that they will be like their parents who may suffer from the same issues.  But what if we could get kids delivered from such expectations?  What if we could get the cycle broken?  Well, we can.  We have been given the best tool to use to deliver them from the expectations of others.  The gospel can change anyone.  The gospel has the power to change an abuser, bully, anger, and gang members into a preacher, teacher, or great community representative. When Herod had killed James and was expecting to kill Peter after Easter because he saw that it pleased the Jews, Peter was put in prison, but prayer was made by the church for him, and God sent His angel to deliver him from the expectations of those who desired to do him harm.  What expectations did others have of you before Jesus delivered you?  Were they surprised at what you have become in Christ?  God has the power to turn everything the enemy means for evil against you into good.

 

Sing: He set me free, yes, He set me free. He broke the bars of prison for me.  I’m glory bound my Jesus to see.  Glory to God, He set me free.  

 

Thought For Today:  Jesus is still in the deliverance business.