Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 September 29

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision. (1 Chronicles 29:14-19)

Today’s Morsel:  I’m sure you’ve heard the jest about the man telling God that he could make anything that God did.  And that he could make man, too.  And when God told him to go first, the man reached down to get some dirt.  God said, "Wait, what are you doing, that’s mine. Go make your own dirt” (a little humor to start our day).  We know that David prayed a lot when we read scripture, and today's passage is included.  But what I like about this prayer is that David lets us know that everything we have comes from God.  He said in Psalms 24, “The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalms 24:1).  Everything belongs to God. Nothing we have belongs to us.  “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof” (Psalms 50:10-12).  Let me encourage you, learn how to be grateful when things come your way and when things are going good for you. Remember all comes from God.  Learn to tithe on everything that God gives you and He’ll give you more.  Develop an attitude of gratitude.

Sing:  I’m Yours, Lord, everything I am, everything I’m not, everything I’ve got. I’m Yours, Lord, try me now and see, see if I can be completely Yours.

Thought For Today: You belong to God.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 September 28

Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. (1 Samuel 17:1-7)

Today’s Morsel:  A few weeks ago, our revival evangelist preached a message entitled, “I Fired My Shield Bearer.”  He was citing that there comes a time that every one of us have to get to the point where we learn to fight our own battles and develop our own faith, not depending on someone else to do it for us.  That is so true.  If we, the church, keep giving handouts, and pampering saints of God and not making them responsible for their actions, and helping them mature in Christ, we are setting them up for failure.  As big as Goliath was, he still needed a shield bearer.  Goliath was afraid of Israel.  Even though he was larger in size, he was still afraid.  If not, he wouldn’t have needed a shield bearer.  But David, on the other hand, was not afraid. “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-47).  Do you think that it’s time for you to fire your shield bearer, that person you are trying to ride along with?  He’s not doing you any good anyhow.

Sing:  Faith can move mountains, mountains of fear and of doubt; faith can move mountains, so why don’t you try your faith out.

Thought For Today: Get rid of your shield bearer and trust God for the victory!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 September 27

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)

Today’s Morsel:  For humor, I like to tell people that when Paul said in Romans 16:17, to greet Rufus chosen in the Lord, he was referring to me.  Do you ever look for yourself in the Bible?  There are many times I have had people say to me after I’ve preached, “That was for me.” “That passage of scripture reflects where I am right now in my life.” The writer of Hebrews said that I come in the volume of the book written of me.  Yes, I know that this passage is referring to Christ Jesus, but think about it for a moment.  Don’t you think that Jesus knew what you would face in life?  Don’t you think that He knew that you would encounter hardships and calamities during this life time?  If the Bible is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, do you not think that He would put in His word for you the ways to learn how to troubleshoot your life for correction?  If you are going to learn how to do the will of God, then you need to learn how to be able to find yourself in The Book.  The Bible was written for you.

Sing:  He’s changing me, my Blessed Savior, I’m not the same person that I used to be.  Well it’s been slow going, but there’s a knowing, that someday perfect I will be.

Thought For Today: The Bible was written for you (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 September 26

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (Romans 5:12-15)

Today’s Morsel: One of the first things that most people learn about driving is where the brakes are and their purpose.  Granted, some in their learning find out after they have run through the garage, or into another car, or over something before they learn where the brake pedal is.  But just one accident and they know where it is and they know its purpose.  That being the case, why can’t we learn how to put the brakes on sin?  Why can’t we just stop it?  Why can’t we bring it to a halt?  We have the power within us.  Paul said that sin entered by one man into the world and death by the sin (my wording).  Isn’t it amazing that he doesn’t say that it was by one woman’s sin, but by one man’s sin?  You see, Adam had the power to put the brakes on sin.  He knew what God had said, but he chose to eat the forbidden fruit with his wife.  If Adam had stayed clear, I believe God would have dealt with Eve for her sin. But because Adam sinned, then they both had to be punished.  And it was because of Adam that sin entered the world and death passed unto all men.  If we want to stop sin, every man has to put the brakes on. Do you know where the brake pedal is?  Repentance is the best way to put the brakes on.

Sing:  Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little one to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so.

Thought For Today:  Repentance is the best way to put the brakes on sin. (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 September 24

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

(1 Peter 2:9-12)

Today’s Morsel:  How many times would you say that you have heard someone quote 1 Peter 2:9? “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”   What do you do when you hear it?  Do you examine yourself to see if you are living your life as it states?  Honorable living is one of those things that we must strive for if we are going to see Christ. To be called out of this world by Christ for a chosen purpose isn't something we can take lightly.  God chose us the same way that He did Israel, to reflect Him in this earth before others.  We were not a part of God’s family.  But He chose us to become a part.  He adopted us and put His Spirit in us so that we would become His sons and daughters. And now, we must reflect our Heavenly Father and His ways in our life.   Are you living honorably for your Father?

Sing:  He chose me! He chose me! Out of all the people in this world. He chose me! He chose me! And He can use me, till He uses me up.

Thought For Today: Are you living honorably? 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 September 23

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
(Philippians 4:4-9)

Today’s Morsel:  Every so often, I just like to sit and ponder on God and His goodness to me. As I look back over my life, I can see just how God has been so good to me.  I think on my childhood and the fun times playing ball in the yard on a Sunday evening with family and friends.  Working the fields, learning how to farm; or how to cook, wash and iron beside my mom.  I think about the spankings in school, fishing, and hunting.  The list could go on.  These are the things I feel that Paul may have been referring to.  Those things that were true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report.  When we focus on the things of God, we will see just how good God has been to us.  And it causes us to rejoice in the Lord always.  

Sing:  You know the Lord's been good, He’s really been good. He’s been so good to me, I just can’t let Him down, I can’t let Him down, He’s really been good to me.

Thought For Today: What are you thinking on?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 September 22

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Samuel 8:1-7)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about leadership transition is that many people will not like the new leader coming in.  They have become accustomed to the old leader and so they will not submit or support the new one.  The children of Israel came to Samuel to ask for a king to rule over them because his sons were not walking according to the word of God.  This is a good reason to ask for someone else, if the current leaders are not holding to the standard of righteousness and truth.  But instead of asking Samuel to deal with his sons, they asked for a man such as every other nation had to lead them.  What they should have done was ask Samuel to seek God for a replacement for him and not his sons.  But because they asked for a man instead of God, God said that they were rejecting Him and not Samuel.  As Christians, we should always keep God in His rightful place.  Yes, God is our head and He is the one that rules over us, yet we must submit ourselves to those He places over us as long as they are walking according to His word, His way and His truth.

Sing:  Jesus! Jesus! You know what’s best for me.  So lead on, Jesus, I’ll go wherever You lead.

Thought For Today: Be care what you ask for, you just might get it.