Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 June 24

"A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength."  (Proverbs 24:5)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about the military, is that you learn so much within a six-week period that you think your brain is going to be overloaded.  It’s amazing the amount of information that is thrown at a recruit within that period and they are expected to grasp it, not forget it, or they can fail.  From knowing who to salute, how to report to seniors, their uniform, dress and appearance of the uniform, remembering weapon's serial numbers, proper conduct, and so much more, it can be taxing.  But they grasp it and become wise and strong.  The more they know, the stronger they are.  The same holds true in the church.  The more of God’s word we know, the stronger we are as Christians.  And the sooner we learn and grow in the Word, the better equipped we are for the battle.  Most people who give up on the church, have little knowledge of God and His word.  Strong people don’t quit church because they know that greater is He that is in them than he that is in the world.  Career soldiers are simply soldiers who increased in knowledge.  The same is true for ministers, leaders, and seasoned saints in the church.  They are the ones who learned and grasped the Word and became strong soldiers.

Sing:  Deeper! Deeper! In the love of Jesus, daily let me go, higher, wiser in the school of wisdom more of grace to know.

Thought For Today:  “Career soldiers are just soldiers who increased in knowledge.” (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 June 23

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things I have decided to do this year in my devotion time, is look up in the Hebrew and Greek what the names of people in the Bible mean.  Many of them were given names that we may not be able to pronounce, but they have godly meanings.  I asked the church one night during Bible study how many of them knew what their name meant?  Many of them did.  Why did our parents give us the name that they did?  I’m still trying to figure out why my mother named me Rufus, which means redhead!  There is not a red drop anywhere on my head; lots of gray but no red!  Maybe she knew I would be chosen of the Lord (Romans 16:13).   Solomon said that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.  To be well spoken of is way better than riches.  We should be more careful to do that which is right and those things that will give us a good name than those things that will simply increase our estate.  Great riches often bring great cares with them, expose us to danger, and add no real value to a person's character.  A fool and a dishonest person may have great riches, but a good name makes a person safe, shows one as wise and honest, contributes to the glory of God, and gives them a greater opportunity of doing good to all men. As Abraham Lincoln said, “Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what you think of it, but the tree is the real thing.”

Sing:  No greater name than the name of Jesus, no greater name have I ever known, no greater name than the name of Jesus; You are the light to my heart and my soul, you are the light to the darkness around me, You are the only truth and the way!

Thought For Today:  Protect your name! (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 June 22

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Today’s Morsel:  My heart is often heavy when I see the massive rebellion of children these days.  About a year ago, many were up in arms about the mother who was seen on the media chasing her son for being out in a riot formation. It went viral because she was being somewhat heavy handed with him.  But to me, it showed a mother’s well-being and concern for her child's health and safety.  Solomon said that we should “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).  What way do you want your child to go?  Whatever way you desire to point them in, you must be willing to spend quality time, love, and help to keep them on that path.  It does no good to aim a child in a direction and then you aren’t willing to follow-up and show them concern if they stray from the path you have placed them on.  If you point them in a way, then you must be willing to walk with them in that way.

Sing:  Show me Thy way, Lord teach me Thy path, show me Thy way, Lord teach me Thy path; O’ my God, I trust in Thee, let me not be ashamed, let not my enemy triumph over me.

Thought For Today:  The twig grows in the way it is bent!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 June 21

"To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."  (Proverbs 21:3)

Today’s Morsel:  A lot of people think that they are doing right as Christians because they tithe, give offerings, make sacrificial pledges, and attend church.  And yet they don’t do what is right in other areas of their lives.  Solomon said, “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”  God doesn’t want us thinking that just because we are faithful in some areas that He is pleased with our wrong actions.  As Samuel told Saul, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).  His desire to sacrifice may have been right, but he was not in obedience to God.  No matter what a person may think, right and moral living is better than any sacrifice we may make to God.

Sing:  Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true.  With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living, sanctuary for You.

Thought For Today:  Morality is always pleasing to God (Parker). 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 June 20

“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations…” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Today’s Morsel:  Many people do not understand that the things that God represents Satan is now attacking.  Things such as love, honesty, loyalty, truth, righteousness, holiness, and faithfulness, just to name a few, are under a major attack.  Solomon said, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6)   Where have all the good men gone?  Jesus asked that when He returns is He going to find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8).  If He came right now, would you be found faithful?  Would He count you as one of the ones that held true to His word and His way, or would you be found lacking?  God is faithful and He expects those of us who say that we are His to be such as He is.  We must all be followers of His word; in order to follow His word we must love Him and His word.  

Sing:  Hold to God's unchanging hand, hold to God’s unchanging hand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Thought For Today:  The “i” in faithfulness represents you! (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 June 19

“Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor”   (Proverbs 19:4).

Today’s Morsel: I often hear young people say that they wish they were rich.  What is it about wealth that has so many people wanting it?  Is this one of Satan’s ploys to pull people to his side?  Is it because people think that if they have wealth they will have many friends?  We should never classify a person’s friendship based on what we have or do not have.  Friendship should be based on a person’s character.  Is this why they say that most people can count their true friends on one hand, because people don’t have or understand the value of character?   You may think that wealth will get you many friends, but when you really need them they will be like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint, it will be painful because they won't be there for you.  Base your values and friendship on character, not on temporal wealth and riches.

Sing: I, I have a friend, his name is Jesus, Jesus.  I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus, Jesus.  He’s a rock that I lean on, He’s my shelter from every storm.  I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus. 

Thought For Today:  A friend loveth at all times.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 June 17

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”
(Proverbs 17:17).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things adversity produces is showing us who our true friends are.  When you are going through your hardships and difficulties; your true friends will rally and be there for you.  As soon as your misfortune is made known, they will be there.  This is one of the reasons scripture tells us to make sure our friends (Proverbs 6:3).  Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  Plus, He calls us His friends if we do what He asks of us to do.  He won’t leave us nor forsake us in our adversity (Hebrews 13:5).  You can count on Him to be there.  Can He count on you to be there for Him?  Are you a true friend?  

Sing:  What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.  What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.

Thought For Today:  You can count on Jesus!