Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 February 8

“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst” (John 8:1-9).

  

Today’s Morsel:  Many have speculated what Jesus wrote on the ground when the women caught in adultery was cast before Him.  Scripture doesn’t tell us what He wrote.  Maybe He was just drawing a picture on the ground.  Maybe He was just drawing a heart with an arrow through it expressing His love for the people.  But after He was pressed upon continuously by the men to give them an answer as to what they should do to the woman, He stood and said to them, ye without sin cast the first stone.  What a verdict of conviction. In other words, Jesus was saying, check yourself before you render a verdict because you reap what you sow.  This was also a verdict of Mercy and Grace.  In other words, the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them (Luke 9:56).  Don’t ask Jesus to destroy someone when He came to save them.  And that even includes your enemies. Always make sure you are not guilty of the verdict you render.

Sing:  I know it was the blood.  I know it was the blood.  I know it was the blood saved me.  One day when I was lost, Jesus died on the cross, I know it was the blood saved me.

Thought For Today:  Make sure you are not guilty of the verdict you render (Parker) 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 February 7

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Today’s Morsel:  I once asked a young lady to tell me what the cross she was wearing around her neck meant.  She said that she didn’t know because her parents had given it to her as a gift.  I find that this seems to be with many who wear crosses around their neck.  They just see it as ornamental jewelry. They are without the meaning.  Paul said that the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  If you are born-again of the water and the spirit, when you see the cross, it should cause you to realize the power that has been given to you.  That cross should remind you of what Jesus did for you at Calvary. It should be a reminder that He died for your sins.  His blood was shed for you.  He was bruised and pierced for you.  This should give you power to believe that there is nothing impossible that you cannot do through Christ.   As a born-again believer, the cross should motivate you to explain its true meaning to those who do not know this precious truth. Taught any Bible Studies lately?

Sing:  At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away.  It was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.

Thought For Today:  The Cross still makes a difference.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 February 6

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:19-21).

Today’s Morsel:  Thomas Edison is credited with creating the light bulb, but few are aware that it was Lewis Latimer, an African American, that created the filament for the bulb. From the creation, God called for light.  Noah placed a window in the top of the ark to give light.  There was no light placed in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, created by Moses, in the Holies of All, because God would be the Light.  Jesus told Nicodemus that light has come into the world, speaking of Himself (John 1:4).  And He said that men keep condemning themselves because they won’t come to the Light.  If you are always finding fault with yourself and never think that you are good enough and can never seem to obtain contentment in your life, ask yourself are you close enough to the Light.

Sing: Send the light, the blessed gospel light, let it shine from shore to shore.  Send the light the blessed gospel light, let it shine forever more.

Thought For Today:  Jesus is the light that gets you out of darkness.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 February 5

“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:32-36)

  

Today’s Morsel:  When God told Abraham to offer Isaac on Mount Mariah, Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, "My father: and he said, here am I, my son. And he said, behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together (Emphasis mine) Genesis 22:7-8.  If you will notice, Abraham said that God would provide Himself a lamb.  In other words, God would become the lamb.  Isaiah prophesied, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).  When the eunuch was reading this passage in Acts 8, scripture says, “And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:34-35).  And John said, “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God.”  John recognized Him as the Lamb and the one to be followed.  Paul tells us that Jesus was God manifested in flesh.  “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Timothy 3:16).  Who do you say that I am, asked Jesus?  You see that is what matters.  Do you know who He is?

Sing: O’ Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God.  I love the Holy Lamb of God.  O’ wash me in Thy precious blood.  My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Thought For Today: He is our sacrifice for sin.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 February 3

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him” (John 2:1-11).

Today’s Morsel:  When we read John’s gospel, there are eight miracles recorded that Jesus did, of which six are not listed in the other gospels.  And one of those is the turning of water into wine at the marriage feast at Cana.  John lets us know that this began the miracles of Jesus.  The six miracles that John wrote about, that the other gospel writers didn’t, I believe, are to prove the deity of Christ so that we would believe.  John’s gospel is all about building faith and showing us how to obtain eternal life.  To me, the retelling of the miracle done at the marriage is a portrait of the last supper of the Lamb.  The water into wine is a portrait of the Holy Ghost that God promised to pour out in the last days (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:1-21).  The servants are a portrait of those who are obedient and chosen by God to share the Good News of the gospel (Isaiah 43:10-12).  And the governor of the feast is a portrait of those who once taste and are filled with God’s spirit will realize that there is nothing that can compare to it.  If you want to see more miracles, follow Jesus and you’ll see them.

Sing: I thirsted in a barren land of sin and shame, and nothing satisfying there I found; but to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came, where springs of living water did abound.  Drinking at the springs of living water.  Happy now am I, my soul they satisfy.  Drinking at the springs of living water, O wonderful and bountiful supply.

Thought For Today:  Follow Jesus and you’ll see more miracles (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 February 2

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:20-25).

Today’s Morsel:  Each year, thousands will gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, today to see if Phil, the groundhog, will see his shadow.  They say that if he sees his shadow, there will be another six weeks of bad weather.  Why do so many believe in an animal, but not in the one who created the animal?  Paul said that in the last days, many would worship and serve the creature more than the Creator who is blessed forever.  What if Phil saw his shadow and for the next six weeks we had spring-like weather?  Would Phil be a liar?  What if Phil didn’t see his shadow and the weather was bad?  Would Phil then be a liar?  Or would man?  Jesus said, “When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:2-3)?  As the middle verse in the Bible admonishes us “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalms 118:8).  Worship the Creator more than the creature!

Sing:  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.  Now I know that the Lord will save His anointed.  He will hear them from His holy heaven.  With the saving strength of His right hand, they are brought down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Thought For Today:  Jesus controls the weather, not man (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 February 1

"I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps” (Psalms 85:8-13)

Today’s Morsel:  I believe that one of the biggest fallacies in Christendom is that those who say they are born again think that they can continue to dip and dab in sin and expect God to forgive them and wipe the slate clean.  The problem with this type thinking is we never reach perfection and we never live holy and separated unto God.  Israel had every opportunity to live for God and to do what was right, but it seems as though they just couldn’t shake the chains of the world that they had picked up in Egypt.   Satan isn’t about to let you go easy.   He told Moses and Aaron, "You and the men can go yonder and worship, but leave your wives and little ones, and cattle here."  Why?  Because he knew that they would come back to get them.  Pharaoh was constantly holding on to something that would bring them back to him.  And it’s no different today.  Satan will tell you it’s okay to have and keep certain things because he knows that you will keep coming back to him and his ways.  The psalmist said, “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”  He was saying that when you hear the word of God, don’t go back to your old foolish ways (my wording).  Stay away from them.  They will destroy you.  When you repent of your sins, don’t do them again.  There isn’t any more sacrifice for them if you sin willfully.  When you asked God to forgive you of fornication, and He does, you know that it’s wrong so, why do it again?  The same is true with lying, pornography, drunkenness, gossip, and any other sin.  Our eternal salvation is always near to them that fear and respect God.  But returning to the same sin is an indicator that we don’t respect God and fear Him, and there are dire consequences for our sin.

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:  Returning to the same sin is foolishness.