Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 August 24

“Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (Psalms 37:37).

Today’s Morsel:  If I were to place two men before you, could you tell which was perfect and which was not?  Most people, after reading scripture about King David, focus more on his writing, leadership, and downfall.  Even though he’s listed as a man after God’s own heart, he was not listed as a perfect man.  One would think that he would fit that bill, but he doesn’t.  But on the other hand, Job is listed as a perfect and upright man.  A perfect man is perfect in himself.  God, having saved him from sin and filling him with his Spirit, he now remains upright in his conduct and actions forever.  He remains sound and wholesome in his character and demeanor. He walks hand and hand with God and never lets go.  He keeps mercy and truth around his neck so that he will never again need it.  His integrity is always above reproach.  He’s committed to the things of God and God’s ways.  He is moral and ethically pure.  Can you mark the perfect man? Look to Jesus.

Sing: To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, on earth I long, to be like Him.  All through life’s journey, from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.

Thought For Today:  Jesus is the perfect man.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 August 23

“And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. 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 16:6-7).

Today’s Morsel:  Someone said, “If all the babies that are born are beautiful and cute, then why are there so many ugly adults in the world?”  Ninety-nine percent of humans do not look at the character of others before they go into a relationship with them.  Usually, they look at the person's outward appearance, status in life, family, or financial standing.  Samuel, the priest of God, was sent to anoint a new king for Israel, due to King Saul’s disobedience.  King Saul had been selected, based on what seemed as his stature and looks, as scripture says, “And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward” (1 Samuel 10:23).  And so, in my opinion, Samuel assumed that the next King should be the same.  But the Lord told Him, “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”.  If God looks on a person’s heart, their character, then we must also.  

Sing:  Amazing grace, shall always be my song of praise, for it was grace that brought my liberty.  I do not know just why He came to love me so, He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary, to view the cross where Jesus died for me.  How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul, He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

Thought For Today: Character counts.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 August 22

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

Today’s Morsel:  I am sorry to say that one of the things I am learning rather late in my life is how to ask for things and how to speak.  I have come to realize that how I present myself and my attitude when asking for something can make the difference in my receiving.  Even if I’m having to pay for what I ask for, my words and attitude can still make a difference.  I must always remember that I reflect Jesus in everything that I do.  I must reflect His character. If I go in demanding that something be done for me, or given on my timeline, it may not get done the way that I desire it to be done; and it may be given to me, and I may not like the way it is given.  However, if my words are right and my attitude is right when I ask, I may be shown a better way, given more then I asked for, obtain help with what I am doing, or even not have to pay for something that I ask for if it was going to cost me something originally.  Remember Solomon said that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  And as my parents taught me, “You win more flies with honey than vinegar”.

Sing:  I was bound when I knelt at that old altar, but they said Jesus could meet every need; and when this prisoner finally touched Jesus, He set me free, praise the Lord, free indeed.

Touching Jesus is all that really matters, then your life will never be the same.  There is only one way to touch Him, just believe when you call on His name.

Thought For Today:  “You win more flies with honey than vinegar”.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 August 21

“And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts” (Matthew 8:28-34).

Today’s Morsel:  I don’t know if you are aware, but a lost opportunity is a lost opportunity.  No matter what it is.  If you had an opportunity to say a kind word and you didn’t, you missed that opportunity.  If you had an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus and you didn’t, you missed that opportunity.  If you had an opportunity to pray for someone about their situation when they told you and you didn’t pray right then, you missed an opportunity.  James tells us, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:13-15).  The people ask Jesus to leave their shores.  What a missed opportunity.  I’m sure there were others in the village that had issues in their lives that could have been met.  But they rejected Him.  They lost an opportunity.  So ask yourself, what can I do to ensure I do not miss an opportunity to do good, share a word of encouragement, pray, or even help someone?  Be sensitive and listen carefully to His voice so you don't miss the opportunities He presents to you.  

Sing:  Farther along we’ll know all about it; farther along we’ll understand why.  Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine; we’ll understand it all by and by.

Thought For Today:  A lost opportunity is a lost opportunity. (Parker) 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 August 20

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” 

(Matthew 6:31-34).

Today’s Morsel:  Matthew chapter six is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount.  As any good teacher, here is  Jesus again stressing what is most important.  I remember in military training, if something was important that they wanted you to know, they would say, “Watch my lips.”  In other words, Pay attention to what I am about to say so that there is no misunderstanding.  Jesus teaching here was to stress to the people not to become concerned with eating, drinking, and clothing, basic human needs.  He said that He already knew that they had need of these things.  He wanted them to focus on receiving His Spirit, as, without Him they could do nothing and would not be a part of Him (John 15:5, Romans 8:9).  As Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).  Once you receive the Holy Ghost, you become a part of the family of God, and your Heavenly Father knows all the things that you have need of.  So don’t be alarmed.  Just keep your focus on Him and you will be taken care of.

Sing:  Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

Thought For Today: Are you a part of the Kingdom of God?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 August 18

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:36-50).

Today’s Morsel:  The story of the woman with the alabaster box of ointment that anointed Jesus was to be told wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her, Jesus said (Matthew 26:13).  Why?  Why did He want her story told?  Because it reveals faith, shows true love, and true gratitude; because the memory of the just is blessed (Proverbs 10:7), and the righteous are had in everlasting remembrance (psalms 112:6).  How much was your salvation and having your sins remitted worth to you?  Will your story live on for eternity?  Give your all to Jesus in thankfulness and it will.  

Sing: I came to Jesus weary worn and sad, He took my sins away, He took my sins away.  And now on Him I roll my every care, He took my sins away.

He took my sins away. He took my sins away, and He keeps me singing every day.  I’m so glad He took my sins away, He took my sins away.

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

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 August 17

“A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit” (Proverbs 29:23)

Today’s Morsel:  Sometimes we may not understand how dangerous pride really is.  Solomon tells us that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18); and that only by pride come contention (Proverbs 13:10).  We may have pride in our lives and we may not even know it. Let me share with you Ten (10) humorous indicators of pride that we may not be aware of that can be destroying us.  They are:

1.      Wearing tight shoes.

2.     Busting the seams in your spandex.

3.     Having to remove your high- heel shoes during church because they hurt your feet.

4.    Talking loud on your cell phone in a public place.

5.     Shopping at Walmart in your PJ’s

6.    Making payments on a tattoo

7.     Wearing sagging pants

8.    Akimboing

9.    Wearing your hat on backwards 

10.Gangster leaning in a hooptie

Solomon said that a man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.  Don't let pride bring you low, keep a humble spirit before God. 

  

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

Thought For Today:  Leave off pride before it be mettled with.