Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 10

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 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 3:14-17).

Today’s Morsel:  When I was in school and the teachers would give us a test or exam, they would always tell us to read the instructions first. Paul told Timothy that all scriptures are given by inspiration from God for instruction in righteousness.  There is no way we will be righteous without an understanding of God’s word.  Solomon said, “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).  We need to not only be made acquainted with the truth, but we need to be convinced when we are wrong and need correction.  We need to be taught what is right and what is required of us so that we can lead a holy and Godly life.  Every born-again believer needs instructions to grow and should not just be left to think that their conversion is all that is needed to be righteous.  We must learn to follow the principles of the word of God, as it shows us how to lead an upright life.  The scriptures furnish us with the rules of holy living in abundance.  And those same rules will guide us to heaven.

Sing:  Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into my heart; floods of joy O’er my soul like the sea billows roll, since Jesus came into my heart.

Thought For Today:  “Righteousness is developed by obedience” (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 8

“And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better” (Luke 5:36-39).

Today’s Morsel: A couple of ministers and I were discussing the candy we ate when we were kids compared to the candy of today.  As kids, our candy bars were larger, cheaper, and tasted better.  But what happened to the taste of today’s candy bars?  Jesus said, “No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.”  Once we get used to eating, drinking, or doing something for so long, the new doesn't appeal to us as quickly.  I think this may be one of the reasons that in some churches the elders have such a hard time adjusting to the new music of the millennial's.  They are so used to the hymn and songs they grew up with.  To them, the old is better.   We must remember that it usually takes people a while to get use to this Holy Ghost and this church thing because they are so used to the way of the world.  Be patient with them as they must get some new taste buds as they learn and grow in the ways of God.

Sing:  He’s sweet I know, Jesus is sweet I know.  Storm clouds may rise, and strong winds may blow.  But I’ll tell the world, everywhere I go, that I've found my Savior and He’s sweet I know.   

Thought For Today:  Keep drinking the new wine and you will not desire the old (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 7

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Proverbs 22:17-21).

Today’s Morsel:   How certain are you of the truth? Jesus said that He was the truth (John 14:6). So how certain are you of that Truth?  The man who has learned the certainty of the words of truth will learn to observe it in all that men commit to him.  The certainty of truth are the words and doctrines of truth.  They are true in themselves. They come from God Himself and are truly fulfilled by all that believe.  These words of truth are certain.  They are not dubious or difficult to interpret. They point directly to the purpose for which God gave them.  They offer promises and they are fulfilled.  When concerning the salvation of the soul, the scriptures are to be understood so that every believer has the witness in himself and knows the certainty of the words of truth. David said, “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth” (Psalms 33:4).  How certain are you of the truth?  You can be assured and certain when you place your confidence in Jesus.  

Sing:  But I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which is committed unto Him against that day.

Thought For Today: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 6

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins” (Hebrews 10:1-2)

Today’s Morsel:  Are you a true worshipper?  If you will notice in Isaiah 6, after he saw the Lord high and lifted up and whose train filled the temple, he was taken aback and realized, as he stated, “ Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged” (Isaiah 6:5-7).  Notice, he had his sins and iniquity purged and taken away by the fire from the altar.  Paul said that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.  Therefore, I believe that to be a true worshipper, you should be sin free.  By obeying Acts 2:38, you can have your sins remitted and become a true worshipper.  As Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).  

Sing:  I worship You, Almighty God, there is none like You.  I worship You O’ Prince of Peace; that is what I long to do.  I give You praise; for You are my righteousness.  I worship You, Almighty God, there is none like You.

Thought For Today:  Obey Acts 2:38 and you can have your sins remitted and become a true worshipper.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 5

“And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea” 

(Mark 5:1-13).

Today’s Morsel:  This story has always been one of my favorite stories in the Bible.  Jesus shows up and the devils panic.  They bowed down before Him; rendering Him homage.  This was an acknowledgment by them of Jesus' power, and of His control over them.  I believe one of the reasons there is so much hatred toward Christians is that because when they show up, the devils know that they must bow because they know that the Holy Ghost in the Christians gives control and power over every devil.  Scripture says, “And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.”  Therefore, I conclude, that the best way to get the devil out of someone’s life is to get them baptized in water, in the name of Jesus, and teach them how to remain covered with His blood.

Sing: I am covered, covered, covered by His blood, walking by faith, living in love. I am covered, covered, covered, by His blood, Jesus has rescued me.

Thought For Today:  Baptism doth now save us (Simon Peter)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 4

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:1-13).

Today’s Morsel:  Some folks who purchase a vehicle do not realize that they need to check the oil.  I’ve heard people say, “If it’s low, the engine oil light will come on.”  But what if the light isn’t working?  It could cost you a whole lot of money for a blown engine.  When the call came for the virgins to go out and meet the bridegroom, five of them found themselves without any oil.  They had failed to check their supply.  Some folks think that they can make it without the Holy Ghost.  But Jesus lets us know that without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Are you running low on oil and don’t even know it?  When you get angry and fly off the handle, yell and scream at others, call people names, it may be an indication that your oil is running low or just ran out.

Sing:  Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.  Give me oil in my lamp I pray.  Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning.  Keep me burning till the break of day.

Thought For Today:  What a difference the oil makes (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 3

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:1-3)

Today’s Morsel:  If we are not careful, we can get so busy in the nonessentials of life that we don’t have time to rest and gain more strength for our next task.  Sad to say, more people are burnt out, fatigued, depressed, and stressed out because they are working in their own strength.  Paul wrote that we are laborers together with God…” (1 Corinthians 3:1-9).  If we are working with Him, then shouldn’t we have plenty of rest since the Holy Ghost is The Rest?  His word says that He gives rest to the weary.  "Come unto to me, and I will give you rest."  Spend time with Him daily, and allow Him to give you rest. 

Sing:  I lean on You, Lord, I lean on You Lord.  For the things that I need I lean on You.   When I don’t know just what to do, I’ve got the faith You’re going to see me through.  You supply my every need and I lean on You.

Thought For Today:  Stay yoked with Jesus and you won’t be tired.