Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 December 31

“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do”(Luke 17:7-10).

Today’s Morsel:  What did you accomplish this year?  Did you complete the goals you set for yourself?   Did you read your Bible through this year?  Did you teach anyone a home Bible study?  Did you draw closer to God during the year?  Did you learn any new memory verses?  What is your number one regret?  Many will look at this last day of the year and question within themselves as to where the year went because they can’t see anything that they accomplished for Christ.  You see, years seem to pass by us faster when we can’t see anything we’ve done for Him.  But those who made goals and stuck with them will see the benefits that He has bestowed up them.  The Psalmist says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah” (Psalms 68:19).  Do you feel more blessed now than when the year began?  Commit to accomplish some thing for the Lord and to draw closer to Him every day of the new year.  Have a blessed 2017!

Sing: Think about His love, think about His goodness, think about His grace that brought us through.  For as high as the heavens above so great is the measure of our Father’s love.  Great is the measure of our Father’s love.

Thought For Today:  Are you filled with benefits from Him?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 December 30

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together” 

(Psalms 34:1-3).

Today’s Morsel:  The continuous praise should follow every Christmas holiday.  Knowing that the Savior has come to seek and to save that which was lost, should be cause for rejoicing continually with the fruit of our lips giving praise unto His name (Hebrews 13:15). David said, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.”  The angels set the tempo at His birth.  Let us continue throughout these coming days and the New Year.   If we praise Him continually, He will be magnified.

Sing: I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together, I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears.

Thought For Today:  The angels set the tempo at His birth. Let’s continue on with the beat!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 December 29

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Luke 1:1-4).

Today’s Morsel:  The Greek word for Theophilus means friend of God; or Christian.  Is Luke writing to the church?  Is he trying to inform us of what took place with Jesus?  The church needs to be educated in truth so that it can preach and teach the truth.  Thomas became wiser after he had seen (John 20:29).  Peter became wiser after his denial of Him (John 18:27).  Paul became wiser after he met Him on the road to Emmaus, and the woman at the well became wiser when she came to draw water.  John said, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30-31).  As a friend of God and a Christian, you should know Him.  If Christmas has come and gone and others are not made wiser to its meaning, the church has missed the mark.

Sing:  Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word, tell me the story more precious, sweetest that ever was heard; tell how the angels, in chorus, sang as they welcomed His birth, Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.

Thought For Today:  It’s after Christmas that the church must follow up with clarity!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 December 28

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not (John 1:10-11).

Today’s Morsel:  I had a gentleman say to me once, “I know you!”  I asked him, “Where do you know me from?”  He replied, “I don’t know, but I know you!”  I just smiled, as many people know me because I am an author and they’ve read one of my books, or they’ve served with me in the military, or perhaps they have seen my picture on our organization's mission poster.  Jesus was in the world that He made and many did not know who He was.  He told His disciples, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him… Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake” (John 14:7;10-11).  Jesus is still in the world if He’s in you.  The question is, do people know Him when they see you?

Sing:  I’m gonna lift up the name of Jesus, I’m gonna tell of my joy since He came.  I’m gonna tell of His power every day and every hour, I’m going to lift up that wonderful name.

Thought For Today:  It’s a sad day when people don’t know that Jesus dwells in you!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 December 27

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”
(Isaiah 55:6-7).

Today’s Morsel:  I often wonder what the news was like around Bethlehem and Jerusalem of Mary and Joseph after the birth of Jesus. I wonder how Joseph reacted to this new born King?  I wonder what the owner of the stable now felt after the shepherds came and departed?  We know that Mary hid the things in her heart that were told her by the shepherds concerning Jesus.  I wonder at what point did Elizabeth and John come to visit Him.  Did Jesus and John play together?  I wonder what people must have thought about so many visitors coming to their home?  Paul told Agrippa this thing was not hid in a corner.  Are you one of them still seeking Him today?  After every Christmas, we should know more about Him than we did the year before.  And every year, we should be seeking Him more and more.  

Sing:  Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you, Hallelu-Hallelujah!  

Thought For Today:  Sins can only be removed by seeking Him for forgiveness.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 December 26

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
(Luke 2:40-49)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about Christmas holiday is that many so soon forget what the holiday was for.  Not only was Christmas for us to celebrate the birth of our Savior, but it was a reminder to us of what our great commission still is.  Jesus waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him and he was about His father’s business.  Now is the time for us to get back to the business of the Father.  It’s not a time to forget what He’s called us to do.  It’s time to tell somebody about Jesus, it’s time to tell somebody about the goodness of the Lord.

Sing: Go tell it on the mountain, over the hill and everywhere, go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Thought For Today:  Tell somebody about Jesus today. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2016 December 24

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 
(Matthew 1:21-23)

Today's Morsel:   CHRISTMAS.  One song writer says - it’s the most wonderful time of the year!  I would tend to agree.  Not just because of the gay happy greetings, the kids of good cheer, or the mistletoe!!   It is the most wonderful time of the year, because we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I enjoy my own birthday, and I am thankful when my wife bakes a cake for me, and my family and friends help me celebrate the day I was born; so how much more that we celebrate God Himself leaving heaven, being robed in flesh, to save His people from their sins?   Enjoy this great day.  Spend it celebrating the greatest gift of all, Jesus' love for you.

SING:  Happy Birthday Jesus; I'm so glad it's Christmas; All the tinsel and lights; And the presents are nice; But the real gift is you.

Happy Birthday Jesus; I'm so glad it's Christmas; All the carols and bells; Make the holiday swell; And it's all about you.  Happy Birthday Jesus, Jesus I love You.

Thought For Today: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Enjoy your day tomorrow.