Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 4

Read Your Bible Daily

 

“Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 23:12)

 

Today’s Morsel: The Bible is a book to make you better. It tells us that a soul without knowledge is not good (Proverbs 19:2). In today’s world, you and your loved ones need God’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to navigate through the mind fields that Satan is laying before you. From the I-devices we hold in our hands, to the purchasing of produces, we need God’s wisdom. And the Bible has our answers. The problem that most people face in life today is their lack of knowledge and understanding in dealing with what is coming against them. As Daniel said, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” (Daniel 7:25). Think about that verse for a moment and then ask yourself, have I allowed Satan to deceive me? Now days, good is already being called evil, and evil is being called good. Satan is trying to change the times and laws. He’s trying to twist the Word of God so that you will not believe, and you will be confused. He is trying to get you to think that the Bible is not true. He wants you to think that the stories that were written within its pages are fiction. He is trying to gain command and control of your mind so that he can wear you out and control you. But if you read your Bible daily and apply your heart to it, and your ears to the words of knowledge, God will open your understanding and you will prosper and have good success.

 

Sing: The Lord saved me, tell me why should I be bound? The Lord saved me, tell me why should I be bound? The Lord saved me, tell me why should I be bound, why should I be bound? 

 

Thought For Today: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 2

Who Is A God Like Jesus?

 

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” (Micah 7:18)

 

Today’s Morsel: Every year that I begin to read my Bible through again, or when my wife and I are doing our morning devotions, God just seems to drop little nuggets of encouragement right in my lap. And today’s scripture is one of them. I have read my Bible through for the past 38 years, and so when I was reading our devotion a few weeks ago, this passage again opened my eyes to truth. Micah wrote, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”  The Lord, through the prophet Isaiah, said “Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?” (Isaiah 42:23) The psalmist states, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” (Psalms 130:3-4). God is not willing that any of us should perish, but that we would all come to repentance. God is willing to give us a second chance when we do wrong. He is full of compassion and mercy. They are new every morning. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) Jesus loves mercy, what about you?

 

Sing: He knew me, and yet He loved me, He whose glory makes the heavens shine. I’m so unworthy, of such mercies; Yet when He was on the cross, you and I were on His mind.

 

Thought For Today: “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:22)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 1

Growing Through Afflictions

 

“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” (Exodus 1:12)

 

Today’s Morsel: Afflictions are defined as a state of pain, distress, grief, or misery. It can also be sickness, poverty, the oppression of the weak by the strong and the rich. It can be perverted justice. There are two ways that we can deal with our afflictions. We can attack them head on, or we can seek the Lord for His help and assistance to carry us through them. No matter what our afflictions may be, Paul, who would have been labeled as a man that endure much affliction, stated that they are light, and that they are working a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory for us.  David said that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivered him out of them all. (Psalms 34:19) And Moses informs us that the more the children of Israel were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew. If you want to win this race, then you must learn how to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Peter stated, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) There are going to be those times in your life when you feel as though all hell has been unleashed against you. Afflictions are going to rattle your cage, but don’t lose heart. Stay focused on the prize and where you are headed.  Be strong and of a good courage, and when you have come through the affliction you will be stronger then when you first believed.

 

Sing: Trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand, all the ways that God would lead us to that blessed promised land; But He guides us with His eye, and we’ll follow till we die, for we’ll understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes, when all the saints of God are gathered home, we will tell the story how we’ve overcome, for we’ll understand it better by and by. 

Thought For Today: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 

(2 Peter 3:18)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 February 29

How High Can You Jump?

 

“For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.” (Psalms 18:29-33)

 

Today’s Morsel: When I was in high school, I wanted to be in track. And so I went out for the pole vault. I thought it was neat to be able to run with this long pole and propel yourself into the air over this high cross bar. Things were going well until I didn’t clear the cross bar and it came down and smacked me across the head. Then I thought maybe I should participate in the lower jumps! David said that he had run through a troop and leaped over a wall. Now I understand that, as this was very much of my initial military training. We were always jumping over walls and simulating combat. And the same ought to hold true with our trials and troubles. With Christ’s help, we ought to be able to leap over them when they come our way. We must not allow them to stop us from reaching our goals. Jesus said, behold I give you power to tread over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Are you feeling that you are being weighed down with trials and troubles? Do you feel that something is in your pathway that is preventing you from reaching your goal. Then why not leap over it and not allow it to hinder your advancement in the things of God.

 

Sing: I can run through a troop and leap over all wall.  Hallelujah, Hallelujah! He’s my sword and my shield, He gives power to all. Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Well, He’s the Rock of my salvation, in Him there is no condemnation. I can run through a troop and leap over a wall. Hallelujah, Hallelujah! 

 

Thought For Today: Sometimes you must leap over the things that you wish to overcome.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 February 28

Beware of Unbelief

 

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12)

 

Today’s Morsel: Over the past few years, there seems to be a great shift in the commitment of many who said that they love and would serve God.   There has been many falling away. Many seem to be compromising on Truth. Church just doesn’t seem to have the same importance as it once did in their lives. The elderly saints are not given opportunity to speak into the lives of many any longer. Holiness and separation living from the world doesn’t seem important to most any longer. But as Paul told the church at Corinth: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3) The truth about Jesus is very simple. He is God, and the enemy desires to corrupt and distort your understanding of that knowledge the same way that he did Eve. You see, if he can get you to not believe, he knows that you will depart from the faith and no longer serve God, and you will return to your old way of life. That is his overall goal.  So, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:8-10) Christ made you free, so stay that way!

 

Sing: Standing on the Rock of ages, safe from every storm that rages. Rich, but not of Satan’s wages, I’m standing on the solid rock.

 

Thought For Today: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 February 27

The Grace of God

 

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” (Titus 2:11-15)

 

Today’s Morsel: Paul told the church at Ephesus that it was based on God’s grace that we are saved. Grace is not only getting something that we did not deserve.  It is not only God’s unmerited love which He’s shown to us. Grace is also God’s divine influence in your life. When God saves us, He empowers us to become holy. Notice what Paul tells Titus here:  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. God’s grace is supposed to change you. It ought to cause you to pushback on sin and cause you to avoid wrongdoing. Lusting after the things of this world. Bad conduct and immoral actions. As well as developing poor character. Again, as Paul told the church at Ephesus: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:3-4) God’s grace ought to inspire us to follow and have a strong desire for the things of God and lead us to holiness and godly living.

 

Sing: Grace! Grace! God’s grace, grace that pardon and cleanse with in. Grace! Grace! God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sins.

 

Thought For Today: For by Grace are you saved.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 February 26

Don’t Disrespect God

 

“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:22-30)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the biggest fallacies that some folks make is that when they do not understand the word of God, they are quick to find fault and to criticize the Bible, and to speak disrespectfully against it without seeking for understanding.  And because of their lack of understanding, they can easily disrespect God or the things that are holy not considering the consequences. Jesus told His disciples: “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:22-27) To blaspheme, and the blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, means to show disrespect for God or something that is holy. Or something that one says or do to show disrespect toward God or these things.  The Ten Commandments begins with a call to show respect. Not only to God, but to our neighbors as well. You can disrespect the president, politicians, teachers, police officers, and even your parents and perhaps get away with it; But when it comes to God and the things of God, we had better be very careful about the things that we say against Him that are disrespectful. Solomon states that God has no pleasure in fools (Ecclesiastes 5:4) as it is the fool which saith in his heart that there is no God (Psalms 14:1).  John said: “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) Remember, Jesus is God manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).  Be cautious of your words.  

 

Sing: He is the great I Am, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the great eternal Wonder, Holy Counselor, and Zions righteous Govern, He is the great He is the great I Am.

 

Thought For Today: Don’t speak disrespectful of and towards God!