Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 31

Be Careful of Hidden Sins

“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19:12-14)

Today’s Morsel: How often do you examine yourself for sin? Do you ever wonder how David, the man after God’s own heart, and the sweet Psalmist, founded himself violating the commandments of God in a moment of time? Yes, that’s right. His relationship with Bathsheba caused him to violate God’s word. He had failed to realize what Moses had said to Israel about not keeping their word and obeying what God had said: “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23). Things haven’t changed in God’s word. When we make a vow to God, we had better pay it. For God has no pleasure is fools. As Solomon tells us: “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4) Christians should not have hidden sins in their lives. We cannot even become born-again without repenting of our sins, asking God to forgive us of our wrong. Maybe this is why we keep hearing that no one is prefect, folks have hidden sins in their lives. But this ought not so to be. As the Lord said through the prophet Isaiah: “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:16-20) When is your next checkup? 

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: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 30

Wisdom

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” (Proverbs 2:6-7)

Today’s Morsel: How would you like to have been King Solomon? The wisest man in the world. Having read and studied about Solomon, what do you think you would have done differently? Well, your name doesn’t need to be Solomon to be wise. Scripture says: For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous. Having this knowledge, every born-again believer should then be endowed with these three qualities of God. Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Our character ought to be manifested that these traits are always present. We ought not to be depressed, stressed, nor filled with anxiety, because we ought to know how to manage our lives the way that God tell us in His word.  We all need Jesus Christ in our life as He is the wisdom of God and the power of God. 

Sing: I’ve got Jesus on the inside working on the outside, O’ what a change in my life. I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O’ what a change in my life. I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O what a change in my life, O’ what a change in my life.

Thought For Today: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” (1 Corinthians 2:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 29

Don’t Fear

“Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” (Proverbs 3:25-26)

Today’s Morsel: Fear seems to have gotten its grip on many today. Jesus said that in the last days: “Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:26) Notice what He said, their fear is due in part from looking at the things which are coming upon the earth. The earth is spinning out of control. Good is evil and evil is good. Tornadoes, hurricanes, stress of nations. And as Paul told Timothy: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:13) The Lord cautioned us to not be afraid of sudden fear and the desolation of the wicked when it comes. We must keep our focus on Him and what He is doing. Don’t ever think the wicked will get the upper hand over the church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against us. Stay focused. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14) You need to tell fear it’s time for him to leave. Get your praise on!

Sing: Standing on the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring; Glory in the highest I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of Christ my Savior. Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Thought For Today: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 27

The Ways of Life

“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” (Proverbs 6:23)

Today’s Morsel: Do you understand the ways of life? Are you able to see clearly where God is leading and taking you? Are you able to navigate through your problems and situations without stress and worry? Can you deal with the pain and uncertainties that come from life’s challenges and disappointments? Are you able to rejoice when the wind has been knocked out of your sail? Can you continue to pursue your goals and dreams when you are tired, exhausted, and faint? The way of life is revealed to us by God through His Word. His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway. That means the instructions to know how to make a change in course of actions or make a swift decision when your back is against the wall rests in your ability to know what God’s word says. The instructions are where we learn how things work and how to fix them when they break. And it opens your understanding to more enlightenment. Instructions are called illuminations. They show us a more prefect way. Do you know where you are heading? Stay on the yellow brick road.

Sing: O’ there’s a highway to heaven, none can walk up there but the pure and heart. O’ there’s a highway to heaven, walking up the King’s highway. 

Thought For Today: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 26

 Eternal Life

“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.” (Proverbs 19:8)

Today’s Morsel: Eternal life begins with having a love for one’s own soul. A lack of a love for spiritual things is a sign of a lack for one’s soul and eternal life. This flesh is going back to the dust. But our soul is going to live on for ever and ever. According to the apostle Paul:“Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” (Romans 13:2) God’s word is designed to help us keep our inner man well supplied and healthy, and to give us the understanding that we need to navigate through this life. Jesus said: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) An abundant life starts right here and right now with getting wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and instructions. If you don’t feel as if your life is happy and filled with joy, get back to the basics of reading your Bible. Remember, Jesus Christ was not only God manifested in flesh (1 Timothy 3:16), but also the Word made flesh (John 1:14).  He is the answer for your life’s needs.  

Sing: Saved and I’m happy today, thanks be to God, for this I can say; that I’m saved and I’m happy today, I’m walking up the Kings, highway. 

Thought For Today: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 25

Hearing and Seeing

“The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.” (Proverbs 20:12)

Today’s Morsel: The ability to maintaining character, happiness, and peace in your life rests with your ability to hear and see. God has given us ears to hear and eyes to see. But sadly, some folks do not use either to better themselves. Let me share with you two examples:  “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” (Isaiah 28:11-12); “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16)   Notice, their rest was predicated upon their ability to hear and see, and they rejected God’s instructions for their rest. Isaiah is a good example for us to emulate when it comes to hearing and seeing. Notice what he says: “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, 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. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:1-8). He heard, he saw, and he went when God said Go. Our ears and eyes are given to improve upon our character.  Don’t allow the world to blind and deafen you to what God is showing and telling you to do.

Sing: I heard an old, old, story, how a Savior came from glory, how He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me. I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning, then I repented of my sins, and won the victory. 

O, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. He sought me and He brought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood. 

Thought For Today: “Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.” (Psalms 81:13-14)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 24

Be Ye Thankful

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

Today’s Morsel: No matter what may be happening in the world around you or with you, you can always find something to thank God for. Gratitude shows our appreciation for what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives. Constant gratitude shows our humility because when we are thankful, we magnify God instead of magnifying our problems. Gratitude gives us proper perspective and opens the door for God’s grace, favor and supernatural empowerment. So what are you grateful for today? Your spouse, family, friends, good health, sound mind, your home, nice car or what about the gift that keeps on giving, eternal life we have in Christ Jesus?  As we choose an attitude of constant gratitude, we will experience God’s mercy and lovingkindness in a greater way (This manna was written by one of my soldiers and sent to me who has now dedicated his life to the Lord. SFC Thomas Flowers).

Sing: Thanks, thanks, I give You Thanks, for all You have done. I am so blessed, my soul has found rest, O’ Lord, I give you thanks.

Thought For Today: “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.” (Romans 1:21)