Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 20

Stop Procrastinating

 

“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)

 

Today’s Morsel: How many times would you say that you have put off something that you know should have done today for another day? Why do we allow procrastination to get into our hearts? Why do we think that we have tomorrow to do something when we don’t know what tomorrow may hold? Don’t we usually feel better when we do what we know we ought to do today, instead of waiting for another day to do it? James said we don’t know what tomorrow holds. He said that we ought to say if the Lord will we will do this or that. Solomon enlightened us with these words: “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and co“nsidered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:30-34) How do you spell procrastination? One version could be - LAZY!

 

Sing: Here I am Lord, Here I am, I give all myself to You here, I am. Here I am Lord, Here I am. Let Your Spirit move through me, here I am.

 

Thought For Today: Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 19

The Greatest Gift

 

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

 

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever considered why God chose the word love to display who He is? What is it about love that it can draw us closer, break our hearts, cause division, and even cause us to do wrong things? Love only causes us to do wrong things when we don’t understand love. As Christians, we know that God is love based on the word of God. Love is who and what God is. You can’t explain love. Love must be displayed and carried out through action and conduct. Love is more than just affection for someone and something. To me, love is both a verb and an adjective. Not only does it reveal one’s actions or state of being, but it also modifies or describes how an individual’s actions and behavior ought to be. God calls for us to put our love into action and to live it out before Him and others. Maybe this is where we get the saying, actions speak louder than words. And when we do that correctly, it will reveal God in our lives, and it will also describe who we are in Him before others. Paul lets us know that love is the bond of perfectness (Colossian 3:14), and that we must be knitted together in love (Colossians 2:2). When we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, it joins us into completion in Him, and causes us to manifest to others who He is in our lives. 

 

Sing: The greatest gift in all my life is loving You. The greatest gift in all my life is loving You. I want to love You more, I want to love You more. The greatest gift in all my life is loving You.

 

Thought For Today: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” (1 John 4:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 18

Don’t Lose Your Gratitude

 

“Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 8:6-20)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of Moses’ last charges to the children of Israel was to warn them not to forget God and what He had done for them. He told them that no matter how good things got for them in the promised land, they must never forget God. You see, when we forget God, it is because we have lost our gratitude. When we forget what God has done for us, we start being ungrateful and we can easily start to think that we don’t need God and others. Paul lets us know that when we are not thankful for what God has done for us, He will give us over to a reprobate mind.

 

Sing: Jesus, I’ll never forget what You’ve done for me. Jesus I’ll never forget how You set me free. Jesus I’ll never forget how You brought me out. Jesus I’ll never forget, no, never.

 

Thought For Today: Whatever you do, don’t forget God!

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 16

Thy Loving-kindness

 

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.” (Psalms 63:1-4)

 

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever gotten to the point that it feels as though God is missing in your life? I mean, you are doing everything that you know to do and yet it feels like you just can’t get a breakthrough. Everyone else seems to be rejoicing, worshipping, and excited about what it is taking place in the church service, but you just can’t seem to get enough motivation within yourself to raise your hands or get excited. One of the things we must learn is that giving God praise shouldn’t be because of what others are doing. Our praise ought to be because of His lovingkindness towards us. We worship and praise God because of His goodness, mercy, grace, and truth.  I find that for me, when I feel as though God isn’t near, that it is during this time that He is teaching me to walk by faith and not by sight. When my soul seems dry and thirsty, it is a call for me to come to the fountain and drink. And when it seems as though God has moved, it’s a call for me to get back on course. And when I feel like weeping and crying, all I need to do is prime the pump within. Because I have a well of living water inside of me. As Jesus told the woman at the well: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)

 

Sing: Thy loving-kindness is better than life. Thy loving-kindness is better than life. My lips shall praise Thee, thus will I bless Thee. I will lift-up my hands unto Thy name.

I will lift-up my hands unto Thy name. I will lift-up my hands unto Thy name. My lips shall praise Thee, thus will I bless Thee. I will lift-up my hands unto Thy name. 

 

Thought For Today: “For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.” (Psalms 26:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 15

His Salvation

 

“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” (Psalms 91:14-16)

 

Today’s Morsel: What comes to your mind when you think of salvation? Do you think of being delivered from sin? Do you think of being made free? Do you think of being saved from drowning while swimming? Do you think of being baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost? The word of God says that “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalms 91:1) And that “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”(Psalms 91:15-16) Just what is God’s salvation that He will show us? Jesus said: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32); “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is Salvation. As Peter said: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) “And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.” (John 12:20-22) If you abide close to Him, He will show you His salvation. Do you know Him?

 

Sing: When I first found Jesus, something over me stole, like lightning it went through me, and glory filled my soul. Salvation made me happy, and took my fears away, and when I meet old Satan to him, I always say:

“I am determined to hold out to the end, Jesus is with me, on Him I can depend. And I know I have salvation, for I feel it in my soul. I am determined to hold out to the end.”

 

Thought For Today: “And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” (Hebrews 8:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 14

 Thanks, At Midnight

“At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” (Psalms 119:62)

 

Today’s Morsel: What do you do when you are awakened in the middle of the night? Do you get upset that someone is texting you? Do you get upset because there is noise outside? Or do you get up and give God thanks? Sometimes, our being aroused from our sleep at midnight could be God’s way of arousing us to get up and pray for someone else, or that something is wrong within our homes, or one of our children may be having a bad night’s sleep, or our neighbors could be having a hard time in their lives. I believe this is why no matter what we face we ought to always have a heart of gratitude. The psalmist said that at midnight he would rise to give God thanks because of His righteous judgments. God is a God who does what is right. Not what we may think is right. And He judges right even if we think that His judgements are not right. God is merciful. Don’t ever forget that. Therefore, we ought to thank Him even at midnight when it seems like God isn’t fair. For as Paul said: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

 

Sing: The more I seek Him, the more I find Him. The more I find Him, the more I love Him.  I want to sit at Your feet, drink from the cup in Your hand, lay back against You and breathe, feel Your heartbeat. This love is so deep it’s more than I can stand, I melt in Your peace, it’s overwhelming.

 

Thought For Today: “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” (Proverbs 8:20-21)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 13

 Transforming Power 

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

 

Today’s Morsel: When Jesus said that we would receive power after the Holy Ghost was come upon us, I believe He was speaking of transformation. No one can say that they have God’s Spirit and there isn’t a major transformation in their lives.  Every indication written in the book of Acts (the book where folks were saved), from the Day of Pentecost when man first receive the Holy Ghost, is that there was transformation in those lives. The Holy Ghost brought a change in their lives. According to Luke: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:41-47) There was a change in their lives. Even Paul, after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, was transformed: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-14) Paul’s life was totally transformed from the day that he met Jesus on that road. Do you remember what road you were on and where you were headed when Jesus changed your life and directions? Can others see that transformation in you?

 

Sing:  Well, I’ve been changed, I am newborn now, all my life has been rearranged. What a difference it made when the Lord came to stay; in my heart, oh, yes, I’ve been change. 

 

Thought For Today: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)