Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 6

How To Build Character

 

“Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalms 119:34)

 

Today’s Morsel: In some spheres of religion and in some organizations, it is taught that the Old Testament is not for us today. It is taught that we are of the New Testament, and thus the Old Testament is not needed. But this could not be further from the truth. Paul stated: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16) Jesus even ask the religious leaders, “Have you not read?” What was He referring to? He was referring to Old Testament scriptures. So, what was the purpose of the Law, which God gave to Moses to give to the people for them to obey? The overall purpose was for behavior and character building. God’s law teaches us how to behave and to build character in our lives. No, we don’t have or need to bring an animal to be sacrificed for sin, as Jesus became that perfect sacrifice for us. But the moral law must always be adhered to. For example, if a man’s neighbor’s animal was to get out and come to his house, he was either to return it, or to keep it until the neighbor came looking for it. Not to fornicate, commit adultery, and idol worship, were all to teach us how to build character. The law brought about a change in folks. And God said that there would come a day that He was going to put His law in our hearts:  “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34) This is why I believe, when David wrote, “The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul” (Psalms 19:7), he’s showing us that obedience to the law will change our way of thinking and will also change us to become more like Christ. Let me encourage you today, don’t think that you don’t need the Old Testament, that’s where we find our hope (Romans 15:4).

 

Sing: To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, on earth I long to be like Him. All through life’s journey, from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.

 

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 November 5

Arise With Thanksgiving

 

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalms 136:1)

 

Today’s Morsel: How we begin our day will usually determine the outcome of our day. If we arise with murmuring and complaints, our day will usually end with murmuring and complaints. If we arise with bitterness of heart, our day will usually end with bitterness of heart. But if we arise with thanksgiving in our heart, our day will usually end with thanksgiving in our heart. We reap what we sow. Paul admonishes us: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) He said that God’s desire is that we give thanks in everything. Why? Because God already knows that we reap what we sow. And God wants our day to be filled with joy and excitement. He doesn’t want us to be burdened and overwhelmed with evil and evil thoughts. He wants us as His children to be thankful for who we are and what He has given unto us. Our situations and circumstances have nothing to do with whether we are thankful or not. Thankfulness should flow from our heart because we know who God is, and we know His love for us.

 

Sing: Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for making me whole. Thank You Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so full and free.

 

Thought For Today: “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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 4

Reproof of Instructions

 

“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: Solomon, the wisest man in the world, not only tells us to buy the truth, but also wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Instruction gives us detailed information which tells us how something should be done, operate, or assembled. We can have all the truth and wisdom in the world, but if we don’t know how to use it and when to use it, it will do us no good.  And he also tells us that reproof of instructions is the way of life. True change comes through instructions. Even in the church, our teaching ought to be instructional if we want to see change in the lives of people. People will never reach perfection, learn how to behave, and build character in their lives without instructions. I can tell my child that stealing is wrong and give them a spanking each time that they do it, but not until I sat them down, give them some solid instruction as to why stealing is wrong, or take them on a tour of a jail or prison where they can see those incarcerated for stealing, will my punishment have a true effect on their thinking. Correction must always be given with instructions if we want to see change in others. 

 

Sing: He’s changing me, my Blessed Savior, I’m not the same person that I use to be. Well, it’s been slow going but there’s a knowing, that someday perfect I will be.

 

Thought For Today: “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 3:16-17)

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 2

One Bite and You’ll Know

 

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalms 34:8)

 

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever played the game where they blindfold you and you must identify certain foods? It’s really a fun game, but always remember to use only safe foods, and ask the participants if they are allergic to any food or drank.  Have you ever ordered a steak at a restaurant, and it was one of the best that you’ve ever had? And you have never forgotten what it tasted like. And now you compare every steak to that one? David said, O’ taste and see that the Lord is good. Once you have tasted the goodness of God, you will always remember that taste. It doesn’t take much to realize how good God is, if you have once tasted of His sweet word and truth, you will never forget how good it is. You ought to be able to identify it no matter where you are. You may be saying, I don’t know. Consider this, how many times have you gone to a church service and you left wondering if God was there? Do you know why? You didn’t taste what you were used to. If the God that you first tasted was there, you would have known.  It doesn’t take much to recognize God. The psalmist stated: “Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.” (Psalms 116:5)

 

Sing: There’s honey in the rock for me. There’s honey in the rock for me. There’s honey, honey, honey, honey, there’s honey in the rock for me.

 

Thought For Today: “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1 Peter 2:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 November 1

I Want To Make A Difference

 

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 1:21-23)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that every born-again believer ought to do is strive to make a difference in the lives of others. Scripture tells us, “That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:37-38) Jesus went about doing good to everyone. The great commission is given for us to make a difference in the lives of others. We ought to never consider going to heaven by ourselves. As a matter of fact, I don’t think that we will get there if we haven’t made a difference in someone else’s life. As scripture tells us: “And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” (Ezekiel 3:16-21) We should want to warn folks because we care for their souls. There are a lot of people just needing someone to talk to, someone to listen, or someone to just show them the way. The story is told of a dog that was caught in a trap and couldn’t get out. But a young boy ventured by, saw him, and set him free. To the little boy’s surprise, the dog did not run away but licked the boy’s face as a jester of thanks. And the dog became his best friend and protector. If you make a difference in the lives of others, they just might become your best friend and protector.

 

Sing: Thank You Lord for saving my soul, thank You Lord for making me whole. Thank You Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so full and free.

 

Thought For Today: “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.” (Mark 1:40-41)  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 October 31

Who Was That Masked Man?

 

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” (John 9:35-38)

 

Today’s Morsel: The truth about Jesus is often found when we search the scripture. You can hear much preaching and teaching, but that will not reveal to you who Jesus is. It requires each of us to search the scriptures for ourselves and then you will know Him. As Jesus said: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) We can find our answer when we search with our whole heart.  “All things are delivered unto me of my Father, Jesus said, and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” (Matthew 11:27) If Jesus doesn’t reveal to you who He is, you will fight against who He is. Many people have lived their entire life attending church, calling themselves Christians, and yet have never known who Jesus is. Jesus even asked the religious leader who should have known who He was: “What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.” (Matthew 22:41-46) Instead of not asking Him anymore questions, trying to justify themselves, they should have humbled themselves and asked for an explanation. Let me ask you a question? Is Jesus in the godhead, or is the Godhead in Jesus? Who do you say that He is?

 

Sing: He’s the great I Am, the everlasting Father, He’s the Prince of peace, The great eternal Wonder; Holy Counselor, and Zion’s righteous Governor, He’s the great, He’s the great I Am.

 

He’s Elohim of all the holy prophets, He’s the Elishiddai of all the seers and sages; He is the mighty One of all the sacred pages. He’s the great, He’s the great I Am.

 

He’s Jehovah God, the coming King of glory, He is the true Nissi, the Lord of grace and favor, He is Jesus Christ, Redeemer, Friend, and Savior; He’s the great, He’s the great I Am.

 

Thought For Today: “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 October 30

One Thing I Know

 

“Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:24-25)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things you learn in the military when you are advancing through the ranks is to never forget where you came from. In other words, don’t forget that you once held the same positions that those under you now hold and that you didn’t know everything when you were there and that you, too, made some foolish mistakes the same as they are. The same is true with our salvation. We weren’t always saved. If it had not been for God’s grace and mercy, where would we be. So, let’s not be too quick to judge those who may not have been in the church as long as we have been. They may still be struggling trying to get to where we are. Thus, we ought to be compassionate and reach back and give them a helping hand. When the religious leaders accused Jesus of being a sinner, the blind man whom Jesus had healed, stated: “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” He said, call him what you want, but this one thing I know, I was blind, but now I see. And so was I. I was blind and could not see. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:4-6) And that is one thing I will never forget!

 

Sing: He touched me, o-oh, He touched me, and O’ the joy that floods my soul; Something happened, and now I know; Jesus touched me, and made me whole.

 

Thought For Today: “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)