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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 23

A Good Name

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)

Today’s Morsel: What is it about a certain name that when people hear it, in most cases they associate it with certain evils? While on the other hand, when they hear other names, they associate it with good and someone to emulate. Your name says a lot about who you are. Character is associated with your name. I was volunteering at an elementary school once, and here was a child in kindergarten that all the staff, teachers, and kids in the school knew who he was, because everyone had labeled him as being bad. A cut up. Out of control. And one no one wanted to be around this child.  And so one day as I was there, the teacher asked me to take him out of the classroom and talk with him. So I did. As I began to interact with this child, I realized that this was a very smart and intelligent kid. It was then that I realized that his actions were due in part to a lack of being challenged in the classroom. As he and I interacted, I was able to teach him how to do multiplications, and other lessons, and he even knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. A Police Officer. If we are willing to spend time with children and others, we may be able to change what others think of them and help them retain a good name. Solomon says that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. No matter how many riches you may obtain, how much status you may obtain in life, home or mansion you may live in, the car you may drive, and the people that you may come know, your good name must excel it all.  

Sing: His name is wonderful! His name is wonderful! His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord. He is the Mighty King, Master of everything; His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord. He’s the Great Shepherd, the Rock of All Ages, Almighty God is He. Bow down before Him, love and adore Him. His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.

Thought For Today: Remember your name reflects your character.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 22

Spiritual Warfare

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about being a Christian is that you must not allow the enemy of your soul to command and control the battlefield of your mind. The enemy has unleased an on slaught of physiological warfare against us, in hopes to gain access into the mind. He knows that a troubled and disturbed mind is ineffective against him. He knows that most people whose minds are confused and tired are not going to have the strength and energy to attack him nor go out of their way to even try to stop his attacks. Satan knows that if he can gain control over your mind, you will become lethargic; sluggish, weary, lazy, exhausted, and bothered. There is not a store nor restaurant that you do not go into today that is not playing some form of loud music, which forces you to eat fast, talk louder than normal, yell and scream at your kids, get upset with the waiter or waitress, and set you on edge. Many of the so-called sports bars and restaurants are filled with televisions to draw away you, your spouse, your kids, and guest’s attention from being focused on what is being said, and to frustrate you. And once He has control over your mind, he can begin to plant the seeds of doubt in your heart and prevent you from staying focused on Christ and who you are in Him. Most men and women who are struggling with PTSD in their lives today is due, in part, to physiological warfare. Noises. Isaiah states: “For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.” (Isaiah 9:5) Notice, every battle of the warrior is with confused noise. Let me encourage you today, the closer we get to the end times, the battle is going to rage, and the enemy is going to unleash more confusing noise against us. So, put on the whole armor of God so that you can continue to stand against his tricks and schemes. Remember, we win!

Sing: Jesus, I’m depending on You. Jesus, I’m depending on You. Jesus, I’m depending on You, depending on You, to see us through.

Thought For Today: “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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 20

Stop Condemning Yourself

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:17-21)

Today’s Morsel: Some of the major causes of self-condemnation is television, social media, periodicals, magazines, and radio. These information highways cause more people to condemn themselves then you may think.  I was listening to a Christian Broadcast Interview about young girls, between the ages of 6-12, that are buying antiaging cream for their faces because they see a small line or pimp on their faces, not understanding the danger associated with using them. Others are being told to dye their hair to remove the gray because it makes them look old. Modeling and Akimboing on social media posts are causing many young folks to condemn themselves into thinking that they are not growing enough nor growing up fast enough. And because of such posts, some young girls are parading around in spike high heels (women’s shoes), trying to look grown up. And even some young boys are desiring tattoos, body piercings, and gelling their hair trying to make themselves more mature and more aged than they are. When will folks realize that Jesus did not come to condemn us but to save us. The world and its ways are always going to try to keep you in a state of self-condemnation. If you want to defeat self-condemnation in your life, and in the life of your children, then you must understand the importance of having the love of God and a love for His Word more than anything else. As Jesus did not come to condemn us but to make us free from ourselves.

Sing: I love Him, I love Him, because He first loved me.  He purchased my salvation, on calvary.

Thought For Today:  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17).