Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 1 December 2021

 Seizing the Opportunity

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about the month of December is that it often opens the door for us to do good. We may give in to the Salvation Army Red Kettles. We may purchase a gift for our kids or grandkids. We may give a donation to a shelter or orphanage. We may deliver meals for those who are shut-in. These are opportunities that are more available to us during this time of year.  But what about those who are of the household of faith? What about those in the church? What about the widow, widowers, or orphans in the church? Have you considered how you might have them into your home during this holiday season? Have you considered a gift for them? Have you considered their favorite meal? What about getting something nice for someone else in the church? Have you considered giving a gift to Christmas for Christ so that more churches can be planted, and the gospel can be preached to the lost? Opportunities may only knock once, so don’t miss your opportunity.  Give generously all year long, and especially so during this time when others receive so freely.

 

Sing:  Give and it shall be given, good measure pressed down shaken together and running over; give and it shall be given, when you give, you give to the Lord.

 

Thought For Today: Opportunity usually only knocks once.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 November 2021

 The Holy Ghost

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own 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 1:4-8)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Have you received the Holy Ghost since you have believed?  Are you aware that you are not born-again if you have not received Christ’s Spirit? (Romans 8:9).  Scripture says, “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.” (Acts 19:1-7)  Paul wanted them to be saved.  He wanted them to have what God had promised them, and to know what they must teach as the disciples of Christ.  In Acts 10:44-48, those Jews that accompanied Peter to Cornelius' house knew that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost because they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God (vs 45-46).  Don’t be afraid to allow God to fill you with His Spirit.  You want to know that He is in you and that you are saved.  And He will not leave you doubting and unsure.  

 

Sing:  I got the Holy Ghost, down in my soul, just like the Bible said.  I got the Holy Ghost, down in my soul, just like the Bible said.  Well, I've been to the water, and I’ve been baptized in Jesus’ name, my soul got happy and I’m so satisfied, I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now; just like the Bible, just like the Bible, just like the Bible said.

 

Thought For Today: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 November 2021

 Get Out Of The Boat

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:22-31)

 

 

Today’s Morsel:  The apostle Peter gets accused of many things by the church.  He is charged for denying the Lord three times.  He is accused of having a hot temper and cutting off Malchus' ear.  He is charged with having respect of persons by Paul.  He is found guilty of sleeping in the prayer meeting with Jesus.  He is blamed for going to the house of the Gentiles.  And he is blamed for being faithless walking on the water.  Yet Jesus still gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven.   Many in the church today should be accused and charged with the same crimes, but don’t you dare tell them that.  Someone said, "Don’t ever say what you won’t do if you have not been put to the test yet."  Paul said that the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  I don’t think we should accuse or blame Peter for being faithless.  At least he got out of the boat when Jesus called him.  And he tried to walk on the water to get to Him.  But there are those who accuse and blame Peter that are still sitting in the boat when Jesus has called them over and over to come.   Believe me, you can’t walk on water sitting in the boat.

 

Sing:  Faith can move mountains, mountains of fear and of doubt.  Faith can move mountains, so why don’t you try your faith out.

 

Thought For Today: “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 November 2021

 Born-Again

 

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”   (John 3:1-7)

 

Today’s Morsel:  I am amazed at the number of people who say that they are born-again, but their life and character still reflect that they are having dinner at Satan’s table.  If a person is truly born-again, there should be a change in their conduct and character.  Paul said that being born-again is being risen to walk in the newness of life.  Jesus mentions twice to Nicodemus that he must be born again.  The word ‘again’ means from above.  We must be born according to heaven's way.  As Paul informed us, “As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1 Corinthians 15:48-49).  Everyone must have these two births.  One from this earth, earthy, and one from above, heavenly.  Have you experienced them both? “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39)  Are you truly born again?  Today could be your (new)birthday!

 

Sing:  Born again, there has been a change in me.  Born again, just like Jesus said.  Born again, and all because of Calvary.  I’m so glad that I've been born again.

 

Thought For Today:  “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 November 2021

 Ask Dad

“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. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When I was a kid, it wasn’t uncommon in our family when we wanted to do something, for one of my siblings to say, ask dad if we can do…!  James said that if we lack wisdom to ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  When I don’t know something, I am one who is quick to ask God for understanding or His help.  James tells us, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.”  Since our steps are ordered by the Lord, we should not be apprehensive about asking Him for direction.  God doesn’t want us to be ignorant and not know.  Our heavenly Dad is omniscient.  He knows everything, and because we are His children, we must learn to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  We can just ask Dad.

 

Sing:  Something beautiful, something good, all my confusion, Jesus understood.  All I had to offer Him, was brokenness and strife; but He made something beautiful out of my life.

 

Thought For Today:  The specific wisdom that we need must be sought from God.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 November 2021

 Happy Thanksgiving

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” (Psalms 95:1-2)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Across America today,  folks will celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  A time of togetherness with family and friends. Turkey is usually the main meat, and the dessert tables usually include pumpkin pie.  It has been a day set aside for many years as a sign of thanks.  It is one family tradition that has seemed to remain constant.  And why shouldn’t it?  Paul tells us, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)  We should even bring our prayer requests to God with thanksgiving.  The psalmist admonishes us, “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”  What better way to have a Happy Thanksgiving than to come before Him with Thanksgiving in our hearts and enter into His courts with praise.

 

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: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 November 2021

 Be Ye Thankful

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 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 3:12-15)

 

Today’s Morsel:  How thankful are you for your salvation?  How thankful are you for the job that you have, the home that you live in, the vehicle that you drive, and the food you eat?  Most people are not thankful for these things.  They are oftentimes complainers.  They are not content with the things that they have. They are not thankful for where they live nor the job that they have.  What I find in people who are thankful is that they want to make a difference not only in their lives, but also in the lives of others.  People who are thankful will give their employer an honest day's work.  They will fill in without being asked.  They do things because they are thankful for the blessings of God upon their life. How thankful are you?

 

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:  A heart of gratitude is worth more than all the money in the world.