Morning Manna by Rufus Parker: 2010 March 25

Thursday, March 25, 2010

2010 March 25 - Morning Manna

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak (1 Corinthians 8:9)

Today’s Morsel: One of the responsibilities that every country has is that of protecting its citizens. But how do you feel when people begin to use that freedom for the wrong reason? How do you feel when you see people demonstrating against your government when you know, in your heart, that they only have your best and their best interest at heart? Jesus came to set the captives free, but many of the people He set free are misusing their freedom. They are using the freedom and liberty for the wrong reason. Many of them speak blaspheme against Him. They use His name in vain. They denounce the church, not realizing that the church's goal is to help them and their families continue to enjoy the freedom that Jesus came to give us all. When people do not understand the mission of the church, they denounce the church. Paul was using his freedom to arrest and persecute Christians until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) and Jesus asked him, Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me? In other words, Paul, what have I done to you that you are doing this? Don’t you understand what I did by giving my life was for you, too. Until people really understand what it means to be free, they will never understand true freedom. You see, those who denounce the church don’t understand freedom. They haven’t talked to the man or woman that has been delivered from an addiction of drugs and alcohol, to hear their story after coming in contact with Jesus. They don’t know that man or woman who has been delivered from sexual or physical abuse. They haven’t talked to the person whose finances have been restored, or whose prodigal son or daughter has come home from a cesspool of sin. Paul said that we should not allow our liberty to become a stumbling block to them that are weak. Don’t use your liberty for the wrong reason, but use it for worshipping the King of kings and Lord of lords. Freedom isn't free!

Sing: Through You the blind will see. Through You the mute will sing. Through You the dead will rise. Through You all hearts will praise. Through You the darkness flees. Through You my heart screams, I am free!

I am free to run (I am free to run). I am free to dance (I am free to dance). I am free to live for you, (I am free to live for you). I am free (I am free), yes I am free.

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About Morning Manna

And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat (Exodus 16:10-15).

“Morning Manna” is a short daily devotion which began in 2002, with just a short note of encouragement to a friend who was facing difficulties at the time. Through their response, I was encouraged to begin a daily devotion via email and send it to people who asked to be put on the distribution list. It is now reaching around the globe. Its birth came about during Morning Prayer. The Lord revealed to me that I should forward my friend a word of encouragement, since it is through patience and comfort of the scripture that we find hope. Thus, I forwarded him the words the Lord had given to me for him, and he forwarded it on to someone else who was having difficulties in their life as well, and thus the original list began.

The goal of “Morning Manna” is to provide people with a quick, thought provoking Word from the Lord, as well as provide encouragement from His Word that can help them through the day and during unexpected trails and circumstances in their daily lives.

Several years ago, Jesus moved on my heart to start writing daily devotions; thus began “Morning Manna”. Today, many people are receiving these daily devotions and many of these people are forwarding it on to their family and friends. It is my hope to encourage even more through posting the devotions to this blog-page.

I pray that you, too, will enjoy reading the manna from this site.