Morning Manna by Rufus Parker: 2012 January 7

Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012 January 7 - Morning Manna

O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. (Psalms 96:1-2).

Today's Morsel: What songs do you sing when you are hurting, sad, or lonely? The psalmist said to sing unto the Lord a new song. I don't think God wants to hear the old songs of murmuring and complaining. I don't think He wants to hear me mourning over my troubles. I don't even think He wants to hear me singing about Moses going down into Egypt's land and telling old Pharaoh to let His people go. He doesn't want to hear my singing the blues! The problem with some so called gospel and contemporary gospel music today is it doesn't proclaim the gospel. It seems to only elevate one's self. If it's called a gospel song, shouldn't the lyrics mention the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Shouldn't Jesus be the main focus in the song? Has the blood lost its power? Doesn't the old rugged cross still make a difference? Isn't there still victory in Jesus? Isn't Jesus still the sweetest name you know? Didn't He call you friend? So what happened to, " What a friend we have in Jesus?" Isn't the church going to move up higher one day? Didn't Jesus say that in the last days He would pour out His spirit upon all flesh? So what happened with the song, "Baptize me Jesus with the Holy Ghost?" Why do we only sing "O' come all ye faithful" at Christmas time, and "Christ Arose" at Easter? Maybe that's why we only see some people at church on Christmas and Easter. I guess that's why they come during those days as they see themselves as being faithful. They're CEOs - Christmas and Easter Only (my humor). You see, the old songs had a message with them. They were called gospel songs because when you sang them, they lifted up Jesus and gave you strength to endure the trials and situations you faced on a day to day basis. They caused you to realize what Jesus has done for you, while giving you hope for tomorrow. If you are battling depression or sickness in your soul these days, and if you listen to the songs that are called gospel music today, you are going to be more depressed because the instruments often over-power the words and you can't hear what is being said. And if you do hear the lyrics, they often talk about how the singer feels rather than the power of Jesus in a person's life. Jesus didn't record in His word to "not remove the old landmarks which your fathers sat up" for nothing. I believe that that may even include our music. So let me encourage you, let's go back to the old land marks and get Jesus back into our singing. After all, only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Sing: Only Jesus can satisfy your soul; only He can change your heart and make you whole: He'll give you peace you never knew, sweet love and joy and heaven, too, for only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

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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.