Morning Manna by Rufus Parker: 2012 September 20

Thursday, September 20, 2012

2012 September 20 - Morning Manna

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
(Galatians 6:9)

Today's Morsel: What we think determines who we are and the shape of our future. Our expectations, accomplishments, happiness, and very being are determined by what we allow to fill our minds. Paul told the church at Philippi: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). We must guard our thoughts. Solomon said: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23). All of life's actions flows from our thoughts. The Bible says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). In today's world, so much can come into our minds that prevent us from thinking about those things that are pure and noble that Paul spoke of. Paul said that our minds must be fixed on God. If our thoughts aren't fixed on the Lord, we can find ourselves imagining all kinds of problems, situations, and dilemmas. We start thinking we don't have enough money, or that we don't have the right kind of status, spouse, car, job, etc. In other words, we turn within instead of without. We see all the things we don't have versus what we do have. One ophthalmologist said, " I see many organic diseases that are easy to trace and diagnose. Yet the most common disease I see is not in the eye but above an inch higher. It's worry." Worrying affects our health and destroys our joy, which is your strength. Throughout scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, the words "Fear not" are recorded 144 times. Why so many times? Because God doesn't want His children to worry or fret. So why are you worrying? What is the cure for your worrying? Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me"(John 14:1); "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"(Matthew 11:28-30).

Sing: There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one! no, not one! None else could heal all our soul's diseases, no not one! no, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done; there's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one, no, not one!

No comments:

Post a Comment

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.