Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 30

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped” (Exodus 34:1-8).

Today’s Morsel:  I don’t know if you are aware, but Moses was the first man to break the Ten Commandments!  And because he broke them, God made him hew out two tables of stones just like the first ones.  I often wonder what it was like for Moses to have to climb that mountain to meet God in the morning.  I’m sure he didn’t know if God was going to be angry and upset with him for breaking the tablets or not.  But we don’t see that Moses wasted any time ensuring that he had the stones as God said and was ready to meet Him.  But to Moses surprise, when he rose to the mountain, he was met by God and God declared to him who He was. “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.”  Altar calls are given for those who have broken God's commandments.  They know they are wrong and they are given the opportunity to come forth so God can declare Himself to them the same way He disclosed himself to Moses.  Do you know Him?  Don’t allow what others do to cause you to break the law.

Sing:  I came to Jesus weary worn and sad, He took my sins away, He took my sins away. And now His love has made my heart so glad, He took my sins away.

He took my sins away, he took my sins away, and keeps me singing every day!  I’m so glad He took my sins away, He took my sins away.

Thought For Today:  Don’t allow what others do cause you to break the law (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 29

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:9-12).

Today’s Morsel:  I often hear Christian say that they struggle with their flesh. Well, my question is who is controlling you, Jesus or the devil?  If Jesus gave you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, then who is in control?  We must realize that we have been given the ability to make right choices and right decisions through this new life that we now live. If we are struggling with our flesh, then it is because we choose to struggle.  The same way when one skips church. They choose to skip church rather than the person who has a valid excuse for missing church.  Notice, there is a big difference between the two. One you choose to do wrong the other is valid.  But the driving factor for a Christian should always to strive to do what is right because God is a God of righteousness.  Paul’s question here should echo to every person.  Don’t you know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God?  If we say that we are Christians, then we should know this and get complete control of our flesh so that our end state will reward us good and not evil.

Sing: Burn in me, burn in me, Holy Ghost fire burn in me.  Yesterday’s gone, today I’m in need, Holy Ghost fire burn in me.

Thought For Today:  Self-control means that you are in control of yourself (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 28

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“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” 

(1 Corinthians 16:13).

Today’s Morsel:  Are you aware that someone is always watching you?  No matter whether you are at home, on the job, or out and about someone is always watching you.  When I go to the mall, I usually just like to sit and observe people.  I can often tell who is not happy, those who are despondent or depressed just by the way they walk and by their demeanor.   I know that others are watching me.  Sometimes someone will come and sit next to me and start to talk with me.  They see me as someone they can talk to.  Paul told the church at Corinth to watch themselves.  As Christians, we must realize that we represent Christ to a lost and dying world and we need to be on display as hope for others.  If we are not good examples as Christians, then what are we?

Sing:  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Thought For Today: Conversation equals behavior (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 27

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:1-7).

Today’s Morsel: One of the reasons we may not be getting what we ask God for, is we may not be abiding in His word.  We know that God is the word and that word was made flesh (John 1:1,14), but are we attaching ourselves to Him?  Remember, He the vine and we are the branches.  Jesus said that the only way we can get what we ask Him for is if we abide in Him and His words abide in us.  I guess one of the reasons James admonishes us to be a doer of the word and not a hearer only (James 1:22), is because God’s blessings and provisions are always attached to His word. 

Sing:  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.  When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way, still you're there right beside me.  And nothing will I fear, as long as you are near, please be near me to the end.  

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Thought For Today:  Stay in the Word.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 26

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Today’s Morsel: For the life of me, I can’t figure out why so many born-again believers are carrying around so many burdens.  Time and time again I read in the word of God that we do not need to be carrying our burdens:  “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7); “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6); “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:4-9); “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalms 24:7-10); “I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalms 118:5-8).  So why are you burden down with the cares of this life?  Oh, I see, you want to!

Sing: What are you doing wearing those heavy burdens? You don’t have to hang your head so low, don’t you know that this is the hour for that Holy Ghost power, I thought that you would like to know.

God’s still in the miracle business; God still makes devils run.  No matter what you need, you don’t have to beg or plea, before you can count to one you can count it done.

Thought For Today:  Shake off those heavy bands and lift-up those holy hands.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 25

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

Today’s Morsel:  The word constraineth means to hold together, to press together, to shut up; then to press on, urge, impel, or excite.  In this passage, it means that the impelling, or exciting motive in the labors and self-denials of Paul was the love of Christ.  The love which he had shown to the children of men.  Christ so loved the world as to give himself for it (John 3;16).  His love for the world was a demonstration that people were dead in sins (Ephesians 2:1); And we, being urged by the same love, are prompted to like acts of zeal and self-denial to save the world from ruin.  Because we are His representatives in the earth, we must strive to save the people from destruction.

Sing:  I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shores.  Very deeply stained within sinking to rise no more.  But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me!  Love lifted me!  When nothing else could help, love lifted me.  Love lifted me!  Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, Love lifted me!

Thought For Today:  You are His representative in the earth.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 23

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Today’s Morsel:  Do you feel as though God is taking to long to come through for you?  Do you feel like giving up and quitting?  I’m sure there are times that some people feel this way.  But this feeling isn’t from God, it’s from the enemy of your soul.  He wants you to retreat and give up. We see this with Abraham and Sarah.  Abraham was 75 when God called him.  I’m sure Abraham felt that God was going to do what He said He would do because Abraham left home.  In some ways, I feel that Abraham delayed his blessing because he took Lot with him when God told him to leave his kindred and family.  So while God waited, he and Sarah tried to help God out because of the delay in the promise.  Every Prophet had prophesied to Israel that their Redeemer and Savior would come to deliver them.  But because of the delay, they took matters into their own hands; and when He came, they rejected Him.  He was not what they wanted to be their deliverer. Somewhat like the children of Belial said of Saul when he was anointed king, “But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace” (1 Samuel 10:27).  If we aren’t careful, we too can allow the delay to cause us to reject the Savior or the one whom God sends when He comes.  Remember, God isn't on our time, we are on His.

Sing: O’ my brother, are you ready for the call?  To crown your Savior King and Lord of all?  The kingdoms of this world shall soon before Him fall, we shall see the King when He comes.

 We shall see the king. We shall see the king. We shall see the king when he comes.  He’s coming in His power, we’ll hail the blessed hour, we shall see the king when He comes.

Thought For Today:  Don’t allow God’s seemingly delay to cause you to go against God’s word.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 22

“And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel” (Numbers 13:25-14:10).

Today's Morsel:  I am sure that you have heard the following poem entitled "Don't Quit":    “When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low, and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit- Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns, and many a fellow turn about When he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - You may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than It seems to a faint and faltering man; Often the struggler has given up When he might have captured the victor's cup; And he learned too late when the night came down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - The silver tint in the clouds of doubt, and you never can tell how close you are, it might be near when it seems afar; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.”

 In today’s passage, the children of Israel quit right at the finish line. They were so close and yet so far away because of their unbelief. You must always walk by faith and not by sight.  Don't quit.

Sing:  The mountain is high but it's not too steep; the battle is rough, but I not too weak, and I won't turn back Oh No! I won't turn back.  O the road is hard, but it's not too long, and the enemy is near, but he's not that strong, and I won't turn back; Oh No! I won't turn back.

Thought For Today:  Walk by faith and not by sight.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 21

“Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler” (Proverbs 6:4-5).

Today’s Morsel:  I am often asked if I like to hunt?  I used to when I was a younger, but now I haven’t hunted in over 40 years.  I often wonder if wildlife knows the season and time that man will hunt to kill them?  Then I also wonder how many of those who are hunting for wildlife realize that they have someone hunting to kill them?  Jesus said that Satan has come not but for to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).  Solomon said that we need to deliver ourselves as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter told the people to save themselves from this untoward generation (Acts 2:40).  Hunters may be controlled by the times and seasons that they can hunt wildlife, but Satan and his demonic force see every day as open season on humans.  Maybe it’s time we declare daily an open season on hell and defeat our enemy in Jesus name.

Sing:  Satan he was angry, said he’d soon be back..  Just let the path get narrow and he will lose the track.  But I’m so full of glory, my Lord I always find, and I just say to Satan, “Old Man, get thee behind.”

I am determined to hold out to the end.  Jesus is with me, on Him I can depend.  I know I have salvation for I feel it in my soul.  I am determined to hold out to the end.

Thought For Today:  Remember that Satan has a bullseye on you (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 20

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” 

(James 1:17).

Today’s Morsel:  My wife has the gift of giving.  Ever since we have been together she has always poured out her heart to give.  She just keeps on giving and giving.  I got a call a few weeks ago from one of my soldiers that was in my unit back in 1982-1984 atFort Campbell, Kentucky.  And one of his comments to me was, “Please tell your wife thanks for all that she did and gave to us when we were under your leadership and command.”  All these years later, someone still remembered and recognized the importance of her gifting.  She will tell you that it is not her but Christ in her.  James said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). When you can truly give without wanting anything in return you are moving on to perfection.

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:  When you can truly give without wanting anything in return you are moving on to perfection. (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 19

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:35-39).

Today’s Morsel:  Are there things blocking or hindering your love?  I know that we say that we love God, but is there something hindering you from loving others.  John said, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20)  Tough language isn’t it.  If this is the case, then something is hindering and blocking our love from flowing as it should.  Maybe there’s a stone of bitterness or envy.  Maybe there is a rock of offense.  Maybe there’s a log of hate or unforgiveness.  Or maybe there’s a mountain of hurt.  Whatever it is, Paul said, it should not be able to separate you from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus.  If you allow things to hinder your love to others, sooner or later it’s going to hinder your love with God.

Sing:  I want to live the way that He wants me to live, I want to give until there’s just no more to give.  I want to love, love till there’s just no more love, I could never, never out love the Lord.

Thought For Today:  Don’t allow anything to hinder your love (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 18

“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:1-10).

Today’s Morsel:  Out of all the books in the Bible, none seem to reveal the Deity of Jesus Christ like the Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle John.  These two seem to always be on the same page with the revelation of truth.  I like how Isaiah unfolds Jesus through his metaphoric language.  Time and time again he inserts the beauty of holiness in his writing.  Notice the first two verses of this chapter.  “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.”   The word rendered ‘solitary place’ denotes properly a dry place, a place without springs and streams of water; and as such places produce no greenery or vegetation, and nothing to sustain life, the word comes to mean a desert.  But then he inserts the cure for such a place when he says that it shall blossom as a rose, and they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.  He’s saying it’s dry and barren now, but when the Messiah comes, it will be fruitful and flowing with abundance.  Maybe you feel like you are in a solitary or desert place.  The psalmist said, “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early” (Psalms 46:4-5).  Maybe you are feeling barren right now.  Hold on, keep praising and worshipping Him, and the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and your blessings and abundance will flow again, and you shall blossom.  Jesus is never a dry and barren land, He is a stream in the desert.  

Sing:  Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.  They shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.  Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.

Thought For Today: “You be the rose in the desert” (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 16

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him” (Psalms 62:1-5).

Today’s Morsel:  The idea here is that all that the psalmist expected or hoped for must come from God.  He did not rely on his fellow man; he did not rely on himself. He stated that God alone could deliver him, and he confidently believed that God would do just that.  When all our strength fails; all our resources are exhausted; our fellow-man cannot or will not help us; our own efforts seem to be vain; our plans are frustrated, then we must conclude that God alone can help us.  No matter what we go through or face in this life, our expectations for a better outcome must be that we believe that God will come through for us.

Sing: I’m learning how to lean and depend on Jesus. He’s my friend, and He’s my guide.  I’m learning how to lean, and depend on Jesus, I found out if I would trust Him, He will provide.

Thought For Today:  Let your expectations be from the Lord (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 15

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“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” 

(Ephesians 4:11-15).

Today’s Morsel:  I have come to realize that one of the major reasons so many born-again believers struggle in their walk with God is they do not know the doctrine. Some churches preach doctrine while others never mention it.  I saw a bumper sticker once which stated, “Preach the gospel, use words if you need to.” Doctrine must be taught.  When I was a Drill Instructor in the Army, my number one job was to teach doctrine to all new recruits, as all training centers came under the umbrella of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. Every soldier was to know the doctrine of the army.  If soldiers do not understand doctrine, they can get killed or cause others to get killed.  Paul told Timothy, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:13-16).  The quickest way to destroy a church is to neglect the doctrine.

Sing:  The mighty God is Jesus, the Prince of Peace is He, the Everlasting Father, the King Eternally, the wonderful in wisdom, by whom all things were made, the fullness of the Godhead in Jesus is displayed.

It’s all in Him, It’s all in Him, the fulness of the Godhead it’s all in Him. It’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, the Mighty God is Jesus and It’s all in Him.

Thought For Today:  Don’t neglect the doctrine (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 14

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:8-11).

Today’s Morsel:  I hear some people say that life isn’t fair, and that it isn’t right for some people to have lots and others to have little.  But what I usually find is that this is the attitude of the slothful.  Why do I say that?  The Lord told Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).  David wrote, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalms 1:1-3).  And Paul wrote to the church at Galatia, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:27-29).  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all had the same promise from God.  And because God isn’t a respecter of persons, as born-again believers those promises are for us, too, Peter said (Acts 2:39). No, God isn’t fair, He is just.  His promises don’t change.  Success is in your own hands.  God has already done His part.

Sing:  Magnify the Lord with me; Blessed, Lamb of Calvary, for His grace so rich and free, magnify the Lord with me.  Magnify the Lord with me; Blessed, Lamb of Calvary, Jesus gives us liberty.  Oh, magnify the Lord with me.

Thought For Today: Success is predicated upon “U”. Parker

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 13

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8).

Today’s Morsel:  When Abraham left home after being called of God, God chose the land He would give him.  The psalmist states, “He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah” (Psalms 47:4).  Think about that for a moment.  God will choose our inheritance for us.  But the question is, will we let Him?  Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).  The writer of Hebrews tells us, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:13-16). Aren’t you glad that God has chosen your inheritance for you?

Sing:  There’s a city far beyond the starry skies, there’s a city where there will never come a night.  If we are faithful we shall go there by and by.  Tis the city where the Lamb is the Light.

 In the city where the Lamb is the light. In the city where there cometh no night.  I’ve a mansion over there, and when free from toil and care, I am going where the Lamb is the Light.

Thought For Today:  Let God choose your inheritance for you. (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 12

“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet” 

(Psalms 47:1-5)

Today’s Morsel:  Someone said that by clapping our hands and shouting we give the devil a headache.  If that is the case, then we should clap and shout more to make him have a headache every day; since that seems to be what he likes to do to Christians.  Paul told the church at Thessalonica, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).  When the ark was lifted up to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites, there went up clapping and shouting.  The people rejoiced and blew trumpets.  It was noised abroad that the Lord was in the camp.  They knew that victory was ahead.  This passage may also be understood as a prophetic declaration of the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He defeated death, hell, and the grave prior to His ascension.   Each time we read that the Lord went up, there was always a victory over the enemy.  Because He defeated our enemy for us, we have the victory.  So clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.  For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

Sing:  I will shout with a voice triumph.  Shout with a voice of praise.  Shout with a voice triumph.  Shout with a voice of praise.  Shout to the Lord for the victory; hey, hey, give the Lord a shout of praise.  Triumphant in battle, we are victorious.  God is Most High over all the earth.  Satan's defeated, Jesus has conquered, the enemy is under my feet.  So I will shout with a voice of triumph, I will shout with a voice of praise.  Shout with a voice triumph.  Shout with a voice of praise.  Shout to the Lord for the victory; hey, hey, give the Lord a shout of praise.

Thought For Today:  Why not give the devil a headache every day (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 29

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“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:9-12).

Today’s Morsel:  I often hear Christian say that they struggle with their flesh. Well, my question is who is controlling you, Jesus or the devil?  If Jesus gave you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, then who is in control?  We must realize that we have been given the ability to make right choices and right decisions through this new life that we now live. If we are struggling with our flesh, then it is because we choose to struggle.  The same way when one skips church. They choose to skip church rather than the person who has a valid excuse for missing church.  Notice, there is a big difference between the two. One you choose to do wrong the other is valid.  But the driving factor for a Christian should always to strive to do what is right because God is a God of righteousness.  Paul’s question here should echo to every person.  Don’t you know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God?  If we say that we are Christians, then we should know this and get complete control of our flesh so that our end state will reward us good and not evil.

Sing: Burn in me, burn in me, Holy Ghost fire burn in me.  Yesterday’s gone, today I’m in need, Holy Ghost fire burn in me.

Thought For Today:  Self-control means that you are in control of yourself (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 11

“And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way” (Luke 4:24-30).

Today’s Morsel:  If you were to add up at the end of the day every opportunity you had to tell someone about Jesus, pray for someone about their situation, or be an encouragement to someone and you didn’t seize the opportunity, how many would you have had?  There are many times people stand right in front of us and say, “I don’t feel good.” “I have a headache.” “My children are causing me so much trouble.” And we don’t say, may I pray for you, and do it right then.  Missed opportunities.  When Jesus came to His hometown and went to church, every problem in that church could have been taken care of by Him.  But because they didn’t care for His comments, they missed the opportunity to have Him meet their needs.  Every time you miss church, you may have just missed the opportunity to have your need met.  Let's seize every opportunity He gives us.  

Sing: He’s sweet I know. Jesus is sweet I know.  Storm clouds may rise, and strong winds may blow.  But I’ll tell the world, everywhere I go, that I found my Savior and He’s sweet I know.

Thought For Today:  Don’t miss the opportunity.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 9

“I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? (Luke 12:49).

Today’s Morsel:  Sometimes we hear of wildfires that destroy much land and communities.  Jesus relates His gospel to fire.  "I am come to send fire on the earth."  What a statement.  Scripture says, “And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire” (Hebrews 1:7).  The light and the fire were to always be burning in the tabernacle and the altar.  Therefore, if ministers and the people of God who say that they are born again are preaching and teaching the truth of the gospel, then Jesus doesn’t have to come and start a fire.  It should already be burning.  The light of the gospel should be shining brightly for others to see.  

Sing: Fire, fire, fire, fire fall on me.  Fire, fire, fire, fire fall on me.  Like the Day of Pentecost, fire fall on me.  Like the Day of Pentecost fire fall on me.

Thought For Today: Don’t let your fire go out.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 8

“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” (John 3:1-5).

Today’s Morsel:  When I was an instructor in the Army, and now as an instructor for “Purpose Institute”, I had and do have access to the answer key for any test that I administer to the students.  The purpose of the answer key is to ensure that the students have answered the questions correctly.  What I like about Jesus' teaching and training was, He always gave His students the key to answer their own question.  No matter what questions they asked Him, He helped them to under the answer.  When Nicodemus asked Him how a man could be born again, Jesus gave him the answer to his own question.  “You must be born again of the water and the spirit.”  Therefore, if he doesn’t make it to heaven it’s not the teacher's fault.  What questions are you struggling with?  Ask Jesus, He has the answer to your questions.

Sing:  Aren’t you getting just a bit tired of fooling around? You try to laugh your way through life but you’re not gaining ground.  Why not try the Lord today, just ask Him in your heart to stay.  You’ll find Jesus love to be the greatest thing that you’ve ever found.

Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let me go!  Jesus got into my heart, He got into my soul!  I used to be oh, so sad, but now I'm happy free and glad, cause Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let me go.

Thought For Today:  The key to heaven is you must be born again.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 7

“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:  “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Solomon states (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  So what season are you in right now?  We know that there are four seasons (unless you are in Okinawa, Japan, where my wife says there are only two, hot and hotter).  Sometimes, we go through things in our life that cause us to be tired, exhausted, and fatigued.  And I guess that’s why Jesus tells us to sit down and consider the cost of a project before we start lest when we get started we don’t have the resources or the help to complete it (my wording).  But if we decide to start a project, then we must develop patience and commitment to continue even when we are tried, as we will reap if we don’t quit.  There are seasons in our life, and every season has not only a purpose but a beauty all its own.  

Sing:  I’m learning how to lean and depend on Jesus.  He’s my friend, and He’s my guide.  I’m learning how to lean and depend on Jesus, I found out, that if I would trust Him, He will provide.

Thought For Today:  Learn the seasons so you will know which one you are in (Parker).