Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 31

“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:7-9).

Today’s Morsel:  In the 60’s, the group The Temptations sang a song entitled “It's Growing.” Everything from a snowball rolling down the hill to the man who claims the fish was so big it broke his reel, they sang, the lie was growing and getting bigger and bigger. Every day they sang in the song, that the story got bigger than the day before, so the lie got bigger.  Paul said that a little leaven will leaven the whole lump.  If you allow what you think is just a little sin to be in your life, each day it is going to grow more and more.  If you tell a lie today, usually you must tell another one the next day.  Somewhat like the person that just has to get one up on you.  Their story must be better than yours, so they add a bit more.  Solomon tells us to leave off strife before it be meddled with (Proverbs 17:14).  It can cause you harm.  We can say that we are running this race; but if we are not running it according to the rules and regulations of the one that will judge the outcome, we are wasting our time.  Stay with the rules and you will win the race.

Sing:  I found a new way of living. I found a new joy divine, I have the fruit of the spirit, I am abiding, abiding in the vine.  Abiding in the vine! Abiding in the vine.  Love, Joy, health, peace, He has made them mine.  I have prosperity, power and victory, abiding, abiding in the vine.

Thought For Today: Run to win not lose.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 30

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:1-6).

Today’s Morsel:  Reading through the “Our Daily Bread’ devotional booklet a few weeks ago, I came across a comment that said that the word hypocrite meant he that wears the mask.  So I looked up the word in the Greek for its meaning.  I found that it was the word, hoop-ok-ree-tace'; which means "an actor under an assumed character (stage player), that is, (figuratively) a dissembler; a pretender; to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of.  As born-again believers, we must never allow this word to identify us.  If we say we bear the name Jesus, then we must be a true portrait of Him.  When others see us, they must see Him. He told Phillip, He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.  Are you the real deal, or are you simply trying to be someone else?  Be the real-deal, don't be a hoop-ok-re-tace'. 

Sing:  To be like Jesus.  To be like Jesus.  On earth, I long to be like Him.  All through life’s journey, from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.

Thought For Today: Only actors disguise themselves and wear a mask.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 28

“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” 

(Luke 10:18-19).

Today’s Morsel:  Somebody said that Jesus defeated Satan with two sticks and three nails at Calvary.  Isn’t it amazing that every conversation you read in scripture where Jesus is having a conversation with Satan, Jesus is always the more Powerful One?  I don’t even read where the apostles of Jesus gave Satan any attention or credence. I don’t read anywhere where any of them said that their trials or tribulations were because of Satan.  I see them casting him out of people, turning people over to him for wrong, asking others why they had allowed him to deceive them, and giving warnings about him; but I don’t see them giving him credit for the things that were happening to them.  They just saw it as men rejecting the gospel. They seem to realize that they had power over him, and kept their focus on delivering others from his grasp and preparing themselves for heaven.  What about you?  Do you give Satan credit when bad things happen to you?  Job never blames Satan.  He just said the Lord knew the way he took, and that he would come forth as gold.  I guess if you want to give Satan credit you can.  But I choose to see him as defeated and keep my focus on Jesus.  Resist the devil and he will flee.  Give him credence and he’ll stick around.  He has no place in my life, how about yours?   

Sing:  I command you Satan, in the name of the Lord, to pick up your weapons and flee, for God has given me authority to walk all over thee.

Thought For Today: Resist the devil and he will flee. Give him credence and he’ll stick around (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 27

“All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee” (Deuteronomy 8:1-10)

Today’s Morsel:  No army is effective without its logistics tail.  In so many ways, army logistical units are the tails that wag behind the strategic dog.  Without logistics you lose.  Therefore, the enemy always desires to disrupt the supply lines during the war.  Moses, in so many ways, wanted Israel the know that God was their logistic tail, their rereward.  He lists many of the things that God did for them so that they would know that it was God and not themselves that cared and provided for them and brought them through.  Paul told the church at Rome (see Romans 1) that many of the evils that came upon the children of Israel was because they were not thankful. Remember, He knows what you have need of, so be thankful.  He cares for us.  

Sing:  Here’s my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul; Bread of heaven feed me till I want no more, here’s my cup, fill it up, and make me whole.

Thought for today: Logistics - the tail that wags the strategic dog.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 26

“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan (Jeremiah 12:5)?

Today’s Morsel:  I like horses.  There is just something about them that captures my attention. When I was a kid, I liked riding them.  Scripture says that the horse can smell the battle and run towards it.  They don’t fear for their life.  They thunder with such power and strength with their beauty.  The Lord asks Jeremiah, “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?”  Here the Lord uses a military term to define the difference between the footmen (infantrymen) and the horses (cavalrymen).  God lets him know that if that which is slower can defeat him or cause him to be weary, what will he do when speed, fastness, and something stronger and more powerful comes his way?  Sometimes we may complain about our small issues not realizing that they could be much worse. If you can’t contend with what is going on in the world today, footmen and mankind, what are you going to do when God releases those four horses spoken of in Revelations Chapter 6 against men for their rebellion and rejection of Him?  Build up your strength and faith now so that you can contend with horses.  

Sing: I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery.  I may never soar over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord's army, yes sir.

Thought For Today:  Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 25

“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set” 

(Proverbs 22:28).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things I like to do when traveling is to stop and to read old historical landmark signs.  There are lots of good data on them.  Sometimes I get thoughts for a message to preach.  For example, there is one sign I read entitled, “The Battle of the Bad Axe.” This story relates to Chief Black Hawk and his Sauk followers during the battle in Wisconsin, it is along the Mississippi River.  It is a very good read.  The Lord told Joshua to set up 12 stones for a memorial so that the generations to come would know what He had done for them.  Solomon tells us not to remove the landmarks that our fathers have set.  If we keep removing statues and landmarks of history, the next generation isn’t going to know what God has done for them.  We need to learn to cherish the landmarks and old ways, many of them are in place for protection.  Know why the fence was put there before you move it.

Sing:  So I’ll cherish the Old Rugged Cross, till my trophies, at last, I lay down.  I will cling, to the Old Rugged Cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

Thought For Today:  Know why the fence was put there before you move it.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 24

“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come” (Psalms 71:18).

Today’s Morsel:  Some folks look into the mirror and see gray hair and they go into depression screaming ‘I’m getting old’.  I wonder why they don’t scream, “Look, I’m gaining righteousness.”  Scripture says, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).  Or why don't they say look how beautiful I am?  Since scripture also says,  “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head” (Proverbs 20:29).  The psalmist prayed that God would not forsake him when he got old that he might have a chance to show the Lord's strength to his generation.  The Lord's strength is His right arm. It was His power. It is Jesus Himself.  We must seize every opportunity to share the gospel with every generation. From the youngest to the oldest, everyone must be given a chance to hear about Him.  “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).  Grandpa and grandma, you may want to start sharing with your kids and grandkids about Jesus.  Don't despair about your age, use this time and pass on your legacy.  

Sing:  There is power in the name of Jesus!  There is power in the name of Jesus!  There is power in the name of Jesus!  To break every chain, to break every chain, to break every chain.

Thought For Today: Seize the moment.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 23

“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.” 

(Psalms 71:1).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about being a Christian is you must develop a backbone and intestinal fortitude.  When you enlisted in God’s army, the devil put a bullseye on your back; and it’s not the horse that woody rides on in ‘Toy Story’.  It’s crosshairs to destroy you.  The psalmist prayed, ‘Let me never be put to confusion’. In other words, don’t every let me be ashamed that I chose to serve You and give my life to You. Let me encourage you. Don’t every be ashamed to be a Christian no matter how much you are persecuted, talked about, lied on, or called names. Jesus said, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:12). Persecution is just another way of letting you know that the devil has taken notice of you.  Always remember, the light you shine may just lead someone else out of darkness.  So don’t ever be ashamed of the gospel.

Sing:  Standup! Standup! For Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross.  Lift high the royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory, His army shall He lead; till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.

Thought For Today:   Persecution is just another way of letting you know that the devil has taken notice of you.  (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 21

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Today’s Morsel:  How much confidence do you have in God?  How much calm assurance do you have that He will come through for you?  With that said, what are you waiting for God to do for you?  What have you asked Him for that has yet to happen?  Do you still believe that He will come through?  The writer of Hebrews tells us that if we come to God, and ask Him for something then we must believe that He will reward us (Hebrews 11:6).  Always remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  Faith stands in the demonstration and Power of His Spirit.  So, while you are waiting, stay in the word and let God work on His timeline.

Sing:  He’s an on-time God, yes He is. Oh’ He’s an on-time God, yes He is.  Job said, He may not come when you want Him, but He’ll be there right on time.  He’s an on-time God yes, He is.

Thought For Today: He will work if you let Him.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 20

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:8-14).

Today’s Morsel:  Have you ever been surprised by a birthday party?  I mean you are aware of nothing and then you walk in and everyone screams surprise!  I have had it happen to me twice.  I guess some may say well after the first time why didn’t you anticipate it being done again?  I really had no clue and no reason to suspect a surprise.  But let me ask you a question, If Jesus came right now would you be taken by surprise?  Sad to say, that’s what’s going to happen to many.  They are not going to be ready. They are going to be taken by surprise.  The five foolish virgins had no oil.  And when they went to get more, they missed the entrance into the open door.  Peter said that Jesus coming is going to be as a thief in the night. Thieves do not tell you when they are going to rob your house. They are going to do it when you are not home or watching. Friend, Jesus is coming. I don’t know when, but I plan to be ready and watching. What about you?  His coming is not without warning, the day and time is going to be a surprise, but we are not without warning.  Be ready.  

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 power, we’ll hail the blessed hour.  We shall see the King when He comes.

Thought For Today: Don’t get caught by surprise. Watch and be ready.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 19

“The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD” 

(Ezekiel 37:1-6).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the reasons that God saved you, was so you would be a witness to a lost and dying world for Him.  Each day as you go on your job, you are going through your city, or you are sitting at dinner in a restaurant, most of those folks are dead.  They don’t know Christ, nor do they have His Spirit.  And Paul said, now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his (Romans 8:9).  They are dead bones.  Therefore, we must seize every opportunity to tell them about Christ.  Ezekiel was brought by the Spirit into a valley of dry bones, which represents those that once lived but are now dead.  So God asked him if they could live?  What would have been your answer?  God tells him to prophesy to the bones and to tell them to hear the word of the Lord and they shall live. These bones represented the house of Israel.  Yet today, they represent the nations in which we live.  The cities in which we live and work.  People who attend our churches. No man can live without the word of God, as Jesus is the word.  He said, without me you can do nothing (John 15:5).  What are you doing about sharing God’s word? Always remember, the best way to share the word is to live it.

Sing:  Them bones, them bones, them dry bones; Them bones them bones them dry bones, them dry bones; Them bones, them bones, them dry bones, oh hear the word of the Lord.

Thought For Today: The word gives life.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 18

“One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ” 

(John 1:40-41)

Today’s Morsel:  Who was the first person you told after you found Jesus?  Who was that first person that you told about what happened?  What was their reaction to your good news?  I think everyone that is truly born-again has a testimony of what went down.  I don’t think I will ever forget that day I was baptized in His name and filled with His Spirit.  That was over thirty years ago, and I can still see in my mind the building, the baptismal tank, the preacher doing the baptism, most of the folks that were praying for me, and how I felt when I went down in that watery grave and took on the name of Jesus.  And when I came up from that water, it felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off of me.  Friend, I have found Him.  And I will tell you, there is nothing that can compare to you being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and being filled with His Spirit.  As there is only one way to God; Baptized in Jesus name.  Have you found Him?

Sing: I have found the way. O’ I have found the way.  O’ glory hallelujah, I have found the way.

Thought For Today:  There is only one way to God. Baptized in Jesus name.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 17

“And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein; Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever. And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:24-26)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the greatest qualities that should be in every saint of God is that of praise.  We must always bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord.  It does not say that we should bring in anything else other than praise.  No complaining.  No murmuring.  No bickering.  No lying.  No cunning remarks.  No hatred.  No betraying.  Not anything that would defile the house of God.  This stuff is to be left outside; well actually it should not even be in our life at all!  We must only bring praise and a giving heart.  The writer of Hebrews tells us, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” Hebrews 13:15).  When we truly love our fellowship and relationship with God, our praise will always be a sacrifice that will be well pleasing and acceptable by God.

Sing: When the praises go up, the glory come down, where sin used to dwell, His grace now abounds.  There’s healing and hope and love all around.  When the praises go up, God's glory comes down.

Thought For Today: True sacrifices always come from the heart (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 16

“Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying” 

(Psalms 70:1-5).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the most important things for a Christian is to never forget where they came from.  When we forget how God has delivered us, we will start to take things for granted.  And we will think and say, as God said of the children of Israel, “We did this by our own hands” (Judges 7:2).”  David said, “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.” Do you love your salvation?  Let me make it plain.  Do you love Jesus?  Because “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  He is the only One that can save and deliver.  If you love Him, then never stop magnifying Him in your life.

Sing:  O’ magnify the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised. O’ magnify the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised. Hosanna! Blessed be the Rock, blessed be the Rock of my salvation.  Hosanna! Blessed be the Rock, blessed be the Rock of my salvation.

Thought For Today:  If you love Him, let Him be magnified.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 14

“Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people” (Isaiah 56:5-7).

Today’s Morsel:  You know, throughout the world, we have erected these beautiful buildings and called them churches, the house of God.  I wanted to change the name of the church that I pastor and call it the ‘Feeding Trough and Watering Hole’, since scripture says that He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and sheep of His hand (Psalms 95:7), but my wife said no (a little humor to start our morning).  I know that we sing, preach, teach, and worship in these houses, but do we pray?  “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12-13).  His house must be a house of prayer for all people.  If you want to see the anointing of God in your church services, get into the habit of holding church prayer.  Solomon’s ministers couldn’t even minister when he dedicated the temple with prayer.   Let's return to have our churches be a house of prayer.

Sing: I was glad when they said unto me, I was glad when they said unto me, I was glad when they said unto me, come let go unto the house of the Lord.

Thought For Today: Every service must begin and end with prayer.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 13

“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:22-26).

Today’s Morsel:  If someone were to ask you why are you a Christian, what would you tell them?  It’s surprising that many people who say that they a Christian do not know why they are.  The word Christian means to be a believer and follower of Christ.  Not only in the good times, but also in the not so good.  To be a true follower of someone means that you believe in them.  So, if we say that we are a follower of Christ, where is He taking you?

Sing:  Where He leads me, I will follow. Where He leads me, I will follow.  Where He leads me, I will follow, I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.

Thought For Today: Are you a true follower of Christ?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 12

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed” (Isaiah 53:1)?

Today’s Morsel: If you have noticed, just about so much of what is posted on social media and in the news is incorrect. And yet, at least 95% of all people make their decisions about certain issues and people based upon it.  And still more ironic, that same percentage will not believe the word of God.  Isaiah asked who have believed their report about the Lord?  The prophets gave a report of Him.  John the Baptist gave a report of Him. And Jesus even gave His own report of Himself, before Abraham was I Am (John 8:58). John wrote, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11-12).  The Jews did not receive the report of Him, nor even some today, and for this reason, He was not, and has not, manifested himself to them as the promised Messiah. Whose report will you believe?  Praying you will believe the report of the Lord.  

Sing: Whose report will you believe?  We shall believe the report of the Lord.  Whose report will you believe?  We shall believe the report of the Lord.  His report says I am healed. His report says I am filled.  His report says I am free. His report says victory.

Thought For Today: Is what you are hearing and reading fake news or truth?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 11

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith” (Mark 4:35-40)?

Today’s Morsel:  Shouldn’t the disciple’s faith have been running off the charts?  Why do I say that?  Scripture tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14).  If faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17); and Jesus is both God and the word, what and who were the disciple’s listening to?  If you lose faith during your storm, you may have a Jesus deficiency.  

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: If you lose faith during your storm, you may have a Jesus deficiency (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 10

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” 

(Isaiah 55:8-9).

Today’s Morsel:  Do you lose hope and trust in God when He doesn’t answer your prayers the way you thought that He should?  I think one of the fallacies that we have with prayer is that just because we pray, we think that things are going to turn out "good", meaning our way.  This is not always the case.  There are consequences for wrong, as we see when the priest found the book of the law and told King Josiah.  Josiah requested that the priest go and seek God for an answer to which the Lord told him that He would still bring evil upon the place (see 2 Kings 22:1-20).  Josiah is listed as a righteous king, but others wrong, and God said they would still be judged.  God’s ways are not our ways nor is His thoughts.  I don’t know the way He will use to turn someone’s heart back to Him or remove evil from us.  All I know is I must allow His perfect will be done in my request, and I also trust that He knows what is best.

Sing: Jesus be the Lord of all.  Jesus be the Lord of all. Jesus be the Lord of all, the kingdoms of my heart.

Thought For Today: He knows what’s best for us.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 9

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Today’s Morsel:  I am so satisfied with the wise providence and goodness of God, that I know whatever He determines for me in my life is best.  Therefore, I am perfectly content.  Like Paul, I know how to abound and how to be abased.  “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15).  How true that proverb is.  Notice, when we have a merry heart we have a continual feast!  If our minds are contented, we will be content and joy reigns in us.  What do we get by murmuring and complaining? Absolute nothing but more of the same.  Paul said that he had learned how to be content no matter the state he found himself.  What about you?  Don’t be too quick to move from where you are.  It might be the very place God wants you to be.

Sing:  He knows my name, He knows my every thought.  He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call.

Thought For Today: Contentment…Satisfied.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 7

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:19-21).

Today’s Morsel:  I love to sing, read God’s word, and listen to wholesome music.  I have determined that these things help me stay focused and upbeat.  Most people that are depressed and stressed because they refuse to sing and read God’s word.  Many of them are like the children of Israel when they hung their harps on the willow (Psalms 37:1-3).  Isaiah tells us that God has given us the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). Depression and stress are evil spirits and you need to learn how to combat them.  Shake off those heavy bands and lift-up those holy hands.  Have you thought about sending up a little praise lately?

Sing: When the praises go up, the glory comes down.  Where sin used to dwell, His grace now abounds.  There’s healing and hope and love all around.  When the praises go up, God's glory comes down.

Thought For Today: Have you thought about sending up a little praise lately?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 6

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Today’s Morsel:  What did you do yesterday with your time that made you know more about Jesus?  How much of your time did you use to tell someone else about Him? How much of it did you use to prepare yourself and your family for heaven?  Someone told me a story of a man that took a tape measure and stretched it on the ground and told a man to go to the number that represented his age. The man was 60 years old, and so he went to the number 60 on the tape measure.  The man with the tape measure asked him, knowing that tomorrow is not promised, how much of that sixty years have you wasted?  What about you?  Are you redeeming the time?  Only what we do for Christ will last.  

Sing:  Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand; build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand!

Hold to God’s unchanging hand! Hold to God’s unchanging hand! Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Thought For Today: Redeem the time. The days are evil.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 5

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:5-10).

Today’s Morsel:  I’m afraid that too many so-called born-again believers and Christians do not understand the penalty for sin.  Paul wrote to the church at Rome (Romans chapter 6) that we should not continue in sin nor should it have dominion over us because the end is death.  Somewhere, we must get control over sin and not allow it to control us.  Sin is, quite simply, just doing wrong.  Plain and simple.  John tells us how we can discern the children of God and the children of the devil.  He wrote, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”  Even Jesus told the religious leaders that they were of their father the devil (John 8:44).  So I guess we each must ask ourselves, who is our Daddy?

Sing:  Since the Savior found me, took away my sin. I have known the joy of having peace within. Gone are all the pain and sorry of the past, they are underneath the precious blood of Christ at last.

 Saved, saved, saved, I'm happy on my way.  Saved, saved, saved, I love Him more each day.  Saved, saved, saved, I know He’s mine each hour; for He saves, and He keeps, and He satisfies me by His power.

Thought For Today: Who’s your Daddy?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 4

 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Today’s Morsel:  Around the world today many Americans will celebrate what they call ‘Independence Day’.  The day America declared her independence from Great Britain and its king.  For the born-again believer, every day should be a day of celebration for their independence from Satan.  Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Depending on how much you celebrate Jesus, the Truth will reveal to others how much you value the freedom He brought you.

Sing:  He set me free yes, yes He set me free.  He broke the bonds of prison for me.  I’m glory bound my Jesus to see.  Glory to God He set me free.

Thought For Today:  Freedom is not free.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 3

“And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man: My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing” (Genesis 27:11-12).

Today’s Morsel:  Are you pleased with who you are? Millions of dollars are spent every day by people trying to change themselves.  I’m sure you may have heard the saying, “We have met the enemy and it is I”.   Are we our own enemy?  We can blame the devil for many things, but are we him?  Rebekah wanted Jacob to disguise himself as Esau, but Jacob knew that his father would know the difference.  And so he told his mother that he would be cursed if he did.  Are you disguising yourself trying to deceive your Heavenly Father?  Be careful that you don’t bring a curse on you.  He knows who you are.  He not only knows the color of your hair, He knows the number of hairs on your head.  So just be who He created you to be, be yourself.

Sing: I’m Yours, Lord, everything I am; everything I’m not; everything I’ve got.  I’m Yours, Lord, try me now and see, see if I can be completely Yours.

Thought For Today:  Be yourself.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 July 2

“Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people” (Exodus 33:13).

Today’s Morsel:  Are you on the right road for where you desire to get?  Has this even entered your mind?  So many people are stressed and fatigued because they don’t know where they are headed.  Solomon said, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).  The road may be right in your own eyes and even well-pleasing, but is it the right way?  Moses cried for the Lord to shew him the way. I believe what Moses was saying was I need You to lead me where I should go or else I’m not going.  Where are you headed?  Who is leading you?

Sing: Lead me, Lord, I will follow. Lead me, Lord, I will go.  You have called me, I will answer.  Lead me, Lord, I will go.

Thought For Today:  Make sure you are on the right road.