Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 29

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness”
(1 Corinthians 3:16-19)

Today’s Morsel: If you could count the numbers of sermons you have heard, how many times would you say that you have heard about not defiling the temple of God?  How many times would you say that you have heard about death because of sin?  Or living a holy and separated life unto God?  I am afraid that if we are not careful, we can hear it so much that it no longer affects us.  We can start to think that it applies to someone else and not us.  We must remember that the Bible is written to the church, not the world.  It’s a book to teach so-called saved people how to live and how to share their newborn experience with others.  People in the world are going to do what sinners do, so stop looking at them as being saved and keep yourself in the love of God.  Your job is to have compassion on them and pull them out of the fire and not allow them to pull you back in.  You are the temple of God.  And if the temple is defiled, who’s going to believe that you are saved?

Sing:  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, because Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let me go.

Thought For Today:  “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 28

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalms 19:7).

Today’s Morsel:  Every so often I like to return to the book of Leviticus and study the law.  And what I have found is that the law was designed to build true Godly character in God’s people.  It was to convert their thinking and cause them to treat each other the way that they would like to be treated and to become a reflection of God before others.  What we call today the ‘Golden Rule’.  Scripture says that the law was given by Moses.  In other words, Moses delivered what God had said unto the people.  But through the prophet Jeremiah, God said that He would someday write His law upon peoples' hearts so that they would know Him (see Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:16). Once you receive the Holy Ghost, a life of holiness should govern your heart and mind.  That’s what true conversion is all about.  Knowing God and making Him known through our lives to others.

Sing:  He’s changing me, My blessed Savior, I’m not the same person that I used to be. Well, it’s been slow going, but there’s a knowing, that someday perfect I will be.

Thought For Today:  “Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father” (Proverbs 28:7).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 27

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

Today’s Morsel:  True friendship is seen when others are willing to help each other.  Solomon shows us how true friendship should work.  He said if one falls, the other can help him up.  If they lay together when it’s cold, they can warm each other; and if one is being overcome by another, the other can help him withstand.  Solomon also tells us that we need to make sure our friends.  Just because someone calls you friend, that doesn’t mean that they are a true friend. Jesus said that a friend loveth at all times.  They are not fair-weather friends.  Some people will call you a friend until you disagree with them and then they are not your friend.  Isn’t part of friendship being able to disagree?  Always remember, friendship is not one-sided, and one may always have more than one friend.  Even if that friend may be a friend to someone you do not like.  A true friend is always there for you and with you.  

Sing:  What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.  What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.  O’ what peace we often forfeit, O’ what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.

Thought For Today:  “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 26

“As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Proverbs 26:21).

Today’s Morsel:  I like to barbeque with the original Kingsford charcoal using an electric starter.  Once I get those coals going, they start the others and it seems that they last forever and the food always tastes so good.  The same way that coals get other coals burning, Solomon said that this is how some men start strife.  Once started another tells another and another tells another and the fire of discord burns.  James said, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (James 3:5-6).  Don’t ever be the cause of strife. God hates it and you may someday be on the receiving end.

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:  “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 25

“Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee” (Proverbs 25:17).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things I’ve found about so called Christian fellowship is some people just don’t know when to go home.  As Kenny Rogers sang, “You got to know when to hold on and when to fold them and when to walk away."  And that includes saying goodnight.  Yes, you can wear out your welcome, and too much familiarity can breed contempt.   In essence, Solomon says that you need to learn when to go.  Always remember, Christian fellowship is to strengthen the body not wear it out.

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:  Don’t wear out your welcome.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 24

“And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them. Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years” (Judges 16:26-31)

Today’s Morsel:  The life of Samson had such an evil ending when it could have had a good one.  What lessons can we learn from Samson?  Here are a few things that I see.

1.      When God chose you, don’t keep playing with the world.

2.     Don’t ever tell where your strength lies.

3.     Don’t give your strength to women, as Solomon’s mother told Him (see Proverbs 31:3).

4.    Don’t think that physical strength will save you.

5.     Satan’s goal is to destroy everyone that God chooses and uses against his kingdom.

6.    When you lose your sight, you’ve lost your vision of what you were chosen to do.

7.     Know the lap before you lay your head in it.

Sing:  He leadeth me!  He leadeth me!  By His own hand He leadeth me.  His faithful follower I will be, for by His hand He leadeth me.

Thought For Today:  Wisdom is known of her children.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 22

“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

Today’s Morsel:   One of the things that we find in scripture is most kings are associated with either good or evil.  When we hear their names, we draw our conclusion of them based on that name.  In John Chapter 12, scripture says, “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor” (John 12:3-5)?  If you will notice, Solomon correlates a good name to precious ointment.  It’s valuable and must not be wasted. Your name says a lot about who you are and your character.  Your name may not mean a lot to you, but your parents gave it to you because they saw you as someone special.   “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).  If we are born again, His name is in our forehead and we must never devalue it.  Build a good reputation with the name you bear.  

Sing:  His name is wonderful!  His name is wonderful!  His name is wonderful!  Jesus my Lord.  He is the Mighty King. Master of everything.  His name is wonderful!  Jesus my Lord.

Thought For Today:  Protect your name (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 21

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:47-50).

Today’s Morsel:  I have had an opportunity to see many of the fish from the bodies of waters created by God.  And I will tell you that in each body of water there are different types of fish.  Most fishermen will tell you that when you use a net to fish with, you are more than likely to draw in different kinds of fish when you pull in your nets.  There may be fish that they know they cannot keep and so they must cast them from the boat or give for other purposes. Jesus often uses the analogy of fishing to teach about His Kingdom and to allow us to see that all of creation, as far as humans, will be gathered before Him.  But then He shows us that some will not be kept but cast away, the same as fishermen do today.  When His nets are drawn in, will you be kept or cast away?  I pray you will be kept in the boat.  You can make sure today. 

Sing:  I know am saved and I’m so glad about it.  I’ve found the joy my spirit craved.  It is so real that I could never doubt Him, O’ praise the Lord I know I’m saved.

Thought For Today: Jesus only keeps the good fish (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 20

“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee” (Proverbs 20:22).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about us human is there is within us that unrighteous spirit to get even when others do us wrong or we think that others are not supportive of us or that they might be against us. As born-again believers, we must live as Paul said with a spirit of the absence of malice (see Ephesians 4:31).  He said that every kind and sort of evil are to be put away, and we are to manifest only that which is good in our lives.  Solomon said don’t say in your heart that you will get even, but learn to wait on the Lord and allow Him to save you (My wording). If you take matters into your own hands to get even, be assured God isn’t with you.

Sing:  I lean on You, Lord, I lean on You Lord.  For the things that I need I lean on You.  When I don’t know just what to do, I’ve got the faith You're going to see me through.  You supply my every need and I lean on You.

Thought For Today:  “Always keep malice out of your heart” (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 19

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” 

(Proverbs 4:7-9).

Today’s Morsel:  The story is told of two elderly ladies that were pulled over by a State Police for driving 100 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour speed zone.  When the ladies asked the officer why he had stopped them, he politely told them they were exceeding the speed limit by 35 miles per hour.  One of the ladies said the posted speed sign said it was 100 miles per hour.  The office politely smiled and said, “No, Ma’am, that was the highway sign.” (humor).  Solomon said that we should get wisdom and along with it get an understanding.  He said that wisdom will promote you, exalt you, and bring you to honor if you embrace it.  He also states, “He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good” (Proverbs 19:8).  Do you love you? Then get wisdom.

Sing:  He’s the only reason I live, and O’ what a reason. Jesus the reason I live, and O’ what a reason.  There’s nothing in this world worth living for, it only leaves you empty and longing for more.  He’s the only reason I live, and O’ what a reason.

Thought For Today:  Always cling to wisdom (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 18

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:1-5).

Today’s Morsel:  In olden times, the tower was one of the highest places in the city.  It was sat so that the watchman could not only see who was coming to give the warning to have the gate open, but it also provided the sentinel with protection.  When they told Jesus about the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices, he asks them a question.  He said, “Those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Solomon said, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).  What if Jesus fell on you?  Would you be saved or lost?  Would you be crushed, or would you survive?  Jesus again says, “Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Luke 20:18).  Why don’t you fall upon Him now while you have the chance to be saved?  

Sing:  Anointing fall on me.  Anointing fall on me.  Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me, anointing fall on me.

Thought For Today:  A broken and a contrite heart, He will not despise.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 17

“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2).

Today’s Morsel:  In 1960, Joseph Jones wrote a song entitled, “YouTalk Too Much.”  Some of the lyrics say, “You talk too much, you worry me to death,
you talk too much, you even worry my pet. You just talk, talk too much. You talk about people that you don't know, you talk about people wherever you go.  You just talk, talk too much.”  Solomon said that we should not be rash with our mouth when we go to the house of God, and that we should let our words be few. I can remember in the Methodist Church, the old folks use to say that if you hum the devil don’t know what you are talking about, but if you speak it, he knows every word you say and how to attack you.  Sometimes, the best advice is to just keep silent and let God work as He knows all things. Solomon said, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding”  (Proverbs 17:28).  Let's practice being wise.  

Sing:  When He calls me, I will answer.  When He calls me, I will hear?  When He calls me, I will answer, I’ll be somewhere listening for my name.

I’ll be somewhere listening, I’ll be somewhere listening, I’ll be somewhere listening for my name. I’ll be somewhere listening, I’ll be somewhere listening, I’ll be somewhere listening for my name.

Thought For Today:  Your words determine who's working crew you are on (Parker)!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 15

“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore” (Isaiah 38:1-3).

Today’s Morsel:  One thing about King Hezekiah that I notice was that he seemed to know how to pray and to get ahold of God.  Hezekiah seemed to have a relationship with God and prayer must be the catalyst for every believer.  It must be the substance that holds them firm and sure in God’s ability to do what His word says.  That old saying, “Seven days without prayer will make one weak” is true.  Prayer strengthens us.  Paul said that we should pray without ceasing and in everything to give thanks.  If we will maintain an attitude of gratitude, we will always have a heart for prayer.

Sing:  Whisper a prayer in the morning, whisper a prayer at noon.  Whisper a prayer in the evening, and keep your heart intone.

Thought For Today:  “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 14

“And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria” (2 Kings 6:17-19).

Today’s Morsel:  Have you ever been angry at someone else that you didn’t really know because you believed what someone else told you about them?  Well, it happens quite often.  We may say that we don’t, but we humans usually draw our likes of people based on what we hear about them. Most people hate elected officials because of what they hear about them.  For example, a few weeks ago, a young lady knocked on my door handed me a flyer for an upcoming election.  I asked her to tell me why I should vote for the individual?  And she began to tell me all the negative things about the person who was currently in office.  I said to her, "Have you ever met him?"  She replied no she hadn't.   I asked her then how did she know all these evil things she was saying about him?  Then I proceeded to ask her, "Tell me what your candidate stands for?"  And with a somewhat saddened countenance, she said, "I don’t know."  I said to her, "So, you want me to vote for someone that you don’t know anything about, but, yet the other person is evil?"  I told her that this is not the way you should go about this.  If she were going to be involved then she should have some knowledge of the person she was campaigning for, and not just take what she hears others say as truth.  She thanked me and left.  When the men came looking for Elisha and God blinded them, He told them that that was not the way.  Our anger of others because of what we hear could put us in the wrong way.  Solomon said, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).  Be certain of the truth, do not draw your conclusions based on what you hear, know the truth for yourself.  

Sing:  It shall be light in the evening time; The path to glory you will sure find through the waterway; it is the light today.  Baptized in Jesus’ name.  Young and old, repent of all your sin, then the Holy Ghost will enter in.  The evening time had come; Tis a fact that God and Christ are one.

Thought For Today:  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 13

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 6:9-20).

Today’s Morsel:  Are you feeling hopeless?  Why do people seem to lose hope?  I have often heard people when they lose a loved one, a home, or vehicle say, "I don’t know what I’m going to do."  Why are they shaken in their hope? Paul told the church at Thessalonica, “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).  He wrote in Hebrews 6 that we have an anchor of hope for the soul, Jesus Christ.  The anchor is designed to hold the ship in place, and Jesus who is our anchor will hold us.  

Sing:  It’s the old ship of Zion, it’s the hope for the lost and the dying.  It’s the soul-saving station, it's the tower of salvation.  Well, it’s the church triumphant, O Lord and it’s built by the hand of the Lord.  

I’m talking about the church in the Book of Revelation, it’s built on the Rock, it’s got a firm foundation; it’s been through the flood and it’s been through the fire, but one of these days the church is gonna move up a little higher.  It’s the church triumphant, O’ Lord, and it’s built by the hand of the Lord.

Thought For Today:  “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 12

“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it”

 (Psalms 34:11-14).

Today’s Morsel:  I once heard a comedian say, “You don’t get old being no fool.”  David, who is attributed to this psalm, asked the following question: What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? I’m sure like most, we would all desire to see such things. And then David tells us what we must do.  He said, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”  In order to enjoy life and see good, we must avoid speaking sly and cunning words, we must avoid evil, and do good as well as seek after peace.

Sing: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

Thought For Today:  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 11

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:14-19).

Today’s Morsel:  Of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation, the church of the Laodice seemed to think that they had need of nothing; like some folks who think that they don’t need Jesus or the church until it is too late.  They think that they can make it on their own.  They think that their job and career will get them to where they want to be in life.  But they fail to realize that all good things do come to an end.  Solomon said that where there is no counsel the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors, there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).  Jesus’ counsel to this church was to realize their error and to not think that they were in a perfect state because they were not.  Rather to buy from Him the things that would last.  How about us, are we investing in what will last or in the temporary things of this world?

Sing:  Room for Jesus, King of glory! Hasten now, His word obey.  Swing the heart’s door widely open; Bid Him enter while you may.

Thought For Today:  There is safety in counsel.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 10

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” 

(2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Today’s Morsel:  When I was in school and the teachers would give us a test or exam, they would always tell us to read the instructions first. Paul told Timothy that all scriptures are given by inspiration from God for instruction in righteousness.  There is no way we will be righteous without an understanding of God’s word.  Solomon said, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:9).  We need to not only be made acquainted with the truth, but we need to be convinced when we are wrong and need correction.  We need to be taught what is right and what is required of us so that we can lead a holy and Godly life.  Every born-again believer needs instructions to grow and should not just be left to think that their conversion is all that is needed to be righteous.  We must learn to follow the principles of the word of God, as it shows us how to lead an upright life.  The scriptures furnish us with the rules of holy living in abundance.  And those same rules will guide us to heaven.

Sing:  Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into my heart; floods of joy O’er my soul like the sea billows roll, since Jesus came into my heart.

Thought For Today:  “Righteousness is developed by obedience” (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 September 8

“And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better” (Luke 5:36-39).

Today’s Morsel: A couple of ministers and I were discussing the candy we ate when we were kids compared to the candy of today.  As kids, our candy bars were larger, cheaper, and tasted better.  But what happened to the taste of today’s candy bars?  Jesus said, “No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.”  Once we get used to eating, drinking, or doing something for so long, the new doesn't appeal to us as quickly.  I think this may be one of the reasons that in some churches the elders have such a hard time adjusting to the new music of the millennial's.  They are so used to the hymn and songs they grew up with.  To them, the old is better.   We must remember that it usually takes people a while to get use to this Holy Ghost and this church thing because they are so used to the way of the world.  Be patient with them as they must get some new taste buds as they learn and grow in the ways of God.

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've found my Savior and He’s sweet I know.   

Thought For Today:  Keep drinking the new wine and you will not desire the old (Parker)