Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 March 2019

Wishes

“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” (Proverbs 30:7-9)

Today’s Morsel:  The story is told of three men walking along a beach when a bottle washed ashore with a genie in it. When they pop the cork, out came the genie and told them that she was glad they had released her and that their wish was her command. But whatever they desired, their mother-in-law would get twice as much. The first man asked for a billion dollars. The second man asked for good health and a yacht. The third man said, “Just beat me half to death.” (just a little humor).

Solomon said that there were two things that he had asked for, “Remove far from him vanity and lies: give him neither poverty nor riches.”  Solomon seems to understand that these things can hinder a relationship with Christ, and cause one to lose his salvation. Paul seemed to place his wish this way. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11).  If you could have your wish today, what would you wish for? Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)  Nothing should trump your desire for the Holy Ghost.   As without the Holy Ghost, you are none of His (Romans 8:9).

Sing: Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning. Give me oil in my lamp I pray. Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning, burning, burning, keep me burning till the break of day.

Thought For Today: Have you consider eternity lately?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 March 2019

Who Is the King of Glory?

“The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 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 24:1-10)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the questions that has plagued so many is who Jesus was.  So many were and are still confounded by this question.  Many of Christ’s followers have lost hope because they do not know who He is. Even His disciples were confounded as to who He was (Matthew 16:13-19).  But after revelation from Him, they were no longer without understanding. Does this question plague you?  Is your understanding of Jesus as God based on a personal revelation, or is it based on what someone told you?  If the latter, I’m sorry but that will not stand for long.  You need a one-on-one personal revelation of truth. If you want to know who the King of Glory is, it’s going to require you to spend some one-on-one time seeking for the answer from Him. “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:11-13). The greatest treasure you will ever discover is the knowledge of truth.

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

It’s all in Him. It’s all in Him. The fullness 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: The truth shall make you free.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 March 2019

 Power

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Today’s Morsel: If you were the most powerful person in the world, what would you do with your power?  Well, if you have been born-again of the water and the spirit, then you are one of the most powerful people in the world. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23) With Jesus in you, think of how powerful you are.  Because power belongs to God (Psalms 62:11), and you have been given this power. (Luke 10:19)  Now you can do all things through Christ Jesus.  You don’t have to be afraid or fear anyone. You have power.  So, use it for what Jesus gave it to you for.  Be a witness.

Sing: There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb. There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

Thought For Today: “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.” (Micah 3:8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 March 2019

 Beauty For Ashes

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it. And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place. And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out” (Leviticus 6:8-13)

Today’s Morsel: When we lived in Virginia, our home had a wood fireplace.  Each morning after burning wood during the night, we needed to remove the ashes and take them outside. The same was true for the priest under the law.  They were to take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.  We find that when Jonah was sent by God to Nineveh, he arrived at Nineveh and told them that God was going to overthrow their city.  Scripture says, “And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.” (Jonah 3:4-6)  Ashes represented mourning.  They began to repent of their sins.  Speaking of Jesus Christ, Isaiah said, “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Sing: He gave me, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirits of heaviness, that we might be trees of righteousness, the planted of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

Thought For Today: “Strength and beauty are found in His sanctuary.” 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 March 2019

One Law

“As the sin offering is, so is the trespass offering: there is one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it.”  (Leviticus 7:7)

Today’s Morsel: When we search the scriptures, we see that God is no respecter of persons.  When He gave the law to Moses, it was the same for everyone. Every tribe was required to do the same thing.  We even find that the same way the people were required to bring an offering for their sins, the priests were also required to do the same.  Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.  Therefore, there is not a different plan of salvation for each denomination.  According to the apostle Jude, they had a common salvation (Jude 3).  If under the law there was only one law for the forgiveness of sin, you can be sure that under the New Testament there is only one law for the forgiveness of sin. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)  What law are you using for the remission of your sins?  We need to follow the word of God for our doctrine.

Sing: There was a time on earth, when in the book of heaven an old account was standing for sins yet unforgiven; my name was at the top, and many things below, I went unto the keeper and settled long ago.

Long ago, down on my knees, long ago, I settled it all; Yes, the old account was settled long ago.  And the record is clear today, for He washed my sins away; When the old account was settled long ago.

Thought For Today: “Have you settled your account in heaven?” Parker

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 March 2019

Loss of Confidence

“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”  (Proverbs 25:19)

Today’s Morsel: If someone were to ask you what you look for in a person to determine their faithfulness, what would you tell them? I always like to stress the importance of looking for character in an individual’s life.  I always tell them to look for things such as compassion, resistance, obedience, submission, and bearing; just to name a few traits.  I tell them, if you marry someone that is not faithful, first and foremost to God, you have just created your own trouble and it’s going to be a painful journey. Confidence in someone who is not faithful is a long row to hoe, and you will be picking low-cotton (as we say in the South!)!  So, may I suggest that you search God’s word to see what He says about faithfulness and use that as your measuring stick; not only in selecting a mate, but also a friend.

Sing: No one ever cared for me like Jesus, there’s no other friend so kind as He; no one else could take the sin and darkness from me, O how much He cares for me.

Thought For Today: “Confidence in someone who is not faithful is a long row to hoe!” Parker

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 March 2019

Spiritual Empowerment

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 10:19).

Today’s Morsel: To empower someone is to give power or authority to; authorize, especially by legal or official means.  Why do we need this Spiritual empowerment? Jesus said that because without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). What should be some of the effects of this empowerment in our lives?

a)   We should have the ability to walk in newness life  (Romans 6:1-4)

b)   We should not serve sin (Romans 6:6-12)

c)   We should be controlled by love (1 John 4:7-11)

d)   We should be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)

e)   We walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17,26-28)

f)    We should be able to walk by faith and not by sight (Mark 6:8-9;2 Corinthians 5:7)

g)   We should have a strong desire to see people saved (Acts 8:4-7; 16:8-10; Acts 16: 9-31)

h)  We should have a desire for holy living (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:16)

Once we are born again, we have been empowered to preach the gospel to the whole world. We are now ambassadors for Christ.

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: “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin” (Micah 3:8).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 March 2019

Praying Jesus’ Way

And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me. And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

(1 Kings 8:22-26)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that I am finding out about prayer is that you don’t need special words to try and impress God for Him to hear you.  I’m still trying to find out what a prayer warrior is, and why some people think that others are more spiritual because of their way of praying.  I’m not being critical, but prayer is just talking to God about your situations and the needs of others. If God already knows what I have need of before I ask Him, then why not just thank Him for knowing, providing, and sending it to me.  Scripture says, “And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him”(Luke 5:12-13).  Short and to the point. You see my condition and if You want to cleanse me You can.  Jesus said, "I will."  No big gathering as far as we can tell.  Just a humble leper needing healing.  “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” Jesus said (Matthew 6:5-6).  If you keep trying to pattern your pray life after anyone other than Jesus, you are going to keep being disappointed.  Simply talk with Him as you do with your friend, He is The Friend that cares the most for you.  

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

Thought For Today: “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matthew 6:7-8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 March 2019

When Everything Seems Against You

And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me” (Genesis 42:36)

Today’s Morsel:  A man was repairing his motorcycle on his back porch.  After finishing the work, he got on it, kicked it into gear and ran right through his double sliding glass patio doors cutting himself badly.  His wife, who was in the kitchen, hearing the crash ran in to see what was wrong.  Seeing her husband on the floor badly hurt, she called 911.  The EMT responded and took him to the hospital.  Seeing the gas from the motorcycle on the floor, the wife grabbed some paper towels to clean it up.  She threw the paper towel in the toilet and forgot to flush them due when the phone rang.  The husband returned from the hospital and needed to use the bathroom.  Sadly he was a smoker. Soon, the wife hears an explosion and a scream.  She runs to the bathroom where she sees her husband's badly burned condition and so she summoned 911 again. When the EMT arrived, she told them what had happen.  As the EMT attendants were taking the man down the steps on the stretcher to the ambulance, one of the attendances began to laugh at what had just happened. He stumbles and drops the man off the stretcher down the steps.  How much more could happen to this poor guy in one day!   The moral of the story, so you think you may be having a bad day.  (A little humor to start our morning)  

 By all accounts, Jacob was having a bad day when he got the news that his son Simeon was taken by the Egyptians and put into prison.  And now knowing that they want Benjamin, Jacob said all this is against me. He was beginning to feel as though all the evil he was facing was because of something he had done.  He had lost Joseph, so he thought, he has lost Simeon and could soon lose Benjamin.  Are you facing a rough situation?  Do you feel as though your dilemma is because of something you’ve done wrong?  Well hang in there and let God show you what He’s up to as He did with Jacob.  Allow God to work all things together for your good.  

Sing: I trust in God, wherever I may be.  Upon the land or on the raging seas.  Though come what may, from day to day, my heavenly Father watches over, over, me.

I trust in God. I know He cares for me. On the mountain bleak, or the raging sea. Though billows roar. He keeps my soul, my Heavenly Father watches over, over me.

Thought For Today: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 March 2019

Seasons

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end”

 (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11).

Today’s Morsel:  Today is the first day of Spring. We now leave the season of nature’s winter quietness, and we enter nature’s season of springtime liveliness.  Everything comes to life in this season.  Trees and flowers begin to bloom.  Birds begin to chirp, sing, and soar again.  Bears come out of hibernation.  Fawn are seen with the doe and buck.  Children are outside playing.  Anglers head to the rivers.  Bikers and runners are more prevalent.  All of creation seems to come alive again.  Solomon says, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”  There is a fitting time for everything to happen even in our life.  And God knows the season for it.  Learn to enjoy the seasons God has for you.  

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

Thought For Today: “He hath made everything beautiful in his time.”