Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 31 July 2019

Praise Break

“Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” 

(Psalms 119:164-165)

Today’s Morsel:  About ten years ago at ‘Because of the Times Pastor Rex Johnson preached a message, entitled ‘Praise Break.’  The gist of his message was sometimes in the church someone is going to say something or do something that is going to offend you. And when it happens, you should not take matters in your own hands and respond in kind, but that you should walk away and praise the Lord.  To make his point during the sermon, he kept saying, "Lord, I need a praise break, because I am about to be offended."  The psalmist said, “Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”   If you think that what people are saying and doing may offend you, get in the habit now of taking a ‘Praise Break’ so that you are not offended by them.  Believe me, taking a praise break is much better than taking offense.  

Sing:  Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him in the morning, praise Him in the noontime; praise Him, praise Him, praise Him when the sun goes down.

Thought For Today:  I need a praise break. 

30 July 2019 - Morning Manna by Rufus Parker

Adapt and Overcome

“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.” (Philippians 4:12)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the phrases we learned in the military was "Adapt and Overcome."  In other words, adjust and get over it.  Don’t allow your circumstances and situations to cause you to become ineffective for the mission.  Get over it.  Paul knew how to adapt and overcome.  He told the church at Corinth: “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-30).  He continues with these words, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24); “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 4:12-13).  If you can’t adapt and overcome the enemy will defeat you and you be ineffective for the mission.  Let's adapt and overcome so we are effective for Jesus.  

Sing:  I’ve got Jesus on the inside working on the outside, oh what a change in my life.  I’ve got Jesus on the inside working on the outside, oh what a change in my life.  I’ve got Jesus on the inside working on the outside, oh what a change in my life, oh what a change, in my life.

Thought For Today:  Adapt and overcome.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 July 2019

Stop Complaining

“I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.” (Psalms 77:3)

Today’s Morsel:  Do you feel as though you are being overwhelmed?  Have you stopped to determine if you have been complaining a lot?  The psalmist said, "I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed."   Job felt overwhelmed.  He said, “Even today is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.  Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!  I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.” (Job 23:2-5)  The meaning is not that he made bitter complaints in the sense which those words would naturally convey, or that he meant to find fault with God, but that his case was a hard one.  His friends furnished him no relief.  Paul said that we should do all things without murmurings and disputings (Philippians 2:14).  Everything that we do, we should do unto the glory of the Lord and stop complaining about it.

Sing: Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted?  Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.  Are you grieving over joys departed?  Tell it to Jesus a lone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a friend that’s well known.  You have no other such a friend or brother, tell it to Jesus alone.

Thought For Today:  Don't complain or you may get overwhelmed.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 July 2019

Make God Happy

“When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)

Today’s Morsel:  What do you do to make God happy?  When a man walks according to the rule of His word; when he walks as he has Christ for an example; when he walks after the Spirit and not after the flesh; when he walks by faith and does all he does in faith he pleases God.  Paul said, “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)  Our behavior, character, and ethics as the children of God should be a total reflection of Him to a lost and dying world.  Peter tells us, “ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)  If you really want to make God happy, be holy and fulfill the golden rule.

Sing: If you’re happy, and you know it, say amen, say amen.  If you’re happy, and you know it, say amen, amen.  When God’s spirit falls on me makes me shout, hallelujah! If you’re happy and you know it say amen.

Thought For Today: Do something that makes God happy today.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 July 2019

Labor Ready

“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” (Matthew 20:1-7)

Today’s Morsel:  I knew a man once who had just gotten out of prison and he told me that he needed to find a job so that he could provide for himself.  He said that each morning he got up around 4 a.m, and headed to Labor Ready so that if anyone came by looking for someone to work, that he would be there.  He was labor ready.  When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, man was then born for labor; it was a part of the curse inflicted on him for sin. Now he must work for his food and raiment or he doesn’t eat.  Are you labor ready?  The gospel needs to be preached to the whole world by the whole church.  Jesus is still hiring and looking for laborers.

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 working for my Lord.

I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord; I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord.

Thought For Today: Are you Labor Ready?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 July 2019

Controlling Our Thoughts

“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)

Today’s Morsel:  There have been times that I have been asked to go to the hospital to visit a patient because of their mental state.  I have been told by some that they are having trouble controlling their thoughts.  They say that they keep hearing voices in their heads. They want to know why they are having such strange and evil thoughts.  I believe that our thoughts are developed based on what we think, fear, watch, read, and hear.  Jesus said, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts…" Matthew 15:19  Evil thoughts of God, of Christ, of the Holy Spirit, of fellow man, and of all sorts of wickedness.  The thoughts of sin are evil.  All wicked imaginations, carnal reasonings, lustful desires, and malicious gadgets that corrupt the heart of man are evil. If we want to control our thoughts, then we must obey the word of God. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)  If we want to control our thoughts, then we must control what we allow into our minds. The mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Sing: I’ve got a made-up mind; I’ve got a final destination, gonna keep on pressing on, to my final destination; gonna burn all the bridges behind me, break all the ties that bind me; gonna keep on pressing on, till I reach my home sweet home, that new Jerusalem.

Thought For Today: “If we want to control our thoughts, then we must control what we allow into our minds.” (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 July 2019

Hair

“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” 

(1 Corinthians 11:14-16)

Today’s Morsel:  What was it about the hair of the opposite sex that the Apostle Paul felt a need to address it?  First, scripture tells us, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)  Paul said that this whole issue had to do with headship.  And it was for this reason that hair was addressed.  It honors the head.  Because the man is subject to Christ, His head, he should have short hair.  If he has long hair, he looks unmanly and womanish and exposes himself to ridicule and contempt.  And the woman, because she is subject to the man and Christ if not married, should have long hair as it is given her for beauty and a covering.  She must wear it without cutting it as men do.  It is a glory to her; it is comely and beautiful; it is agreeable to her sex; she looks like a woman; it becomes and adorns her.  We must not be deceived by the world and it’s ways.  God’s word must be obeyed by all His children. “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” Paul said (2 Corinthians 11:3).  If it was important enough for Paul to address to the topic, we should heed his words.  

Sing:  Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true.  With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living, sanctuary for You.

Thought For Today: Don’t let Satan cause you to lose your glory.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 July 2019

The Strength of A Man

“Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you. And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.” (Judges 8:18-21)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the deceptions that Satan uses against men is to get them to think that their strength is in their ability to lift a certain amount of weight, show off huge muscles, or use profane language.  But none of this is what makes a man a man.  Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon, 'For as the man is, so is his strength.'  Your strength lies in character.  If you are deficient in the word of God, you will be weak spiritually.  If you are strong in the word, you will be strong spiritually.  If you use profanity and swear a lot, you will be weak as a man.  If you use kind and pleasing words, you will be stronger as a man.  Whatever you spend your time doing, that’s where your strength will be.  Where does your strength lie?  If you find that you are weak spiritually, you may want to lift your Bible a little bit more each day.

Sing: He gives strength to me, as I worship Him, as my heart is filled with praise.  Jesus breaks the bands, as I raise my hands, He gives glorious victory.

Thought For Today: Where does your strength lie?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 July 2019

Temptation

“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. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:7-13)

Today’s Morsel:  Do you find yourself being often tempted?  What would you say is your number one temptation?  We are tempted by many things.  One of the ways that Satan seems to know what to tempt us with is what he sees us watching and talking about.  If it is the opposite sex, that’s what he will tempt us with.  If it’s a television program, that’s what he will tempt us with.  If it’s Facebook or Twitter, that’s what he will tempt us with.  Whatever he finds us spending most of our time on, this is where he will tempt us.  Jesus said that when we pray, that we should pray, “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  In other words, we should pray against those temptations that may cause us to sin and do evil.  The temptation isn’t bad.  It’s when we give in to those temptations that it becomes a sin and defiles us.  Flee temptation and it has no power over you.  

Sing: Jesus! Jesus! You know what’s best for me.  So lead on, Jesus, I’ll go wherever You lead.

Thought For Today: Be on the alert for the tempter. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 July 2019

When You Pray

“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 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.” 

(2 Kings 6:15-17)

Today’s Morsel:  Prayer is not about how loud you can shout or how demonstrative you think you must be to get God’s attention.  God doesn’t have a hearing loss. The last time I checked, He could hear pretty good.  I think our prayers should be more of a one-on-one communication and conversation with God.  I think if we yell and scream, God may not hear what we are asking of Him.  When children are screaming and hollering, trying to get their parents attention, the parent usually tries to calm them down first so that can understand what they are wanting.  How do you pray for lost loved ones?  The best way I have found to pray for them is to ask God to open their eyes and their understanding that they might see.  This has been my approach for all backsliders, those who have taken the name of the Lord in vain, and for those who do things that go against His word.  I just ask God to open their eyes that they might be able to see their wrong and change.  I don’t need to stand along the road holding a sign pointing out peoples' wrong.  I let God open their eyes.  My road sign, evil posts on social media, and blatant public comments may keep them blinded to the truth.  Elisha simply asked God to open his servant's eyes that he might see.  Take the calm approach and watch God work.  

Sing: Let us have a little talk with Jesus, tell Him about our troubles, He will hear our faintest cry, He will answer by and by.  When you feel a little prayer wheel turning, you’ll know a little fire is burning, you’ll find a little talk with Jesus makes it right.

Thought For Today: Prayer still work when done right.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 July 2019

No Limit

“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:  May I ask you a question?  Do you have the strength to be content?  Why are so many Christians not content when they say that they have Christ in their lives?  Why are they not satisfied with who they are, what they have, and where they live?  Paul said that he had learned that no matter his state, to be content.  He knew how to use the power of the Holy Ghost that God had given him.  He knew how to live. Having this understanding from Paul, we too should know how to live and be content.  We should know how to regain our strength, love others, walk in peace toward those that are without, and be filled with His joy.  We should even know how to behave in our adversities, infirmities, necessities, reproaches, distresses, persecutions, and weakness.  We should be able to do all things through the one that has all Power and lives in us.  Be content!

Sing: I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, oh what a change in my life.  I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, oh what a change in my life.  I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, oh what a change in my life; oh what a change… in my life.

Thought For Today: Contentment…letting Jesus work. (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 July 2019

Self-Loved

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things I find in scripture is that Paul states in the last days men would be lovers of themselves.  I know he uses this phrase in an evil and negative way, and we see it on display everywhere we turn in the world.  Sadly, it’s creeping its way into the church in the same evil and negative way as well.  But it should not be.  It should be exploding in the church, but not in an evil or negative way, but in a good and positive way.  Every born-again believer should be lovers of themselves.  You should love yourself so much that you do everything that you can to ensure you do not miss the rapture and your eternal home in glory.  You should love yourself so much that the thought of being tainted by the world or anything of this world that could cause you to miss out on what Jesus has for you would make you cringe.  You see, Paul wrote, “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (Ephesians 5:29).  The same way that Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation," we should all being doing everything we can to save ourselves.  I don’t know about you, but I love myself enough to do everything that I can to be well pleasing to Christ and ready for His soon coming. What about you? 

Sing: I’m getting ready to leave this place, I’m getting ready for those gates of pearls.  Keeping my record right, watching both day and night; I’m getting ready to leave this place.

Thought For Today: “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church."  (Ephesians 5:29)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 July 2019

Holiness Becometh Thine House

“The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.” 

(Psalms 93:1-5)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the biggest fallacies about holiness in the church is the lack of understanding and its meaning.  Holiness means to be set apart, to be consecrated to God; Morally pure, holy, blameless.  Ask yourself, if Jesus came back right now for you, would you be able to go with Him?  Many churches are not teaching saints the importance of holiness and separation.  The Psalmist said, "Holiness becometh thine house."  Paul wrote that we are the Temple of God.  "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.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)  And he said if we defile this temple, God will destroy us.  You are not one of Robin Hood's Knights in tights and spandex in the Sherwood Forrest; nor are you some advertisement for a cosmetic company.  You are the church of the living God, the temple of the Highest.  Therefore, you must give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name and worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness (Psalms 29:2).  We must remain morally pure and holy.  

Sing: To worship You I live, to worship You I live, I live to worship You. 

Thought For Today: You are the temple of God.