Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 31 August 2019

Not Again

“And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5:1-5)

Today’s Morsel:  Do you ever get tired of having to repeat yourself over and over to some folks?  Do you feel like you are beating your head against a wall?  Well, hang in there.  Some folks have more clutter in their lives, and it will take a lot of pounding before you can get through to them.  Maybe this is one of the reasons why Jesus said, “In your patience possess ye your soul.”  When Jesus got into Peter’s boat to teach, Peter was on the shore cleaning his nets so he could go home, as they had toiled all night and taken nothing.  But after Jesus' teaching, He tells Peter to launch out into the deep and let down his nets for a catch.  I am sure Peter probably thought, "Not again. I’ve toiled all night and taken nothing." But then he agreed to let down a net.  And you know the story.  His net was so full of fish that it broke. How do you feel when you are asked to do something again that you’ve done before?  How do you feel when you are asked to give again when you’ve already given? How do you feel when you are asked to teach children’s church when you’ve already done it before?  How do you feel when you are asked to clean the church when you’ve already done it?  We should never decline when asked when it comes to doing anything to advance the kingdom of God.  Sometimes, in order to learn servant leadership, it may require that you do the same things repeatedly.  Toss your net in and you will be amazed at the catch Jesus will give in return.  

Sing: Jesus, use me, O’ Lord don’t refuse me, for surely there’s a work that I can do; And even though it’s humble, Lord help my will to crumble, though the cost be great, I’ll work for You.

Thought For Today: Never, Never, Quit. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 August 2019

Say What?

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” (Luke 6:27-30)

Today’s Morsel:  Jesus' teachings often took people totally by surprise.  What they often heard was not what they wanted to hear.  When He told them, “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”(John 6:53)  I’m sure many of them went, ‘Say what?’ Eat your flesh and drink your blood?  Seriously Jesus!"  When He told them, “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:35-38);  Again, they probably said, ‘Say what?’  There seem to be many passages that would cause even us to utter ‘Say what?’ But God’s ways aren’t our ways.  They always have a much deeper meaning.  So, before you throw in the towel and walk away, make sure you get an understanding.  I know that many may think they may have understood what Jesus said, but I’m not for sure they understood what He meant.  With all your getting, get an understanding.  

Sing: By and by when the morning comes, when all the saints of God are gathering home, we will tell the story how we’ve overcome, we will understand it better by and by.

Thought For Today: Wisdom is the principle thing.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 August 2019

Get Dominion Over It

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:24-26)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that we must do as Christians is get dominion over hurts, bad feelings, and the things that people say about us and against us.  If we harbor these things in our hearts, they can cause us much pain, sickness, evil feelings, and heartache.  Jesus said that when you are standing praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. You can either obey God and His word, forgive, and get dominion over it, or you can die stressed out and with an ulcer.  The choice is ours, I choose to forgive and be happy in Christ.  

Sing: Change my heart O’ God, make it ever true, change my heart O’ God, may I be like You.

Thought For Today: Saying ‘I’m forgive you’ can set you free.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 August 2019

Sons Of Thunder

“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.”(Mark 3:14-19)

Today’s Morsel:  I often wondered why Jesus seems to change the names of men that He chose?  From a military standpoint, in my infantry platoon, I would give my men nicknames based on their eagerness and zeal in their duty and performance.  And I see this same concept with Jesus.  He called Peter a rock.  Thomas, Didymus which means a double, or twin.  But James and John He called sons of thunder.  Was this because they were now chosen of God and when God spoke and the people heard it, they said it sounded as thunder? You see, when we are chosen of God, we become sons of God.  And when we speak, we speak as the oracles of God.  According to Gills commentary, “This name was chosen either because of their loud and sonorous voice; or their warm zeal for Christ, and fervency in their ministry: or for their courage in opposing the enemies of Christ, and the power that went along with their words; which either put to confusion and silence, or issued in conviction and conversion.”  Have you done any thundering of the gospel lately?

Sing: He speaks and the sound of His voice, it is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gave to me, within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.

Thought For Today: Done any thundering lately?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 August 2019

Praise God

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalms 150:1-6)

Today’s Morsel:  Looking through scripture, I only find this passage where words ‘Praise God’ is found. Yes, there are mentions of praise to God, or to let God be praised, but this is the only scripture passage that I find that tell us to ‘Praise God.’  And then it tells us where to praise Him, why we must praise Him, and with what we must praise Him.  David asked, “For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?”(Psalms 18:31)  When you know the Lord, you know the God that is to be praised.  “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am” said Jesus (John 13:13); “ Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:23-24). As the writer of Hebrews admonishes 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)  Let God be praised.

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: Let God be praised.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 August 2019

 Now Faith

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

Today’s Morsel:  How much ‘Now faith’ do you have? You see, now faith is faith that is there right now.  You know, when it looks like there is no hope, that’s when ‘Now faith’ steps in and say, “Fear not I am with thee, be not dismay, I am your God.”  ‘Now faith’ is faith that springs up within when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and says, “Fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  It says, “When thou pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior.”  You see it was ‘Now faith’ that caused Abel to offer a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.  It was ‘Now faith’ that caused Enoch to walk with God.  It was ‘Now faith’ that cause Abraham to leave home in search of a city which had foundations whose builder and maker was God.   It was ‘Now faith, that caused Moses to forsake all the treasures of Egypt.  And it was ‘Now faith’ that cause Rahab to receive the spies in peace.  In today’s world, you need ‘Now faith’.  'Now faith' is the substance of things hoped for and it is the evidence of things not seen.  'Now faith’ is always available right now and right when you need it. 

Sing:  Faith can move mountains, mountains and fear and of doubt.  Faith can move mountains, so why don’t you try your faith out.

Thought For Today: ‘Now faith’ is always available right now (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 August 2019

The Angel with the Everlasting Gospel

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the most important things about the gospel is that it came with everlasting salvation.  John gives us a glimpse of a vision of an angel flying with the everlasting gospel to preach.  Is this another gospel than the gospel of Jesus Christ?  No, my friend. The everlasting gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is not another.  For neither is there salvation in any other but Him.  The everlasting gospel means it will never change.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  When we are born again of the water and the spirit, we too are charged with preaching this same everlasting gospel. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”(Mark 16:15-20)  Let’s take it to the streets.

Sing: Well, I’m gonna take a trip on that good old gospel ship and go sailing beyond the blue.  I’m gonna shout and sing until the heavens ring when I bid this world goodbye.

Thought For Today: “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire” (Psalms 104:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 August 2019

Satan Is Terrified with Revelation

“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.”  (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that Satan hates more than anything is when a person receives the revelation of who Jesus Christ truly is and His word.  He is absolutely terrified when God’s people receive a revelation of Biblical things.  James says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19)  He loses his power over us when we receive the revelation of truth.  You see, his goal is to keep you hoodwinked and confused.  But if God’s people would just believe what His Word says, and stop arguing over it, simply study it and believe it, they can defeat him.  Eve had revelation that if she ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil she would die.  She even told the serpent that God said they shouldn’t even touch the tree (Even though we don’t read that God told her that).  If she had that knowledge, why did she touch it?  She let the serpent beguile her.  If Satan can confuse you, he knows you’ll be terrified of him.  He isn’t called the deceiver for no reason at all.  Don't let him get you confused.  

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

Thought For Today: Revelation equals liberty.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 August 2019

LOVE

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)

Today’s Morsel:  Nothing should increase our mutual love one for another more than the revelation that God is love.  True Love is our badge of discipleship.  There is no right or wrong way to love, but there is a beauty and a fullness when you fill your life with multiple types of love, such as eros, philia, and agape.  The reason we may feel unfulfilled with our love life is that we are putting so much into our romantic relationships (Eros) that we’ve neglected our friendships and sometimes even our family members and others (Philia).  John tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8).  If we do not seek for His (Agape) love, that unselfish and charitable love, we will never feel fulfilled and content with love.  

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

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

Thought For Today: Love covereth all sins (Proverbs 1o:12).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 August 2019

Get Out to Get in

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1)

Today’s Morsel:  Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have a harder time serving God than others?  Well, the reason is, they refuse to make up their minds.  You can’t get in the church if you are not willing to come out from the world.  James informs us that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).  You can’t straddle the fence.  Christians must have a made-up mind.  From the time that Jesus Christ began His ministry, He began to preach and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)  This was the case with all the prophets, John the Baptist, all the apostles, and all their genuine successors in the Christian ministry.  The call was for people to come out of the world so they can enter the land of promise.  Repentance calls for a change.  You can’t get in if you don’t get out. “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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:38-42). You must get out to get in.

Sing: He brought me out of the miry clay, He set my feet on the rock to stay, He put a song in my soul today, a song of praise hallelujah!

Thought For Today: How long have ye between two opinions?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 August 2019

Grace

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Today’s Morsel: Every week here in the city where we live, from Spring through the end of Fall, there are lots of yard sales.  People have a lot of stuff that they do not want.  But I’ve never seen a yard offering free mercy or grace.   How much grace do you have?  Not only is grace God’s unmerited love, 'Grace' has been defined as “the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation; and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.”  Not only are we saved by His grace, but His grace should always be revealed in our lives.  We should never run out of grace.  We should have plenty for when we need it, and plenty to share with others when they need it, all because we have it stored up in us for the time of need.

Sing: Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.  Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Thought For Today: Sin only dwells where there is no grace (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 August 2019

True Educators

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” 

(Hebrews 5:12)

Today’s Morsel:  I often wonder why it is so hard to find teachers in the church?  It seems to be hard these days to find true Christian educators.  Folks seem to have time for everything but helping to develop others.  Paul told Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)  Who are you developing in the word and ways of God?  Who are you spending time trying to develop so that they understand the truth of God’s word?   True educators put God and the kingdom first.  If your pastor asked you to teach a doctrinal class or a lesson on Christian character, would you be ready?  Would you eagerly jump at the opportunity to teach others?  Remember, when Jesus comes again, He’s going to be looking for fruit.  What fruit will He find on your tree?  

Sing: I dreamed I went to heaven, and you were there with me, we walked upon the streets of gold beside the crystal sea.  We heard the angels singing then someone called your name, you turned and saw this young man and was smiling as he came. He said friend you may not know me now, and then he said but wait, you use to teach my Sunday school class when I was only eight.  Every week you would say a prayer before the class would start, and one day when you said that prayer I asked Jesus into my heart.

Chorus: Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave.

Thought For Today: Teachers are for the perfecting of the saints.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 August 2019

Mix Well

“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” (Hebrews 4:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: Most of us who cook or bake know that recipes require us to mix the ingredients well, or we will not receive the desired end state.  The writer of Hebrews says that the word of God did not profit the children of Israel in the wilderness because they did not mix their faith with it.  Anytime we hear the word of God we must mix our faith with it or it will not profit us. We must get to the point that we believe God’s word.  If we do not mix our faith with it, nothing is going to change in our lives.  The word of God is our answer to life.  But if we don’t believe it, it will accomplish nothing.

Sing: I believe God! I believe God! That He will do, just as He says.  Trust and obey, believe Him and say, I believe, I believe God.

Thought For Today: Faith without works is dead. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 August 2019

Roadblocks

“But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:17-19)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the biggest roadblocks to spiritual growth, maturity, and perfection is unbelief. One of the things about unbelief is it binds you and holds you back from getting what God has promised you.  Scripture says, Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3). He put his faith and trust in God and he received the promise.  It’s amazing how we will trust everybody but God.  Our friends say they will come and pick us up, and we believe them.  Somebody tells us that someone was talking about us, and we believe them. But when it comes to God’s word, and someone tells us that God loves us and cares for us, we don’t believe it. Your pastor tells you to tithe and God will bless you, and you don’t believe him.  Roadblocks to spiritual growth and maturity.  The children of Israel, that came out of Egypt, did not enter the promised land because of unbelief.  The warning is clear.  Either we believe God’s word or miss the promise.

Sing:  Let Jesus lead you!  Let Jesus lead you!  Let Jesus lead you all the way, all the way from earth to glory, let Jesus lead you all the way.

Thought For Today: Beware of roadblocks to your faith. (Parker)