Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 November 2019

Hastening the Word

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:11-12)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about God's word is He will do just what it says.  You can count on that.  God is a man of His word.  He cannot lie.  As a matter of fact, scripture tells us, “let God be true, but every man a liar...” (Romans 3:4)  God told Jeremiah that He would watch over His word and perform it.  Everything that is written in God’s word will come to pass.  As He told Isaiah, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11).  When you hear or read the word of God, hide it in your heart because it is going to come to pass. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

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

Thought For Today: Do you desire the milk of the Word?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 November 2019

Have You Been Washed?

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:16-20)

Today’s Morsel:  Okay, I’m going to age myself a little bit here today.  Most people have no clue that not long ago here in America, people didn’t take baths or showers every day.  They did it once a week.  Usually on Saturday nights to prepare for Sunday church.  Most homes didn’t have indoor plumbing or bathrooms.  But we did everything we could to be as clean as possible. And I think we turned out pretty good.

 The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years.  And we see only a few scriptures where God commands them to wash and be clean.  Maybe that is because sheep get dirty too much.  And we are the sheep of His pasture.  Or maybe that’s why when you get baptized in Jesus name you never have to do it again.  Paul said that the children of Israel were baptized by Moses in the cloud and in the sea (1 Corinthians 10: 1-12).  He further stated, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)  The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah, “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes.”  Scripture tells us, “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:1-6)  Have you been washed?

Sing:  Have you been to Jesus for your cleansing power?  Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?  Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?  Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood, in the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?  Are your garments spotless?  Are they white as snow?  Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Thought For Today: Sin can’t enter there.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 November 2019 - Thanksgiving Morsel

Thanksgiving

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15)

Today’s Morsel:  Someone said that we should always be thankful because someone else is always worse off than we are.  Our situation may look as if there isn’t any hope, but another person's situation may be even worse.  The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  God wants us to be thankful.  Thanksgiving is a time to remember and to give thanks for the things we do have and to thank the God who allows us to see each day.  Paul told the church at Colossi, in Colossians 2: 6-7, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”  Observe, being established in the faith, we must abound therein, and improve in it more and more; and this with thanksgiving.  The way to have the benefit and comfort of God's grace is to be much in giving thanks for it.  Remember, gratitude is an attitude.

Sing:  Thanks, Thanks, I give you thanks, for all You have done.  I am so blessed, my soul has found rest, O’ Lord, I give You thanks.

Thought For Today:  In everything give thanks for this is the will of God. Gratitude is an attitude. (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 November 2019

Wisdom is Better Than Strength

“This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.”

(Ecclesiastes 9:13-18)

Today’s Morsel:  There are two books in the Bible I feel everyone needs to be aware of and apply what is written in them to their hearts. They are the book of Proverbs and the book of Ecclesiastes.  I know that there are those who may feel that other books are more important, like the book of Acts and the book of John, but to me, having the knowledge of the gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ), who Jesus was, His plan of salvation, yet you don’t have the wisdom of what it means and how to use it and apply it to yourself and others can be useless to you and others as well.  Solomon says that wisdom is better than strength.  Why be strong physically and weak spiritual and mentally?  Why be strong physically, and weak morally, ethically, honorably, decently, honestly, and justly?  You don’t need strength to defeat your enemy, you need wisdom.  Wisdom is better than weapons of war.  

Sing: Deeper, deeper, in the love of Jesus daily let me go.  Higher, higher in the school of wisdom, more of grace to know.

O’ deeper yet I pray, and higher every day; and wiser, blessed Lord in Thy precious holy word.

Thought For Today: Wisdom is better than strength.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 November 2019

Remove The Cause

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs 26:20)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that I’ve learned in life about getting rid of things that annoy you or pester you is to remove them.  For example, if there are rats and mice, things aren’t being kept clean.  If you are having a lot of ants in your home, something is being left out that is drawing their attention.  The same holds true with flies, roaches, and bugs.  The same holds true with those people that reward you no good.  If you remove the cause, it will cease or be greatly diminished. Solomon states, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” Everything needs a source to keep it going.  Firefighters first objective is to remove the source.  That’s why they get ahead of the fire to cut a path to keep it away from other trees and shrubs.  If they get rid of the source the fire ceases.  Solomon said that if you remove a gossiper the strife (the discord, discord, fighting) will cease. If there is wrong in your life, determine the source and remove it.  Let me encourage you today, search your life to make sure you are not the cause of what is troubling you and causing your pain.  Remember, Jesus is a God of peace.

Sing: I’ve got a made-up mind, I’ve got a final destination, I’m gonna keep on pressing on, to my final destination.  I’m 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: Remove the source and you won’t have the problem.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 November 2019

Confidence in Prayer

“A Psalm of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” (Psalms 25:1-5)

Today’s Morsel:  When is the last time you really poured out your soul to the Lord?  We must draw nigh to Him with a true heart fervently.  unless our heart is lifted-up to Him, the lifting-up of our eyes or hands in prayer is of no avail.  David informs us, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalms 34:18)  We must come before Him in a humble and meek state.  We should never be ashamed to express our inner feelings to God.  He has our best interest at heart, and He is our best friend.  So why not allow Him to show us the way and teach us the right path that we should walk in? "'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say.  I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.” (Alice Walker)

Sing: Unto thee O’ Lord, do I lift up my soul. Unto thee O’ Lord, do I lift up my soul.  O’ my God, I trust in Thee, let me not be ashamed let not my enemy triumph over me.

Thought For Today: Humility … getting down off your high horse. (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 November 2019

Your Turn

“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.” (Job 3:25-26)

Today’s Morsel:  I can remember my days in the army when I would have to give unpleasant news to my soldiers of the death of their loved ones.  These were not easy times for them or me, as we were a team.  I anticipated that it would one day be my turn, and so I began to prepare myself for when it may happen.  And even today, I have prepared myself should unwanted news come my way.  We hear of others' tragic dilemmas, but are we prepared and ready for them ourselves?  What would you do if it hit close to your home?  How will we react?  Are we prepared for it? Have you prepared others for it?  Have you made plans? Do you even talk about it?  Job said that the thing which he greatly feared had come upon him.  Job was ready and he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15); “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) Now is the time to build up yourself on your most holy faith so that when unpleasant news comes your way you too can say as Job said, “ Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)  Preparing for it now can reduce a lot of hardships and stress later.

Sing: Blessed be the name of the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised and adored, so we lift up holy hands in one accord, singing blessed be the name, blessed be the name, blessed be the name of the Lord.

Thought For Today: “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” (Luke 12:40)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 November 2019

The Gallows

“Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.” (Esther 7:5-10)

Today’s Morsel:  I’m afraid that if we are not careful, we can allow the media to taint us so badly that we start to think evil of others because of their wicked ways and methods. We are warned to not allow evil to get into our hearts less it destroys us (My wording).  We must let the mind of Christ always be in us.  Jesus did not come to destroy life, He came to save life.  And now we are the anointed ones for the same purpose.  We must have compassion on some and make a difference on others. Haman desired to destroy all the Jews because of one man, Mordecai, who would not bow to him.  He allowed his position and pride along with his hate to get into his heart.  And so he desired to hang Mordecai from the high gallows which he had built.  But his envy and hate destroyed himself on those very gallows.  James tells us, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:14-16)  The quickest way to destroy yourself is to have hate in your heart against someone else.

Sing: We have heard the joyful sound, Jesus saves, Jesus save.  Spread the news across the land, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.

Thought For Today: Keep your heart pure.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 November 2019

The Joy of The Lord is My Strength

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes I feel that many in the church do not understand where their strength comes from.  Why do I make this assessment?  Because I hear them during testimony time say, “Pray my strength in the Lord.” Or they say, “Pray that I will have the strength to deal with what I’m going through.” Nehemiah wrote that the joy of the Lord is our strength. And Isiah wrote, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)  If we are told that at the mouth of two or three witnesses to let every word be established, why aren’t we all overflowing with strength?  Oh, I know, we have done like Israel and hung our harps on the willow.  We don’t want to sing the old songs of Zion (Psalms 137:1-3).  Your strength is in the Lord and it’s drawn from Him by our praise and worship.

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: Don’t you hang your harp on the willow. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 November 2019

Don’t Look to Man When You’ve Asked God

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.” (Ezra 8:21-23)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about faith is we must learn to trust God and believe in His word, or we will never see His power manifested in and through us. We say that we are born-again and that our God can do anything, but as soon as many people have an issue they run to man for their help and answer.  I believe that God wants us to learn how to wait on Him and trust Him so that we will have a testimony of His miraculous power.  Ezra wrote that they had told the king that the hand of their God was upon all them for good that seek him, but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.  So, they were not about to go back and ask him for a band of soldiers and horsemen to help them against the enemy in the way.  They proclaimed a fast to seek God and God answered them. Do you get the message?  Don’t tell people in the world that God can do anything and then turn to man for your answer.  If God can do anything, then we need to learn to trust Him and wait upon Him to answer.  “As without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Sing:  I believe God, I believe God, that He will do just as He said.  Trust and obey, believe Him and say, I believe, I believe, God.

Thought For Today: Push back from the table every so often and seek God for your answer (Parker) 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 November 2019

The Word

“Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude. And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims: For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above. And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day. There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.” (2 Chronicles 5:6-10)

Today’s Morsel:  I have heard of many robberies and home break-ins and those thieves seem to make off with many things that they think are valuable and leave behind the things that are truly valuable, the Word of God.  Solomon wrote, “ For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”(Proverbs 8:11)  When Solomon dedicated the temple, and had the priest bring in the Ark of The Covenant, there was nothing inside but the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt.   Somewhere, someone removed the pot of manna and Aaron's Rod that budded.  Since anyone who touch the ark died, we can assume that God Himself removed those items.  Some may ask why He would remove them when they were to be a memorial for the people.  The reason is God Himself is the Word (John 1:1); He is the bread of life (John 6:35); and He is the Resurrection and the life (John 11:25).  So when you have the Word, Jesus Christ, God manifested in flesh, you have all that you will ever need.

Sing:  He’s all I need, He’s all I need, Jesus is all I need.  He’s all I need, He’s all I need, Jesus is all I need.

He satisfies my needs my needs supply; Jesus is all I need.  He satisfies, my needs supply; Jesus is all I need.

Thought For Today: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)