Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 April 2020

Rich Man Poor Man

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” (Proverbs 13:7)

Today’s Morsel:  If you have been following politics lately, you hear some discussing how to help the so-called poor or less fortunate.  Their idea is to take from and tax more the so-called rich and make them pay for it.  The old adages, ‘Rob Peter to Pay Paul’, or the old Robin Hood Way, take from the rich and give to the poor.  But I don’t think this is what Jesus had in mind when He said, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15)  You can have everything in life, but if you don’t have Jesus you are still going to be poor.  But He, (Jesus) said, the poor will you have with you always. But, blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)  Being poor in spirit with Christ, is always better than being a rich man without Him.  A man is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.

Sing: He’s all I need, He’s all I need, Jesus is all I need. He satisfies, my needs He supplies, Jesus is all I need.

Thought For Today: A man is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 April 2020

Marriage Success

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. “ (Genesis 2:21-24)

Today’s Morsel:  I’m afraid that one of the reasons so many marriages are failing today is because the couples never become one.  They have their own banking accounts.  They say this is my car and that one is his. That’s his dog or her cat.  That’s his closet and this one is mine.  They put a hyphen between their last names. For example (Jones-Smith).  They never become one as the Bible tells them to.  The key to marriage success is unity.  Becoming one.  If you remove the letter “I” from the word unity, it says un-ty.   Men ought to love their wives as their own bodies.  He that loveth his wife loveth himself … And for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh” (Emphasis mine), Ephesians 5:28, 30-31.  And the wife should submit herself unto her own husbands, as unto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Ephesians 5:22-23  Therefore, success in marriage is more than finding the right person.  It is becoming the right person.

Sing:  I love you, I love you, I love you, what more can I say, but that I truly love you.  And I'll try to live my life so that it says it too.  I love you, I love you, I truly love you.

Thought For Today:  Success in marriage is more than finding the right person. It is becoming the right person.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 April 2020

The City On The Hill

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Today’s Morsel:  The city of Perth, Australia, is known today as the city of lights.  It became known as such when American Astronaut John Glenn orbited the earth in 1962.  Because Australia was down under, they wondered if Glenn would veer off course and become lost.  And so the city placed lights throughout the city and people ran outside with torches to light up the night when he would pass by to help guide him.  Here is a short transmission between Glenn and a former astronaut.  

At the Muchea tracking station, former astronaut Gordon Cooper radioed Lt-Col Glenn to look for the light show in his honor. 

 "That's affirmative," Lt-Col Glenn radioed back. "Just to my right I can see a big pattern of lights, apparently right on the coast. I can see the outline of a town and a very bright light just to the south of it."  

Colonel Cooper: "Perth and Rockingham you're seeing there."

Lt-Col Glenn: "The lights show up very well and thank everybody for turning them on will you."

Thus, Perth became known as the city of lights.  You know, it is good to say and know that you are a Christian, but it is better if you show it.  Jesus says that you are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  You can say that you are a Christian all day long, but your actions always speak louder than your words.

Sing:  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Thought For Today:  Actions speak louder than words.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 April 2020

The Singing Teakettle

“Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.” (Psalms 149:1)

Today’s Morsel:  There are a couple of things that I remember that when I was a kid I would love to hear in our home.  The first was that old tin coffee pot we had. You would set it on the old wood heater to make coffee, and once the coffee was ready, the little glass bubble on the lid would start to pop and the sound went like this, "Papa, papa, pop, pop, a papa, papa pop! Papa, papa, pop, pop, a papa, papa pop!"' making a joyful noise singing a new song.  The other sound I liked hearing was the teakettle.  Even though it was up to its neck in water, once that baby got boiling hot, it would start to sing.  That whistling sound would be sweet music to our ears.  The psalmist said, "Sing unto the Lord a new song."  What I have found is that I can make up words and sing unto the Lord, and I can feel His Spirit and presence when I do.  It is not for others, but for Him. When we think of all that the Lord has done for us, no matter what we may be going through or facing, we should still sing.  Paul said in Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  The teakettle can be up to its neck in hot water and still sing.  

Sing: Sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth.  Sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth.  God is great, and greatly to be praised, God is great and greatly to be praised.

Thought For Today: The teakettle up to its neck in hot water continues to sing.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 April 2020

The Dangerous Little Member

“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. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:5-10)

Today’s Morsel:  Daily, someone is scarred for life because of someone else’s tongue.  A lie is told.  A false witness is given.  A profane word is uttered.  A filthy word is sent flying through the air at someone.  A word of gossip is spoken.  Although the tongue weighs very little, very few folks can hold it.  In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that can make grand speeches,  at the same time it can start the fires of hell.  It can set your whole life on fire if the words from hell are spoken by it.  Who would have thought that something that weighs so little could be so hard to hold?  I often ask myself how is it that those who worship God with a mouth with praise and song, can speak from that same mouth evil of another person.  Doesn’t scripture tell us that you can’t get sweet water and bitter water from the same fountain?  Then where are those hurtful, vile and filthy words coming from?  They can’t come from Jesus, because scripture says, "He hath no guile neither was deceit in His mouth."  Hmmmmmm!  It may be time to recheck the fountain to make sure that Satan didn’t disconnect the hose Jesus put in you and replace it with his hose.

Sing:  There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins.  And sinners plunged beneath the flood lose all their guilty stains.  Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains, and sinners plunged beneath the flood, Lose all their guilty stains.

Thought For Today: The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 April 2020

Arbor Day

“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.” (Genesis 26:12)

Today’s Morsel:  Among the pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his wife were lovers of nature, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers.  Morton was a journalist and soon became editor of Nebraska’s finest newspaper.  Given that forum, he spread agricultural information and his enthusiasm for trees to an equally enthusiastic audience.  His fellow pioneers missed their trees.  But, more importantly, trees were needed as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials, and for shade from the hot sun.  Morton not only advocated tree planting by individuals in his articles and editorials, but he also encouraged civic organizations and groups to join in.  His prominence in the area increased, and he became secretary of the Nebraska Territory, which provided another opportunity to stress the value of trees.  On January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a tree-planting holiday to be called “Arbor Day” at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture.  The date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for planting properly the largest number of trees on that day.  It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.  Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by the young state’s Governor Robert W. Furnas on March 12, 1874, and the day itself was observed  on April 10, 1874. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in Nebraska and April 24, Morton’s birthday was selected as the date for its permanent observance.   As Paul Harvey would say, and now you know the rest of the story.  When God told Isaac to plant where he was, Isaac obeyed, and in the first year, he reaped a hundred-fold.  We never know what God will do with the seed or tree that we plant.  We plant and God gives the increase.  

Sing:  It only takes a spark to get the fire going, and soon you’ll look around, and the flames are glowing.  That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it.  It’s fresh like spring, you’ll want to sing, you’ll want to pass it on.

Thought For Today: Plant a tree of kindness and watch it grow.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 April 2020

A Good Night Sleep

“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” (Psalms 127:1-2)

Today’s Morsel:  I’m often asked what time I get up in the morning.  When I say that most mornings I get up between 4-5 people look shocked.  And the next thing they say to me is, "And you are not tired?" And I tell them, "No! He giveth his beloved sleep. I go to bed to sleep and get rest."  They say that the best bridge between hope and despair is often a good night's sleep. David states, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.” (Psalms 3:5)  If Jesus could sleep in the boat in the storm, so can I.  As I heard one fellow say, “If Jesus is going to take care of all my troubles and worries, then why should I stay up all night worrying about them. I’m going to bed.”  Rest well tonight!  

Sing:  What’s that I hear, is it the sound of a trumpet?  I feel the touch of a much better place.  And if I am dreaming, please don’t wake me, for soon the eastern skies will part and I’ll see His face.  

Thought For Today: They say that the best bridge between hope and despair is often a good night's sleep.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 April 2020

The Oak Tree

“And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.”  (Isaiah 6:9-13)

Today’s Morsel:  According to sciencing.com, “While oak trees grow around the world, North America is home to the widest variety of species.  The United States alone has about 90 different types of native oak trees that grow across the country.  Most of those are categorized into either red oaks or white oaks.  One of the most popular oak trees in the U.S. is the Angel Oak on Johns Island in South Carolina. Believed to be about 400 years old, the tree draws thousands of visitors eager to see the 65-foot-tall tree in all its fairy-tale glory.”  Isaiah was told of the Lord, that as the Teil Tree and the Oak Tree have substance in themselves when they cast forth their leaves, that He also would be the substance in the earth.  He is our faith.  He provides those things we may have need of.  Jeremiah also admonishes, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)  Paul tells us that when we have done all we can do to stand - Stand.  They say that the mighty Oak Tree was once a little nut that just stood its ground.

Sing: Just hold on, your change is coming; just hold on and don’t worry about thing, just hold on.

 Some people like worry, some people like to hide; some people like to run away, from the pain inside. Now it's your business, you can do what you want to do, but if it don’t workout, here’s what you ought to do; Just hold on, your change is coming, just hold on and don’t worry about a thing.

Thought For Today:  The mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 April 2020

The Lessons from Death

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2)

Today’s Morsel:  When I lived in Japan and someone in the village died, almost everyone came to pay their respects and condolence.   Every now and then, I like to quote this verse to people by saying that Solomon says that it is better to spend your time at funerals than parties, after all everyone dies.  We should take it to heart (my wording).  For it is true.  Someday, everyone will die.  And the quicker we learn that lesson, the more we will prepare for it.  You see at a funeral, it lets you know that nothing is forever, even life.  As our funeral home advertisement used to say on the radio when I was a kid, “No one likes to think of death, but there is coming a time that we all have to face it.  Are your plans in order?”   Jesus said in Luke 17:26-30, "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”  Are your plans ready?   Jesus told us to remember Lot’s wife.

Sing:  Oh my brother, are you ready for the call?  To crown your Savior King and Lord of All. The kingdoms of this world shall soon before Him fall, we shall see the King when He comes.

Thought For Today:  Remember Lot’s wife.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 April 2020

Your Good Name

“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:  I once wanted to strike up a conversation with this guy, and to play a little humor on him.  And so I said to him, “Hey, don’t I know you from somewhere?”  He said, “No! I don’t think so.”  I said, “Didn’t I see your picture on the Post office wall?” and we both started to laugh.  And glad for him I was just kidding.   It doesn’t take much to destroy your good name.  Get arrested by the police for wrongdoing, and your good name is destroyed.  Act foolish in public and in the presence of others, and your good name is destroyed.  Lie, cheat, or steal, and your good name is destroyed.  Solomon says that it is better to die with a good name than to live with a bad one.  It is better to be recognized as a child of God than a child of the devil.  

What are you doing to maintain your good name?  What are people saying about you?  If you take Jesus' name in vain, others will surely take yours, too.

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:  It’s better to die with a good name than to live with a bad one.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 April 2020

Adversity

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

(Proverbs 24:10)

Today’s Morsel:  We should never let adversity get us down, except down on our knees.  Scripture says, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)   I believe that this is why Paul also tells us, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)  If we give way to discouragement and despair in the day of adversity, in times of trials or temptations, our strength is small.  We must learn to not grow weary. We have been given assurance that He will not leave us nor forsake us.  When we do have those times of hardships, difficulties, misfortunes, trials and temptations, we should work to be even more courageous; for if we lose our courage, our strength avails us nothing.

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

Thought For Today: The antidote for adversity is prayer (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 April 2020

Faith

“Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.” (Isaiah 7:7-9)

Today’s Morsel:  Four times in scripture we read these words, “The just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).  What does it mean to live by faith?   "Because without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe Him."   (Hebrews 11:6), then we must take God at His word and live our lives according to it.  If we do not stand firm on our faith in God and His Word, we will not stand at all.  As without Him we can do nothing. Paul states that the number one reason that the children of Israel, who were brought out of Egypt, could not enter the Promised Land was because of their unbelief.  And he admonishes us, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 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 3:12-19)  He continues by admonishing us, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” (Hebrews 2:1-3)  If we do not add to our faith, we will forget that we’ve had our sins purged and we’ll miss heaven every time.  

Sing: My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!  Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away.  Oh, let me from this day be wholly Thine!

Thought For Today: If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 April 2020

Inheritance

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” (Proverbs 13:22)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that I do when I’m reading the Bible and I come across those patriarchs like Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Ruth, Daniel, and the Apostle Paul is that I give God thanks for the inheritance they left us when it comes to Godly character and wisdom.  You know, we can leave our descendants lots of things, but if they do not talk about our character and wisdom, we haven’t really left them much of anything at all.  They say that the measure of a man’s character is not what he gets from his ancestors, but what he leaves his descendants.  “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, Moses said, (Emphasis added) that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” (Deuteronomy 4:5-10)  The greatest inheritance we can leave our descendants is a love for the things of God.

Sing:  If that isn’t love the ocean is dry, there’s no stars in the sky, and the sparrow can’t fly!  If that isn’t love, then heaven’s a myth, there’s no feeling like this; is that isn’t love.

Thought For Today: “The greatest inheritance we can leave our descendants is a love for the things of God” (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 April 2020

A Good Conscience

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” (Acts 24:16)

Today’s Morsel:  There is nothing like having a clear conscience.  Some folks have troubled minds because they worry about everything, and they wonder why they have no rest.  Paul states, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:6-7)  And Isaiah states, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)  The secret to maintaining a good conscience is to keep our minds on Jesus Christ.  Our conscience is God’s built-in warning system.  There are two ways we can test to see if it is working.  One is when it condemns us for wrongs, and the other is when it doesn’t.  We should be very happy when it does and we should be worried if it doesn’t.   Is your conscience working today?

Sing:  Peace of God, cover me, cover me, cover me.  Peace of God, cover me; through the Storm, cover me.

Thought For Today: Our conscience is God’s built-in warning system.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 14 April 2020

The Value of Love

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)

Today’s Morsel:  I think one of the missing lessons in the home is the discussion of the word ‘Love’ and it’s meaning.  I learned what it meant too late in life, but now I try my very best to value it and use it in the right way.  Love is more than just liking someone.  It is more than being attracted to someone.  Before we say, “I do,” I think it would be wise to really understand the meaning of love.  Paul says of love that it is patient, and it is kind; love does not envy; love doesn’t brag on itself, love is not prideful, and it does not behave itself rudely, love doesn’t seek to always have its way, love is not easily provoked, it doesn’t think evil; it doesn’t love sin and wrong, but love gets excited about the truth; love can endure all things, it believes in others, love has faith in others, and it can keep going under harsh circumstances and conditions.  Love never fails you or others.  John says that God is love (1 John 4:8).  The value we place on God will be the value that we place on each other.

Sing: I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus love me, Jesus loves me.  I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.

Thought For Today: “The value we place on God, will be the value that we place on each other” (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 13 April 2020

Just Say No!

“But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” 

(Matthew 5:34-37)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the toughest things for some people to do is to say “No’.   In so many ways, many are afraid to say ‘No’ for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. Many are afraid to say, ‘No’ because they don’t want to be seen as being too hard.  Too often even in the church, we are afraid to say ‘No’ to those we are teaching Bible studies to or witnessing to even if we know they are wrong, because they say we are trying to get them saved.  Let me give you some advice.  You can’t save anyone.  If God doesn’t do it, you are going to cause yourself hardship and headaches.  Don’t allow people to misuse you, that isn't going to save them.   Jesus didn’t allow it and neither should you.  ‘No’ is one of the few words that can never be misunderstood.  Jesus said let your communication be ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ because what is more than that becomes evil.  Both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ are oaths.  If you tell someone ‘Yes’, then do it.  If you tell them ‘No’ then don’t do it.  Anything other than that makes you double-minded and you send the wrong message.

Sing:  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine. Won’t let Satan blow it out, Oh No! I’m gonna let it shine. Won’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Thought For Today: Don’t ever let your ‘No’ be confused. (Parker