Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 June 2020

What A Savior

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:1-12)

Today’s Morsel:  I believe that the greatest chapter in the Bible that expresses Jesus' salvation for us was written by Isaiah in this 53^rd chapter of his book.  I believe that this chapter was the backdrop for the gospel message, the foreshadow of Calvary, and the salvation for every soul.  Everything that Jesus went through in His life and ministry was outlined by Isaiah in this chapter.  In Acts Chapter 8, verses 26-35, Scripture states, “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” (Acts 8:26-35)  Even the eunuch received his understanding of this Savior and his need for salvation on a dusty desert trail on his way home. What about you? Do you understand who this Savior was and is?  It is all very clearly written in The Book for us to understand.  

Sing: O, what a Savior, O, hallelujah, His heart was broken on Calvary.  His hands were nail-scarred, His side was riven, He gave His life-blood for even me.

Thought For Today: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 June 2020

Badly Cheated

“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42-43)

Today’s Morsel:  Over my lifetime, I have seen a lot of people who are badly cheated because they want to be popular with their boss or supervisor, that they are willing to forfeit their character just to be accepted and liked.  When you forfeit an ounce of principle for a pound of popularity, you get badly cheated.  Scripture says that the people loved the praise of men more than the praises of God because if they confessed Jesus they would be put out of the synagogue.  If someone does not care or like you because you are a Christian and love Jesus, tough.  You should not compromise who you are to fit in.  If you forfeit your character, what will those who know you say?  Believe me, when God removes those who hate you for standing for Him from their position, if you have compromised your character, you will be left looking foolish before others.  Don't compromise to fit in, the shoe will never be a comfortable fit.  

Sing: I know whose I am, I know whose I am, I know whose I am, I am Yours, I am Yours. I know whose I am, I know whose I am, I know whose I am, I am Yours, I am Yours.

 You are mine; Jesus You are mine. You are mine; Jesus You are mine.

Thought For Today: The man that pays an ounce of principle for a pound of popularity gets badly cheated. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 June 2020

Friends

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

Today’s Morsel:  Do you remember that little old song that says, “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold?”  How do we make friends? One of the best ways I know is by showing compassion, and another is by the Golden Rule.  Just think, if you made one new friend each day, and that person made one new friend, and each of you shared your new friend with each other, how many friends would you have at the end of a week?  Friendship ought to be mutual and reciprocal, just as it was between David and Jonathan. Why are there so many in the church who are friendless?  How did we allow the enemy to divide us? Aren’t we supposed to be the family of God?  Scripture tells us that in order to have friends we must show ourselves friendly.  I guess that old saying is true, “One reason a dog has so many friends; he wags his tail instead of his tongue.”

Sing:  I am a friend of God!  I am a friend of God!  I am a friend of God, He calls me friend.

Thought For Today: Make a new friend today.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 June 2020

Empty

“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

Today’s Morsel:  When my wife and I went on our first missions trip to Mongolia, you could put your hand out and get a ride with just about anyone with a car.  But what we found was that the gas gauge in most of those cars we got into would register empty. The light would be flashing. When I asked our guide if the driver was not afraid of running out of gas, she said, "No. They only put enough gas in to get them to where they need to go in case the car breaks down, they wasted their money on gas they won't be able to use."  You know, I think this is how some people in the church operate. They only get enough of Jesus to make people think that they are Christians.   They get just enough to get by with.  They do not fill up to the brim for fear that they may have to share Him with others.  They are trying to do it their own way, as the Lord said, by digging their own well.  Sadly, they do not realize that you cannot fill an empty bucket at a dry well.

Sing: I thirsted in a barren land of sin and shame, and nothing satisfying there I found.  But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came, where springs of living water did abound.  Drinking at the springs of living water, happy now am I, my soul they satisfy.  Drinking at the springs of living water, a wonderful and bountiful supply.

 Thought For Today: You can’t fill an empty bucket at a dry well.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 June 2020

The Price of Greatness

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”  

(Matthew 23:8-11)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the signs of a ‘True Cross Bearer’ is the trait of servant-hood.  A servant leader is one who puts others before himself.  He has a servant’s heart.  His overall purpose is to serve.  Yet today it seems that few, if any, want to serve.  They want everyone else to serve them. And some of them even get angry when the service does not measure up to their standard.  And yet few if any of them are willing to serve in the same capacity as the ones who are serving them.  As Jesus told His disciples, “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)  The price of greatness is when you take responsibility to serve.

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

Thought For Today: The price of greatness is servant-hood.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 June 2020

Saint-Jean-Baptiste

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

(Matthew 3:1-2)

Today’s Morsel:  Today, in Quebec Canada, they celebrate Saint-Jean- Baptiste day.  Also known in English as St John the Baptist Day.  It is a holiday celebrated on June 24 in the Canadian Province of Quebec, by French Canadians across Canada and the United States.  Its purpose was to honor the birth of John the Baptist.  Jesus said of John the Baptist to the people, “ What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:7-12)  Jesus said that there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist.  And yet John would say of Jesus, “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.” (Luke 3:16-17)  “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)  When you understand authority, you understand who is greater.

Sing:  My God is awesome, He can move mountains, keep me in the valley, hide me from the rain.  My God is awesome, heals me when I'm broken, strength where I've been weakened, forever He will reign.  My God is awesome, Savior of the whole world, giver of salvation, by His stripes I am healed.  My God is awesome, today I am forgiven, His grace is why I'm living, praise His holy name.  My God is awesome, Awesome, Awesome, forever He will reign.

Thought For Today:  There is none greater than the Lord.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 June 2020

Obstacles

“And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:26-33)

Today’s Morsel:  Obstacles are those things that we oftentimes see when we take our eyes off the goal.  How many times do we lose sight of what we set out to do because we allow something to get in our way and block our vision?  When Jesus told Peter to come, Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on water to Jesus. He was doing fine as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:29-30).  There will be many obstacles that will try to impede our progress for our final reward. The children of Israel took their eyes off the goal and missed the prize.  It was theirs for the taking, but they allowed themselves to see only the obstacles and not the prize.  Let's keep our eyes on Jesus, and not the things around us.  We want to gain our prize.  

Sing: When in service for my Lord, dark maybe the night, But I’ll cling more close to Him, He will give me light.  Satan's snares may vex my soul, turn my thoughts aside; But my Lord goes ahead, leads whatever betide.

O’ I want to see Him, look upon His face, There to sing forever of His saving grace.  On the streets of glory let me lift my voice; cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.

Thought For Today: Obstacles are those things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 June 2020

Loving-Kindness

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.” (Psalms 63:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: The story is told of a teacher who asked the pupils to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little boy jumped up and said, “Well, if I were hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread that would be kindness.  But if they put a little peanut butter and jelly on it, that would be loving-kindness."  David states that God’s lovingkindness is better than life.  When we understand that life without the love of God is nothing but death, it should cause us to realize how great His lovingkindness truly is.  Anyone who has not shared in the love of God is dead while he lives.  All the enjoyments of life, health, riches, honor, friends, and so on, are nothing without the love of God.  Have you experienced His lovingkindness?  It is better than life.

Sing: Thy lovingkindness is better than life. Thy lovingkindness is better than life. My lips shall praise Thee, thus will I bless Thee.  I will lift up my hands unto Thy name.

Thought For Today: His lovingkindness is better than life.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 June 2020

Summer

“There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.”

(Proverbs 30:24-28)

Today’s Morsel:  Ants are called picnic pests because they are out gathering their food in the summer because they know that winter will come.  The ant speaks to us of a people who understand preparation.  They don’t wait for bad weather to come to look for work and food. They get it in the summer when the picnics and barbecue and parties are taking place.  For them, summer is the best time to gather what they will need for winter.  Solomon says that they are not a people that are strong, they are a people that are wise.  What about you?  Are you wise or foolish?  You do not need to be strong to be wise, nor do you need to be weak to be foolish.  Wisdom is known of her children.  I want to be wise in the things and ways of God.  

Sing:  Life is good cause God is.  Life is good cause I’m His.  New life springing up growing in the sun, walking hand and hand, and having some fun.  Life is so so good.

Thought For Today:  Wisdom is always the principle thing. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 June 2020

Bury Me with Leah

“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them. And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.” (Genesis 49:28-31)

Today’s Morsel: Almost twenty years ago, on the island of Okinawa, God gave me a sermon from this passage of scripture with the title, “Bury Me With Leah.”  As I was studying it, I wondered why Jacob wanted to be buried with Leah instead of Rachel that he loved and worked so hard for?  We know that Leah was tender-eyed and in some cases not wanted.  But Jacob buried her with his father and mother, Isaac and Rebekah, and his grandparents, Abraham and Sarah. And he wanted to be buried there as well.  What brought about the change in attitude and heart towards Leah?  I believe that over the years, Jacob realized how compassionate God had been to him, and now he was moved with a heart of compassion for his beloved wife that was hated.  I believe that she represented Christ.  As Isaiah states, “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:2-3).  I do not know about you, but I want to be buried with Christ, the despised and the rejected.  Remember that beauty is only skin-deep, and true beauty comes from within.  

Sing: He was wounded for our transgressions.  He was bruised for our iniquities.  Surely, He bore all our sorrows, and by His stripes we are healed.

Thought For Today:  Bury me with Christ. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 June 2020

Wrestling with the Unknown

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.” (Genesis 32:24-32)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever had one of those night sleeps that it feels as though you are wrestling with someone and you cannot wake up and get free? Or, you are being chased by someone and just before they capture you, you wake up? Or, one of those where you are falling and just before you hit the ground you awake? Well, consider Jacob. Jacob had a dream of God when he was going to dwell with his uncle Laban, and now he will have a wrestling match with God for his life. Jacob has such a firm grip on the man that even though he is in much pain, he is not about to let him go until he has his answer. When his name is changed, he wants to know the man’s name that he was wrestling with. To which the man replies, why do you want to know my name? The man said to Jacob, I believe, it does not matter what my name is, but what your is. As a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 

Sing: Who am I that You are mindful of me? That You hear me when I call. Is it true that You are thinking of me? How You love me, it’s amazing; I am a friend of God. I am a friend of God. I am a friend of God; He calls me friend.

Thought For Today: Always guard your name … it’s who you are.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 June 2020

What Would You Like To Drink?

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” (Isaiah 55:1-2)

Today’s Morsel:  If you have ever noticed, the first thing that a waiter and waitress will ask you after seating you in a restaurant is what would you like to drink?  They know that a drink in your hand will make you more relaxed and feel more comfortable while you wait to order your meal.  Do you ever get one of those moments that you start to crave for your favorite drink? When Jesus met the woman at the well in John 4, who came to draw water, He asked her for a drink.  Was this the real reason that Jesus asked her?  Or was there a deeper meaning?  Why would the one that created the water need water?  Especially when He is the one that gives us all things?  We must learn that when Jesus asks us for something, it is not for Him, it is for us.  The woman was the one needing the living water.  Not Jesus.  He knows the things that we have need of before we ask Him.  It did not take her long to figure out that it was not about natural water for Jesus, but spiritual water for her and others.  “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37-39)  What would you like to drink?

Sing:  I thirsted in a barren land of sin and shame, and nothing satisfying there I found.  But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came, where springs of living waters did abound.

Drinking at the springs of living water, happy now am I, my soul they satisfy.  Drinking at the springs of living water, a wonderful and bountiful supply.

Thought For Today:  The fountain is still flowing.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 June 2020

Full of Trouble

“ O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.” (Psalms 88:1-3)

Today’s Morsel:  If you grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, you have probably seen ‘Hee Haw’ on television.  One of the songs they sang was ‘Gloom despair and agony on me.’  And I always got a laugh out of the verse that said, “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all, oooh; gloom despair and agony on me.”  Some people seem to feel this way.  They feel just because they are having trouble that their luck is shot.  The psalmist prayed and informed God that his soul was full of troubles, and that his life drew near the grave.  Friend, that is some massive troubles when you start to feel that hopeless. He even felt that none of his prayers were getting through to God because the answer was not forthcoming.  Even Job stated, “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)  Listen, troubles don't mean that it is the end of your life.  They just might be God's way of redirecting your steps back on to the right path that you may have strayed from.  Let me encourage you, the key to dealing with trouble is that letter found in the middle of the word trouble, ‘u’.  Yes, you are the answer.  Isn’t it amazing that you cannot have trouble without ‘u’?

Sing: Trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand, all the way that God will lead us to that blessed promised land.  But He’ll guide us with His eye and we’ll follow till we die, we will understand it better by and by.

Thought For Today: Stay Focused … even in trouble.