Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 31 August 2020

What Does God Require of You?

 

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Being a Christian is not hard if we would just do what God requires of us.  Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord said, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.”(Isaiah 43:10-12)  Notice, he has declared, saved, and shown us what is required to be His witnesses.  And that is, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.  If we do not do right and love mercy, we will never learn to be humble.  Before honor is always humility.  Right living and being thankful to God for His forgiveness should help us to stay on track and walk upright.  No one can be a true Christian without following these requirements.  When we know what God requires and do it, we live.

 

Sing:  I love Him. I love Him.  Because He first loved me.  He purchased my salvation on Calvary.

 

Thought For Today: When we know what God requires and do it, we live. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 August 2020

Living The Way You Ought To

 

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:13-17)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Do you ever get upset with Christians who do not live up to the standard they are asked to or they do the things that they know are totally wrong?  Before you answer that, make sure you are not one of them.  James says that if we know to do right and do not do it, it is sin.  All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17).  I think that one of the reasons some folks do not do what they know to do is right is that they think they are okay.  King Saul thought that what he allowed the people to do with bringing back the best of the flock to sacrifice to God was alright. But he soon found out that it was not.  I often ask myself, are some folks issues they are having because of their disobedience to God’s word?  What will it take for us to live right?  I have found that all it takes is a love for God and His word.

 

Sing:  I want to live the way He wants me to live.  I want to give until there just no more to give.  I want to love, love till there just no more love.  I could never, never out love the Lord.

 

Thought For Today:  Be ye holy, for I am holy.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 August 2020

The Final Roll Call

 

“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. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2-3)

 

Today’s Morsel: If you have ever been to a military funeral in a military Chapel where a service member is killed or died while on active duty, during the service the First Sergeant of the unit will do a roll call of its members and they will each respond with, “Here, First Sergeant” if they are present.  However, when the deceased soldier's name is called, and there is no answer, the First Sergeant will call it again the second time.  If there is no answer, he will do it the third time.  But this time, he adds the service member's Social Security Number because he wants everyone to know who he is calling for.  When there is no answer the third time, “Taps” will begin to be blown by the bugler.  These are somber and heart-wrenching moments because all the soldiers know that their comrade is missing.   Solomon said that it is better to go to a funeral than a party.  The funeral will hopefully give you a wakeup call to ask yourself if you are ready for that day yourself.  None of us know when it will be, we all need to be ready.

 

Sing: For above all else, I must be saved.  For above all else, I must be saved.  Lord whatever You have to do to me, don’t let me be lost for eternity.  For above all else I must be saved.

 

Thought For Today:  Sorrow is better than laughter.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 August 2020

Case Closed

 

“O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.” (Deuteronomy 3:24-26)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Have you ever seen children trying to butter up their parents after they are wrong and their parents seem to give them the cold shoulder?  The child will sit and pout for a while, and when they think their parents are calmed down, they will try to get close to their parents to get their way.  But most parents will see through their scheme and follow through with the punishment they told the child they would receive.  By all accounts, Moses tried the same thing with God.  God had told him to speak to the rock and that it would give water. But Moses smote the rock with his rod and God became angry with him.  And now, Moses tries to butter God up. He said, “O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.”  He may have thought that God had forgotten all about the incident.  But God told Him, “Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.” I believe what God was telling him was, look, I told you once, you were not going in, so do not ask me again.  Solomon says, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:11-13)  He said God will not forget what the righteous nor wicked does.  Therefore, the best thing we can do when we fail to do what God tells us to do and it angers Him is repent and let the matter go.

 

Sing:  I know the Lord will make a way for you.  I know the Lord will make a way for you.  If you live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right.  I know the Lord will make a way for you.

 

Thought For Today:  When God says no, don’t keep asking Him.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 August 2020

Suffering For The Right Reason

 

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (1 Peter 3:17-22)

 

Today’s Morsel:  What I have found when counseling with people is that most of them are suffering or going through things in their lives for the wrong reason.  Many of them are suffering because they are trying to meet deadlines because they have procrastinated on their duties.  They never get the oil changed in their car and now they have major maintenance issues which are costing them large sums of money.  They are in jail because they were hanging out with the wrong crowd. They are in major debt because they did not learn to stop spending.  Or they said something that they should not have said when it was none of their business to be involved.  Peter said that it is better if we suffer for the right reason than the wrong reason.  He states, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:12-16)  The right reason to suffer is for Christ, not because you procrastinated and did not do what you were told, or you were a busybody in other men's matters.  Only suffer for Christ.  Any other reason to suffer is foolishness.

 

Sing:  Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise, for it was grace that brought my liberty.  I do not know, just why He came to love me so, He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

I shall forever, lift my eyes to Calvary, to view the cross where Jesus died for me.  How marvelous, the grace that caught my falling soul, He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

 

Thought For Today:  Only suffer for Christ.  Any other reason is foolishness (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 August 2020

Decisions In The Valley

 

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)

 

Today’s Morsel:  With the Corona virus pandemic, just about everyone has to make some major decisions in their lives.  Wear a mask, do not wear a mask.  Open my business or do not open my business.  Open the school doors, or do not open the school doors.  Go to conferences, or do not go to conferences. Get tested or do not get tested?  Travel or do not travel.  Go to work or do not go to work?  Go to church, or do not go to church? Everyone is having to make what seems like serious decisions in their homes and lives.  But Joel said the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.  Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”  (Philippians 4:5-6)  At all times, indeed, the Lord is at hand.  Always know that when you are in the valley of decisions, the One whose name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, is right there with you.  Just seek Him for the way you should go.

 

Sing: I have decided to follow Jesus.  I have decided to follow Jesus.  I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

 

Thought For Today:  Seek God for all your directions (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 August 2020

The Divine Helper

 

“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” 

(Psalms 118:6)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When I first joined the army, if you were on a joint military base, it was not uncommon that the Army and Marine Corps guys would get into a fight with the Air Force guys.  But then someone realized that we were all on the same team.  We realized that we each needed each other for protection and defense.  Scripture says, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am, I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:13-15)  The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord is with me. He is my helper. He defends my cause. I will not fear. I have nothing to be afraid of.  God is mightier than any or all of my foes, and He can deliver me from them all.  What can man do unto me?  No one can do more than God permits them to do to me.  They cannot destroy me when He means to save me; they cannot defeat the purpose He has for me.  Knowing that God is for us and not against us, we can take confidence in knowing that we will win every battle and every situation that we may face.

 

Sing:  I’ve got a God who with His angels watches over me; I have a God who with His angels keep my enemies beneath my feet; I have God who's with me when I’m sick and when I’m feeling well; I have a God, I have a God and my God never fails.  I have a God.

 

Thought For Today:  Don’t ever forget who is on your side.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 August 2020

Recompense

 

“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?”

(Psalms 116:12)

 

Today’s Morsel:  How much would you say that you are indebted to God for all that He has done for you?  If you had to pay Him for all the things that He has done for you, what would you owe?  Most folks never consider all the things that God does for them, and therefore they never consider recompensing Him for anything that He does.  Even in the church, most folks do not consider God’s benefits.  The psalmist says that he daily loads us with benefits (Psalms 68:19).  Having that understanding, shouldn’t they recompense Him for that?  The psalmist continues with these words: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalms 103:2-5)  Even though God needs nothing, a little thanks for what He does do for us may keep the benefit door open.

 

Sing:  Bless the Lord, O’ my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  I will bless the Lord, O’ my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.  For He has done great things, He has done great things, He has done great things, bless His holy name.

 

Thought For Today: Give unto the Lord the glory due His name!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 August 2020

Able To Handle Afflictions

 

“This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” 

(Psalms 119:50)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about afflictions is they will either strengthen you or destroy you, depending how you look at them and deal with them when they come into your life.  What I often find more often than not is that they strengthen me.  They strengthen my faith.  They give me wisdom, knowledge, instructions, and understanding. The psalmist said, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”  When we understand God’s word and the application of it, we can usually see how to get through our afflictions when they come.  As Job stated in his dilemma, “My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:11-12)  We have the same unfailing source of comfort, the truth of God; and notwithstanding what may occur, we still make God and His law the source of our happiness.  Better eat your Wheaties!

 

Sing:  Standing on the promises that can not fail, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call.  Resting in my Savior, as my all and all; standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior.  Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

 

Thought For Today: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalms 37:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 August 2020

Be Still

 

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” (Psalms 46:10-11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Most men’s troubles are caused by their inability to be still and wait on God.  When God tells us to be still, He is saying that we don’t need to put forth any effort or exertion into the matter, just leave it with Him.  If God is going to fight our battles for us, then all we need to do is take a ringside seat and watch.  As He told King Jehoshaphat, “Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)  If you want to have a worry-free life, then you must learn how to stand still and let God work.  He will work if we let him.

 

Sing:  Standing on the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring.  Glory in the highest I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of Christ my Savior.  Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

 

Thought For Today: Be still and let God work.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19

Run

 

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

 

Today’s Morsel:  In 1935, Jesse Owens made sporting history when he broke five world records and equaled a sixth in the space of 45 minutes.  One of those world records, 8.13 meters in the long jump, would last for 25 years. At the 1936 Berlin Games, Owens won four gold medals, in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4x100 meter relay, and the long jump.  He managed to break or equal nine Olympic records and set three world records.  One of those world records was in the 4x100m relay.  The quartet set a time that would not be bettered for 20 years.  Paul said that all run in a race, but one receives the prize, so run, that ye may be the winner.  But no man can win if he does not enter and begin the run.  The same is true with getting to heaven.  If one never begins or enters the race, he cannot expect to cross the finish line as a victor.  Have you started to run yet?

 

Sing:  Running for my life, I’m running for my life. Running for my life, I’m running for my life.  If anybody asks you, what’s the matter with me.  Tell them that I’m saved sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, water baptized, I've got Jesus in my life and I’m running for my life.

 

Thought For Today:  You must be present to win.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 August 2020

Go Home

 

“Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.” (Proverbs 25:17)

 

Today’s Morsel:   The art of being a good guest is knowing when to leave.  Not but that it is commendable to be unneighborly and friendly, or for one neighbor to visit another; but then it should not be very frequent; a man should not be always or often at his neighbor’s house.  I know that scripture says that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but that does not mean that you wear out your welcome.  Etiquette says limit visits to a reasonable amount of time.  Be attuned to what your neighbors are doing and leave at the first hint that they are ready for the visit to end.

Remember, your neighbor’s home is not your castle, and “Too much familiarity breeds contempt.”

 

Sing:  Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe.  It will joy, and comfort give you, take it then wherever you go.

Precious name. O how sweet!  Hope of earth and joy of heaven.  Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

 

Thought For Today: Remember, your neighbors home is not your castle (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 August 2020

Stay Out of The Devil's Orchard

 

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-23)

 

Today’s Morsel:  They say that if you do not want the fruit of sin in your life, then stay out of the devil’s orchard.  Why do Christians think that they can partake of the devils’ fruit trees, play in his garden, and not display his fruit in their lives?  God warned Adam and Eve to not partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Because in the day that they did, they would die.  But they did not listen.  There are always severe consequences for sin.   Paul said, “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.” (1 Corinthians 6:16)  If you join yourself to anything that is sinful, it will be revealed in your life.  Therefore, abstain from all appearance of evil.

 

Sing:  Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

 

Thought For Today:  If you do not want the fruit of sin in your life, then stay out of the devil’s orchard.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 August 2020

Loose Lips

 

“For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.” (Ecclesiastes 5:3)

 

Today’s Morsel:  There is a saying that there are two kinds of people who do not say much, those who are quiet and those who talk a lot.  Solomon said that a fool is known by the multitude of his words.  Therefore, we are cautioned not to be like him.  James even tells us that our 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. (James 3:5-6)  If life and death are in the power of our tongue, then shouldn't we learn when to speak and when to keep silent?  Do not allow your loose lips to sink your ship.

 

Sing:  Jesus keep me near the cross, be my glory ever.  Till my raptured soul shall find, rest beyond the river.

 

Thought For Today:  “They say that there are two kinds of people who do not say much, those who are quiet and those who talk a lot.”