Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 31 October 2020

 

Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord

 

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 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 103:1-5)

 

Today’s Morsel:  How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, blessed be the name of the Lord.  It soothes my sorrows, heals my wounds, blessed be the name of the Lord.  It makes the wounded spirit whole, blessed be the name of the Lord.  Tis manna to the hungry soul, blessed be the name of the Lord.   It gives the weary sweetest rest, blessed be the name of the Lord.  And it soothes the troubled sinner's breast, blessed be the name of the Lord.  These lyrics were written by R.E. Winsett, and inspire us to bless the Lord.  What better way to start a day than with blessing the Lord who daily loads us with benefits.  The psalmist states, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” (Psalms 68:19)  When we come to church it should be to bless the Lord.  When we give our tithes and offerings, it should be to bless the Lord.  When we offer up prayers and thanksgiving, it should be to bless the Lord.  When we share the gospel with others, it should be to bless the Lord.  There should be nothing that comes our way to hinder our praise and blessings to God.

 

Sing:  Blessed be the name of the Lord, 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. Do not ever forget to bless the Lord! 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 October 2020

 

I Have Found The Way

 

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.” (John 14:1-11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Over thirty-six years ago I found the way that leads to endless days yonder in glory land.  And the road is bright because Jesus is the light.  I hold to His guiding hand.  I’m telling you, there is nothing that compares to knowing this wonderful truth of the gospel.  There is no other way.  Nothing has ever come close to the truth that has been revealed in Christ Jesus.  Jesus said that the Kingdom of heaven is as a hidden treasure in a field that when a man finds it, he sells all to buy that field.  Are you on your way to ruin, cumbered with a load of care?  Then you have not found the way.  If you are tired and weary, then you have not found the way.  Friend, I have found the way.  It is light in the evening time.  The path to glory you will surely find through the waterway.  It is light today, baptized in Jesus' name.  Young and old repent of your sin, then the Holy Ghost will enter in.  The evening time has come; Tis a fact that God and Christ are one.  Have you found the way?  It is through the waterway.  You can find the way today, repent, and be baptized in Jesus' name.  

 

Sing:  I have found the way.  I have found the way.  Glory hallelujah, I have found the way.

 

Thought For today:  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 October 2020

 

He Leadeth Me

 

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:1-6)

 

Today’s Morsel: Who are you following?  Who is leading you?  So many are following people that they have no clue about.  They don't know who they are nor what they stand for.  Scripture says that you should not follow a multitude to do evil.  David said that the Lord leads him in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  In the plain paths of truth and holiness.  Christ is not about to lead us wrong.  Sometimes the path may seem crooked, rough, rugged, and hard to walk on, but rest assured that if Jesus is leading and you are following Him you can endure.  Habakkuk states, “The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” (Habakkuk 3:19)  Scripture also says, “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22) The pillar of the cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night are still leading us.  It is called the Holy Ghost.  As Jesus said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)  Who is leading you?

 

Sing:  He leadeth me!  He leadeth me!  By His own hand He leadeth me.  His faithful follower I will be.  For by His hand he leadeth me.

 

Thought For Today:  Know who you are following.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 October 2020

 

When Morning Comes

 

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” (Luke 24:1-7)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Someone asked the question, Why do bad things happen to good people?  When we trace back across American history, it seems as though the black Americans have suffered.  But if people would study history, and not destroy it, they would see the hand of God has been at work in all of it.  There have been many races of people who have served as slaves.  Israel was in slavery for over 400 years, and God brought them out with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.  When American slavery was freed, God brought them out.  But like Israel, many of them wanted to stay where they were or go back into their known environment.  None of us understand why we may go through the things that we may go through.  One of those was Charles Albert Tindley, a Methodist preacher, born during the time of slavery.  His mother was a free slave but not his father.  As a young boy his mother died, (some said beaten to death by a slave master) and he was separated from his father.  He could not read nor write.  But he felt a call to preach.  Over the years he learned to read and write.  He started a multiracial church and which reached over 10,000 members.  One of the songs that he is credited with writing is ‘When Morning Comes.’  Sometimes we do not know why things happen the way that they do, but we will understand it better by and by.   Learn to trust God, not question God.  

 

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.

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

 

Thought For Today: There is a morning coming! 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 October 2020

 

Jesus Never Fails

 

“And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said. And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed. And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:1-8)

 

Today’s Morsel:  You know, there have been so many testimonies, books written, and stories told of God’s faithfulness. I have heard and I have seen God’s faithfulness.  Not only in my own life, but also in the life of others.  Do not for one moment think that God has failed you because things do not turn out the way that you expected them to.  You must realize that His ways are not ours. When Moses was finishing his recapitulation to the children of Israel before they crossed over into the promised land, he told them as well as Joshua their leader, “The LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”  God will not fail you Moses said.  He would not fail to give them counsel and direction, to afford them strength, to fill them with courage, and to deliver their enemies into their hands; nor forsake them till they had finished the work they were to do in conquering the land.  But the question is, will we fail Him before we finish what He is asking of us to do?

 

Sing:  Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails.  You might as well get thee behind me Satan you cannot prevail because Jesus never fails.

 

Thought For Today:  Always keep your vows!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 October 2020

 

The Love of God

 

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Often, I find that many folks do not understand how deep and how wide God's love really reaches.   So many fail to realize that if it had not been for Jesus, they would be in a total mess.  Christ manifested His love which was before hidden from us.  But now, He has given us clear evidence of it, full proof and demonstration of it.  He has so confirmed it by that act at Calvary. And there is no room nor reason we should doubt it.  He has illustrated and set it before us by this one circumstance.  Paul states, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)  Do you value His love for you?  Then show that you do by the life that you live.

 

Sing:  The love of God is more to me than all  this world could ever be.  It reaches down from the throne of glory, and sets the vilest sinner free.

 

Thought For Today:  Don’t ever discount God’s love. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 October 2020

 

Tomorrow

 

“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.”

 (James 4:13-15)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the unknowns about life is tomorrow. We all like to make plans for tomorrow, but what if tomorrow never comes?  I hear many folks who are now saying, I never thought that 2020 would turn out like this.  Many had great plans for 2020.  But 2019 ended and 2020 proved to be a year of disaster, pain, and sorrow for many.  James tells us that we do not know what shall be on tomorrow.  For our lives are but vapors that appear for a little time, and then vanish away.  James said that we ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. God’s will must always be considered because He is the giver of life and He is the giver of the day.  If it is His will, we will see tomorrow.  But if not, then what?  Do you know who holds tomorrow? Then just live for the day and let Him worry about tomorrow. 

 

Sing:  I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day; I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray.  I don’t worry over the future, For I know what Jesus said; and today I’ll work beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.

 

Thought For Today: Tomorrow is not promised.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 October 2020

 

What A Savior

“So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

 (John 4:40-42)

 

Today’s Morsel: Probably, one of the greatest stories told in scripture is the story of Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well.  Many have questioned why He would even talk with her. Some had even questioned why He would even go through Samaria since the Jews had no dealing with them.  But Scripture says that Jesus must go through Samaria.  And He came to Jacobs well and He sat upon it.  When the woman comes to draw water, Jesus asks her for a drink.  Jesus did not really want water; it was an open door for discussion and revelation.  One of the best ways to witness is through questioning and answering.  When their conversation was all done, the woman realized that Jesus was not just any ordinary man.  He was the Christ, the Savior of the world, and she desired to share that news.  And once the city of Sychar, had listened to Him and had knowledge of Him, they told the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.  Are you aware that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world? “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)

 

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 lifeblood for even me.

 

Thought For Today:  He is still the Savior of the world.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 October 2020

 

Let Us Gather At The River

 

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” (Acts 16:9-15)

 

Today’s Morsel:  The story is told of a preacher who was preaching one Sunday, and he got excited about his message and so he stated, “If I had the authority, I would take every crooked politician and lock them up."  The congregation yelled, "Lock them up, preacher, lock them up."  The preacher got more excited and said, "If I had the authority, I would take all the drugs being sold on the street and burn them in the fire."  The congregation yelled, "Burn it up preacher, burn it up."  The preacher got even more excited and stated, "If I had the authority, I would take all the alcohol, beer, and wine there is and cast it into the river."   The congregation yelled "Cast it all in preacher, cast it all in."  The sermon ended and immediately the organist and the choir started to play and sing, Shall we gather at the river, the beautiful, beautiful river…” (Humor)

When we would baptize people in the East China Sea, in Okinawa, Japan, it was not uncommon for someone to be walking along the Sea Wall and stop to observe what we were doing, and often they would see their need to be baptized too.  When Paul saw in a vision a man saying come over and help us, they did not immediately encounter the man.   But on the Sabbath day they went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer was wont to be made; and they sat down, and spoke to the women which resorted there.  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard them, whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought them, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained them. From this little gathering at the river side, in Macedonia, during a time of prayer, the church at Philippi (Philippians) was born.  Have you been down to the river lately?  Have you been baptized in Jesus' Name?  Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation.  Don't wait, there is no day like to day!

 

Sing:  Shall we gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river.  Shall we gather at the river, the beautiful river of God.

 

Thought For Today:  Baptism doth now save us.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 October 2020

 

But One

 

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.” (1 Corinthians 8:6-7)

 

Today’s Morsel:  If someone were to ask you how many true Gods are there?  How many would you say there are?  I think that one of the most confusing things for some folks is when they read the scriptures and they see that Jesus is God, but because they read another passage and Jesus makes comments to the Father, or the Spirit, they get confused and think that there are three different persons.  First, Jesus is not the author of confusion, but of peace.  Paul helps us to understand this One true God when he wrote, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)  Remember, Jesus said God is a Spirit (John 4:24).  Therefore, the Spirit took on flesh and blood like us. Scripture says, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18)  He became like us, flesh and blood.   Therefore, Jesus is called the Son of God.  And because God is a Spirit, when the flesh of Jesus died on the cross, the Spirit, the Comforter, is now in operation in the life of God’s people.  God is not three persons, He is One.  And Paul asks, how come there is not in every man this knowledge?  What knowledge?  That Jesus is God!  What is your understanding?  I pray you have a full understanding.  

 

Sing:  Jesus be the Lord of all; Jesus be the Lord of all; Jesus be the Lord of all, the kingdoms of my heart.

 

Thought For Today:  If God is three persons, we have a strange God!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 October 2020

 

Attracted to Weakness

 

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”  (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Throughout scripture, we see that God hates pride, but He is attracted to weakness. Scripture says that when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd.  It also tells us that His compassion is renewed every morning.  When we are weak, He is strong.  Because He is our heavenly Father, He sees when things are too much for us to bear and handle.  He is familiar with our capabilities and strength and knows when we need Him.  Notice, He knows when we need Him, not when we think that we need Him.  Some folks want Him to take care of every situation and circumstance.  If He did that, they would never learn or understand their capabilities and strength.  When Paul wanted Christ to remove the thorn from his flesh, He told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” He did not do what Paul wanted.  And so, Paul states, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”  Paul learned that when we allow Christ's unmerited love and influence to operate in our lives, we will be strong enough to face and to handle anything that comes against us in our life.  Friend, think it not strange concerning the fiery trials which are to try you.  Allow God's grace to be sufficient for you.  

 

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

 

Thought For Today:  But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 October 2020

 

The Christian Walk

 

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light”

(Colossians 1:10-12)

 

Today’s Morsel:  How we walk says a lot about who we are.  If I walk with my head down all the time, people will say that I am depressed or despondent.  If I walk with my pants sagging around my buttocks, people will say that I am thug, rebellious, or a rebel.  If I walk with a stroll or strut, people will say that I am prideful.  Our walk says a lot about who we are.   Paul instructs us to walk in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust of our flesh (Galatians 5:16).  To walk in the Spirit is to walk according to God’s word and the way that Jesus walked.  If we say that we are in the truth, then our walk (our life, actions, and conduct), should reflect that truth.  Again, Paul states, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”  How do we walk worthy of the Lord so that we please Him?   Well, we know that without faith we cannot please God.  Therefore, we must walk by faith in Him; walk after His Spirit, and according to His Word, and in His ordinances; and have our conversation as becoming His Gospel. How are you walking?

 

Sing: Just to walk with Him, means everything to me.  Just to know He's near His hand is leading me.  Though the world pass me by go their way, let me be.  Just to walk with Him means everything to me.

 

Thought For Today:  Always do everything to please God. Even your walk (Parker).