Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 31 March 2021

 

The Uncloudy Day

“And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” (1 Kings 18:41-46)

 

Today’s Morsel:  I do not know if you have ever endured a tornado or some other major storm, but it is not uncommon for the clouds to become exceeding black and everything around you darken.  Scripture says that after Elijah had his showdown with the 450 false prophets of Baal, it had not rained for three and half years.  But now Elijah was calling for rain again.  And so he sent his servant to see if there were any indications in the sky of rain.  After checking, the servant returns with a ‘No” report.  But upon Elijah telling him to go seven times, the servant returned and told him that he saw a cloud about the size of a man’s hand.  That was enough evidence for Elijah to know that it was about to rain again.  And soon, the sky was black with clouds and wind and there was a great rain.  Maybe you are feeling that there is a black cloud hanging over you today.  But I want to encourage you, there is coming a day that there will be no more cloudy days. So, hang in there. The Son is going to shine again.

 

Sing:  O the land of cloudless day; O the land of an unclouded day.  O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise, O they tell me of an uncloudy day.

 

Thought For Today: The home you are heading to will be nothing but sunshine days.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 March 2021

 

Master, The Tempest Is Raging

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When I was a ‘Reconnaissance Instructor’ in the Army, it was not uncommon for us to drop our students into the water and make them wait not knowing what was there or when we would return for them.  Or we may take them somewhere out into the woods, they had no idea where they were, and we would make them navigate home.  I am sure there were times that they felt as though they would perish.  I know I did when I first went through the training.  But this kind of training is designed to build your faith and to teach you to trust in your abilities and others.  The disciples of Jesus were afraid of perishing in the storm even though Jesus was there with them.  But for them to build their trust and confidence in each other and in Jesus, they needed to endure the storm.  Jesus saves them, but not until they have felt the sting of death.   Sometimes Jesus is going to allow you to feel as though there is no hope in your situation, but He will come through on time.

 

Sing: Master, the tempest is raging, the billows are tossing high.  The sky is overshadowed with blackness, no shelter or help is nigh. Get up Jesus!

Because the winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, peace be still!  Peace be still!  Whether the wrath of the storm toss sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, No water can swallow the ship where lies, the Master of ocean and earth and skies, shall all sweetly obey Thy will.

 

Thought For Today:  He’s still the Master of the sea.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 March 2021

 

Allelujah

“And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
(Revelation 19:1-6)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Allelujah is a Hebrew word that signifies "Praise ye the Lord".  The Jews say that the book of Psalms consists of ten sorts of songs, but Hallelujah is the greatest of them because it comprehends the name (Jehovah) and praise in one word.  The ‘H’ is a Hebrew letter and is a part of the tetragrammaton ‘YHWY’ or ‘JHVH’ which means Jehovah.  So we see ‘Hallelujah’ is translated as praise Jehovah, or what we say, Praise God or Praise the Lord.  It is the highest form of praise, and it means the same in every language.  No matter what country you may enter, and even if you cannot speak their vernacular if you say Hallelujah, they know what it means.  Hallelujah seems to be the only word that means the same every place in the world.  John writing from the isles of Patmos states, “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God.”  There seems to be a non-stop praise going on in the heavens.  I don’t know about you, but I’m getting ready to join the choir.

 

Sing:  Allelujah, allelujah, allelujah, Allelujah, allelujah, allelujah, allelujah!

 

Thought For Today:  God inhabits the praises of His people.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 March 2021

 

Something Beautiful

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Have you ever stopped to consider just how beautiful God’s creation really is?  I have been all around the world, and I will tell you that I have seen some of the most beautiful sites in the world.  If you have ever noticed how beautiful some of the pictures that you have seen, these are actual locations in God’s creation.  Right where you live are some of the most beautiful sites that others would desire to see.  Why not get outside and explore the beauty in your area. Not Covid nor anyone can stop you from going out into God’s creation and enjoying its beauty.  Solomon says that there is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven; and that God has made everything beautiful in His time.  The trees that now seem dead will soon bud and produce flowers and fruit. Wildlife will soon appear again for your viewing.  The caterpillar will soon emerge as a beautiful butterfly. Rainbows and sunsets will soon again appear after the rain.  There will be purple mountains.  And folks who were once scarred because of sin will rise from the waters of baptism, more beautiful than you have ever seen.  All because He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Sing:  Something beautiful, something good; all my confusion Jesus understood.  All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful out of my life.

 

Thought For Today:  Nature is calling you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 March 2021

 

Just A Little While

“For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalms 90:9-12)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When I was in the military, each time the Army sent me to an assignment overseas, they issued me a DEROS date for returning to America.  At first, it seemed like a long way off, but before you knew it, the time had passed, and we were heading back.  Psalms 90 is credited as being a prayer of Moses who states, “for all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”  It is only a little while. As I grow older, I see just how short 70 years is.  I am sure 40 years may have seemed like a long time for the children of Israel in the wilderness.  But once they reached the Promised Land and were settled, they realized just how short it was.  The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39)  I know that it seems like a long time that you have been going through your pain and sickness.  But hold on, Jesus is coming.  Ask the woman with the issue of blood. Ask Lazarus.  Ask Bartimaeus.  Ask the man on Solomon’s porch.  Your promise is coming down that dusty road.  Just a little while, so hold on.  

 

Sing: Just a little while to stay here, just a little while to wait, just a little more to labor in the path that’s always straight.  Just a little more of trouble, in this low and sinful state; then we’ll enter Heaven’s portals, sweeping through the pearly gates.

 

Thought For Today:  Hang in there. Pretty soon we will be at home with friends.

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 March 2021

 

Lord, Lay Some Soul upon My Heart

“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 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.”

 (Acts 16:6-9)

 

Today’s Morsel: When you pray each day before you head off to work, do you ask God to lay someone that needs to know about Him, or who may be going through a hard time upon your heart?  The world is really hurting today, and people are seeking answers.  Now may be a good time if you have been seeking for someone to witness to about Jesus.  Jesus said that we have not because we ask not.  How many souls would you like to lead to Christ this year?  We have been hearing a lot about a mighty ingathering and I want to be a part of it.  What about you?  Paul wanted to go in a different direction.  But God laid a man on his heart, and so Paul changed his course to go seek him.  And because he was sensitive to the Holy Ghost, the church of Philippi was born.  Why not ask God to lay someone on your heart today. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

 

Sing:  Lord lay some soul upon my heart and love that soul through me; and may I ever do my part to win that soul for Thee.

Thought For Today: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 March 2021

 Living by Faith 

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Throughout scripture we hear a lot about faith.  We are told to walk by faith.  Stand strong in the faith. Add to our faith.  To take the shield of faith.  And to live by our faith.  So, how do we live by our faith?  Well, we know according to scripture, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17);  And that  “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)  So, to live by faith, we must take God at His word and trust and believe Him for the things that we have need of by seeing them through the hidden lenses of our mind. We make our petitions known to Him, and we wait patiently and trust Him to supply.  It is a trust factor.  We put our money in the bank, and we walk away trusting and believing that it will be there when we need it.  We do it by faith because we trust the bank.  If we can trust the financial institution to care for our finances, why can’t we trust God with our lives? Your ability to live by faith is predicated upon your ability to trust God for what your needs are and let Him figure out how He will do it.  

 

Sing: Living by faith in Jesus above; Trusting, confiding in His great love.  Safe from all harm, safe in His arms; I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

 

Thought For Today: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 March 2021

 

They That Wait Upon The Lord

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalms 27:1-14)

 

Today’s Morsel:  The Hebrew word for ‘courage’ means, “be strong.”  That is, do not faint.  Do not be dismayed.  Still hope and trust in the Lord.  He shall strengthen your heart.  He will strengthen “thee.”  He will enable you to perform your duties and to triumph over your enemies.  Isaiah states, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”  This is one of God's attributes, and one of the reasons why we should trust in Him.  When we are weak, then are we strong because God will give us power and strength to endure.  Some folks are quick to throw in the towel because they do not have the patience and stamina to wait.  But again, Isaiah states, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)  Notice, to be renewed with strength we must learn to wait upon God.  Your ability to wait will determine the outcome of your strength.

Sing: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.  They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint.  Teach me, Lord, teach me, Lord, to wait.

 

Thought For Today: Your ability to wait will determine the outcome of your strength. (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 March 2021

 

The Best of Your Service

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:14-30)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When you go to work, do you give your employer your absolute best?  Jesus said, “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12)  In other words, God is not going to give that which He desires to give to you if you are not faithful to others who trust you with their goods.  Your employer hires you because they trust you.  But if you are not faithful, pretty soon it will show.  In today's parable, the owner trusts his servant with talents.  And when he returns, two of them have proven faithful and gained more. The owner tells them “well done” good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.  I like how Jesus relates the joy of the Lord with faithfulness.  The two servants that are rewarded with joy proved faithful.  But the one who did nothing with what he was given, states that he was afraid.  He was fearful.  He hid his master’s talent.  His action shows us that fear will steal your joy.  Fear will cause you to hide the talent and ability that Jesus has given you, and you will not advance His kingdom. Let me encourage you, Jesus has dealt to everyone a talent.  So, use what He has given you and advance the kingdom.

 

Sing:  If when you give the best of your service, telling the world that the Savior has come, be not dismayed when men don’t believe you; He’ll understand and say, “Well done.”

O’ when I come to the end of my journey, weary of life, and the battle is fought and the victory is won, carrying the staff and the Cross of redemption, He’ll understand and say, “Well done.”

 

Thought For Today: Purpose to gain one more talent this week (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 March 2021

 

Jesus Saves

 

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

 

Today’s Morsel:  While standing in the ticket line with my Regional Director at the airport in Okinawa Japan, we noticed a young man about ten people ahead of us with a T-shirt on with a picture on the back that said, “Jesus Saves.”  I said to my Regional Director, once we get you checked in, I am going to talk with this young man.  Well, the opportunity presented itself, but when the young man turned around, his T-Shirt had a picture of Jesus putting a coin into a piggy bank.  We both started laughing, but it did give us a chance to speak with him. John informs us that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save.  Jesus said that his overall mission was to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10 (my wording) and now our mission must be the same.  Even though we cannot save anyone our mission must still be to lead them to The One who can.  As the angels proclaimed to the shepherds who were watching their flocks by night, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)  Jesus still saves!

 

Sing:  We have heard the joyful sound; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!  Spread the tidings all around; Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Bring the news to every land, climb the steeps and cross the waves; Onward! Tis our Lord’s command.  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

 

Thought For Today: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 March 2021

 

I Feel Like Traveling On

 

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Scripture tells us in the book of Hebrews, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whether he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)  From the time Abraham was called, he looked for that city that was built by God.  God has prepared a place for us, but we must have the stamina to keep going in order to reach it.  The writer of Hebrews again informs us “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Hebrews 13:12-14) Do you have the stamina to keep pressing on to that heavenly city? If you purpose in your life each day to go one more day, you will make it.

 

Sing: My heavenly home is bright and fair, I feel like traveling on.  No pain, no death can enter there, I feel like traveling on.

Yes, I feel like traveling on, I feel like traveling on.  My heavenly home is bright and fair, I feel like traveling on.

 

Thought For Today: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 March 2021

 

Count Your Blessings

 

“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” (Psalms 139:17-18)

 

Today’s Morsel:  There seems to be more ingratitude than gratitude among people these days.  Where have we gone wrong?  Why are people not thankful?  Why are they not content with what they have?  Well, Paul states that in the last days people would be unthankful (2 Timothy 3:1-7).  But this should not be in the church.  The church doesn't belong to the world.  The church belongs to Jesus.  The psalmist acknowledges, with wonder and thankfulness, the care God had taken of him all his days.   God, who knew him, thought of him, and his thoughts towards him were thoughts of love, thoughts of good and not of evil, Jeremiah 29:11.  He states that God’s thoughts toward him are precious.  They are so valuable.  Just knowing that God has good thoughts for us should awe us, and cause us to realize how important we are to Him.  Like the psalmist, any time we count God’s thoughts towards us, they should be counted precious to us, and cause us to bless the Lord for all His great love towards us.  We have so much to be thankful for.  It should be easy for us to have an attitude of gratitude.   

Sing: When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God hath done.  Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your many blessings see what God hath done.

 

Thought For Today:  Every thought of God is precious toward you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 March 2021

 

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

 

“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

 

Today’s Morsel:  In the movie ‘Gettysburg’, General Longstreet, tries to persuade General Lee that Pickett’s charge is a bad strategy, citing the danger of crossing such a large open area with so many troops.  But his words seem to fall on deaf ears.  Sometimes we may see the danger of what others are about to do, but if they do not heed our advice then there is really nothing we can do.  The Lord sent Jeremiah down to the potter’s house to observe a work being done by the potter. Jeremiah notices that the vessel the potter is making is marred and must be made over again.  Then the Lord speaks to him and says, “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”  Our lives are in the hand of the Lord and sometimes we just may need to be made anew.  Jesus says that when we pray, we should pray Thy will be done.  God already knows what we have need of.   So why not simply allow Him to have His own way in our lives, situations, and circumstances?  He already knows what is best for us.  

 

Sing:  Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielding and still.

 

Thought For Today: His way is best!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 March 2021

 

Near the Cross

 

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” (John 19:25-28)

 

Today’s Morsel:  History tells us that many followed Jesus to His crucifixion that day. Even Simon, the father of Rufus, was made to carry Jesus’ cross.  But standing near that cross was His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene, and John whom Jesus loved. Some have questioned where Joseph was.  Neither history nor scripture enlightens us to this point.  Those who loved Him were there.  And even today, those that love Him still value and stay near the cross, as it is a symbol of His great love for mankind.  Even the apostle Paul, who may have been present that day, not for love, but maybe for vendetta, would later write, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14)  Even Paul found himself being drawn to the cross.  If you stay close to the cross, it will keep you from the evils of this world and it will keep you saved.

 

Sing:  Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain, free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever; till my raptured soul shall find, rest beyond the river.

 

Thought For Today: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)