Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 June 2021

 

This Dog Is Gonna Bark

 

“His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.” (Isaiah 56:10-11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  People get dogs for many reasons, but often it is for companionship and protection.  Yet sad to say when the dog is giving warning the owners want them to be quiet.  The Lord said that 'His watchmen are blind, dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.  Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand.'  But this dog is gonna bark. This dog is here to let you know that -

·        If you are not living a holy and righteous life, you are not going to heaven. 

·        Everyone that dies does not go to heaven. 

·        If your lifestyle is not in accordance with the word of God, do not expect to enter the pearly gates.

Paul puts it plainly when he says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:6-9); "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) and Jesus says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23); There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)   This dog is gonna bark - Either get right or you are gonna get left behind!

 

Sing: I’m getting ready to leave this place, I’m getting ready for those gates of pearls, keeping my record right, watching both day and night well.  I'm getting ready to leave this place.

 

Thought For  Today: “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:43-44)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 June 2021

 

Should We Look For Another?

 

“And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Luke 7:19-23)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Like John the Baptist, if we are not careful some of us can lose hope and think that Jesus is not the one who was to come again or start thinking that He has already come, and they have missed the boat.  For years, I have heard that Jesus is coming back.  And He is.  I cannot let my mind play on my thoughts and cause me to give up and walk away as so many have.  Paul states, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)  The woman at the well told Jesus, “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” (John 4:25-26)”  She knew He was coming but she didn’t know when.  Her lifestyle had caused her to be not ready for His coming.  She knew He was coming but was caught off guard. John wanted to know if Jesus was the one or should they look for another.  Maybe John thought that Jesus would come to deliver him from the hand of Herod if he was the one, as he knew the Messiah would be a deliverer.  But Jesus did not deliver John. He simply said to John's disciples, “Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”  And John knew that Jesus was the one, and he said, “I must decrease, He must increase.”  If you have been born-again of the water and the spirit, He has appeared to you once.  The next time He comes, it will be to carry you home.  So, hang in there.  Jesus is coming again!  Be ready!!

 

Sing:  O’ my brother, are ready for the call, to crown your Savior King, and Lord of all?  The kingdoms of this world shall soon before Him fall; We shall see the King when He comes.

 

Thought For  Today:  You will know Him when you see Him.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 June 2021

 No Weapon

 

“Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:15-17)

 

Today’s Morsel:  No instrument of war, no sword, or spear; no instrument of persecution or torture that is made by the smith shall prosper against you.  The sense here is that it shall not have final and ultimate prosperity.  It might be permitted for a time to appear to prosper, as persecutors and oppressors have done; but there would not be a final and complete success. No one shall be able to injure you by words and accusations.  If a controversy shall arise; if others reproach you and accuse you of impropriety and deceit, you will ultimately be able to convince them of error, and, by manifestation of the truth, to condemn them.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.  The inheritance that awaits those who serve God in truth and victory.  It is not gold and the triumph of battle, but rather it is the protection of God in all times of trouble.  Victory starts here in the house of God.

 

Sing:  I command you Satan in the name of the Lord to pick up your weapons and flee.  For God has given me authority to walk all over thee.

 

Thought For Today:  Victory starts here in the house of God.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 June 2021

 

His Righteousness Sustained Him

 

“And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” (Isaiah 59:16)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the greatest qualities of moral endurance is righteousness.  Being righteous is acting in accordance with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin. Righteous is an adjective that means virtuous, honorable, or morally right.  Being righteous means doing what is right, obeying the law, or adhering to morals.  The Lord stated in Ezekiel 22:29-30, “The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:29-30)  When there is wrong in the land, God starts looking for a righteous man to intercede on the behalf of others.  Are you the righteous man God is looking for?  His righteousness brought salvation to us.   

 

Sing:  To be like Jesus!  To be like Jesus!  On earth I long to be like Him.  All through life’s journey from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.

 

Thought For Today:  Righteousness will sustain you against all wrong! (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 June 2021

 The House of Prayer 

 

“For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” (Isaiah 56:4-7)

 

Today’s Morsel:  As gentiles who have been grafted into God’s family, we should be elated that we have been given such an opportunity and place in His house.  We should never take it for granted.  The Lord states, “the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, everyone that keepth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer.”  Everyone that loves the Lord and keeps His covenant is given exceeding precious promises.  Again, the Lord states about those that are strangers that love Him, “them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.”  This is a drawback to Isaiah 55 when the Lord tells us that His thoughts and ways are not as ours.   When God brings us into His family, no good thing will He withhold from them that Love Him. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)  I am so thankful I am a part of the family of God, how about you?

 

 

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

 

Thought For Today:  No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 June 2021

 

What Separates You From God?

 

“Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the hardest things for most people to accept is their own sins.  It is easier for them to point out the sins of others but not their own.  David was ready to execute swift judgment and retribution on the man that Nathan was telling him about until he realized that he was the man.  How many times have we sat in church, listened to a sermon, and concluded that it wasn’t for us, but for someone else?  As a preacher, every message that I prepare and preach, I’m always looking for the application for myself first.  I am like Paul, when he wrote, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)  What good is it to preach to others and you yourself are lost because of sin?  Matthew wrote of Jesus as saying: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:21-27)  Don’t allow your sin to separate you from Christ.

 

Sing:  Have you been to Jesus for His cleansing power, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb.  There’s a fountain flowing for the souls unclean, O’ be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Thought For  Today:  Don’t allow your sins to keep you from God!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 June 2021

 

The Good Shepherd

 

“A Psalm of David. 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:  You know, we used to hear this Psalm a lot in the church when I was young.  But now the only time you seem to hear it is at funerals.  Yes, it is a good Psalm to bring comfort, but why should we wait for funerals to apply it?  When we understand that Jesus is LORD and that David called Him such, you can understand Jesus' question to the religious leaders when He asked them, “ What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then calls him Lord, how is he his son?” (Matthew 22:42-45)  Jesus said that He is the good shepherd.  And as the Psalmist said, "For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods… O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand." (Psalms 95:3,6-7)  Do you know who died for you? It was the Good Shepherd!

 

Sing:  Lead me, Lord, I will follow, lead me, Lord, I will go.  You have called, I will answer.  Lead me, Lord, I will go!

 

Thought For Today:  “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 June 2021

 

On Eagle Wings

 

“And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.” (Exodus 19:3-4)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Some of the imagery that God uses to show how He delivers us and His capabilities are amazing.  I do not know if you have ever watched an eagle up close, but those are some majestic birds.  I like standing alone by the river and watching them soar from above to capture their prey. It is amazing the amount of weight that they can carry.  The Lord told Moses to tell the children of Israel that He had brought them unto Himself on eagles’ wings.  An eagle is said to be not only a bird that is powerful and mighty but also one which cares for its young.  Throughout scripture, God is seen in the imagery of an eagle.  Eagle’s have been seen by airline pilots over five miles in the air.  When there is a storm, eagles have been known to allow the winds to carry them above the storm.  Isaiah states, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 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 40:29-31)  Why not allow Jesus to bear you on His wings today.  He can carry you far about the storm in your life.

 

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

 

Thought For Today:  Stay faithful and God will bring you unto Himself on eagle wings. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 June 2021

 

It Is Good To Be Here

 

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” (Matthew 17:1-4)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Have you ever been in one of those church services where there is a mighty move of God, where people are being filled with the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues, and they are being baptized in the name of Jesus, and you turn to someone and say, “I’m so glad I’m here to see this?”  Can you imagine what Peter, James, and John must have felt like on the Mountain of Transfiguration when they saw Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah?  I can see them saying, WOW!  Peter was so excited that he acclaimed, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.”  In other words, I would not have wanted to miss this for anything in the world.   That’s how it should be for everyone. They should be asking themselves, "What am I going to miss if I don't go to church?"  Can you imagine what Thomas would have felt like if Jesus had not returned so that he could witness the resurrection, after the other disciples had already seen Him? He may have lived the rest of His life in doubt. Let me encourage you, the next time you go to church, look at someone and tell them as you walk through the door, “It is so good for us to be here.”

 

Sing: In His presence is fullness of joy, at His right hand, pleasures forevermore; Oh, what fellowship divine, I am His, and He is mine; in the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy.

 

Thought For Today:  Any church service you miss may be the one that you needed most.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 June 2021

 

Salvation

 

“And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” (Acts 16:22-34)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Throughout the book of Acts, we see the eagerness of the Disciples of Christ to get the gospel to the lost so that they could be saved.  No matter what they had to endure to preach the gospel, they went forth doing it and many were added to the church daily.  The gospel has not lost its power to change people's lives.  We must be willing to go share it at all cost and not worry about our comfort zone or life.  Paul and Silas were beaten and cast into prison for casting a demonic spirit out of a lady.  You would have thought the people would have been excited for her. But she was being used for others' personal gain.  Much like today.  But after God intervened with an earthquake, the jailer and his household were saved.  We too have been commissioned to go and share the gospel so that others may be saved.  Are you fulfilling your part?

Sing:  Everybody ought to know!  Everybody ought to know!  Everybody ought to know who Jesus is.  Everybody ought to know!  Everybody ought to know!  Everybody ought to know who Jesus is.  He’s the Lily of the valley; He’s the bright and Morning Star; He’s the fairest of ten thousand; everybody ought to know.

 

Thought For Today:  The harvest is waiting on you!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 June 2021

 

The Danger of Technology

 

“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” (Psalms 101:3)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Technology is out of hand and it is destroying life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for so many.  Many have brought into its destructive ways and methods.  Children are no longer given an opportunity to be children because everything that an adult once only saw or knew about, a child now has it at their figure tips and can watch it at their unsupervised leisure.  Thus, the child is required to make choices at a young age that once only adults were required to do.  And we wonder why there is little or no respect for parents, authority, or themselves.  Children are committing suicide, because they are required to make adult decisions with a child’s mind, and they were not made by God to do this.  Solomon states, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Proverbs 29:15)  Many parents are asking themselves where they went wrong? Technology.  They did not control technology in the home.  The psalmist states, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”  If you do not control technology, it will destroy you and your home.  May I suggest you take the first step to getting back on track to the simple life?  Get back to daily devotions with your children in the home before it is too late!

 

Sing:  Let’s talk about Jesus, the King of Kings is He, the Lord of all supreme, throughout eternity.  The great I am the way, the truth, the life, the door.  Let’s talk about Jesus more and more!

 

Thought For Today:  Don’t allow Technology to destroy your home.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 June 2021

 

Humility

 

“He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” (Proverbs 15:32-33)

 

Today’s Morsel:  In the church, we like to focus on the fruit of love, peace, and joy, but often we overlook meekness.  Why is meekness and humility so overlooked?  Have we allowed Satan to make us think that we are somebody important?  Is the reason so many have such self-centered and narcissist attitudes because we have not taught enough about true humility and meekness?  The prophet Micah says that the Lord requires us to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before our God (Micah 6:8).  Peter calls for us to humble ourselves so that God can exalt us in due time (my wording). If pride is in your heart, rest assuredly that humility is not present.  If you want to know where God dwells, Isaiah enlightens us. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15)  God dwells with the humble.  And Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)  Keep a close eye on pride, it usually comes just before you fall.

 

Sing:  O’ Lamb of God sweet Lamb of God, I love the Holy Lamb of God.  O’ wash me in Thou precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

 

Thought For Today:  Before honor is humility