Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 31 July 2021

 Obstacles

 

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:22-31)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Peter took His eyes of Christ, his goal, he saw the obstacles around him and started to sink. Jesus’ disciples get blamed by many today for a lot of things after they read the gospels.  But what they fail to realize is that in the gospels, those disciples were in training.  They were expected to make mistakes and lose heart and focus on the obstacles.  But you do not see that after the Resurrection of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.  They seem to be well trained and ready for the challenge.  They do not focus on obstacles, but rather they now focus on their goal.  They focus on the lost and Jesus Christ.   

 

Sing:  I am determined to hold out to the end, Jesus is with me on Him I can depend.  For I know I have salvation for I feel it in my soul.  I am determined to hold out to the end.

 

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

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 July 2021

 How’s Your Faith

 

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

 

Today’s Morsel:  On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being highest, how is your faith?  We need to check our faith daily.  We need to measure it by God’s word to see if we are measuring up.  You need to examine yourselves to see whether you are a true Christian or not.  Whether you have true faith in the gospel.  Do you have faith in Jesus Christ, and in the promises of God?  Throughout scripture, we see those who had faith, such as Celeb and Joshua, and those who did not, like Saul and the ten spies.  If we say that we are Christians, then we must let our faith in Christ be seen.  Hidden faith does not draw the sinner out of darkness unto His marvelous light.

 

Sing:  Faith, Faith, just a little bit of faith.  Faith, Faith, just a little bit of faith.  You don’t need a whole lot, just use what you've got.  Faith, Faith, just a little bit of faith.

 

Thought For Today: Faith without works is dead!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 July 2021

 Giants Keep On Coming

 

“And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam. And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant. But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him. These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.” (1 Chronicles 20:5-8)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about warfare is you will never kill all your enemies.  There will always be someone that will arise from another place to come against you.  David slew the Giant Goliath, but we see that later in his older age in war, Goliath had another brother named Lahmi who almost killed David.  But David’s nephew Elhanan killed him.  Giants are going to keep coming.  Giant problems, challenges, obstacles, circumstances, and situations are going to keep coming.  So, pray that when they do, someone will have your back.  Remember, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:12-18)  Keep your eyes on Jesus or the world around you will ruin your day.   

 

Sing:  Somebody ought to testify, oh, oh, oh, somebody ought to testify.  For God I live, for God I ll die.  Somebody ought to testify.

 

Thought For Today: Keep your eyes on Jesus or the world around you will ruin your day.   

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 July 2021

 Wait On The Lord

 

“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 27:10-14)

 

Today’s Morsel:  David, who is credited with writing Psalms 27, calls for us to learn to wait on the Lord.  David had seen God come through for him and he wanted us to learn the importance of waiting on God.  All ye who are in distress, wait on the Lord.  Take me for an example.  I waited on him, and he strengthened my heart; if you will wait on him, he will strengthen your heart.  You cannot be unsuccessful; fear not.  Wait, I say, on the Lord; wait for his help in doing his will.  Be of good courage. The Hebrew word here means, “be strong.”  That is, do not faint.  Do not be dismayed.  Still hope and trust in the Lord.  He will strengthen you.  He will enable you to perform your duties and to triumph over your enemies.  Isaiah states, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 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 40:28-31) The word rendered ‘wait upon’ here, denotes properly to wait, in the sense of expecting.  The phrase, ‘to wait on the Lord,’ means to wait for His help; that is, to trust in Him, to put our hope and confidence in Him.  As the writer of Hebrews informs 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. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 10:35-11:1) Tie a knot in the end of the rope and wait.

 

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:  Wait…What Am I Thinking.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 July 2021

 Wealth

 

“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.” (Psalms 112:1-4)

 

Today’s Morsel:  In most of the magazines that fill my mailbox, there is always an article inside about achieving wealth.  There are always questions asking how much wealth will I need for retirement?  How much do I think I will need to be comfortable? First, I do not think anyone knows how much they will need for retirement, as tomorrow is not promised to us.  Nor does anyone know what will make them comfortable, as sickness and ill health do not usually bring comfort with it.  I know what they mean, but if I put my trust in wealth, I am going to be disappointed. Most people will not measure up to what they say that one will need. We should never count wealth as wealth. As a matter of fact, scripture tells us, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (Proverbs 23:5) If you really want to know what wealth is, then count righteousness.  That is the only thing that will endure forever.

 

Sing: All my hope is in Jesus, thank God my yesterdays gone.  All my sins are forgiven, I've been washed by the blood.

 

Thought For Today:  Wealth that is not the result of honest industry and hard labor is seldom permanent.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 July 2021

 A Good Thing

 

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)

 

Today’s Morsel:  The secrets of success are a good wife and a steady job.  At least that is what my wife told me. (a little humor). Scripture states that he who so finds a wife finds a good thing. What makes a wife. Well, Solomon’s mother lists certain attributes of her in Proverbs 31.  To me, a wife is one who is wise. She possesses wisdom, knowledge, skills, and abilities that will enhance her home and make her husband known in the gates when he sits with others.  She opens her mouth in wisdom and her words show forth the knowledge of God.  She has strong integrity and will not compromise that integrity for personal gain, profit, or pleasure.  Honesty is her watchword.  She is faithful to her God, husband, family, duties, herself, and to her church.  She can be counted on when needed.  She has endurance.  She has both physical and mental stamina to keep going in times of hardship, persecution, and assault upon herself, her household, and her beliefs.   She is a woman whose children arise and call her blessed, and her husband does, too.  “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” (Proverbs 14:1)  By her prudent and industrious management, she increases property in the family, furniture in the house, and food and raiment for her household.  This is the true building of a house. The thriftless wife acts differently, and the opposite is the result. Household furniture, far from being increased, is dilapidated; and her household is ill-fed, ill-clothed, and worse educated.  Every born-again woman of God ought to be a good thing.  I have found a good thing.  And I thank God for her.  

 

Sing:  I am blessed!  I am blessed!  Every day that I live, I am blessed.  When I wake up in the morning, till I lay my head to rest, I am blessed, I am blessed.

 

Thought For Today:  Every born-again woman of God ought to be a good thing.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 July 2021

 

Virtue

 

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8)

 

Today’s Morsel:  What is faith without virtue?  What is the use of faith in God if we are not going to live a morally good and righteous lifestyle?  If our behavior is not showing a higher moral standard of godliness what is the use?  If we say that we have faith in God, then our conduct and character must reflect that belief. All sinners know that a Christian lifestyle is to be different from theirs. In all of Paul’s letters to the churches,  he is sounding an alarm. You cannot be a Christian and a sinner at the same time.  You cannot serve God and Satan simultaneously.  Nor can you have God in your life and a devil at the same time.   We must develop virtue in our lives so that we do not come short in our knowledge of Christ and fall.

 

Sing: Deeper! Deeper!  In the Love of Jesus, daily let me go.  Higher, higher, in the school of wisdom, more of grace to know.

 

Thought For Today:   You are going to need courage and fortitude, to enable you to profess the faith before men in these times of persecution.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 July 2021

 

Letting Go

 

“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:  Solomon states that there is a time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away.  Sometimes, we must let things go.  I know a lot of people who have lost loved ones, but they refuse to let them go and move on with life.  In this life, it is not what we take up but what we give up that makes us rich.  Jesus says, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21)  Don’t be afraid to let go or lose things.  That is not what life is about. Life is about becoming rich in Christ.

 

Sing:  It is Jesus, Jesus, sad ones weep no more.  He will heal the brokenhearted open wide the prison door.  He is able to deliver evermore.

 

Thought For Today:  Beware of Covetousness!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 July 2021

 

Omniscience

 

“There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:30)

 

Today’s Morsel:  I sometimes think that some folks think that they are getting away with things.  Sometimes when the wicked and evil are taken in their own snare, I ask myself, did God just expose them to authority because they at some point said within themselves, “Who is God?” or “I don’t need God.”   No matter how many schemes one may come up with, it is nothing new.  God already knows what the plan is.  The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong.  God sees and knows everything.  And He will expose you if you are wrong. As He asked Job out of the whirlwind, and said, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." (Job 38:1-4)  God is all-knowing. Nothing is hidden from Him.  So do not worry about the wicked and evil, give God a chance and He will expose them every time if they do not repent and turn to Him.

 

Sing:  For the God of the mountain, is still God in the valley, when things go wrong, He’ll make them right; And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times, and the God of the day, is still God in the night.

 

Thought For Today: Stand still and let God work!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 July 2021

 

The Greatest Example

 

“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” 

(1 Peter 2:19-22)

 

 Today’s Morsel:  Example is not the main thing in influencing others.  It is the only thing.  After Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, He said to them, “Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15)  Notice, for I have given you an example of what true humility looks like.  I have also given you an example to never think that you are better than someone else.  I have given you an example of true servanthood.  I have given you an example of love.  We should never think that the church is about us because it is not.  It is about others.  The church exists for others.  You, the church, exist for others.  Remember Peter said that Christ suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow His steps.  Anytime you are not willing to suffer, then it is all about you, not Christ.  Follow Jesus' example today, be a servant.  

 

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: Example is not the main thing in influencing others.  It is the only thing.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 July 2021

 Refrain From Evil

 

“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matthew 15:14)

 

Today’s Morsel: I am totally appalled by the number of people in the church who are following evil and who cannot seem to see it.  But of course, Paul told us, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)  Satan seems to be blinding many. You see, the gospel has the power to prevent you from following evil and doing wrong, but you must obey it.  If one is a follower of evil, he is not in the church.  No matter how many times he or she says that they are Christians.  God does not associate with evil.  The Lord told Isaiah that they have eyes, but they see not; ears have they but they hear not.  “And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” (John 9:39-41)  Every day, I do my very best to sound the alarm against evil, and yet I still see many falling into the ditch because they are more willing to follow blind leaders than Jesus.  Be aware and hear the call, do not follow after evil.  

 

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

 

Thought For Today: Keep your eyes on Christ and you will not fall in the ditch.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 July 2021

 

Be Still

 

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Most people's trouble comes from their inability to be still.  One of the things that most people seem to have trouble with is calmness and serenity.  Especially when it comes to trials and troubles in their lives.  The word ‘Still’ in this passage means to cease or stop.  For what purpose should we cease or stop in our dilemma?  So that we will be able to see what God will do for us.  Remember, God will work if we let Him.  As the Lord told King Jehoshaphat, “Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, 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. To morrow 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; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:14-17) You may be fighting the battle of your life, but if you do not stop or cease from leaning unto your own understanding, you will never know what God will do for you.  Sit still and let God work for a while in the battle.  

 

Sing:  I lean on You Lord, I lean on You Lord; for the things that I need, I lean on You.  When I don’t know just what to do, I’ve got the faith You’re going to see me through;  You supply my every need and I lean on You.

 

Thought For Today:  Most of people's trouble comes from their inability to be still.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 July 2021

 

Dealing with PTSD

 

“In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.”

(2 Samuel 22:7)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is that many do not know how to deal with it.   I even suffer from PTSD, but I have learned where my help comes from.  "My help cometh from the Lord."  I have learned the key to combating PTSD is four easy steps.  

(1) Pray. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).  Prayer changes the way that we see things and gives us strength to overcome.  

(2). Turn to God for His counsel and guidance. “There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)  

(3.) Stay Focused on Christ. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4). 

(4) Depart from anything that may cause you harm, or more stress like drugs, alcohol, and people who do not understand what you are facing. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) 

You may suffer from PTSD or some other emotional disorder, but you can be an overcomer through Christ.  

 

Sing:  I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O what a change in my life.  I’ve got Jesus on the inside working on the outside, O’ what a change in my life.  I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O what a change in my life; O what a change in my life.

 

Thought For Today:  There is nothing too hard for God!