Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 31 August 2021

 

Physicians Without Value

 

“Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it. What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” (Job 13:1-4)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When we go to the doctor for our ailments, we are looking for them to tell us what our issue is.  But what I often find is they are as dumbfounded as I am.  Job’s friends tried to find out his ailment by questioning his relationship with God.  To which he told them that they were physicians of no value.  The meaning is that they had come to give him consolation, but nothing that they said had imparted comfort. They were like physicians sent to visit the sick, who could do nothing when they came.  He told them, what you know, the same I know also.  If I already know what the doctor is going to tell me, he is of no value to me.  Job continued by telling his friends, “I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.” (Job 16:2)  They had come professedly to console him.  Now all that they said was adapted only to irritate and to deepen his distress.  He was disappointed; and he was deeply wounded and grieved.  I am sure that you do not have friends like that.  If we say that we are born again, then we must be true physicians to our friends that may be suffering and in pain, and be true cross bearers.  Edify and always build up those that come to us in affliction and pain.  

 

Sing:  He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, surely, He bore all our sorrows, and by His stripes we are healed.

 

Thought For Today:  By his stripes we are healed!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 August 2021

 

Pure Words

 

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Have you ever watched one of those cooking shows on YouTube, and the guy or lady says that the recipe calls for this, but I add a little bit of this to give it a better flavor? Well, their adding just altered the original recipe.  Somewhat like some folks do with the word of God.  They like to add to it. Yet we must not add to nor take away from the word of God.  There is not a scripture in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible which says that God will not put more on you than what you can handle.  That is adding to the word of God.  Scripture states, “For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.” (Job 34:23)  If we try to alter God’s word to fit our lives, circumstances, and situations, we can be found a liar.  We must not alter the recipe to fit our taste.  God has already proven that the proof is in the pudding. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”  The recipe is proven, we do not need to add to it nor take away from it.  

 

Sing: He gets sweeter as the years go by, He gets sweeter as the years go by; Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter, sweeter, as the years go by.

 

Thought For Today: “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalms 34:8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 August 2021

 

Walking Uprightly

 

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalms 84:11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Throughout scripture, we see that we are continuously called to be cautious and aware of how we walk. When the Bible speaks of our walk it refers to our character.  Paul tells us to walk circumspectly toward them that are without.  In other words, be careful and cautious.  When one walks in the uprightness and sincerity of their hearts;  the Lord will not withhold any good thing from them that He has purposed for them, promised to them, or laid up for them in covenant.  The Psalmist states that no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.  When we are obedient to God’s word and live according to that word, we will walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lust of our flesh, and God will be well pleased.  As Solomon states, “Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.” (Proverbs 28:18)  How is your walk today?

 

Sing: Let me walk with You Jesus, don’t ever leave me alone.  For without You I could never, no, never make heaven my home.

 

Thought For Today: “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” (Proverbs 2:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 August 2021

 

Iron Sharpeneth Iron

 

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the main purposes for true godly pastors, friends, and mentors is to keep you keen and alert.  If you have ever filed a knife, you will notice if it is done correctly, that blade is sharp.  In old times, soldiers wanted to ensure that their sword blades were always sharp and ready for battle.  They wanted that first blow to be able to destroy their enemy. Solomon states that iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.  By good godly conversation and counsel with each other, men learn to sharpen each other’s minds and excite each other to learn and grow.  Christians sharpen one another's compassion, grace, mercy, submission, and servanthood, and stir up each other to commit themselves to godly character, love, and good works.   Are you staying sharp?  Check who you are spending your time with.  Make sure they are sharpening your blade.  

 

Sing:  He’s changing me, my blessed Savior, I'm not the same person that I used to be.  Well it’s been slow going, but there’s a knowing, that someday perfect I will be.

 

Thought For Today: “Can others sharpen your image?”

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 August 2021

 A Contentious Man

 

“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”

(1 Corinthians 11:14-16)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Every so often, I will encounter someone who wants to argue with me about my personal stand on scripture and my belief.  They try to get me to say that someone is going to hell because they do not believe what I believe, to which I will often tell them as the apostle Paul said when he told the church at Rome, “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” (Romans 3:3-4);  … Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5) I tell them if that is what the scripture means to you then follow that path, you are the one that must stand before God and give an account for your decision and your own life.  But know this, if you are wrong, you will be responsible for your decision.  There will always be contentious men and women, especially in these last days.  And no marvel, Paul states, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)  How will you handle contentious men and women when they come against you?  You should have your mind set and your answer ready now, or you will not be prepared then.  

 

Sing: It’s real, it’s real, I know it’s real, it's this Pentecostal blessing and I know, I know, it’s real.  It’s real, it’s real, I know it’s real, it's this Pentecostal blessing and I know, I know, it’s real.

 

Thought For Today:  “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Proverbs 26:21)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 August 2021

 Self-Control

 

“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. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
(2 Peter 1:5-11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Having control over oneself is key to eternal salvation.  As a matter of fact, Solomon states, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)  Our ability to control ourselves comes from the Holy Ghost.  Temperance is part of the fruit of the spirit.  If one cannot control himself, he will self-destruct.  Peter states that we must add temperance to our knowledge. Knowledge can be like a wild horse if we do not have the reins of self-control to direct it.  Again, Solomon states, “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” (Proverbs 2:10-11)  If you desire to stay out of trouble, out of debt, and not cause hardship to yourself, you must have temperance 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: Temperance …Common sense.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 August 2021

 

Honey

 

“My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste” (Proverbs 24:13)

 

Today’s Morsel:  I really love honey.  As a matter of fact, I try to eat a teaspoon of it each night before I go to bed.  When I awake the next morning, I am refreshed and have gotten a good night’s sleep.  When Jonathan fought against the Philistines and God worked a great victory for him, when he was coming back into the camp, God had dropped honey all through the woods. Jonathan dipped his staff into it and ate it.  Scripture states, “And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.” (1 Samuel 14:25-29) Solomon said, My son, eat thou honey, because it is good. David, his father, said that the word of God is sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  Honey is good for food; there was plenty of it.  It has been stated that honey is very nourishing, strengthening, and refreshing to you; just as it was for Samson, Jonathan, John the Baptist, and others; and it is good for medicine, it is healthful and beneficial, and useful against many diseases.  It is said honey conduces much to prolong life and preserve from diseases; it has been observed that those who have used it much have lived to a great age.  Simple thought, but enjoy some honey, because it is good.  

 

Sing:  More to be desired are they than gold, much find gold, sweeter also than the honey, and the honeycomb.

 

Thought For Today:  Have a little honey for what ails you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 August 2021

 

Truth

 

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23)

 

Today’s Morsel:  There is a story told of a man that purchased an old motorcycle that was sitting in a man’s barn that he was not using.  Well, as the story goes, the man took the motorcycle home and began to repair it to get it running. During his repair of the motorcycle, the man realized that he would need to order some new parts and so he contacted the dealer.  He was asked what kind of motorcycle it was.  The man told them.  Then he was asked if he had the serial number.  The man went back outside and got the number from under the seat.  He sat on the phone for a while waiting.  The attendant came back on the line and asked the man if anything else was written under the seat like a name of some kind.  The man went and looked again and returned and said, "The only name I see is the words, The King."   The man was told that the motorcycle had once been owned by Elvis Pressley.  Solomon said buy the truth and sell it not.  We must obtain truth, know it, and never let it go.  Jesus said that the word is the truth.  Evangelical truth; the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation, which comes from the God of Truth; which is Jesus Christ, who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life; must be gotten.  If we are going to remain free and see Christ when He returns, we must have Truth.  You never know what you have in that Old Bible.  Buy it and sell it not.  

 

Sing:  He set me free yes, He set me free, He broke the bars of prison for me.  I’m glory bound my Jesus to see.  Glory to God, He set me free.

 

Thought For Today: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 August 2021

 

Justice

 

“And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.” (2 Samuel 8:13-15)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the duties of kings in David's day was to execute judgment and justice to the people.  When kings returned from wars, they heard and tried all causes brought before them impartially, and gave sentences according to the law of God, and administered righteous judgment without any respect to persons; all had justice done to them that applied unto them, whether high or low, rich, or poor.  The book of 2 Samuel records, “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” (2 Samuel 23:1-3)  Justice must be blind and impartial no matter who the person being tried is.  Everyone must be treated equally when it comes to God’s judgments and justice.  James instructs us from God’s word, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8-9)  Let God’s word be your rulebook when it comes to justice and judgment, and you will always be fair.

 

Sing:  Who is this who loves a sinner as a father loves his own, grieving over those who spurn his gentle plea, always ready to forgive them and to make forgiveness known, who is this forever calling you and me?

It is Jesus, Jesus, sad one’s weep no more.  He will heal the brokenhearted, open wide the prison door, He is able to deliver evermore.

 

Thought For Today: “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 August 2021

 

The Candle of The Lord

 

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

 

Today’s Morsel:  I have come to realize that one of the causes of depression, anxiety, and stress, is people are always so busy. You ask someone how they are doing, usually the first words out of their mouth are, “Oh, I’m so busy.”  I ask them, “Doing what?” And oftentimes they cannot tell me.  If we are not careful, we can go to work and pretend to be busy to make our bosses and supervisors think that we are working hard, not realizing that we are placing a large amount of stress and anxiety upon us, by acting and lying.  And then we go home tired because we have acted and lied for 8 hours, and we wonder why we are not happy with our jobs.  Jesus said that you are the light of the world.  But if that light is dark, how great is the darkness.  There is no need to fake work.  Just prioritize the jobs that you must do, do it to the best of your ability, look for fun while doing them, and your boss will see the great job that you do and will reward you openly and you will go home each day happy about your accomplishments.

 

Sing:  This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 

Thought For Today: “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” (Proverbs 20:27)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 August 2021

 

Lending To God

 

“And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.” (Luke 11:5-8)

 

Today’s Morsel: What would you do if God knocked on your door and asked if you would lend him a cup of sugar or a cup of flour?  Would you be willing if he were dressed like the wanderer on the corner or perhaps looked like John the Baptist? The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:1-2)  We never know if the person who is asking is an angel or maybe God Himself. Jesus said, “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:30-36)  The heart of a true cross bearer is compassion.  When you have done it unto the least, you have done it unto me, Jesus said.

Sing: Give and it shall be given, good measure, pressed down shaken together and runneth over.  Give, and it shall be given, when you give you give to the Lord.

 

Thought For Today: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” (Proverbs 19:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 August 2021

 

Divine Refuge

 

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that we see throughout scripture in the Old Testament is Cities of Refuge.  God instructed Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stands before the congregation in judgment. And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.” (Numbers 35:10-15)  God wanted those who may have accidentally killed someone to have a place to flee until they had a fair trial.  The Psalmist records in Psalms 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1) John Gills states, “That is, Christ, who is God as well as man, is the "refuge" for souls to fly unto for safety; as for sensible sinners, in a view of danger, wrath, and misery, so for saints, in every time of distress; typified by the cities of refuge, under the legal dispensation; and he it is from whom they have all their spiritual strength, and every renewal and supply of it, to exercise grace, perform duties, withstand enemies, bear the cross patiently, show a fortitude of mind under the sorest distresses, and hold on and out unto the end: in short, he is the strength of their hearts, under the greatest trials, of their lives, amidst the greatest dangers; and of their salvation, notwithstanding all their enemies. (John Gill Commentary)  Peter said that there is none other name given under heaven unto men whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) And that is Jesus Christ.

 

Sing:  The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe.  The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord most high.  Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be the name of the Lord most high.

 

Thought For Today: “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” (Psalms 46:7)