Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 31 March 2022

 Depression, Stress, and Anxiety

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
(2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

 

Today’s Morsel: I have come to realize that people who say that they are depressed, stressed, and filled with anxiety want to be that way. You ask me why I know that? Because they will tell you that that is what they are dealing with. If you know that you are depressed, stressed, or filled with anxiety, then you should know that you need to do something about it. If you just sit there it’s going to get worse.  These things are an indicator of loss of focus, being around the wrong people, listening continuously to evil, and you allowing the wrong people to speak into your life. The word of God has already given you the antidote for these things when they come into your life. Scripture says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7) Make up your mind to serve Jesus and the devil will flee.

 

Sing: Who is this who for our sorrow offers comfort and relief? Bringing sunshine to the dark and shadowed life.   Saying softly cease repining lift thou soul above its grief, let the peace pass understanding still the strife.

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: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 March 2022

 The Word

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” (Psalms 33:6)

 

Today’s Morsel: How often do you sit and read Genesis chapter 1? Every so often, I will turn to those pages because it is here that we first see the New Testament light of salvation which God created on the first day. John lets us know according to his gospel, of Jesus Christ, John chapter 1, that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:1-3) Notice the Word was with God and the Word was God. You cannot separate God from His Word. And then John tells us, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) The Word, God, took on flesh. God took human form. Paul states, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16) Just know that in the beginning it was the Word, and in the ending it will be the same Word. Again John says, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:1-4) Remember, God is not the author of confusion.

 

Sing: The Mighty God is Jesus, the Prince of Peace is He, the Everlasting Father, the King Eternally; the Wonderful in Wisdom, by whom all things were made, the fullness of the Godhead in Jesus is displayed.

It’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, the fullness of the Godhead is all in Him. It’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, the Mighty God is Jesus and it’s all in Him.

 

Thought For Today: And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 March 2022

 Forgiven

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” 
(Psalms 32:1)

 

Today’s Morsel: I think that one of the most rejoicing passages found in scripture is when the woman caught in adultery who was cast before Jesus and for her to hear those words from Jesus of forgiveness.  I think these words must have sent her rejoicing in the streets. By the law she should have been killed. But Jesus forgave her and told her to go and to sin no more. Even as David, Paul said, also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” (Romans 4:6-8) Under the law, if you sinned the punishment was often death. But now, through the blood of Jesus we can have our sins remitted and our lives made whole. Do you need your sins forgiven?  Then confess them to Jesus and let Him take care of them for you today. What a day of rejoicing it will be!

 

Sing: I came to Jesus weary, worn, and sad; He took my sins away, He took my sins away.   And now on Him I roll my every care, He took my sins away.

 

Thought For Today: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 March 2022

 God’s Goodness

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (Psalms 31:19)

Today’s Morsel:  I often sit and ponder the goodness of God. From the time I became born again of the water and the spirit, and committed my life to the Lord, the evidence of His goodness has been revealed all over my life. Sometimes I ask myself where did so much stuff come from? But then I realize that it is because of God’s goodness. Paul writing to the church at Corinth states: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Think about that scripture for a few moments. What are you missing because you haven’t committed your life to him? Or how much stuff do you have because of His goodness.  Remember, goodness is a part of God's character and He’s only going to share it with those who know Him and that are committed to Him. As David said, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Just how great is His goodness in your life?  “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalms 107:21)

Sing: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days, all the days of my life. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days, all the days of my life.

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and I shall feast at the table spread for me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days, all the days of my life.

Thought For Today: Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 March 2022

 My Rock

“For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?”
 (Psalms 18:31)

Today’s Morsel: Talking with my daughter a few weeks ago, she told me that she had been out in the woods with her kids and that her youngest son had discovered some beautiful rocks. I thought to myself, isn’t that just like Jesus allowing a small child to discover something beautiful from His creation that represents Him? Throughout scripture, God is seen as a rock. Something firm and solid. David asked, "Who is a rock save our God?" In other words, there is no one who can furnish such safety or defense; no one under whose protection we can be secure in danger than The Rock of our Salvation. Jesus Christ.  “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.” (Psalms 27:5) As the Lord told Moses, I have a place on a rock for you to stand right beside me (Exodus 33:21). Who is your Rock?

Sing: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

Thought For Today “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” (Psalms 62:6-7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 March 2022

 Walking in Integrity

“But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” (Psalms 26:11)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about integrity in some folks lives is that it is slowly seeping away. People are starting to become less honest, faithful, and trustworthy. It is becoming hard to find folks in the church that you can count on. It is starting to become like Israel, every man doing that which is right in his own eyes. Folks are starting to compromise on truth, doctrine, and the Christian way of life. The Lord said to Satan, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3) I believe that Job walked in his integrity. From what I read, Job was an upright man in heart and in his life. He even stated, “God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.” (Job 27:5) Solomon wrote, “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” (Proverbs 20:7) If you want to see your children blessed, walk in your integrity. Don’t compromise your integrity, it's one of the major parts of who you are.

 

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

 

Thought For Today: Honesty is the only policy for a Christian.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 March 2022

 Tell Somebody About Jesus

“I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.” (Psalms 22:22)

Today’s Morsel: Can someone tell me what happened to testimony service in the church? When I first came into the church over 35  years ago, every service had a time for testimonies. But today, few if any churches have testimonies. When I was pastoring, I would tell the people I'm going to sing this song, “Standup and tell me if you love my Jesus?” And when I finish, if you have a testimony stand and tell it.   People would jump up and give their testimony. It was such a great time for ushering in the presence of the Lord. They would declare the name of the Lord to their brethren, the congregation, and give God praise. When the man whom Jesus had casted out over 2,000 demons wanted to depart with Jesus from the place of the Gadarenes, Jesus told him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” (Mark 5:19) When is the last time you have told someone about the great things the Lord has done for you in your life?  

Sing: Standup and tell me if you love my Jesus? Standup and tell it if you love my Lord.  I want to know, yes, I want to know, if you love my Lord.

Thought For Today: “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (Psalms 34:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 March 2022

 Something Is Following You

“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 23:6)

Today’s Morsel: Most people, if they knew that someone or something was always following behind them, they would probably be afraid. But what if that someone or something was for your protection and defense?  The 23^rd Psalms is most often quoted at funerals to bring comfort to the bereaved and grieving families, but what about for everyday living? David not only knew that God would provide a place for him to lie down and rest, but that He would always be there with him. If Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us, then we can be assured that His goodness and mercy will always be there as well.

Sing: Surely goodness and mercy, shall follow me, all the days, all the days of my life.  Surely goodness and mercy, shall follow me, all the days, all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and I will feast at the table spread for me.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days, all the days of my life.  

Thought For Today: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.” (Isaiah 58:8)  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 March 2022

 God Knows

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psalms 139:1-10)

Today’s Morsel: The Bible lets us know that there is nothing that God does not know and that He is not aware of. Therefore, having that knowledge, we should not worry about things around us as our trust ought to be in Him. David said that He knows when I sit down and when I stand up. He knows what I am about to say. I guess that’s why when what I am about to say does not reflect or represent Him, I get that punch in the gut feeling that lets me know to hold my peace and be quiet. Solomon said that there is a time to speak you know.   James tells us to let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath because the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20) David again is an example that God knows everything. David thought that he was clear and free when he had an affair with Bathsheba. But when God sent the Prophet Nathan to inform him of his wrong, he was shocked. Even the woman at the well in John chapter 4, realizes that He knew all things when He told her that she had had five husbands and the man she was with now wasn’t her husband. Don’t ever think that you are hiding anything from God, nor think that He doesn’t know what you are going through. He’s omniscient!

Sing: There’s an eye watching you, watching you, watching you, every day mind the course you pursue; There’s an all-seeing eye watching you.

Thought For Today: “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 March 2022

 Dealing with Self-Pity

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

Today’s Morsel: Did I fall asleep and wake up in a different world? I tell you I am totally confused. I have been trying my very best to find out why so many born-again believers are depressed, stressed, and despondent? How can those who are supposed to know Jesus and have His Spirit within them not have joy, peace, love, and inner strength? How can so many of them need a counselor for their marriage and family when the Word of God and Jesus is to be their counselor? Everything you need of is right there in the word of God. Look, it's in there.  As Isaiah said, “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.” (Isaiah 40:28-29) David even reprimanded himself, in Psalms 42, for a lack of self-encouragement when he said, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” (Psalms 42:5) Scripture says, “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” (1 Chronicles 12:32) Do you know what you ought to do if you are depressed, stressed, and despondent? You ought to obey the Word of God, get to church, and get your praise on. “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” (Psalms 50:22-23) Don’t let the devil steal your joy!  Stir up the gift that is within you.  

 

Sing: Alive, alive, alive forever more, my Jesus is alive, alive forever more. Alive, alive, alive forever more, my Jesus is alive. Sing hallelujah! Sing hallelujah! My Jesus is alive, alive forever more. Sing hallelujah! Sing hallelujah! My Jesus is alive.

 

Thought For Today: There ain't no grave gonna hold my body down.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 March 2022

 There Is Power in the Blood

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11)

Today’s Morsel: The story is told of an elder mother in the church who stood to testify of God’s goodness and mercy. She said, “Reverend Pastor, I thank God for the blood this morning. I thank God for that crimson flood. I thank God for the royal blood that washes me white as snow. I thank God this morning that He shed His blood for me way back on Calvary. Reverend Pastor, and saints of God, I thank God that I am full of His blood this morning. I thank God that I am so full of His blood that if a mosquito were to bite me, he would fly away singing that there is power in the blood.”  Writing to the church of the Hebrews, Paul states, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22) That is of sin; there was no typical remission without it; and there can be no real remission of sin but by the blood of Jesus Christ. It was the blood upon the doorpost that saved Israel's first born. It was the blood upon the altar that was given for the atonement for the soul. And it is the blood of Jesus in the waters of baptism that remits your sins today for our salvation.  Friend there is still wonder working power in the blood! 

Sing: Would you be free from your burden of sin? There's power in the blood, power in the blood; would you over evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb.  There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb. 

Thought For Today: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 March 2022

 Tell The Story

“Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)

 

Today’s Morsel: Rarely do we hear this story about the woman mentioned here in the church anymore.  This is because the gospel isn’t being preached as it once was. You see, many today are into soul winning, prosperity, healing, church planting, deliverance, restoration, and working of miracles. Jesus never told us to preach any of that. He simply said, “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. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18) Jesus said, if you preach the gospel, the other things you are trying to cause to happen will care for themselves. And oh, by the way, tell the people the story about the woman anointing my body with her precious ointment every time you talk about my death, burial, and resurrection, because this will get people's attention, too. Remember, a parable is just an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  

Sing: I love to tell the story! It will be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

Thought For Today: The gospel still works.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 March 2022

 When The Roll is Called Up Yonder

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)

Today’s Morsel: One of the most sobering experiences that a military member has is when their unit first sergeant conducts a roll call at a military funeral service for the death of one of its members. There is a feeling like none other. The roll is called with the soldiers responding as their names are called, the roll call ends with the deceased member's name called and no response given.  Then taps begins to be played.  John gives us a peep into what the end times will be like in heaven when he wrote, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12-15) Notice, the books were opened and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. James informs us that, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”  Will you be present when the roll is called up yonder? Or will you be absent? I pray you will shout “Here Sir!”

Sing: When the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Thought For Today: See that no man steals your crown.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 March 2022

 Heaven

“Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:6-8)

 

Today’s Morsel: I sometimes wonder what heaven will be like for those whom Jesus will allow to enter it. We have sung many songs about heaven. Heard many sermons about heaven. We are laboring in the vineyard so that we will make it to heaven. We are practicing obedience to God and His word so that we can make it to heaven. We are living holy and separated just so we can see Jesus and to hear Him say, well done thy good and faith servant enter the joy of the Lord which was prepared for you from the foundation of the earth. But the thing about heaven is, it must start with us here on earth. We must be born-again of the water and the spirit (John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38); we must follow peace with all men and holiness (Hebrews 12:14); and we must keep ourselves unspotted from this world (James 1:27). So let me ask you, are you having a little heaven down here? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6: 8). We can enjoy a little heaven down here while we wait for His return.  

Sing: I got shoes, you’ve got shoes, all God’s people got shoes, and when I get to heaven, I’m gonna put on my shoes and I’m gonna shout all over God’s heaven.

Thought For Today: Holiness . . The highway to heaven.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 March 2022

 Faith

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Today’s Morsel: One of the ways to check your faith in God is to check your medicine cabinet? How much medication is there that has been subscribed by man? How much reliability are we putting on man over God? The woman with the issue of blood was putting all her trust in a man trying to find a cure for her ailment. But when she had spent all and only got worse, she realized that it was not working.   So when she heard about Jesus, that is where she placed her faith and when she had an opportunity to touch Him, she was made completely whole. There are two things that I have come to realize about true faith.  One is that it will draw you to God, and the other is that it will draw God to you.

Sing: Faith can move mountains, mountains of fear and of doubt. Faith can move mountains, so why don’t you try your faith out.

Thought For Today: Faith works by faith

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 14 March 2022

 Salvation

“The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.” (Psalms 118:14-21)

Today’s Morsel: The meaning of salvation is deliverance from the power and effects of sin. It is preservation and deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss. It’s deliverance from danger and suffering. Some folks don’t see their need for salvation because they are blinded to the truth of the gospel. Peter lets us know that there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. Either we are in Him, or we are not (Acts 4:12). When they asked Peter and the other apostles on the Day of Pentecost what they must do, Peter responded by saying, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39) When the jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved  they replied, “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.” (Acts 16:31-33) Have you been baptized in the name of Jesus? “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3). There is no other name given under heaven that saves us.  

Sing: Saved and I’m happy today, thanks be to God for this I can say;  I’m saved and I’m happy today, I’m walking up the King’s highway.

Thought For Today: Remember, all things must be done according to the original pattern.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 12 March 2022

 Planting Time

“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 says to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. A time to plant. If you will notice farmers are starting to hit their fields sowing their seed. They know that if they are going to reap a harvest, they must plant their seed. The horticulturists know that if they are going to have beautiful flowers, then they must plant their seeds and bulbs so they can grow. What are you going to plant? Are you going to plant seeds of kindness, love, mercy, and grace? Or are you going to sow seeds of doubt, despair, and unbelief? Plant something special in the heart of others today, like the word of God. Whatever you sow, just know that is what you will reap.

Sing: I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share, as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

Thought For Today: Plant something special in the heart of others today, like the word of God.