Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 Apr 2022

Who Told You

“And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” (Genesis 3:9-11)

 

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes people will come up to me and will say to me, “Brother Parker, is it true that….” And I will say to them, “Who told you?” God wanted to know from Adam who had told him that he was naked. God knew that He had not told Adam that he was naked, so who told him that he was? Sometimes, if we are not careful, when we make mistakes, we can just think that God cannot nor will he use us because of them. But if God didn’t tell you that He would not use you, then don’t believe the voice that you hear saying that He won’t. The mistakes that you may have made and that God has delivered you from just might be the testimony that someone else needs to hear to lead them to Christ. God wants you to be naked (open and honest) before Him.  We need to listen to what He is saying to us.  

 

Sing: Amazing Grace, shall always be my song of praise, for it was grace that brought my liberty.  I do not know, just why He came to love me so, He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary, to view the cross where Jesus died for me; how marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul; He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

 

Thought For Today: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 April 2022

 Disobedience

“And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you. And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.” (Judges 2:1-4)

 

 Today’s Morsel: From the time that God delivered Israel from bondage, they seem to have a very hard time listening and obeying what He tells them to do. You would think that a people who had the God of all creation as their God, saw Him deliver them from the hands of their enemies, provide for them all things they had need of, would cling to Him and obey Him. The theme of obedience runs throughout the scriptures. But for some unknown reasons, like so many today, the children of Israel hear but they just will not obey. Samuel to Saul, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23) Are people the cause of their own problems? 99.9% of them are. Just think how much pain and heartache one could avoid if they would heed the Word of God. If folks keep leaning unto their own understanding and not listening to God’s word, He’s going to let them have their own way.  Just ask Israel.

 

Sing: For above all else, I must be saved, for above all else, I must be saved.  Lord, whatever You have to do to me, don’t let me be lost for eternity; for above all else, I must be saved.

 

Thought For Today: Obedience is better than sacrifice. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 April 2022

 Uprightness

“Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.” (Proverbs 28:18)

 

Today’s Morsel: What comes to your mind when you think of uprightness? Uprightness is conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong. It’s the quality of being honest, responsible, and moral. God has set a standard whereby we all must be saved and that is uprightness.  Solomon states that whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved. David states in Psalms 15, “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” (Psalms 15:1-5) I guess if we want to be saved then we must walk uprightly, work righteousness, and speak the truth in our hearts. Sounds like we better be upright!

 

Sing: With a world full of fear, many burdens to bear, let me walk in the gospel light; Till I reach heaven's shore, where we’re tempted no more, let me walk in the gospel light.

Let me walk in the light, in the great gospel light.  Let me walk in the gospel light; till my journey is over, and I travel no more, let me walk in the gospel light.

 

Thought For Today: “A man of understanding walketh uprightly.”

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 April 2022

 Do Good and Hurt You

 

“And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.” (Joshua 24:19-20)

 

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes I don’t think that folks really understand God. Some people like to make vows to God, but then they renege on the promises that they have made, and they expect God just to forgive them so that they can continue to do wrong and go on doing what they want to do. But Joshua gives us a warning that many may not have read or seen in God’s word. He said to Israel, and to us, “If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.”  “Moreover, brethren (Paul said), I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-11)  Not only will God do you good, but He will also hurt you.   Don't make promises that you are not going to keep.  

 

Sing: Hold to God’s unchanging hand, hold to God’s unchanging hand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand.

 

Thought For Today: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Ephesians 5:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 26 April 2022

 Dissembleth

 

“He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.” (Proverbs 26:24-25)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about lying is that once someone knows that you’ve lied to them, they will never take you seriously again. Even if you are telling the truth the next time, people just do not believe you if you ever lied to them before.  Solomon said, “He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.”  Liars often have grudges in their minds and retain hatred in their hearts, hiding it all they can, till they have an opportunity to show it as they would. They pretend to be your friend with their lips, that their hatred might not be known; they would like you to think that they are your friend when they are really your enemy. Believe me, if someone hates you in their heart, it will reveal itself one way or another.  Solomon warns us that when he speaks fair, we should believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.  As a child, we had a saying, Liar liar pants on fire!  The answer is for all of us to cleanse our hearts and correct our ways.  No one likes to be lied to.  

 

Sing: Oh what a Savior, Oh hallelujah, His heart was broken on Calvary; His hands were nail-scarred, His side was riven, He gave His lifeblood for even me.

 

Thought For Today: “All liars will have their part in the lake of fire."

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 April 2022

 Lead Me In Thy Truth

“Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” (Psalms 25:1-5)

Today’s Morsel: There is nothing like reading through your Bible. What many may not understand is that when you are reading your Bible you are being led by and walking with God in His truth.  Jesus said,  “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:..” (John 16:13)  The Holy Ghost will show you things in God’s word. When you read and obey God’s word, He opens your understanding so you can determine right from wrong.  If you are having troubles and issues of life that you just can’t seem to figure out, by reading your Bible and allowing Jesus to lead you into the truth, you will see how to solve them. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” Jesus said (John 8:32).

 

Sing: He leadeth me! He leadeth me! By His own hand He leadeth me.  His faithful follower I will be, for by His hand He leadeth me.

 

Thought For Today: “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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 April 2022

 Walking Through The Valley

“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.”
  (Psalms 23:4)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the most dreaded places during the Vietnam War was a place called the ‘A Shau Valley.’  It was a key infiltration route for the North Vietnamese forces. Many men paid the ultimate sacrifice there. The thing about a valley is there are usually high grounds on all four sides around you making it easier for your enemy to pen you in and defeat you. David said, however, that even in the valley of the shadow of death, he would fear no evil because God was with him. Maybe you are feeling as though you are in a valley right now and your enemy is all around you and trying to pen you in so he can defeat you. Let me encourage you, fear not. “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” (Psalms 91:10-11)  If He was with David in his valley, He will be with you in yours.

 

Sing: I am covered, covered, covered, by His blood; walking by faith, living in love.  I am covered, covered, covered by His blood, Jesus has rescued me.

 

Thought For Today: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” (Psalm 91:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 April 2022

 I Will Declare Thy Name 

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

 

Today’s Morsel: If someone was called upon to be a character witness in a court trial for you, what would they say about you? Would they be excited to speak on your good name or would they shiver? Scripture says that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.  Speaking through the prophet Isaiah the Lord states: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:10-12). We are chosen to be witnesses of God. What are you telling others about His great name both in and out of the church?  Our testimony should be a good one.  

 

Sing: No other name that's higher, no other name that's stronger, no other name forever, I will praise the name.  No other name can heal us, no other name can free us, no other name so precious, Praise the name.

Praise the name above all names, the one who reigns forever, still the same, praise the name, Jesus’ name, above all names, the one who reigns forever, still the same, praise the name. 

Thought For Today: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Morning Manna by Rufus Manna - 21 April 2022

 Tribulation In The World

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 

Today’s Morsel: Every so often, I like to go back and refresh my mind to ensure that I heard the word of God correctly as sometimes we can repeat things that we hear in the church and do not check to see if those things are so.  Scripture says in Acts 17:10-11 “ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” What’s my point? I have heard it time and time again that in this life you shall have tribulations. But that isn’t what scripture says. Scripture says, in the world ye shall have tribulation. John says that we must not love the world: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)  So, I guess if you are in the world, living like the world, and being a part of the world, and not committed to Jesus and His church you can expect to have tribulation. Jesus said that he had overcome the world. And because He is an overcomer of the world, we should be too. Are you committed to the church?   

Sing: Every hour of the day, keep me, dear Lord I pray, let me walk in the gospel light.  Let me hold fast to Him, so my way won’t grow dim.  Let me walk in the gospel light.

Let me walk in the light, in the great gospel light; let me walk in the gospel light.  Till my journey is over and travel no more.  Let me walk in the gospel light.

Thought For Today: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 April 2022

 Faith That Communicates

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
(Philemon 1:4-6)

 Today’s Morsel: Does your faith communicate? What is your faith revealing and saying to others about you? Does your faith reflect that you are obedient to the Word and things of God? Does it reveal that you trust God? If our life does not speak of Jesus, chances are our faith isn’t communicating Him either. If we are complainers and murmur about everything wrong in the world and church, and we are always stressed and filled with anxiety and never at church, our faith probably isn’t communicating that we have a relationship with Christ. James said that true faith without work is dead. The way we live and treat others, and the way we conduct and present ourselves all communicate our faith. What is your faith telling others about you? Better yet, what does it tell others about Jesus?

 Sing: I see Jesus in your eyes and make me love Him. I feel Jesus in your touch, and I know He cares. I hear Jesus in your voice, and it makes me listen and I trust you with my life because You’re His, I see Him in you.

Thought For Today: Obedient faith always communicates.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19 April 2022

 Love For Others

 

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4:7-12)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the lessons that Jesus stressed when He was upon the earth was love for others. But of course, we know that His commandment was that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. John says that we should love one another because God first loved us. If we do not value God’s love for us, chances are we will not love others. We received God’s love freely and He says that we should give freely. We should not expect others to love us because we love them. They should, but chances are they may not. But you are not to be like everyone else. You are to be like Jesus.  As Paul said, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  

 

Sing: Loving God, loving each other, making music with my friends. Loving God, loving each other, and the story never ends.

 

Thought For Today: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 April 2022

 How Long Lord?

“How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalms 13:1-2)

 

Today’s Morsel: If you ever notice, when you need a repairman or plumber come to your home to do a repair, their first question after greeting you is, how long have you had the problem? Some of you reading this may have been told by pastors, evangelists, prophets, and someone else that God said your condition would be taken care of. But you are still wondering why it’s taking so long. Abraham and Sarah felt the same way. They knew within themselves that at the ages of 90 and 100 years old, there was not going to be a baby coming. But as Paul would write, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29) They had a son at that age. Maybe you feel as though God has forgotten you. Maybe you feel as though you have done something so God is no longer concerned about your situation and circumstance. Remember, God doesn’t work on our timeline but His own. He knows what is best and when it is best. So, “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: (Hebrews 10:35-38)  Patience is a virtue you know.

 

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: “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 April 2022

 He Is Risen

“Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” (John 2:18-22)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Jesus had taught and told His disciples and others about the resurrection, but they did not have an understanding as to what He meant. Most people know that once a person dies and is placed in a tomb, there is no rising again in this flesh. When Jesus appeared unto His disciples, and to Thomas who had doubted his resurrection, He said, “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29) Jesus said to Thomas, because you have seen me, you believe that I have risen. But those who believe that I have risen and have yet to see me are also going to be blessed. We must walk by faith and not by sight. If we do not believe in the resurrection of Christ, we are going to be of all men most miserable.

 

Sing: I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living no matter what men say.  I feel His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives.  He lives.  Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives.  He lives.  Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

 

Thought For Today: God’s not dead, He is alive!