Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 June 2022

Hidden In Plain Sight

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; 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 11:13-15)

 

Today’s Morsel: Would you be able to identify a false prophet or minister before you? Well, you should. Jesus said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16) Many may act the part, look holy, and present themselves as Christians, but what do their actions and conduct show? If they are not living and displaying the fruit of the spirit, according to Galatians 5:22-23 in their life before you, doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly, they are fake. And they may be sitting right before you in plain eyesight. Don’t be too quick to embrace everyone just because they walk through the doors of the church or look the part. We are warned that Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers are also transformed into the ministers of righteousness.  Be a fruit inspector.  

 

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

 

Thought For Today: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 June 2022

 Bookworm

 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 

(1 Timothy 4:13)

 

Today’s Morsel: With the I-devices now being owned by almost everyone, seldom do we see anyone with a book in their hands anymore. Students read their assignments online through e-books or podcasting. There are many people who have never stepped inside of a library to check out a book or to just go into the library, sit and read a book. Abraham Lincoln states, “The day you stop learning is the day you stop leading.” John states: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25) What is the last book you read? How often do you read your Bible? Did you know that the Bible is just basic instructions for your life? “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:31-32) Let me encourage you as Paul did Timothy. Keep reading and studying until Jesus comes, and you won’t miss the ship.

 

Sing: I’m gonna take a trip, on that good Old Gospel Ship, I’m going far beyond the sky.  I’m gonna shout and sing until the heavens ring, when I’m bidding this world goodbye.

 

Thought For Today: The Ethiopian Eunuch found salvation because he was a bookworm.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 June 2022

 Take Us Along

“Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman” (Proverbs 7:4)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When we were kids and our parents were going to town or on a trip, we always wanted to go along with them. Sometimes they allowed it, while other times they did not. Even though we cried to go, the answer was still no! But when it comes to scripture, there are certain things that we must always take with us. Scripture states, “Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman” No matter where we go in life, wisdom and understanding must accompany us.  These are the things that will ensure that we are not led into wrong paths or wrong ways. “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; (Solomon said) Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.” (Proverbs 2:10-17) If you take Jesus Christ with you wherever you go, wisdom and understanding will always be with you.

 

Sing: Take the name of Jesus with you, Child of sorrow and of woe. It will joy and comfort give you, take it then, wherever you go.

Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.  Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

 

Thought For Today: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.” (Proverbs 4:7-8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 27 June 2022

 Are You A Cheapskate?

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38)

 

Today’s Morsel: A well-worn one-dollar bill and a similarly distressed twenty-dollar bill arrived at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burned, they struck up a conversation. The twenty-dollar bill reminisced about its travels all over the country. "I've had a pretty good life," the twenty proclaimed. "Why I've been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City, the finest restaurants in New York, performances on Broadway, and even a cruise to the Caribbean." "Wow!" said the one-dollar bill. "You've really had an exciting life! "So, tell me," says the twenty,” "where have you been throughout your lifetime?" The one-dollar bill replies, "Oh, I've been to the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church ...." The twenty-dollar bill interrupts, "What's a church?" (humor)

Money is one of those commodities that if we are not careful it can lead us away from doing what God has asked of us to do. In admonishing the children of Israel Moses state: “Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.” (Deuteronomy 8:11-19) Always remember, God loves a cheerful giver.

 

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

 

 Thought For Today: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 25 June 2022

 Real People Real Stories

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
 (Genesis 6:1-8)

 

Today’s Morsel: As you begin to read your Bible, you will discover real people with real stories. Jesus even told stories of Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Real people with real stories. Today, I want to focus on Noah. Very little is known of Noah until God chooses him to build the Ark. Noah was a real person with a real story. Walk into any children's Sunday school class, and you will probably hear about Noah and the Ark. There probably isn’t anyone in the world that says that they are a Christian who has not heard the story of Noah and the Ark. Scripture says that even though God was going to destroy the earth, Noah found grace in God’s eyes. What was it about Noah that gave him favor with God? Well, the writer of Hebrews tells us: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7) God said and Noah believed. A real person with a real story all about faith. You are a real person so what will your faith story be when it is read?

 

Sing: Tell me the story of Jesus, write in my heart every word.  Tell me the story most precious, more precious than ever was heard.  Tell how the angels in chorus sang as they welcomed His birth, Glory to God in the highest, peace, and goodwill to men on earth.

 

Thought For Today: “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men…” (2 Corinthians 3:2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 24 June 2022

 Sing Again

“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:1)

 

Today’s Morsel: I do not know about you, but I love to sing. Even if I cannot carry a tune in a bucket, I love to sing. Sometimes I make up words to songs and my wife will say to me, that is not how that song goes. I say to her, yes, I know, but the scripture says sing unto the Lord a new song. (humor) One of the things I have learned about singing is that it helps me stay focused on Christ, and to remain motivated throughout the course of my day. I believe that Jesus even loved to sing also. Scripture says, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30) I wonder what they sang? My mind often floods with many songs which would bring Him glory. Such as: Sweet Hour of Prayer, In the Garden, Precious Memories, I’ll Rise Again, and Lamb of God. Whatever your song is that brings you joy and contentment in Him, sing it and sing it repeatedly.  Jesus inhabits the praise of His people.

Sing: Jesus is the sweetest name I know, and He’s just the same as His lovely name.  That’s the reason why I love Him so, because Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

Thought For Today: “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (1 Chronicles 16:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 23 June 2022

 Bottom Line Up Front

“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)

 

Today’s Morsel:  There is an adage that says, ‘Bottom Line Up Front.’ In other words, tell me the key information you want me to know first. This is how the apostle John opens his book, he gave the most vital information first when he wrote: "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. In him was life; and the life was the light of men… 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 1:1-4, 14) John wanted his readers to understand that it was all about Jesus and who He was. God manifested in flesh. If we don’t understand that first, nothing else will ever make sense when reading the Bible and trying to live a Christian life.  As Jack Webb, who portrayed himself as ‘Detective Joe Friday’ on the television program, ‘Dragnet’, would say “Just the facts ma’am.” 

 

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 fulness of the Godhead in Jesus is displayed.

It’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, the fulness of the Godhead it’s 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: “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
(1 John 1:5)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 June 2022

 The Resurrection

“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (John 11:21-27)

 

Today’s Morsel: Some folks have become confused by the term ‘The resurrection.’ Even Martha, the friend of Jesus, whose brother Lazarus had died thought that Jesus was speaking of the future not knowing that He was speaking of the present. But those of us who are born-again of the water and the Spirit according to scripture, should not be confused as we are termed the children of God and the children of the resurrection (Luke 20:36). Not only was Jesus Christ God manifested in the flesh but was also the resurrection and the life (1 Timothy 3:16: John 11:25). Therefore, those of us who have been baptized in His name, and who have received His Spirit have taken part in the first resurrection and are now the children of the resurrection. And this should be an encouraging word to our ears whenever we hear it mentioned. As John states: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6) Are you planning on reigning with Christ during the thousand-year millennial reign? Then you must be baptized in His name and filled with His Spirit now. For if any have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Romans 8:9). Are you a part of the first resurrection which is Jesus Christ?

 

Sing: Baptize me, Jesus, with the Holy Ghost.  I shall have power, Your word says so. Satan is busy trying to turn me around, but I’m determined to stand my ground; but I can’t do it, I can’t do it, until You baptize me with the Holy Ghost.

 

Thought For Today: Are you a child of the resurrection?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 June 2022

 Trust In God

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

Today’s Morsel: Where does your trust lie? Is it in man or is it in God? Folks will say that it is in God, but when their backs are against the wall it can so easily turn to man. Solomon states that we must trust in the Lord with all our hearts. This is nothing new as he is just reiterating what Moses had commanded: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) Sometimes life will throw you balls that are too hard for you to hit. It is in those times that you must trust God and let Him bat in your place and you run the bases. As Job said: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.” (Job 13:15-16) Do not lose heart in the storm of life. As David said: “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” (Psalms 18:30) If we say that we love God, then we must get to the point where we trust Him and stop leaning on our own understanding. As the just must live by faith and not by sight.

Sing: I trust in God, wherever I may be, upon the land, upon the roaring sea; for come what may, from day to day, my heavenly Father watches over, over me.

 

Thought For Today: “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” (Psalms 34:22)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 June 2022

 What Counts

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith”  (Philippians 3:7-9)

 

Today’s Morsel: Which is more important to you, a good career or eternal salvation? If you observe folks today, it seems as though eternity is nowhere on their radar screen. Funerals do not even faze them anymore. They have no clue that one day they too must go that way. I have heard that there is now a generation which call themselves ‘The Nones.’  Those who have no knowledge of God, the church, or the Bible, no knowledge of these whatsoever. That means that they have no knowledge of what really counts or really matters in life. Paul states that what things were gained to him, those he counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and he counts all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom he had suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that He may win Christ, And be found in him, not having his own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Paul was willing to lose to gain. Jesus asked, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)  What’s really important to you? Is it Christ or the world? Or is it heaven or hell? And believe me when I tell you that both are eternal.

 

Sing: Jesus be the center of it all, Jesus be the center of it all, from beginning to the end, it will always be, it has always been You Jesus, Jesus.

From my heart to the heavens Jesus be the center, it’s all about You, yes, it’s all about You. From my heart to the heavens Jesus be the center, it’s all about You, yes, it’s all about You.

 

Thought For Today: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 June 2022

 The Glory Of Children

“Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” (Proverbs 17:6)

 

Today’s Morsel: Tomorrow we will celebrate Father’s Day. As an author and one who has tried to author books to help men grow and become better husbands, fathers, and brothers, when I am trying to encourage ladies to buy a book for their husbands or sons, many of them will say to me, “My husband or my son does not like to read. I wish they would, but they will not.” When such comments are made to me, I am saddened. Abraham Lincoln states, “The day you stop reading is the day you stop leading.” One of the most rewarding things for a child is when their fathers lead from the front and will instruct them in the ways of God and life. Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and other cartoon heroes should never be a child’s glory or hero. It must be their fathers. Solomon said that the glory of children are their fathers. In other words, if they are wise and good men, it is an honor to their children that they have descended from them; and they are not ashamed to own up to that relationship with them, but they glory in it. “And ye fathers, Paul said, provoke not your children to wrath(anger): but bring them up in the nurture (education and training) and admonition (a mild rebuke and warning) of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) Come on Dads, let us be the fathers our children and grandchildren seek!  Never stop learning and never stop leading your family.  

 

Sing: Heavenly Father, I appreciate You. Heavenly Father, I appreciate You. I love You, adore You, I bow down before You.  Heavenly Father, I appreciate You.

 

Thought For Today: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 June 2022

 Spiritual Sensitivity and The Anointing

“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” (Acts 16:6-10)

 

Today’s Morsel: There are two things that you cannot be taught by others. They are spiritual sensitivity and the anointing. These things come from God alone. For this reason, we must ensure that we are spending quality time with Him so that when He speaks, we know His voice and are ready to go where He may send us. Notice, Luke writes that they were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia after they came to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passed by Mysia and came down to Troas. And then he says that Paul got a vision of a man in Macedonia saying come over and help us, immediately they endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called them to preach the gospel unto them. That is operating in the anointing and being spiritually sensitive. No one can teach you these things but God. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” Paul said, (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). If you want to see the miraculous, learn to be sensitive to the Holy Ghost and allow it to lead you according to God’s word.

 

Sing: Where He leads me, I will follow; Where He leads me, I will follow, Where He leads me, I will follow, I will go with Him, with Him, all the way.

 

Thought For Today: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 June 2022

 How to Please God

“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)

 

Today’s Morsel: You know we humans are always trying our absolute best to please others, but what about God? Do you practice the same standard trying to please Him? Really, it is not hard to please God. Micah tells us what is required of us to please Him: “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) The writer of Hebrews here is telling us the same thing. Do good. Paul tells us, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) And communicate. Be always on your best behavior even if it costs you to do so. The best sacrifice is not money. It is you pleasing God by doing what He asks of you with your life.

 

Sing: I am so glad I'm a part of the family of God; I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod.  I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God.

 

Thought For Today: “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)