Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 30

I Am Determined

 

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the greatest hinderances to determination is a lack of self-discipline. People just seem to give up too easily. For many, they have not developed the trait of contentment and perseverance. When I was a First Sergeant in the Army, I would have some of my soldiers just drop out of the runs because they didn’t like running or they were just plane lazy. But I quickly rectified the problem. The divisions policy was that every soldier must be able to run 4 miles in 32 minutes in combat boots. So, to ensure that my soldiers met the standard, if they fell out of the run in the morning, I had them report to me at 4:30 pm, when everyone was getting off work, I placed them on a duce & a half truck, and took them out 4 miles, and made them run back to the unit. I did this daily until they disciplined themselves to meet the standard.  It was amazing how it worked.  Jesus asked the question if He is going to find faith on the earth when He comes again? Is He going to find it in you? Is He going to find that you have held to the standards that He has set for you to receive your eternal reward? Is He going to find that nothing could separate Him from you? Have you determined to hold out until the end?  If you are unsure, may I suggest you get someone to load you on the duce & a half, drive you out and you make the run back daily until your faith is built and strong.  You don’t want to miss out when Jesus comes back.  

 

Sing: I am determined to hold out unto 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 unto the end. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 29

Where Could I Go?

 

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:63-69)

 

Today’s Morsel: How many people do you have in your life that if you just needed someone to talk to, you could go to? They say that most people can count on one hand how many true friends they ready have. Over the years in my ministry, I have had people ask me to be their mentor. But most of them I never seen nor heard from again. I think that they may think that being their mentor means that I’m to contact them. If you really had a great concern or were facing confusion and misunderstanding in your life, who would you turn to? Would that person be someone that you could truly confide in? When many of Jesus’ disciples misunderstood him, they went away and walked no more with Him. I think that this may be one of the reasons that people backslide and leave the church. They don’t get an understanding for what they hear. Instead of going to the person or the pastor and asking for clarity, they just leave the church and find a reason to justify their decision for leaving. But when Jesus asks the twelve, that He had chosen, if they would go away also, Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” If you haven’t settled this truth in your heart, someone is going to say something that is going to rock your cradle, and you will more than likely leave and walk with Jesus no more.  Settle it now, so you don’t walk away then.

 

Sing: Living below, in this old sinful world, hardly a comfort can afford; Striving alone to face temptations sore, where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go, O’ where could I go; Seeking a refuge for my soul? Needing a friend to help me in the end; Where could I go but to the Lord?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 28

What’s In Your Blueprint?

 

“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: I asked one of my pastor friends who designed his church. He said that he had. I knew that he wanted to ask me why. But before he could, I said to him, you did a pretty good job. If you had to draw a blueprint for your house what would be in it? Would it be something that you would be proud of. I’m sure you’ve heard the story about the father who had a building company. And he left his son in charge of the construction of this one nice home. The son saw a way to save lots of money, and so he took shortcuts, bought cheap material, cheap appliances, and did not follow the blueprint. When the house was finished, the father returned and asked the son about the house and said that he would like to see it. They went to the house; the son unlocked the doors and showed his father around. The father asked him what he thought of the house. The son said that he was well pleased with it. The father handed him the keys and said, Congratulations, this is your new home. You are now the owner of a brand-new home of your making! When it comes to this temple of the Holy Ghost, that we now live in, we cannot take shortcuts in building it. It’s ours given to us by God and we had better ensure that the things that we put in it are of the best quality, because it is going to be tried by fire, Paul said. You don’t want your possessions to burn up. So, add those things that Peter commanded us and your building will never fall, nor be destroyed.

 

Sing: O’ yes, I’m standing on the Rock of Ages, safe, from all the storms that rages; Rich, but not of Satan’s wages; I’m standing on the Solid Rock.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 27

Thick Darkness

 

“Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.” (1 Kings 8:12)

 

Today’s Morsel: They say that the darkest hour is just before the day. Solomon said that the Lord said he would dwell in the thick darkness. Sin is associated with darkness, and it is truly thick out there right now. Paul said that “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5) The psalmist states in Psalms 139:11-12, “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”  Jesus came to destroy sin. Again, Paul said, “...But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20)Jesus was accused of associating with publicans and sinner. He was out in the thick darkness. With Christ in you, you are supposed to light up your area of operation and workplaces where darkness is. But if you go to work and complain and murmur like everyone else, you help keep that place dark. God dwells in thick darkness to give them light. And that is you, my friends.  As Matthew wrote: “Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:12-17) Come on, let’s get outside in the darkness so that folks can see the light and find their way home.

 

Sing: Every hour of the day 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 I travel no more, let me walk in the gospel light.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 25

Boldness

 

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)

 

Today’s Morsel: The word boldness in scripture often refers to having great self-confidence. When King Nebuchadnezzar made a great image and commanded everyone to bow unto it when they heard the music; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow. When it was told the king that they did not bow, he questioned their disobedience to his command. They replied to him that they were not afraid to answer him in the matter for which he questioned them. They told him that the God whom they served would deliver them, and if not, they still were not going to bow to his image. That is boldness. That is self-confidence.  Do you have the same boldness and confidence to stand for what you know to be truth and for your God, and for what you believe in? Solomon said that the wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Remember, you and Jesus are a majority in every situation.

 

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

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 24

It Is Jesus

 

“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.” (John 5:1-15)

 

Today’s Morsel: I love reading about the miracles that Jesus did. Sometimes I get a laugh because Jesus seems to like to upset the applecart. He knew that the Sadducees and Pharisees were angry at Him for violating what they called the Sabbath day. Jesus had told them that He was the Lord of the Sabbath, but they rejected Him.  They wanted to stick to their lack of understanding, to the Old Testament Law. God never told them that they could not do good on the Sabbath Day.  He said that they should not work on the Sabbath Day under the Old Testament Law. Paul said that these things were a shadow. “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17) It was all a shadow of Jesus Christ which was to come. Even Jesus said: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39-40) When they questioned the man that was healed, who had told him to carry his bed on the Sabbath Day, he told them that it was Jesus. What do you tell people when they ask you why you go to church as a Christian? Peter said, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15) Don’t be ashamed of Jesus. No one else can save you.

 

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 thy 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 broken hearted, open wide the prison door, He is able to deliver evermore. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 23

Happy Thanksgiving

 

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” 

(1 Timothy 4:4-5)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Around the world today, many will celebrate Thanksgiving. This tradition has continued for years. And if the Lord should tarry, it will continue for many more years to come. Thanksgiving or the giving of thanks, should be a habit for everyone.  If we were to consider what others do for us, it would blow folks’ minds. Think about these things for a moment:

-       The doctors and nurses that come to work and try to help you when don’t feel good. Do you thank them for the care they give you?  Do you thank God for them? Or do you complain about them?

-       The mechanic that repairs your vehicle. Do you thank them?  Do you thank God that he knows how to fix your car? Or do you complain about the cost?

-       What about the airline pilots and stewards that helps you on your flight. Do you say thanks as you exit the plane.  Do you thank God for them? Or do you complain that the seats were cramped, and the people were rude. 

-       The cashier at Walmart, do you thank them for checking you out and bagging your groceries? Or do you complain about Walmart getting everything from China and the cost? 

I have learned that if I show people that I am grateful for what they do for me, it brightens their day, and causes them to want to help me even more because someone shows them consideration and that they are valuable.  

I stopped at a service center once while traveling, and a young lady was attending the register. Standing at the next register was another lady. So when I got to the register, I said to the young lady, “Just think, you came to work today just for me.” It took her totally by surprise. I went on, “Just think about this for a moment, if you didn’t come to work for any other reason, you came for me. And I want you to know that I am so thankful that you were here to take care of me, because you have such a lovely smile, and you have taken good care of me.” The lady standing next to her said, “I wish that everyone who came in here would show us that kind of kindness.”  We ought to be thankful. Jesus said that how you want people to treat you is you do the same to them (my wording). So, when you eat that turkey leg and sweet potato pie with whip cream today, be thankful, and give thanks to both the cook and The Lord, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

Sing: With my hands lifted up, and my mouth filled with praise, with a heart of thanksgiving, I will bless Thee O’ Lord. I will bless Thee O’ Lord, I will bless Thee O’ Lord; with a heart of thanksgiving, I will bless Thee O’ Lord.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 22

Thanks Be to God

 

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)

 

Today’s Morsel: The apostle Paul seems to be a man that knew the value and the important of gratitude.  I’ve said it once, and I will say it again, he knew what it was like to be forgiven, and he understood the importance of thanking The One who forgave him. Paul encourages us to not allow death to deter us, to think that that is the end, and that there is no hope. He lets us know that those of us who have been born again, and have continued in Christ, will have nothing to worry about in the end. As the overall life of being a Christian is to rein with Jesus forever. And so, Paul, informs us that thanks ought to be given to God who causes us to be victorious in Jesus Christ. We are on the winning team. With Jesus there is no losing if we stay on the team. We win! 

 

Sing: O’ victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. He sought me, and He brought me, with His redeeming blood. He loved ere, I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood. 

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 21

Are You Lacking Wisdom?

 

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

 

Today’s Morsel: We all need wisdom to operate in this life. But sad to say, many parents never teach their children wisdom. They are left to try and figure life’s issues out on their own. And when they become a teenager, and make bad choices or bad decisions, the parents become angry at them because they now made bad decisions and mistakes. Paul states, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) Wisdom is just knowledge and understanding personified. Children must be trained up, and one of the greatest lessons they can learn is wisdom. Do you need wisdom? There are a lot of dark sayings and hidden agendas out there, and if you do not understand them and know how to navigate through them, it can leave you with a troubled and confused mind.  Search the scriptures, they are a great place to glean wisdom.

 

Sing: Deeper, deeper, in the love of Jesus, daily let me go; Higher, higher, in the school of wisdom, more of grace to know. 

O’ deeper, yet I pray, and higher every day, and wiser, blessed Lord, in Thy precious holy word. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 20

I Thought On My Ways

 

“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” 

(Psalms 119:59)

 

Today’s Morsel: Every so often, we ought to stop and consider our ways. The Lord even told Haggi, “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:5)Why does God want us to consider our ways? Because it is so easy into today’s world to lose focus of who we are, and where we are headed. The psalmist said that he thought on his ways and turned his feet unto the testimonies of God. When we consider our ways and find that we are off course or out of place, it should cause us to turn to the things and ways of God. By thinking on our ways, it can help us in so many ways. Sometimes we may struggle and be stressed because we don’t consider our ways. But when we stop and consider, we can find out the causes of our trials and troubles. Why not pause today and consider what is causing you heartaches and pain and turn to God. David said the testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple. 

 

Sing: When I think about the Lord, how He saved me, how He raised me, how He filled me, with Holy Ghost, how He saved me to the uttermost; when I think about the Lord, how He picked me up, and turned me around, how He placed my feet on solid ground; It makes me want to shout, hallelujah, thank you Jesus, Lord You’re worthy, of all of the glory, and all of the praise.  It makes me want to shout!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 18

It’s On You

 

“In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah. He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did. Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places. And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father. But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” (2 Kings 14:1-6)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about life is that once you reach the age of understanding and accountability, the system is going to hold you accountable. If you are driving and have an accident, it is going to fall on you. If you steal and get caught, it is going to be on you. You can backslide leave the church and blame everyone else, but when you stand before Jesus, you are going to be the only one that must give an account. You can walk around like Flip Wilson and say that the devil made you do it, but the system isn’t going to believe you.  The responsibility to do what is right falls on each of us. Scripture says, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.”  Therefore, you need to understand that your parent’s salvation is not going to save you, and neither are their sins going to destroy you. It is all on you. This is why Paul tell us, “... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) If you miss heaven, you will have no one that you can blame but you.

 

Sing: Oh, there’s a highway to heaven, none can walk up there but the pure in heart; Oh, there’s a highway to heaven, I’m walking up the King’s highway.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 17

Obedience

 

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

 

Today’s Morsel: From Genesis to Revelations, scripture calls for us to obey. Like faithfulness, this trait also must be learned and developed in us. Throughout scripture, we see many who fail because of disobedience. Achan disobeyed the orders from Joshua not to take of the accursed things from the city of Jericho and it cost him and his family their lives. King Saul lost his Kingdom because he failed to obey God’s commandments. God’s word is designed to change us to make us more like Him, yet if we do not obey, we will be left in a destructive state.  Disobedience is defined as failure or refusal to obey rules or someone in authority. Ultimately, it is going against what God has commanded in His word. So, we can see that disobedience is rebellion against God.   Jerry Bridges, in his book, ‘The Pursuit of Holiness’ states: “The Christian living in disobedience also lives devoid of joy and hope. But when he begins to understand that Christ has delivered him from the reign of sin, when he begins to see that he is united to Him who has all power and authority and that it is possible to walk in obedience, he begins to have hope, and as he hopes in Christ, he begins to have joy. In the strength of this joy, he begins to overcome the sins that have so easily entangle him. He then finds that the joy of a holy walk is infinitely more satisfying than the fleeting pleasures of sin. But to experience this joy, we must make some choices. We must choose to forsake sin, not only because it is defeating to us but because it grieves the heart of God.” Obedience bring joy into our lives. Paul lets us know, “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19) If you want to develop your obedience, then you must do everything in your life that you can to rid yourself of disobedience.

 

Sing: I’ll say yes, Lord, yes, to Your will and to Your way. I’ll say yes, Lord, yes, I will trust You and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I’ll agree, and my answer will be yes, Lord, yes.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 November 16

Respect

 

“For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” (Jeremiah 4:22)

 

Today’s Morsel: Respect seems to be losing its purpose and meaning in the schools, workplace, church, and even in the home. Folks just seem to have lost their minds when it comes to self-respect. Few if any seem to be teaching it anymore. Back in the 50’s and 60’s, when I went to school, we had classes in school to teach us about self-respect. You see, in the south, most schools were segregated. And one of the greatest teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was that of having self-respect for yourself. So, our black teachers stressed his teaching on us. Dr. King knew that if we, as black kids, were going to amount to anything good in life, we would need to have great respect for ourselves because that was what the Bible taught. In our health classes, personal hygiene was taught. Female teachers would talk to young girls about female issues to prevent embarrassment. We were all taught how to sit, stand, talk, and even walk. Dress and appearance were addressed. We even had daily devotions in our school where we read the Bible, prayed, sang hymns, and cited the pledge allegiance to the flag. But sad to say that today many churches don’t even have an American flag. Most people don’t even know the words to the pledge of allegiance, and some have never heard it. Men are not taught to take their hat off for the pledge, children are not taught to stand.  Some folks don’t even know how to pray and have no respect for oneself or others. I’m not being evil here, but the worst kind of destruction is self-destruction. We sit and laugh at all the, “You might be a Redneck If ….” Jokes, but do you know what the underhand meaning of those jokes are? That some people do not have self-respect for themselves. If we don’t have self-respect and teach it to our children and those of our household and churches, you and they both are going to self-destruct.  Start having self-respect, and then pass it on to those of your household.  

 

Sing: 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.