Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 30

He Is Risen

 

“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” (Mark 16:1-14)

 

Today’s Morsel: Many did not believe that Jesus had risen. Even with all the teaching that He had told them that He would die and would rise again on the third day, many of His followers still did not believe. Scripture said, “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:24-25) Even Jesus chastened Thomas for his unbelief. But as Jesus had told the religious leaders, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) And there are still those today that do not believe that He is risen.  But we do not need Jesus to have to upbraid us because of our unbelief and hardness of hearts. Remember, the just must live by faith. Easter, or the resurrection, ought to be one of the most encouraging days for believers. The tomb is empty, and Christ is still alive. As the angels told Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, who had brought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him. “Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16:6) If we believe not, Jesus said, we are going to die in our sins. Are you ready for His soon return?

Sing: I serve a risen Savior He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, no matter what men say. I see 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: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 29

The Day Scripture Was Fulfilled

 

“And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Mark 15:22-26)

 

Today’s Morsel: It’s amazing that all four gospel writers write about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, or the gospel. This was a most momentous occasion that one would die for all. It has so impacted many for years. And even today, it still impacting the old and young alike. For Jesus had said that the scriptures must be fulfilled which was written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Himself.  Isaiah had written, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” (Isaiah 53:3-8) When the Eunuch asked Phillip in Acts 8, “...I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” (Acts 8:34-35). And as Jesus told Nicodemus: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15) It was all fulfilled for us. 

 

Sing: He was wounded for our transgression; He was bruised for our iniquities. Surely, He bore all our sorrow; And by His stripes we are healed. 

Thought For Today: “I love you”, that’s what Calvary says. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 28

God Will Provide Himself A Lamb

 

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” (Genesis 22:7-8)

 

Today’s Morsel: I love Abraham’s faith in God. God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, and he does not waver. He takes his son and heads for the mountain that God shows him. He gets to the mountain and tell his servants to stay there and watch the donkeys as he and Isaac are going to worship and return. Talk about faith. Why did he have such faith? Because Abraham had seen that God comes through with what He says that He would do. God told him about the time in which he and Sarah would have a son, and what his name must even be called. And it happened just like God said. When Isaac questioned his father, for the lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham in his faith, tells him that God would provide himself a lamb for the sacrifice. This was a type and shadow of that which was to come. Notice, God would provide himself. John writes, “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 any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3) “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 next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Jesus Christ, was the lamb slain from the foundation of the earth. Peter said of Him, “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:17-18) If we do what God asks of us to do, He will do what we ask of Him to do as long as it is within His will. 

 

Sing: Your only Son, they crucified, they laughed and scorned Him as He died, The humble King they named a fraud, and sacrificed the Lamb of God.

Oh Lamb of God, Sweet Lamb of God; I love the holy Lamb of God; 

Oh wash me in, thy precious blood; My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Thought For Today: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 27

The Tasting of Death

 

“Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2:8-10)

 

Today’s Morsel: If you trace military history, you will read of many men who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor because they paid the ultimate sacrifice to save others. One may wonder why someone would sacrifice their life to save someone else. I have listened to speeches by some of those who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor on the Island of Okinawa during World War II. And they said that something just clicked inside of them, and that they knew that something had to be done, or those individuals would all die.  They said that it was only by the grace of God that they were able to do it and survive. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus tasted death for all. Because Jesus was willing to sacrifice His life, everyone now has a chance to live and to testify of His goodness. Those who received the Congressional Medal of Honor will tell you that they are not looking for honor and accolades, they were just doing their duty.  Jesus was no exception to this.  Simply said, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, “We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)

 

Sing:  Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a stain, He washed it white as snow.

 

Thought For Today: “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 26

The Greatest Example of Servanthood

 

“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:1-17)

 

Today’s Morsel: If you were asked to define a servant leader, what would you say. Jesus Christ models what every leader must be, know, and do. He showed us what true love looked like when He wept at Lazarus’ tomb. He showed us what compassion looked like when He forgave the woman caught in adultery, fed the multitude, and raised the woman of Nain’s son from the dead. He showed us what forgiveness looked like when He sent for Peter after he had denied Him three times. He showed us what faith looked like when He stood and calm the waves and winds of the sea. And He showed us what servant leadership looked like when He girds himself with a towel and washed His disciple’s feet, a task that was done by slaves and servants. Jesus wanted us to understand, that in His kingdom, the greatest is the servant, not the one who may think that they deserve the role of honor. Jesus was all about serving others. And this example was to teach us to never think more highly of ourselves then we ought to.  In Christ’s kingdom, if you do not have a servant’s heart, you are not called to leadership.

 

Sing: O’ what a Savior, oh hallelujah, His heart was broken on Calvary. His hands were nail scarred, His side was riven, He gave His life’s blood for even me.

 

Thought For Today: Follow the example that Jesus has left for you and you will do just fine.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 25

Getting To The Point of Nevertheless

 

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:36-39)

 

Today’s Morsel: How do you prepare yourself for things that you do not have control over? I have seen people go into deep depression and stress because they are about to face a judge for a crime that they committed. And then I have seen some who are about to face the same judge for a crime that they have committed, and they say, I was wrong, so, let what will be will be, be. When Jesus knew that His time was for Him to depart out of this world, knowing that all things that He had come to do was now finish, scripture says, “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”  Jesus knew that this was something that He had to face. And so, to endure the cross, He needed to get to the point of, nevertheless. You see, our flesh is often afraid of the consequences that we are about to face when we don’t know the outcome. But when you get to this point, the point no longer trusting in ourselves, we now trust in the One that has the power to deliver us and to make us free.  Perhaps not free from the situation, yet free from ourselves. But if not, we have then gotten to the point where we have made up your minds that the Lord’s will must be done.  Never lose hope for what you must face. Even Jesus knew that Calvary had a great purpose. 

 

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 mine 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: Oh, what a Savior.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 23

Compassion

 

“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. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1:20-25)

 

Today’s Morsel: I can remember when I went into the Army back in 1969, if you were a leader or person who showed compassion, you were seen as being too soft and weak.  But today, compassionate leadership is seen as the most effective, and ones who possesses great strength. I wonder what changed? I will tell you what changed. People heard about a man named Christ Jesus, Who was always moved with compassion, and they have seen what impact a compassionate leader or person can have on others. Being compassionate doesn’t mean that you are weak. In most cases it means that you understand the golden rule, and that you desire to follow it. Jude says that we must keep ourselves in the love of God and on some have compassion. I have come to realize that some of the most lasting friendships and loving ones have been made through compassion for others. If you have never won a soul to the Lord, and you have wanted to see your witnessing skills come to fruition, then show others compassion, be sincere about it, and you will catch a whole lot of fish. If you are single, you just might catch a fish that will become your mate for life.  Just use great wisdom based upon the word of God and your pastor’s direction!

 

Sing: My heart was destressed beneath Jehovah’s dread frown, and low in the pit where my sins dragged me down. I cried to the Lord from the deep miry clay, Who tenderly brought me out to golden day.

He brought me out of the miry clay, He set my feet on a rock to stay; He put a song in my heart to stay, a song of praise, hallelujah. 

Thought For Today: “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” (Psalms 86:15)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 22

Build Your Life On Eternal Things

 

“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’m sure you remember the teaching of Jesus in reference to one building their house upon the sand versus the other building it on the rock. When the rain comes, sand is going to ebb or recede. And that building is 99 percent of the time going to fall. But a rock is usually stable and will not shift with the wind and rain because it is firm and solid. Jesus uses natural things to bring about a spiritual directive and teaching. And that is, don’t build your life on things that are not firm and stable. We know that Jesus is the Rock: “For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?” (Psalms 18:31) When we build our lives based on the Word of God, we are building it on a solid and firm foundation. As Paul said: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-17) Peter gives us instruction of what we ought to be adding to our lives so that we do not fall. But many are not following his instructions. Are you following his instructions?  What are you building your life on. “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:26-27). Build on the firm foundation of God’s Word.

 

Sing: I’m standing on the rock of ages; Safe from all the storm that rages; Rich, but not from Satan’s wages. I’m standing on the solid rock.

 

Thought For Today: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 21

At Calvary

 

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” (Luke 23:33)

 

Today’s Morsel: Throughout the teaching of His disciples, Jesus kept pointing them to the day that He would be crucified.  And they, like most people, didn’t want to hear it. Even Peter rebuked Jesus when Jesus told Him that He would be crucified. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus, after His resurrection, told Jesus when He inquired the reason for their sadness: “And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.” (Luke 24:19-21) When we don’t pay close attention to the words of God, we can miss Jesus’ teaching and meaning. Jesus had to suffer and die to fulfill Isaiah’s prophesy: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” (Isaiah 53:3-8) Calvary was not to be a sad day, it was to be a glorious day. It was to be a day for giving us newness of life. As the writer of Hebrews tells us:“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22) I thank God for the blood. 

 

Sing: Years I spent in vanity and pride caring not my Lord was crucified, knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary. Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me. There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.

 

Thought For Today: “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 20

Stop Living Below Your Privileges

 

“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:25-31)

 

Today’s Morsel:  I have come to realize that there are too many Christians that are living below their privileges. When we become born again of the water and the Spirit, we become heirs to the promises that God made to Abraham (Galatians 3:26-29). But sad to say, many are not alive, they are just existing. You may say what’s the difference? Well, Jesus said that He came to give us life and that more abundantly. Life means that you are alive. You are excited and elated with life. You look forward to each day to see what new thing God will bring your way. You look forward to the day so that you can share the truth of the gospel with others, and help others become better within themselves. You are willing to share your new life with folks so they can see what God has done in you. But if you are only existing, then you see life as mundane, boring, and you will have that Eor spirit. You know that Woe is Me, everything and everybody is against me spirit. That no one likes me spirit. That spirit that thinks that you were dealt a bad hand. Listen, if you have been born again, you have not been dealt a bad hand, you have been placed in God’s hand. And He has your best interest at heart. As He says through the prophet Jeremiah: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11) The prodigal son’s brother thought that he had been dealt a bad hand because his brother came back home after he had wasted his living in the world, and his father gave him a party, and welcomed him home. He told his dad, “Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.”  You know, I don’t read where he ever asked his father for a kid to make merry with his friend. He was like some today. Complaining about everything that others have and yet they never ask Jesus to give them what is rightfully theirs. Not me. When I see my finances getting low, I pray and ask God to sell one of my cows off the hill. I let Him know what I don’t have even though He already knows it. Jesus even said that we have not because we ask not. It’s not His fault if you are living below your privileges. As the father told his son, “Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.”  Stop living below your privileges and learn how to ask God for what yours is.  Laugh and have some fun. Smile and make people think about what you are up to. 

 

Sing: I am blessed! I am blessed! Every day that I live I am blessed. When I wake up in the morning, till I lay my head to rest, I am blessed, I am blessed. 

 

Thought For Today: “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 19

Invisible Things

 

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” (Romans 1:20)

 

Today’s Morsel:  The Old Testament of the Bible is God concealed. The New Testament is God revealed.  Under the Old Testament, no man could see God’s face and live. But under the New Testament, John said, “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.” (1 John 1:1-3)Paul, who met Jesus on the road to Damascus, told Timothy, “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)  When Philip inquired of Jesus, “Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:8-10) Those things which were once hidden and invisible from the creation of the earth, are now made visible to us so that we may know Him and the power of His resurrection and joined to the fellowship of His suffering. Jesus Christ is the One True and ever living God, and the One that we seek. There is no other. Scripture says: “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,” (Luke 24:44-45) If this truth is hidden, Paul said, Satan has blinded the minds of them which believe not. 

 

Sing: He’s the Great I Am, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, The Great Eternal Wonder, Holy Counselor, and Zion’s Righteous Governor; He’s the Great, He’s the Great I Am.

 

Thought For Today: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” (Psalms 19:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 18

Change Your Thinking

 

“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. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the most important items in the body is the brain. This is why the enemy of your soul wants to control it. He knows that if he can control your way of thinking, he can control your entire body. Folks are suffering from PTSD because they won’t change their way of thinking. People are depressed, lonely, stressed, hopeless, and joyless because they won’t change their way of thinking. People go to work, come home tired and weary because they won’t change their way of thinking. People say that they don’t find enjoyment in church because things are mundane and boring, and that is because they don’t change their way of thinking. I have yet to find Jesus mundane and boring. People yes. But not Jesus. Church ought to be about Jesus and the gospel not some science fiction movie, or political agenda. None of that is going to fix the broken heart. People need Jesus so that they can change how they think, act, live, and see things. Paul told the church at Philippi, to think on whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. He said that if they did this, they would have the peace of God with them. As Isaiah said: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) What are you thinking on? I pray that it is the things of God. If you change your thinking, the body will be following. Keep your mind of Jesus and see what happens.

 

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

 

Thought For Today: “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:19-20)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 16

When God Asks For Your Promise

 

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” (Genesis 22:1-5)

 

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes, if we are not careful, we can read scripture, we may question Gods motives which is not good. We must learn how to rightly divide scriptures, extract the application from them, and apply it to our lives. What we find with God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaiah back to Him, is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells us: “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” (Hebrews 11:17-19) Notice, he received Isaac in a figure. The word figure here means a comparison of one thing with another, or likeness and image. Abraham did not waver at God’s request for him to return his promised son, because he knew that he could trust God to raise him to life again. Isaac was a type and shadow of Jesus. Jesus was sacrificed for our sins, but in three days He rose again. This is why, I believe, that scripture says, “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 2:19-22) I believe that’s why anytime God asks us to give something He has already given us, whether money, house, lands, cars, or things that may seem important to us, it is to test our faith. If God asks for it, He will give it back to us with a good measure, pressed down and running over. Would you be willing to give it if He asked you for it?

 

Sing: I’m yours Lord, everything I am, everything I’m not, everything I’ve got. I’m yours Lord, try me now and see, see if I can be completely Yours.

 

Thought For Today: “So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning...” (Job 42:12)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 15

The Importance of The Altar

 

“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.” (Psalms 84:1-4)

 

Today’s Morsel: I’m afraid that we are losing the understanding and the importance of the altar. In Old Testament times, the altar was for sacrifice, the giving of thanks, and for seeking after God. But today, what we call the altar, has many things placed on them. We preach from the place that we call the altar. We allow children to play on what we call the altar, instead of teaching them to pray at the altar. We have Christmas plays and events on what we call the altar. Coffee cups and children’s sippy cups are spilled on the altar. Are we losing reverence for the altar?  Not be critical here. But we can’t lose the importance for nor the reverence of it.  The Psalmist states: “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. How lovely, he said, are Thy tabernacles. Then he said that the sparrow had found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars. We can look at this from two points of view. The altar was not maintained, and the birds now occupied the altar, or the tabernacle was open air, and the birds built their houses and nest somewhere close by the altar. But I prefer the analogy of the psalmist as it draws our attention to the importance of the altar. The altar ought to be a place where we spend much time and raise our children at. Our children ought to be laid on the altar so that when they are old, they will dwell in His house. The altar must be a place where we come and seek God for direction, and to offer Him thanksgiving and praise for all that He’s done for us. Where is your house and nest placed? Do your children understand the importance of the altar?  Do you reverence the altar?  Lord, take us back to the Old Landmark!

 

Sing: In the presence of Jehovah, God Almighty, Prince of Peace. Troubles vanish, hearts are mended; in the presence of the King.

 

Thought For Today: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalms 16:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 14

Did You Really Get A Good Deal?

 

“It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.” (Proverbs 20:14)

 

Today’s Morsel: I have had people say to me when they purchased a new vehicle that they got a good deal. I sometimes want to ask them to define what is considered a good deal. As no car dealer really gives you a good deal. There are more hidden charges than the eye can see. When I purchase a vehicle, I don’t look for a good deal. I will ask the dealer for special incentives such as military discounts, senior citizen discounts, or good interest rates. And I have found that if I go in with an interest rate better than the dealer, they will make theirs lower so that I will use them. But to get a good deal, it doesn’t really happen. When we lived in Asia, one of our yearly highlights were going to Seoul Korea. It was always good to haggle with the vendors for fun to see if you could sometimes get a good deal. But when one once asked me if I wanted to buy a genuine imitation Rolex watch, we both got a good laugh. He told me that it wasn’t real. Now if I wasn’t listening, I could have given in. Believe me, getting four cellphones for 25 dollars isn’t a good deal. Read the small print. This is one of the reasons as Christians, that we need to be good listeners. One of the things that Satan does is offers folks things that may seem like they are getting a good deal, only afterwards it costs them more than they bargain for. Esau thought that he was getting a good deal trading his birthright for a bowl of soup. Scripture said, “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” (Genesis 25:32). The writer of Hebrews says: “For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17) His deal cost him dearly. Don’t let Satan trick you into selling your birthright for things of this world. You are not getting a good deal. You must have this New Birth experience to get into heaven.  There are no other good deals out there.  

 

Sing: I really enjoy living for Him, I would trade it for anything, because I, really enjoy living for Him. This feeling inside, I just can’t hide, and I want to world to know, that I really enjoy living for Jesus.

 

Thought For Today: “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” (Hebrews 12:16)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 13

Mercy

 

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalms 118:1-4)

 

Today’s Morsel: If you were asked to define mercy, how would you define it from a personal standpoint. Would you just say not getting what you deserve as far as forgiveness and not being punished, or would it be more. Think about that for a moment. You see, God wants us to understand the application of His word. In other words, He wants us to understand and be able to see how things apply to our lives so that we can develop and grow. So, if God forgave you of sin, what are you doing to ensure that He doesn’t have to keep doing it? The Psalmist stated:“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.” (Psalms 62:11-12) Notice if you will, not only does power belong to God, but also mercy. Do you feel as though God has bestowed His mercy on you? If so, what did you do to give Him thanks for it? The writer of Hebrews tells us: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) I love this scripture. Not only do we find mercy at the throne of God, but we also find grace to help in time of need. So, how much grace do you have stored up for what is ahead. If grace saves us, surely mercy ought to keep us in His love. Don’t wait until you need grace to come to the throne to get it. Go to the throne daily, get it, and keep it stored up within you so that you will have it when you need it.  Should the Lord tarry, you are going to need both grace and mercy to navigate through this life. God doesn’t run out of these things. But isn’t it wise to have what you need to carry you though what you might face from day to day? 

 

Sing: Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified; Knowing and not it was for me He died, on Calvary. Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burden soul found liberty at Calvary.

 

Thought For Today: “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 12

It Is Jesus

 

“And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.” (Luke 18:35-43)

 

Today’s Morsel: Scripture tells us that when Jesus was upon the earth, great multitudes followed Him. They observed His teachings, heard His preaching, saw His miracles, and even saw His rejection by folks. His fame spread far and wide. There has never been another who impacted so many. What made Him admired and followed? I believe it was His compassion for the lost. Jesus went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. He asked nothing from those who gave nothing. He went about doing good to all. And those of us who have His spirit ought to be walking the same as He walked (1 John 2:6). When the blind man heard the commotion of the crowd, he asked what was going on and they told him that Jesus was passing by and he began to call out to Jesus for His help, and he received his sight.  In John 9, when the religious leader questioned the man born blind how that he had received his sight: “He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.” (John 9:11) Peter said that we ought to be ready to give an answer to everyone that asks of us the hope that is within us without fear and doubting. Believe me, people today need Jesus. So, go out and take Him to them and they will be thankful you did. 

 

Sing: Jesus is here right now, reach out and touch Him. Jesus is here right now, yours to receive. Jesus is standing near, ready your heart to cheer. Jesus is here right now, only believe.

 

Thought For Today: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 11

Don’t Run Out of Gratitude

 

“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

 

Today’s Morsel: I’ve learned that the giving of thanks and being thankful can go a long way with folks. When we display a heart of gratitude, not only does it make us feel good about ourselves, but it also makes us feel good about who we are in Christ. I always teach that when we pray, the first ten things we pray about ought to be what we are thankful to God for, and the next ten should be what we need God’s help with. When Jesus healed the ten lepers, only one came back to give Him thanks and he was the only one who was made completely whole. The other nine were only healed, but the Samaritan was made whole. The nine may have gotten rid of their leprosy, but perhaps they may not have gotten rid of their troubled minds, bitterness of heart, loneliness, and depression like the one who was made whole. Thanksgiving for the even the smallest things with Christ can make a big difference in your life. Paul speak to the church at Rome stating: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:20-21) Notice, when they knew God, they were not thankful, and they became foolish trusting in other things. Let me encourage you, don’t run out of gratitude, because God’s will for our life is that we be always thankful.

 

Sing: Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You, Lord, for making me whole. Thank You, Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free. 

 

Thought For Today: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 9

The Grace of God

 

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)

 

Today’s Morsel: When we think of God’s grace, there ought to be something that swells up inside of us that causes us to put the brakes on when we even think of doing wrong. God’s grace in our lives ought to cause us to pushback on evil, wrong living, and ethical violation. God’s grace ought to cause our character to grow. It ought to cause us to reach out to the lost and fulfill our callings. God’s grace ought to cause us to live holy and separated for His purpose and use. God’s grace ought to cause us to obey the Golden Rule and develop a great love for the things of God and His word. You see, if it had not been for God’s grace, none of us would be saved from our sins. We would all be doomed to hell with Satan and his demonic force. But because of God’s grace, Paul said, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1-7) Aren’t you glad for His unmerited love and influence in your life? I thank God for His grace!

Sing: Grace, grace, God’s grace; grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sins.

 

Thought For Today: Grace only works with gratitude. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 8

The Battlefield of the Mind

 

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 

(2 Corinthians 11:3)

 

Today’s Morsel: Every battle of the warrior is won from within. Your ability to be an overcomer of the things which you face starts with our own self-discipline to look deep inside of you. Your attitude about what you are facing can either be your friend or your foe. Every battle is won or lost in the mind. If the enemy can get you to think that you can’t win, you will begin to think that you can’t win, and you won’t win. But on the other hand, if you think that you can be victorious and think that you will be victorious, you will oftentimes be victorious. As scripture says, “As he thinketh in his heart so is he.”  There are going to be many things that you are going to face in life. Problems, circumstances, and situations that will seem insurmountable to you. But you can overcome them if you keep your head in the game. As Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” (Isaiah 26:3-4) Let me encourage you today, don’t allow fear to get a foothold into your mind so that you start thinking that you cannot win and be an overcomer. If you keep your mind on Jesus, you will see how easy it is to navigate through the things you face and you then will win.

 

Sing: When gloom and sadness whisper, “You’ve sinned no use to pray”; I look away to Jesus, and He tells me to say.

 

“I see a crimson stream of blood, it flows from Calvary; Its waves which reach the throne of God, are sweeping over me.” 

 

Thought For Today: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 7

Dwelling In His House

 

“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.” (Psalms 84:1-4)

 

Today’s Morsel: As Christians, we should have a habit of going to church. There ought to be something inside of us that draws us to God’s house. Not only to hear the word of God and the fellowship with brothers and sisters of like precious faith, but also, to worship God with these same people. The psalmist states, “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee.” In other words, if we have it a habit of being in God’s house, nothing should be able to stop us from praising Him. Our situations and circumstances ought not stop our praise and worship to Him. Our afflictions ought not affect our relationship with God. If anything, they ought to draw us closer to Him. Do you know what I have found about those who have a love for the house of God and those who dwell there? All hell can be unleashed on their life, and they will not be fazed by it because they know that they are under the shadow of His wings, and He will bring them out.  Make it a habit to be in the house of the Lord.  

 

Sing: In His presence is fullness of joy, at His right hand, pleasures for every more. Oh what fellowship divine, I am His and He is mine; in the presence of the Lord, there’s fullness of joy.

 

Thought For Today: “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalms 122:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 6

True Worshippers

 

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” (John 4:19-26)

 

Today’s Morsel: Through study, we know that the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. But what many fail to realize about the gospels is that they are training instructions for leaders. We find that when we read the gospels, Jesus chooses twelve men and trains them for the mission that He would have them perform. The stories listed in the gospels are training tools to teach us how to deal with and answer people that we may encounter of our journey. In today’s lesson, Jesus encounters a woman at Jacobs well in Sychar or Shechem. This is the place that Jacob returns to when he returns into the land of promise from his uncle Laban after 20 plus years. It was here in this place that Levi and Simon kill all the males of Hamor and his son Shechem for raping their sister Dinah. Scripture says that Jesus had need to go through Samaria. The disciples wanted to go a different route because they knew that the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. But Jesus had need to go there because His mission was to seek and to save that which was lost. And after sending His disciples away to buy bread, he encounters a woman at the well. And their discussion leads not only into discussion of living water, the Holy Ghost, but also the true place for worship. She tells Jesus that our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Why was Jesus telling her that she should be worship in Jerusalem? Here’s the reason, I believe. Scripture says, “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” (Zechariah 14:16-17) Every nation was to worship in Jerusalem. But the Samaritans were worshipping in that mountain because they had allowed division to divide them. They were now worshipping many things and many gods. We must not allow anything or anyone to prevent us from worshipping the Lord our God. Jesus said that God is a spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Do you know where you ought to be worshipping?

 

Sing: To worship You I live, to worship You I live, I live, to worship You. To worship You I live, to worship You I live, I live, to worship You. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. 

 

Thought For Today: True worship always springs out of an understanding as to who God is and what He has done for us.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 March 5

Don’t Even Try It

 

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

 

Today’s Morsel: There are many people today that are trying to make it through life without Jesus.  It may seem as though they are making it on their own, but when you look a little closer you will see that they are working in their own strength and power and their life is not as successful as it appears. If you ask them how they are doing, they will tell you that they are tired and can’t sleep. They are restless and depressed. They have little or no joy, no true happiness within.  They are taking medications daily simply trying to exist. They are burning the candle at both ends trying to get ahead. They are troubled on every side. Scripture says, “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:23-33) We can’t make it without Jesus. We have got to have Him as the head of our life, or we are not going to make it. We cannot do anything without Him. It’s foolish to even try. He is the giver and sustainer of life and the only One who can give us peace and contentment.  So trust Him and let Him lead and direct your steps. 

 

Sing: He leadeth me, He leadeth me by His great power He leadeth me. His faithful follower I will be, for by His grace He leadeth me.

 

Thought For Today: “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.” (Psalms 14:2)