Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 3

Forethought

 

“The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.” (Proverbs 14:8)

 

Today’s Morsel: Decision making requires a lot of forethought. When I was in the army, no matter what mission I was given, my supervisor and commander, always wanted a plan A, a plan B, and a plan C. A plan A, how we planned to do things. A plan B should plan A fail; and a plan C, if both plans A and B failed. So, how much forethought do you give when it comes to your operational planning.  The same ought to be done in our everyday living. Solomon states that the wisdom of the prudent (the wise) is to understand his way. You need to know what you are doing and why you are doing it; where you are going and why you are going there. You need to have a plan on how you are getting there.  If someone were to ask you why you are a Christian, what would you tell them? How much forethought do you give to this question? The apostle Peter admonishes us: “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) You need to give some forethought to this question so that you are ready to give an answer. If you are doing something, and your child walks up to you and asks you what you are doing, and you give them and answer, the next question which comes from their little mouth is, Why?! Forethought can save you a lot of trouble. Especially, when it comes to marriage, buying a home or automobile, where you take your family to church, and even the career you choose. Always remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

 

Sing: O’ my brother, are you ready for the call? To crown your Savior King and Lord of all. The kingdoms of this world shall soon before Him fall, we shall see the King when He comes.

We shall see the King, we shall see the King, we shall see the King, when He comes. He’s coming in His power; We’ll hail the blessed hour. We shall see the King when He comes.

 

Thought For Today: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 2

Right Living Produces Good Things

 

“In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.” (Proverbs 15:6)

 

Today’s Morsel: There is just something to be said about right living. When we live our lives according to God’s word, good things just seem to happen to us. We are usually not bothered and troubled about the world situations and circumstances, because we know that God has our best interest at heart. Most people who find themselves in trouble, are those who do not do right. I think that was the purpose for the law and judgments. Solomon states that in the house of the righteous is much treasure: But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. Having that understanding, which do you desire to have? This is what I love about God and His word. God always tells us about the consequences for our actions.  And yet some folks like to declare God as being unfair and wrong. God is only trying to help you, that’s why He shows us the end state in hopes we will choose correctly. Somewhat like Moses told the children of Israel: “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) Do you see how Moses shared with them the consequence for right living versus wrong living? Right living will always produce good things in your life. But if you refuse to live right, then you must learn to live with your own troubles.

 

Sing: Wonderful! Wonderful! Jesus is to me. Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God is He. Saving me, keeping me, from all sin and shame. Wonderful is my Redeemer, praise His name. 

 

Thought For Today: “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 July 1

Nostalgia

 

“Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?” (Haggai 2:3)

 

Today’s Morsel: I am a man that loves history. “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” ― George Orwell. I love talking about my life as a young boy, where I grew up and where I lived. Every so often, I also like to look at the picture of the home where I lived in growing up. As I begin to reflect on the fun, meals, visitors, family time, and what my bedroom was like while living there, it always brings a smile to my face. Then I like to look at the plaque which my wife has on her wall of the Schloss, one of Adolf Hitler’s Officers Clubs in Wiesbaden, Germany, which our missionaries had turned into a church.  This was where I got baptized and received the Holy Ghost, and where I received my calling into the ministry. Somedays I just long to return to those places and turn back the hands of time and live through it all over again. The Lord told the prophet Haggai to ask “Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?” God’s call here, I believe, is to not forget your history. God said in comparison to what it was and what you see now, you may see it as nothing because it is old and rundown. But when we look back, we will see that God was with us, and that He is still with us.  Don’t let the devil destroy your history of where you came from and what God has done for you. When you go back or look back you can see that the hand of God has worked on your behalf through so many things.

 

Sing: When I look back over my life, and I think things over, I can truly say, that I’ve been blessed, I’ve got a testimony.

 

Thought For Today: Don’t ever forget where God has brought you from.