Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 October 5

Grace

“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. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:4-8)

Today’s Morsel: If you were to ask folks to define grace, most people would tell you that it is God’s unmerited love towards us. So, grace then is God’s love. It’s God showing us how much He cares for us. It’s God demonstrating how much He wants us to be saved, and live and not die. John tells us that love is of God, and that God is love (1 John 4:7-8). So, if grace is God’s love, then God must be grace. So, then, it is only by God that we are saved. As Peter says: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Therefore to be saved, we must put on love, which is God, which is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14). Then how do we do that? Paul says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27) And we do this by obeying Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Yes, God gives us grace (His love). But to obtain salvation we must be born again of the water and the spirit (John 3:3-5)

Sing: Saved, saved, saved, I’m happy on my way. Saved, saved, saved, I love Him more each day. Saved, saved, saved, I know He’s mine each hour, for He saves, and He keeps, and He satisfies me by His power. 

Thought For Today: “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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 October 4

Are You Still Asleep?

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about sleepwalking is that the person doesn’t know it unless someone wake them up. I am afraid that too many saints are still asleep. Satan is destroying lives, homes, and nations right before us, and people can’t see it. Paul says: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) People’s minds are blinded. Satan has hood winked them. I’m okay and you are okay does not work with God. Jesus said you must be born again (John 3:3-5), to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And that He will only be a Father unto you if you come out from among them and be ye separated (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). Paul told the church at Corinth: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) There is no get out of hell free cards. So, everyone must wake up. 

Sing: When He call me, I will answer, when He call me, I will hear. When He call me, I will answer, I’ll be somewhere listening for my name.

I’ll be somewhere listening, I’ll be somewhere listening, I’ll be somewhere listening for name. I’ll be somewhere listening, I’ll be somewhere listening, I’ll be somewhere listening for my name. 

Thought For Today: “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 October 3

Be An Edifier

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19)

Today’s Morsel: In today’s world, with all the political divisiveness, fake news, liars, and unrest, peace for some seems hard to come by. I continuously hear folks saying, “I’m getting off Facebook”, “I’m closing my Instagram account.”  And their reasoning is that people are posting and saying things that go against the word of God and that they are causing too much confusion in people’s lives. If we are going to have peaceful lives, then we must follow the things which make for peace, so that we may be able to edify others. And that requires us getting back to the old path and walking in the good way, so that we will find rest for our own soul, and be at peace with ourselves and others. As Isaiah says: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) If you want to be a good edifier to others, then you must know the Prince of Peace and walk as He walked and in His ways. 

Sing: I know the Peace Speaker, yes, I know Him by name. I know the Peace Speaker; He controls the wind and rain. When He says, ‘Peace be still” it has to obey; I know the Peace Speaker, yes, I know Him by name. 

Thought For Today: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 October 2

Live And Grow

“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:” (Proverbs 7:1-4)

Today’s Morsel: The word of God is designed to help you grow and build character in your life. Every person who says that they are born-again of the water and the spirit ought to be a mature Christian and saint of God. They ought to know how to solve problems, teach others, raise their children, balance stress and depression, manage their time, talents, and finances, and serve God with a pure heart fervently. Being born-again means that you were not only saved for your own salvation and purpose, but you were also brought to the kingdom to help others live, grow, and mature. You are not just supposed to be existing; you are supposed to be living, and your life should be reflecting spiritual and mature growth. As the apostle Peter admonishes us: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 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. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;” (2 Peter 1:3-13): You can only live and grow if you know.

Sing: The Lord saved me, why should I be bound? The Lord saved me, tell me why should I be bound? The Lord saved me tell me, why should be bound? Why should I be bound? 

Thought For Today: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 October 1

 Who Is On The Throne?

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:10-12)

Today’s Morsel: One of the first things that Paul wanted to know when he was struck blind on the road to Damascus was, “Who art thou, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 9:5) This revelation of truth set Paul on a course like none other. And his overall mission was not only as Jesus’ mission was, to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10), but also to know Him and to make Him known (Philippians 3:10, Acts 17:23, Acts 20:27). Paul cautions us not to judge others as we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account to God for the things which we have done in this life. Jesus will not be at the right hand, that just means authority and power. Jesus will be the One we see and appear before who sits on the throne, Paul said. As He 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) Every knee will one day bow to Jesus, not to someone else. Having this understanding of truth now, will free us and help us be excited about reaching our destination and appearing before Him.

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: “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?” (John 14:9)