Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 9

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psalms 133:1-3).

Today’s Morsel:  We sometimes hear on the news of certain states that want to break away from these United States.  One of Satan’s goals is to break unity.  Not only in a nation, but also in the home and church.  He knows that scripture says that a house divided against itself cannot stand.  If he can create disunity among church members and families, he will have no problem fulfilling his goal. Writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul states, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:1-6).  You see the body of Christ must not be divided.  Notice what Paul says, there is one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.  He’s showing that God is one.  And if we say that we are in His body, then we must do everything we can to keep the unity of His body, as it is good and pleasant.

Sing:  Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.  Bind us together, Lord, bind us together Lord, bind us together with love.

Thought For Today:  Unity requires U-N-I for it to happen (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 7

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways” (Psalms 128:1).

Today’s Morsel:  To fear the Lord is to reverence Him. It is to acknowledge Him as our Lord.  The psalmist said, “Blessed is everyone that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.”  Are you blessed?  If not, why not?  The quickest way to be blessed is to reverence God.  As David again says, “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him” (Psalms 34:9).  When we fear God, so much goodness is laid up for us.  The heart of God is towards us, the secret of who He is is with us.  His eye is upon us, and the sun of righteousness rises on us, and both grace and glory are given to us as well as eternal life which is to come.  Are you blessed?  Fear of God always proceeds the blessings of God.

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:  Fear of God always proceeds the blessings of God.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 6

“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” 

(2 Corinthians 5:9-10).

Today’s morsel:  I remember the first time I had to appear before a magistrate for speeding on a military base.  The military police had clocked me going 30 miles per hour in a 15 mile per hour speed zone in a military housing area on base.  As I sat listening to the judge hand out fines and charges for infractions done on base (which many of them I felt were steep for the infraction), I could only sit and imagine what mine would be.  And so, when it was my turn to stand before him, I didn’t try to find an excuse for my speeding.  When he asked me how I pled, I told him I was guilty.  He asked me if I knew the danger of my actions?  And I told him, yes sir.  And so, he charged me $50 and told me to not let it happen again.  I felt relieved and remorse at the same time.  I was remorseful because I knew that I could have hit someone’s child by speeding, and I was thankful and relieved that I did not go to jail.  Paul said that we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. What will be your judgment?  Will He say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant, or bind him and cast him into everlasting darkness?”  What you do now determines your judgment then.  

Sing:  If when you give, the best of your service, telling the world that the Savior has come; be not dismayed, if friends don’t believe you, He’ll understand and say, “Well done.”

Thought For Today:  Remember it will be the word that judges us.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 5

“For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one” (Job 5:2).

Today’s Morsel:  I keep shaking my head trying to find out why there are so many educated fools.  So many seem to be angry about everything.  They are angry with the president.  Angry with media.  Angry because their parking spot is taken.  Angry because parents ground them.  Angry because they didn’t get a good grade.  Angry because someone rejected what they said.  Angry because they didn’t get their way.  Angry because they didn’t make the team.  This is all vanity of vanity, and foolishness of foolishness.  They fail to heed the songwriter's advice when he wrote, “You can’t always get what you want.”  Solomon said that anger killeth the foolish man. He stated, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). And his father David said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God…” (Psalms 14:1).  I think that it’s time that schools and churches get back to the basic teaching of character.

Sing: Falling in love with Jesus, falling in love with Jesus, falling in love with Jesus, is the best things I've ever, ever done.

Thought For Today:  Don’t let anger destroy you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 4

“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” 

(Proverbs 4:14-15).

Today’s Morsel:  I’m afraid that so many are not being taught the ways of wickedness for fear.  Children are being left to decide for themselves.  Satan has painted a picture of good as being evil and evil as being good.  So many are entering into the path of wickedness because they want to be people pleasers instead of God pleasers.  They are overthrowing the righteous for the ways of the wicked.  They are siding with the wicked man over the righteous man.  They are calling for the removal of righteous ways for the ways of the wicked.  How can we determine the path of the wicked?  We must know the word of God.  David said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my pathway (Psalms 119:105).  We need to be able to see where we are going.  The apostle Paul asked 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. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:9-12).  Once we put our feet in path of the wicked, there is no telling when we will fall into a trap or snare.  Jesus has brought us out of the wicked way, and we must continue to stay clear.

Sing:  He brought me out of the miry clay, He set my feet on a Rock to stay.  He put a song in my soul today, a song of praise hallelujah.

Thought For Today:  Know what path you trod.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 3

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her” (Proverbs 3:13-18).

Today’s Morsel:  Often, when my wife asks me to help her with storing things or getting boxes out for her to decorate for certain seasons of the year, I will come across items that I had forgotten that we had. Sometimes I find items that I had misplaced or forgotten where I had placed them.  A smile usually comes across my face when I reminisce about them.  Solomon said, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom."  It seems today that so many have lost this precious trait of character, as we see by the many despondent or depressed faces.  Have you lost your wisdom? She dwells with prudence.  If you’ve lost her, why not seek for her, because who so findeth wisdom findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord.

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.

Thought For Today:  Happy is the man that finds wisdom and the man that gets understanding.   

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 2

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:1-5)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the most important aspects of Christianity is our conduct.  Everything that we do, as it relates to our ethical behavior, communications, decorum, and personal conduct reflects our self-discipline developed from our new birth.  As Christians, we are told to separate ourselves from the ways of the world. Therefore, we must conduct ourselves totally different from those who are not Christians.  Wisdom and discretion should direct our lives.  Paul told Titus that the aged women must teach the younger women how to be discrete.  They must know to be sober (temperate, clear-headed) both in body and mind; and to be wise and prudent in the whole of their conduct, both at home and while out and about.  You see, the gospel will make a person wise and discreet in the business of salvation, and also in their conduct and manners, and the discretion it gives them will put them on guard at all times, and direct them to watch against every error and every false way.

Sing: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this world will go strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

Thought For Today:  True wisdom produces discretion.