Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 17

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:14-22).

Today’s Morsel:  The city of Laodicea was located on the ancient highway leading up from Ephesus going on to Syria.  The city was founded about 250B.C. by Antiochus II, who named it after his wife, Laodice, and populated it with Syrians and Jews whom he had transplanted from Babylonia.  It was situated on an almost square plateau a hundred feet above the valley and was surrounded by extensive fertile fields and good grazing grounds.  It soon became famous for its beauty and its wealth, derived largely from sheep, whose glossy black wool was woven into garments and carpets.  The city was also a center for banking and other financial operations, conducted for the most part by a prominent and wealthy Jewish circle. We can see why that church would have easily been drawn into the attitude of trusting in their wealth and stating that they have need of nothing.  Paul told the church at Colossi, “Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:15-16).  You see, Colossi was only about six miles from Laodicea, and it would be easy for this church to share his concerns with them.  We must never get to a point that we think that we do not have need of anything because of our wealth and status in life.  As Paul told Timothy, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7).  Our daily need for Christ is always great.  

Sing:  For above all else, I must be saved.  For above all else I must be saved.  Lord whatever you have to do to me, don’t let me be lost for eternity.  For above all else I must be saved.

Thought For Today:  Be careful. Riches can be here today and gone tomorrow.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 16

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).

Today’s Morsel:  If someone were to ask you to define the world, what would be your reply?  I think that once we understand Truth, we can determine what the world really is.  We live in this world, it is not our permanent home yet not everything in it is bad for us.  We must have the wisdom and the knowledge to determine what is good and what is evil, we must know the difference.  We know that God created the heavens and the earth and that everything that He made was good.  John tells us to love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. The reason being is that if we love something, that’s where our heart will be, and it will be easy for that thing to draw our heart away from God and cause us to want to stay here; and we know that's not what God desires.  John lists three things that are associated with this world that we must avoid.  Those three things are lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  I believe that these three things are associated with this world and will destroy your walk with God.  They will turn your heart from Him.  Therefore, they must be avoided if we are truly born-again believers.  Do you know the difference?

Sing: This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.  My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.  The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

O’ Lord you know I have no friend like You, if heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do.  The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Thought For Today:  Don’t put stock in this place (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 14

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:1-6).

Today’s Morsel:  As I sit and read magazines and the daily paper, I'm saddened by the number of young people who are filled with troubled lives.  Many of the stories that I read offer no hope for these people or the reader that is reading them that may be seeking help for themselves.  They are writing to sell these periodicals, but they offer no hope or no help.  Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).  Jesus is still the answer and hope for the world today, even though many are afraid to say so.  Until we get Jesus back in His rightful place, in our lives and homes, many more are going to have troubled hearts and minds.  For without me you can do nothing, Jesus said (John 15:5).  But as Isaiah encourages us, “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).  A new life starts with a new reason.  And Jesus is that reason.

Sing:  Something beautiful, something good; All my confusion Jesus understood.  All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful out of my life.

Thought For Today:  A new life starts with a new reason.  Jesus

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 13

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:1-10).

Today’s Morsel:  I believe that the most important thing in any person’s life is when they have a clear understanding of the gospel and how it is applied to their life.  I believe that the reason so many people are having troubles in their lives and homes is that the gospel is missing.  Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).  If we never allow Him to come in, we will never understand His love for us and His desire to help us.  First, we must understand that the Gospel is Jesus Christ Himself.  It is His death, His burial, and His resurrection.  And this is how His life becomes our life: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:3-11).  If you want to see a change in your life obey Acts 2:38.  The gospel is not only the good news, it’s the best news.

Sing:  I’ve got the Holy Ghost, down in my soul, just like the Bible said; I’ve got the Holy Ghost, down in my soul, just like the Bible said.  Well I’ve been to the water and I’ve been baptized in Jesus Name, my soul got happy and I’m so satisfied; I  wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now, just like the Bible, just like the Bible, just like the Bible said.

Thought For Today:  The Gospel is not only the good news, it’s the best news.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 12

“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Proverbs 11:13).

Today’s Morsel:  In today’s world, it seems that the intelligence community is having lots of trouble retaining secrets.  Secrets are posted on social media and on the airwaves quicker than one would have ever expected. Hackers are hacking personal accounts and people's personal data.  Companies are losing personal information of others because of a few talebearers.  And these talebearers fail to realize that they reap what they sow.  In today’s world, you need to know what you are telling, why you are telling, and to whom you are telling it to, as loose lips sink ships.  And the ship that sinks just might be the one you are sailing on.  Get in the habit of praising Jesus and praying often and you will be of a faithful spirit and able to bridle your tongue.   Remember, there is a time to speak and a time to keep silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Sing: Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him in the morning, Praise Him in the noontime.  Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him when the Sun goes down.

  

Thought For Today:  Hush, somebody might be listening!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 11

“Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:3-12).

Today’s Morsel:  When I was a kid, I liked to play hide-and-seek.  It was lots of fun.  Sometimes, if we had a very good hiding place, we could see the person that was looking for us and when we had an opportunity, we could run to the home-base and be safe.  Job said that he was looking for God, but he couldn’t find him. He said even though he couldn’t find God, God knew where he was and the way that he goes.  I think in some way, this is what the scripture points out to us, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine” (Psalms 33:18-19); For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him...” (2 Chronicles 16:9).  Don’t ever think that you can hide from God.   He knows your every move.  We can also take great comfort that He knows exactly where we are and carefully watches over us.    

Sing:  Why should I feel discouraged, and why should the shadow come, and why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home. When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is he, His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches over me.

 Chorus: I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free.  His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches over me.

Thought For Today:  There’s an all-seeing eye watching you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 10

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:1-6).

Today’s Morsel:  I have heard many people say that all you must do be saved is just believe in Jesus.  Salvation is more than just believing.  The Bible tells us, in James 2:19, that the devil believes, and he trembles.  And we know that he’s not saved nor can he be saved.  Even Nicodemus was a believer in Jesus (See John 3:3-5); and Jesus told him that he must be born again of the water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God, so simply believing was not enough.  According to Luke’s writings, Cornelius was a stronger believer in Christ.  He states, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” With this type of resume, one would think he would be saved.  But the angel told him to send for Peter and he would tell him what he ought to do.  Cornelius did not delay but sent for him.  Cornelius needed to be born again the same as Jesus told Nicodemus in John3:3-5 of the water and the Spirit, as we see in Acts chapter 10, verses 44-48, after Peter told Him what He ought to do. Salvation is more than just believing. On the day of Pentecost, they asked Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:37-42).  Don’t settle for the easy believism.  You must be born-again of the water and the Spirit.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.  (Mark 16:16)

Sing:  I know I’m saved, and I’m so glad about it, I found the joy my spirit craves.  It is so real that I could never doubt it, O’ praise the Lord I know I’m saved.

Thought For Today:  Salvation is more than just believing.