Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 4 April 2019

A Circumcised Heart

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Romans 2:28-29)

Today’s Morsel: Under the law, there were many rules that the Israelites were required to follow.  One of those laws was that of circumcision of all males at 8 days old (see Genesis 17:12).  It was why Abraham circumcised Isaac at 8 days old (see Genesis 21:4); and why Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be presented and circumcised at 8 days old after his birth (see Luke 2:21).  The design of circumcision was to be a sign of separation from the world and of consecration to God.  Paul wanted the church to know that just because one was circumcised in the flesh, outwardly, it did not make him a Jew inwardly.  The same is true with becoming a Christian.  Just because one is dedicated and baptized as a baby outwardly, it doesn’t make him a Christian nor a part of the family of God.  Paul told the church at Colossi, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:8-12)  You must be born-again of the water and the Spirit to be His (Acts 2:38, Romans 8:9).  Circumcision (water baptism) which is acceptable to God is of the heart inwardly, not of the flesh outwardly.

Sing:  Since Jesus came into my heart. Since Jesus came into my heart. Floods of Joy over my soul like a sea billow roll, since Jesus came into my heart.

Thought for today: Circumcision is of the heart. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 3 April 2019

A Test of Character

“As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.” (Proverbs 27:21)

Today’s Morsel:  How do you handle praise?  Some folk live for it by their actions, friends, and profession. Many have gone into depression and committed suicide because others stop praising them.  One figure skater even tried to hurt another figure skater because she was receiving more praise than her.  According to John Gill Commentary, “Either a man is known by the persons that praise him, according to what their characters are; if he is praised by good and virtuous men, he may be thought to be so himself; and if by wicked men, he may be concluded to be so likewise; or he is known by the effect that praise has upon him; if it swells him with pride, and makes him haughty, conceited, and overbearing, he will appear to be a weak and foolish man; but if he continues modest and humble, and studious and diligent to answer his character, thankful to God for what he has, and to whom he gives all the glory, he will approve himself a wise and good man.” Thus, vain men seek praise. Weak men are inflated by praise.  And wise men disregard praise.  Guard your heart. 

Sing:  I’m gonna praise the Lord any way that I can. I’m gonna praise the Lord any way that I can. Praise Him in the morning, praise Him all day long.  I’m gonna praise the Lord anyway that I can.

Thought For Today: Learn to live without desiring praise. (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2 April 2019

The Bottomless Pit

“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” (Proverbs 27:20)

Today’s Morsel:  My granddaughter and I were heading to church one Sunday morning, and as we were passing the graveyard, she said to me, “Papa, do they bury animals in graveyards?"  I told to her maybe. And I asked her why.   She said, "Well, I just saw FOX written on one of the tombstones.”  Someone asked me what I thought about global warming.  I told them it is just hell enlarging herself.  In Isaiah 5:14  Solomon said that hell and destruction are never full.  The rich man told Abraham he was tormented in those flames.  (Luke 16:24)  Satan always has room for one more sinner who dies without Christ.  As Jude said, therefore we must “Keep ourselves 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.” (Jude 1:21-23)  We must do everything we can to save others from this bottomless pit.  It was not made for us.  It is for Satan and his demons.  Are you secure in your eternal destiny?  I pray you are.  I want to see you up there.  

Sing: If we never meet again, on this earth my blessed friend; but if to God we have been true, and we live above all sin. Then for us, there’ll be a greeting for there’s going to be a meeting, I’ll see you in the rapture some sweet day.

I’ll see you in the rapture! I’ll see you in the rapture! I’ll see you in the meeting in the air.

Thought For Today:  Non-Smoking Please.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 1 April 2019

April Fool

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:1-3)

Today’s Morsel:  Today, many people will play pranks on others and then say “April Fools.”  Some call it the devil's holiday because he is the deceiver of the brethren.  Paul asked the church at Galatia who had fooled them into thinking that they now could be made perfect by the flesh after they had received the Spirit of Christ?  He asked who had tricked them?  “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving” Paul said (1 Timothy 4:1-4).   What about you?  Has Satan been whispering in your ear telling you that you don’t need to go to church to be saved?  Has he told you that you don’t have to live holy or study your Bible to be saved? What have you stopped doing now that you first felt was important to your born-again salvation experience?  If it’s not important to you now, chances are you’ve been bewitched, you have been deceived.  Go back to the old landmarks, God hasn't changed.  

Sing: I’ve got the Holy Ghost down in my soul, just like the Bible says.  I’ve got the Holy Ghost down in my soul, just like the Bible says. I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now, just like the Bible, just like the Bible, just like the Bible says.

Thought For Today: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” (Psalms 14:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 30 March 2019

Wishes

“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” (Proverbs 30:7-9)

Today’s Morsel:  The story is told of three men walking along a beach when a bottle washed ashore with a genie in it. When they pop the cork, out came the genie and told them that she was glad they had released her and that their wish was her command. But whatever they desired, their mother-in-law would get twice as much. The first man asked for a billion dollars. The second man asked for good health and a yacht. The third man said, “Just beat me half to death.” (just a little humor).

Solomon said that there were two things that he had asked for, “Remove far from him vanity and lies: give him neither poverty nor riches.”  Solomon seems to understand that these things can hinder a relationship with Christ, and cause one to lose his salvation. Paul seemed to place his wish this way. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11).  If you could have your wish today, what would you wish for? Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)  Nothing should trump your desire for the Holy Ghost.   As without the Holy Ghost, you are none of His (Romans 8:9).

Sing: Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning. Give me oil in my lamp I pray. Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning, burning, burning, keep me burning till the break of day.

Thought For Today: Have you consider eternity lately?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 29 March 2019

Who Is the King of Glory?

“The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” (Psalms 24:1-10)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the questions that has plagued so many is who Jesus was.  So many were and are still confounded by this question.  Many of Christ’s followers have lost hope because they do not know who He is. Even His disciples were confounded as to who He was (Matthew 16:13-19).  But after revelation from Him, they were no longer without understanding. Does this question plague you?  Is your understanding of Jesus as God based on a personal revelation, or is it based on what someone told you?  If the latter, I’m sorry but that will not stand for long.  You need a one-on-one personal revelation of truth. If you want to know who the King of Glory is, it’s going to require you to spend some one-on-one time seeking for the answer from Him. “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7) “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. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:11-13). The greatest treasure you will ever discover is the knowledge of truth.

Sing: The Mighty God is Jesus; the Prince of Peace is He. The Everlasting Father, the King Eternally, the wonderful is wisdom, by whom all things were made, the fulness of the Godhead, in Jesus is displayed.

It’s all in Him. It’s all in Him. The fullness of the Godhead, it’s all in Him. It’s all in Him. It’s all in Him. The Mighty God is Jesus, and it’s all in Him.

Thought For Today: The truth shall make you free.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 28 March 2019

 Power

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Today’s Morsel: If you were the most powerful person in the world, what would you do with your power?  Well, if you have been born-again of the water and the spirit, then you are one of the most powerful people in the world. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23) With Jesus in you, think of how powerful you are.  Because power belongs to God (Psalms 62:11), and you have been given this power. (Luke 10:19)  Now you can do all things through Christ Jesus.  You don’t have to be afraid or fear anyone. You have power.  So, use it for what Jesus gave it to you for.  Be a witness.

Sing: There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb. There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

Thought For Today: “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.” (Micah 3:8)