Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 8 April 2019

Deeper Truth for the Mature

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” (1 Corinthians 2:1-7)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that Paul informed the church was that he was not able to feed them with the meat of the word of God because they were carnal.  Even though he knew that they needed the meat to grow, because of their carnality, he couldn’t feed them with it.  They were immature.  Paul’s teaching and preaching were not based on man’s wisdom but on God’s.  He informed them “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.”  He doesn’t say that their preaching was mysterious, nor that their doctrine couldn’t be known, but he refers to the fact that the wisdom they had of Christ had been hidden in a mystery from people until that time. But now it could be known by the gospel. When we fully understand the gospel of Christ, we understand the wisdom of God.

Sing: Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit, take me deeper still.  Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus, and His perfect will.

O deeper yet, I pray, and high every day, and wiser blessed Lord, in Thy precious holy word.

Thought For Today: You don’t need the school of hard knocks to obtain God’s wisdom. Just study His Word and apply it. (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 6 April 2019

A Victorious People in a Victorious Church in the End Times

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
 (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Today’s Morsel: It seems that every generation reflects its own attitude.  Unfortunately, this generation exhibits an idolatry attitude.  Idolatry that appears in the form of humanism, which focuses on and worship of humankind and their achievement. Idolatry is motivated by the spirit of the antichrist.  Consider, for instance, the numerous efforts to ban public displays of the cross, public prayer, and Bible reading.  They parade under the banner of separation of church and state.  We must recognize it for what it is and not join forces with them.  We must have a strong love for God and His ways if we are to be victorious in the end times. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21)  We must be willing to stand and not bow to any other gods set before us.  

Sing: I love Him! I love Him! Because He first loved me. He purchased my salvation on Calvary.

Thought For Today: Nothing should trump your love for God (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 5 April 2019

The Friend with the Bread

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:5-13)

Today’s Morsel:  Money is sometimes associated with bread.  Solomon says, “The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.” (Proverbs 14:20)  When you have money, you are going to have friends.  But if you walk around with your hands in your pockets broke, you will probably be friendless. Jesus said, “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?”  Jesus is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).  He has all the bread we will ever need (John 6:35).  Others may come and go in our lives, but Jesus will always be with us.  

Sing: Here’s my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul.  Bread of heaven feed me till I want no more, here’s my cup, fill it up, and make me whole.

Thought For Today: There is no shortage of the bread of life with Jesus (Parker)

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)