Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 22 August 2020

Recompense

 

“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?”

(Psalms 116:12)

 

Today’s Morsel:  How much would you say that you are indebted to God for all that He has done for you?  If you had to pay Him for all the things that He has done for you, what would you owe?  Most folks never consider all the things that God does for them, and therefore they never consider recompensing Him for anything that He does.  Even in the church, most folks do not consider God’s benefits.  The psalmist says that he daily loads us with benefits (Psalms 68:19).  Having that understanding, shouldn’t they recompense Him for that?  The psalmist continues with these words: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalms 103:2-5)  Even though God needs nothing, a little thanks for what He does do for us may keep the benefit door open.

 

Sing:  Bless the Lord, O’ my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  I will bless the Lord, O’ my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.  For He has done great things, He has done great things, He has done great things, bless His holy name.

 

Thought For Today: Give unto the Lord the glory due His name!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 21 August 2020

Able To Handle Afflictions

 

“This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” 

(Psalms 119:50)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about afflictions is they will either strengthen you or destroy you, depending how you look at them and deal with them when they come into your life.  What I often find more often than not is that they strengthen me.  They strengthen my faith.  They give me wisdom, knowledge, instructions, and understanding. The psalmist said, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”  When we understand God’s word and the application of it, we can usually see how to get through our afflictions when they come.  As Job stated in his dilemma, “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 23:11-12)  We have the same unfailing source of comfort, the truth of God; and notwithstanding what may occur, we still make God and His law the source of our happiness.  Better eat your Wheaties!

 

Sing:  Standing on the promises that can not fail, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call.  Resting in my Savior, as my all and all; standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior.  Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

 

Thought For Today: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalms 37:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 20 August 2020

Be Still

 

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” (Psalms 46:10-11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Most men’s troubles are caused by their inability to be still and wait on God.  When God tells us to be still, He is saying that we don’t need to put forth any effort or exertion into the matter, just leave it with Him.  If God is going to fight our battles for us, then all we need to do is take a ringside seat and watch.  As He told King Jehoshaphat, “Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)  If you want to have a worry-free life, then you must learn how to stand still and let God work.  He will work if we let him.

 

Sing:  Standing on the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring.  Glory in the highest I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of Christ my Savior.  Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

 

Thought For Today: Be still and let God work.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 19

Run

 

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

 

Today’s Morsel:  In 1935, Jesse Owens made sporting history when he broke five world records and equaled a sixth in the space of 45 minutes.  One of those world records, 8.13 meters in the long jump, would last for 25 years. At the 1936 Berlin Games, Owens won four gold medals, in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4x100 meter relay, and the long jump.  He managed to break or equal nine Olympic records and set three world records.  One of those world records was in the 4x100m relay.  The quartet set a time that would not be bettered for 20 years.  Paul said that all run in a race, but one receives the prize, so run, that ye may be the winner.  But no man can win if he does not enter and begin the run.  The same is true with getting to heaven.  If one never begins or enters the race, he cannot expect to cross the finish line as a victor.  Have you started to run yet?

 

Sing:  Running for my life, I’m running for my life. Running for my life, I’m running for my life.  If anybody asks you, what’s the matter with me.  Tell them that I’m saved sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, water baptized, I've got Jesus in my life and I’m running for my life.

 

Thought For Today:  You must be present to win.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 18 August 2020

Go Home

 

“Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.” (Proverbs 25:17)

 

Today’s Morsel:   The art of being a good guest is knowing when to leave.  Not but that it is commendable to be unneighborly and friendly, or for one neighbor to visit another; but then it should not be very frequent; a man should not be always or often at his neighbor’s house.  I know that scripture says that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but that does not mean that you wear out your welcome.  Etiquette says limit visits to a reasonable amount of time.  Be attuned to what your neighbors are doing and leave at the first hint that they are ready for the visit to end.

Remember, your neighbor’s home is not your castle, and “Too much familiarity breeds contempt.”

 

Sing:  Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe.  It will joy, and comfort give you, take it then wherever you go.

Precious name. O how sweet!  Hope of earth and joy of heaven.  Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

 

Thought For Today: Remember, your neighbors home is not your castle (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 17 August 2020

Stay Out of The Devil's Orchard

 

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-23)

 

Today’s Morsel:  They say that if you do not want the fruit of sin in your life, then stay out of the devil’s orchard.  Why do Christians think that they can partake of the devils’ fruit trees, play in his garden, and not display his fruit in their lives?  God warned Adam and Eve to not partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Because in the day that they did, they would die.  But they did not listen.  There are always severe consequences for sin.   Paul said, “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.” (1 Corinthians 6:16)  If you join yourself to anything that is sinful, it will be revealed in your life.  Therefore, abstain from all appearance of evil.

 

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

 

Thought For Today:  If you do not want the fruit of sin in your life, then stay out of the devil’s orchard.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 August 2020

Loose Lips

 

“For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.” (Ecclesiastes 5:3)

 

Today’s Morsel:  There is a saying that there are two kinds of people who do not say much, those who are quiet and those who talk a lot.  Solomon said that a fool is known by the multitude of his words.  Therefore, we are cautioned not to be like him.  James even tells us that our tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (James 3:5-6)  If life and death are in the power of our tongue, then shouldn't we learn when to speak and when to keep silent?  Do not allow your loose lips to sink your ship.

 

Sing:  Jesus keep me near the cross, be my glory ever.  Till my raptured soul shall find, rest beyond the river.

 

Thought For Today:  “They say that there are two kinds of people who do not say much, those who are quiet and those who talk a lot.”