Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 November 2022

 In The Right Place At The Right Time

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
(Luke 19:1-9)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever wondered why you sometimes feel that urge to take a certain road or path when you are traveling?  Well, I have found that there may be something that God desires you to see. Recently, my wife and I took a vacation out east to see six of the northeastern states that she had not seen before. We assumed that most of it would be interstate driving.  We left Niagara Falls, New York, to head to Vermont on the interstate, but then my GPS had me get off the main road and put us on a two-lane secondary road for over 200 miles across the mountainous range of Vermont. What a splendorous drive. And we kept saying to each other, this is so gorgeous. Our whole trip was this way as we navigated New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and West Virginia. Sometimes, in Christ, you just find yourself in the right place at the right time, and you don’t know why. Zacchaeus probably never thought that Jesus would come to his house, but he was in the right place at the right time. That job that you hate just might be the right place where God is going to do something great through you. That flight that you just missed, the next flight just might be the flight that you get upgraded to first class, or you may meet someone famous, or someone that you can share your faith with.  In Jesus, you will often find that you are in the right place at the right time.  You just need to trust Him and look for what He has for you.  

Sing: I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.  And the joy we share, as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

Thought For Today: Enjoy every place you find yourself.     

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 November 2022

 What Waste

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
 (Matthew 25:14-30)

Today’s Morsel:  Galileo said, “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who had endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.”  I feel the same way when it comes to this apostolic doctrine. Jesus has empowered us with His authority and doctrine to preach the gospel to the whole world. But if we don’t use His authority and power for what He has given it to us for, then it’s just a waste. The same example is given in the parable to the talents. Jesus expects you to do something for the kingdom with what He has given you.  If your one talent is teaching, Jesus expects you to use it to teach and gain others. Know what your talent is and put it to use.  Jesus is coming back for more.  What have you done with the talent He has already given you?

Sing: Keep on casting your bread upon the water, soon it’s going to come back home on every wave. Keep on casting your bread upon the water, soon it’s going to come back home on every wave. Good measure pressed down shaken together running over, soon it’s going to come back home on every wave.

Thought For Today: Use that talent to make a difference. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 14 November 2022

 Collar Him

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:13-17)

Today’s Morsel: We need to put a collar on procrastination. Every day, he runs ramped in just about every home. He is like that neighbor that comes to your home early and doesn’t leave all day. Consuming your valuable time. As a matter of fact, he is the thief of time. Just think about what you could accomplish if you didn’t procrastinate. I was going to mow my lawn one day and I procrastinated and didn’t do it, saying I’ll do it tomorrow. Well, tomorrow came, and with it came the rain. And it rained for the next four days and with all that rain my grass grew taller making it harder for me to cut. And it took me a lot longer. James said we don’t know what tomorrow holds. The same is true with life. We don’t even know if we will be alive tomorrow or not. That adage, don’t put off for tomorrow for what you can do today should be a wake-up call for us not to procrastinate. If you have not been born again yet of the water and the Spirit, according to Acts 2:38, you might want to get it done ASAP. If Jesus comes you don’t get a second chance. And eternity is a long time.

Sing: Jesus said here I stand, won’t you please let me in, and you said I will tomorrow.  Jesus said I am He who supplies all your needs and you said, I know but tomorrow. Oh, tomorrow, I’ll give my life tomorrow, I thought about today, but it’s so easier to say, tomorrow.  Who promised you tomorrow, better choose the Lord today, for tomorrow very well might be today.

Thought For Today: Procrastination is the thief of time. (Charles Dickens)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 12 November 2022

 Don’t Forget Grace 

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8)

Today’s Morsel: Like obedience, we see that the gift of Grace runs throughout scripture. Paul said that it is by Grace that we are saved. He calls it a gift from God. James tells us that every good gift and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). Having this knowledge then, we ought not to ever forget Grace. So how should we use this gift? Do we put it in the closet, shut the door, and forget about it? Do we put it on the yard sale because we feel that it has served its purpose? Do we put it in our will for our children to inherit someday? Or do we reject it altogether and say, Is this all my Heavenly Father had to give to me? You see, if it was not for God’s Grace, where would we be? None of us would even be alive, nor experiencing God’s salvation plan. If God had not given us Grace, we wouldn’t have peace, truth, supplication, or wisdom to lead and guide us through each day. You see, Grace is not only a gift, but it is also a teacher. As Paul told Titus: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14) When Grace is with you, it will teach you right from wrong, and it will even help you in times of need.  Cherish the Grace that has been given to you.  It is a precious gift.   

Sing: Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.

Thought For Today: Always cling to Grace.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 11 November 2022

 The Ultimate Measure of A Man

“Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
(Daniel 3:8-18)

Today’s Morsel: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  As the world spins out of control and evil is coming against the church on every side, it is going to require those who say that they are in truth and know the truth to take a stand against wrong and to stand up for what is right. Those comfortable and convenient days for the church are over. Hell has unleashed its main force and we are going to have to fight against it. And some of those things we are going to have to fight are policies and rules that go against our Christian values and beliefs. Paul said that we must be strong in the Lord and the power of His might; and that we must put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand in these evil days. Jesus said if they have persecuted Him, they are going to persecute us. “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20) Now is not the time to sit back on your laurels. It is time to get ready for the challenges and controversies that are going to come your way.

Sing: Stand up stand up for Jesus, ye soldier of the cross.  Lift high the royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory to victory, His army shall He lead.  Till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.

 

Thought For Today: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 10 November 2022

 How Many Times

“And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.” (1 Kings 11:6-11)

Today’s Morsel: Is God trying to get your attention? How many times do we have to hear the word of God before we decide that we need to take corrective action and get our lives right with God? Especially if we say that we are Christians. Scripture says: “Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity” (Psalms 106:43)  Notice, many times God did something for them and they still rebelled. This is a wake-up call.  Paul states: “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:5-12)  Scripture says that God appeared unto King Solomon twice and had commanded him concerning this evil, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. Twice. God appeared unto him twice. How many times does God need to appear to you before you heed His commands? How many times do we need to hear what happened to Israel and those in the Bible before we wake up and smell the coffee? These things were for our example so that we don’t do the wrong things.   Don’t ever think that you are immune from hell.  Heed the warnings that God gives you the first time and life will be so much better.  

Sing: I want to live the way that He wants me to live, I want to give till there just no more to give.  I want to love, love till there’s just no more love.  I could never, never out love the Lord.

Thought For Today: Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 9 November 2022

 Where Are The Nine?

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." (Luke 17:12-19)

Today’s Morsel: Jesus’ question of where is the nine, shows us that we all ought to be thankful anytime that He does things for us. The missing nine could be seen as men who were ungrateful or men who only wanted their healing. Or they could be seen as men who felt they were deserving of what Jesus did for them. Like some today who feel that things are due them because of who they are. But the Samaritan, the one who returned to give thanks to Jesus, could be seen as one who had been taught to be thankful for what you get. Or one who knew that without Jesus’ intervention he would have died in his condition. Or he could be seen as one who understood and knew that Jesus was God manifested in flesh based on his immediate healing and that he was not about to allow the opportunity to thank God for his perfect wholeness which He had done in his life be missed. What about you? When the doctor gives you a good report do you thank God? When told that your cancer is in remission do you thank God and the church for praying for you?  Don’t be like the nine, but pattern yourself after the one.

Sing: Thank you Jesus for the blood applied. Thank You Jesus, it has washed me white. Thank you, Jesus, you have saved my life, brought me from the darkness into glorious light.

Thought For Today: Thank God for the blood.