Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 16 December 2022

 The Mystery

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Today’s Morsel: Through the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord lets us know that He is about to perform a mystery that will shake the world. He says, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Notice the keywords to the mystery. A virgin shall conceive. Think about that for a moment. She would have needed some type of a relationship with a man, or a seed implanted from a man, for her to have a son, as a woman cannot have a child without a man’s participation somehow. This may be, I believe, why Joseph was confused when the angel delivered him the news of his fiancé going to have a child. And even Mary herself questioned, "How can this be seeing I know not a man?" But the story isn’t for Mary and Joseph to figure out. They are given the piece to the puzzle.  It’s a mystery for you and me to figure out so that we can see that God’s ways are not our ways. 

Sing: Immanuel, Immanuel, His name shall be called, Immanuel. God with us, revealed in us, His name shall be called, Immanuel.

Thought For Today: “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 December 2022

 Ethics

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:1-5)

Today’s Morsel: If someone were to ask you what ethics means to you, what would be your answer? Often, we may think that ethics apply to others, whereas ethics really applies to each of us. Being Ethical is always doing what is right. Ethics is based on well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what we humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, fairness, or specific virtues. For example, the law says: “Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.” (Deuteronomy 22:1-4) Ethics isn’t about the other guy being right, it is about you being right. James understood this principle of ethics and he wrote: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17) Are you ethical?

Sing: You’re my brother you’re my sister, so take me by the hand, together we will work until He comes.  There’s no foe that can defeat us when we are walking side by side; as long as there is love, we can stand.

Thought For Today: Discipline is always doing the right thing when no one is watching.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 14 December 2022

 Patience

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)

Today’s Morsel: Walking through a mind field takes a lot of patience. One wrong move or a step out of place could destroy you or maim you for life. Jesus said in your patience possess ye your soul. The word “patience” here means consistency or perseverance in sustaining afflictions. You must remain constant in your walk and ways with God. If the enemy of your soul sees that you are not consistent and that you lack faith, he will set a trap for you. You must not allow anything to disturb or distress you. You must possess that peace and joy that passes all understanding in your soul, which the world cannot take away. As Paul told the church at Rome: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:1-5) It is through perseverance in the ways of God, and the truth of Christ unto the end, that you shall be saved.

Sing: I lean on You Lord, I lean on You Lord, for the things that I need I lean on You; When I don’t know, just what to do, I’ve got the faith You’re going to see me through, to supply my every need and I lean on You.

Thought For Today: “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:25)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 13 December 2022

 Stay Focused

“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: If you have been risen with Christ, you must know that you need to remain vigilant, alert, steadfast, and unmovable in the things of God.  For Peter said that the thief walks about seeking whom he may devour. Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy. Many are falling into his traps and ways. He’s taking them captive at his will because people are not staying focused. Many in the church are being drawn away by their own lust and foolish ways. False accusers, those who are incontinent and fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minders, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, and captive silly women are being taken at his will. “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.” (Jude 1:17-18) Stay focused as to who you are and what you have been called to do, or the devil will draw you away from your own steadfastness and salvation.

Sing: I’ve got a made-up mind, I’ve got a final destination, I’m gonna keep on pressing on to my final destination. Gonna burn all the bridges behind me, break all the ties that bind me, I’m gonna keep on pressing, till I reach that home sweet home, that New Jerusalem.

Thought For Today: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8) 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 12 December 2022

 Never Leave Jesus Out of The Equation 

“There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

Today’s Morsel: A math teacher gave her math class an algebra test and when she received the students’ papers back one student who didn’t know the answers to the problems wrote on his test that Jesus was always the answer. Even though the teacher saw his humor, she wrote on his paper, “Not to this test He isn’t.” The student was given an ‘F’. (Humor) No matter what problems and circumstances we may face in life, we must always include Jesus in the equation for the correct answer, as only His counsel will stand.

Sing: Who is this who for our sorrow offers comfort and relief, bringing sunshine to the dark and shadowed life.  Saying soft cease repining, lift thou soul above its grief, let the peace pass understanding still the strife.

It is Jesus, Jesus, sad one weep no more.  He will heal the brokenhearted open wide the prison door.  He is able to deliver evermore.

Thought For Today: “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 10 December 2022

 What Path Are You On

“Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.”
(Proverbs 9:6)

Today’s Morsel: Where are you heading? Do you know where you are going?  Scripture said of Abraham: “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10) What path are you on? All roads do not lead to Rome, nor do all religions lead to heaven. The Lord said through the Prophet Jeremiah: “Thus saith the LORD, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16) Ask for the old paths; the paths of righteousness and holiness, which Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others walked in, and follow them; and follow the way of salvation by Christ, which is the new way. “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”(Hebrews 10:20-22) Are you in the way?

 

Sing: There’s just one, one, one, way to God, there’s just one, one, one, way to God, baptized in Jesus' Name. The devil doesn't like it, there’s one way to God. The devil doesn't like it, there’s one way to God, baptized in Jesus’ name.

 

Thought For Today: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 9 December 2022

 Sinning Isn’t Easy

“Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” (Proverbs 13:15)

Today’s Morsel: Sinning isn’t easy.  Don’t let anyone fool you. Sinners are always looking over their shoulders. If you stop and observe, most sinning is done in the dark and in dark places. Do you now see why the world is called being in darkness?  Sinning is a rough and rugged road to travel.  It makes it easier to stumble and fall, and you cannot walk with pleasure and a good conscience. You will find yourself loaded with guilt, and often filled with terror and fear of failure. Writing to the church at Rome, Paul asked: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 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.” (Romans 6:1-4) Remember, as born-again believers, sin should not and must not have dominion over you.

Sing: No sin in heaven, no crying in glory, all of God's children, will be happy don't you see?  No pain, no sorrow, no worrying about tomorrow, for God's children will be happy, don't you see?

Thought For Today: “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” (1 John 3:6)