Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 9

What is Your Purpose of Prayer?

 

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10)

 

Today’s Morsel: If someone were to ask you why you pray, and what is the purpose of prayers, what would you tell them? In my 38 years of being a born again Christian, I have noticed many people who start out their Christian walk with a bang. They are excited and on fire for God. They become so-called prayer warriors, and mighty men and women of prayer. Then suddenly, they lose interest in church and prayer. They start missing church, stop praying, and soon they are nowhere to be found. And I believe the reason is they were trying to impress people instead of building a relationship with God. Prayer must a habit and a relationship with God, not one of showmanship.  If you are going to church and praying to be seen, you will soon fizzle out. Daniel could have easily given in to the demand not to pray if his prayer life had been about showmanship. Besides, who wouldn’t want to protect their own life. But his was a habit and a relationship with God, and nothing was going to separate him from God and his prayer which he had committed himself to do. What are you doing to make prayer and church a habit? You may not think that anyone is noticing you when you pray, but always know that there are two people who are. Jesus and Satan. If you quit praying, then Satan will defeat you. But if you maintain the habit of prayer, Jesus will always be there for you. 

 

Sing: Every hour of the day, keep me dear Lord I pray, let me walk in the gospel light.  Let me hold fast to Him, so my way won’t grow dim, let me walk in the gospel light.

Let me walk in the light, in the great gospel light, let me walk in the gospel light.  Till my journey is over, and I travel no more, let me walk in the gospel light.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 7

Maintenance Program for The Soul

 

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” (1 Peter 5:6)

 

Today’s Morsel: When I was in the army, every Wednesday was maintenance day. Preventive maintenance must be done on all our equipment, from weapons, tents, vehicles, protective masks, heaters, stoves, clothing, and barracks. Everything had to be checked for serviceability. I will say it repeatedly, the military taught me a lot about life and how to care for myself and others. And even today, I find myself using some of those same tools that I was taught. One of the lessons the military teaches is that of humility. You may think that you walk on water, and are better than anyone else, but the military has a way of humbling you. The military has a way of showing you that you are not all that and a bag of chips. If you don’t learn humility, and learn it quickly, the military has no problem with crushing your spirit so that you learn the lesson. God uses humility, I believe, as a maintenance program for the soul. It is designed to reveal to you your shortcomings and where pride is hiding out in your life.  Look how cocky both Paul and Peter were until God humbled them.  They both needed a maintenance checkup on their souls, and they both show you how humility can work. Peter would caution us to clothe ourselves with it. “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5) And Paul would also admonish us to think of others more than ourselves. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:12-13) Has God had to do maintenance of your soul lately? Or did you take care of it yourself?  I prefer to do my self-maintenance check before Jesus needs to do it on me.  

 

Sing: Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me; there the Bright and Morning Star shed His beams around me.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever; till my ransomed soul shall find, rest beyond the river.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 6

What Were You Thinking?

 

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalms 8:3-4)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that we ought to consider is that we cannot teach others to think if we have not thought ourselves. A parent who yells and screams at their child in the store, saying “What were you thinking?”; has not thought themselves. Because if they had, they would not have created a scene by yelling. The sensible thing to have done would have been to consider what the child had done, then tell them that they will talk when they get home. That lets the child know that you are thinking, and they will start thinking as well. If it was something that they stole while in the store, and were caught, after a good lecture, take the child back to the store and make them apologize. Our good character and conduct before others and our children will cause them to think before they do things around us which are wrong. They may have a Freudian slip every now and then, but if you hold fast to your Christian character, soon they will start to think before they act, because you have already shown them that you think about your actions before others.  

 

Sing: I’ve anchored in Jesus, the storm of life I’ll brave. I’ve anchored in Jesus; I fear no wind or wave. I’ve anchored in Jesus, for He hath power to save. I’ve anchored to the Rock of Ages. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 5

The Final Trumpet

 

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)

 

Today’s Morsel: Okay, here’s your question for the day: If Gabriel blew his trumpet right now, would you be ready to meet Jesus? When is the last time you have taken inventory of your life to ensure that you are ready for that final call. There will be no time to prepare. There will be no time to ask for a rain check. There will be no time to say, I will catch the next bus. There will be no time to ask if the truck is full. There will be no time like Lot had for bargaining for which city you would like to go to. John enlightens us with these words: “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15) Simon Peter informs us, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:11-14) Let me share with you how to get ready. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:38-42) When that final trumpet sounds, you are either going to be with Jesus or you are going to be cast into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone. Will your name be found written there in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

 

Sing: There was a time on earth, when in the book of heaven, an old account was standing for sins yet unforgiven; my name was at the top, and many things below, I went unto the Keeper and settled it long ago. Long ago, down on my knees, long ago, I settled it all; Yes the old account was settled long ago. And my record’s clear today for He washed my sins away, when the old account was settled long ago.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 4

Discretion is The Better Part of Valor

 

“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” (Proverbs 26:17)

 

Today’s Morsel: In the military, many soldier are awarded medals for valor. Displaying courage in the face of danger. Some have received the Medal of Honor, Silver stars, or Bronze Stars.  I have earned a few medals myself. But I will tell you that they did not come without discretion.  Discretion is the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. In the Bible, the word discretion means the quality of being wise, judicious, and prudent in choice and use. It is a word used to describe the act of being careful and cautions when making decisions. So, what does it mean that discretion is the better part of valor? Here are a few examples: (1) It is better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it. In other words, on the battlefield, by avoiding a dangerous situation you may live to fight another day. (2). It’s better to be careful than to do something that is dangerous and unnecessary. In other words, getting a $1,000.00 tattoo and charging it on your credit card to impress your girlfriend doesn’t mean that you are very smart. It shows that you are lacking wisdom. Solomon says discretion will preserve thee. It will protect and keep thee. If Samson had had discretion, he may have kept his eyesight. 

 

Sing: Let me walk with You Jesus, don’t ever leave me alone; for without You I could never, no, never make heaven my home.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 3

A Reason for A Friend

 

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” 

(Proverbs 17:17)

 

Today’s Morsel: Don’t ever tell people that you are doing good when you are not. You need to have a friend or someone that you can confide in who will listen and comfort you in your situation. It does you no good to lie to yourself, as the worst person you can deceive is you. That’s what the enemy of your soul wants, is for you to pretend that all is well before others and then go home and cry your eyes out because you are hurting inside. Notice what the Lord said through the psalmist, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22) He didn’t say that he would take them away, he said that He would sustain you. God will give you the strength and comfort that you need to get your victory in whatever you are going through. David again said, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” (Psalms 91:11-16) Are you a friend of God? Then tell Him what you are going through and let Him counsel you so that you can get victory on the battlefield.

 

Sing: I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and 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.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 2

Don’t Blame God

 

“I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.” (Psalms 81:10-16)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the fallacies that we see in scripture with the nation of Israel, and which is also for our learning, is their lack of obedience to God and His word. Many of them lost their lives because they would not do what God instructed them to do, while others were led into captivity because of their lack of obedience. They found themselves suffering hardships, famines, and even displacement from their land because of disobedience. When God’s Word tells us to do something, we must be obedient and do it. God wants to keep His promise to us. And for Him to do that, we must obey. As Mary told the servants at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, whatsoever He says unto you to do, do it. God said, “Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.”  He would have defeated their enemies for them. But because of their disobedience, their enemies and adversaries defeated and destroyed them. Do you remember what the Lord told Solomon when He dedicated the temple? The Lord said, “And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.” (2 Chronicles 7:12-22) What is the application and lesson here? It is this, God will keep His covenant and do what He has promised if we do ours and obey His word.

 

Sing: I’ve got a God who with His angels watches over me; I’ve got a God who with His angels keeps my enemy beneath His feet. I’ve got a God who is with me when I’m sick or when I’m feeling well. I’ve got a God, I’ve got a God and my God never fails. I’ve got a God.