Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 17

Developing A Heart Like Joseph

 

“And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.” (Genesis 39:2-6)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that we see about Joseph is that he was a humble man, and one who kept God at the forefront of his life. We don’t read where Joseph developed his character, but it is shown throughout the pages in the way the way he conducts himself and carries out his duties. Here is a man sold into slavery, and yet we read nothing about him trying to escape from his captivity, nor trying to kill his master. When his master’s wife tried to seduce him, he fled. And in the end, when he had the power to get even with his brethren and others who did him wrong, he forgave them. Scripture says that Potiphar didn’t even know what was in his house, because he trusted Joseph because he saw that God was with him. This is the kind of heart that every born-again believer ought to have. We ought to not harbor bitterness when others say things or do us wrong. We must keep our hearts pure and allow God to fight our battles. Joseph knew that God was with him and was watching over him. And when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, he told her that he could not sin against God and her husband. The Bible tells us to mark the perfect man for the end of that man is life. Joseph is a good example for all of us, not only in faith, but also in character, conduct, and action.

 

Sing: Create in me a clean heart, O’ God, and renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O’ God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence O’ God take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 16

Switch And Save

 

“If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:21-24)

 

Today’s Morsel: We continue to read and receive advertisements from phone companies and internet services telling us to switch to their company and save. But do we save, and are we really saving? Paul said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) It is the gospel that saves, the gospel which is Jesus Christ.  “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) No phone or internet services can save you. God’s will for us all is that we be saved. Peter said, “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 3:17-21) The only way that you can be saved is by switching to Jesus Christ. He is the only one that can save your soul. Why not switch and be saved today.

 

Sing: Only Jesus can satisfy your soul, for only He can change your life and make it whole. He’ll give you peace you never knew, sweet love and joy, and heaven too, for only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 14

Times and Seasons

 

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11)

 

Today’s Morsel: Here we are in the fall of the year. Trees that brought us beauty and shade, are now losing their foliage and dying off. Old lives are dying off and new lives are being born. Short sleeves and T-shirt are being put away, and jackets, coats, sweaters, caps, gloves, long pants, and boots, are being brought out. Pools are now closed, and kids are back in school. Corn and nuts are now being harvested, and implements are being winterized. Air conditioners are being turned off and heaters are being turned on. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Wouldn’t it be neat if we knew the purpose for the things which God does? But we can’t. The Bible says, “There is no searching of his understanding.” (Isaiah 40:28). Paul states, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33) And Job said, “God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.” (Job 37:5) And Solomon encourages us to just trust God and enjoy the times and seasons and to know, “He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also, he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”  Trust Jesus, sit back, relax, and enjoy the season you are in.  

 

Sing: I trust in God, wherever I maybe, upon the land, or out on the raging seas.  For come what may, from day to day, my heavenly Father watches over, over, me.

And I trust in God, I know He cares for me, on the mountain bleak, or out on the stormy sea, though billows roll, He keeps my soul, my heavenly Father watches over, over, me. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 13

Know The Reasons for the Battles You Fight

 

“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” (Proverbs 20:18)

 

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever encountered anyone who is always fighting the devil? What about someone who blames the devil for everything that is going on in their life? There are those who are always restless because they are in warfare against the devil. I will tell you that I have served two combat tours, and even though I knew that we had an adversary, I still found time to sleep, rest, laugh, go to church, pray, hold Bible studies, and eat. Do you know why? Because I knew that others had my back the same way that when they were sleeping, resting, eating, and doing the same things, I was protecting for them. If you were to ask some folks who tell you that they are in a fight with the devil, they cannot tell you the reason they are fighting. Scripture says, with good advice make war. Some fight you may just need to leave for God or wait for Him to direct you.  If all you are doing is fighting hell, you are going to wear yourself out. Isn’t it amazing that in scripture we don’t see the New Testament Church fighting any physical wars. That’s because our warfare is spiritual not carnal. As the song writer said, the weapons we use are not bombs and guns, worship is the way that the battle is won. So, if the battle is won through worship, why are you fighting the devil. My Bible says that Satan is locked up (Revelations 20). So, who are you fighting?  Why would you want to fight a locked-up devil? Peter doesn’t seem to be too concerned for one minute when Herod locked him up and intended to kill him after Easter because he saw that it pleased the people after he killed James. And he had Peter chained between two guards and Peter went to sleep (Acts 12:6). You must know the reason for the battles you fight. As God told Jehoshaphat, you shall not need to fight in this battle, take a ring side seat, the battle is not yours but the Lord’s (2 Chronicles 2o) So, there isn’t a need for me to waste my time with the devil. God will tell me when I need to gird on my sword for war.  If the battles are won through worship, that’s where I’m putting my energy.

 

Sing: Let God arise, and His enemies be scattered, let God arise, and His enemies be scattered, let God arise, and His enemies be scattered, let God, let God, arise.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 12

Foolish Things

 

“The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.” (Proverbs 21:8)

 

Today’s Morsel: When we fail to obey the truth of God’s Word, we are more prone to do a lot of strange things. We may find ourselves doing more sinful things when we refuse to obey scripture. We may find ourselves in perverseness, greed, and many hurtful lusts. We may find ourselves being led away from our own steadfastness. We are more apt to lie, cheat, and steal. We are often looking over our shoulders finding excuses to support our reason for leaving the church. It is never our fault when we do not obey God’s Word, it’s always someone else’s. Saul blamed the people for his lack of obedience. Paul said, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:21-32) When we are not thankful for what God has done for us, we can see what evils will come. All the evils that we see in the world today are due in great part because people have not a love for the truth, they are not thankful, and they no longer have a love for God. 

 

Sing: If anyone should ever write my life story, for whatever reason there might be, You'd be there, between each line of pain and glory, Cause You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Oh You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Jesus, You’re the best things that has ever happened to me.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 11

My House Shall Be Called A House of Prayer

  

“Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” 

(Isaiah 56:1-7)

 

Today’s Morsel: After Jesus preformed His first miracle in Cana of Galilee, Scripture says,  “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus doesn’t have a problem cleaning His house. You see, not only did Isaiah prophesy that God’s house would be called a house of prayer for all people, but also when Solomon dedicated the temple scripture says, “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.” (2 Chronicles 7:12-15) God said that He would be attentive to the prayers made in His house, but also that He had placed His name there. It was to be a house of prayer, not a house for selling things. It was to be a house where people sought Him and prayed to Him. Are we getting away from the purpose of the church? Are coffee shops and latte machines replacing prayer? Are fund raisers and bake sales replacing prayer? Are we allowing other things to now replace prayer? The only thing that I read that God will be attentive to coming from His house are the prayers of saints.

 

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. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 October 10

That Old Time Religion

 

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:26-27)

 

Today’s Morsel: Years ago, it seemed like everyone went to church. Churches had Sunday School buses running throughout the neighborhood picking up kids for Sunday School.  Neighbors would all attend church. Potluck dinners were a given.  Missionaries were seen as someone to look up to because of their commitment and calling.  And pastors were esteemed and respected by all, not only in the church, but also in the community. The worst of sinners once heard that a preacher was coming to their home, or were in the area, and people would stop doing wrong while they were there. The wine-0 on the street corner would even have a testimony and would sing gospel songs. So, what has happened to that old time religion that would make people love everybody? That religion that would make you whoop and hallow, speak in tongues, and shout? What do we need to do to get back to that kind of religion? It begins with each of us building our relationships with God and placing His priorities at the forefront of our lives. We must submit ourselves to God in all areas of our lives and allow Him to lead us and guide us into all truth.  If we are going to see a change in our nation, we need to get back to the old time religion.  

 

Sing: Makes me love everybody, makes me love everybody, makes me love everybody, and it’s good enough for me.