Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 9

First Fruits

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:17-18)

Today’s Morsel: First fruits were the first. They were the first things that had to be given back to God. Moses told the children of Israel: “Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.” (Exodus 22:29) You must not hold back from God what is rightfully His. When we fail to give to God our first fruits, we are withholding from Him, and He is not obligated to do anything for us ever again. Even our tithe and offerings must be first. Scripture says: “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” (Genesis 4:1-7) Notice that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. Cain just brought of the fruit of the ground. Scripture does not say that it was of Cain’s first. And his offering was rejected.  But scripture does say that Abel brought the of the firstlings and the fat. His best. God doesn’t need anything from us. Everything is already His. But He asks of us, to teach us the lesson of keeping Him first in our lives, and showing appreciation for what He does for us. 

Sing: Heavenly Father, I appreciate You. Heavenly Father, I appreciate You. I love You, adore You, I bow down before You; Heavenly Father, I appreciate You.

 Thought For Today: “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:6-7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 7

That Taste Good

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

Today’s Morsel: We all need a daily intake of the Word of God. The Word of God is called the ‘Bread of Life’. And Jesus said that He is that Bread of Life (John 6:35). When we study and read God’s Word, we are partaking of Him. David said: “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalms 34:8) We usually develop our taste for something at a young age. For me, when I was a brand-new Christian, my pastor would always tell me that I must love the Word of God more than anything else. And I took him at his word, and Jesus has been so very good to me. I just can’t get enough of Him, because He tastes so good every day. I promise you, that if you will spend just a few minutes of your time daily reading and studying His Word, and spend some time with Him in prayer, you, too, will see how good He really is.

Sing: He gets sweeter as the days go by. He gets sweeter as the moments fly. His love is richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter; sweeter, sweeter, sweeter, as the days go by.

Thought For Today: “This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” (John 6:58)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 6

Dishonesty Only Hurts You

“Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 20:10)

Today’s Morsel: How much of what you are going through right now is of your own doing? I know that we often like to blame others for our circumstances and situations, but do we ever evaluate ourselves to see if what we are going through is of our own doing? Are you aware that if you are not honest with yourself, you won’t be honest with others? Some folks never consider that you are not honest with them, but you yourself know if you are or not. And you must live with it. When I take my vehicle in for repair, or If I must have someone come to my home to repair an appliance, I like to see the look on their faces when they say to me, this or that needs to be repaired and it’s going to cost you this much. I look them in their eyes and say, “You are the professional and I trust your integrity.” They may cheat me, but they must live with their sleepless nights and unhappiness, because of their dishonesty. Others may be dishonest to you here, but unless they repent, they will receive their reward.   

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’re walking side by side, for as long as there is love, we can stand.

Thought For Today: “And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.” (Luke 16:2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 5

Don’t Reject Corrective Criticism

“He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.” (Proverbs 10:17)

Today’s Morsel: The Bible tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16) God’s word is designed to correct us and to change us, so that we will become more like Him in character and actions. But if we reject those instructions for correction and reproof, then we may find ourselves outside of the ways of life and running headlong into self-destruction.  Always remember, the wise are always seeking to know and to better themselves. But the fool passes on and is punished.

Sing: He’s changing me, my blessed Savior, I’m not the same person that I use to be. Well, it’s been slow going, but there’s a knowing that someday perfect I will be.

Thought For Today: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 4

Read The Instructions

“Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.” (Proverbs 4:13)

Today’s Morsel: The things which you need to know are usually found in the instructions. If you are making Hamburger Helper, the instructions are on the back of the box so that you make it right. If you want to make a cake or cookies like your mother and grandmother, simply read and follow their recipe. They are the instructions. If you want to pass a test, read the instructions. If you want to have friends, read the instructions. If you want to have a great spouse, read the instructions. If you want to know how to save money, read the instructions. If you want to know how to serve God and enjoy life, read the instructions. If you want to know how to stay out of trouble with the law and others, read the instructions. If you want to know how to be the best Christian ever, read the instructions. The Bible is the instruction book for life, it is just Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Solomon said that we should take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her; for she is they life. As Paul said: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) All of life’s problems and issues can be solved in your life and the life of others if you and they will read and take hold of the instructions God has given to us. The Bible is not just any book, it is your life.

Sing: Our Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power. Our Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for Thee, nothing is too difficult for Thee. Great and Mighty God, in counsel, mighty indeed, nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is too difficult for Thee.

Thought For Today: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 3

Make Up Your Mind

“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture we can easily see what happens when folks will not make-up their minds to serve and follow God. The children of Israel found themselves doubting and missed being able to enter the promised land. And the writer of Hebrews cautions us to not allow that same spirit of unbelief to get into our hearts or else we too will miss the mark (Hebrews 3). You see, to serve God requires you to make-up your mind if you are going to follow Him or not. God isn’t going to keep pulling the rope of your heart telling you to get up and come on. Most people who struggle in their walk with God and seem to never reach perfection are those who have not made up their minds to serve Him. You can go to church, but that doesn’t mean that your mind is made up. We saw this during the COVID 19 Pandemic.  Many who had been attending church fell away from their religions during those years.  Joshua says we must stop playing around and choose. He said, if you don’t want to serve God, don’t blame someone else, go ahead and do your own thing. But if you think that what God is offering you is better than what the world is offering you, then make up your mind and serve Him (Emphasis mine). Have you made up your mind? It’s so much easier to live for God and then to be able to navigate through life’s issues when you do. As Isaiah said: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3). Make up your mind, choose you this day!

Sing: I’m going through, yes, I’m going through; I’ll pay the price no matter what others do. I’ll take the way with the Lord’s despised few; I started out with Jesus, and I’m going through.

Thought For Today: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psalms 57:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 2

 Labor Day

“And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” (Mark 6:30-31)

Today’s Morsel: Labor Day is an American federal holiday to celebrate, honor, and recognize the American Labor Movement and the workers and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. Hopefully, it will be a time for rest and relaxion for all. Work is good, but there comes a time that we all need rest. 

When we turn to the church, we each are commissioned to carry the whole gospel to the whole world, by the whole church. Our labor can sometimes be taxing. Especially when we are seeking to save the lost, perfect the saints, and edify the body of Christ. We are laboring together with Christ to build His church and His kingdom. As we labor daily to reach the lost and disciple others, it can at times become tiring, and we will need a time of rest. Scripture tells us that Jesus told His disciples to come apart and rest a while for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. Do you need a little rest from your labor? If so, why not take a day off and get the needed rest that you need so that you can be refreshed and then get back into the battle that is before us. 

Sing: When you see me praying, I’m working on the building, I’m working on the building for my Lord. Well, I never get tired, working on the building, I’m going up to heaven to get my reward.

Thought For Today: “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:9)