Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 17

There Is More To Do In The Kingdom

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: Growing up on a farm, there was always a need for laborers. There seemed to always be work that needed to be done. From sunup to sundown, from planting to reaping, work needed to be done to bring in the harvest. Jesus, being the husbandman, knew this as well. When He told the parable of the householder seeking labors in Matthew 20:1-16, He said that he went out until the 11^th hour seeking laborers. Jesus was stressing the importance of needed laborers for the bringing in of the harvest. He said, Lift-up your eyes and look on the fields for they are white unto harvest. There is more work to be done in the kingdom. Souls are ripe for the picking. Fruit is dying and drying up on the vine.  And Jesus has brought you into His kingdom for such a time as this to help Him bring in the harvest.  Solomon tells us: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30) Can Jesus count on you to go labor in His field?

Sing: My house if full, but my fields are empty, who will go and work for me today? It seems my children all want to stay around my table, but no one wants to work in my fields, no one wants to work in my fields.

Thought For Today: Consider your ways.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 16

How Do We Get There From Here?

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: The GPS has taken the pain and worry out of most of our travels. We can now just put in our destination’s address into our phones, OnStar, or navigational GPS and away we go. It will take us to our destination. But back in the day, before GPS, you would need to know how to read a map or be able to take good notes and directions from the person you were heading to see or the location you were going to visit.  The children of Israel wanted to know where they were going and how they were going to get there. They were told that they were heading to the promised land, but all they saw was desert. And when they came to the Red Sea, they determined at that point that they were lost, and that Moses didn’t know where he was going. When Jesus told the disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them, Thomas wanted to know how they would get from here to there, and by what way. Jesus told him that He was the way and to just follow Him and He would find the way. Are you wondering how you are going to get from here to your heavenly mansion? Well, Paul tells us: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4) If you have been born-again of the water and the spirit, and are following Jesus, it’s going to be like getting on an airplane, closing your eyes, falling to sleep, and when you awake you are going to be there ready to walk on those streets of gold. Hallelujah!

Sing: The captain of the vessel, he’s calling get onboard, and the destinations heaven, safe on the crystal shores, where we’ll meet our splendid Savior, and loved ones who has gone before; we’ll stand all eternity, thank God I’m going home.

I’m going home with Jesus, in the twinkling of an eye, I’ve made my reservation, for my mansion in the sky. I may not know the moment, or I may not know the day, but I know that I’ll be leaving when He call His church away.

Thought For Today: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 14

The War Within

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:14-25)

Today’s Morsel: If we are not careful, we can think that Paul is struggling with sin in his life from some of Paul’s writings.  But Paul isn’t struggling with sin. In his writings, he’s showing us what it is like to struggle when we retain sin in our lives as born-again believers. This is why we must repent of our sins and go on to perfection or we will struggle in this life. Paul gives us an example that the law of God is spiritual, but he is carnal. He’s giving us a picture of walking in the spirit versus walking in the flesh.  Remember, now he's given us an example.  And because when one is carnal, he says “for that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.” Because when we walk in the flesh, we are going to do always those things which are contrary to the Spirit.  And that is why many struggle in their walk with God and are not doing His will. They have not stopped walking in the flesh. In Romans Chapter 8, Paul says: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:5-14) Paul continues by saying, “Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” He said I have sin in my life if I am not able to follow the law. And because of this, he says, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”  You can’t do good when there’s sin present in your life.  It is always going to be war within. You know what you ought to do, but sin won’t let you and the war rages. If you want to learn how to have victory over sin in your life, then you must walk in the Spirit so that you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

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.

Thought For Today: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 13

Stop Condemning Yourself

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

Today’s Morsel: One of the worst kinds of condemnation is self-condemnation. Self-c0ndemnation is the act or habit of condemning yourself.  Self-condemnation often rains down lies that you’re worthless and unforgivable. You are a loser just like your parents. No one cares about who you are. You’re a loser. You are no good. But we know that God’s word says otherwise. God’s word says that we have worth because we were created in His image. Peter tells us: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10) Maybe some of this stuff may have been true before we were born-again but not now.  You don’t need to condemn yourself because you have made some mistakes. That’s what the blood of Jesus was for. To forgive us and to wash away our sins. The only way you will keep condemning yourself is if you keep walking in the flesh. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) So stop being guilty and beating yourself up. Jesus loves you more than you will ever know.

Sing: He knew me, and yet He loved me. He whose glory made the heavens shine. I’m so unworthy, of such mercy, yet when He was on the cross, you and I were on His mind.

Thought For Today: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 12

Foolish and Weak

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:25-29)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever just observe nature? What do you think when you see the ants carrying bread bigger than they are? Or what about the chameleon that can blend in with its surrounding when danger approaches it? Have you ever considered that water can cleanse, kill, and save. The same is true with fire. If we try to figure it out with our natural minds, it’s both foolish. But we need to look through a different lens to gain understanding. Paul says that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Those who think that they know everything, soon realize just how little they know when it comes to God, His ways, and His creation. The Jews were totally confounded when they heard that Paul was saved and preaching the gospel of Christ. Especially after he had just had Stephen killed and had arrested others and had others killed or placed into prison. To many that would be seen as being foolish. Why would God choose someone who was killing and arresting those who He had already saved, and then make him a preacher of the same gospel? Its confounding, isn’t it? But God’s ways aren’t our ways nor are His thoughts like ours’. And even this same Paul tells us that when he is weak then is he strong. How does that work? The answer is that when we feel helpless and without strength, we must put our trust in the Lord and let Him work for us, and that will give us power to stand in our weakness. Whether foolish things or weak things, God can use both for His glory. And that includes us.

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

O’ it is Jesus, Jesus, sad ones weep no more. He will heal the brokenhearted, open wide the prison door. He is able to deliver evermore.

Thought For Today: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 11

Power Belongs Unto God

“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.” (Psalms 62:11-12)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever noticed that man just seems to think that they have power over others. Power is not given to us by God to rein and to control people. It is given to lead and to serve in a godly way. Even Pilate thought that he had power over Jesus, when Pilate said to him, “Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” (John 19:10-11) Jesus told him to consider again. That he didn’t have any power over Him unless He gave it to him. As the psalmist said, Power belongeth unto God. As Jesus told His disciples: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8) The Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of God, gives us power. When we have this power, we have the authority to witness, stand bold, and be a godly example of who He is. How do you use your power? 

Sing: There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus, to break ever chain, to break every chain, to break every chain. 

Thought For Today: “Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.” (1 Chronicles 29:12)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 September 10

Trust God At All Times

“In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (Psalms 62:7-8)

Today’s Morsel: Trusting in God must become a habit in your life. You can’t only trust God when things are going well. You must trust Him even if it seems that things are going bad. If our homes are destroyed, we lose our job, or our health fails, or our loved ones backslide and stop serving God, we still must trust Him. As God said through the prophet Jeremiah: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13) Job enlightened us with these words: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.” (Job 13:15-16); “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant.” (Job 14:7-9) No matter what you are going through, don’t throw in the towel. Instead, keep washing feet with it and keep your trust in God. He that will come, will come, and not tarry. Now the just must live by faith. 

Sing: We talk of faith, when we are up on the mountain, cause faith comes easy when life is at its best; but it’s down in the valley, of trials and temptation, because that’s where faith is really put to the test.

But the God of the mountain is still God in the valley, when things go wrong, He’ll make them right. And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times; and the God of the day, is still God in the night. 

Thought For Today: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)