Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 11 April 2020

The Resurrection

“And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

(John 11:19-26)

Today’s Morsel:  The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Paul said that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to scripture.   (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)  Resurrection Sunday, or what many call Easter Sunday, is a day that many Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This day is of utmost importance to us as Christians because, as Paul said, if there be no resurrection then we are still dead in our sins and we are hopeless.  And then everyone who called themselves Christians and has died has perished.  He told the church at Corinth, “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-22)  So tomorrow, as you celebrate Resurrection Sunday, remember, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)  God’s not dead, He is alive.  And it was all for our sins.

Sing:  I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, no matter what men say.  I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him, He’s always near.  

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!  He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.  He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!  You ask me how I know He lives.  He lives within my heart.

Thought For Today:  God’s not dead,  He is alive. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 10 April 2020

Decisions

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)

Today’s Morsel:  Human life was created with the decision-making process.  From the creation, we see that Adam and Eve were thrust into decision making from the time scripture says, “And LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17) It was a choice of life and death.  And when Eve made the decision to listen to Satan versus God, it got them into trouble.  The prophet Joel admonishes, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)  Your decisions may take you out of God’s will, but never out of God’s reach, as we see with Adam and Eve. Wrong decisions can’t keep God from reaching you and restoring you.  The wrong decision just gives Satan the advantage to work against you because you didn’t take time to consider the consequence of your decision. Decisions have consequences and the earlier that we learn that the better our life will be.  Especially when we make decisions that go against God’s word.

Sing:  He brought me out of the miry clay, He set my feet on the Rock to stay.  He put a song in my soul today, a song of praise hallelujah.

Thought For Today: Decisions may take you out of God’s will, but never out of God’s reach.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 9 April 2020

Companions

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)

 Today’s Morsel:  If you grew up during the Baby-Boomers generation, then you probably watched the ‘Little Rascals’, ‘Dennis the Menace’ or ‘Happy Days.’ Laughable during our childhood, but now looking back these shows may have been rated PG-13 or higher. Solomon says that “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Your companions are like the buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or they will take you down.  This is one of the reasons Solomon tells us in scripture to make sure our friends.  The childhood shows I mentioned may have made me laugh at the time, but looking back they didn't add virtue to my life.  Those who we call our friends and companions are either going to help us or hinder us.  They are either going to make us better or they are going to make us worse.  Therefore, before we make someone our friend or companion, we should make sure they are persons of good moral character.

Sing: What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!  Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrow share?  Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Thought For Today: Companions will either take you up or take you down.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 8 Apriil 2020

Temper Tantrum

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)

Today’s Morsel:  I’m sure most of you, like me, have been out shopping when all of a sudden you hear this loud screaming and scrawling coming from somewhere in the store, and you notice this young tot having a temper-tantrum because he isn’t getting his way.  And I know, you like me thinks that kid needs a good spanking.  Or as I heard one mother tell her kids, you show out on me, I’ll show out on you!  Temper tantrums are a natural part of growing up, but when they happen, there needs to be a time for education.  And the education should happen early on, with the first display of the tantrums.  Usually by the the time a child is four years old, they should have learned the lesson, if they are having temper tantrums after that, Houston we’ve got a problem.  You see, our temper is like a fire.  It gets very destructive when it gets out of control.  Solomon states that he that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.  If we do not put some restraint to restrain our wrath and anger to keep us within due bounds; we become exposed to the enemy of souls, Satan, and we are liable to every sin, snare, and temptation that he sends our way.  The earlier a person learns to control anger, the earlier they learn how to have peace.

Sing: Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe; It will joy and comfort give you, take it then wherever you go.

Precious name, O how sweet!  Hope of earth and joy of heaven.  Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Thought For Today: The earlier one learns to control anger, the earlier one learns how to have peace (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 7 April 2020

Foolishness

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1-3)

Today’s Morsel:  I’m sure you’ve probably heard the old saying, “It is better to be silent and be considered a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”  Some folks think that they are wise and smart because they have a secular education or have a good job and income.  But according to scripture, without Christ they are nothing.  Solomon states, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath.” (Proverbs 11:4)  In other words,  among men they may be able to do all things; but they cannot purchase the remission of sins, nor turn aside the wrath of God when it is poured out on them for transgressions.  Solomon continues by saying that dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor.  And so does a little stupidity, foolishness, and recklessness by the one that is in standing for wisdom and honor.  He says that when dead flies get into perfume it can spoil its smell; and so a foolish act can ruin the character of a person who has the reputation of being wise and good. In an unguarded moment, many folks have tarnished their reputation which took them many years to acquire.  Therefore, no one can be said to be safe until we are taken to be with Jesus.  Once saved always saved is a myth.  Guard your heart and your actions, and stay close to Jesus.  

Sing: Hold to God’s unchanging hand.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Thought For Today: It’s better to be silent and be considered a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 6 April 2020

Time

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” 

(Ephesians 5:14-16)

Today’s Morsel: Someone said that we all are given the same amount of time each day.  No matter a person's age, race, country, status, or national origin, God gives to us all twenty-four hours or 1440 minutes each day.  And yet some folks say that they don’t have time for church, fellowship, vacation, or time to spend with their family.  How is it that one can and another can’t?  If we work 8 hours a day, sleep 8 hours a day, what are we doing with the other 8 hours in the day?  Do we have a problem with time management?  Or have we allowed the devil to put us in a place that we are slaving for him instead of God.  Time is more valuable than money because time is irreplaceable.  And the quicker we figure it out the better off we will be.  Paul said that we need to redeem the time because the days are evil. Knowing this, how much of your time are you using to prepare yourself against the evils that will come?  How much of your time are you using to prepare yourself for eternity?  Eternity is coming you know!

Sing:  Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand.  Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand!  Hold to God’s unchanging hand!  Build your hopes on things eternal.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Thought For Today: Time is more valuable then money, because time is irreplaceable.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 4 April 2020

Patience

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)

Today’s Morsel:  Probably of all the Fruits of the Spirit, patience is the least spoken of.  But it is a virtue that must be developed within us.  Peter tells us that we should add it to our faith so that we do not fall (2 Peter 1:5-11).  Jesus tells us to maintain it so we don’t lose our souls (Luke 21:19).  And Paul relates it as a manifestation of one’s true love when dealing with others.  Patience is having the ability to keep yourself under control when you feel like being Ma-Bell and you want to reach out and touch someone.  Isaiah admonishes us, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)  You must learn how to take control of you, or you will self-destruct.  If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small.  So let nothing disturb or distress you; possess that peace and joy in your souls.  Possess that peace that the world cannot take away.  Remember, patience came with the Holy Ghost.

Sing:  They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.  Teach me, Lord, teach me Lord to wait.

Thought For Today: “Let nothing disturb or distress you; possess that peace and joy in your souls, which the world cannot take away.”