Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 12 May 2020

Laziness

“By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18)

Today’s Morsel:  Solomon seems to have observed a lot of lazy folks in his day.  And if some political parties get their way there are going to be a whole lot in ours. Throughout his writing, Solomon seems to focus on a person being lazy.  He states, “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.”(Proverbs 26:13); “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” (Proverbs 18:9); “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” (Proverbs 21:25)  What I often find is that the train of failure usually runs on the track of laziness.

Sing:  When He calls me, I will answer.  When He calls me, I will hear?  When He calls me, I will answer, I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord.

I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord.  I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord.  

Thought For Today: The train of failure usually runs on the track of laziness.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 11 May 2020

Apologize

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26)

Today’s Morsel:  If you have ever noticed when most people are arguing with each other, neither of them seems to want to say that they are sorry so that they can bring it to an end.  They are both talking so fast and crazy that they often say something they haven’t even thought through yet.  Each one seems to want to get the last word in as if it means they have won.  But the best way to get the last word in is to apologize.  Jesus said, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” (Matthew 5:23-25)  I think the apostle Paul said it best when he said, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26)   If you do get angry with anyone, see that you get it out of you as quickly as possible.  Paul said that we should not even go to sleep with any unkind or unbrotherly feelings.  Anger may produce malice and revenge.  No evil temper of this kind can exist with a peaceful conscience and the approval of God’s Spirit in the soul.

Sing:  Peace, Peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above.  Sweep over my spirit forever I pray; In fathomless billows of love.

Thought For Today: The best way to get the last word in is to apologize.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 9 May 2020

Authority

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things about authority is it makes some people grow and others just swell.  Some people will respect and listen to those over them, while others get angry and upset just at the thought of someone being over them and telling them what to do.  More people have lost life, jobs, money, and promotions because they disrespected authority.  Paul stated, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same” (Romans 13:1-3) Paul said that everyone must submit to governing authorities.  Because all authority comes from God and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  So anyone who rebels against authority, he said, is rebelling against God, and will be punished.  For authority does not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong.  The apostles of Jesus understood authority.  They knew that authority comes from God.  How do you see authority?  How you see authority tells a lot about how your relationship is with God.  

Sing:  When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true; fair and bright your home in glory, your enraptured soul will view!

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: Authority will either make you or break you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 8 May 2020

Crowd Pleasers

“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42-43)

Today’s Morsel: Some of the things that I have come to realize that can destroy people are tradition, false doctrine, an unrepented heart, disobedience, and then trying to please others.  More people are concerned with what people think of them rather than what God thinks of them.  Solomon states, “To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.” (Proverbs 28:21)  People will turn their back on you when times get tough.  But Jesus will be with you always even to the ends of the world if you trust Him and hold faithful to Him.  When Peter and the other apostles were told to not speak anymore in the name of Jesus, “ Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)  You have a choice, you can please the crowd or you can stand with Jesus.  As Joshua said, “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 24:15)  Don’t be one of those who love the praises of people more than the praises of God.

Sing:  Falling in Love with Jesus!  Falling in love with Jesus!  Falling in love with Jesus is the best thing I've ever, ever done.

Thought For Today: Be more concerned with what God thinks about you than what people think about you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 7 May 2020

Broken Hearts

 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the most disappointing things to me, is when I am putting a puzzle together and I get almost to the end and there are one or two pieces that are missing.  You look on the floor, under the couch, where it was stored, trying to find that piece as you know that it is not finished or complete if a piece is missing.  Jesus said that He came to heal the brokenhearted (See Luke 4:18).  Today there seem to be so many that have broken hearts.  Many have had their hearts broken due to unexpected death or sickness of a loved one.  Others due to divorce.  While for others, it has been a disappointment of a parent, co-worker, a friend, or maybe a minister.  And it is one of the things (a broken heart) for which Jesus came to heal.  But for Him to heal our broken hearts, we must give Him all the pieces.  You just can’t give Him a few of the pieces, He needs the whole thing to put your heart and life back together. 

Sing: Lord, I give You my heart, I give You my soul, I live for You alone; Every breath that I take, every moment I’m awake, Lord have Your way in me.

Thought For Today: God can heal a broken heart, but He has to have all the pieces.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 6 May 2020

Problems Solvers

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:1-5)

 Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that I have learned in life is that when I am going through things in my life, if I help someone else who is going through things in their life I don’t seem to focus on my situation as much and it gives God a chance to work things out for my good.  Scripture says that He’ll work it we will let Him. Paul admonishes us not to look on our own things, but every man also on the things of others.  We are all called to promote God’s glory and salvation to men; not to harbor it unto ourselves.  No one is at liberty to live for himself or to disregard the needs of others.  I find in scripture that the objective of the golden rule is to break up the spirit of selfishness and to produce a benevolent heart for the happiness of others.

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 are walking side by side.  As long as there is love when can stand.

Thought For Today: The best way to forget our own problems is to help someone else solve theirs.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 5 May 2020

Stick Together

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Today’s Morsel:  One of the easiest ways to destroy any fighting force is to create a spirit of disunity among them.  Paul understood this and so he cautioned the church at Ephesus, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)  We must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for church, fellowship, and service for the Lord and others.  The early church continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:46-47).  If we say that we are the church, then we must do all things according to the pattern which has been established by the early church according to the book of Acts for us.  I’m sure you’ve heard the story about the banana that left the bunch, it got skinned.  So don’t forsake the assembling of yourself with other believers of like precious faith.  It is good for the body.

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 are walking side by side, as long as there is love we can stand.

Thought For Today: Don’t forsake the assembling of ourselves with other believers of like precious faith.