Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 15 April 2021

 

A Special Cemetery

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

 

Today’s Morsel:  It has been stated that everyone should have a special cemetery to bury the faults of friends and loved ones.  The apostle Paul informs us, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Why do folks like to hang on to the faults of others?  If God forgave us, why can’t we forgive others?  Why do people keep allowing the devil to separate them?  You know, Jesus had the power to destroy everyone that rejected Him, spat on Him, beat Him with a cat o' nine tails, drove the nails in His hands, and pierced Him in his side. But He said from the Cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”  If we are not willing to forgive others their faults, God will not forgive us either. Go ahead and dig that special cemetery so that when others do wrong things you can write it on a piece of paper and bury it.  Get in the habit of giving forgiveness quickly.  

 

Sing: Fill my way every day with love, as I walk with the heavenly dove.  Let me go all the while with a song and a smile, fill my way every day with love.

 

Thought For Today: Burying the faults of others will help keep your heart right. 

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 14 April 2021

 

Listen

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” (James 1:19)

 

Today’s Morsel:  When my wife and I were first missionaries and traveling in America for our deputation, we did not have GPS or cell phones.  We had to call pastors and get directions to their churches and the hotels that they were putting us in. So, when you got the pastor or the church secretary on the phone, you listened very carefully so that you got the information correct.  It has been stated that if people would listen to hear instead of listening to answer, there would be fewer arguments, fewer hurt feelings, fewer misunderstandings, and less murmuring and complaining.  Are you aware that none of us have all the answers?  What did you miss that was said because you were listening to answer instead of listening to hear?  It has been stated that in a conference of Christians, 85% of what is spoken is not heard because they feel that they have already heard it before.  James tells us to let every man be swift to hear and slow to speak.  Since the Gospel, the word of truth, is the means and instrument which God makes use of in regeneration, and in forming people for Himself, we ought to listen.  You cannot be a Christian and not listen.  God just might be speaking something for your good.

Sing:  I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory.  How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me.  I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning; then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

O, victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever.  He sought me and brought me with His redeeming blood.  He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.  He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.   

 

Thought For Today: Ignorance is always the swift to speak.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 13 April 2021

 

Lost In The House

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:8-10)

 

Today’s Morsel: Are you aware that you can be lost in the house?  There are many folks who go to church every week and yet they are lost right in the church house.  Some folks go to church and pray aloud like the Pharisee that Jesus spoke of, and yet they are still filled with complaint, murmuring, gossip, backbiting, fornication, and all evil works of the flesh.  Why is it that folks who go to church seem to have a harder time transforming and living for God?  Why don’t they understand that serving God is a lifetime commitment?  It is not a part-time commitment.  The Apostle Paul, and Ruth, show us what a true Christian ought to act like.  They both were committed to the end.  Jesus states, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)  Don’t find yourself lost in the house.  Believe me, not everyone goes to heaven, not even folks who go to church.

 

Sing:  There was a time on earth when in the book of heaven, an old account was standing for sins yet unforgiven, my name was at the top and many things below, but I went unto the keeper and settled it long ago.

Long ago, down on my knees, long ago, I settled it all, yes the old account was settled long ago; and my records clear today for He washed my sins away when the old account was settled long ago.

 

Thought For Today: Don’t find yourself lost in the house.

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 12 April 2021

 

Getting Delivered From Expectations Of Others

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people… And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” (Acts 12:1-4,11)

 

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that drive kids into being bullies, gang members, using alcohol, being drug abusers, and filled with anger, is they are often told that they will be like their parents who may suffer from the same issues.  But what if we could get kids delivered from such expectations?  What if we could get the cycle broken?  Well, we can.  We have been given the best tool to use to deliver them from the expectations of others.  The gospel can change anyone.  The gospel has the power to change an abuser, bully, anger, and gang members into a preacher, teacher, or great community representative. When Herod had killed James and was expecting to kill Peter after Easter because he saw that it pleased the Jews, Peter was put in prison, but prayer was made by the church for him, and God sent His angel to deliver him from the expectations of those who desired to do him harm.  What expectations did others have of you before Jesus delivered you?  Were they surprised at what you have become in Christ?  God has the power to turn everything the enemy means for evil against you into good.

 

Sing: He set me free, yes, He set me free. He broke the bars of prison for me.  I’m glory bound my Jesus to see.  Glory to God, He set me free.  

 

Thought For Today:  Jesus is still in the deliverance business.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 10 April 2021

 

The Holy Ghost

 

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” (Acts 19:1-2)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?  Most people will answer this question with a quick ‘Yes”.  But ask yourself, have you really?  How do you know?  Well, the only evidence we have in scripture is they spoke in tongues.  I do not see or read any other evidence mentioned in scripture to cause me to believe otherwise. I find that for some unknown reason, many churches and people are afraid to say that they have received the Holy Ghost speaking with other tongues.  Tongues is just evidence that you have received the Holy Ghost.  “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” (Acts 10:45-47)  If you have never received the Holy Ghost, why not pray and ask God to fill you with His Spirit.  "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.” (Romans 8:9)  It is a free gift. you know.  And the best gift you will ever receive.  

 

Sing:  I've got the Holy Ghost, down in my soul, just like the Bible said.  I've got the Holy Ghost down in my soul, just like the Bible said.  Well, I've been to the water and I've been baptized in Jesus' name, my soul got happy and I’m so satisfied; I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now, just like the Bible, just like the Bible, just like the Bible said.

 

Thought For Today: “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.” (Romans 8:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 9 April 2021

 

Touching Those In Need

 

“And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” (Mark 1:38-42)

Today’s Morsel:  How do you think you would have acted if you lived in a land that has leper colonies?  Now that you are born-again, and having received the Great Commission to go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature, how do you feel about laying hands on the homeless?  How do you feel about going into the ghetto?  How do you feel about eating with someone who does not look like you?  How do you feel about nursing homes, prisons, and jail visits?  The leper said to Him, “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.”  The gospel is not just to be taken to the cleansed and well.  Jesus said it is for those who are sick and need a physician.  Isn’t it amazing that Jesus always touched those in need?  If He did not touch them physically, He touched them with His compassion.  And He says to us, go and do thou likewise.  Do not be afraid to touch the needy. Remember, you were once that person without Jesus who needed His touch.

Sing: Touching Jesus, is all that really matters, and your life will never be the same, and there is only one way to touch Him, just believe when you call on His name.

Thought For Today: Don’t be afraid to touch the needy. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 8 April 2021

 

Sorrow of Heart

 

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13)

 

Today’s Morsel:  Today’s world is turned upside down. Hearts are being broken every hour.  Divorce, suicide, job loss, runaways, separations, drug overdose, fear, pain, alcohol abuse, sickness, death, indebtedness, distress, discontentment, and discouragement are flooding the streets, homes, and communities everywhere we look.  Because of so much sorrow, the hearts of many are broken.  If there was anything that Jesus modeled for us and left us, it was an example of compassion.  One of the signs of a ‘True Cross Bearer’, is a heart of compassion.  We must have empathy towards those who are hurting. Grief weakens one’s strength, and destroys the spirit, more than labor does.  If we are Christians, then we must be moved daily in the church and this world with compassion.  Somewhere the church must shine so that people can see where their hope lies.  We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.  We can touch Him, and others can too when we are moved with compassion in their sorrow.

Sing:  To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, on earth I long to be like Him.  All through life’s journey, from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.

Thought For Today: “Grief weakens one’s strength, and destroys the spirits, more than labor does.”