Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 Feb 28

 When Soldiers Never Go To War

“Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.” (Judges 7:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: When soldiers never go to war, they lose their will to fight. They become complacent and fearful. The skills that they had learned are now soon forgotten and they revert to their old way of life. Soldiers are trained to fight, defend, and protect. They are trained in the art of war. But if their skills aren’t used, they become useless and weak in that art. If you never witness, teach a home Bible study where smoke is filling your eyes, the television is blurring, kids are screaming, people are coming and going that may indicate a drug deal in the background and you are wondering if the cops are going to come in to raid and haul you off to jail, you haven’t been to war. And sooner or later you are going to lose the desire to serve and lose your skillset.  “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18) Gideon summoned 32,000 men for war. But because they had not been to war for so long, many of them were fearful. And God knew that they were fearful. And so He took matters into His own hand to remove them from the ranks. God knew that they were lacking in their skillset to fight. The skills you learn on Sunday and Wednesday in your church are essential to your survival on the battlefield. Pay attention so that you are trained and ready when duty calls.  Keep your skills honed and use them often.

Sing: I'll stand for Thee, dear Jesus, whate'er the cost may be. I’ll spread the gospel to the lost each day; But if it be Thy will, Lord, To send me o'er the sea, I’ll follow Thee tho' death should come my way.

Jesus, use me, and O Lord don’t refuse me, For surely there’s a work that I can do; And even though it’s humble, Lord, help my will to crumble, Tho' the cost be great I’ll work for You. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 Feb 27

 The Basic Fundamentals

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: When we review Jesus' calling of His disciples, He kept them at the basic level until He knew that they understood what He was saying and teaching them. And then He sent them out by two to put it into practice. When they returned and told Him what had happen through His name, Jesus rejoiced that they now had gotten it.  When we become born-again and new Christians, there are things that we may not understand. But once we have an understanding, we must now go on to greater things. Like the military, they will teach each soldier the basics, but once they prove that they understand and can do it, they are passed on to the next level, and so on, until they can operate independently, know their job, and accomplish the mission. If you have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, now you ought to understand its importance and be ready to teach others. The same is true with receiving the Holy Ghost, living holy and separated unto God, giving into His kingdom, and witnessing. These basic things ought to be known by you within the first six months that you are in the church. And now you should go on to know the deeper things about being a Christian and ministry. If you are still struggling with the fundamentals of the church, talk with your pastor or a mentor for some one-on -one training so that you will know and then you can go on to perfection. I’m here to help you as well!

Sing: For I know in whom I have believed, and I’m persuaded that God is able; to keep that which I have committed, to Him against that day.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 Feb 25

 My Request

“Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!” (Job 6:8)

Today’s Morsel: If you could have anything from God that you wanted, what would be your request? It has been stated that most people would not request for immediate heaven. And that most folks would request health, finances, a spouse, home, car, or something tangible. While Job was enduring his pain and hardship, he said, “Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!” Job, too, would have probably requested relief from his pain. Suffering and sickness in this flesh can sometime cause us to request things such as healing because we would like to be pain free in this flesh. The king even asked Esther what her request was. I wonder why she delayed in asking. I wondered how many more Jews died because she delayed in her request. What is your request of God today? Jesus said that we have not because we ask not.

Sing: Walk with me, Lord, walk with me. Walk with me, Lord, walk with me.  While I’m on this tedious journey, I want Jesus to walk with me.

Hold my hand Lord, Hold my hand. Hold my hand Lord, hold my hand.  While I’m on this tedious journey, I want Jesus to hold my hand.

Be my guide, Lord, be my guide. Be my guide, Lord, be my guide. While I’m on this tedious journey, I want Jesus to be my guide. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 Feb 24

 Meeting The Requirements

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)

Today’s Morsel: When I was in the army, I once had one of my soldiers who wanted to talk with me about getting an early discharge. When I asked him why, he stated that his recruiter had not told him that he may have to deploy to a war zone and that the requirements were too hard. I asked him that when he enlisted did he think the army was the boy scouts? I asked him if he did not read the contract that he signed. Like some others, folks apply for a job and then get upset because they must go to work, be on call, and may have to work nights or weekends.  They fail to read the requirements. Some people may be wondering what is required to be saved. Micah states: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”  He said that the Lord requires you to do what is right, be fair, truthful, impartial, honest, and righteous. To love compassion, forgiveness, to be kind, show sympathy, and to be thankful that you are not consumed for your own wrongdoing.  And that you must walk with God in such a way that it shows that you truly respect Him, love Him, and that you aren’t better than anyone else.  After Peter had finished speaking to the people in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, they asked him what the requirement was for their wrong. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:38-42) Have you met the requirement for heaven? “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Hebrews 2:1-4); “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:12-14). God usually makes the requirements clear and simple. So, don’t complicate the matter. Just be obedient to the word of God.

Sing: I know am saved, and I am so glad about it, I found the joy my spirit craved.  It is so real, that I could never doubt it.  Oh praise the Lord I know I know I'm saved.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 Feb 23

 Prosperity

“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” (Job 8:7)

Today’s Morsel: I can remember when I first went into the army, my base pay was only $115 a month. But because I remained with the same company for many years, my end state was much greater. The same is true in the church. When we first come to know God, we are all dealt the measure of faith.  And the more we walk with God and do His will, our faith end state is going to be so much greater.  Abraham left home, from what we can tell with just himself, Sarah, and Lot. Maybe a donkey or some livestock. But we see the blessings of God flowing to him. And scripture tell us: “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.” (Genesis 24:1) When Abraham sent his servant to find Isaac, his son, a wife from among his people scripture says, that Abraham’s servant told Abraham’s brother: “And he said, I am Abraham's servant. And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.” (Genesis 24:34-35) Notice, the Lord hath blessed him greatly. From little in the start to greatness in the end. Paul states: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Let me encourage you, your beginning in Christ may seem small. But continue on and hang in there and you will be greater in the latter end. As we see with Job: “So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days.” (Job 42:12-17)

Sing: I know the Lord will make a way for me. I know the Lord will make a way for me. If I live a holy life, shun the wrong, and do the right; I know that Lord will make a way for me.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 Feb 22

 The Cup of Salvation

“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.” (Psalms 116:12-13)

Today’s Morsel:  In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul states: “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)  He said that Jesus took the cup, and that when he had supped, he said this cup is the New Testament in my blood.  In other words, this is the new covenant that I will make with you. For without the shedding of blood there is not remission of sin. If you are looking to be saved, then you must take the cup of salvation and call upon the Lord. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, said Paul, shall be saved (Romans 1o: 13). You must drink of this cup. This cup represents death. Death to self. This cup represents rejection.  Being able to withstand rejection and to be misunderstood. That cup represents loneliness. Sometimes you may find yourself being all lone with no one to help or talk to. This cup represents the way, the truth, and the life. This cup is all about Jesus. Have you partaken of the cup of salvation? “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Sing: The blood that Jesus shed for me, way back on Calvary, it’s the blood that gives me  strength from day to day, it shall never lose its power. For it reaches to the highest mountain, and it flows to the lowest valley,  it is the blood, that gives me strength, from day to day, it will never lose its power. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 Feb 21

 Whose Side Are You On?

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” (Exodus 32:26)

 

Today’s Morsel: Shouldn’t everyone who says that they are born-again Christians be on the Lord side. Scripture says, “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:38-41) Just because one may not be of the same denomination does not mean that they do not love and have a relationship with Christ Jesus. I saw this in the military. There were many countries that were with us on the battlefield that were not Americans. But we were all there for the same reason and purpose. We were all on the same side and fighting for the same cause. David said that Lord was on his side (Psalms 118:6). If God is on our side, then we better ensure that we are on His. You don’t want to find yourself an enemy of God, as you will lose every time. Scripture says, “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” Notice, all the ministers, the Levites, came to him. Show me a minister or saint of God that isn’t on the Lords side, and I’ll show you a false witness.  If you want to win stay on the Lord's side. Whose side are you on?  

 

Sing: I may never march in the Infantry, ride in the Calvary, shoot the Artillery. I may never soar over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord's Army, yes sir!