Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 March 31

Why Is Your Heart Troubled?

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1)

Today’s Morsel: What things are troubling you right now? Is it your health? Is it COVID? Is it the loss of a loved one? Is it your employer or your job? Is it a concern for your mother, father, child, or friend? Is it the thought of war? Is it irregular weather patterns? Is it the continuous unending political fighting? Just what is troubling you? Jesus said that we should not allow our hearts (our minds) to be troubled. Through Solomon, He tells us to keep our heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). In other words, we need to guard our hearts carefully because when we don’t, things can creep in and trouble us. If we keep our minds clear, things will flow correctly, and we will not be troubled. But if we allow things to come in and confuse us and cause us to become upset, allow hatred and bitterness to creep in, if we take on the ways of the world, we are going to become restless, weary, and may even faint. Isaiah helps us see the importance of keeping our hearts free of clutter when he said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) A peaceful life is the sign of a trouble-free mind. And Paul helps us with staying trouble free with the instructions he gave to the church at Phillip: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9) If you believe in God, stop sweating the small stuff as that’s what Satan wants you to focus on to keep you confused and your mind troubled.

Sing: I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord; I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord; I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord; I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 March 30

Be Christ Like

“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: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:1-12)

Today’s Morsel: What are you doing daily to become like Jesus? What are you doing to reveal His character in your life to others? Are you striving to go on to perfection? Jesus said that we should be perfect even as His father is perfect (Matthew 5:48)? What are you doing to get there knowing that Jesus is God? What are you doing to be holy like Him (1 Peter 1:16)? What are you doing to be light in this world, knowing that He is the Light of the world (John 8:12)? If we are to become like Christ, then we must become a doer of His Word, and not just a hearer of it. His word brings us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, so that we can make the appropriate adjustments in our life to reflect Him.  John informs us: “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:6) 

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

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 March 29

Strength

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)

Today’s Morsel: Most people do not understand that their strength is even seen in their dress and appearance. When we come to the New Testament Church, we notice that God’s word calls for taking off and putting on. We are told to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11). We are told to put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). And now Peter tells us to be clothed with humility. In other words, that which frees us from pride and arrogance. Meekness; as arrogance and pride are weaknesses. You can’t defeat your enemy with his own weapons. We must be clothed according to God’s word, His armor, if you desire to defeat him.  The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. If we have a lackadaisical attitude in our dress and appearance, it reveals a sign of weakness to others. 

Sing: Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, lift-up your voice to God.   Pray in the Spirit and with understanding.  O’ magnify the Lord.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 March 28

Better

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” (Hebrews 6:9)

Today’s Morsel: The main theme in the book of Hebrews is the word better. The writer said that God has provided something better for us. The children of Israel struggled in their walk in the wilderness because they did not mix the word of God with their faith when they heard it.  We must not harden our hearts. We are living here on this earth, but Jesus has gone to prepare something better for us. This life is full or challenges, hardships, and troubles for some, and rejections and confusions for others. But in Christ, being filled with His Spirit, life is so much better.  O’ taste and see that the Lord is good, said the psalmist. What you see before your very eyes, God has something even better. Israel had already lived in the promised land before they were ever taken into slavery in Egypt. But for some unknown reason, the story was lost and not passed to the next generation during the 400 years of captivity in Egypt, and the promise to their forefathers was lost. But God retained His promise to Abraham.  “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” (Genesis 15:13-16) But because they had a slave mentality, they couldn’t believe God for something better. What about you? Have you become so depressed and despondent that you can’t believe God for something better? Let me encourage you from the word of God: “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) Do you love God? Then He has something better for you.

Sing: Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house, better is one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere. Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house, better is one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere. My heart and flesh cry out, for You the living God, Your Spirit’s water to my soul.  I’ve thirsted, and I’ve seen, come once again to me, I will draw near to You, I will draw near to You. Better is one day, better is one day, better is one day than thousands elsewhere, better is one day, better is one day, better is one day than thousands elsewhere, than thousands elsewhere.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 March 27

Responsibility

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that some folks fail to understand is that you cannot delegate responsibility. You can only delegate authority. Responsibility comes with your authority. Once you are elected or placed in position of leadership, the effectiveness of how well you will do in that position, rests upon how quickly you understand the responsibility which comes with it. If you are a leader who avoids or is one that is fearful of confrontation, you will not lead effectively. Confrontation is a responsibility of leadership authority. If you are a leader who avoids telling others what to do for fear of them leaving the church, you will not be an effective leader. Responsibility is attached to your authority. When the religious leaders asked Jesus by what authority He did the things that He did, He simply asked them a question about the baptism of John the Baptist. His question was, was what John doing baptizing people from God or man? They said that they could not tell. To which Jesus reply neither will I tell you by what authority I do things. Both John the Baptist and Jesus understood their authority and they both knew the responsibility which came with it. That’s why they were not afraid of confrontation nor to tell others what they needed to do.  Have you studied the responsibilities that came with your authority so you can be effective.

Sing: Be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you. Be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you. Do not be afraid, do not be dismay, because you’re walking in faith and victory, because you’re walking in faith and victory, because the Lord your God is with you.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 March 25

No Battle Experience

“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.” (Exodus 14:10)

Today’s Morsel: When we have no battle experience, it makes it easy for us to fear and think that we are going to be defeated. I will give the US Army much credit for developing me with battle experiences. From my initial induction into the military, we were placed in battle scenarios to prepare us for what was to come as a soldier. Our training and teachings all focused on warfare and survival on the battlefield. So, when the army sent me off to war, I knew 95% of the things to expect. We see this with Jesus’ development of His disciples. After He had taught them, scripture says: “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. “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” (Luke 10:1,17) The children of Israel had been in captivity for over 400 years, so they had no battle experience of how to defeat their enemies. And so, when Pharaoh pursued after them, when they saw them, they were fearful. They had no weapons; they only had kneading troughs. If we are to defeat our enemy on the battlefield, then we need experience. Paul states, “but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5) Are you teaching Bible studies? Are you witnessing? Just what are you doing to gain some battle experience?  You need to be battle ready.  

Sing: Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath or stored; He has loosed the fateful lighting of his terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah, Glory, glory, hallelujah.  Glory, glory, hallelujah, His truth is marching on.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 March 24

Where Did You Lose Your Faith

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:35-40)

Today’s Morsel: When most people first come to God, they become excited about their new way of life, way of living, and their faith in God. But over a period of time, they may lose their zeal and their faith may even falter.  This was true with Jesus and His disciples. Jesus made a comment that some of them did not like. Scripture says: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” (John 6:66-67). Sometimes it is easy to lose our faith if we do not make up our mind to serve Jesus and become committed. If we aren’t careful, when someone says something that we do not like, or if they do something that we do not understand in the church, it can cause us to become upset and begin to lose our faith. And the reason we may lose our faith is because we are focusing on people and not on God. If we do not retain a strong relationship with Jesus, it makes it easier for Satan to use others to deter us and destroy our faith. Are you feeling faithless today? Take a moment, stop, and reevaluate where you lost your faith. Did you get angry at someone and walk away? Did someone do something to you that caused you to lose it? Just where were you? Sometimes it may be painful for you to return to the location to regain what you’ve lost. But if you want to regain your faith, then you may have to do just that.   Go back to the altar and regain your faith and your strength.  You will be glad you did.  

Sing: Take me back, take back dear Lord, to the place where I first received You. Take me back, take me back dear Lord where I first believed.