Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 August 7

Don’t Leave Your First Love

“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” (Revelation 2:1-4)

Today’s Morsel: Marriages were to be forever. Scripture says, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) Notice, they are to become one. To leave one’s first love is to not see the value and importance of a true relationship. When we give our lives to Christ, nothing is supposed to be able to separate us from Him. We are supposed to keep Him as our first love and never allow anything, or anyone, to pull our hearts and minds away from Him. We are supposed to strengthen our relationship and love for Him more and more daily. If you allow something to come between you and Christ, it’s closer to Him than you are and it will steal your love for Him.

Sing: I love Him too much to fail Him now; Too much to break my vow. For I promised the Lord that I would make it somehow, and now I love Him too much to fail Him now.

Thought For Today: “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (John 15:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 August 6

 The Rider On The White Horse

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16)

Today’s Morsel: Like the Gospel of John, John seems to have one point in mind with writing the Gospel of John, the epistles of John, and the book of Revelations, and that is to make Jesus Christ well known to his readers and followers. In his writings, you will notice that John stresses faith and eternal life often. John wants us to put our faith in Christ, and to believe Him for the things we have need of. In today’s scripture passages, you will notice that John writes from his vision of what he sees in heaven. Now, this is just one of the visions that he sees to help us gain an understanding of who we will see when we get there. He sees a man on a white horse. And he says that he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. First, he tells us, that the man’s name isn’t known to anyone but he himself. But then he tells us that the man’s name is called ‘The Word of God. Where have we heard this before? “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1;14).  Then John informs us that the one on the white horse he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. The apostle Paul informs Timothy, “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:13-16) John again helps our understanding with whom he’s writing about with these words, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22:16) Don’t ever lose sight of who is on the white horse; as the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” (Revelation 19:14)

Sing: I’ll be riding with Him, when he comes back again, on that white horse He’ll be riding, and I’ll be right behind Him; oh, I’ll be riding with Him, together we will ride like the wind, on that white horse he’ll be riding, just look for me, and I’ll be riding with him.

Thought For Today: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 August 5

Miserable Comforters

“Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.” (Job 16:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever had someone whom you thought was your friend try to tell you what you ought to do when it comes to your medical procedures and health. Here you are suffering and going through pain in your life, and instead of being a strong and reliable supporter of what you are dealing with, they keep dropping a ton of bricks on you. Well, this is how Job felt with his friends. Job is suffering and in great pain, and they are accusing him of sin. Instead of trying to bring comfort, they are adding more pain to his life. And so Job tells them that they are like physicians without any cure and are a bunch of miserable comforters. Really! When these types of people show up to your home, you just need to open the door and say, See later alligator. Satan, please take your bags and move out smartly. These kinds of people do not add anything profitable to your life, so why let them hang around. Jesus said, “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” (Matthew 18:8). Anything or anyone that causes you to sin and feel worse, you should get rid of it or them. Because for me, these types of people will make you want to reach out and touch somebody. And they are not worth me going to hell. So, I’m gonna send them packing on their way before they make me lose my crown in glory.  I want to keep those in my life that draw me closer to Jesus, not those that push me away from Him.

Sing: I command you Satan in the name of the Lord, to take up your weapons and flee, for God hath give me the authority to walk all over thee.

Thought For Today: You can’t fix stupid!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 August 4

 Storing Up The Word

“Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” (Job 19:23-24)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever wondered why there is always so much information revealed about folks whom we see as famous, or that are seen as great leaders? Well, in most cases it is because someone took notice of them and kept good notes and records of them when they were growing up. I’m sure most of them, such as a president, never thought that the things that they did in life would resurface about them. But, as Moses said, we live our lives as a tale that is told. Just think about the Bible for a moment. Someone kept good notes and a record of all the things that God did from creation to today so that we would have hope, as Paul said (Romans 15:4). Job said, “Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” (Job 19:23-24) Job wanted his life story to be recorded and stored up so that they would be remembered for future use by others. Job knew that God would come through for him and that others would be inspired. And his word was recorded and stored. James even tells us, “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:11) Paul said that we are epistles known and read of all men. Someday, should the Lord tarry, someone is going to read your life’s story. What will the pen have recorded of your life that will inspire others on in Christ?

Sing: Look what the Lord have done. Look what the Lord have done. He heal my body, He touched my mind, He saved me in the nick of time, oh, I’m going to praise His name, each day He’s just the same, I’m going to praise Him, I’m going to praise Him, look what the Lord have done.

Thought For Today: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 August 2

 Someone Afar-Off Is Better Off Because Of You

“Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:15-20)

Today’s Morsel: When I was living on the island of Okinawa, my wife, daughter, and I, went to Hawaii to see our son who was stationed there. At church on Sunday, I had shared our testimony and the mission of the military church of Okinawa, after service an elderly brother from the Philippines came up to me to share his testimony. He told me that during World War II, some GI’s had come through his village and one of them had given him a small Bible, he had kept it and over the years once he learned English and could read it, he saw his need for salvation. And that now he had repented of his sins, was baptized in the name of Jesus, filled with the Holy Ghost, and he loved serving Jesus. Are you aware that it’s the small things you do that can make an impact on others? Just who is better off because you did some seemingly small thing for them?

Sing: I found a new way of living, I found a new joy divine, I have the fruit of the spirit, I am abiding, abiding, in the vine. Abiding in the vine, abiding in the vine; love, joy, health, peace, He has made them mine. I have prosperity, power and victory, abiding, abiding, in the vine. 

Thought For Today: Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 August 1

There’s An Advocate

 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever feel as though you are running out of help for your sin? Have you ever heard or seen someone just throw up their hands and say, “There just isn’t any help?” Why do you think so many seem to get to a point of helplessness and hopelessness? Do you feel as though you are drowning in sin? Do you feel like it’s coming in over your head? The apostle John lets us know that we have someone to help us. That someone is Jesus Christ.  John says that He is the atonement for the sins of the whole world. You don’t have to carry the sins you’ve committed around allowing, them to burden you and hinder you. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgives us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As He states in the book of Isaiah, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10).

Sing: I came to Jesus weary worn and sad, He took my sins away, He took my sins away. And now on Him, I roll my every care, He took my sins away. 

He took my sins away, He took my sins away, and He keeps me singing every day. I’m so glad He took my sins away; He took my sins away.

Thought For Today: Sin shall not have dominion over you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 July 31

Running For The Prize

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Today’s Morsel: I like watching the Olympic games. Especially the races. It’s amazing to me just how fast some human-beings are. Both men and woman. Someone said that some of them are so fast, that you could turn out the light in their bedrooms at night and that they would be in bed before the room got dark (humor). But one thing about these races, no matter how fast each of these people are, only one of them is going to win the prize. Paul was aware of the rule of running in a sport events, and so he uses this analogy to emphasis to us the importance of running this Christian race to win the prize that is set before us. The goal to win ought to be each of our desire and purpose. We ought not to be called Christians just for a title. But we ought to be living and serving to win the prize. There is a crown of life that awaits each of us, but we must run correctly and according to the rules to obtain our prize.

Sing: Lord, I’m running trying to make a hundred, ninety-nine and a half won’t do.  Lord, I’m running trying to make a hundred, ninety-nine and a half won’t do.   

Thought For Today: “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17)