Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 September 17

God Is Our Strength

“Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.” (Psalms 28:6-8)

Today’s Morsel: Like faith, our strength is built and made stronger by the things we do. One of the ways the military helped to strengthen our bodies was with push-ups. For every minor infraction or mistake, they made us do push-up, sit-ups, horizontal bars, and the dying cockroach. And for the 12 weeks that we were in basic training, anytime that we were in the company area, or moving throughout the company area, we had better be running. The only time you were allowed to walk was when you were being marched in formation. But if you were solo, you had better be running or your body would be strengthened to help you remember. The psalmist prayed that the Lord would give him His strength. “O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.” (Psalms 86:16) He continues by stating that the Lord was his strength and shield. Do you pray for God to give you, His strength? When we pray for the Holy Ghost, we are asking God to give us, as well as others, His strength. Paul said, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).God wants you to have His strength and His shield. The shield of faith and the Sword of the Spirit will render you effective and strengthened in all situations. 

Sing: He gives strength to me, as I worship Him, as my heart is filled with praise. Jesus breaks the bands, as I raise my hands, He gives glorious victory.

Thought For Today: “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 September 16

Don’t Reject Jesus

“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)

Today’s Morsel: Many people are suffering today because they have rejected Jesus. Many of them started their lives serving and living for God and doing great things in their lives, but somewhere along the way they allowed others and the temptations of the world to entice and lure them into the world and its ways. And now they are entangled with foolishness and the cares of this life. There have been many people that I have tried to witness to and share the gospel with who have rejected it. I have talked with men and women who are incarcerated that grew up in the church who rejected the gospel. I have seen young girls pregnant out of wedlock, all because they rejected Jesus and His Word for what they thought was fun and excitement. And now, they must live with their decision. Not being critical here, but when we reject Christ and His Word, we need to understand the consequences and how the world’s system works. You may be thinking how does it work? Well Jesus tells us: “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” (Luke 10:30) The world will leave you half dead or it will kill you.  Then He said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy...” (John 10:10). John says:“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16).The world and its system are out to destroy you. If we neglect so great a salvation as Jesus Christ, the writer tells us that we cannot escape damnation. Let me encourage you, you are not going to find anything in the world that will ever compare or even come close to what Jesus can do for you.  His love is the greatest gift you will ever receive.  

Sing: Hold to God’s unchanging hand. Hold to God’s unchanging hand. Build your hope on things eternal. Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Thought For Today: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 September 15

What If Jesus Had Not Died?

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Today’s Morsel: If Jesus had not died for your sins, where would you be today. If He had not paid the debt for our sins, where would we be. I often find myself asking myself why would Jesus die for folks whom He knew would betray Him and not serve Him? We know now as believers why He did certain things, because we have the Bible to read to enlighten us, but what if we didn’t have the Bible. What if we didn’t have the witnesses of the disciples and apostles telling us of the reason why He died for us. Would you still be thankful? Would you still share the truth of the gospel? Paul said, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8) Christ died for us. The whole world. One act of love now covers a multitude of sin. As the writer of Hebrews enlightens us, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22). If Jesus had not died, we would still be living in our trespasses and sin and on our way to an eternal hell. But thank God for Calvary.

Sing: I’m not on an ego trip; I am nothing on my own. I make mistakes and I often slip, just common flesh and bone. But I’ll prove someday, just what I say, that I’m of a special kind; yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

He knew me, and yet He loved me, He whose glory makes the heavens shine. I’m so unworthy, of such mercy, and yet when He was on the cross, you and I were on His mind.

Thought For Today: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 September 13

Don’t Harden Your Heart

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:7-19)

Today’s Morsel: The writer of Hebrews enlightens us as to why the children of Isarel could not enter the promised land. He said it was because of their unbelief. I find it interesting that God calls the Promised Land, the land of rest. But they couldn’t enter their rest because of unbelief. And the writer of Hebrews cautions us to be aware that if we allow that spirit of unbelief to get into our hearts, then we too can miss out on the rest. Paul cautions the church at Rome: “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” (Romans 3:3-4) He said that we should not allow other’s unbelief to prevent us from receiving the promise. Are you restless? Do you have trouble finding your rest? Then let me ask you a question:  How’s your belief in God and His word? Isaiah informs us: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” (Isaiah 28:11-12) The Holy Ghost is the rest. As Jesus said, man was not made for the sabbath, but sabbath for man. Man was not made for the Holy Ghost, but the Holy Ghost for man.  The Holy Ghost will give you sweet rest. 

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 said, just like the Bible said.

Thought For Today: “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.” (Psalms 95:10-11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 September 12

Faithfulness

“And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:18-26)

Today’s Morsel: The root word for the word faithfulness is the word faith. According to the writer of Hebrews 11:1, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In other words, faith is the source. It is the foundation upon which all our beliefs and hopes are founded upon. So, why does God require us to be faithful? But before you answer that question, what must we be faithful to? First and foremost, we ought to be faithful to God. Then we ought to be faithful to our neighbor, to our employer, our church, our leaders over us, our family and loved ones, and any vows that we may make. Because we are God’s children and God is faithful, that same trait ought to be in us as faith came with the Holy Ghost. Listen to Paul for a moment: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) Are you faithful? God has entrusted us with His word, His goods, and His finances to advance His kingdom. Are you using it for what He’s given it to you for? Faithfulness is just a by-product of the character trait trustworthy. Can Jesus trust you? Can you trust yourself?  Be faithful to Jesus.

Sing: He’s been faithful, faithful, to me, looking back, His love and mercy I see.  In my heart, I have questioned, even failed to believe, yet He’s been faithful, faithful to me. 

Thought For Today: Be Thou Faithful unto Death and God will give you a crown of life.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 September 11

Behavior

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13)

Today’s Morsel: Jesus said that wisdom is known of her children (my wording, Luke 7:35). In other words, true wisdom is revealed by those who embrace it. Those who embrace wisdom will display it in their lives. As the manifestation of wisdom is seen in one’s behavior. James asked the question, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?” His question sets the stage for what true wisdom is. He says that if one has wisdom, then it ought to be seen in their behavior and actions. He said that wisdom and behavior ought to be like peanut butter and jelly, or like a Moon Pie and RC Cola. Some things just go together. Your actions should reflect wisdom not just knowledge only. Remember, wisdom is just knowledge and understanding personified.

Sing: I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O’ what a change in my life. I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O’ what a change in my life. I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O’ what a change in my life, O’ what a change, in my life.

Thought For Today: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 September 10

Are You Deceiving You?

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (James 1:21-25)

Today’s Morsel: One of the greatest deceptions is self-deception. Folks are deceiving themselves daily into thinking that body piercing, tattooing their body, fornication, watching all the programs with sexual innuendoes, and listening to all the vulgar and vile language on radio, television, and social media will not have a negative impact on their well-being and health. These things go against the Word of God. The enemy of your soul will do everything in his power to lure you away from God’s Word. More than anything else, Satan is using psychological warfare to meet his goal in the lives of many today. Psychological warfare is just as real and as dangerous as physical warfare. In some cases, it’s even more lethal and damaging with longer illness and without cure. Psychological warfare plays on the mind. Causing restless nights and confused thinking. Psychological warfare can lead to obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, unkemptness, pain, and a sense of loneliness, hurt, and unforgiveness in oneself. Psychological warfare can cause suicidal thoughts and actions if not gotten under control immediately. James tells us to be doers of God’s Word so that we do not deceive ourselves. God has a greater purpose for your life then you may think. He knows the thoughts that He think about you, and that is to give you a great end. God’s wants you to be who He made you to be. His sons and daughters, not ones to be confused by the enemy of your soul. Let me encourage you. Stick with the Word of God so that the enemy cannot get a foot hole into your life. As Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)  Keep yourself pure, inside and out.  

Sing: Let me walk with You Jesus, don’t ever leave me alone, for without you I could never, no, never, make heaven my home. 

Thought For Today: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)