Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 June 26

Sinning Isn’t Easy

“Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” (Proverbs 13:15)

Today’s Morsel: May I ask you a question? Would you say that sinning is easy or hard? Well, based on the word of God we know that it is hard. No matter how much the world sugarcoats it, makes it seems like it’s lots of fun, and stresses that it must be sought after, it’s not easy. It’s hard. Television and billboards may advertise alcohol, promiscuity, and wild living, but it never shows you inside the prisons, broken homes, the faces of the abused, raped, suicidal, drug addicts, oppressed, depressed, and the confused. I know what it’s like to be a sinner. Like Paul, I could have been the chiefest of sinners.  If Jesus had not stepped in when He did, who knows where I would be. I am totally amazed when I see Christians leave the church for the world. They think that they are heading for fun and freedom. Satan always allows them to get just far enough from the church, to where he makes it hard for them to return without being scared and in some cases for life. Many young girls get pregnant out of wedlock and are left having to care for a child on their own. Many are drawn into debt and financial hardships because they overspend on what they think is fun. Some even find themselves in the city of Sodom and Gomorrah being used and abused. No, my friend, sinning it not easy. It’s hard. But there is a way out. Jesus has come to make you free. So, flee from the grip of Satan and his demonic forces. Run back into the arms of Christ. It’s not too late for you to turn around. Call out to Him today and He will save you.  He is standing ready to free you from the clutches of sin.  

Sing: Aren’t you getting just a bit tired of fooling around, you try to laugh your way through this life but you’re not gaining ground. Why not try the Lord today, just ask Him in your heart to stay; and you’ll find Jesus’ love to be the best thing that you’ve ever found.

Jesus got ahold on my life, and He won’t let me go. Jesus got into my heart He got into my soul. I used to be oh so sad, but now I’m happy free and glad; cause Jesus got ahold of my life, and He won’t let me go.   

Thought For Today: “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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 June 25

Are You Doing Your Duty?

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Today’s Morsel: According to General of the Army, Omar Bradley, in his speech to a graduating class of soldiers at West Point, he said, “Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, and what you will be. They are your rallying points: To build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn." Every time I hear his speech it causes me to realize the importance of these three words to one’s life. Jesus told His disciples: “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:7-10) The performance of one’s duty should be based on their love for what they are being asked to do, or what they have signed up to do. Duty is something that we must do because it’s part of our job, or something that we feel is the right thing to do. The difference between duty and responsibility is you cannot delegate responsibility. I can only delegate authority or duty. Responsibility is hidden inside of that authority or duty.  We have a duty to uphold the truth of the gospel and to carry it to the whole world. We know that based on God’s word. But if we do not do it, then Jesus will hold us responsible for failure to do our duty.  

Sing: If I walk in the pathway of duty, if I work till the close of the day; Lord, I shall see the great King in all His beauty, when I’ve gone the last mile of the way.  

Well, when I’ve gone, the last mile of the way, I shall rest at the close of the day. Lord, for I know, that there is joy that waits my heart and my soul, when I’ve gone, the last mile of the way.

Thought For Today: Never mind your happiness; do your duty.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 June 24

What Do You Think About Yourself?

“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.” (Proverbs 19:8)

Today’s Morsel: What do you think about yourself? If you had to do an honest assessment of you, where would you fall on the scale? Would you be a loving and kind person? A depressed and stressful person? One who could care less about life? A person who thinks that they have been dealt a bad hand in life. Or would you be one who is kind, loving, considerate, brave, and excited with life? A lot of people rate their life based on others. Who their parents may be. Other’s looks. Where others live. The academics of others. What others possess.  And even what others say about them. If we base our lives based on these things, we are always going to fall short and live in a despondent state. You should rate yourself based on the word of God. As that is the standard for every life. What others have and may think of you is not who you are. Who you are is who God says that you are. If a person is considered by some to be ugly, it’s usually based on their character. You can be, as Fred Sanford would tell Esther on the show Sanford and Son, that she was so ugly that she could put her face in a pan of dough and make some gorilla cookies, because that was how he saw her based on her actions. But a life in Christ, filled with God’s wisdom, ought to reveal His beauty. Solomon stated that he that loves wisdom loves himself. Wisdom should cause one to be wise and understand that it is only through God that we live, move, and have our being. It is not what someone else may think of us. 

Sing: Wonderful, wonderful, Jesus is to me. Counselor, Prince of peace, Mighty God is He. Saving me, keeping me, from all sin and shame. Wonderful is my Redeemer, praise His name.

Thought For Today: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 June 23

The Key To Learning

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9)

Today’s Morsel: The key to learning begins with listening and understanding the instructions. Most people never read or listen to the instructions, they just want to get through the test and move on. But instructions are important for learning. The children of Israel never grasped the instructions being given by Moses from the Lord for their spiritual growth and maturity. They thought that they understood what was being required of them, but they soon found out that they did not know. Paul told Timothy: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16) Just what are the instructions in God’s word for righteousness? If you were taking a test about righteousness, how would you know what to look for? The instruction for righteousness starts with understanding the righteousness of God. In speaking of the righteousness of God to the Romans, about the Israelites trying to establish their own righteousness, Paul said: “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10:3-4). God’s righteousness ought to cause us to live moral and upright lives. God’s righteousness turns our hearts from darkness to His marvelous light. God’s righteousness ought to cause us to align our thoughts, words, and actions with His will and principles for our betterment.  God’s righteousness requires us to commitment ourselves to moral integrity, ethical behavior, and to chase after justice and love. The instructions of righteousness start with studying God’s word, seeking His guidance through prayer, repenting when we fall short, and submitting ourselves to every ordinance of God.

Sing: I am thinking of the rapture in our blessed home on high, when the redeemed are gathering in. How we’ll raise the heavenly anthem in that city in the sky, when the redeemed are gathering in.

Well, when the redeemed are gathering in, washed like snow, and free from all sin.  How we will shout, and how we will sing; when the redeemed are gathering in.

Thought For Today: “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”(James 1:20)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 June 21

Confident In Prayer

“For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.” (Psalms 32:6)

Today’s Morsel: How confident are you in your prayers? When you go to God in prayer do you believe that God will come through for you? The writer of Hebrews tells us: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Prayers must be accompanied with faith. In Acts 12, after the beheading of James, the disciples were praying, but by all account they did not have faith to believe that Peter would be set free. When Peter knocked on the door, and Rhoda told them that Peter was at the door, they did not believe her. If we aren’t going to believe that Jesus will answer, then there is no need for praying. We must be confident in our prayers. Remember, we are not the ones that give the answer to the prayers, it’s God that does that. Our tasks are to bring the need to Jesus for His help. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Matthew 6:5) So, let me encourage you. Don’t lose hope because your prayers aren’t answered on your timeline. God’s ways are not ours, nor are His thoughts like our thoughts. Sometimes we may just need to exercise our faith on what we already know is His will, and watch the miraculous take place.

Sing: Faith can move mountains, mountains of fear and of doubt; faith can move mountains, so why don’t you try your faith out. 

Thought For Today: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 June 20

Pet Sin 

“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” (Proverbs 14:9)

Today’s Morsel: I’m not against people have pets, but I totally disagree with folks having snakes, rats, mice, and even piranhas for pets. Why would folks choose something dangerous to be a pet without considering their life, the life of others, and even their children’s safety? The same is true when it comes to sin. Some folks treat sin like it is a pet or a dear friend. Solomon says that fools make a mock at sin. In other words, it’s the fool that says in his heart that there is no God (Psalms 14:1), and it is the fool that doesn’t see sin as dangerous to their life, the lives of others, or their loved ones. Sin is like being wrapped by a python. Pretty soon it will wrap itself tight around you and squeeze the life right out of you. Or it’s like have your pet rats or mice get loose in your home, soon there will be more rats and mice than you care to live with. Sin is dangerous, and you shouldn’t play around with it. Paul said that it should not have dominion over you or be a part of your new life.  “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34) We must not be a servant to Satan. We must not allow sin to be a pet in our homes. It must never be allowed to enter our doors.

Sing: I was once a sinner, but I came pardon to receive from my Lord. This was freely given, and I found that He always kept His word. There’s a new name written down in glory, and it’s mine, o yes, it’s mine! And the white robed angels sing the story, “A sinner has come home.” For there’s a new name written down in glory, and it’s mine, o yes, it’s mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven, never more to roam.

Thought For Today:  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 June 19

Bridle Your Tongue

“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Today’s Morsel: Scripture tells us that if any man can bridle his tongue, he is a perfect man. James tells us: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” (James 3:2-12) Why can’t people control their tongue if they have the Holy Ghost? Isn’t the Holy Ghost Christ in you the hope of glory? Doesn’t scripture tell us that Jesus Christ had no deceit, and neither was guile found in His mouth? And didn’t Jesus tell us that we should not worry about what to say when we stand before men, as the Spirit would tell us what to say? Then why can’t we bridle our tongue? Why do we feel a need to reply or justify ourselves?  Why do we feel as though we need to get one up on someone else’s story? We shouldn’t need bits and bridles as a horse or mule to control our tongue. The Holy Ghost should do that for us.  Guard your words, they will help keep your soul.  

Sing: Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are, more costly than gold. Lord, You are, more beautiful than diamonds; and nothing I desire compares with You.

Thought For Today: Put a lid on it!