Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 31

 Resisting The Devil

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:5-7)

“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. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:5-11)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things I like about scripture is that it teaches us how to live and to be overcomers. It tells us that Jesus has already defeated the devil, so I don’t know why folks like to keep giving him credit for things that are going wrong in their lives. In some folks, the devil is given more attention than Jesus. James said that if you resist him, he will flee. But if you keep giving him credit and exalting evil behaviors and talking about all the things he is doing in your life, he is going to stick around because of your continuous exaltation of him, it simply gives him encouragement and strength. Both James and Peter tell us that if we submit to God and to each other, we can overcome the devil and live victorious in Christ. When we submit to God and to each other, we are to look out for each other. We are not to allow our brothers and sisters to be overtaken in a fault. We are not to allow them to go the wrong way without giving them warning, having compassion on them, and pulling them out of the fire. When we submit to each other, we must be willing to pray for each other, forgive each other, and work together to advance the cause of the kingdom. We must encourage others to “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). When we are each in submission to each other, and to God, it helps us to obey those that have the rule over us, as we submit yourselves: for they watch for our souls, as they must give account, and that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for us.” (Hebrews 13:17 Emphasis mine) Submission is just another word for surrender and self-discipline. 

Sing: You’re my brother you’re my sister, so take me by the hand, together we will work until He come. There’s no foe that can defeat us, when we are walking side by side, for as long as there is love we can stand. 

Thought For Today: “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:18-19)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 30

Who’s In charge of You?

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)

Today’s Morsel: Self-control and self-discipline are traits that ought to be found in every believer. Because the trait of temperance came with the Holy Ghost, we ought to be able to control our actions, behavior, and conduct no matter where we find ourselves. We must be large and in charge of ourselves. Jesus said, behold I give you power. Not only the power to defeat your enemy, but also the power to exercise good, sound judgment when it comes to making right choices and decisions. Another thing that you ought to be able to control is your tongue and attitude. You should now be the overseer of the words that proceed from your mouth and know when and how to use them. You should also be the boss of anger. Nobody wants to work for an angry boss.  When Jesus puts His spirit in you, He expects you to allow it to lead and to guide you not for you to push it to the side and do what you want. Paul advices us, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:17-24)The new man should be like Jesus, not like the devil.  Either you are a new creature, or you aren’t.

Sing: Born-again, there has been a change in me; born-again, just like Jesus said. Born-again and all because of Calvary. I’m so glad that I’ve been born-again.

Thought For Today: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 29

Obtaining A Good End State

“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.” (Proverbs 19:20)

Today’s Morsel: If we are planning on hearing those wonderful words spoken by Jesus of, “Well done thy good and faithful servant,” then we must learn to hear counsel and instructions. A good end state always starts with obedience. Paul informs us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) God’s word will keep us on course as to where we are heading, and what we are trying to obtain. As the Lord told Joshua that for him to obtain a good end state would be determined on whether he obeyed the instructions from the law that were passed down to him. He said, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8) Notice, his success would be determined by if he followed what was written. And the same instructions were left for you and me. “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.” (Proverbs 4:13); “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15); “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13); “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:9) “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” (Revelation 2:25) If we are to obtain a good end state, then we must hold fast to the sound wisdom and instructions found in God’s word.

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:  “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Revelation 3:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 28

Don’t Let Self-Righteousness Deceive You

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” (Proverbs 21:2)

Today’s Morsel: Self-righteousness, if we are not careful, can lead us into a whole lot of trouble. One of the things that Jesus and His disciples cautioned us to be aware of was that of thinking more highly of ourselves then we ought. It’s easy to let self to get in the way of truth.  Solomon tells us, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) You see, when I think that my way is always the right way, and I don’t care what others think, it can lead me right into Satan’s hand. No matter how right I might think that I am, my way is not always right. And here is why, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) God’s ways and thoughts are not like ours. Even Paul tells us, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:25-29) Don’t let your righteousness deceive you, “For we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6) We must learn to follow Christ and allow His ways to be the ways that we choose to follow. 

Sing: I thought that number one, would sure be me, I thought I could be whatever I wanted it to be, I thought, that I could build on life’s sinking sand, but I can’t even walk, without You holding my hand.

Lord, I can’t even walk, without You holding my hand, the mountains to high, and the valleys to wide. Down on my knees, that’s where I’ve learned to stand, and I can’t even walk, without You holding my hand.

Thought For Today: Righteousness without godly wisdom is just showmanship.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 27

Are You Going To Stay Down or Get Back Up?

“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” (Micah 7:8)

Today’s Morsel: In boxing, your opponents’ goal is to hit you hard enough that he can knock you down, and then that the referee can count to ten before you able to get up, and you will lose the bout. So, what are you going to do when Satan hits you with a blow that knocks you down and it takes the wind out of you? Are you going to stay down, and say, I’ve had enough. Or are you going to get up and fight again? Micah told his enemy not to rejoice over him when he fell as he will arise again. Solomon said, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…” (Proverbs 24:16) The choice to remain down is up to you. You can stay down when you fall and make a mistake, and allow the adversary to tease and torment you, and he becomes the bully on the playground, or you can get up and fight him again. Anytime the enemy knocks you down, you must know that Jesus will not allow you to remain down if you want to get back up. He will strengthen you if you worship Him. As He told Peter, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32) No matter how many times you find yourself feeling like you have been knocked down, get up. Because each time you get up, it increases your faith to win, and it will encourage others to get up, too.

Sing: There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb. There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

Thought For Today: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 26

How Are The Mighty Fallen

“How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!” (2 Samuel 1:25-27)

Today’s Morsel: Around the world today, but especially here in America, we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for love of country and their fellow man. Warfare has a way of leaving a memory in the minds of loved ones and friends of what many may never understand. There has been many poems, quotes, and songs written about this day, to honor the mighty who have fallen. It has been stated that all gave some, but some gave all. And that is what this day is about. Honoring those who gave all. This day cannot be described with words or speeches by man. It can only be described by us who are alive and remain to not let their death be in vain.  Today is not a day to honor the living in uniform who go about to protect our freedoms and ways of life. It is about those, who like Jesus Christ, gave all that others might live.  I salute my comrade in arms who gave all that others may live free.  

Sing: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah.  Glory! Glory! Hallelujah. His truth is marching on.

Thought For Today: A hero is one who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.    

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 24

Don’t Keep Going Back To Your Mess

“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11)

Today’s Morsel: Some folks just like going back to their old way of life that God has brought them out of. Solomon said that it is like a dog returning to eat his own vomit. Isaiah said that it is like a drunken man staggering in his vomit (Isaiah 19:14). Peter said. “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22) Why would one want to return to foolishness, hurt, suffering, drunkenness, and pain, when God has brought them out and has given them a new way of life? Paul calls for us to, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1) We must not allow ourselves to get entangled  again with the old lifestyle that God has delivered us from. Again, Paul informs us, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-12) We are now on our way to heaven, and sin cannot enter there. As Isaiah said:“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isaiah 35:8)Don’t go back to your old mess, it’s not worth your eternal salvation.

Sing: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; but the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me; Love lifted me, love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love, lifted me. 

Thought For Today: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 23

Turn Around or Suffer The Consequence

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Proverbs 27:12)

Today’s Morsel: The story is told of two priests that were standing along the roadway with a sign that said, “Turn Around”. But people kept driving past them and then their cars would just disappear. Finally, after many cars kept disappearing, one of the priests said to the other, ‘Do, you think we ought to change our sign to say, “Turn around, the bridge is out?” Sometimes, if you don’t give folks the full message, they may lose their life because they don’t understand the message. Solomon states, A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.”  One who has wisdom and discernment will stop and consider the evil that they see before them and will either take a different route or avoid it all together. Many people are incarcerated and in jail or prison because even through they saw the evil, they chose to participate in it rather than avoid it. Paul tells us that in the last days, evil seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. He told the church at Thessalonica to abstain from appearances of evil. Therefore, we must remain alert to ensure that we do not fall into their evil traps. When we feel that unction from the Holy Ghost to avoid certain places and people, we must not lean unto our own understanding, we must obey. 

Sing: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.  

Thought For Today: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;” (Ephesians 5:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 22

The Bible Is For Your Protection

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” (Proverbs 30:5)

Today’s Morsel: Some folks that read the Bible think that God is out to hurt them. But really, that’s not the purpose of the Bible. The Bible is God’s book for showing us how to live and have a successful and productive life. The stories in the Bible are to show us what happens when people do wrong, and do not follow the laws and ways of God. God is a God of character, righteousness, and truth. The application of life, which is found in the Bible, must be applied to our lives or we will follow the track of wrong as the stories in the Bible show us. The Bible teaches us how to love, care for, help, and treat others as we would like to be loved, cared for, helped, and treated. It’s called the ‘Golden Rule’. God’s word is a protector for us. It’s designed to help keep us safe and from falling into dangerous and evil ways. The way that God protects us is by His word, which His word is He Himself. This is why James tells us, I believe, not to be just a hearer of the word but we must also be a doer of it. If we want to have His protection, then we must obey His word. When Samuel told Saul that obedience was better than sacrifice, I believe that he was telling him that doing right according to God’s word, will always protect him from evil practices and evil ways. If you want to have God’s protection, then you must obey His word. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Sing: O, victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever, He sought me, and He brought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere, I knew Him and all my love His due Him, He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.  

Thought For Today: “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” (Psalms 119:160)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 21

Don’t Build Your Altar Too Late

“And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.” (1 Samuel 14:35)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture we see the importance of altars. One of the first items the children of Israel encountered when they came to worship in the wilderness, was the brazen altar. It was a place of death. Altars were designed to keep one humble and abased. They were a place for seeking God and for keeping one’s relationship with Him intact. Altars were for sacrificing to God. Altars were not for seeking God in time of trouble, they were for seeking God before trouble. Scripture says that Saul was troubled and feared the Philistines, and that he had even commanded that no one eat anything which caused his soldiers to be fearful. Not only did they fear the Philistines, but they feared the order given by the king, as they knew that Saul would kill them. But Jonathan did not hear the order. Jonathan took matters into his hands to attack the Philistines with God’s help. And now, Saul hears noise of fighting and decides to build an altar to seek God. Scripture says that it was the first altar that he built unto the Lord. Now that he is fearful and uncertain, he decides to build and altar. I believe that if he had built an altar when he was first elected to be king, he would not have been rebellious, fearful, scared of his enemies, and rejected by God. We must build your altar now, early before things happen in our lives. As Isaiah said, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7) We must seek Him daily, at our altar, so that we can keep your relationship with God strong and firm. So, that when we feel that our enemies are greater than we, we can just take it to the Lord in prayer and watch God work on our behalf.

Sing: Lord, I can’t even walk without You holding my hand, the mountains to high and the valleys to wide. Down on my knees, that’s where I’ve learned to stand. And I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

Thought For Today: Don’t build your altar too late. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 20

What’s Troubling You?

“On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.” (Esther 6:1)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever had one of those nights that you just couldn’t sleep because something was bugging you, and you couldn’t figure out what it was? Well, the story in Esther shows us one of those nights. Haman, the ruthless Agagite, was out to kill all the Jews, but Esther and Mordecai had called for a fast and prayer meeting of the people to intercede on her behalf before she went to the King for his help. I am of a firm belief that when God’s people intercede for others, He will hear and make a way where there seems to be no way.  And so, just when Haman was about to carry out his plan, going to asks the king for permission to hang Mordecai, God intercedes and bring to the king’s memory that nothing has been done for Mordecai for saving His life. Not only was Haman chosen by the king to parade Mordecai through the streets on his horse, but the gallows which Haman had built to hang Mordecai on were used to hang Haman himself. Sometimes those sleepless nights just might be God’s way of calling to your remembrance for you to check to see if you have done the things that you know you ought to do. Maybe it is a reminder to send a letter of thanks to someone for what they did for you, or maybe it is for you to call and settle that settle a disagreement with a brother or sister, or a reminder to fulfill a pledge that you have made. Whatever it may be, you can never go wrong if you get up, open the book (The Bible), and start looking through its pages, as it always has a way of bringing things to your remembrance that you may have forgotten.

Sing: He touched me, oh He touched me, and oh the joy that floods my soul; something happened, and now I know, Jesus touched me and made me whole.

Thought For Today: God won’t wake you up for nothing.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 19

Shew Me Thy Glory

“And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exodus 33:17-20)

Today’s Morsel: Like Moses, this desire to see God’s face has caught the heart of many. Even Phillip asks Jesus to show them the Father, to which Jesus tells him that he that has seen Him have seen the Father (John 14:8-9). So, why could the disciples see God’s face and live, and Moses could not see God’s face and live? The answer, Paul said, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16) God’s brightness would have killed him.  The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18) Both Paul and the writer of Hebrews, said that God took on flesh and blood and became like us, yet without sin. John said, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) Again, the writer of Hebrew tells us: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (Hebrews 1:1-4) We can now see Him and even touch Him. And as the scriptures say, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Sing: The splendor of the King, robed in majesty, let all the earth rejoice, let all the earth rejoice. He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide, it trembles at His voice, it trembles at His voice. How great is our God, sing with me how great if our God; and all the world will see, how great is our God.

Thought For Today:  “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us” (1 John 1:1-2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 17

Sanctuary Cities

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

Today’s Morsel: If you follow the news, I’m sure that you have heard a lot about sanctuary cities. This was a concept established by God for the children of Israel when they came into the Promised Land. “The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime. And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.” (Joshua 20:1-6): It was to be a place for safety only if the person had killed someone accidently, and they knew that the avenger would want to get even. Solomon said that the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and is safe. When we may accidently sin, do wrong things, or say things that we ought not to have said, we can go to Jesus for safety to prevent Satan from trying to take us and cause us harm. Not only was Jesus our high priest, but He has died for our sins which allows us to be free. Jesus is our sanctuary city. So, anything the devil accuses you of, you can enter in to name of Jesus and find safety.

Sing: Saved and I’m happy today, thanks be to God for this I can say, that I’m saved and I’m happy today, I’m walking up the Kings highway.

Thought For Today: “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:23)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 16

Maintain A Heart of Gratitude

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalms 136:1)

Today’s Morsel: Every Christian’s heart ought to be always filled with gratitude. We ought to always have a heart of thankfulness. Complaining, murmuring and bickering, ought to be far from us. If we can stand in the church and praise and sing about God’s goodness, then we should know that we have been blessed and fortunate. Jeremiah tells us that, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:22) If you have ever read Psalm 136, you will notice that the psalmist says that God’s mercies endureth forever 26 time. Once in every verse. And again, Jeremiah said, “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23) There are just so many wonderful things that God does for us daily, that in most cases we don’t even stop to recognize them because we have become so accustomed to them. Do you tell your spouse thanks for making dinner? Do you thank the store clerk for checking you out at Walmart, and the stocker for stocking the shelfs? Do you thank your pastor for the sermon he preaches? Do you thank your boss for allowing you to work for his company? Do you thank others who show you things that you did not know? Do you thank the Lord for your family, home, auto, and health? Do you thank God for the Holy Ghost and being baptized in His name? These are just a few of the things that we ought to have a heart of gratitude for. One of the last things that Moses told the children of Israel just before they crossed into the Promised Land was, don’t forget God. Whatever you do, don’t ever forget to give God thanks. Remember the story of the Ten Lepers that Jesus healed. Only one of them came back to give Jesus thanks.  And he was not only healed, but made whole.  

Sing: Thanks, Thanks, I give you thanks, for all You have done. I am so blessed, my soul has found rest. O’ Lord, I give You thanks.

Thought For Today: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 15

Pure Thoughts

“Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.” (Ecclesiastes 9:8)

Today’s Morsel: One of the most important things that we must work on when we become born-again is that of our character. That which causes us to standout and attract others to Christ.  A pure character is guided by pure thoughts from the Holy Ghost. John states: “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27) Jesus said: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13). The Holy Ghost serves as a teacher, tutor, and counsellor, to guide us and to lead us into becoming more and more like Jesus. You want your mind to be clear, clean, and pure. You don’t want evil, confusion, and unrighteous thoughts to be in you. As Jesus said, “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man…. And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (Mark 7:15, 20-23) You must purge your mind daily to keep impure thoughts out. David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24) Purity of heart and thoughts begin with allowing the Holy Ghost to lead and teach you. If you are dealing with a troubled mind and your thoughts, get back to the altar and let the Holy Ghost redirect you.

Sing: Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? 

Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Thought For Today: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 14

You Can’t Live By Bread Only

“All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: Spiritual growth and development start with obedience. Israel, even though they had been in captivity for over 400 years, we see that God still provided for them. And we see that even after God had brought them out of captivity, they wanted to go back because they said, “We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.” (Numbers 11:5-6) Their mindset was we had rather be in captivity eating freely then to go where we don’t have food and where we are going.  I believe this is why some folks backslide and go back into the world. They think that they had it better back there then where God is leading and taking them now. They want it now, instead of learning how to wait for what God is doing in their lives and has for them in the future. Moses knew that the question of why God caused them journey in for forty-years, the wilderness, was in the camp. And so, he told them, “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Maybe you have questions about what God is doing in your life. Let me encourage you, just keep obeying God’s word and you will see that He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Sing: Jesus! Jesus! You know what’s best for me. Lead on, Jesus! I’ll go wherever You lead.

Thought For Today: “He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.” (Proverbs 4:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 13

Let’s Please The Cloud Of Witnesses

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: Whether we like to think so or not, but we are crowd pleasers. Sports teams wants to please the crowd. Soldiers marching in a parade want to please the crowd. The child chosen to have the led role in the school play, wants to please the crowd. The evangelist chosen to minister at General Conferences, wants to please the crowd. The actor chosen to be in a movie, wants to please the crowd.  The writer of Hebrews states, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” He says, you’ve got to please the crowd by how you live your faith out before others, each, and every day. He says that the patriarchs of old are watching the race, and because we are on their team, run to win.  He reaches back to the eleventh chapter where he tells us of the faith of patriarchs who went before us and their races. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jospeh, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, David, Samuel, Samson, Japheth, Gideon, and many others, these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40) They ran and set a good example for us. And so, now, they are our cloud of witnesses, to see if we are going to keep running the same race that they ran while looking and keeping our eyes on Jesus, as they did, who is the author and finisher of all our faith. Jesus is the one that puts us in the race, and He will be the one at the finish line to welcome us home and to say, Well done.

Sing: If when you give the best of your service, telling the world that the Savior has come, be not dismayed, when friends don’t believe you, He’ll understand and say, “Well done!”

Thought For Today: “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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 12

 Stop Blaming Temptation

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Today’s Morsel: A few days ago, I mentioned that temptation was not a sin until you give into it. And that is true. Like other sins, they cannot do anything to us until we give in to them. Even when Samuel asks Saul why he offered burnt offering unto the Lord when he knew that that went against God’s word, he said, “I forced myself.”  I can remember the Flip Wilson television show in the 60’s, where he used the catch phrase, “The Devil Made Me Do It.” He said that when he was tempted, fell into temptation, and gave into those temptations, he did it because 0f the devil that enticed him and he blamed the devil for causing him to give in to them. The devil cannot make you give into temptation. James say that we give in to them when we are drawn away by our own lust and enticed. If you become overweight, it is because you sit and eat two Bigmacs with cheese, an extra-large fry, and two large Cokes or Pepsi’s every day for lunch; it is not McDonald’s fault that you do that. It’s your own lust that is drawing you. We can’t keep blaming temptation for all our wrongdoing. Somewhere in our walk with God, we must become mature and grow up so that we do not allow ourselves to keep giving in to our flesh. Paul says that there hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.God will always give you a way out, or the ability to walk away from what you are being tempted by. You just need to be sensitive to the Holy Ghost when it speaks to you. And you must want to see the way out.  But if you override it, then you are forcing yourself and the temptation will win every time.

Sing: Temptations, hidden snares, often take us unawares, and our hearts are made to bleed for each thoughtless word or deed; and we wonder why the test, when we try to do our best, but we’ll understand it better by and by.

By and by when the morning comes, When all the saints of God are gathering home, we will tell the story, how we’ve overcome, we will understand it better by and by.

Thought For Today: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 10

The Duty of A Mother

“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:1-31)

Today’s Morsel: The 31^st chapter of the book of Proverbs has often been contributed to the good, righteous, worthy, honorable, moral, upright, honest, and virtuous woman. A godly woman, and especially mothers, ought to always fit this description, as her price is far above rubies. I am always reflecting on my mother and the things that she taught me. I owe a lot of what I have learned in my life to my mother. I learned how to cook, do laundry, iron, clean house, and work hard from my mother. My mother was an early riser, and had breakfast prepared for us because she knew that we had to be in the field by the time the sun was coming up. I can remember my mother walking through the house often singing or humming, “In the Garden”. Even today, I can sing every word of that song without a song book, it stuck with me. Mothers are so important to the family and the household. So let me encourage you today that if you are a mother, your duty is not easy, but it is so rewarding. You may have done everything that you could to raise your children the right way, and to make your home a godly home, and some of your children may have chosen to wonder away from the faith. Don’t be discouraged. Jesus simply says, “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 17:10) God understands and He will reward you in the end. What you have planted into your children is taking root and will bring forth fruit.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Sing: If when you give, the best of your service, telling the world that the Savior has come, be not dismay when friends don’t believe you, He’ll understand and say well done.

Thought For Today: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:30-31)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 9

Living In The Overflow

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: Jesus said that He has come to give us life and that more abundant (John 10:10). When is the last time you’ve checked your life to see if you are living in the overflow. Is God more than enough for you? Or do you still feel as though you are missing something? When Christ told Paul, My grace is sufficient for you, he even stopped asking for his thorn to be removed. He simply said, I will live with this because when I am weak then am I strong. Paul felt that he could endure in the overflow of God’s grace and not worry about his pain and suffering. You see, when you live in the overflow, you never stop praising God for His goodness, mercy and truth. David lived in the overflow. Psalm 23 is just one of those psalms that he wrote to express God’s blessings in his life with overflow. For example, he says, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Right out of the gate he lets us know that God is going to take care of him, no matter what. Paul informs us, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:11-13) He said, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. You don’t have to worry about want. Look around you. You probably have more right before your eyes then you will ever need or use.  Paul concludes, “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.” (Philippians 4:18-19) He said that God would supply our need. Paul was living in the overflow of God’s grace, mercy, and provisions, because he knew that there is no end nor limit to God’s goodness. How do you live your life each day? Are you living in the overflow?

Sing: My God is more than enough, He shall supply all my need, He is my El-Shaddai, He always look after me; Jehovah-Jireh, He is my God. So, why should I worry about the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs, when by my faith I know, My God is more than enough, He shall supply all my need, He is my El-Shaddai, He always look after me, Jehovah-Jireh, He is my God.

Thought For Today: “The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalms 24:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 8

Forgiveness Ought To Be Easy

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Today’s Morsel: One of the easiest things for Christians that they ought to be able to do is to forgive. We ought to be ready to forgive folks when they do us wrong. You say, that’s easy for you to say. Not it isn’t. We already know that scripture says. “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.” (Hebrews 10:30) You see, if I take matters into my hands to get even, I may lose my soul. Jesus said, “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” (Matthew 5:25). To tell someone that you forgive them, and move on, is much easier than you getting into a fight, someone getting hurt, and you being found guilty and being sent to prison for your actions. Which would have been easier? Forgiveness isn’t about the other person. It’s about you. You must walk the high road not the low. If you take the high road, you will do what God and His word tells you to do. But if you take the low road, you will see the other person as wrong and you will want to see them burn and evil happen to them for what you feel they did to you. It would have been easy for Jesus to call down fire from heaven, or summons thousands of angels, upon those that crucified Him. But do you know what He did? He prayed for them. He said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Think about His prayer. Forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing. Most folks, when they do you wrong or cause you hurt, don’t have a clue why they are doing it to you. You may say they do know what they are doing. No, they may not. They may not yet be at the point in their relationship with Jesus where they know right from wrong and how to follow God’s word and treat others. I don’t care if they’ve been in the church all their lives. Some folks don’t have a true relationship with Christ. Jesus has already told us that there are those whom He does not know. They may attend church, but they may have never gotten to the point where they love God more than themselves. You see, your relationship with Christ, and the Holy Ghost which you have received, will reveal to you what you must do when others do you wrong. And this is why it ought to be easier for you to forgive when others do you wrong. 

Sing: Every hour of the day, keep me dear Lord I pray, let me walk in the light, let me hold fast to Him, so my way want grow dim, let me walk in the gospel light. 

Let me walk in the light, in the great gospel light, let me walk in the gospel light. Till my journey is over and I travel no more, let me walk in the gospel light.

Thought For Today: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:” (Matthew 6:14)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 7

Would You Like To Buy Some Grace?

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Today’s Morsel: It appears that you can purchase some of anything that you want online. I was sitting in my living room talking with one of our guests, and we got into a conversation about purchasing chairs. And the next thing I knew, there were things showing up on my phone for chair offers and the companies that I could buy the ones we were talking about. Whatever you want, you can get it online. This is why a lot of in-store shopping is going by the wayside. Folks are seeing it more convenient to shop online then in person. Believe me, you can buy sermons to preach online, Bible studies, books for depression, stress, suicidal thoughts, and even how to raise animals. And yes, you can even buy books about mercy and grace. That’s right. You can buy books that teach you about grace, how to give grace, and how to love grace. But isn’t grace free? Doesn’t our Bible teach use how to obtain grace and give grace. The writer of Hebrews tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. So, why pay for something that God is giving for free? Paul even tells us that it is by God’s grace that we are saved. Grace is the basis for our salvation in the New Testament. God knows that we do not deserve His grace (His unmerited love), but He gives it freely anyhow. But I am afraid, that like so many other things that when they are given freely, folks just don’t think that they are worth much, and they don’t want it.

Sing: Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.

Thought For Today: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 6

All Have Sin

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-26)

Today’s Morsel: I think the fallacy of some folks is that they think that it is alright to sin because they are still in this flesh, and that because they sometimes struggle with their flesh in stopping them from sinning, they just use it as a crutch to continue to sin. But Peter calls that foolishness. He says: “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-22) The writer of Hebrews also tells us, that Jesus Christ was tempted in all points just as we are, but He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). In other words, Jesus did not give into His temptations. Temptation is not a sin. Not unless you give in to it. Then it becomes sin. Paul makes the comment that all have sinned. But he asked/told the church at Rome: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:1-3) “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7) “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” (Romans 6:10-12) When we became born-again of the water and the spirit, we died, and we buried the sins which we carried in our lives in the watery grave of baptism. And now we have received power (the Holy Ghost), to teach us, and to help us, not to allow sin to enter and rule in our lives ever again. We all have sinned, but let’s not continue therein.

Sing: Goodbye to sin and things that confound, naught of this world shall turn me around; daily I’m working and I’m praying to, and glory to God, I’m going through.

He set me free, yes, He set me free, He broke the bars of prison for me. I’m glory bound my Jesus to see, glory to God, He set me free.

Thought For Today: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 5

I Never Knew You

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Today’s Morsel: One of the fears of folks, they say, of those who have loved one suffering with dementia and Alzheimer is that of their loved one’s forgetfulness.  They are afraid that their loved one’s will lose their memory and forget who they are and not remember them.  I also find that one of the downfalls of getting older is that of forgetfulness. We just don’t seem to remember as much as we did when we were younger. Jesus says that not everyone that says to Him Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? -  will He know.  But He says:  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. In scripture, when someone knew someone, it was oftentimes referred to a male female relationship where an offspring would be born. And so, I believe, that Jesus was saying is, you have done many things in My name, but there was never a relationship between you and Me to where I came into you, and put my seed (my word, see Luke 8:11) into your heart for reproduction. Because when He places His word in us, there is a relationship to where we start to produce after Him, and our lives will reflect that we know Him and that He knows us. As He said of Abraham, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” (Genesis 18:19)

Sing: He knew me, and yet He loved me, He whose Glory made the heavens shine. I’m so unworthy, of such mercy; yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

Thought For Today: “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 May 3

Restoring Kindness

“Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” (2 Samuel 9:5-7)

Today’s Morsel: In olden times, when a new king or leader was installed, they would oftentimes have all the family of their enemies killed for fear of them uprising and taking revenge against them. But over the course of time, David wanted to show kindness to the house of Saul for his friend Jonathan’s sake. And so he asks if Saul had any other children. He is told no, but that his friend, Jonathan, has a son, but he was lame. And so, David sends for him. I’m sure that when the word reached Mephibosheth that the king wants him, he is probably thinking that his life is about to come to an end. But to his surprise, David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. Can you imagine what Mephibosheth must have felt like when he heard those words. One moment he is without, and the next moment he is rich. He's probably thinking death, but David had in his own heart, like God, to restore kindness. You see, David had felt the kindness of God, and he knew that God’s loving kindness is always better than life. This is the attitude that must encompass all of us. We must never seek to gain revenge for what others do to us. But we must always be ready to restore kindness when the opportunity presents itself. Always remember, we reap what we sow. As Paul admonishes us: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Sing: Thy lovingkindness is better than life. Thy lovingkindness is better than life. My lips shall praise Thee, thus will I bless Thee; I will lift-up my hands unto Thy name.

Thought For Today: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)