Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 23

Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Swine

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matthew 7:6)

Today’s Morsel: In scripture, dogs and swine represent people who are “chronically antagonistic” to the gospel. These are those that are willfully resistant and disrespectful to the word and anything that reflects God. Solomon states: “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” (Proverbs 23:9) Keep in mind, it is the fool that says in their heart that there is no God, so don’t waste your time. This is one of the reasons why we need wisdom and the spirit of discernment when we go about to witness the truth of the gospel. You can oftentimes know those who want to hear the gospel. They are more open and willing to listen to what you have to say and may even ask you some questions without trying to trip you up or show contempt toward you. But the antagonistic will often get loud and try to embarrass you. “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” (Jude 1:17-19) They may call you names and try to drive others away from you. These are those that you must not waste your time on. Jesus didn’t, His disciples didn’t, and neither should you. The gospel is holy. And because it represents who Jesus is, you must not cast it before dogs which return to their vomit nor the swine which will return to wallow in the mire. He is holy, and so is His word.

Sing: If I walk in the pathway of duty, oh Lord; If I seek for His sheep that’s already gone astray, I’m sure a reward in His glory, when I’ve gone the last mile of the way.

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

Thought For Today: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 22

Diligence

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” (Proverbs 22:29)

Today’s Morsel: Why is diligence important to a Christian? Let me insert a few synonyms for the word ‘diligence’, to see if that will help us.  We must be industrious, meticulous, thorough, conscientious, attentive, careful, and persistent. Some folks are always busy. And when you ask them what they are busy doing they have no clue. If you are going to be busy, then at least know why you are. If you keep the word ‘busy’ in your vocabulary, you will wear yourself out. Try using one of the other synonyms, it’s more Christian and you will feel better about yourself. Solomon said that if you see a man industrious, meticulous, thorough, conscientious, attentive, careful, and persistent, he will stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men. Jospeh was placed in prison for being charged with attempted rape. His sentence seems to have been, or maybe was, life in prison. But even though he was accused, he still did his business with diligence. And in the process of time, God elevated him to stand before Pharaoh, King of Egypt, who elevate him to second-in-command. I don’t think Jospeh was busy, I believe he was diligent. Scripture said that daily he went into the house to do his business. He went in to do his duty. 

Sing: When you see me praying, I’m working on the building, I’m going up to heaven, to get my reward. Well I never get tired, working on the building, I’m going up to heaven, to get my reward. 

Thought For Today: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 Apr 21

The Wages of Sin Is Death

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:15-23)

Today’s Morsel: I often ask myself, Why would a person walk away from the sweet word and goodness of God? But they do. But my prayer daily is that the Lord will keep me from falling and preserve me blameless before Him. I want to hear Him say, Well done. For the past 41 years, I have seen just how good and wonderful God truly is. For the first 34 years of my life, I was not aware of all His goodness and benefits. I had heard some of the truth, but not enough to draw me to Him. I would go to church, but nothing shook me to the point to where I wanted to let go of my sins. It was never made known to me that the wages of sin was death. It had never been told me that if I wandered out of the ways of understanding that I would remain in the congregation of the dead (Proverbs 21:16). I was never told that, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” (Proverbs 13:15) But now I understand why my life was turned upside down. I was trying to live without the power to overcome the sin in my life. But one day, when Jesus revealed Himself to me, and I obeyed the gospel and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and filled with His Spirit, sin lost its grip on me. And now I no longer fear death or dying, because sin no longer has a grip on me.

Sing: Once like a bird in prison I dwelt, no freedom from my sorrow I felt, but Jesus came and listened to me, and glory to God, He set me free. 

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: Stay in the way of understanding, as both death and life are eternal. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 20

The Spirit of Man

“The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” (Proverbs 20:27)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever heard some speaking about others say, They have a good spirit about them? Or, They have such a sweet spirit. Ones with this kind of spirit are oftentimes selfless, showing unconditional love, and people who radiate kindness and generosity without expecting anything in return. They are often emotionally sensitive to the needs of others, forgiving, and peace-loving. They build others up. They can often see the good in others and help push them to the top. They give when they see the need, and their actions are genuine, not intending to draw attention to themselves nor fuel their own ego. Solomon states that the spirit of these types of people is the candle of the Lord. Their inward man is being fed from God’s word, and they can see what God is doing and desires of them to do. They are what Jesus calls a city on the hill. They are what He calls the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The spirit of these types of people is called the anointed ones.

Sing: Anointing fall on me, anointing fall on me. Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me. Anointing fall on me.

Thought For Today: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 1:2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 18

Stop Killing Your Faith

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21) 

Today’s Morsel: Some folks are depressed and stressed, and they live in that state because they have put themselves there. While some others suffer from fear and hopelessness, because they have made them their badge of courage. Solomon says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. I have found that in the church some folks just like to belittle and degrade themselves. They have become Debbie Downers. In other words, everything they do and say defeats themselves. They never see themselves on the mountain top. They are always in the valley and Satan is always after them. They are never enthused about anything. They always focus on the negative and never the good. They live in gloom and despair. Do you know which part of the tribes of Israel was always being attacked? It was those in hinder parts. Those who were lagging in the rear and would not keep up. The weak and the feeble minded. If Jesus gave us power when we received the Holy Ghost (and He did), you must stop kill your own faith. Somewhere you must allow the Spirit to start working through you and on your behalf. You must start talking and acting like you are victorious and a child of God. You must get that woe is me, out of your vocabulary and start encouraging yourself like Paul when he said: “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24) It’s time to stop destroying your faith and start living by your faith, or you will not see God. 

Sing: The Lord saved me, tell me, why should I be bound; the Lord saved me, tell me why, should I, be bound. The Lord saved me, tell me why, should I be bound, why should I be bound.

Thought For Today: Hell only wins if you let it. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 17

Self-Control

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” (1 Timothy 2:1-9)

Today’s Morsel: One of the traits of character of Jesus is that of temperance, which is self-control. When we received the Holy Ghost, it gives us power over ourselves. It gives us power to make right choices and right decision. It teaches us to refrain ourselves from all evils. It teaches us how to act. How to behave, and even how to conduct ourselves when it comes to speaking, eating, drinking, sitting, and interacting with others. I have concluded within myself, that those who say that they have the Holy Ghost and cannot control themselves, have deceived themselves. Paul told Timothy, that the women in the church should not only have honor and respect for themselves, but also have sound mindedness and self-control. Solomon states that even a fool who has self-control is counted wise, and he that learns when to speak and when to keep silent is esteemed a man of understanding. The Holy Ghost gives us power over our own desire, we simply need to use the power it gives us.  

Sing: I lean on You Lord, I lean on You Lord, for the things that I need I lean on You. When I don’t know just what to do, I’ve got the faith You’re going to see me through. You supply my every need and I lean on You.

Thought For Today: If you cannot control yourself, the devil will. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 16

Which Is Better

“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16)

Today’s Morsel: I hate it when I am sitting in the chair in the optometrist’s office and she’s flipping the button asking me, which is better, 1 or 2? 3 or 4? Sometimes I will say, “They are the same.” Just to throw her off.  Solomon says how much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver. He’s saying which one is better. Which one of the two do you think is better for your life. Which one do you think is going to provide you with what you need in the long run. Some folks would choose the gold and silver rather than wisdom and understanding. Scripture says, “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12) He says that wisdom is superior to money because it provides spiritual and practical life-giving benefits that wealth cannot, such as longevity or quality of life. He also emphasizes that while money is useful, it is not a substitute for the life-preserving power of wisdom. So, which is better for you?

Sing: How lovely is your dwelling place, Oh God Almighty, for my soul longs and even faints for You; one thing I ask that I might see Your beauty, to find the place where Your glory dwells.

Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere. Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere, than thousands elsewhere. 

Thought For Today: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)