Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 January 22

Surprise Your Prayers Have Been Answered

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” (Acts 12:1-16)

Today’s Morsel: I am so glad that I learned at an early age as a Christian, that God’s ways are not my ways nor are His thoughts. In today’s passage, we see that Peter had been arrested and placed in prison by Herod, after he had killed the apostle James, and he was holding him to kill him at Easter. But prayers for Peter were being made by the church for his release. When God sent an angel and released him, Peter went to home of Mary, John Mark’s, mother. But when he knocked on the door, the people did not believe that it was him. To their surprise it was him, but they did not believe it even with him standing right before them. I have always questioned, and asked myself this, if they were praying for his release, why didn’t they believe he would be released? If we are going to pray and ask God to heal, deliver, provide for, and make a way, then we should not be faithless. We must get ready to receive His answer and see the outcome at the door! 

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: All things are possible to him that can believe.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 January 21

Let’s Go To Church

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalms 122:1)

Today’s Morsel: There seems to be a spirit that is stealing the joy of people and preventing them from wanting to go to church. Paul states: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-15) If Satan can stop your development and stability in Christ, he wins. The Psalmist informs us: “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” (Psalms 77:13) We learn God’s way when we go to church. And again David said, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” (Psalms 27:4-6) He only wanted one thing. To go to church. It’s in the church where we learn and understand the ways of God and get on the road to heaven. Jacob, while sleeping on a rock under his head, had a dream and he observed the angels of God ascending and descending on a ladder in heaven, and God was at the top of the ladder. And when he awakens, he said, this is none other than the house of God and the gateway to heaven. Let me encourage you, go to church, and get on the road that will lead you there.

Sing: In His presence, there’s fulness of joy, at His right hand, there’s pleasures forever more. O’ what fellowship divine, I am His, and He is mine.  In the presence of the Lord, there is fulness of joy.

Thought For Today:  A person who says that they are a Christian but does not go to church is fooling themselves.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 January 20

Watchout For That Spirit Of Unbelief

“But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:17-19)

Today’s Morsel: If you are a follower of the news, then you’ve probably said to yourself and to others time and time again, “I can’t believe that people can be so unwise and senseless.” Those last days, which were spoken by Jesus and the apostles, seem to be closer than we may think. Jesus said, “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26-30) Paul tells us: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7) Now is not the time to allow that spirit of unbelief to get into your heart and captivate your mind to where you fall short of the promise and miss the mark of the prize. Remember, the just must live by faith. 

Sing: Well, I’m getting ready to leave this place, I’m getting ready for those gates of pearls; keeping my record straight, watching both day and night. Well, I’m getting ready to leave this place.

Thought For Today: He that cometh to God must believe that He is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 January 19

The Time Is Always Right To Do What Is Right

“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)

Today’s Morsel: Today our Nation celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Because he was a minister of the gospel, many of his speeches against inequality, racism, and wrong in America, came from the word of God. And when you sit and listen to his speeches, there is always an undercurrent, telling other’s that there is always a right time to do what is right. Especially when it comes to the treatment of others. No matter if he was speaking to the President of the United States, congress, business dealers, a church congregation, or the young students in colleges or school, his messages were the same; There is always a right time to do what is right. When he led marches in the streets across America, they were peaceful marches. There was no burning of buildings, looting, or robbing. It was always peaceful, because anything else would go against the word of God and not accomplish the intended purpose of the march. There is always a right time to do what is right if we say that we are born-again and know Jesus.  The apostle Peter states: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24) Dr. King, like Jesus, left us an example of how we should live unto righteousness and do what is always right. Are you following their example?

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

Thought For Today: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 January 17

Life’s Lessons

“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.” (Proverbs 4:1-4)

Today’s Morsel: If you were to stop and evaluate your life, what life lessons would you say that you have learned? Everything in life teaches you a lesson, but you must be willing to learn. If you are not willing to learn the lessons of life the first go round, you are sure to repeat them again. Life is so much easier when we are willing to learn the first time. Especially from God’s Word. David said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalms 119:11) Remember, the Bible is just Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. If you study the Bible in advance, when the trials and test of life come, you will probably pass them with flying colors and learn the lesson for which they came. Do you know why Job didn’t give up in his troubles? He prepared for them before they came. He said, “My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:11-12); “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15). Job understood that what happens to others can also happen to him. He knew that it rains on the just and the unjust. He understood that life can throw you some curve balls that you sometimes aren’t going to be able to hit. And even if you swing out as the might Casey did in Mudville, you can still go down in history with your head held high.

Sing: Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified; Knowing it not it was for me He died, on Calvary. Mercy, there was great and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burden soul found liberty, at Calvary. 

Thought For Today: Lessons of life comes in all shapes and sizes. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 January 16

The Crown of Righteousness

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:1-8)

Today’s Morsel: The Bible has a lot to say about righteousness. Righteousness is the quality of being morally right or justifiable. It is a moral state of being, and a way of life that involves living in accordance with God’s Word and His character. It deals with having right relationships with others, acting right, and living right. When David prayed and asked the Lord: “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” (Psalms 15:1-5) David founded that it’s about righteousness.  Notice, he must consistently act according to God’s principles, by making righteous living a habit in his life. The writing is for our learning, Paul said (11 Corinthians 10:11) We cannot receive the Crown of Righteousness if we are not living right. Remember, we reap what we sow!

Sing: If I walk in the pathway of duty, O’ Lord; If I work until 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 Lord. 

When I’ve gone, the last mile of the way, oh yeah; I shall rest at the close of the day. For I know, there is a crown awaiting there for me, O’ Lord; When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.

Thought For Today: See that no man steals your crown!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 January 15

Winning

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever noticed how must emphasis is placed on the mind in the Bible? The writers seem to understand that without a clear and made-up mind it is impossible for us to win. The Lord states: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) Paul states: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Isaiah states: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” (Isaiah 26:3-4) You can only win when your mind is stronger than your emotions. Your emotions will sometimes be up and down and all around; But if you keep your mind stayed on Jesus, it will be strong and He will propel you to victory.

Sing: I heard an old story, how a Savior came from glory; How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me. I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning; Then I repented of my sins, and won the victory. 

O’ victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever; He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.  

Thought For Today: Always remember that the carnal mind is enmity against God.