Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 December 16

Come All Ye Faithful

 

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

 

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about people who are faithful is that they will always come when you summon them. It ought to be that way with everyone in the church. Those who are faithful to Jesus will be at church without having to be asked. They have learned that church is associated with Jesus, and they don’t want to miss out on being in His presence with others of like precious faith. But on the other hand, those who are not faithful to Jesus, we shouldn’texpect them to be faithful to church nor to you. Until man realizes that he cannot live by bread alone, he won’t be faithful to church. As born-again believers, we need fellowship with Christ and His people. The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isaiah 55:1-3) Do you hear the Spirit calling for you to come? Don’t delay, the door may be getting ready to close.

Sing: O come all ye faithful, joyful, and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

 

Thought For Today: A faithful man shall abound with blessings.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 December 15

Lost

“And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)

 

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever been lost in the woods? Do you know why some folks get lost in the woods? When they realize they don’t know where they are, they panic, and try to find their own way out, and they usual go in deeper. They listen to an unknown voice telling them that they are lost and that something bad is going to happen to them and so they fear. John warned us that fear torments us. It causes us to panic and think there isn’t any help or hope for us.  But if folks would just remain in place, it would be easier for others to find them. When people feel spiritually lost, they often do the same thing, they panic and listen to the wrong voice; and end up with the wrong results.  Jesus said that the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus always knows where you are. And He can find you even if you feel lost, He still knows where you are. So just stand still, be patient, and Jesus will show you the way.  

 

Sing: Standing on the Rock of Ages, safe from all alarm that rages, I’m rich but not of Satan’s wages, I’m standing on the solid rock.

 

Thought For Today: Stand still and see the salvation of God.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 December 13

It’s Time To Hear Again

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)

Today’s Morsel: I don’t know if you have noticed it or not, but it seems as though many people are having trouble with hearing. For some reason, many have lost their hearing or have a decrease in hearing due to a prolonged period of exposure to loud noises or other medical issues. Just about every day, I receive an ad in the mail about hearing aids and hearing loss. When it comes to the church, Jesus wants us to hear what He is saying to us, as many do not hear what is being said due to distractions, hardness of heart, and cares of this life. If you ask most people what was preached or taught by the minister or pastor the previous Sunday, they can’t tell you. If you ask them how what was preached or taught apply to their life, they can’t tell you. Sadly, in most case they did not hear or understand. Granted, there may be many factors that can prevent hearing. The minister’s mannerism can distract from hearing. Using Greek and Hebrew words that confuse the listener; degrading comments; are a few examples of what can distract the hearer. Jesus wants us to hear what His Spirit is saying to His church. When His church doesn’t hear, it can easily be deceived and led away. Jesus said, My sheep know my voice, and I am known of them and another they will not follow. If you can’t tell someone what was said, you didn’t hear. I’m sure you’ve heard the adage, “I know you think that you heard what I said, but I don’t think you understood what I meant.  Jesus told His disciples to go teach and baptize in His name (Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:47). He didn’t say in the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, He said in the name. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19) When we read the book of Acts and the Epistles, we can clearly see and hear that the name for baptism is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as there is no other name given to us whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Is it time to hear again?

Sing: Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Thought For Today: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 December 12

Esteeming Others

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: In most of his letters to the church, the apostle Paul calls for others to esteem others better than themselves. I think Paul does this to keep others humble and without self-exaltation. You see, it’s easy to look down on others when we forget where we came from, and we may think that we have arrived. Abraham Lincoln, Americas 16^th President, stated that when we reach the top we should turn around and help someone else up. In other words, help others to achieve and get where you are. Keep in mind, any rewards, diplomas, or accolades you receive, you did not do it all own your own. Somewhere, someone else help you with your achievements. Whether it was a teacher sharing the lessons with you, a fellow student working and helping you, your parents paying for your schooling, or you got a grant, someone helped you. Esteeming others doesn’t’ mean that you are less than others, it simply means that you have a heart to help others achieve and accomplish their goals and to better themselves.

Sing: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shores; 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: “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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 December 11

Speaking With Compassion

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” (Philippians 4:1)

Today’s Morsel: Having compassion can make a difference in the life of others. How we use our compassion may be the life or death of someone. Compassion, in a sense, is like the trait of tact. Knowing what to say and how to say it without offending someone and yet get your point across to bring about change is essential. If you will notice, even though Paul’s letters to the churches are sometimes curt and cutting, as you read them, you will find that he has a deep spirit of compassion and empathy in his writings to his readers. “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” (Philippians 4:1) This is how we all, as born-again believers, must be. Filled with compassion. Jude calls for us: “And of some have compassion, making a difference:” (Jude 1:22) As Paul said, we must speak the truth in love. If you want to make everlasting friends, let compassion become your daily guide. 

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, as long as there is love we can stand.

Thought For Today: Compassion … The cure for the broken and lonely heart of others.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 December 10

Looking For A Place That Is Safe?

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

Today’s Morsel: It seems that it was just a few years ago that America and the world’s streets and neighborhoods were safe places. You could hitchhike along the road and people would pick you up and take you safely to your destination. You could leave your home, car, and barn unlocked and no one would take your car nor enter your home or barn without your permission. So, what has happened? What has happened is, we have allowed the prince of this world and its corruptness, murder, lies, backbiting, sexual promiscuity, and lawlessness, to become a part of the family and we have invited it right into our homes through television, radio, sports, and social media, which has corrupted the minds of children and adults alike, causing them to think that gain is godliness. And now Satan and his evil ones rule the neighborhood and streets. Paul tried to warn us when he wrote under the unction of the Holy Ghost, “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) So, are there any safe places anymore? Yes, you can always find a safety in Jesus. But it will require you to trust Him and believe in Him to know that He is there and that you are under the shadow of His wings. He will protect you and keep you safe, even in these perilous time. 

Sing: Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O’ what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchased of God; born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

Thought For Today: “Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.” (Psalms 63:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 December 9

24/7 Peace of Mind

“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)

Today’s Morsel: The loss of peace seems to have invaded the life and homes of so many. Like Little Bo Peep, who lost her sheep and didn’t know where to find them, many have lost their peace and don’t know where to find it. They keep looking, yet in all the wrong places. Isaiah tells us where we can find it. “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) Your peace is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ, as He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) You see, we can forfeit a lot of the things that we need, like peace, contentment, and joy, in our life, if we don’t keep Jesus in His rightful place and as priority one in our life. Scripture tells us that without Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5). Paul states: “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” (Ephesians 2:14-15) If we want 24/7 Peace of Mind, then we must stay focused on Jesus, and allow Him to keep us in perfect peace.

Sing: Peace of God, cover me, through the storm cover me. Peace of God, cover me, through the storm, cover me. Cover me when I’m hurting, cover me when I’m not strong, cover me when I’m going through the storm! Cover me when all seems hopeless, cover me when my faith is gone, let the peace that passes all I understand, so cover me.

Thought For Today: “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)