Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 January 17

My Defense

“My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.” (Psalms 7:10)

Today’s Morsel: As Christians, one of the things we need in our walk and spiritual warfare is protection. Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Protection is needed in so many areas of our lives. We need protection first and foremost from ourselves. You may be saying, “I don’t need protection from me.” But really you do. And here’s why. We often say and do things, and then we feel terrible about what we may have said because we know that we can’t get our words back. We may even give in to wrong on the job because we don’t want others to criticize us for our beliefs; or we may think that no one will see us when we do wrong, and then we feel bad because we feel as though we let God down. Therefore, we need protection from ourselves. We also may find that in this warfare, we need protection from wrong thoughts, actions, and conduct of others, because others will try to draw us in to their circles or wrong. The enemy of our soul would love nothing more than to destroy us. Therefore, we must seek God daily for His divine protection. We must have Him become our defense. It is only through Him that we are safe and protected. So, stay under the shadow of His wings.

Sing: God is my refuge and strength, my refuge in time of trouble, trouble. God is my refuge and strength, my refuge in time of trouble. And He will hide me under the rock, under the rock, under the rock; and He will hide me, under the rock; and I’ll be safe in the time of trouble.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 January 16

Where Can We Find Wisdom?

“But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12)

Today’s Morsel: Once we become born-again believers, God expects us to be endowed with His character. We cannot live an abundant life, be joyful, and hope to inspire others in the church and world without wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discretion, and instructions. Without wisdom, we will make fools of ourselves. We will always live a defeated, depressed, and stress filled life. Solomon states: “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.” (Proverbs 2:10-17) So, where can wisdom be found? “I wisdom dwell with prudence and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” (Proverbs 8:12). Whereas wisdom is the deep knowledge of God, prudence is the practical application of that knowledge. They live and operate together. You can’t have one without the other. Whereas wisdom causes us to speak and act properly; prudence prevents us from speaking and acting improperly. When we find Jesus Christ, we will find wisdom and prudence as well.

Sing: Deeper, deeper, every day with Jesus, take me deeper still. Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus, and His perfect will. 

Oh, deeper yet I prayer; and higher every day. And wiser blessed Lord, in Thy precious holy Word. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 January 15

Where Is My Hope?

“And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?” (Job 17:15)

Today’s Morsel: Why does it seem that so many Christians are becoming so hopeless. Are you one of them who feel as though you have lost your hope? Job asked: “What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?” (Job 6:11). Job was starting to feel as though he did not have the inner strength to face the challenges and trials he was facing. And he started to feel hopeless. When Jezebel sent word to Elijah that she as going to kill him, he scanned the battlefield of life, and realized that she had killed the prophets, and that he was no better than they were. And so he ran for his life, and he started to feel hopeless, too. You can’t lose your hope in Christ when you are facing situations and trials in your life. Paul said: “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:24-27) Where is your hope? When Job reconsidered the situation, he said: Is not my help in me? Hope is where it’s always been. Within you.  You haven’t lost it. You just need to stir up the gift that is in you. 

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.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 January 14

What Is Your Request?

“Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!” (Job 6:8)

Today’s Morsel: If you could have your request, what would it be? When Haman was out to destroy all the Jews, Queen Esther invited the King and Haman to a banquet. And when the king arrived, he wanted to know what Esther’s request was. He told her that it would be granted to her even unto the half of his kingdom. What is your request from God?  Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) Are you afraid to ask God for things. Not me!  The Blindman who cried out to Jesus for His help was asked by Jesus what is request was. He said, “Lord that I might receive my sight.” And Jesus said unto him, receive thy sight thy faith hath made thee whole. When Elijah asked Elisha what his request was, Elisha told him I want a double portion of thy spirit. And he received it. James said that you have not because you ask not. So, what is your request?

Sing: Take your burdens to Jesus, your burden He’ll bear, tell Him your sorrow, your sorrow He’ll share; He’s waiting just to bless you, with and outstretched hand, tell Him your troubles, oh yeah, and He’ll understand. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 January 13

Failure To Keep The Promise

“Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.” (2 Chronicles 7:11-22)

Today’s Morsel: When Solomon dedicated the Temple to the Lord, he prayed and asked God to remember Israel, to forgive them of their sins if they confessed them, and to be their protector and deliverer. Solomon’s prayer was so anointed, that scripture says the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house (2 Chronicles 7:2). But the Lord tells Solomon after his prayer and dedication, “I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them. And this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. We are the temple of God and God’s Spirit is always present with us. And when we pray and ask God to be with us, God says, I will if you will. But as the Lord told Solomon, if you go and worship and serve another God, I will cast you off forever. God is going to fulfill the promises that He makes to us. Therefore, we had better fulfill those that we make to him. 

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

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 January 11

Thou Art The Man

“And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;” (2 Samuel 12:1-7)

Today’s Morsel: I think one of the reasons that God tells us not to be too quick to judge others is because all of us have past sin, and in some cases, some have present sins in their lives that could be so easily revealed and brought to light. David, from what we can tell, was a man who loved God and knew that without God he was nothing. David had seen God work in his life and on his behalf, but for some reason, he allowed sin to get into his heart and cause him to do something that went totally against God’s Word. David was not expecting the revelation of truth when God sent the prophet Nathan to his house. Nathan’s parable made David think that he was referring to someone other then himself. By using a wayfaring man and sheep in the parable, David could relate to the importance of protecting the sheep and preventing someone from harming them. He could easily see the wrong. And now being king, he began to feel that the prophet was telling him this story to do something about it. And he calls for the man to be put to death and to pay reparation. But when the prophet reveals that he is the man, his heart was smitten, and his countenance fallen. David now knows that God has not left his sin in darkness, nor is he unaware of his actions as king.  David knows that his sin has found him out, and his life is now in the hands of God for judgment. The prophet enlightens David of what God has told him to tell him. David is so hurt that he has caused God pain by his actions, that he can only ask for forgiveness and repent of his sin. This revelation crushes David and he is left carrying this weight of sin upon his should for the rest of his life.  David knows that the fallout from his sin will be great from this day forward, and he must learn to deal with it. Paul, writing to the church, tells us: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12) David’s story is an example for us so that we do not make the same mistake. Always remember, when the tree falls, there is great damage.

Sing: I love Him too much, to fail Him now; too much, to break my vow. For I promised the Lord that I would make it somehow, and now I love him too much to fail Him now.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 January 10

Spiritual Gifts

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about Paul’s letters to the church is they can sometimes seem confusing if we are not willing to read and study them. If we desire to gain an understand and prevent confusion, then we must search the scriptures. Even Isaiah tells us in his writings: “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” (Isaiah 28:9-13) Sometimes we may read something in one of Paul’s letters to a different church, and it can seem confusion and different then what He had said before. But like any follow-up letter written, you usually explain something better the second time around when people do not get it the first time. When it comes to spiritual gifts, which are used in the church to edify the body, some think that Paul refutes their being used, and that not everyone receives them. That is not the case. To prevent confusion, Paul tries to explain how these gifts ought to be used in the church. For example, he stated that everyone ought not to be speaking in tongues in the church at the same time because it would be confusing to the unbeliever sitting in the church. He isn’t refuting the gifts; he is explaining the use of the gifts for their intended purposes. And that is for edification and instruction once you receive them. Everyone that receives the gift of the Holy Ghost will speak in tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance. See (Acts 2:1-4, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-6, Acts 11:1-18). Tongues is your individual sign that you have received God’s spirit. But when it comes to using the gift of tongues for the edification of the body, and the interpretation of tongues, not everyone will receive this gifting and thus use this gift for that purpose.  And the same is true with the other giftings. Again, we must read and study the scriptures to gain a complete understanding.  

Sing: Let Jesus lead you, let Jesus lead you, let Jesus lead you all the way. All the way from, earth to glory, let Jesus lead you all the way.