Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 25

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

“Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” (Isaiah 45:21-23)

Today’s Morsel: When the Bible tells us to look unto God, it is calling for us to turn to Him, to go after Him, to seek for Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Why was there a call to turn to Him? So that we could be saved. For without Him we can do nothing. When Peter was asked about the healing of the lame man at the gate called beautiful. Scripture says:“And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:7-12) There is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. Jesus, which means, Jehovah is salvation. Only God can save us. A call by God is a message of hope for all humanity to come and receive salvation, as He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

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: Put your eyes on Jesus and the world will not seem so overwhelming.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 24

He’s More Than A Man

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5)

Today’s Morsel: According to scripture, Jesus Christ was both God and man. By his compassion and fellowship, He was a man, but by His miracles and teachings, He was Almighty God. Paul informs us: “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) He said that God robed Himself in flesh. Even Jesus stated: “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.” (John 14:9-11) The apostle John wrote: “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) Remember also what John wrote in this same epistle: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7) Note the three that bear record in heaven. Focus on the second thing. The Word! Remember what Jesus said? “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17); “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7) Jesus was more than a man, He was God Himself. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Sing: The mighty God is Jesus, the Prince of peace is He, the Everlasting Father, the King eternally, the Wonderful in Wisdom, by whom all things were made, the Fullness of the Godhead in Jesus is displayed.

It’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, the Fullness of the Godhead, it’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, the Mighty God is Jesus, and it’s all in Him.      

Thought For Today: “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” (Isaiah 40:25)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 23

 Leaning On The Everlasting Arm

“Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.” (Psalms 20:6-9)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture, we see that those whom Jesus had chosen, to lead His people, were assured by Him, that if they obeyed His voice that they would have nothing to worry about. They would not have to worry about their enemies, nor what they would eat, drink, or put on, as God would take care of these things for them. Jesus says: “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:25-33) Seek first the Kingdom of God. Get God in His rightful place in your life. Solomon tells us: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) To trust God is to believe in Him and to take Him at His word. Faith requires trust in a God that we cannot see with our eyes; but we can see the results of our trust by the things which He does on our behalf. To lean on God is to trust Him no matter if things go good or bad. As you know in your heart that He has your best interest at heart, and that He has come through for You.

Sing: What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms; I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. 

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. 

Thought For Today: I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 21

What A Friend

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:13-15)

Today’s Morsel: Some of the traits that are often seen in friends are loyalty, commitment, trustworthiness, dependability, encouragement, and integrity. These are some of the traits that I have found and seen in true friendships. Today, for some reasons, true friends are few and in between. True character seems to have taken the last train to the coast. Solomon states: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17); “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) A true friend shows unwavering love. Not just when things are easy, but through times of challenges and hardships. Adversity will often reveal who your true friends really are. Every born-again believer ought to be a constant friend to those whom they call their friends. A True friend checks-up on those whom they call friend. They remember their birthday anniversary, and other special days. They communicate with their friend keeping them informed. Jesus told His disciples that they were no longer servants but friends if they did what He had commanded them. So how do we go from being a servant of God to being a friend of God? Simply by obeying God’s word. Obedience to the word of God shows love for God and the things which He has asked of us to do. Remember, Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother!  Are you that type of friend?  When is the last time you checked-up on those you call your friends?

Sing: What a Friend, we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit; O what needless pain we bear; All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!

Thought For Today: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 20

In The City Where The Lamb Is The Light

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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 21:22-23)

Today’s Morsel: From the time we are born-again, our goal is to reach that heavenly city where the Lamb is the light. Scripture tells us that the patriarch’s saw themselves as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They did not consider this world their home. They were looking for where God was. They were looking for that final resting place wherein dwelleth righteousness. They did not consider this present world home. Scripture says, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:16) They were looking for that heavenly city that Jesus had gone to prepare for them. John says, 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. The Lamb is the light. Scripture says: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) There won’t be a need for light because Jesus is the Light and He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth.

Sing: There’s a country far beyond the stary sky, there’s a city where there never comes a night; if we’re faithful, we shall go there by and by; Tis the city where the Lamb is the Light. 

In the city where the Lamb is the Light, in the city where there cometh no night; I’ve a mansion over there and when free from toil and care, I am going where the Lamb is the Light.

Thought For Today: Where are you headed? Are you on the right road?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 19

Cleanse Me

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:16-20)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout God’s word, He calls for us to cleanse ourselves. You see, we are all born in sin and shapened in iniquity. Paul states, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) When we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism, we must come out and remain clean. Our attitudes, actions, and conduct all must remain clean. We must possess a pure heart and right spirit. A clean heart ought to always be motivated by a clean spirit.  Isaiah also informs us: “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) Notice, no unclean thing shall pass over that highway which is called holiness. Holiness is who God is and His kingdom is to be holy. The writer of Hebrews tells us: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22) Pure water. The water or the word. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23) And Jesus tells us: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3) Obedience to God’s Word and the instructions from it will cleanse us. If we are not willing and obedient to it, we will remain unclean and we will suffer the consequences for our actions. But know this, holiness must become His house.

Sing: Search me O God and know my heart today; Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

Thought For Today: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalms 51:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 18

Sunshine In The Shadow

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Today’s Morsel:  Life can sometimes seem dark and dreary. Especially when we may have lost a loved one, our job, received an evil doctor’s report, or even lost our favorite pet; all these things that come in life can cast a shadow of darkness and doubt. Those ‘why’ questions start running through the mind causing us to wonder if God even cares. When it seems that all hope is lost, it can make the days dark and long and the nights unbearable. One song writer wrote, “Where do I go, when the storms of life are raging? Who do I turn to, when no one wants to listen? Who do I lean on, when there’s not foundation stable? I go the Rock; I know that He’s able; I go to the Rock.” The Psalmist stated that the “darkness hideth not from the Lord (Psalms 139:12). God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Let me encourage you today, no matter how dark things may seem right now in your life, there is always sunshine above the darkness of the clouds.  

Sing: When my life is burdened with sorrow, and it seems all help is gone, Jesus whispers, “Do not falter” I will leave thee not alone.” Then somehow amidst my trials, how it is I cannot see; still, I hear a voice from Heaven, gently saying, “Follow me.”

There is sunshine in the shadow; There is sunshine in the rain; There is sunshine in our sorrow, when our hearts are filled with pain. There is sunshine when we’re burdened; There is sunshine when we pray; There is sunshine, heavenly sunshine, Blessed sunshine all the way.

Thought For Today:  Keep looking up. The Sun will shine.