Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 9

Follow The Instructions

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever wonder why companies place instructions inside of the box of the items that you purchase? First, it is for safety reasons. They don’t want you to put something together or start to use something incorrectly that could cause you hurt or could be a safety hazard to you. Second, they want you to know how your product works so that you will not become frustrated with it. Third, they want you to put it together correctly and use it correctly so that others will see its beauty and will want to purchase one, too. And fourth, they want you to know how to troubleshoot it should it stop working correctly.  But sad to say, most folks will not follow the instructions. The instructions in the word of God serve some of the same purposes. Remember, the word of God is sharp as a two-edged sword. If used incorrectly, you can hurt yourself and someone else. There are many people today with wounds that they received by others by incorrect use of God’s word. And even some of them have wounded themself with it. Solomon states: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9) A wise person does not react with pride to correction, training, tutoring, direction, and directives. They welcome it. Knowing that there is always more to learn. I have come to realize that we live our entire life as students just learning at different levels. And sometimes we are required to repeat the same lessons to ensure that we fully understand truth from error and right from wrong. So don’t reject instructions, you are not the smartest knife in the drawer. And we all need sharpening from time to time.  

Sing: Show me the way, that I must walk with You. Show me the way, that I might be like You. The cry of my heart is to know You more, to live with the power of your hand, stronger each day, showing me Your way.

Thought For Today: “We live our entire life, as students, just learning at different levels (Parker).

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 8

Looking For Love In All the Wrong Places

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” (Isaiah 55:6)

Today’s Morsel: If you are a baby boomer, then you have probably heard that old country and western song entitled, “Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places.” Everyone wants to be loved. But sad to say, some folks keep looking for that love in all the wrong places. The first commandment that God gave to the children of Isreal was, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). When Jesus was asked by the lawyer which commandment was the greatest, Jesus answered him “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” (Luke 10:27) So are you looking for love in all the wrong places? Scripture states: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (Proverbs 8:17) God is love (1 John 4:7).  Therefore, if we want to find true love, then you must seek after and for Him (Jesus), as He is love, and He is an everlasting love that will never fail you nor forsake you. The place you need to look for His love is in His Word. And once you find it, you must hide it in your heart and allow it to draw you closer to Him. For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Sing: I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me; I am so glad that Jesus loves me, that Jesus loves even me. 

Thought For Today: “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 7

The Waters of Afflictions

“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” (Psalms 42:7-8)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things we must learn at an early stage in our walk with Christ is not to lose hope in the waters of afflictions. The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah: “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: …” (Isaiah 43:1-3) God said I will be with you, and the waters aren’t going to overflow you. The disciples of Jesus were starting to lose hope when they found themselves in the middle of the sea in the storm. Scripture says that they questioned Jesus whether He cared if they perished? When the 276 on board the ship with Paul as they sailed to Rome encountered a storm called Eucrolydon, Luke said that after 14 days when there was neither sun nor moon or stars that appeared, all hope that they should be saved was taken away (Acts 27:13-20) When you find yourself in the waters of afflictions, you must retain your faith. Without faith you cannot please God. Sometimes the afflictions may be what is testing and proving your faith. For the fruit of the spirit to grown and reproduce in your life, it sometimes must face the harsh weather and storms that comes its way to help strengthen it. David said that the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and that his song and prayer would be to the God of his life in the night. Hang in there and don’t lose hope. He that will come will come. God will make a way for you.

Sing: Though the storms keep on raging in my life, and sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day; Still the hope that lies within is reassured, as I keep my eyes upon the distant shore, I know He’ll lead, me safely to that blessed place He has prepared. But if the storm don’t cease, and just in case the wind keeps on blowing in my life, my soul has been anchored in the Lord.

Thought For Today: If Jesus isn’t worried about the boat sinking, why are you?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 6

Divine Protection

“They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” (Psalms 125:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: We are promised divine protection and safety when we put our trust in the Lord. God will never leave us nor forsake us. The psalmist also tells us: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” (Psalms 91:1-7) If we stay close to Jesus and walk in His ways, we can put our enemies to flight and stand tall against any giant we face. 

Sing: Keep me close to the side of my Savior and Guide, let me never in darkness roam. Keep my path free from wrath and my soul satisfied.  Fill my way every day with love.

Fill my way every day with love, as I walk with the heavenly Dove; Let me go all the while with a song and a smile.  Fill my way everyday with love.

Thought For Today: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 4

Why Are You Seeking the Living Among the Dead?

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” (Luke 24:1-7)

Today’s Morsel: To their amazement and surprise, when the ladies went to the tomb the first day of the week, they found the stone was rolled away from the grave where they had buried Jesus. They went inside and did not see the body of Jesus there. But they saw two men who stood by them in shining garments. The men asked them why they were seeking the living among the dead? And they told them, “He is not here but is risen.”  It had gone over their heads when Jesus had told them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again.”  Jesus Christ is not dead, He is alive. So stop looking for Him where the dead are.  Paul tells us, “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-20) Don’t live in misery, one day we are going to rise and be with Him. 

Sing: Alive, Alive, Alive forever more, my Jesus is alive, alive forever more.  Alive, alive, alive forever more, my Jesus is alive. Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah, my Jesus is alive. Alive forever more, sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah, my Jesus is alive.

Thought For Today: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 3

Whatever My Lot

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.” (Matthew 26:36-46)

Today’s Morsel:  Weary and worn, the disciples had spent much time following Jesus and trying to understand their mission. Little did they know, even though Jesus had told them, that His hour drew nigh. But they would not believe nor could they understand that anyone would want to take the life of Jesus Christ, a man who went about healing and doing good to all. But in life, we find, that it is usually this type people that the enemy desires to destroy more than any other. Jesus, knowing that the scripture must be fulfilled, went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He took with Him what some would call His inner circle, Peter, James, and John. And He asked them to watch with Him while He went yonder to prayer. As we read, we see that the disciples were tired and fell asleep leaving Him all alone in His hour of need. But as Jesus prayed that the cup would pass from Him, after the third time at prayer while His disciples slept, He stated: Nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done.When you get to the point of nevertheless, this must also be your prayer also, whatever is my lot for Your glory then let it be.

Sing: When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” 

Thought For Today: Death doesn’t have any power over you if you’ve been born again. So accept what lot Jesus sends your way.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 2

The Coming King of Zion

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9)

Today’s Morsel: Every Prophet of the Old Testament prophesied the coming of the Lord. Zechariah prophesied: “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9) He tells us how our King would come and bring us salvation, humble and riding on a donkey. David prophesied: “This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” (Psalms 24:6-10)  The apostle Matthew enlightens us with these words: “And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11) And the apostle Paul enlightens us with these words: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28)Are you looking for your King’s coming?

Sing: Oh, my brother, are you ready for the call? To crown your Savior King and Lord of all. The kingdoms of this world shall soon before Him fall; We shall see the King when He comes.

We shall see the King, we shall see the King, we shall see the King when He comes. He’s coming in His power; we’ll hail the blessed hour. We shall see the King when He comes.

Thought For Today: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1)