Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 12

The Same Place

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it is most holy.” (Leviticus 6:24-25)

Today’s Morsel: The Lord told Moses that in the same place that the priest killed the sin offering they were to kill the burnt offering as it is most holy. The burnt offering was a voluntary act of worship symbolizing complete surrender, devotion, and commitment to God, and the sin offering was for unintentional human sins. These instructions given to Moses were so he could pass them down to Aaron and his sons who were the priest for doing the sacrifices. God want them to understand His requirements for worship and true sacrifice. By treating the sacrifices the same, as Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever, it would show the rituals serious nature of sin and the precise way God required atonement. By stating that it was most holy would emphasize to them that an offering for sin was very important and must not be taken lightly. Paul would show us how important our sacrifice was to God when he wrote: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1) The writer of Hebrews tells us, “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:10-15) Jesus was our sacrificial Lamb for both our sin and burnt offering. Jesus as our sacrificial Lamb, dies in the same place, without the camp. Calvary! When we repent of our sins at the altar of repentance, we are all dying in the same place. And we are now pledging to submit ourselves in commitment and devotion to Him now forever. Being holy as He is holy!

Sing: He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; Surely, He has borne all our sorrows, and by His stripes we are healed.

Thought For Today: “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 11

I’m Not Going If You Aren’t

“And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” (Exodus 33:12-15)

Today’s Morsel: Moses seem to have a very good relationship with God. Scripture says “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…” (Exodus 33:11) When  I was called by God to carry this precious gospel to the nation of Mongolia, I asked God, like Moses, who was going with me? God said that my wife was going with me. I knew that God was going with me, even though He told me that my wife was going with me. Moses told God that if He was not going with them, then don’t carry them up either. Those are words of faith and confidence from Moses. Moses knew that He would need God and that he wanted assurance that God was going with them. There is nothing wrong with stepping out on faith and going before to a place, but cockiness and pride can get you into a whole lot of trouble. Especially if God has not called you to a work or a place. Moses had a calling of God, and he had God’s word that He would not forsake him, nor leave him, and that He would go with Him. Even though Moses wanted to know who God was sending with him, he wanted God to know that it doesn’t matter who else He’s sending with him, if He wasn’t going, he wasn’t going either. Boldness on Moses part and wisdom on his part as well. Boldness, because he wanted God to know that He needed him; and wisdom to show that he had already learned what happens without God in one’s life. As pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. 

Sing: Lead me, Lord, I will follow, lead me, Lord, I will go; You have called me, I will answer, lead me, Lord, I will go. 

Thought For Today: “Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.” (Psalms 27:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 10

The Day God Took Care of My Enemy

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout Scripture, we oftentimes see that Israel did not have to fight their enemies because God fought for them. God told Gideon that He would go with him into battle against the Midianites. He told Josuah that He would be with him, as He was with Moses, when he came into the promise land. Every battle that Joshua fought, from Jericho until the children of Israel were given land, God was with them. He even told David how to plan a victory to conquer his enemy. He told Jehoshaphat that the battle was not his, but His. And the writer of Hebrews informed us: “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (Hebrews 11:32-34) All because God was fighting for them. And when the children of Israel were afraid because they saw the Egyptians coming behind them, Moses told them not to fear, but to standstill, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. He told them to take a good look at their enemies as this would be the last time that they would see them. Do you remember the day that God took care of your enemies? It was the day that you became born again. That was the day that God got rid of your enemies for you. Now there is nothing nor anyone you should fear or dread. God will fight your battles for you. Just call upon Him in the time of trouble and He will hear you and deliver you. 

Sing: God is fighting for us, pushing back the darkness, lighting up the kingdom, that shall not be shaken, in the name of Jesus, the enemy is defeated, and you shout it out, shout it out.

Thought For Today: “Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.” (Isaiah 41:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 9

Is There Anything Too Hard For The Lord?

“Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.” (Genesis 18:11-15)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scriptures, we sometimes see folks who take matters into their own hands because they don’t think that God has the power nor the ability to do what He says. When Abraham and Sarah are told that they will have a son in their old age, they both laughed. But God doesn’t laugh with them. God asks them if there is anything too hard for Him to do? Abraham and Sarah are listening and thinking from a natural standpoint and not a spiritual one. When God says that something is going to happen, buckle your seat beat as it will come to pass. He is not a man that He should lie. The writer of Hebrews informs us that God swears by Himself because He doesn’t lie. Mary and Martha were under the idea that there was nothing that could be done for their brother Lazarus, as he had died. Yet Jesus tells them that their brother shall live again. But when Martha confesses that she knows that He will rise and living against in the resurrection in the last day, Jesus tells her that He is the resurrection. What, I believe, He was saying to Martha is, do you think there is something that I can’t do? Do you think that this is too hard for me? When Jesus tells them to roll away the stone from the grave, Martha is befuddled. And when her brother walks out of that grave, she knew that there was nothing too hard for God. Listen, God can take care of your situation if you’d simply believe Him and let Him. The name Isaac means laughter. God always gets the last laugh and the last say. But you can have the last rejoicing for His goodness.

Sing: Nothing is too difficult for Thee, nothing is too difficult for Thee, great and mighty God in counsel, mighty in-deeds, nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is too difficult for Thee.

 Thought For Today: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 8

The Fire Is Coming

“And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” (Genesis 19:12-17)

Today’s Morsel: The story of Lot has always been a sad story for me. But it shows us what can happen if we stay close to the world and we allow the ways of the world to get into our hearts. Lot is told that Sodom and Gomorrah are about to be destroyed by fire. One would think that there would have been a more urgent attitude by him and others to get out of the city as fast as they could. But no, scripture says that he lingered. There was no urgency by him to get himself and his family out. He delayed his departure for so long that the angels had to take them by the hand and lead them out. What would make one linger when the city is about to be destroyed? We even see this mindset and attitude when governors and officials of states tell people that they should leave their homes because a hurricane or tornado is coming and their lives may be in jeopardy. Some of them linger until it is too late. Peter informs us: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:8-18) The fire is coming. So get ready now, as it is the acceptable time, and not a time for delay and lingering. 

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: “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:43-44)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 7

Laboring For The Rest

“Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” (Hebrews 4:7-11)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout America today, many will be off work for what we call Labor Day. Labor Day is a day sat aside to honor contributions of American workers, recognizing the labor movement, and celebrate the social and economic achievements of laborers. 

Paul informs us that we are laboring together with Christ, and that there is a day of rest which is set aside for us who labor and work in His vineyard. The same way that we honor those who have labored to make things better for others throughout America, we should also celebrate those who labor in the vineyard of Christ, to make things and life better for others. Why are you laboring in Christ’s vineyard? Are you looking and working to gain more? Or are you laboring to enter that rest? Don’t labor to be rich - “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” (Proverbs 23:4) labor to enter that rest that He has gone to prepare for us. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:10-12)

Sing: Jesus use me, O’ Lord don’t refuse me, for surely there’s a work that I can do. And even though its humble, Lord, help my will to crumble; Though the cost be great, I’ll work for You.

Thought For Today: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 6

The Day Abraham’s Faith Was Tested

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” (Genesis 22:1-14)

 

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever had your faith tested? When Albert Einstein was seen as a failure after the light bulb didn’t work at  1,000 tries, he stated, “I have not failed. I’ve just found a thousand ways it doesn’t work.”  There will come a time in your life that your faith will be tested, or you will never know if it is going to work when you need it. Jesus placed His disciples in a boat to go to the other side; their faith was put to the test by a storm. When they began to fear, Jesus chides them for not having any faith. Abraham was tested by God telling him to offer his son Isacc. Abraham, we see, doesn’t waver. His faith had been tested before, and he knew that God would come through for him. And He will come through for you. James tells us that it is the trying of our faith that worketh patience. When your faith is tested, don’t fret nor fear, just see it as God proving you to see if it’s going to work for you when you may need it the most.

Sing: Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails, so you might as well get thee behind me Satan, you cannot prevail; because Jesus never fails.

Thought For Today: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)