Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 29

Get Control of Yourself

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)

Today’s Morsel: Have you noticed that a lot of folks are out of control. I have seen people arguing with the flight attendant on a flight because there was a mechanical problem with the plane. I have seen folks get upset with elderly drivers because they aren’t going fast enough. I have seen folks get angry at doctors because their health isn’t getting better. I have seen folks get upset that they didn’t get hired for a job because the owner, who was doing the hiring, would not allow them to work the hours that they wanted to work. I have heard of folks who got upset because they did not get a passing grade in school because they were late turning it their assignments. People are just out of control. And it’s seeping into the church. I have seen folks get upset at church because the preacher preached too long. When we cannot control ourselves, Satan and his demonic force will. The people of the world don’t seem to understand that we humans have an adversary who is out to steal, kill, and destroy. But we in the church ought to know this, and we ought to be able to get control of our conduct and behavior. As Paul informs us: “Let not then your good be evil spoken of:” (Romans 14:16) So, get control of yourself and make no room for the devil in your life.

Sing: Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain, free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever; till my raptured soul shall find, rest beyond the river.

Thought For Today: If you have the Holy Ghost, you should have temperance. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 28

Say It Again

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” (Philippians 3:1)

Today’s Morsel: How many times would you say that you have heard the same salvation message repeated? Sometimes we need to hear the same things over again so that we do not forget. The book of Deuteronomy is just a book of remembrance for the children of Israel so that they would not forget what God had done for them. When I was in the Army, we had basic subject classes that we had to attend every six months, and some once a year. They did not want us to forget them and how they applied to our lives and the lives of others. Paul told the church at Philippi that for him to write to them the same things were not grievous to him, but it was for their safety. You see, if we aren’t careful, we can begin to shun the important things of doctrine and begin to fall for every wind of doctrine. When truth is compromised, because folks don’t know it, it makes it easy for falling away.  And Solomon states: “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.” (Proverbs 21:16) So, let me say it again, don’t wander from the name of Jesus or you will be lost. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). 

Sing: In my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low, fear not I am with thee, peace be still, throughout all of life’s ebbs and woes.

Oh yes, it’s Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know; fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.

Thought For Today: Tell me His name again.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 27

Dissatisfaction

“The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.” (Proverbs 30:15-16)

Today’s Morsel: When would you say enough is enough? Is there one thing that will make you satisfied? Solomon states that there are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, it is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, it is enough. But are you satisfied or do you want more. Paul informed Timothy: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:6-10) What would you do with more? Would winning the lottery satisfy you? Would a bigger and better home satisfy you? Would a bigger church satisfy you? Would seeing old friends satisfy you? Would having your family living close to you satisfy you? Solomon states: “All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8) The eye wants to see more, and the ear wants to hear more. So, is there a place of satisfaction? Yes, it is in Jesus Christ and Him alone. For He is our peace.

Sing: He’s all I need, He’s all I need, Jesus is all I need. He satisfies, my need He’ll supply, Jesus is all I need.

Thought For Today: Only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 26

Don’t Dwell On The Past

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever feel as though you are stuck in a rut and can’t get out? Does it feel like every time you go to church it’s the same old thing? Do you ever wonder why Israel kept wanting to go back to Egypt? Well, the answer lies in the fact that they kept dwelling on the past. They kept looking back instead of going forward. They saw the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. God told them that when the cloud and pillar moved, they were to move. God was leading them to their promise, but they wanted to dwell on their past. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we must go on to perfection. If you sit still and keep dwelling on the past, you will never reach completion in Christ. God wants us to grow and become mature Christians so that we know how to live, do what is right, and to help others reach that same standard. There are certain standards of doctrine and spiritual living that we are going to do because we are aware of these things. Things such as baptizing people, praying for people to receive the holy ghost, holy living, separation from the world, and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. We don’t need to dwell on this. These should be in our hearts to do. But to become complete in Christ, we must now study His word and get an understanding as to the application and importance it is for our life. We must come to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering for ourselves. You can get out of the rut when you make up your mind to go forward.

Sing: When the host of Israel, led by God, round the walls of Jericho softly trod; trusting in the Lord, they felt the conqueror’s tread, by faith they saw the victory ahead.

Victory ahead! Victory ahead! Through the blood of Jesus, victory ahead; Trusting in the Lord, they heard the conqueror’s tread, by faith they saw the victory ahead

Thought For Today: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 25

Don’t Destroy Your Home

“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” (Proverbs 14:1)

Today’s Morsel: When the scripture speaks to the woman being the keeper of the home, and it was being taught in the church, many became offended, left the church, and said that the pastor or ministers were teaching that women should stay home and not work outside the home. Many failed to get an understanding or maybe it was presented to them wrong. You must keep in mind that a wife and a husband must be one flesh and work in harmony and unity with each other. Solomon emphasizes here that a woman with wisdom, kind words, and behaviors, have the power to either establish her home in peace, love, and joy; or she can cause destruction and chaos. It’s in her hands. She must also, along with her husband, set the spiritual temperature in their home. A woman’s housekeeping goes beyond physical housework. It includes building up her children’s character, supporting her husband in his career and duties, and helping to manage resources and responsibility. How she speaks, how she dresses, and her overall behavior will either build her house or tear it down. The ball is in her court.

Sing: Jesus be the center in my home. Jesus be the center in my home. From beginning to the end, it’s always been, it will always be You Jesus, Jesus; From my house to the heavens, Jesus be the center, it’s all about You, yes, it’s all about You; from my house to the heavens, Jesus be the center, it’s all about You, yes, it’s all about You. 

Thought For Today: “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.” (Proverbs 12:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 23

Call To Decision

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)

Today’s Morsel: Many people often find themselves in the valley of decision. We hear them saying, “I just don’t know what I’m going to do.” Or “How should I handle this disagreement with them.” Many find themselves questioning career choices or living accommodations.  And while they are in the valley of decision, few if any seek God for His direction. They would rather seek others or man for their guidance or help. But David said: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4) David knew that God was right there with him and he had nothing to worry about. Even if he had to make a tough choice or decision.  Jesus doesn’t change. If He promised to never leave us nor forsake us, then we should understand that He’s there in time of decision making. If He was there for David, then He will be there for you too.

Sing: For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley, when things go wrong, He’ll make them right. The God of the good times, is still God in the bad times; and the God of the day, is still God in the night.

Thought For Today: If you think God is far away, guess who moved!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 22

Walk Humbly

“Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:6-8)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m being as humble as I can be.” Well, then they aren’t humble. Humility is a trait of character that is birthed out of day to day living. As we used to say in the military, “It’s a part of your benefits, it’s a part of your life.” Humility is a benefit from God that came with the Holy Ghost. It’s called meekness. In His sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth(Matthew 5:5). In the 50’s-90’s, if you were a leader or a person that displayed humility, you were often seen as one weak. But what folks found out later was that this trait of character in those folks actually showed great strength, patience, submission, and understanding of life. Scripture tells us that before honor is humility. So, let this trait be developed in you or you cannot come before God.

Sing: Let me walk with You Jesus. Don’t ever leave me alone. For without You I can never, no never, make heaven my home.

Thought For Today: “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)