Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 24

The Secret To Contentment

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:4-13)

Today’s Morsel: Are you content? What do you think you need to make you content? Would more money make you content? Would getting married make you content? Would being in the right church make you content? Would the pastor preaching a good sermon cause you contentment? Would those who know to do right that aren’t doing it starting to do right, would this give you contentment? Would being hired for a job or the ideal job bring you contentment? If you won the lottery with a ticket that someone brought for you, because you don’t gamble, bring you contentment? I don’t know. Maybe it would and maybe it wouldn’t. Contentment is often associated with being satisfied and happy. It’s a state of mind of being satisfied with what you have right now. If you are not content with what you already have, chances are, more isn’t going to change things. The secret to contentment is you must change who you are and your mindset. For as a man thinketh so is he.  Someone wrote a poem which said, “Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”  Paul said that he had learned that no matter what state he found himself in, he was to be content. He said that he had brought nothing into the world and it was for certain that he would not take anything out (my wording). Someone said that they had never seen a hearse at a funeral loaded with money. 

Sing: If you’re happy, and you know it, say amen! Say amen! Cause if you’re happy, and you know it, say amen! amen! Cause when God’s Spirit falls on you, it makes you shout, hallelujah! If you’re happy and you know it say amen!

Thought For Today: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 23

The Last Day of Torment

“And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:43-46)

Today’s Morsel: Scripture says that Goliath tormented Israel for forty days. Can you imagine an entire army fearful of one man? As we read the scriptures, no one would fight him because of his size. That is what happens when we allow bullying to keep tormenting us. Pretty soon, we become afraid of those tormenting us. Even in some neighborhoods, gangs have tormented folks for so long, that most of the people in those neighborhoods are afraid to say anything or do anything. But when David heard the giant, he was ready to fight him. He was ready to take-action against him. David knew that the lion and bear were ferocious beasts, and a giant could not be more powerful than they were against his God. He knew that God would deliver the giant into his hands. Little did Goliath know that this would be his last day of torment. John tells us that fear torments because folks are not made perfect in love. In other words, Jesus is missing in a life when one allows tormentors to torment them, as perfect love, which is Jesus, defeats tormentors and tormenting. So, stop allowing the things and ways of the world to torment you. Jesus is with you. Start walking by faith and stop walking by sight. 

Sing: There is power, power, wonder working power in the Blood, of the Lamb. There is power, power, wonder working power, in the precious blood of the Lamb.

Thought For Today: “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.” (1 Samuel 17:50)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 22

The Battle Is The Lord’s

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16)

Today’s Morsel: Are you looking forward to being a part of that last battle with the Lord? Just think, we get to conqueror Satan and his demonic forces. Just to be riding on white horses dressed in find linen, clean and white behind Him to war. But of course, we don’t have to wait until then, Jesus has already given us power to tread over Satan and over the forces and power of the darkness that are out there before us. The problem is most don’t know what they have already been given that power to fight with. Paul said that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit. It is sharp. John said that out of the mouth of Jesus goeth a sharp sword. That’s His Word. This is why the writer of Hebrews informs us: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) If folks would start using the Sword that God has already given them, the devil would be defeated and they would be overcomers, not feeling all depressed, stressed, and feeling defeated. Peter could have cut Malchus’ head off with his sword. But he only cut off his ear. And I think Jesus may have had something to do with that. And that was to show Peter that He could defend Himself with His own Word.

Sing: Shout with a voice of triumph, shout with a voice of praise, shout with a voice of triumph, shout with a voice of praise, shout to the Lord for the victory, hey, hey, give the Lord a shout of praise. 

Triumph in battle, we are victorious, God is most high over all the earth. Jesus has conquered, Satan’s defeated, the enemy is under our feet. 

So, I will shout with a voice of triumph, shout with a voice of praise, shout with a voice of triumph, shout with a voice of praise, shout to the Lord for the victory, hey, hey, give the Lord a shout of praise.

Thought For Today: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:17-18)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 21

What Season Are You In?

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that I like about living here in Wisconsin is the four seasons. They say that sometimes here you could get all four seasons in one day! Solomons says that life also have seasons. If you read the list that he mentioned, what season are you in? Is it time for you to plant a church or maybe help make some changes to the one you are in? Is it time for you to start embracing some of your own responsibilities and stop looking for someone else to do them for you? The Bible tells us to go to the ant and observe their ways. The ants know that winter is coming and so they prepare in advance. If you know that winter is coming and you don’t buy a coat at the end of the previous winter for next year’s winter, you are going to find yourself in a season where you are going to be cold and people are going to laugh at you. I believe that there are seasons of pain, happiness, joy, love, rejection, loneliness, and depression. Because you read about every one of these in the Bible. But the season doesn’t dictate your state of mind nor the outcome. You do. That’s why you must be like the ant and prepare before the season come. You can endure any season in life if you prepare. 

Sing: It’s a new season, it’s a new day, a fresh anointing, and it’s flowing my way; It’s a Spirit of power, and prosperity; It’s a new season, coming to me. 

Thought For Today: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” (Luke 14:28)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 20

Things Will Change

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Today’s Morsel: Job inspires us with these words: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27) Do you know what Job was saying? He was saying that things were going to change in his life, even if what he was going through may kill him, he was still going to stand before and see God. What confidence of waiting on change. And James informs us: “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:7-11)James is saying, just be patience, because you already know and have read Job’s end state what God did for him. So take his life as an example for yourself and don’t lean on your own understanding. Paul said that our light afflictions are only for a moment, but they are working in us a more eternal and exceeding weight of glory. What you are going through, God just may be pruning you for His rich, solid, and everlasting joy. So, rejoice in the Lord always. 

Sing: He’s changing me, my blessed Savior, I’m not the same person that I used to be. Well it’s been slow going but there’s a knowing, that someday perfect I will be.

Thought For Today: “In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.” (Isaiah 54:8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 19

Where Is Your Trust?

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalms 118:1-8)

Today’s Morsel: You know, if I was to take a poll, since the media thinks that everything is based on polls, I wonder what the number would be if I interviewed a thousand people to find out where their number one trust is? I’m sure AI probably already has the answer; but some folks have lost their trust in humans because they have either been hurt or let down by them, they have been lied to or they have been conned. And because humans have disappointed them, some of them don’t even trust in God anymore. When you try to enlighten them that it is not God’s fault that others did them wrong, they still refuse to believe and put their trust in Him. When the children of Israel received the evil report from the spies of what was inside the promised land, they feared and accused Moses of bringing them out to kill them in the wilderness. And no matter how hard Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, tried to convince them to not to lose their trust in God, they would not believe them. So over the next 40 years, many of them died in the wilderness. The psalmist states that it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. In other words, if you are to put your trust in something, let it be God. Because He will not fail you nor forsake you. God is not the cause of what others do to you. It is their own lust, evil, envy, jealousy, and pride that causes you hurt and harm. It is not God.  So, let me encourage you. Don’t lose your trust and confidence in God, He always has your best interest at heart.

Sing: I trust in God, wherever I may be, upon the land, or on the roaring seas; For come what may, from day to day, my heavenly father watches over, over, me. 

Thought For Today: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 18

 Surprise - Your Prayers Have Been Answered

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:1-5)

Today’s Morsel: Why do we seem surprised when someone receives the Holy Ghost, get baptized in Jesus’ name, receive a report of being free from cancer, getting a huge pay raise, being selected for a promotion, winning an election, children returning to the church, or someone giving us a gift? Don’t we pray for these things to happen. So why are we surprised when they happen? James said, “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:17-18)  When Peter was cast into prison and awaiting execution, prayer was made for him by the church. But when God freed him, the church didn’t believe that he was free. I know that I have spoken to this manna before, but the scenario has not changed. People are still surprised after their prayers for these types of needs every service and throughout the course of each day are met. I don’t think that we should be surprised when these things happen based on our prayers. I think we should be pleased and happy that God has answered our prayers but not surprised. There ought to be somethings we just expect to happen because of His word.

Sing: Thank You, Jesus, for the blood applied; Thank You, Jesus, You, have saved my life. Thank You, Jesus, You, have saved my life. Brought me out of darkness to Your glorious light. 

Thought For Today: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15)