Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 15

Disappointed Purposes

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)

Today’s Morsel: The Bible tells us that without counsel our intention and plans can fail and cause us disappointment. We should not be afraid to ask a godly counselor, friend, or mentor, for their advice when it comes to our plans. Keeping in mind that these are people who we oftentimes trust and they have our best interest at heart. Your friends and mentors can often see things in your plans that you may not have considered or the person you may be thinking about getting involved with. Jesus said: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.” (Luke 14:28-32) You need others to provide you with advice so that you do not look like a fool and or you end up in a bad situation.  When you allow counselors to assist you with your goals and plans, they will be established.

Sing: I have found a friend in Jesus, He everything to me, He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul; ‘The Lily of the Valley’ in Him alone I see, all I need to cleanse and make me fully whole. In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay, He tells me, every care on Him to roll; He’s the “Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,” He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

Thought For Today: Purposes are only disappointed when you try to be the Lone Ranger.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 14

True and False Witnesses

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Today’s Morsel: Are you able to discern false witnesses of Jesus from the true ones? Jesus said that you would know them by their fruits. Paul enlightens us to what fruit came with the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) So your measuring stick is to look for these traits in the life of those who say that they are Christians and witnesses for Christ. The writer of Proverbs tells us: “A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.” (Proverbs 14:25) A true witness of Jesus is going to tell you the truth of God’s word and bring it to you in love. A true witness wants to see you saved. They want to see you free from sin, confusion, and they want to see you free from living without hope, peace, and joy in your life. A true witness know that Jesus came to give us life and that more abundantly. The Prophet Isaiah presents those witnesses of Jesus by says:“Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:6-7) God’s true witnesses will bring you peace and show you the salvation of the Lord. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:37-42)

Sing: I’m so glad that Jesus lifted me, I’m so glad that Jesus lifted me, I’m so glad that Jesus lifted me, I’m singing glory hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.

Thought For Today: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” (John 1:6-7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 13

No More Sacrifices For Sin

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” (Hebrews 10:23-26)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about scripture is that sometimes they can be misunderstood as to the meaning of what is being said. The Book of Hebrews uses the word “better” nine times, and the words “let us” eleven times.  This book, according to scholars, was written primarily to those Hebrew Christians who had converted from Judaism to Christianity. And now these new converts were in constant danger of relapsing back into Judaism due to outside pressure and persecution. And some, like some today, were starting to fall away. However, the writer wanted them to know, as well as us, that if they went back to their old way of life, and back into the world, there is no more sacrifice for sin. He wanted them to know that Jesus Christ was the end to the ceremonial law for bringing an animal as a sacrifice for sins. And if they sinned willingly, that there were no more sacrifices under the Old Testament law to remove or forgive their sin. The only thing that they, and we can do, is return to Jesus Christ for the remission and forgiveness of our sin. But if they, and we, choose to walk away, and if Jesus should return, or we die while we are in the world in our sins, then our destination is eternal damnation. So, they were being encouraged to stay and live in this new Christian lifestyle which they had received, as Jesus Christ is now the only one that can forgive everyone of their sins.

Sing: I came to Jesus weary worn and sad; He took my sins away; He took my sins away. And now on Him, I roll my every care. He took my sins away.

He took my sins away, He took my sins away, and He keeps me singing every day, I’m so glad He took my sins away, He took my sins away.

Thought For Today: Only a fool plays Russian Roulette with their life. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 11

The Blood Still Works

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22)

Today’s Morsel: When some folks read scripture in the Old Testament, they are taken aback of the use of blood by the priest for the cleansing and the forgiveness of one’s sin. God told Moses the purpose and reason for the blood: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11) It is the blood that makes reparation, restitution, and atonement for the soul. The atonement means it is what repairs the breach between God and man for man’s sins. When we sin, we need something to bridge the gap and bring us back into a right relationship with God. And so, God used blood. In the Old Testament, He used the blood of animals. But in the New Testament, Jesus became the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the whole world. When He shed His blood on Calvary, it ended the need for the blood of animals. Now Christ’s blood is for the sins of the whole world. If you seek forgiveness for your sin, the blood of Jesus Christ still works. It is not like the blood of bulls and goats which was symbolic of that which was to come and was temporary. The blood of Jesus Christ has the power to cleanse forever. If you need forgiveness of your sins today, the blood of Jesus stills works.

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: Keep the blood over your door post!   

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 10

Walking In Truth

“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:6)

Today’s Morsel: One of the first lessons that a soldier is taught is that of how to march/walk. They learn to step off on the correct foot first. Did you get that? You must learn to step off on the correct foot first. If a soldier steps off on the wrong foot, he can cause others to stumble, fall, and make the formation seem like a bunch of confused soldiers who do not know what they are doing. By stepping off on the correct foot, soldiers can march in unison. As Christians we must learn how to walk correctly. Paul told the church at Ephesus: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) In a world where there are so many distractions, Satan is trying to trip you up. As a believer, you must learn to be alert and walk assuredly, you must walk circumspectly. We must walk in truth. John reminds us: “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” (1 John 2:9-10) Stay in the light and you won’t fall, but you will walk in truth. Because the word is both light and truth.

Sing: Lord, I can’t even walk without You holding my hand, the mountain’s too high, and the valley’s too wide. Down on my knees, that’s where I learn to stand; and I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

Thought For Today: “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

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)