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)

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)