Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 13

Those Caissons Go Rolling Along

“Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains. The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred. And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.” (2 Chronicles 26:11-15)

Today’s Morsel: Tomorrow, we will celebrate the U.S. Army’s Birthday. The U.S. Army was founded on June 14, 1775. 251 years ago. About a year before America became a nation. The Caissons Go Rolling Along, is the U.S. Army theme song. It was written by Lt. Edmund Gruber in 1908. It refers to the horse-drawn wagons (Caissons) carrying artillery ammunition. The phrase, “rolling along” signifies the constant, unstoppable forward movement of Field Artillery and the entire Army. It also symbolizes progress, endurance, and momentum, serving as a metaphor for the Army’s unstoppable force and determination. For 251 years, the U.S. Army has proven itself to be unstoppable by any foe. They have shown what men and women can do who have a determination and zeal to win. Like David’s mighty men, the U.S. Army has proven that it, too, can take those who are discontent, indebt, and distressed, and turn them into a mighty force to be reckoned with. We thank God for all our men and women in uniform who are, and those who have gone before, that willing sacrifice themselves so that this great nation may be free. As Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Our awesome Army does this daily.  

Sing: Then it’s hi, hi, hey, the Army’s on its way, count off the cadence loud and strong. For where e’er you go, you will always know that the Army goes rolling along. 

Thought For Today: Happy Birthday Army! Hooah!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 12

Walking As Children of The Light

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:6-10)

Today’s Morsel: When I was in the Army, in the infantry, it was usually hard to see where you were going or the person in front of you during movement at night in the dark. And so one of the things we did was sew illumines tape on the back of our helmet bands, which represented cat eye, making it easier for us to see the person in front of us, and this allowed us to see where we are going. This proved beneficial and helped us to navigate more efficiently and reduce noise at night which could give away our location. 

Paul informs us that we were sometimes in darkness, but now that we are born again, we are light in the Lord and should walk as children of light. John said, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5); “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) If we follow the example that Jesus has left for us in His Word, we will walk as lights. As there is no darkness in Him at all.

Sing: Let me walk in the light, in the great gospel light, let me walk in the gospel light. Till my journey is over and I travel no more, let me walk in the gospel light.

Thought For Today: “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.” (1 John 2:9)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 11

Getting Rid of Fear

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

Today’s Morsel: What is it about fear that backs folks into a corner? Causes them to have anxiety? Become afraid of dying? Afraid to living alone? Afraid of failure? Being fearful of others? Fear is just False Evidence Appearing Real. Paul informed Timothy: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) So we can see that fear comes from Satan. John lets us know that fear torments us because we have not become perfect, or made complete, in God’s love. In other word, we have not settled it yet in our minds and hearts, that Jesus Christ is all that we need, and that He will protect us from all hurt and danger, and that He will provide everything that we have need of. Fear will keep tormenting you until you get things settled in your mind that you are no longer going to let it. The only fear you ought to have in your life is a fear and reverence for the things of God.

Sing: I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O, what a change in my life. I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O’ what a change in my life.  I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, O, what a change in my life. O, what a change in my life.

Thought For Today: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 10

How To Lose Your Peace

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Today’s Morsel: How many times have you heard people in church asking prayer for them to have peace? How do born again believers lose their peace? Didn’t Jesus tell us that He would leave His peace with us? (John 14:27) Didn’t Isaiah tell us that Jesus was the Prince of Peace? (Isaiah 9:6) And doesn’t scripture tell us that He, Jesus, is our peace? (Ephesians 2:14) And isn’t peace a byproduct of the Holy Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23) And doesn’t Paul tell us, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything 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?” (Philippians 4:6-7) And that if we would follow the things which we have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with us.” (Philippians 4:9) So, why do we need to pray for peace when we already have it? Is there a different peace out there other than the one that Jesus has already given and left for us that is better than His? How can one lose something as important as the peace of God in their life? I conclude that if it is missing in folks’ lives, it’s because they have taken their minds off Christ and put it on something that is less important than Him. So what they need to do is get their mind centered once again on Him, and His peace will return to their life.

Sing: When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul. It is well, with my soul, it is well, it is well, with my soul.

Thought For Today: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 9

The Just Shall Live By Faith

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture, we are told to walk by faith and not by sight. We know that the Bible informs us: “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); And according to that same book, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8). What does it mean for the just shall live by faith? Those of us who have been born again must now trust God and believe in Him no matter what we are facing and going through. Nothing, Paul said, ought to be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Our relationship and walk with God ought to be cemented and sealed. There ought not to be any wavering in our belief of God’s word and His ability to fulfill His word in our lives. If we doubt Him when our back is against the wall, we are not walking and living by faith, we are walking and living by sight. The Bible tells us that both Abraham and Noah believed God, and it was accounted to them both for righteousness.

Sing: This is my desire to honor You, Lord, with all my heart I worship You, and all I have within me, I give you praise, and all that I adore is in You.

(Chorus)Lord, I give you my heart, I give You my soul, I live for You alone, every breath that I take, every moment I’m awake Lord, have Your way in me.

Thought For Today: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 8

Salvation Is Free

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:1-7)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes, I don’t think that some folks have the knowledge of what God really did for us. Jesus’ death at Calvary did more for us than what many think. Just think, if He had not died for us, there would have been no salvation and hope for eternal life. As the Psalmist said: “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” (Psalms 130:3-4) If God would have judged us for our sin, none of us would be able to stand before him. But he was willing to forgive us and to give us another chance. That’s why salvation for us is free. Jesus paid the price for it for us. You don’t have to buy it, it’s all free. But you must go to Jesus and get it for yourself. No one else can do that for you. If you will repent of your sins, get baptized in His name, and let him put His spirit in you, you, will see just how easy it is to receive salvation. And then you can go on and live your new life serving him.

Sing: I am determined to hold out to the end, Jesus is with me, on Him I can depend. For I know I have salvation for I feel it in my soul; I am determined to hold out to the end. 

Thought For Today: When did you realize that salvation was a free-gift from God?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 6

D-Day

“And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” (Joshua 3:1-7)

Today’s Morsel: D-Day. The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944, brought together the land, air, and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. The operation, given the codename OVERLORD, delivered five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, France. The beaches were given the code names UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO, and SWORD. The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries. Almost 133,000 troops from the United States, the British Commonwealth, and their allies, landed on D-Day. Casualties from these countries during the landing numbered 10,300. By June 30, over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had landed on the Normandy shores. Fighting by the brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the allied forces Western Front, and Russian forces on the eastern front, led to the defeat of German Nazi forces. On May 7, 1945, German General Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender at Reims, France. 

The Lord had promised Abraham, that he would deliver his seed and bring them into the land which he had promised him. Moses had led them for forty-years in the wilderness; And now, Joshau was their new commander and was now tasked with leading them into the land of promise. This would become their D-Day. The same way that the allied force sat up monuments to commemorate D-Day, the Lord told Joshua to take 12 Stones from the Jordan River and set them up for a memorial for their generations as well. We each ought to have a D-Day. The day that you chose to leave the world and to live and serve Jesus. It should be a place that you should be able to look back and say to your children and grandchildren, this is where God liberated me from the captivity and sin of Satan. 

Sing: This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice, I will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it; This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made.

Thought For Today: God is still liberating people from their enemy.