Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 3

Do You Need To Rebuild The Altar?

“And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.” (1 Kings 18:30-39)

Today’s Morsel: If someone were to ask you where is your altar, what would you tell them? Is there a special place in your home that you call your altar? We often call the front of the platform of the church the altar area. But few seem to want to go to it. If we don’t keep the fire in our altars burning, it will go out. God instructed Moses: “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” (Leviticus 6:13) The hottest place in the church and your home ought to be the altar. But, if we do not spend time at it, the fire is sure to go out. The psalmist states: “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” (Psalms 84:1-5) The altar at the church, or your own personal altar, should be an important place to you. Don’t be like King Saul and build your altar too late. It was after Elijah rebuilt the altar, that was broken down, and prayed, that the fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, and turned the people’s heart back to God. A continual visit to the altar will keep the fire burning and keep you in a right relationship with God and others.

Sing: Hear my cry, O’ God, attend unto my prayer; from the ends of the earth, will I cry unto Thee. And when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock, that is higher than I, that is higher than I.

For Thou hast been a shelter unto to me, and a strong tower, from the enemy. And when my heart my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock, that is higher than I, so much higher than I.

Thought For Today: “And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.” (1 Samuel 14:35)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 1

Don’t Forget The Law

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: One of the major factors of the law was that it taught people character. But like some folks today, the children of Isreal didn’t want to learn it. God wanted them, at first, to learn His character by their obedience to Him, His Word, and the leaders He had placed over them. But when leadership doesn’t obey and live out God’s word, then it makes it hard for the followers to obey. And so, God said through the prophet, “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34) Once God fills you with His Spirit and writes His law in your heart, you are then supposed to know Him and live your life according to His character and ways. There is no excuse for not being able to do so. He has now given you power to control your life. Solomon tells us not to forget the Law and commandment of God, as length of days, long life, and peace shall they add to you. Believe me, Godly character will extend your life and will keep you in perfect peace.

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

Thought For Today: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalms 19:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 31

Did You Get The Message?

“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)

Today’s Morsel: It has been reported that now, because of the information highway being filled with text messaging, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, people’s social meters have become pegged, and they are tired and burnt-out on messages. It is also reported, that some of those on Facebook, who were trying to have the most friends, are now sorry that they even befriended many of them after some of their so-called friends’ lifestyles are being posted by them on the web. It is further reported that many relationships between family and friends have been destroyed because of the web. 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. How were so many blinded by the dark side? How did so many let Satan get the advantage over them through this networking. Paul asks, “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3) He told the church at Corinth: “Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:1-3); “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34) You must not allow yourself to be taken in a fault through the dark side. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Are you walking in the light?

Sing: I’m in the way, the bright and shining way, I’m in the glory-land way; Telling the world that Jesus saves today; Yes, I’m in the glory-land way.

 I’m in the glory-land way; I’m in the glory-land way; Heaven is nearer, and the way growth clearer, for I’m in the glory-land way.                                                                                                       

Thought For Today: Let you light shine that men may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

***Today's Morsel, Volume 2, by Rufus M. Parker, is now available!

You can purchase it online at:  https://rufusparkerministries.square.site/

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 30

That They May Be One

“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11)

Today’s Morsel: One of Jesus’ last prayers while upon the earth, was that His disciples would be one, as He and His Father were one. Jesus Christ is not the second person in the godhead. Paul cautions: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:8-10) He is completely 100% God. The same way Moses told the church of Israel: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:” (Deuteronomy 6:4) Jesus wants us, His disciples, to be one. What does that mean and what does that look like. If we say that we are born again, of the water and the Spirit, then we are supposed to be one in Christ. Paul said that we were buried with Him, Christ, in baptism. And in the book of Acts, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in tongues, as the spirit gave utterance, to show that God had placed His Spirit in them. So now, as His disciples, Jesus said that we would be known by the love we show toward each other and to others. We must become one in love, one in behavior, one in belief, one in values, and one in Biblical convictions. We must all believe God’s word and who Jesus said that He is. We must obey the golden rule and treat others the way that His word tells us to. If we are not in obedience and following His word, we will never become one as He is. 

Sing: Make us one heart, make us one mind, make us one, let Your will be done; Make us one flame, to proclaim your name, make us one, make us one.

Thought For Today: “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” (1 John 4:21)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 29

Who Is This King of Glory?

“A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” (Psalms 24:1-10)

Today’s Morsel: When we read scripture, especially the psalms, David seems to understand who God is, both in His deity and His fullness, and he desires to share Him with us to increase our faith and belief. In many of his psalms, he sings and writes about his God to draw our attention to God’s goodness, protection, provisions, mercies, grace, love, and forgiveness. David understood that there is only One God. Jehovah, El-Shaddai, the King of Glory. Paul, writing to his protégé Timothy, states: “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:13-16) He said that Jesus Christ, when He returns, will reveal to us who He is. He told the church at Corinth:“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge:..” (1 Corinthians 8:6-7) If you lift-up your head and open your mouth for knowledge and understanding, God will fill it. So, lift-up your heads oh ye gates, and be ye lifted ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in.

Sing: He is the King of King, He is the Lord of Lord, His name is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, oh, come bless His name.

Thought For Today: “For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.” (Psalms 89:18)

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 28

When Hope Tests Your Hope

 “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:18-25)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes, our faith and hope in that which we are told that would happen in our lives, may find themselves being pushed to the side when they do not come to fruition in a timely manner. Paul tells us that Abraham did not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief; but he was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.  Abraham had a promise, he was getting old, and so he found his hope against his hope. Solomon said that hope deferred make the heart sick, but when it cometh it is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12) Abraham has a promise but nothing is coming forth. He still believes God, but time seems to be slipping away. He’s anticipating what God said, but this delay is starting to play on his mind. I’m sure some of you may have been in this condition yourself. You have a promise from God, you believe in God, but that delay is starting to play on your mind. It’s hope against hope. But as the writer of Hebrews cautions us: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 10:35-11:1) If God told you it would happen, sit back and take a sip of that sweet, iced tea because it’s going to happen. Know that God doesn’t operate on our timeline, but His.

Sing: I lean on You, Lord, I lean on You Lord, for the things that I need, I lean on You. When I don’t know just what to do, I’ve got the faith You’re gonna see me through, You supply my every need, and I lean on You.

Thought For Today: Remember, God’s ways and thoughts are not ours.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 27

Connected With The Anchor

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:17-20)

Today’s Morsel: The writer of Hebrews calls our attention to God’s promises and faithfulness to Abraham. He said that when God made promise to Abraham, because He could sware by no greater, because there is none greater than God, He, God, swore by Himself. God put His own word and oath on the line to Abraham. Telling him that if he left home and followed Him, He would bless him, multiply him, and make him a great nation. And Abraham obeyed. And the writer tells us that by those same two unchangeable things (His word and oath), that we, too, might have a strong consolation, or support, in the hope that is set before us. And he said that it is in this hope that we have an anchor for our soul, which is both sure and steadfast. Abraham found himself facing the time element. He has a promise, he knows that God cannot lie, and so he anchored himself to God’s word and oath, which becomes an anchor for his soul. He understood it was sure and steadfast. The writer uses Abraham’s belief in God, so that we will connect our lives to this same anchor, Jesus Christ. As He is both sure and steadfast.

Sing: There’s a storm out, on the ocean, and it’s moving this away; And if your soul’s not, anchored in Jesus, you will surely, drift away.

Thought For Today: Know the ability of your anchor or your ship will surely drift away.