Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 23

Who Can Be Saved?

“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:16-26)

Today’s Morsel: When the Rich Young Rule, wanted to know what he must do to be saved, Jesus told him to go sell all that he had, give to the poor, come follow Him, and he would have treasures in heaven. But he walked away. When Jesus asked His disciple how hard was it for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, his disciples were shocked at his answer, and they wanted to know how one could be saved? The Bible says that Jesus loved this young man because he had kept the law. But now when Jesus tells him that there is one thing lacking, and that was to detach himself from his riches, he couldn’t take that step. Ouch! You mean to tell me that I can’t be rich and make it into heaven? Jesus didn’t say that. He asked them how hard it was for a rich man to enter heaven? He didn’t say that it could not be done. He asks how hard it was, as most rich people are attached to their possession, and they spend most of their time attached and monitoring them. You find salvation in obeying the Word of God and doing what it tells you. It’s not impossible with God for everyone to be saved. But it can be impossible for anyone to be saved who is not willing to see their need for Him over their attachment to the things of this world.  We must want Jesus more than anything or anyone.

Sing: He’s the great I Am, the Everlasting Father, He’s the Prince of Peace, the great Eternal Wonder, Holy Counselor, and Zion’s Righteous Governor, He’s the great, He’s the great I Am.

Thought For Today: “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” (Isaiah 55:2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 22

What Fault Have You Found In Jesus

“Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.” (John 19:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: I don’t know about you, but I have known people who blame Jesus for everything that happens to them. They blame Him for their parents. They blame Him for where they live. They blame Him when they don’t get hired for a job. They just seem to find fault with Jesus no matter what they are facing and going through. I even had a lady ask me why God let her dog die.  The Jews even wanted to stone Him for telling them that He was God.  “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” (John 10:33) Pilate told the people, “I find no fault in Him.” I don’t know how you can find fault with the One that is all knowing, all loving, all carrying, full of mercy and truth, and whose compassion is new every morning, and who only has your best interest at heart. Mary didn’t find any fault in Him. “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.” (John 20:15) Mary said, if you moved Him, because you don’t want Him here, tell me where you took Him and I’ll take Him away, as I find no fault in Him.  I promise you, if you try Jesus and you find fault in Him, and you don’t like Him, the devil will take you back every time. “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9)

Sing: He knew me, yet He loved me, He’s whose glory made the heavens shine. I’m so unworthy of such mercy, and yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

Thought For Today: You are not going to find fault in God!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 21

When You Come To The End of Yourself

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” (Luke 15:11-19)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes we may remain in our dilemmas due in part because we never want to take responsibility for our actions. We can blame our parents, boss, co-workers, or someone else, but not until we come to the end of ourselves is there going to be a change in our life and situation. The prodigal son realized that he had sinned against his father and God. Not someone else. His condition was of his own making. It shows us that the world will drain us of everything that we have, if we do not control ourselves of wasteful spending and worldliness. But he came to the end of himself while sitting in a hog pen watching them eat husks or bean shells. He decided to go home to his father and ask to be restored as a servant just so he can have something again. But the father shows us that sons don’t become servants, they remain sons.  Paul informs us that if we are led by the Spirit of God, we are sons of God. Jesus is our Heavenly Father, and He has everything that we need to restore us to our rightful state. Yet the decision to get up and go to Him rests with each of us and not someone else. 

Sing: Going home, I’m going home, there nothing to hold me here. I’ve got a glimpse of that heavenly land, praise God, I’m going home.

Thought For Today: “And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.” (Genesis 31:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 20

Just Do It

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (John 2:1-11)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever wonder why so many Christians seem to have a problem when it comes to doing what the Bible says? Many of them will reason within themselves over if what the Bible says is even true. If the Bible is the inspired word of God, and if it is, then we must do what it says. Paul informs us in his writing, in reference to the children of Israel: “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:6-12) Because Israel failed to do what God told them to do, they suffered the consequences.  And their example is for us. Paul continues by telling us: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)When we read what Israel did wrong and what they did right, both lessons are to teach us right from wrong, obedience and disobedience. I know that it may not make sense when it comes to tithing, praying for people for healing, or just sending a word of encouragement through texting, Messager, or Instagram.  But just do it and God will bless you for your obedience to His word.  When God tells you to do it, simply obey.

Sing: I’ll say yes, Lord, yes, to Your will and to Your way. I’ll say yes, Lord, yes, I will trust You and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I’ll agree and my answer will be yes, Lord yes. 

Thought For Today: The ten lepers were only cleansed when they went to show themselves to the priest as Jesus told them to do. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 18

What Is Your Purpose?

“But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:16-18)

Today’s Morsel:  I have sad news today.  One of the situations in the church these days is that some of us say that we do not know our purpose. Perhaps the reason we don’t know what our purpose is, is, because we have not asked God to tell us or show us. When you don’t know your purpose, you can become frustrated. You can start to think that no one wants you to help them. And the devil starts playing on your mind telling you that you can’t do anything comparing you to others. When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was struck blind, and scripture says: “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” (Acts 9:4-6) Paul wanted to know what he was to do. Jesus tells him to go into the city, and it will be told him what he must do. And in Acts 26:16-18, Paul shares with us what he was told what his purpose was. “For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Peter tells us as Christians: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9) Your purpose, like Paul’s and all Christians, is simple.  It is to bring people out of darkness and into the light.  We each do this by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now you know your purpose.  So, let’s get to work. 

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: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 17

The Just Shall Live By Faith

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:2-4)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture, the believers are commanded and encouraged to live and walk by faith. Faith and hope are like identical twins. You see one, you see the other. They both require you to believe in something that you presently cannot see, but you believe that it is coming and will come. When Paul writes in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 1o:38, that the just shall live by faith, he’s just quoting what the prophet Habakkuk had already stated. Habakkuk is told by God to, “write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that read it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” What God was telling him, was that what He had told him was going to come and that he should wait for it to happen. The same way that Jesus told His disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Ghost, because it would come, they had to go and wait for it to happen. God gives us a glimpse of what He is about to do, so write it down, because it’s going to come to pass. And those who read it and take heart, will have to live by faith, and believe it, if they want to see it. That’s all faith is. God says it, I believe it, and I will trust Him while I wait for it. We see this throughout scripture. God shows us a vision or dream, and now it’s up to us to believe Him for the fulfillment, and to bring it unto fruition.

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; To supply my every need, and I lean on You. 

Thought For Today: “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 16

Dead But Alive

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:1-11)

Today’s Morsel: For one to become a Christian, they must die to self, and the world and become alive unto Christ and his ways. Repentance is death. Baptism is buried with Christ. And the infilling of the Holy Ghost is Resurrection power. Yes, we are still alive in this flesh and living in the world, but we must be dead to it. What do we mean when we say the world? John tells us that it is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Think about those things for a moment. Lust is what draws us. Lust is oftentimes associated with a desire, craving, or longing for what is forbidden. The lust of one’s flesh: The desire for physical pleasure and self-gratification. The lust of one’s eyes: Greed, boasting, the temptation for covetousness and materialism, being enticed by the things that you see. The pride of life: Trusting in oneself, their status, and successes. John says that these things are of the world. But Christians should not struggle with these things because they are dead to them. These things should not have power over you any longer, these things should not draw you or pull you into them. We are dead to sin but alive to God. And sin should not have dominion over you.

Sing: The world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue. The angels are beckoning me, from heavens open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore. 

Thought For Today: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)