Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 14

Is Your Mind Made Up?

“A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” (Psalms 108:1)

Today’s Morsel: David seemed to be a man who had his mind made up when it came to serving God. By all accounts, David didn’t start to praise God and decide to serve God when he was chosen to be king, his mind was already made up from his youth. He told Saul prior to fighting Goliath: “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” (1 Samuel 17:34-37) David was confident that God was with him. What about you? Are you taking God at His word? Are you fully persuaded that what He said that He will do that He will do it? If not, make up your mind now, as hell is about to be let loose on the church.  We have to have a made-up mind to make it.  

Sing: I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord. I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord. I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord; I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord.

Thought For Today: Better is one day in His courts than thousands elsewhere!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 13

Don’t Focus On The Evil And Negative, Focus On The Good

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

Today’s Morsel: I think that there must be something wrong with the medicine that is being issued out to folks. It’s doesn’t seem to be working. When I was a kid, whatever my parents and grandparents gave us when we were sick and not feeling good worked. The only time in my life I can remember going to the doctor was for my high school football physical, so that I could play football. Any other sickness or pain; we took 666, drank pine bark tea and sassafras tea, rubbed our chest with Vick’s Vapor Rub, and Watkin’s Salve. Solomon said that a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. A cheerful heart is good for the soul. This is why we must speak words to folks that will edify and build them up. We must not speak words that will tear them down. If you crush someone’s spirit, it will cause them to withdraw and dry up like a prune. When one is filled with joy and elation, it gives strength to their bones. This is why you must not focus on the evil and negatives of this world. It will drain you of every ounce of excitement and hope that you have. Stay focused on Jesus and His word.  Remember what Jesus said: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Sing: The wicked shall cease their troubling, and the weary shall be at rest, and all of the saints of the ages, we’re going to sit at His feet and be blessed.

Thought For Today: Keep on eating and living the Word of the Lord, and you will prosper and be in good health. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 12

Do You Know the Consequences of Your Choices?

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)

Today’s Morsel: Do you seek counsel and advice from those you trust before you make a major decision or purchase? Solomon states that the way of a fool is right in his own eyes. What the fool fails to realize is that the heart is deceitful and wicked, we cannot know it. I will tell you, there have been many times that I thought I was right, only to find out later that I was wrong. By all accounts, I was sure of myself that my way was right. But I found out that I was wrong. And that is not a very good feeling. There are those who protest in the streets because they think that they are right. But they soon realize they were wrong. I have had people tell me that they don’t need to go to church to be saved. And they are right in their own eyes. But they fail to consider the consequence of their choices, should they be wrong. By all accounts in scripture, I’m sure the rich man considered his way right.  But when found himself in hell, Jesus said, “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:24-31)Do you consider the consequences of your choices?

Sing: For above all else, I must be saved, for above all else, I must be saved. Lord, whatever You have to do to me, don’t let me be lost for eternity; for above all else, I must be saved.

Thought For Today: Consider your ways!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 11

It’s Amazing What Praising Can Do

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” (2 Chronicles 20:22)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture, we are called and told to praise the Lord. We are to do it from morning to night.  We ought to acknowledge God for who He is, and for what He has done and is doing in our lives daily.  We ought to love Him today, and a whole lot more tomorrow. It’s amazing what praising can do for you. The examples in the Bible are for our learning. When the children of Israel began to praise the Lord, God destroyed their enemies for them. They didn’t even have to fight. God told them to go take a seat and watch. This is how every Christian should live. Take your problem to Jesus, start praising Him for the answer, and sit back and see how He will work it out for your good. 

Sing: When the praises go up, the glory come down, where sin use to dwell, His grace now abounds; There’s healing and hope and love all around. When the praises go up, the glory comes down.

Thought For Today: “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” (Psalms 50:23)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 10

Hear Instructions

“Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:32-36)

Today’s Morsel: One of the reasons that folks get frustrated with the things that they buy is because they won’t read the instructions that come with them. Folks complain about their clothes shrinking after the buy them because they fail to read the instruction on how to wash and dry them. Some folks put their clothes in the washer and drier when the instructions tell them that the item must be drycleaned. Wisdom calls for us to hear instructions, and be wise, and refuse it not. Solomon states: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” (Proverbs 9:9-12) If you want to live and be in good health, then you must heed the instructions. 

Sing: Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it Jesus, is my plea; Daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Thought For Today: Most people will find that life is simple when they listen and follow the instructions. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 9

Become Familiar With Wisdom

“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:” (Proverbs 7:1-4)

Today’s Morsel: Solomon, who is said to be the author of the book of Proverbs, calls for us to familiarize ourselves with wisdom and understanding. He said that we should treat them as some of our closest relatives. He said that these things ought to be close to you, just like your family, to give you guidance, protection, so that you will be kept from the temptation, and from hidden snares that await you as your go about your day-to-day duties and responsibilities. Not to mention strange women and evil men.  Wisdom and understanding for every born-again believer ought to be some of our loyal companions. You need to get to know them. They are the things that give you life and keep you from being led astray from truth and into many hurtful lusts.

Sing:  Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit, take me deeper still; till my life is wholly lost in Jesus, and His perfect will. 

O’ deeper yet, I pray, and higher every day, and wiser, blessed Lord, in Thy precious holy word. 

Thought For Today: Wherever you find wisdom, you will also find prudence. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 7

Do You Hate What God Hates?

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Today’s Morsel. Solomon tells us that there are six things that the Lord detests, seven are an abomination to Him: He tells us that God hates sin. These scriptures serve as a powerful warning, revealing to us God’s character by showing us what is utterly offensive to Him, and they urge us to turn away from them, to not sin, and to embrace righteousness. Let look at these seven:

1.    A proud look: Arrogance, pride, and looking down on others. We know that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

2.   A lying tongue: Willful deception. James tells us that the tongue is the unruliest member of the body and that no man can tame it. 

3.    Hands that shed innocent blood: Murder and violence against the innocent.

4.   A heart that devises wicked imaginations: Conceiving evil schemes.

5.    Feet that be swift in running to mischief: Eagerness to do wrong.

6.   A false witness that speaks lies: Deceitful testimony, harming another’s reputation, and backbiting.

7.    He that soweth discord among brethren: Creating strife and division in the church, where it breaks unity.

Some haves suggested that the seventh item, sowing discord among brethren, is often seen as the culmination or worst of the list, as it damages unity of the body. Paul told the church at Ephesus: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3) We must not do anything to destroy unity or divide the body.

Sing: Bind us together Lord, bind us together with cords, that cannot be broken; Bind us together Lord, bind us together Lord, bind us together in love.

Thought For Today: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalms 133:1)