Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 29

At The Cross

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:34-43)

Today’s Morsel: You know, we don’t hear preaching very much about the Cross anymore. George Orwell states, “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” If Satan can get preachers and saints to stop preaching and talking about the Cross, the church will soon be destroyed. The church doesn’t need to try and keep pace with the world. The world is running headlong into hell and destruction. The church is to be a city sat on a hill that gives light and hope to a lost and dying people and world. In other words, give those in the world a place to come to for forgiveness of sins and life. Jesus told Nicodumus, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15) He relates this to when the children of Israel sinned in the wilderness, God sent fiery serpents into their camp, and many of them were destroyed because of their sin and disobedience. And so God had Moses place a brazen serpent upon a pole in the midst of the camp, and when they were bitten by a serpent, they could look to the image and be healed. Jesus said that He would be lifted up in the same fashion. As Satan has caused and is causing many to sin, and many were and are dying because of sin, Jesus Christ was lifted up on a Cross at Calvary for our healing and deliverance from sin. He gave His life for the sin of the whole world. And now when people sin, they can look to Him, and seek for forgiveness of their sin, and live. We have what those in the world need, not the other way around.  Let’s not change the church, we want them to have a place to come to.  

Sing: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!

Thought For Today: Don’t ever forget Calvary and the Cross.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 27

What A Savior

“And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” (Mark 1:40-42)

Today’s Morsel: From the raising of Lazarus from the dead, to the healing of the blind man at the pool of Silom, to the raising of the woman of Nain’s dead son, to the deliverance of the Syrophoenicians woman’s daughter possessed with demons, to the setting free the man living in the tombs possessed with thousands of demons, to turning the water into wine, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee to prevent embarrassment, to healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, to feeding the multitude with five loaves and two fish, to the healing of the lepers, there was only one who was willing to give His life on a cross for our sins. There has never been one so loving, compassionate, and caring as our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As the song writer said, O what a Savior.

Sing: O, what a Savior, O, hallelujah, His heart was broken on Calvary. His hands were nail scarred, His side was riven, He gave His lifeblood for even me.

Thought For Today: I love you, that’s what Calvary says.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 26

It Is Jesus

“And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.” (Luke 18:35-43)

Today’s Morsel: My wife was sharing with me a video clip of a man asking some high school seniors some geography questions. It was amazing some of the answers they were giving. Question such as, How many continents are there? One young lady said fifty-one. One was asked to name some of the continents. And she said, France, Paris, Alaska. It was more sad than funny. Sad to say, this same spirit of not knowing has crept into the church. There are many sitting on church pews every week who have no knowledge of Christ. As Paul told the church at Corinth: “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34) The apostle Peter, informs us, “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: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10) It becomes every born-again believers’ duty to know Christ and to make Him known. When Jesus was on His way to Calvary, the noise was loud as He was exiting the city. The blind man asks what all the noise meant. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. When he heard that, And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. Even when they tried to get him to be quiet, he cried out louder and Jesus stopped and healed him. Do you know Him?  

Sing: Who is this who for our sorrow offers comfort and relief, bringing sunshine to the dark and shadowed life? Saying softly, “Cease repining, lift thy soul above its grief, let the peace past understanding still the strife.”

It is Jesus! Jesus! Sad one, weep no more! He will heal the brokenhearted, open wide the prison door, He is able to deliver evermore. 

Thought For Today: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 25

Fill My Way Everyday With Love

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture, we find that love, along with faith and eternal life, seems to be the driving force for the Christian to be, know, and do. I think when it comes to love, we fail to understand which one we should use and when. Agape Love refers to unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial love, which God demonstrated towards humanity. When we become Christians, God calls for us to emulate and express this love in our relationship with Him and others. Phileo Love refers to friendship or brotherly love, characterized by mutual affection, trust, camaraderie. This love exists between friends and companions sharing common interests, experiences, and values. Eros Love refers to romantic or passionate love characterized by desire, attraction, and intimacy such as between husband and wife. I have also read that the Greeks used Storge Love to describe natural affection and loyalty in family relationship when expressing love among close family. This love exists between parents and children, siblings, and other family members, rooted in kinship bonds and shared experience. But no matter which one we use, and when we use it, it must be according to God’s will. As God is love, John said. John also informs us: “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:10) So, every day we ought to pray that God will fill our way with His love, so that we may walk as He walked and reveal who we are in Him. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

Sing: Let me walk blessed Lord in the way Thou hast gone, leading straight to the land above; Giving cheer everywhere to the sad and the lone, 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 every day with love.

Thought For Today: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1 John 4:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 24

Rock of Ages

“A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” (Psalms 27:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: One of the imageries we read in scripture about Jesus Christ is that of a Rock. Moses says: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4; “Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.” (Deuteronomy 32:18); “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.” (Deuteronomy 32:31) Hanna says: “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2) David says: “For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?” (Psalms 18:31); “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.” (Psalms 18:46) “And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;” (2 Samuel 22:2) Peter says:“And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” (1 Peter 2:8) and Paul says:“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) So why did all these writers tell us that our Lord and God is a Rock? As Paul again says: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) For Jehovah, the Lord God Almighty is the Rock of our Salvation, and the true foundation. He is the stone which the builders refused. He is the Rock that the children of Israel drank from in the wilderness. And He is the one in whom the New Testament Church and our lives must be built upon. And that is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Rock that has been with us through all ages. 

Sing: Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee. Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure. 

Thought For Today: “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” (Psalms 95:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 23

Learning To Lean

“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: The more that I walk with God, the more I find that I need to lean on Him. I have come to realize that He is a strong tower and a mighty fortress. The Bible tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and to not lean unto our own understanding. You see, I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and neither are you. We can’t just trust in God when hardships and unwanted circumstance come into our lives. Israel shows us what happens when we live that way. When you trust God only when your back is against the wall, and you haven’t been trusting Him before, you will find that you have too many negative voices speaking to you, and against you, that nothing in your situation, hardship, and circumstance is going to change. Thus, you find yourself struggling to believe. Or should I say, you find yourself with weak faith. The same way that we are encouraged to pray without ceasing, we must trust God without ceasing. To trust God with all our heart, is to believe His word for what it says and obey it. Sometimes, when you read God’s word, it may not make sense to you. And that is because it’s not a natural book. It is a spiritual book. And you need His Spirit to guide you so that you can understand what it is saying and its meaning. Let me encourage you, don’t lean unto your own understanding. Learn to lean on Jesus and you’ll find that He will see you through every time.

 Sing: I’m learning to lean, learning to lean, learning to lean on Jesus; finding more power than I’d ever dreamed; I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

Thought For Today: “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” (Psalms 34:22)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 22

Listen To The Word of God

“Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.” (Ezekiel 37:4)

Today’s Morsel: If you are lacking in faith, Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Ezekiel found himself being placed by God in the midst of a valley of dead dry bones. And the Lord tells him to prophesy to those bones, and to tell them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Many today are suffering from dry bone syndrome because they are not listening to the word of the Lord. The dry bone syndrome is those who can’t seem to find any satisfaction. They are the ones who are running to and fro, trying to find peace and joy but afterwards only finding themselves returning right back to the same location they left just as discontented as they were before they left. If you are one of those that fall into this category, then you must hear and heed the word of the Lord. His word gives life. His word brings peace. His word will satisfy your need for every situation and circumstance. Jesus Christ is the word (John 1:1;14), and He is the only one that can give you true contentment, peace, joy, and satisfy your soul.

Sing: For only Jesus can satisfy, your soul, and only He can change your heart and make it whole: He’ll give you peace you never knew, sweet love and joy and heaven, too; For only Jesus can satisfy your soul!

Thought For Today: Don’t allow the gloom, despair, and agony on me bug get into your heart.