Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 4

Signs of Progress

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:15-21)

Today’s Morsel: A sign of progression and growth is found when we all become one in Christ. If there is division between you and others, then someone isn’t growing and progressing. Paul informed the church at Rome: “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. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” (Romans 6:3-12) He informed the church at Corinth: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) Are you progressing or stuck in a rut? Peter tells us: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) The sign that you are progressing is that you are one with Christ and others, and you have a deep passion for the things of God and His church.

Sing: I love Him too much to fail Him now, too much to break my vow; For I promised the Lord that I would make it somehow; And now I love Him too much to fail Him now.

Thought For Today: “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” (Ephesians 2:14)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 3

The Supreme Virtue

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Today’s Morsel: In the Bible, virtue is defined as possessing moral excellence, goodness, and spiritual strength. The New Testament uses the Greek word Arete, which means human or moral excellence and fine character. The Old Testament uses the Hebrew word Chayil,which means strength, valor, or nobility. In 2 Peter 1:3-5, believers are called by the apostle Peter to add virtue to their faith as a core building block of a godly life. In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells believers to focus their minds on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and that are of a good report, which defines a virtuous lifestyle. And Solomon tells us in Proverbs 31:10 that a virtuous woman's strength, character, and wisdom are above rubies. So, what is this supreme virtue that we must all possess in our lives? It is that of obedience. From creation until the Lord comes again, the Bible calls for us to obey. The first lesson that God taught Adam and which he failed, was that of obedience. God told Adam: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) If you plan to enter the gates of pearls and walk upon the street of gold, and enjoy your heavenly mansion, then you must learn to obey and do what God commands here on earth.

Sing: When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way; While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Thought For Today: “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 2

Hold Your Tongue

“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” (Psalms 34:11-13)

Today’s Morsel: The control of one’s tongue should be an easy thing to do, especially for a Christian, since temperance comes with the Holy Spirit. James informs us: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” (James 3:5-12) James is showing us the danger of a tongue out of control. Solomon informs us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 18:21) Therefore, we must learn when to speak and when to keep silent. Again, James asks: “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13) Wisdom should help you control your speech. As Solomon again says there is: “… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Have you learned the time?  David informs us that if we want to know how to respect and honor God, then we must learn to avoid harmful speech, such as gossip, insults, cursing, or cruel words, and that we must refuse to deceive, cheat, or use flattery to trick and deceive others. 

Sing: Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing of His mercy and His grace; In the mansions bright and blessed, He’ll prepare for us a place. 

When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be; When we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory. 

Thought For Today: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 1

Greed

“He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.” (Proverbs 15:27)

Today’s Morsel: When I was in the army, I saw many soldiers and spouses addicted to BINGO because of greed. They wanted more.  I saw many of them troubled in their minds, depressed, stressed, and even fearful because they were addicted. One of the hidden snares I believe Satan uses to hinder people, and even those in the church, and cause division is greed. Notice what the writer of Proverbs tells us: “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house.” In other words, chasing money or taking bribes can harm one’s own family. How would you feel if you were arrested and your family and neighbors found out that it was because of greed? Solomon also informs us that: “He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.” (Proverbs 28:8). You may not even know that greed is in you until you start to get angry at others for what they have, you start going about trying to be like them, or you start to lose what you already have consistently over get rich quick schemes, or you think that you need more than what you have now. Paul informs Timothy that a deacon must be free from the love of money. Deacons are helpers and administrators. If they love money, they may rob the offering plate. We all need to be cautious that we do not let greed overtake us or become dissatisfied with what we have. 

Sing: I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

The cross before me, the world behind me, the cross before me, the world behind me; The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back, no turning back. 

Thought For Today: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 30

I’ll Fly Away

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Today’s Morsel: Are you ready for heaven? Are you ready to meet Jesus in the air? During the old military times, the sound of trumpets was used to give warnings to soldiers, and others. They had calls for gathering, eating, preparing for battle, retreating from battle, burials, and even going to bed. And the soldiers were aware of each. During the early days of the Israelites, they, too, were given warning through trumpets. Paul informed the church at Thessalonica, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. He said that the trumpet is going to sound and we are going to fly away. Are you ready?

Sing: Some glad morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away; To a home on God’s celestial shores, I’ll fly away. 

I’ll fly away O’ glory, I’ll fly away, when I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away.

Thought For Today: “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 29

An Adventure

“Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.” (Acts 16:1-5)

Today’s Morsel: When Jesus called His disciples, He told them that if they followed Him, He would make them fishers of men. At that moment, those disciples probably may have thought that they would only minister there in Jerusalem. But after His resurrection, Jesus tells them:“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) I believe He was telling them, this is going to be an adventure like you have never seen before. I believe that God desires each of us to experience what His apostles and disciples did when they were upon the earth. This train is bound for glory, but it has many stops on the way, so get onboard and allow it to take you unto the uttermost parts of the world. I promise you, you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. 

Sing: Come along, my friend come along, get onboard and ride this train, nothing on this train to lose, everything for you to gain. So, come long my friend come along, get onboard and ride this train, nothing there for you to lose, everything for you to gain.

Thought For Today: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 28

Sing To Yourself

“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:17-21)

Today’s Morsel: They say that singing can sooth a hurting and broken heart. I am told that a lot of the gospel songs that were written, were sung by slaves during their times of trials and struggle under the brutal hands of their taskmasters. I can remember, as a young boy, working out in the tobacco fields of North Carolina, with the sun and heat being over a hundred degrees, someone, out of nowhere, would just start singing an old gospel song. And others would join in and suddenly you would not be moved by the heat, nor the tiredness, but energy would just rise up from within you, and you would get that second wind to keep going. Even in the military, you could be on a road march hurting and in pain, tired, and feeling like giving up, but as someone would start singing a Jodie, your spirit would be revived, and motivation would return, and you could carry on. When I was a Drill Instructor, I had this young soldier, name Bossheart. Bossheart probably weighed about 150 pounds. And we would be marching back from the Rifle Range, hot, sweaty, tried, worn, and dragging in the hot heat of Fort Jackson, South Carolina; I would call out, sing Bossheart. And he would shout at the top of his West Virgina lungs, “Gloom despair and agony on me, and all the troops would holler, O’ deep dark depression excessive misery, O’ if it wasn’t for bad luck I’d have to luck at all, “O’ gloom despair and agony of me.” Those soldiers would forget their tiredness, and their second wind would come again in them. Paul said “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”   The next time you are feeling down, sing. 

Sing: I’m gonna praise the Lord anyway that I can. I’m gonna praise the Lord anyway that I can. I’m gonna praise Him in the morning, praise Him all day long, I’m gonna praise the Lord anyway that I can.

Thought For Today: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)