Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 31

Life’s Lessons

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” (Psalms 119:71)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes the trials, troubles, and disappointments that we go through may be designed to teach us some lessons in life as every decision and action we take has consequences. Most folks like to blame others for their trials, troubles, and disappointments. Paul told the church at Philippi that if he lived in the flesh, that’s going to be his labor. We cannot expect good things to come from us walking and operating in our flesh. As the flesh is enmity against God. If we want to see good things in life, then we must walk in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust of our flesh. Life’s lessons come in all types, shapes, and sizes. The psalmist states that it had been good for him to be afflicted, that he might learn the statues of God. Hardship and suffering can serve a good purpose. They can teach us and deepen our understanding and obedience to God’s laws and word. Afflictions can serve as a teacher to lead us toward God’s ways, whereas comfort just might lead us astray. Through hardships, we learn patience, faith, and obedience. In writing to the church at Rome, Paul states: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5) Peter told the church: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:12-17) God just seems to have a way to get us back on track!

Sing: I know the Lord will make a way for me, I know the Lord will make a way for me; if I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right; I know the Lord will make a way for me.   

Thought For Today: “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:19)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 30

Life’s Purpose

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15-21)

Today’s Morsel: If for no other reason, you were created to serve the Lord. Nothing ought to be able to remove that purpose from your life. As Jesus said, For without me you can do nothing. We need God and we need to serve Him. If you will stop and consider, you will see that God has been good to you. God has provided for you. And He has never forsaken you nor left you alone. Know your purpose is to serve Him. Joshua told the people to choose whom they were going to serve. He said, If you are not going to serve God, then choose whom you are going to serve. As Phil Driscoll sang, “You are gonna have to serve somebody. It might be devil and it might be the Lord, but you are gonna have to serve somebody.” Paul told the elders at Ephesus: “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:17-24)Have you decided whom you are going to serve? What are you going to do with the life that Jesus has given you? You’ve got to serve somebody!  The choice is yours to make.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  

Sing: I want to live the way He wants me to live; I want to give until there’s just no more to give; I want to love, love till there’s just no more love; I could never, never out love the Lord.

Thought For Today: How long halt ye between two opinions?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 28

Hold Your Tongue

“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:28)

Today’s Morsel: Scripture tells us that Pilate marveled that Jesus did not say a word against the people that were accusing Him, nor say a word for His release. James tells us that the tongue is the unruliest member of our body. “Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 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 3:3-12)  James highlights for us that our tongue if full of deadly poison and we need to learn how to control it so that it does not get out of hand and cause us trouble. Solomon tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. What we say and how we say it can cause us and others death or life.  And David asks of us, “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 34:12-13) Don’t allow your mouth to speak evil.  If you desire a good and productive life, learn how to hold your tongue.

Sing: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O’ God. 

Thought For Today: There is always a time to keep silent and a time to speak.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 27

Petty Excuses

“Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:6-11)

Today’s Morsel: How is it that some folks can say that they are born-again, have the Holy Spirit, and yet seem to find excuses for why they cannot do what they are being asked to do for the Kingdom of God? I mean, some folks seem to maintain a pocket full of excuses. As soon as they are asked to do something in the church, they seem to have already anticipated being asked, and so they have their excuse ready. When God met Moses at the burning bush and told him that He would send him to Egypt to lead His people out, Moses went into the excuse mode. He said, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel. Moses wanted God to know that He was a nobody to be sent to Pharaoh. He told God that he was not eloquent in speech, and he may have also said that he was too old, since he was now approaching 80. When God asks us to do something for others and His Kingdom, He’s not looking for an excuse why we can’t do it. He’s looking for commitment and faithfulness to go do what He’s asking. One of the things that I have learned about excuses is that they will soon turn your heart into unbelief. And all unbelief is sin. Empty your pocket of excuses and instead fill it with faith and willingness to serve.

Sing: Here I am Lord, here I am, I give all myself to You, here I am. Here I am Lord, here I am, let Your Spirit work through me, here I am.

Thought For Today: Don’t be like Adam and blame Eve for your sin.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 26

Daily Duty

“Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.” (Psalms 86:3)

Today’s Morsel: For every Christian, there are some things which ought to be a part of your daily duty. And three of those things are prayer, reading the word, and giving thanks. The psalmist said that he cries unto the Lord daily. Prayer is your communication with God. We need to talk to God daily. Prayer must become a habit that you instill in your life. As the old saying goes, seven days with prayer makes one weak. We must read the word of God daily. Scripture tells us in the book of Nehemiah: “And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.” (Nehemiah 8:17-18) Also the word tells us in Acts 17: “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:10-11) You need to search the scriptures daily to see if the things that are being told and preached to you are true. False doctrine and false teachings are on the rise.  And we are told to give thanks in everything for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. You must have a heart of gratitude. Life is too short not to be thankful. Scripture tells us that God gave the people over to a reprobate mind: Why? “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” (Romans 1:21-23) They were not thankful. Part of your daily duty is to know Him, and to make Him known. Build these habits in your daily life, and you will be stronger in your walk with the Lord.  

Sing: Every day with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before, every day with Jesus, I love Him, more and more. Jesus saves and He keeps me, He’s the One I’m living for. Every day with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before.

Thought For Today: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 25

How Much Scripture Do You Have Stored Up?

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that I have learned over the years about scripture is if you do not hide it in your heart, you will soon forget what it says and after a while you will start to lose interest in it. But when you memorize it, study it, and apply it to your heart, you are less likely to be depressed, stressed, and worried about things. God wants us to know His Word. Jesus often chided the religious leaders for not knowing what the scriptures said. They were trying to find fault with Jesus, for His teachings and the miracles that He did, and Jesus was chastising them for not know the scriptures. “Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” (John 8:19) If they would have known the scriptures, they would have known who He was. Scripture says that there is coming a day that God will send a famine in the land, not a famine for bread or water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. I don’t know about you, but as a Christian, I need to hear the Word of God daily. This Word has become a shield and protection for me. It has helped me through the tough times in my life. It has given my peace and stability when everything else around me is in chaos. Your Spiritual bank account, in your mind, ought to be filled with the Word of God. So that when you need it, it is there. Start to learn it now, so that when the famine comes, you will not be without.

Sing: Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, more precious than ever was heard. Tell how the angels in chorus, sang as they welcomed His birth. Glory to God in the highest, peace and goodwill to men on earth.

Thought For Today: “Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.” (Psalms 119:38)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 24

The Power of Humility

“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)

Today’s Morsel: One of the worst things that can happen to a Christian is that they lose their love for humility. Paul told the church at Philippi: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11) He said that Jesus humbled himself. Even though He was God manifested in flesh, He still maintained a heart of humility. Peter tells us: “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” (1 Peter 5:5-6) So how do we clothe ourselves with humility? We must adopt an attitude of selflessness, servanthood, and meekness. We must remain abase and we must elevate others. We must recognize our dependance upon God rather than ourselves. We must shed ourselves of all pride, self-importance and let Christ rein and rule in our lives. Scripture tells us that God hates pride, but He gives grace to the humble. You don’t need to elevate yourself, let God be the One who does the elevating. 

Sing: Take this offering that I bring, Humbly I fall on my knees; to proclaim You’re everything. My life’s nothing without You, take my hand and lead me through, You are my sustaining love. I live to worship You. I live to worship You.

Here I am worshipping You, with all I am, worshipping You, bowing down in spirit and truth, with lifted hands, here I am worshipping. 

Thought For Today: “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:19)