Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 21

What A Friend

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:13-15)

Today’s Morsel: Some of the traits that are often seen in friends are loyalty, commitment, trustworthiness, dependability, encouragement, and integrity. These are some of the traits that I have found and seen in true friendships. Today, for some reasons, true friends are few and in between. True character seems to have taken the last train to the coast. Solomon states: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17); “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) A true friend shows unwavering love. Not just when things are easy, but through times of challenges and hardships. Adversity will often reveal who your true friends really are. Every born-again believer ought to be a constant friend to those whom they call their friends. A True friend checks-up on those whom they call friend. They remember their birthday anniversary, and other special days. They communicate with their friend keeping them informed. Jesus told His disciples that they were no longer servants but friends if they did what He had commanded them. So how do we go from being a servant of God to being a friend of God? Simply by obeying God’s word. Obedience to the word of God shows love for God and the things which He has asked of us to do. Remember, Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother!  Are you that type of friend?  When is the last time you checked-up on those you call your friends?

Sing: What a Friend, we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit; O what needless pain we bear; All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!

Thought For Today: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 20

In The City Where The Lamb Is The Light

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:22-23)

Today’s Morsel: From the time we are born-again, our goal is to reach that heavenly city where the Lamb is the light. Scripture tells us that the patriarch’s saw themselves as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They did not consider this world their home. They were looking for where God was. They were looking for that final resting place wherein dwelleth righteousness. They did not consider this present world home. Scripture says, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:16) They were looking for that heavenly city that Jesus had gone to prepare for them. John says, And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. The Lamb is the light. Scripture says: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) There won’t be a need for light because Jesus is the Light and He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth.

Sing: There’s a country far beyond the stary sky, there’s a city where there never comes a night; if we’re faithful, we shall go there by and by; Tis the city where the Lamb is the Light. 

In the city where the Lamb is the Light, in the city where there cometh no night; I’ve a mansion over there and when free from toil and care, I am going where the Lamb is the Light.

Thought For Today: Where are you headed? Are you on the right road?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 19

Cleanse Me

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:16-20)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout God’s word, He calls for us to cleanse ourselves. You see, we are all born in sin and shapened in iniquity. Paul states, “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 6:17-18) When we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism, we must come out and remain clean. Our attitudes, actions, and conduct all must remain clean. We must possess a pure heart and right spirit. A clean heart ought to always be motivated by a clean spirit.  Isaiah also informs us: “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isaiah 35:8) Notice, no unclean thing shall pass over that highway which is called holiness. Holiness is who God is and His kingdom is to be holy. The writer of Hebrews tells us: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22) Pure water. The water or the word. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23) And Jesus tells us: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3) Obedience to God’s Word and the instructions from it will cleanse us. If we are not willing and obedient to it, we will remain unclean and we will suffer the consequences for our actions. But know this, holiness must become His house.

Sing: Search me O God and know my heart today; Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

Thought For Today: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalms 51:7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 18

Sunshine In The Shadow

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Today’s Morsel:  Life can sometimes seem dark and dreary. Especially when we may have lost a loved one, our job, received an evil doctor’s report, or even lost our favorite pet; all these things that come in life can cast a shadow of darkness and doubt. Those ‘why’ questions start running through the mind causing us to wonder if God even cares. When it seems that all hope is lost, it can make the days dark and long and the nights unbearable. One song writer wrote, “Where do I go, when the storms of life are raging? Who do I turn to, when no one wants to listen? Who do I lean on, when there’s not foundation stable? I go the Rock; I know that He’s able; I go to the Rock.” The Psalmist stated that the “darkness hideth not from the Lord (Psalms 139:12). God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Let me encourage you today, no matter how dark things may seem right now in your life, there is always sunshine above the darkness of the clouds.  

Sing: When my life is burdened with sorrow, and it seems all help is gone, Jesus whispers, “Do not falter” I will leave thee not alone.” Then somehow amidst my trials, how it is I cannot see; still, I hear a voice from Heaven, gently saying, “Follow me.”

There is sunshine in the shadow; There is sunshine in the rain; There is sunshine in our sorrow, when our hearts are filled with pain. There is sunshine when we’re burdened; There is sunshine when we pray; There is sunshine, heavenly sunshine, Blessed sunshine all the way.

Thought For Today:  Keep looking up. The Sun will shine.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 17

Victory Ahead

“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

Today’s Morsel: Because Jesus Christ doesn’t work on our timeline, we should not think that He does not fight our battles for us. Daniel waited twenty-one days before he got his answer. King Jehoshaphat was alarmed that such a great force was coming against him, and he knew that he did not have the men nor the might to defeat them. But he remembered what God had told Solomon when he dedicated the temple. “And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:12-14) And so, King Jehoshaphat called God to His word and God answered him and gave him the victory over his enemies. When the odds are against you, don’t fear or fret. Take it to Jesus and remind Him of what He has said in His word, and you too will see that there is victory for your situation and circumstance.

Sing: Victory ahead! Victory ahead! Through the blood of Jesus, victory ahead. Trusting in the Lord, I hear the conqueror’s tread, by faith I see the victory ahead.

Thought For Today: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 16

Every Generation

“A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalms 100:1-5)

Today’s Morsel: Since the creation of the world, God’s love, grace, mercy, and truth, have been available to every generation. Everyone has been given the same opportunity to serve God, love God, worship God, live for God, and know God. Jeremiah tells us that it is because of God’s mercies that we are not consumed (Lam 3:22). God is willing to forgive all those who come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He won’t despise them. The psalmist tells us that mercy belongs to God (Psalms 62:12). And since God is from everlasting to everlasting, His mercy and truth is everlasting. With God, every generation can enjoy His love, peace, joy, and salvation. As God is no respecter of persons, are you sharing with others what He’s done for you?

Sing: I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with praise; I will say that this is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice for He hath made me glad. 

He hath made me glad, He hath made me glad, I will rejoice for He hath made me glad; He hath made me glad, He hath made me glad, I will rejoice for He hath made me glad.

Thought For Today: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 14

The Bond of Perfectness

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

Today’s Morsel: When we become Christians, or born again, we are commanded to take off the old man and to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24). Paul tells us to put on holiness, compassion, kindness, humility, patience, endurance, and forgiveness. But then he says that the thing that will hold these things firm and solid in our life is love. He said that love is like a strong glue that holds these things in place in our life (my wording). To be complete in Christ and in our walk with Him requires us to be rooted and grounded in God’s love. Today, much will be spent on flowers, cards, and chocolates to reveal one’s love. But the greatest gift, and the sweetest gift, is manifested from the heart towards others. And that is God’s love.

Sing: I am so glad that our Father in heaven, tells of His love in the Book He has given. Wonderful things in the Bible I see; this is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me. I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.

Thought For Today: Happy Valentines Day!