Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 7

You’re Not Special, You Are Blessed

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.” (Deuteronomy 7:6-13)

Today’s Morsel: There have been those who think that they are special because of their parents’ status in life. If anyone had a right to think that they were special, it would have been the nation of Israel. Moses even asked them, “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) But he wanted them to know that they were not special. And that that same God, if they forgot Him and did not obey Him, would turn and do them hurt. He wanted them to know that they were not special. They were blessed to have this God, the Creator of all things, to be their God. We, too, should not think that we are special or someone great, as without God we are nothing. We are now blessed to have this same God that Moses spoke of as our God. So don’t take it for granted and think that you are special. God may just be fulfilling His promises which He made to your parents and grandparents who served Him before you.

Sing: I am blessed! I am blessed! Every day that I live I am blessed. When I wake-up in the morning, till I lay my head to rest, I am blessed, I am blessed.

Thought For Today: Stay humble and God will exalt you in due time.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 6

Don’t Forget God

“And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 6:10-12)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout the first five books of the Bible, (the Pentateuch or Torah), there is a constant reminder by Moses, who is credited with authorship, not to forget God. But we can see what happened when the people failed to heed his warning. They were consumed by their enemies or they found themselves lacking in what they had need of. The warning is not for them only, but as Paul admonished, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:6-12) God is the one that has delivered us and given us newness of life. And so if we forget Him and go back to our old ways, then we have no one to blame but ourselves when our enemies overcome us and defeat and destroy us.

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 thou soul above its grief, let the peace pass 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: Without Jesus you can do nothing.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 5

Pressures of Duty

“Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:27-31)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever stop and consider how taxing it must have been for Nehemiah and his team to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Can you imagine having to complete a task when all you are standing and seeing is a bunch of burned rubbish, and a group of what seemed like disheartened men? Not to mention, that you also have an enemy that is trying to prevent you from accomplishing your duty. This is what I call pressures of duty. But Nehemiah and the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah had prayed when he was told what had happened to his hometown and city. And he had found favor with the king and His God. And so he knew what he was up against, and he was determined to complete the project. He knew that God was with him. If he could encourage his fellow labors to stay focused, they would complete the project. And in 52 days those walls were rebuilt. Paul tells us, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9). Always remember this, both silver and gold must be tried in the fire, and so must your faith. Remember, you have God working with you, and He does not grow weary nor does He faint. 

Sing: He gives strength to me, as I worship Him, as my heart is filled with praise. Jesus breaks the bands, as I raise my hands, He gives glorious victory.

Thought For Today: “Never let the task seem bigger than your God.” (Parker)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 4

How To Overcome Injuries

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

Today’s Morsel: Dealing with hurts and injuries can sometimes seem impossible. But Jesus knew that as His people we would face them in our life. And so He tells us what to do when they come. He said to rejoice! Rejoice you say? Yes, rejoice. Now you have a right to rejoice, Peter said, as long as your suffering isn’t of your own doing.  “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.” (1 Peter 4:12-15) The apostle Paul would also admonish us to rejoice in the Lord always. He said, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again, I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7) So, there you have it. You can be an overcomer in your hurts and injuries if you learn to rejoice.

Sing: Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! 

Thought For Today: Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 2

Overcoming Depression and Stress

“David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.” (1 Samuel 22:1-5)

Today’s Morsel: Some of the greatest weapons the enemy uses against the church is fear and phycological warfare. In other words, the enemy is out to get into your head and control your mind. He knows that if he can torment you and confuse you, he can defeat you or cause you to hurt yourself. Depression and stress are just a loss of focus of who you are and who you belong to. In my 40 years of ministry, everyone that I have counselled with who is living in a state of depression and stress is that they have lost focus. They have taken their minds off Jesus and His word and has placed it on others, their situation, or themselves. The devil knows the word of God. And he knows that the answer to every problem and situation is found in the word of God. And so his goal is to get your mind off Christ and His word so that he can defeat you. When the people came to David, notice their condition.  And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him. They came to him for help.  And while David was in the fort, the prophet came to him and told him to get into Judah. Judah means praise. You can’t sit behind a wall and fortress thinking that you are going to find relief from depression and stress. You must get yourself into Judah. You must get up and start praising God and get back to the house of God, so that you can overcome.  “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6) The only way to overcome is to keep our mind on Jesus, keep your focus and praise on Him.

Sing: What a friend we have in Jesus, all or sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in pray. Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share. We should never be discouraged, just take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Thought For Today: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalms 121:1-2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 1

Are You Accomplishing The Mission?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes mission accomplishment can seem hard if you are trying and having to do it all on your own. But as born-again believers, we should be excited about our part in accomplishing the great commission. Jesus told His disciples, which we ought to be, to go and teach all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them the things that He has commanded us. The best way to teach the gospel is with your own personal life. You must be an example of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of His word. To be a teacher is to love teaching. You must have a desire to teach and share with others what you know about Jesus, and what He can do for them. Isaiah states: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:10-12) Are you His witness? “Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:6-7) Today, purpose to share the gospel with someone else so that they too can be delivered and saved.

Sing: Since the Savior found me, took away my sins, I have known the joy of having peace within. Gone are all the pains and sorrow of my past, they are underneath the precious blood of Jesus Christ at last.

Saved, saved, saved, I’m happy on my way. Saved, saved, saved, I love Him more each day. Saved, saved, saved, I know He’s mine each hour, for He saves and He keeps and He satisfies me by His Power. 

Thought For Today: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 30

You Can Believe God’s Word

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Today’s Morsel: Some folks like to question the Word of God. Some like to say that it isn’t true, and that God, who is supposed to be loving and caring, would not do what some of it says. But Scripture tells us: “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” (Proverbs 30:5) Jesus said: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) It even tells us that before Joseph could be elevated to his position of honor, he was tried by the word. “He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.” (Psalms 105:17-19) And we see that God fulfilled the promise which He made to Joseph in his dream. The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11) God’s word is true and will accomplish what He sends it to do in my life and yours. We just need to sit back and watch it work; allowing God to have His way in our life.

Sing: I believe God, I believe God, that He will do just as He said. Trust and obey, believe Him and say, I believe, I believe God. 

If you need salvation now, or the Holy Ghost and power, just trust and obey, believe Him and say, I believe, I believe God!

Thought For Today: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)