Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 9

Happy Mother’s Day

“Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” (Matthew 15:21-28)

Today’s Morsel: We first pick up on the word mother when Adam said of his wife Eve:“And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” (Genesis 3:20) The name Eve means life giver. She was the first woman. Mothers are life givers. They are those who give birth to others. None of us is born without a mother. The first commandment that God gave unto us, Paul said, with a promise, was: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3). Tomorrow will be Mother’s Day. And much will be spent on cards, flowers, gifts, and meals by many to honor their mothers. It could also be a good time to mend broken fences and hurts. So, pray and ask God what He would have you to do. Jacob was afraid to face Esau because of his wrong. But God had already softened Esau heart and they were able to make amends. To all mothers, I pray that you have a wonderful and special day in the Lord tomorrow. 

Sing: I love you; I love you; I love you. What more can I say, but that I truly love you; and I’ll try to live my life so that it says it, too; I love you, I love you, I really love you.

Thought For Today: If you love Me, keep my commandments! 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 8

Stop Winking At Sin

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.” (Ezekiel 18:20-24)

Today’s Morsel: As the world becomes more and more corrupt, and iniquity and sin abounds, and evil is called good and good evil, some are starting to live and to think that it’s okay to tell and to live by little white lies, as long as it does cause hurt to anyone, or they can be used for their personal good. But John enlightens us that all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire which burns with brimstone prepared for Satan and his angels. Some are starting to give the world more of their time and energy than the church, wondering why they are tired and without rest and peace. So don’t roll the dice. You must not wink at sin. Sin must be removed from your life at all cost. The angel told Isaiah, when his mouth was touch by a coal from the altar: “And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” (Isaiah 6:7) Once God cleanses you from the altar of your sin, you must not flirt with it nor play around with sin again. Sin is the sting of death. Satan is that old serpent. “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9) If you allow him to sting you with sin, you will either die by that sting, or it is going to cause you so much pain that you wish that you were. So don’t wink at sin. As Paul states: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27) Stay far away from sin, it will kill you in the end.

Sing: I’m running for my life; I’m running for my life. I’m running for my life; I’m running for my life. If anybody asks you, what’s the matter with me, tell them that I’m saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, and water baptized, I’ve got Jesus on my mind, and I’m running for my life.

Thought For Today: Stay as far away from Satan and the world as you can.

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)