Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 9

Impartiality

“For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19)

Today’s Morsel: It may seem sometimes hard for us to love the stranger. But through the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10), Jesus shows us how this ought to be done. If we are seen by others as Jesus’ disciples, then based on our love, we must share and show love to everyone. Paul tells the church is Ephesus: “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:11-22) He said that they were strangers from the covenant of promise and had no hope and were without God. In other words, he reminded them of where they came from. We cannot be impartial when it comes to God’s love and loving others. James tells us: “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8-9) Don’t forget that you were once an alien.

Sing: I’m so glad that Jesus loved me, Jesus loved me, Jesus loved me; I’m so glad that Jesus loved me, that Jesus loved even me.

Thought For Today: Always keep the Golden Rule in place and love will be displayed in your life.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 7

A Life of Prayer

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Today’s Morsel: We don’t read much about prayer until scripture says, “And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 4:25-26) Verse 26 offers that there was a shift in worship and praise and seeking after God. Maybe they realized after Cain’s murder of Abel that something was missing. Maybe they realized that leaving God out of the picture, evil things happen. Prayer is designed to keep our relationship with Christ solid and firm, so that we do not allow evil to penetrate our lives and homes. Prayer, even according to Jesus, prevents us from quitting and giving up. Paul said that we should pray without ceasing. Talking with Jesus must be a habit in our lives. Whether we are praying for ourselves or interceding for others, it must be a habit. James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. When you can find one that you feel is truly righteous, and one whom you feel that you can share your condition or fault with for prayer, it can bring about great results. A life of prayer if often found in a life of righteousness.

Sing: Someone is praying for you. Someone is praying for you. So, when you feel you’re alone and your heart would break in two, remember someone is praying for you.

Thought For Today: A life of prayer begins with a life of righteousness.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 6

Loving Others

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (Philippians 2:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: Paul calls for us to have the same love as Christ. What kind of love did Jesus have? Jesus had unconditional and sacrificial love. Jesus’ love for us was not based on what we could do for Him, but what He could do for us. Unconditional love is birthed out of a heart of compassion. The second commandment, Jesus said, is like the first, love your neighbor as yourself. If you see others as being you, then you will treat them as you would like to be treated. But if you see them as someone else, chances are you will not treat them as yourself. If you do not have love for yourself, it’s going to make it hard for you to have God’s love operating in your life. Paul calls it comfort of love. What is love that comforts? It’s love that edifies, strengthens, and motivates others to know that you care. Paul also said, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)He said that God comforts us so that we may be able to comfort others with the same comfort. God loves us, and we are to love other the same way.   

Sing: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shores; Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me. Love lifted me, love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me.

Thought For Today: You can’t share God’s love if He’s not abiding in you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 5

Is It Time To Empty Yourself?

“And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:22-30)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes, our stresses and depressions can be caused by fear. Fear, John says, has a way of tormenting us. Jacob had lived with the fear of being killed by his brother Esau for over twenty years. And now, being commanded by God to return home, Jacob knew that he had to face that which he feared. And when he came to the ford Jabbok, he knew that he needed to have a clear mind and a clear heart when he met that which he feared. Jabbok means an emptying out. It was here that Jacob got ahold of God and emptied himself out. Jacob wrestled with God for an answer of assurance. He knew that he had to cross over, but he needed assurance that God was sending him home. Maybe he even questioned God if he was aware that Esau was going to kill him. By emptying himself out, Jacob proves that God will hear the brokenhearted and change the situation for your good. As David said, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalms 34:18). 

Sing: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. 

Thought For Today: When you are weak, then is He strong.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 4

A New Song

“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” (Psalms 96:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: They say that if you want to change the outlook of your situation, then change the way that you talk to yourself. If you speak ill of yourself, or you use language that belittles yourself, chances are you will talk yourself into defeat. The Psalmist says to sing unto the Lord a new song. If you have been singing Gloom, despair, and agony on me, stop singing that, and start singing, I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me. Start singing, Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Start singing, Every promise in the book is mine. Or Love lifted me. Or maybe, There shall be light in the evening time. Singing has a way of lifting us up out of the muck and mire. So before you allow yourself to be defeated by your words, choose a new song and sing it unto the Lord.

Sing: I have found His grace is all complete He supplies my every need; While I sit and learn at Jesus feet, I am free, yes, free indeed. 

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory; It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, oh, the half has never yet been told.

Thought For Today: A new song can lift you up!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 3

Do You Love Jesus?

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-16)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that we see in Jesus is that He did not focus on the disciples’ actions as proof of their love to Him. He asked them if they loved Him. Peter was probably stunned that Jesus asked him if he loved Him three times. Peter knew that Jesus is resurrected from the dead, he’s now talking to the Savior of the world, God manifested in flesh, and now Jesus asked if he loved Him. I believe the questions were asked because they had returned to their worldly professions, after Jesus had called them, chosen them, and trained them for His mission. Fishers of men, and to start His church. But they had so quickly lost heart and started to go back.  The question of do you love me, put the onus on Peter to prove himself. And the way he would have to prove himself was first by his word. Yes or no. But once he said yes three times, he knew that he was now committed to do God’s will. Do you love Jesus? Are you committed?

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: We just don’t love in word only; we love in both word and deed. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 2

Can You Love Like Jesus?

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Today’s Morsel: From Genesis to Revelation, the threads which run through the Bible are, love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, justice, and compassion. We know that according to scripture, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8) Being born again is a commitment to follow Jesus. If God is love, and He is, then we must love also. To really have the heart of Christ, you must have a heart of compassion. Compassion doesn’t mean that you allow people to run over you or use you, it means that you are sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, that you are strong, and that you able to help those who are really in need and need your support.  True compassion can sense true hurting and will get involved. If you really want to follow Jesus’ commandment and love, then you must first realize how much He loved you.

Sing: I’m not on an ego trip; I’m nothing on my own. I make mistakes and often slip, just common flesh and bones. But I’ll prove someday, just what I say, that I’m of a special kind; yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

He knew me, yet He loved me, He whose glory makes the heaven’s shine. I’m so unworthy, of such mercy; yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

Thought For Today: Love makes the world go round!