Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 November 8

The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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 5:1-12)

Today’s Morsel: Meekness does not mean weakness. When I first went into the army, if you were a leader who showed meekness or compassion, you were seen as being weak. But now the study has proven that this type of leadership shows power, strength, influence, command, and control of oneself and one’s actions, and that of one who understands true leadership. A meek person relies on God instead of using force to get their way and causing people to do things. Jesus has promised us that if we humble ourselves and submit ourselves to those over us, we will inherit a kingdom not made with hands but His kingdom. In Psalm 37:8-11, the Psalmist states: “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Psalms 37:8-11) When we maintainour humility and trust God rather than seeking revenge, we will win and live in everlasting peace. It can all be yours with just a little bit of humility.

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

Thought for Today: If the highest place I reach is your feet, I have done it all.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 November 7

Balancing Faith Against Unbelief

“And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:17-24)

Today’s Morsel: I am sure there are many who feel as this man in the story today felt. You want to trust in God’s ability to do what His Word says that He will do, but you find yourself doubting when all hope is lost. The story shows us that even though we may have great faith, there are still going to be those moments of doubt. He also shows us that sometimes trust and weakness stand together, and sometimes grace and mercy can seem to be overpoweredby our uncertainty. When Jesus tells the father of the son possessed that all things are possible to him that can believe, straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. I believe he was saying to Jesus, ‘Lord, I believe, but I have taken him to others, and they could do nothing for him. I believe that You can, but please forgive me for the doubt in my heart.’ You see, when we do not obtain the answer to the results we were hoping for from the doctor or others, we soon start to doubt. And once doubt takes root in our heart, it grows and hamstrings our faith. We must learn how to balance our faith with our unbelief. And the way we learn to balance faith with unbelief is to know, “that the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:26-28) If we embrace this principle, we will keep our faith in God strong and in its rightful place; and keep doubt and unbelief in theirs. 

Sing: Faith can move mountains, mountains of fear and of doubt; faith can move mountains, so why don’t you try your faith out.

Thought for Today: Do not ever try to change horses in the middle of the stream.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 November 6

Living A Life of Goodness

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:6)

Today’s Morsel: Living a life of goodness requires us to act with selfless love, integrity, and genuine care for the well-being of others. It is an active daily choice to do what is right. Serving others and requiring nothing in return. When we listen with care and consideration, and support others through small acts of kindness, we are living out a life of goodness. When we honor our word by doing what we said we would do, and be dependable, and choosing moral excellence when it is difficult, we reveal a life of goodness. When we are willing to let go of wrongs and forgive others for those wrongs, we are revealing God’s goodness in our life. To live a life of goodness is to think higher of others than ourselves. Paul enlightens us as to how to live a life of goodness when he wrote to the church at Philippi: “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. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:1-5) Paul said that Christ has shown us what a life of goodness looks like. Jesus even said that when He judges in the final judgment, the sheep will be placed on His right and the goats on his left. When they asked Him why? He said:“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40) Jesus shows us in the parable the importance of using the trait of goodness He has given to us for His glory and our salvation. Are you living a life of goodness? 

Sing: To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, on earth I long to be like Him.  All through life’s journey from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.

Thought for Today: “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:9-10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 November 5

Gentle Giants

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:29-32)

Today’s Morsel: Most folks who see someone over 6 feet tall usually think twice about what they may say to them or how they might approach them. Especially if they themselves are shorter or feel intimidated by them. I have found that many of these taller people are just gentle giants, especially if they are filled with the Holy Ghost. I have seen some of those six-foot-plus giants sitting in church holding a sleeping baby, and that child seems so peaceful in their sleep while being held by these giants. It is as if they do not have a care in the world. Paul told the church at Ephesus that they must be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God had forgiven them. Gentleness ought to be seen in the life of a believer in Christ. Showing kindness and consideration for others and esteeming others better than ourselves will show that God is operating in us and that we want to be what He has called us to be, know, and do.

Sing: I need you; you need me; we’re all a part of God’s body. You pray for me; I’ll pray for you; I need you to survive. I love you; you love me; we’re all a part of God’s body. I won’t harm you with words from my mouth; I need you to survive.

Thought For Today: Let the mind of Christ be in you always.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 November 4

Possessing Patience

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)

Today’s Morsel: How many times have you heard someone say to their child, “You are trying my patience.” Or “I’m about to lose my patience.” I do not understand how we can lose the things God gives us for our use and development, but I guess folks do. Jesus said that in our patience we must possess our souls. If we learn how to stand strong when challenging times and trials come, we will keep our souls secured in Christ and maintain our eternal life. The Psalmist tells us: “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” (Psalms 86:15) If God is full of longsuffering, we too must be full of patience. Paul told the church at Colossi: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Colossians 1:10-14) Paul tells us that God provides us inner strength by His power so that we can endure hard times with patience and joy. Because of this supernatural power, called the Holy Ghost, we ought to be able to deal with difficult people and stand firm in the pressures and tests of life. The only way you can have patience is to keep yourself in the love of God and stir up the gift of the Holy Ghost in you daily.

Sing: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint, teach Lord, teach me Lord, to wait.

Thought for Today: “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.” (Colossians 3:12-13)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 November 3

Hold Your Peace

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

Today’s Morsel: In the Bible, the term ‘hold your peace’ means to stay silent, keep calm, to stop fighting and arguing among yourselves. When the 50 sons of the prophets at Bethel and Jericho told Elisha that the Lord was going to take Elijah, his master, from him, he said, I know it, so hold your peace. Elisha said, You are not telling me anything new, so be quiet and keep calm (2 Kings 2:1-14) (paraphrase). When the children of Israel saw the Egyptians coming after them, they began to lose their poise because of fear. They began to cry out against Moses, but Moses told them to hold their peace. Do not panic and do not fear. Stay calm, stand still, and see what God is about to do on your behalf. These are lessons for Christians everywhere to learn. Stay calm. Do not allow the media or politicians to trouble you. Stay calm, hold your peace; God is not going to allow anything to happen to you as His child. People are always asking, Where are all the miracles and wonders that God did in times past. Well, we may not be seeing them because we will not hold our peace and let God work. We keep trusting in man, leaning to our own understanding, and trying to fix and do things our way. If we were to practice what the word of God says, we may be surprised by what God will do. I choose to stay calm, hold my peace, and trust in the Lord. How about you?

Sing: Though the storms keep on raging in my life, and sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day. Still there lies a hope within that’s reassured; as I keep my eyes upon the distant shores, I know He’ll lead me safely to that blessed place He has prepared. And if the storms don’t cease, and if the wind keep on blowing in my life, my soul has been anchored in the Lord.

 Thought for Today: “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 November 2

Unspeakable Joy

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)

Today’s Morsel: Having joy in one’s life is essential to good health and stability. Joy causes us to be jovial, clear-headed, obedient, and able to encourage others. But if we lose our joy, then we will allow other things to plague our minds and cause us defeat. Peter tells us: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6-9) Notice: He said that if you are being weighed down because of temptations, hang in there; it is just a trial of your faith. And even though you do not see Jesus now, keep rejoicing with unspeakable joy. Do not stop worshipping and praising Him. Your joy is not predicated on what you are going through; it is predicated on who you know. Jesus!  Remember, joy is one of the traits of character that came with the Holy Spirit. 

Sing: I get joy, joy, joy, when I think about the Lord; when I’m standing in His presence, I say give me more and more. Well, it starts in my hands, and it moves down to my feet; and I have the joy, joy, joy, all over me.

Thought for Today: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2-3)