Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 26

Don’t Dwell On The Past

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever feel as though you are stuck in a rut and can’t get out? Does it feel like every time you go to church it’s the same old thing? Do you ever wonder why Israel kept wanting to go back to Egypt? Well, the answer lies in the fact that they kept dwelling on the past. They kept looking back instead of going forward. They saw the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. God told them that when the cloud and pillar moved, they were to move. God was leading them to their promise, but they wanted to dwell on their past. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we must go on to perfection. If you sit still and keep dwelling on the past, you will never reach completion in Christ. God wants us to grow and become mature Christians so that we know how to live, do what is right, and to help others reach that same standard. There are certain standards of doctrine and spiritual living that we are going to do because we are aware of these things. Things such as baptizing people, praying for people to receive the holy ghost, holy living, separation from the world, and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. We don’t need to dwell on this. These should be in our hearts to do. But to become complete in Christ, we must now study His word and get an understanding as to the application and importance it is for our life. We must come to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering for ourselves. You can get out of the rut when you make up your mind to go forward.

Sing: When the host of Israel, led by God, round the walls of Jericho softly trod; trusting in the Lord, they felt the conqueror’s tread, by faith they saw the victory ahead.

Victory ahead! Victory ahead! Through the blood of Jesus, victory ahead; Trusting in the Lord, they heard the conqueror’s tread, by faith they saw the victory ahead

Thought For Today: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 25

Don’t Destroy Your Home

“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” (Proverbs 14:1)

Today’s Morsel: When the scripture speaks to the woman being the keeper of the home, and it was being taught in the church, many became offended, left the church, and said that the pastor or ministers were teaching that women should stay home and not work outside the home. Many failed to get an understanding or maybe it was presented to them wrong. You must keep in mind that a wife and a husband must be one flesh and work in harmony and unity with each other. Solomon emphasizes here that a woman with wisdom, kind words, and behaviors, have the power to either establish her home in peace, love, and joy; or she can cause destruction and chaos. It’s in her hands. She must also, along with her husband, set the spiritual temperature in their home. A woman’s housekeeping goes beyond physical housework. It includes building up her children’s character, supporting her husband in his career and duties, and helping to manage resources and responsibility. How she speaks, how she dresses, and her overall behavior will either build her house or tear it down. The ball is in her court.

Sing: Jesus be the center in my home. Jesus be the center in my home. From beginning to the end, it’s always been, it will always be You Jesus, Jesus; From my house to the heavens, Jesus be the center, it’s all about You, yes, it’s all about You; from my house to the heavens, Jesus be the center, it’s all about You, yes, it’s all about You. 

Thought For Today: “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.” (Proverbs 12:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 23

Call To Decision

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)

Today’s Morsel: Many people often find themselves in the valley of decision. We hear them saying, “I just don’t know what I’m going to do.” Or “How should I handle this disagreement with them.” Many find themselves questioning career choices or living accommodations.  And while they are in the valley of decision, few if any seek God for His direction. They would rather seek others or man for their guidance or help. But David said: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4) David knew that God was right there with him and he had nothing to worry about. Even if he had to make a tough choice or decision.  Jesus doesn’t change. If He promised to never leave us nor forsake us, then we should understand that He’s there in time of decision making. If He was there for David, then He will be there for you too.

Sing: For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley, when things go wrong, He’ll make them right. The God of the good times, is still God in the bad times; and the God of the day, is still God in the night.

Thought For Today: If you think God is far away, guess who moved!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 22

Walk Humbly

“Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:6-8)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m being as humble as I can be.” Well, then they aren’t humble. Humility is a trait of character that is birthed out of day to day living. As we used to say in the military, “It’s a part of your benefits, it’s a part of your life.” Humility is a benefit from God that came with the Holy Ghost. It’s called meekness. In His sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth(Matthew 5:5). In the 50’s-90’s, if you were a leader or a person that displayed humility, you were often seen as one weak. But what folks found out later was that this trait of character in those folks actually showed great strength, patience, submission, and understanding of life. Scripture tells us that before honor is humility. So, let this trait be developed in you or you cannot come before God.

Sing: Let me walk with You Jesus. Don’t ever leave me alone. For without You I can never, no never, make heaven my home.

Thought For Today: “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 21

Watch Those Words

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21)

Today’s Morsel: Many today are struggling with depression and low self-esteem because they keep killing themselves with their own words. You can’t talk evil and expect good. Solomon tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. How we talk to ourselves and to others has a major impact on our life. If you are one of those who follows politics and media, you will notice that few things good are ever spoken. It’s always evil and degrading words. You can’t live your life like that and expect to have any joy. If you notice, those who speak ill of others, and degrade others, and talk about others in an evil way, do not have a smile or any joy on their face. Thus, they are killing themselves. But you beloved, must keep yourself in the love of God. Using words that edify, strengthen and build up. Your words must reflect that Christ is present in you, and that you belong to Him. Your words must heal, exalt, and display the love of Christ for all. If David wanted the words of his mouth and the mediation of his heart to be accepted by God, shouldn’t we.

Sing: Jesus is the sweetest name I know, and He’s just the same, as His lovely name. That’s the reason why I love Him so, for Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

Thought For Today: Remember, words become actions.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 20

How Art The Mighty Fallen

“And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!” (2 Samuel 1:17-19)

Today’s Morsel: In warfare, you sometimes lose great leaders and great men. But when it happens to those at senior levels, it can often be shocking, as they lead from a position of safety. However, during Saul and Jonathan’s rein, leaders were expected to be in the front, leading their men into battle. But this day, this war against the Philistines, both Saul and Jonathan were slain in battle. I believe that David felt that if Saul had just let him fight with him and not tried to kill him, this tragedy would not have happened, as the Philistines feared David because he had killed Goliath.  I often ask myself, weren’t the Philistines supposed to be servants to the armies of God, since that was the saying of Goliath when he wanted a man to fight him, that whoever won the other would serve them? Didn’t Goliath lose the fight? But now the mighty have fallen to those same Philistines because Saul did not obey and do what God commanded him to do. Don’t ever allow your downfall to be because of disobedience.

Sing: Let God arise and His enemies be scattered; Let God arise and His enemies be scattered, Let God arise and His enemies be scattered; Let God, let God arise.

Thought For Today: Never leave the enemy in command of the battlefield or he will destroy you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 May 19

Life Is A Ballgame

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Today’s Morsel: One of the greatest weapons that Satan has is that of temptation. Temptation is not a sin until you give into it. And Satan knows that. And so he goes about to position it in your way so that it will lure and entice you to take the bait. As a kid, I always listened to this song that said, “Life is like a ballgame, being played each day, life is like a ballgame and each and every one must play; You know Jesus is standing at the Homeplate and He’s waiting for you there; You know life is a ballgame and you must play it fair.  First base is temptation, second base is sin, third base is tribulation, and if you pass you can make it on in. Because life is a ballgame and you must play it first.”  So, true. As Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) In this world you will have trouble. Jesus acknowledges that life will be hard, filled with persecutions, sorrows, and suffering. In some way He’s telling us to prepare for the struggles and pain that are going to come. Jesus said that when these tribulations, adversities, hardships, and distresses come, take heart and follow His example because He has already shown you how to be an overcomer. So, rejoice!

Sing: Life is like a ballgame, being played each day; you know life is like a ballgame, and each and every one must play; You know Jesus is standing at the Homeplate, and He’s waiting for you there; You know life is a ballgame and you must play it fair.  

Thought For Today: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)