Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 10

The Day God Took Care of My Enemy

“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: Throughout Scripture, we oftentimes see that Israel did not have to fight their enemies because God fought for them. God told Gideon that He would go with him into battle against the Midianites. He told Josuah that He would be with him, as He was with Moses, when he came into the promise land. Every battle that Joshua fought, from Jericho until the children of Israel were given land, God was with them. He even told David how to plan a victory to conquer his enemy. He told Jehoshaphat that the battle was not his, but His. And the writer of Hebrews informed us: “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (Hebrews 11:32-34) All because God was fighting for them. And when the children of Israel were afraid because they saw the Egyptians coming behind them, Moses told them not to fear, but to standstill, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. He told them to take a good look at their enemies as this would be the last time that they would see them. Do you remember the day that God took care of your enemies? It was the day that you became born again. That was the day that God got rid of your enemies for you. Now there is nothing nor anyone you should fear or dread. God will fight your battles for you. Just call upon Him in the time of trouble and He will hear you and deliver you. 

Sing: God is fighting for us, pushing back the darkness, lighting up the kingdom, that shall not be shaken, in the name of Jesus, the enemy is defeated, and you shout it out, shout it out.

Thought For Today: “Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.” (Isaiah 41:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 9

Is There Anything Too Hard For The Lord?

“Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.” (Genesis 18:11-15)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scriptures, we sometimes see folks who take matters into their own hands because they don’t think that God has the power nor the ability to do what He says. When Abraham and Sarah are told that they will have a son in their old age, they both laughed. But God doesn’t laugh with them. God asks them if there is anything too hard for Him to do? Abraham and Sarah are listening and thinking from a natural standpoint and not a spiritual one. When God says that something is going to happen, buckle your seat beat as it will come to pass. He is not a man that He should lie. The writer of Hebrews informs us that God swears by Himself because He doesn’t lie. Mary and Martha were under the idea that there was nothing that could be done for their brother Lazarus, as he had died. Yet Jesus tells them that their brother shall live again. But when Martha confesses that she knows that He will rise and living against in the resurrection in the last day, Jesus tells her that He is the resurrection. What, I believe, He was saying to Martha is, do you think there is something that I can’t do? Do you think that this is too hard for me? When Jesus tells them to roll away the stone from the grave, Martha is befuddled. And when her brother walks out of that grave, she knew that there was nothing too hard for God. Listen, God can take care of your situation if you’d simply believe Him and let Him. The name Isaac means laughter. God always gets the last laugh and the last say. But you can have the last rejoicing for His goodness.

Sing: Nothing is too difficult for Thee, nothing is too difficult for Thee, great and mighty God in counsel, mighty in-deeds, nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is too difficult for Thee.

 Thought For Today: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 8

The Fire Is Coming

“And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” (Genesis 19:12-17)

Today’s Morsel: The story of Lot has always been a sad story for me. But it shows us what can happen if we stay close to the world and we allow the ways of the world to get into our hearts. Lot is told that Sodom and Gomorrah are about to be destroyed by fire. One would think that there would have been a more urgent attitude by him and others to get out of the city as fast as they could. But no, scripture says that he lingered. There was no urgency by him to get himself and his family out. He delayed his departure for so long that the angels had to take them by the hand and lead them out. What would make one linger when the city is about to be destroyed? We even see this mindset and attitude when governors and officials of states tell people that they should leave their homes because a hurricane or tornado is coming and their lives may be in jeopardy. Some of them linger until it is too late. Peter informs us: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:8-18) The fire is coming. So get ready now, as it is the acceptable time, and not a time for delay and lingering. 

Sing: Well, I’m getting ready to leave this place, I’m getting ready for those gates of pearls; Keeping my record straight, watching both day and night; Well I’m getting ready to leave this place.

Thought for Today: “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:43-44)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 7

Laboring For The Rest

“Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” (Hebrews 4:7-11)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout America today, many will be off work for what we call Labor Day. Labor Day is a day sat aside to honor contributions of American workers, recognizing the labor movement, and celebrate the social and economic achievements of laborers. 

Paul informs us that we are laboring together with Christ, and that there is a day of rest which is set aside for us who labor and work in His vineyard. The same way that we honor those who have labored to make things better for others throughout America, we should also celebrate those who labor in the vineyard of Christ, to make things and life better for others. Why are you laboring in Christ’s vineyard? Are you looking and working to gain more? Or are you laboring to enter that rest? Don’t labor to be rich - “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” (Proverbs 23:4) labor to enter that rest that He has gone to prepare for us. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:10-12)

Sing: Jesus use me, O’ Lord don’t refuse me, for surely there’s a work that I can do. And even though its humble, Lord, help my will to crumble; Though the cost be great, I’ll work for You.

Thought For Today: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 6

The Day Abraham’s Faith Was Tested

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” (Genesis 22:1-14)

 

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever had your faith tested? When Albert Einstein was seen as a failure after the light bulb didn’t work at  1,000 tries, he stated, “I have not failed. I’ve just found a thousand ways it doesn’t work.”  There will come a time in your life that your faith will be tested, or you will never know if it is going to work when you need it. Jesus placed His disciples in a boat to go to the other side; their faith was put to the test by a storm. When they began to fear, Jesus chides them for not having any faith. Abraham was tested by God telling him to offer his son Isacc. Abraham, we see, doesn’t waver. His faith had been tested before, and he knew that God would come through for him. And He will come through for you. James tells us that it is the trying of our faith that worketh patience. When your faith is tested, don’t fret nor fear, just see it as God proving you to see if it’s going to work for you when you may need it the most.

Sing: Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails, so you might as well get thee behind me Satan, you cannot prevail; because Jesus never fails.

Thought For Today: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 5

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

“Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” (Job 4:8)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that is sure in life is that you reap what you sow. Solomon, the wisest man to ever lived, stated: “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:8-13) Solomon highlights for us that the wicked and every sinner isn’t getting away just because their sentence is not speedily executed, he lets us know that it shall not be well or good for the wicked and sinner when their judgement comes. If we reap good for doing good and evil and wickedness for doing evil, I don’t think we need to be a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out. Job lets us know that we reap what we sow. Or should I say that we reap what we do. So, don’t be your own worst enemy. Be careful and aware of what you are sowing, it will come back around to you.  

Sing: I thought that number one, would surely be me, I thought I could be, whatever I wanted to be; I thought that I could build on life’s sinking sand, but I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

Lord, I can’t even walk, without You holding my hand, the mountains too high, and the valleys too wide. Down on my knees, that’s where I learn to stand; And I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

Thought For Today: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 4

Are You Enjoying Life?

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39-40)

Today’s Morsel: Bottom line up front, if Jesus is not the highest priority in your life, the likelihood of you enjoying life and living a productive life, is going to be very smallest. You may find some enjoyment and laughter here and there, as with some things, because most people do. But enjoyable life and having it more abundant will be sporadic. Let me share with you why. Jesus has already told us in His Word: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) We can’t do anything without Him. So, if we are missing the source from which life comes from, then we will not have it. Jesus also tells us: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus shared these teachings with us so that we could experience His personal overflowing inner joy through a loving relationship with Him, rather than relying on temporary worldly circumstances. When you study the Word of God, you soon discover that true, complete life, joy, and happiness, come from Jesus and by living closely connected to Him. It doesn’t come from money, success, or material things. Jesus links His joy, life, and peace, with keeping His commandments and abiding in His love. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10) If you want to have life and an enjoyable life, then you must stick close to Him the One who gives us life. 

Sing: I found a new way of living, I found a new life divine, I have the Fruit of the Spirit, I am abiding, abiding in the vine.

Abiding in the vine, abiding in the vine, love, joy, peace, strength, He has made them mine; I have prosperity, power and victory, abiding, abiding, in the vine.

Thought For Today: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)