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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 November 1

Sharing That True Love

“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. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1 John 4:7-11)

Today’s Morsel: We learn in life that there are basically three types of love. Agape, which is unconditional love. Philia, which is a brotherly or friendly love. And eros, which is romantic love. Speaking to the church at Corinth, Paul states: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-8) We must not be hypocrites when it comes to God’s love. He told the church at Colossi: “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3:14) If God is that true love according to John, how do we share Him with others? We must put it on. We must be clothed in Him. Jesus said: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) We have freely received His love, so by taking actions to help and encourage others, we share His love with them, because He is true love. 

Sing: I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, I am glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.

Thought for Today: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 31

Abstaining From All Appearance Of Evil

“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-23)

Today’s Morsel: When I was a kid, I looked forward to October 31^st. As kids, we saw Halloween as a time for fun and dressing up with all kinds of garb that reflected fear and evil, and to see who we could scare and impress with our looks and actions to get candy. We did not consider any danger associated with it. It was years later, when I was older and had my own children, that we began to hear that people were lacing the candy with drugs, alcohol, and needles to harm children. And we began to understand the true meaning behind this holiday.  Paul calls for the church to give no appearance of evil. Appearance, according to the King James Bible, uses the Greek word eidos, or eidous, which means type, kind, or form rather than a visual outward look. Therefore, 1 Thessalonians 5:22 commands Christians to reject evil in all its types, rather than just avoiding things that merely look suspicious to others. As believers, we are urged to test everything.  Paul calls for us to prove all things, and to hold on to that which is good.   When he wrote to the church at Ephesus, he informed them: “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:6-16) Remember, we are called to be holy as He is holy, and that we must make an active choice to turn away from sin and all ungodly influence and works of the devil and abstain from all appearances of evil.  

Sing: I command you, Satan, in the name of the of the Lord, to pick up your weapons and flee; for God hath given me the authority to walk all over thee.

Thought for Today: “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)

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 30

Do You Love The Lord?

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalms 18:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: Having a love for God can change everything about you and who you are and what you do. The first commandment the children of Israel were taught was: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) Scripture also informs us: “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:1-6) Notice how God expresses what a relationship with Him should look like. Jesus said that you can’t serve two, for either you will love the one and hate the other, or you will hold on to the one and despise the other. If we love God, He will show mercy unto thousands of them that love Him and keep His commandments. David said I will love the Lord, my strength. How much do you love God? Do you express your love for Him in your life, actions, and conduct? To love God is to place Him before anyone and everything else in your life.

Sing: I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You; O my soul, rejoice, take joy, my King, in what You hear, may it be a sweet sound in Your ear. 

We exalt Thee, we exalt Thee, we exalt Thee, Oh O Lord; we exalt Thee, we exalt Thee, we exalt Thee, O Lord.

Thought for Today: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 29

Despondency

“How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalms 13:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: If we are not careful, despondency can invade the church and get into our lives. As I have often mentioned, despondency causes you to feel hopeless, discouraged, rejected, and unhappy. It is one of Satan’s greatest weapons against you. He knows that if he can get you to this state, he will win if you do not run to Jesus for His help. David shows us that just because he was king, he was not exempt from things coming against him. Remember, from the time Israel was brought out of Egypt and the land of bondage, they have been at war with others. Israel represents the church, and Egypt and the other nations represent the world. Stop and think about that for a moment: David was king for forty years, and Scripture makes no mention of him having rest from war. It was not until Solomon, his son, assumed commanded that Israel had rest from war. But David, from the time he slew Goliath, was at war. This may be why Israel, even today, looks at David as one of their greatest leaders and kings. But David was a praying man who sought God for answers to what he was facing and going through. He prayed: “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? forever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalms 13:1-2). David sought relief. When you read scriptures like this, you can see that David is expressing a sense of deep emotion and distress. He wanted to know how long he would have to endure this while his enemy triumphed. Do you feel that your soul sometimes is taking counsel and your thoughts are running rampant? Listen to David again: “O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalms 42:6-11)  Let me encourage you, don’t feel bad or feel as though you are a loser when you sometimes feel like David and need to seek God for uplifting and edification. This is warfare. And in warfare, sometimes even the best soldiers will cry.

Sing: As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee. You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship Thee. You alone are my strength, my shield; to You alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship Thee. 

Thought for Today: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 28

Building A Solid Foundation

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalms 11:3)

Today’s Morsel: Foundations are one of the most essential things in a home or building. Depending on how deep your foundation is will determine if your building will stand or fall in the times of earthquakes and tremors. In Japan, most of the buildings and homes that they build, the foundation is almost as deep as the height of the building. They know that earthquakes are prevalent throughout Japan, and they want people to be safe, so they ensure the foundation is laid and built correctly. One of the surest foundations you can have in your life is the Word of God. It is a foundation that is sure and unmovable. Paul told his protégé Timothy: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19) He also told the church at Corinth: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-13) Throughout the world, we see that the foundation of the church, Jesus Christ, is constantly under attack. If Satan and his dominion can destroy the foundation of the church, what will those in the church do? Therefore, it is essential that every church and those who say that they are Christian, preach and teach Jesus Christ and Him crucified, which is the gospel. You must protect your foundation, or you yourselves will fall when things start coming against you and the church.

Sing: I’m standing on the Rock of Ages, safe from all the storms that rages. Rich but not of Satan’s wages, I’m standing on the solid rock. 

Thought for Today: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 October 27

Are You Glad?

“There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalms 4:6-8)

Today’s Morsel: Do you remember singing that song in church, “If you’re happy and you know it, say amen?” Do you remember how much joy you felt when you sang it? What about some of the others like “At The Cross”, or “I’ll Fly Away”, or “Jesus, Hold My Hand”? How often do you sing them now?  If those old songs brought you joy and happiness when you sang them back then, God knew that you would need them in the days ahead. Paul informs us: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) I know that he is speaking about the word of God, but those old songs that were written can also bring us comfort and hope. David said that the Lord had put gladness in his heart more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. Think about that for a moment. Israel’s corn and wine were constantly increased because of God’s mercies. And David said that God had put gladness in their heart more than that. When we stop and consider that with the giving of the Holy Ghost in our lives, God has put more joy and gladness in our hearts than any happiness ever brought by material wealth or worldly success.  How glad are you?

Sing: I have found His grace is all complete; He supplieth 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: I get joy when I think about what the Lord has done for me.