Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 2

The Beginning of Knowledge

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

Today’s Morsel: The Bible has a lot to say about the wise and the foolish. I often ask myself why someone would want themselves to be seen as a fool. Why would a person reject something that is good for them, or from The One who is trying to help them to accomplish and be what they were created to be? Paul states: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:18-32) God is our creator, Lord, and Savior. And He’s not willing that any should perish. God wants us to do good and to have life. And that begins with knowledge. And the first stage of knowledge is to respect and to reverence Him as God and for who He is. As Jesus said, For without me you can do nothing (John 15:5). Life is so much easier when we possess Godly knowledge and wisdom.

Sing: This is my desire to honor You; Lord, with all my heart I worship You. And all I have within me, I give You praise; and all that I adore is in You.

Lord, I give you my heart, I give You my soul, I live for You alone. Every breath that I take, every moment I’m awake, Lord, have Your way in me.

Thought For Today: That the soul is without knowledge is not good.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 28

There Is Power In The Blood

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)

Today’s Morsel: Calvary speaks of more than just the Cross. It was here that Jesus shed His blood for the sins of the whole world. Isaiah had prophesied of Him: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7) The Ethiopian Eunuch questioned Phillip as to who Isaiah was speaking about, and Philip preached to him Jesus. The writer of Hebrews informs us,  “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:14-15) Christ took on flesh and blood to destroy Satan. And He did this by His blood. The same way that Moses dedicated the first Tabernacle with blood, the pattern of the second Tabernacle also needed to be dedicated with blood. Again, the writer of Hebrews tells us: “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:16-22) We no longer need to live in fear of Satan, sin, and death, as Jesus has redeemed us unto Himself by His blood.

Sing: The Blood that Jesus shed for me, way back on Calvary, it’s the blood, that gives me my strength from day to day, it will never lose its power. For it reaches to the highest mountain, and it flows to the lowest valley, it’s the blood that give me my strength, from day to day, it will never lose its power.

Thought For Today: “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 27

Sin Free

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:1-14)

Today’s Morsel: The apostle Paul seems to address sin more than any other topic in his letters to the church. Paul wanted them to understand that being born-again and being a Christian called for separation from the world and living a life dedicated and committed to Christ. He called for them not to allow sin to have dominion over them. He questioned their salvation, and spiritual growth, as a mature and committed Christian if they should not be able to control themselves. He told the church at Galatia that if they walked in the Spirit, that they would not fulfill the lust of their flesh (Galatian 5:16). He asks the church at Corinth if they were not aware that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. He said:“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) And now he asks the church at Rome if they should continue living in sin so that God would have to keep forgiving them repeatedly. He said no they should not. He said that they, like us, are supposed to be dead to sin. Sin is not supposed to have dominion over our life. We are to be dead to the old person, and our new life is now to be hidden with God in Christ. If we say that we are born-again and still living and walking in sin, we need to get back to the altar and get it right. Eternity in hell is a long time to burn.

Sing: I came to Jesus weary worn and sad; He took my sins away, He took my sins away; And now His love has made my heart so glad, He took my sins away.

He took my sins away, He took my sins away, and He keep me singing every day! I’m so glad He took my sins away; He took my sins away.

Thought For Today: “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” (Romans 6:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 26

Black History

“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:26-39)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout America, February is seen as Black History month. It was chosen to highlight the many contributions made by black Americans to this nation. Yet many today have no knowledge of the contribution that have been made. Most people have never heard of:

• ·      The 54^th Massachusetts Regiment, famous for their valor at the Second Battle of Fort Wager, proving that black soldiers could fight.
• ·      The Tuskegee Airmen, the first black military pilots who served with distinction in World War II, flying fighter escort and bomber missions in Europe. Earning great distinction. 
• ·      Nor of George Washington Carver, famous for his revolutionary agricultural research. Known as the “Peanut Man” for creating products like milk, flour, ink, and dyes from peanuts, and educating farmers in the south about crop rotation. 
• ·      How about Dr. Charles R. Drew, a black surgeon and researcher known as the “Father of Modern Blood Banking’ and for developing techniques for blood plasma storage and large-scale blood banks, pioneering the bloodmobile, and protesting racial segregation in blood donation during World War II. 
• ·      Or Garrett Morgan, the black inventor who created the traffic light after witnessing a serious intersection accident.

The list could go on and on. But as Orwell states, “If you want to destroy a people, destroy their history.” Some say that even a black man, named Simon of Cyrene, was chosen by the Romans to carry Jesus’ cross. Rev. Willam Seymore, famous for starting the Azusa Street Revival in California, was a black man. Rev. G.T. Haywood, Christ Temple in Indianapolis, song writer, and one of the first to pastor an integrated apostolic church in America. From soldiers, to doctors, to pilots, to scientists, teachers to judges and presidents, congressmen to senators, black Americans have made some major contributions to this great nation.  When the Spirit drew Phillip away into the desert to meet a man in a chariot, scripture tells us that this man was an Ethiopian Eunuch, under Candence the Queen, of Ethiopia. And after Phillip’s teaching, he was baptized by Phillip and sent on his way rejoicing.  And today, the country of Ethiopia, is filled with many people who are serving Jesus Christ.  You see, Jesus is no respecter of persons, and neither should we be.  All people make contributions both in society and the Kingdom of God.  Let’s know our history, it is a rich heritage.   

Sing: Farther along we’ll know all about it. Farther along we’ll understand why; Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, we’ll understand it all by and by. 

Thought For Today: Don’t let history be lost.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 25

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

“Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” (Isaiah 45:21-23)

Today’s Morsel: When the Bible tells us to look unto God, it is calling for us to turn to Him, to go after Him, to seek for Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Why was there a call to turn to Him? So that we could be saved. For without Him we can do nothing. When Peter was asked about the healing of the lame man at the gate called beautiful. Scripture says:“And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:7-12) There is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. Jesus, which means, Jehovah is salvation. Only God can save us. A call by God is a message of hope for all humanity to come and receive salvation, as He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

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

Thought For Today: Put your eyes on Jesus and the world will not seem so overwhelming.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 24

He’s More Than A Man

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5)

Today’s Morsel: According to scripture, Jesus Christ was both God and man. By his compassion and fellowship, He was a man, but by His miracles and teachings, He was Almighty God. Paul informs us: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16) He said that God robed Himself in flesh. Even Jesus stated: “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.” (John 14:9-11) The apostle John wrote: “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) Remember also what John wrote in this same epistle: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7) Note the three that bear record in heaven. Focus on the second thing. The Word! Remember what Jesus said? “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17); “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7) Jesus was more than a man, He was God Himself. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Sing: The mighty God is Jesus, the Prince of peace is He, the Everlasting Father, the King eternally, the Wonderful in Wisdom, by whom all things were made, the Fullness of the Godhead in Jesus is displayed.

It’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, the Fullness of the Godhead, it’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, it’s all in Him, the Mighty God is Jesus, and it’s all in Him.      

Thought For Today: “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” (Isaiah 40:25)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 23

 Leaning On The Everlasting Arm

“Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.” (Psalms 20:6-9)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture, we see that those whom Jesus had chosen, to lead His people, were assured by Him, that if they obeyed His voice that they would have nothing to worry about. They would not have to worry about their enemies, nor what they would eat, drink, or put on, as God would take care of these things for them. Jesus says: “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:25-33) Seek first the Kingdom of God. Get God in His rightful place in your life. Solomon tells us: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) To trust God is to believe in Him and to take Him at His word. Faith requires trust in a God that we cannot see with our eyes; but we can see the results of our trust by the things which He does on our behalf. To lean on God is to trust Him no matter if things go good or bad. As you know in your heart that He has your best interest at heart, and that He has come through for You.

Sing: What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms; I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. 

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. 

Thought For Today: I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me!