Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 10

Hear Instructions

“Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:32-36)

Today’s Morsel: One of the reasons that folks get frustrated with the things that they buy is because they won’t read the instructions that come with them. Folks complain about their clothes shrinking after the buy them because they fail to read the instruction on how to wash and dry them. Some folks put their clothes in the washer and drier when the instructions tell them that the item must be drycleaned. Wisdom calls for us to hear instructions, and be wise, and refuse it not. Solomon states: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” (Proverbs 9:9-12) If you want to live and be in good health, then you must heed the instructions. 

Sing: Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it Jesus, is my plea; Daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Thought For Today: Most people will find that life is simple when they listen and follow the instructions. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 9

Become Familiar With Wisdom

“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:” (Proverbs 7:1-4)

Today’s Morsel: Solomon, who is said to be the author of the book of Proverbs, calls for us to familiarize ourselves with wisdom and understanding. He said that we should treat them as some of our closest relatives. He said that these things ought to be close to you, just like your family, to give you guidance, protection, so that you will be kept from the temptation, and from hidden snares that await you as your go about your day-to-day duties and responsibilities. Not to mention strange women and evil men.  Wisdom and understanding for every born-again believer ought to be some of our loyal companions. You need to get to know them. They are the things that give you life and keep you from being led astray from truth and into many hurtful lusts.

Sing:  Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit, take me deeper still; till my life is wholly lost in Jesus, and His perfect will. 

O’ deeper yet, I pray, and higher every day, and wiser, blessed Lord, in Thy precious holy word. 

Thought For Today: Wherever you find wisdom, you will also find prudence. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 7

Do You Hate What God Hates?

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Today’s Morsel. Solomon tells us that there are six things that the Lord detests, seven are an abomination to Him: He tells us that God hates sin. These scriptures serve as a powerful warning, revealing to us God’s character by showing us what is utterly offensive to Him, and they urge us to turn away from them, to not sin, and to embrace righteousness. Let look at these seven:

1.    A proud look: Arrogance, pride, and looking down on others. We know that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

2.   A lying tongue: Willful deception. James tells us that the tongue is the unruliest member of the body and that no man can tame it. 

3.    Hands that shed innocent blood: Murder and violence against the innocent.

4.   A heart that devises wicked imaginations: Conceiving evil schemes.

5.    Feet that be swift in running to mischief: Eagerness to do wrong.

6.   A false witness that speaks lies: Deceitful testimony, harming another’s reputation, and backbiting.

7.    He that soweth discord among brethren: Creating strife and division in the church, where it breaks unity.

Some haves suggested that the seventh item, sowing discord among brethren, is often seen as the culmination or worst of the list, as it damages unity of the body. Paul told the church at Ephesus: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3) We must not do anything to destroy unity or divide the body.

Sing: Bind us together Lord, bind us together with cords, that cannot be broken; Bind us together Lord, bind us together Lord, bind us together in love.

Thought For Today: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalms 133:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 6

God Sees Your Ways

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.” (Proverbs 5:21)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes when reading scripture, I will ask myself, “I wonder why that scripture was chosen to be placed in the book.” Today’s scripture says that the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He weighs all his going. God is Omniscience. He’s all knowing. He’s aware of everything that we do, think, say, and even how we behave. Jesus took Nathanael totally by surprise when He told him before Philip called him, when you were under the fig tree, He saw him:

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.” (John 1:45-50) 

David probably thought that he was free from his sin after the death of Uriah. When God sent Nathan the Prophet to expose his sin, David was shocked. And this may be one of the reasons that he wrote Psalms 139: “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psalms 139:1-10). I like how Solomon closes out the book of Ecclesiastes “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14) And Paul tells us: “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:10-12) There is nothing hidden from God. Therefore, our actions and conduct ought to reflect His ways, so that when we appear before Him, we will hear Him say, “Well done”.

Sing: Let me walk with You Jesus, don’t ever leave me alone; For without You I could never, No, never make heaven my home.

Thought For Today: You should always consider your ways.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 5

The Principal Thing

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

Today’s Morsel: When something is considered to be principal, it is to be considered first. Proverbs 4:7, means that wisdom is life’s most important asset, urging us to pursue it above all else, even material wealth; but actively understanding, discernment, and insight, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God and leads to a better, and more purposeful life. It’s a call to prioritize spiritual wisdom and understanding over temporary gain, to form good habits through obedience and study so that we may gain clarity of God’s ways. The verse also teaches us that acquiring wisdom might require great sacrifice, but its benefits far outweigh any material cost, as true wisdom originates from God, and seeking it involves a relationship with Him and reliance on His guidance. So here are a few simple terms we must follow:

§  We should prioritize becoming wise and having understanding over getting rich or famous.

§  We should make seeking God’s insight our number one goal in life.

§  We ought to use our resources (time, efforts) to gain spiritual insight and discernment, not just for material possessions.

Sing: Deeper, deeper, in the love of Jesus daily let me go; Higher, higher, in the school of wisdom, more of grace to know. 

O’ deeper yet, I pray; And higher every day; And wiser, blessed Lord; In Thy precious holy word. 

Thought For Today: Seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will be added unto you.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 4

Trust In The Lord

“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)

Today’s Morsel: Today’s passage of scripture has probably been heard by every saint of God in every church around the world. But for some reason, it just doesn’t seem to take root or take hold in the heart of man. Why is it so hard for those who say that they are born-again to grasp this principle? Are we looking for a quick fix to our problems and healing that we are not willing to wait? Are we looking for relief and comfort for what we are going through? Why did Israel have a hard time trusting in God after all the miracles, signs, and wonders they saw God preform right before their very eyes. Why did the disciples have a trust issue with their faith when they were on the boat out in the storm, and Jesus was right there with them? But then we can flip the script. Why did David believe that God would deliver Goliath into His hands? Why did Mary tell the servants at the wedding at Cana of Galilee, Whatsoever He says to you to do, do it. And as far as we can tell, they did what He told them to do without question. To trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, doesn’t mean that you cannot trust others. It means that if you go to a doctor, you already know that He’s not God, but you are willing to trust God for the outcome. The same way with elections. If you pray for the will of God to be done in an election, then you must be willing to trust God for the outcome. As scripture tells us: “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 8:28) So, if I love God, and I am called by Him for His purpose, then it’s going to work out for my good.

Sing: I trust in God, my Savior the one, who will never fail, He will never fail; I trust in God, my Savior the one, who will never fail, He will never fail.

Perfect submission, all is at rest, I know the Author of tomorrow has ordered my steps. So this is my story, and this is my song, I’m praising my risen King and Savior all the day long.  

I trust in God, my Savior the one, who will never fail, He will never fail; I trust in God, my Savior the one, who will never fail, He will never fail.

Thought For Today: Gods got this, so don’t doubt. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 3

Maintain Discretion

“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.” (Proverbs 2:10-22)

Today’s Morsel: When we study our Bibles, we will see that there are certain threads that run through its pages, to keep us on the right path and in the straight and narrow pathway. And one of those threads is discretion. What is discretion. Discretion is the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. In the Bible though, discretion means wise judgement, prudence, and careful discernment to know the right thing to say and do. Avoiding foolishness and sin. It is often linked with wisdom and understanding to guide our actions toward righteousness and God’s will, which will lead to a mature Christian walk. Paul told Timothy: “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1 Timothy 2:8-10) The word shamefacedness means to have honor and respect for oneself. And the word sobriety means to be sound minded and possessing self-control. He instructed Titus: “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,” (Titus 2:1-7)  The same way that it is amazing what praising can do in your life; you will be surprised as to what discretion can do when you all0w it to work in your life and you teach it to your children and others as well.

Sing: Since Jesus came into my heart, since Jesus came into my heart, floods of joy over my soul, like a sea billows roll, since Jesus came into my heart.

Thought For Today: Don’t be like the horse and mule which do not have understanding.