Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 7

The Waters of Afflictions

“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.” (Psalms 42:7-8)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things we must learn at an early stage in our walk with Christ is not to lose hope in the waters of afflictions. The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah: “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: …” (Isaiah 43:1-3) God said I will be with you, and the waters aren’t going to overflow you. The disciples of Jesus were starting to lose hope when they found themselves in the middle of the sea in the storm. Scripture says that they questioned Jesus whether He cared if they perished? When the 276 on board the ship with Paul as they sailed to Rome encountered a storm called Eucrolydon, Luke said that after 14 days when there was neither sun nor moon or stars that appeared, all hope that they should be saved was taken away (Acts 27:13-20) When you find yourself in the waters of afflictions, you must retain your faith. Without faith you cannot please God. Sometimes the afflictions may be what is testing and proving your faith. For the fruit of the spirit to grown and reproduce in your life, it sometimes must face the harsh weather and storms that comes its way to help strengthen it. David said that the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and that his song and prayer would be to the God of his life in the night. Hang in there and don’t lose hope. He that will come will come. God will make a way for you.

Sing: Though the storms keep on raging in my life, and sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day; Still the hope that lies within is reassured, as I keep my eyes upon the distant shore, I know He’ll lead, me safely to that blessed place He has prepared. But if the storm don’t cease, and just in case the wind keeps on blowing in my life, my soul has been anchored in the Lord.

Thought For Today: If Jesus isn’t worried about the boat sinking, why are you?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 6

Divine Protection

“They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” (Psalms 125:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: We are promised divine protection and safety when we put our trust in the Lord. God will never leave us nor forsake us. The psalmist also tells us: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” (Psalms 91:1-7) If we stay close to Jesus and walk in His ways, we can put our enemies to flight and stand tall against any giant we face. 

Sing: Keep me close to the side of my Savior and Guide, let me never in darkness roam. Keep my path free from wrath and my soul satisfied.  Fill my way every day with love.

Fill my way every day with love, as I walk with the heavenly Dove; Let me go all the while with a song and a smile.  Fill my way everyday with love.

Thought For Today: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 4

Why Are You Seeking the Living Among the Dead?

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” (Luke 24:1-7)

Today’s Morsel: To their amazement and surprise, when the ladies went to the tomb the first day of the week, they found the stone was rolled away from the grave where they had buried Jesus. They went inside and did not see the body of Jesus there. But they saw two men who stood by them in shining garments. The men asked them why they were seeking the living among the dead? And they told them, “He is not here but is risen.”  It had gone over their heads when Jesus had told them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again.”  Jesus Christ is not dead, He is alive. So stop looking for Him where the dead are.  Paul tells us, “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-20) Don’t live in misery, one day we are going to rise and be with Him. 

Sing: Alive, Alive, Alive forever more, my Jesus is alive, alive forever more.  Alive, alive, alive forever more, my Jesus is alive. Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah, my Jesus is alive. Alive forever more, sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah, my Jesus is alive.

Thought For Today: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 3

Whatever My Lot

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.” (Matthew 26:36-46)

Today’s Morsel:  Weary and worn, the disciples had spent much time following Jesus and trying to understand their mission. Little did they know, even though Jesus had told them, that His hour drew nigh. But they would not believe nor could they understand that anyone would want to take the life of Jesus Christ, a man who went about healing and doing good to all. But in life, we find, that it is usually this type people that the enemy desires to destroy more than any other. Jesus, knowing that the scripture must be fulfilled, went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He took with Him what some would call His inner circle, Peter, James, and John. And He asked them to watch with Him while He went yonder to prayer. As we read, we see that the disciples were tired and fell asleep leaving Him all alone in His hour of need. But as Jesus prayed that the cup would pass from Him, after the third time at prayer while His disciples slept, He stated: Nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done.When you get to the point of nevertheless, this must also be your prayer also, whatever is my lot for Your glory then let it be.

Sing: When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” 

Thought For Today: Death doesn’t have any power over you if you’ve been born again. So accept what lot Jesus sends your way.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 2

The Coming King of Zion

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9)

Today’s Morsel: Every Prophet of the Old Testament prophesied the coming of the Lord. Zechariah prophesied: “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9) He tells us how our King would come and bring us salvation, humble and riding on a donkey. David prophesied: “This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” (Psalms 24:6-10)  The apostle Matthew enlightens us with these words: “And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11) And the apostle Paul enlightens us with these words: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28)Are you looking for your King’s coming?

Sing: Oh, my brother, are you ready for the call? To crown your Savior King and Lord of all. The kingdoms of this world shall soon before Him fall; We shall see the King when He comes.

We shall see the King, we shall see the King, we shall see the King when He comes. He’s coming in His power; we’ll hail the blessed hour. We shall see the King when He comes.

Thought For Today: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 1

Whose Report Will You Believe

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 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. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:1-9)

Today’s Morsel: The Prophet Isaiah questioned, ‘Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?’ When Philip was sent by the angel into the desert to meet an Ethiopian Eunuch, under Candence the Queen, and the Spirit of the Lord drew him unto the chariot, he heard the man reading from the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. The Eunuch replied, “How can I except some man should guide me.” “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 8:32-39) Once the Eunuch believed Philip’s report and saw his need, he was baptized. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep dumb before his shearer he would not open his mouth.  This all pointed to the death of Jesus Christ. And his death, burial, and resurrection, would be done for you and me and the whole world. Whose report will you believe?

Sing: He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquity. Surely, He borne all our sorrows, and by His stripes we are healed.

Thought For Today: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Romans 10:16)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 31

Life’s Lessons

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” (Psalms 119:71)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes the trials, troubles, and disappointments that we go through may be designed to teach us some lessons in life as every decision and action we take has consequences. Most folks like to blame others for their trials, troubles, and disappointments. Paul told the church at Philippi that if he lived in the flesh, that’s going to be his labor. We cannot expect good things to come from us walking and operating in our flesh. As the flesh is enmity against God. If we want to see good things in life, then we must walk in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust of our flesh. Life’s lessons come in all types, shapes, and sizes. The psalmist states that it had been good for him to be afflicted, that he might learn the statues of God. Hardship and suffering can serve a good purpose. They can teach us and deepen our understanding and obedience to God’s laws and word. Afflictions can serve as a teacher to lead us toward God’s ways, whereas comfort just might lead us astray. Through hardships, we learn patience, faith, and obedience. In writing to the church at Rome, Paul states: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5) Peter told the church: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:12-17) God just seems to have a way to get us back on track!

Sing: I know the Lord will make a way for me, I know the Lord will make a way for me; if I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right; I know the Lord will make a way for me.   

Thought For Today: “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:19)