Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 21

When You Come To The End of Yourself

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” (Luke 15:11-19)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes we may remain in our dilemmas due in part because we never want to take responsibility for our actions. We can blame our parents, boss, co-workers, or someone else, but not until we come to the end of ourselves is there going to be a change in our life and situation. The prodigal son realized that he had sinned against his father and God. Not someone else. His condition was of his own making. It shows us that the world will drain us of everything that we have, if we do not control ourselves of wasteful spending and worldliness. But he came to the end of himself while sitting in a hog pen watching them eat husks or bean shells. He decided to go home to his father and ask to be restored as a servant just so he can have something again. But the father shows us that sons don’t become servants, they remain sons.  Paul informs us that if we are led by the Spirit of God, we are sons of God. Jesus is our Heavenly Father, and He has everything that we need to restore us to our rightful state. Yet the decision to get up and go to Him rests with each of us and not someone else. 

Sing: Going home, I’m going home, there nothing to hold me here. I’ve got a glimpse of that heavenly land, praise God, I’m going home.

Thought For Today: “And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.” (Genesis 31:3)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 20

Just Do It

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (John 2:1-11)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever wonder why so many Christians seem to have a problem when it comes to doing what the Bible says? Many of them will reason within themselves over if what the Bible says is even true. If the Bible is the inspired word of God, and if it is, then we must do what it says. Paul informs us in his writing, in reference to the children of Israel: “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:6-12) Because Israel failed to do what God told them to do, they suffered the consequences.  And their example is for us. Paul continues by telling 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)When we read what Israel did wrong and what they did right, both lessons are to teach us right from wrong, obedience and disobedience. I know that it may not make sense when it comes to tithing, praying for people for healing, or just sending a word of encouragement through texting, Messager, or Instagram.  But just do it and God will bless you for your obedience to His word.  When God tells you to do it, simply obey.

Sing: I’ll say yes, Lord, yes, to Your will and to Your way. I’ll say yes, Lord, yes, I will trust You and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I’ll agree and my answer will be yes, Lord yes. 

Thought For Today: The ten lepers were only cleansed when they went to show themselves to the priest as Jesus told them to do. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 18

What Is Your Purpose?

“But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:16-18)

Today’s Morsel:  I have sad news today.  One of the situations in the church these days is that some of us say that we do not know our purpose. Perhaps the reason we don’t know what our purpose is, is, because we have not asked God to tell us or show us. When you don’t know your purpose, you can become frustrated. You can start to think that no one wants you to help them. And the devil starts playing on your mind telling you that you can’t do anything comparing you to others. When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was struck blind, and scripture says: “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” (Acts 9:4-6) Paul wanted to know what he was to do. Jesus tells him to go into the city, and it will be told him what he must do. And in Acts 26:16-18, Paul shares with us what he was told what his purpose was. “For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Peter tells us as Christians: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9) Your purpose, like Paul’s and all Christians, is simple.  It is to bring people out of darkness and into the light.  We each do this by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now you know your purpose.  So, let’s get to work. 

Sing: Let me walk in the light, in the great gospel light, let me walk in the gospel light. Till my journey is over and I travel no more; let me walk in the gospel light.

Thought For Today: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 17

The Just Shall Live By Faith

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:2-4)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout scripture, the believers are commanded and encouraged to live and walk by faith. Faith and hope are like identical twins. You see one, you see the other. They both require you to believe in something that you presently cannot see, but you believe that it is coming and will come. When Paul writes in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 1o:38, that the just shall live by faith, he’s just quoting what the prophet Habakkuk had already stated. Habakkuk is told by God to, “write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that read it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” What God was telling him, was that what He had told him was going to come and that he should wait for it to happen. The same way that Jesus told His disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Ghost, because it would come, they had to go and wait for it to happen. God gives us a glimpse of what He is about to do, so write it down, because it’s going to come to pass. And those who read it and take heart, will have to live by faith, and believe it, if they want to see it. That’s all faith is. God says it, I believe it, and I will trust Him while I wait for it. We see this throughout scripture. God shows us a vision or dream, and now it’s up to us to believe Him for the fulfillment, and to bring it unto fruition.

Sing: I lean on You Lord, I lean on You Lord, for the things that I need I lean on You; When I don’t know, just what to do, I’ve got the faith You’re gonna see me through; To supply my every need, and I lean on You. 

Thought For Today: “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 16

Dead But Alive

“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.” (Romans 6:1-11)

Today’s Morsel: For one to become a Christian, they must die to self, and the world and become alive unto Christ and his ways. Repentance is death. Baptism is buried with Christ. And the infilling of the Holy Ghost is Resurrection power. Yes, we are still alive in this flesh and living in the world, but we must be dead to it. What do we mean when we say the world? John tells us that it is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Think about those things for a moment. Lust is what draws us. Lust is oftentimes associated with a desire, craving, or longing for what is forbidden. The lust of one’s flesh: The desire for physical pleasure and self-gratification. The lust of one’s eyes: Greed, boasting, the temptation for covetousness and materialism, being enticed by the things that you see. The pride of life: Trusting in oneself, their status, and successes. John says that these things are of the world. But Christians should not struggle with these things because they are dead to them. These things should not have power over you any longer, these things should not draw you or pull you into them. We are dead to sin but alive to God. And sin should not have dominion over you.

Sing: The world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue. The angels are beckoning me, from heavens open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore. 

Thought For Today: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 15

Light Afflictions

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)

Today’s Morsel: What are afflictions? Afflictions can be physical, emotional, or spiritual trials, hardships, or persecutions, that we as believers may face. Scriptures tells us, “Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” (Exodus 1:11-12) We see that Pharaoh afflicted them, and yet even through those afflictions they multiplied and grew. David states: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalms 34:19) David showed us that God will deliver the righteous out of their afflictions. Paul calls them light afflictions. Light afflictions have a purpose. And what is that purpose? He said, they worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. He said that God’s presence is waiting on us. So don’t lose heart when they come. Jesus said: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12) Jesus is with you in all situations in your life, you trust Him to see you through.  

Sing: He gives strength to me, as I worship Him, as my heart if filled with praise. Jesus breaks the bands as I raise my hands, He gives glorious victory. 

Thought For Today: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4: 16)

 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 July 14

Dealing With The Noise

“For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.” (Isaiah 9:5)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes while sitting in our home, my wife will say to me, “What is that noise?” Sometimes you can hear noises from miles away. In Vietnam, the artillery guys would tell us infantry guys that as long as you can hear the sound of the artillery shell overhead, you are alright. But if you hear it and it’s not overhead, then you may be in some serious trouble. Jesus said that the angels in heaven rejoiceth over one sinner that repents. So, if the noise is overhead, you should be rejoicing also. Isaiah states that every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood. I am of the belief that the reason so many are depressed, stressed, filled with anxiety, and perplexed, may be due in part to noise. Workplaces have become noisy. Travel has become noisy. Medical appointments have become noisy. Dining out has become noisy. Sad to say that church has even become noisy. Folks are losing their hearing due in part to noise. No matter where we go or what we do, there’s noise. No wonder Calgon cried, “Take me away!” Is there a solution? Yes, Isaiah said: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)Don’t let the enemy get into your head. Keep your mind on Jesus and the noise won’t impact your life.  Take time to have those moments of “Selah” with Jesus where you have stillness with Him.  

Sing: Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above; sweep over my spirit, forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

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)