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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 30

Life’s Purpose

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15-21)

Today’s Morsel: If for no other reason, you were created to serve the Lord. Nothing ought to be able to remove that purpose from your life. As Jesus said, For without me you can do nothing. We need God and we need to serve Him. If you will stop and consider, you will see that God has been good to you. God has provided for you. And He has never forsaken you nor left you alone. Know your purpose is to serve Him. Joshua told the people to choose whom they were going to serve. He said, If you are not going to serve God, then choose whom you are going to serve. As Phil Driscoll sang, “You are gonna have to serve somebody. It might be devil and it might be the Lord, but you are gonna have to serve somebody.” Paul told the elders at Ephesus: “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:17-24)Have you decided whom you are going to serve? What are you going to do with the life that Jesus has given you? You’ve got to serve somebody!  The choice is yours to make.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  

Sing: I want to live the way He wants me to live; I want to give until there’s just no more to give; I want to love, love till there’s just no more love; I could never, never out love the Lord.

Thought For Today: How long halt ye between two opinions?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 March 28

Hold Your Tongue

“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:28)

Today’s Morsel: Scripture tells us that Pilate marveled that Jesus did not say a word against the people that were accusing Him, nor say a word for His release. James tells us that the tongue is the unruliest member of our body. “Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” (James 3:3-12)  James highlights for us that our tongue if full of deadly poison and we need to learn how to control it so that it does not get out of hand and cause us trouble. Solomon tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. What we say and how we say it can cause us and others death or life.  And David asks of us, “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” (Psalms 34:12-13) Don’t allow your mouth to speak evil.  If you desire a good and productive life, learn how to hold your tongue.

Sing: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O’ God. 

Thought For Today: There is always a time to keep silent and a time to speak.