Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 23

Learning To Lean

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 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 3:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: The more that I walk with God, the more I find that I need to lean on Him. I have come to realize that He is a strong tower and a mighty fortress. The Bible tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and to not lean unto our own understanding. You see, I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and neither are you. We can’t just trust in God when hardships and unwanted circumstance come into our lives. Israel shows us what happens when we live that way. When you trust God only when your back is against the wall, and you haven’t been trusting Him before, you will find that you have too many negative voices speaking to you, and against you, that nothing in your situation, hardship, and circumstance is going to change. Thus, you find yourself struggling to believe. Or should I say, you find yourself with weak faith. The same way that we are encouraged to pray without ceasing, we must trust God without ceasing. To trust God with all our heart, is to believe His word for what it says and obey it. Sometimes, when you read God’s word, it may not make sense to you. And that is because it’s not a natural book. It is a spiritual book. And you need His Spirit to guide you so that you can understand what it is saying and its meaning. Let me encourage you, don’t lean unto your own understanding. Learn to lean on Jesus and you’ll find that He will see you through every time.

 Sing: I’m learning to lean, learning to lean, learning to lean on Jesus; finding more power than I’d ever dreamed; I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

Thought For Today: “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” (Psalms 34:22)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 22

Listen To The Word of God

“Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.” (Ezekiel 37:4)

Today’s Morsel: If you are lacking in faith, Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Ezekiel found himself being placed by God in the midst of a valley of dead dry bones. And the Lord tells him to prophesy to those bones, and to tell them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Many today are suffering from dry bone syndrome because they are not listening to the word of the Lord. The dry bone syndrome is those who can’t seem to find any satisfaction. They are the ones who are running to and fro, trying to find peace and joy but afterwards only finding themselves returning right back to the same location they left just as discontented as they were before they left. If you are one of those that fall into this category, then you must hear and heed the word of the Lord. His word gives life. His word brings peace. His word will satisfy your need for every situation and circumstance. Jesus Christ is the word (John 1:1;14), and He is the only one that can give you true contentment, peace, joy, and satisfy your soul.

Sing: For only Jesus can satisfy, your soul, and only He can change your heart and make it whole: He’ll give you peace you never knew, sweet love and joy and heaven, too; For only Jesus can satisfy your soul!

Thought For Today: Don’t allow the gloom, despair, and agony on me bug get into your heart.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 20

Elijah Must Come

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6)

Today’s Morsel: Tomorrow we will celebrate Father’s Day. My friend, David Hutson, just published a book entitled, “Elijah Must Come.” It’s available on Amazon or directly from him should you desire a copy. It has been reported that 30% of American homes are without fathers. James said, my brethren, that ought not so to be. We need fathers at the forefront leading their homes and bringing their children up in the fear of God. Scripture also tells us,“Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” (Proverbs 17:6) This verse highlights that children are honored by having wise, godly parents, which set a standard for the family and their life. A father’s duty runs deep, as he must be a reflection and godly example of his Heavenly Father. The Lord said that He would send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. When we hear and study the word of God, it ought to cause all of us, fathers and children, to draw closer to each other, so that God’s will can be done in each life. As the psalmist said, “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” (Psalms 127:3-5) Children need their fathers.  They are a strength and guiding force in their children’s life.  Men, I encourage you to draw close to the Lord and allow Him to mold you to be the men He desires you to be.  

Sing: Heavenly Father, I appreciate You, Heavenly Father, I appreciate You, I love You, adore You, I bow down before You, Heavenly Father, I appreciate You.

Thought For Today: Happy Father’s Day!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 19

What’s Troubling You?

“Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8)

Today’s Morsel: There seem to be many folks suffering with many things these days. Thoughts of rejection, thoughts of failure, thoughts of loneliness, thoughts of childlessness, thoughts of retirement, and thoughts of the future. Some of them have carried these thoughts for so long, that not even the word of God seems to bring them relief and comfort, even though we know that it can. Hannah was hurting because she wanted a child. Her adversary provoked her every time they went to sacrifice. Even though her husband tried to comfort her, it was to no avail. As Solomon said, the barren womb is never satisfied. And when people aren’t satisfied, the heart is going to run wild. What’s ailing you today? Let me encourage you. There is nothing that God cannot fix, do, and comfort. Maybe you should just get into your secret closet and have a little talk with Jesus and let Him direct your steps so that you can be an overcomer and move on with life. 

Sing: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone; because I know, He holds the future, my life is worth the living just because He lives.

Thought For Today: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 18

Do You Know How To Fight?

“A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.” (Psalms 144:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: If you ever wonder what and who made David a great warrior, it was God. David said it was God which taught his hands to war, and his fingers to fight. Scripture also tells us that, “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.” (Exodus 15:3) What better person to teach you how to fight and be successful than God Himself. Through His word, God will enlighten you and show you how to defeat your enemies. Many Christians are being defeated and losing the battle against Satan and his demonic forces because they don’t know how to fight. Paul states, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) If you as a Christian soldier, do not practice justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, the enemy will defeat you every time. If you do not know how to pray, apply the scriptures that you read and study to your life, and operate in submission, the enemy will defeat you. If you do not know how to work as a team, know your duty as a good Christian soldier, and how to practice good ethical behavior, the enemy will defeat you. If you do not know how to live godly, holy, clean, and lift-up your fellow man, the enemy will defeat you. When Absolom wanted to go after his father, David, and to take the kingdom from him, he is warned,  “For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.” (2 Samuel 17:8-10) He said your father and the men with him are men of war, and they know how to fight. So you had better be very careful. Because if you do not know how to fight your father and his men will kill you. What about you? Do you know how to fight? As Paul told Timothy, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:4)

Sing: I’m a soldier, in God’s army, and I’m fighting, I’m claiming victory. I will not give up, I will not turn around, I’m a soldier marching heaven bound.

Thought For Today: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 17

Purpose To Speak Life Into Others

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

Today’s Morsel: I have been trying my very best to watch what I say, how I say things, and when I should just keep quiet. We know that according to scripture that, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21)What I say can either kill someone else, to include myself, or give each of us life. The Bible also inform us that, “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23) If you will notice, God wants us to use our mouth to give life, encouragement, build-up, and edify others. Not to tear them down nor destroy their lives. Solomon says that a wholesome tongue is a tree of life. When speech is wise, comforting, and truthful, it can bring healing and peace. It can also restore, revitalize, and give nourishment to a starving soul, and elevate others to believe in themselves, and in God’s ability to do great things through them. As Christians, we must always keep the ‘Golden Rule’ at the forefront of our thoughts and speech. In other words, the way that you want others to speak to you, that is how you should speak to others.  

Sing: Thanks, Thanks, I give You thanks, for all You’ve all done, I am so blessed, my soul has found rest, O’ Lord, I give You thanks.

Thought For Today: “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.” (Mark 7:15)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 June 16

Justice Applies To You Too

“Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:6-8)

Today’s Morsel: I am not being judgmental, but I am afraid that there are going to be many people shocked on the day of Resurrection when Jesus returns. If people are now afraid of dying, what are they going to do when they must stand before Christ to give an account of the things done in this life whether good or bad? What about those who have not practiced justices? Scripture informs us, “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” (2 Samuel 23:1-3) David states that God says that leaders must rule with equality and reverence, rather than personal gain. David’s words are a blueprint for godly leadership, emphasizing that true authority requires justice and a recognition that leaders are subject to God. Leaders must be righteous, upright, fair, and equitable. They must not be impartial.  And neither must we. They must always be ruling in the fear of God. When the man asked the prophet Micah what he must do to appear before God, he is told that God had already shown him. And that is, to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly before God. If you are going to lead, lead right or sin will surely find you out. As James says, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8-9)

Sing: To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, on earth I long to be like Him. All through life’s journey, from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.

Thought For Today: “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:6)