Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 17

Self-Control

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 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;” (1 Timothy 2:1-9)

Today’s Morsel: One of the traits of character of Jesus is that of temperance, which is self-control. When we received the Holy Ghost, it gives us power over ourselves. It gives us power to make right choices and right decision. It teaches us to refrain ourselves from all evils. It teaches us how to act. How to behave, and even how to conduct ourselves when it comes to speaking, eating, drinking, sitting, and interacting with others. I have concluded within myself, that those who say that they have the Holy Ghost and cannot control themselves, have deceived themselves. Paul told Timothy, that the women in the church should not only have honor and respect for themselves, but also have sound mindedness and self-control. Solomon states that even a fool who has self-control is counted wise, and he that learns when to speak and when to keep silent is esteemed a man of understanding. The Holy Ghost gives us power over our own desire, we simply need to use the power it gives us.  

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 going to see me through. You supply my every need and I lean on You.

Thought For Today: If you cannot control yourself, the devil will. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 16

Which Is Better

“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16)

Today’s Morsel: I hate it when I am sitting in the chair in the optometrist’s office and she’s flipping the button asking me, which is better, 1 or 2? 3 or 4? Sometimes I will say, “They are the same.” Just to throw her off.  Solomon says how much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver. He’s saying which one is better. Which one of the two do you think is better for your life. Which one do you think is going to provide you with what you need in the long run. Some folks would choose the gold and silver rather than wisdom and understanding. Scripture says, “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12) He says that wisdom is superior to money because it provides spiritual and practical life-giving benefits that wealth cannot, such as longevity or quality of life. He also emphasizes that while money is useful, it is not a substitute for the life-preserving power of wisdom. So, which is better for you?

Sing: How lovely is your dwelling place, Oh God Almighty, for my soul longs and even faints for You; one thing I ask that I might see Your beauty, to find the place where Your glory dwells.

Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere. Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere, than thousands elsewhere. 

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

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 15

Disappointed Purposes

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)

Today’s Morsel: The Bible tells us that without counsel our intention and plans can fail and cause us disappointment. We should not be afraid to ask a godly counselor, friend, or mentor, for their advice when it comes to our plans. Keeping in mind that these are people who we oftentimes trust and they have our best interest at heart. Your friends and mentors can often see things in your plans that you may not have considered or the person you may be thinking about getting involved with. Jesus said: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.” (Luke 14:28-32) You need others to provide you with advice so that you do not look like a fool and or you end up in a bad situation.  When you allow counselors to assist you with your goals and plans, they will be established.

Sing: I have found a friend in Jesus, He everything to me, He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul; ‘The Lily of the Valley’ in Him alone I see, all I need to cleanse and make me fully whole. In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay, He tells me, every care on Him to roll; He’s the “Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,” He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

Thought For Today: Purposes are only disappointed when you try to be the Lone Ranger.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 14

True and False Witnesses

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Today’s Morsel: Are you able to discern false witnesses of Jesus from the true ones? Jesus said that you would know them by their fruits. Paul enlightens us to what fruit came with the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) So your measuring stick is to look for these traits in the life of those who say that they are Christians and witnesses for Christ. The writer of Proverbs tells us: “A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.” (Proverbs 14:25) A true witness of Jesus is going to tell you the truth of God’s word and bring it to you in love. A true witness wants to see you saved. They want to see you free from sin, confusion, and they want to see you free from living without hope, peace, and joy in your life. A true witness know that Jesus came to give us life and that more abundantly. The Prophet Isaiah presents those witnesses of Jesus by says:“Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:6-7) God’s true witnesses will bring you peace and show you the salvation of the Lord. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:37-42)

Sing: I’m so glad that Jesus lifted me, I’m so glad that Jesus lifted me, I’m so glad that Jesus lifted me, I’m singing glory hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.

Thought For Today: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” (John 1:6-7)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 13

No More Sacrifices For Sin

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” (Hebrews 10:23-26)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about scripture is that sometimes they can be misunderstood as to the meaning of what is being said. The Book of Hebrews uses the word “better” nine times, and the words “let us” eleven times.  This book, according to scholars, was written primarily to those Hebrew Christians who had converted from Judaism to Christianity. And now these new converts were in constant danger of relapsing back into Judaism due to outside pressure and persecution. And some, like some today, were starting to fall away. However, the writer wanted them to know, as well as us, that if they went back to their old way of life, and back into the world, there is no more sacrifice for sin. He wanted them to know that Jesus Christ was the end to the ceremonial law for bringing an animal as a sacrifice for sins. And if they sinned willingly, that there were no more sacrifices under the Old Testament law to remove or forgive their sin. The only thing that they, and we can do, is return to Jesus Christ for the remission and forgiveness of our sin. But if they, and we, choose to walk away, and if Jesus should return, or we die while we are in the world in our sins, then our destination is eternal damnation. So, they were being encouraged to stay and live in this new Christian lifestyle which they had received, as Jesus Christ is now the only one that can forgive everyone of their sins.

Sing: I came to Jesus weary worn and sad; He took my sins away; He took my sins away. And now on Him, I roll my every care. He took my sins away.

He took my sins away, He took my sins away, and He keeps me singing every day, I’m so glad He took my sins away, He took my sins away.

Thought For Today: Only a fool plays Russian Roulette with their life. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 11

The Blood Still Works

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22)

Today’s Morsel: When some folks read scripture in the Old Testament, they are taken aback of the use of blood by the priest for the cleansing and the forgiveness of one’s sin. God told Moses the purpose and reason for the blood: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11) It is the blood that makes reparation, restitution, and atonement for the soul. The atonement means it is what repairs the breach between God and man for man’s sins. When we sin, we need something to bridge the gap and bring us back into a right relationship with God. And so, God used blood. In the Old Testament, He used the blood of animals. But in the New Testament, Jesus became the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the whole world. When He shed His blood on Calvary, it ended the need for the blood of animals. Now Christ’s blood is for the sins of the whole world. If you seek forgiveness for your sin, the blood of Jesus Christ still works. It is not like the blood of bulls and goats which was symbolic of that which was to come and was temporary. The blood of Jesus Christ has the power to cleanse forever. If you need forgiveness of your sins today, the blood of Jesus stills works.

Sing: There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood, of the Lamb, There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

Thought For Today: Keep the blood over your door post!   

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 April 10

Walking In Truth

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

Today’s Morsel: One of the first lessons that a soldier is taught is that of how to march/walk. They learn to step off on the correct foot first. Did you get that? You must learn to step off on the correct foot first. If a soldier steps off on the wrong foot, he can cause others to stumble, fall, and make the formation seem like a bunch of confused soldiers who do not know what they are doing. By stepping off on the correct foot, soldiers can march in unison. As Christians we must learn how to walk correctly. Paul told the church at Ephesus: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) In a world where there are so many distractions, Satan is trying to trip you up. As a believer, you must learn to be alert and walk assuredly, you must walk circumspectly. We must walk in truth. John reminds us: “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” (1 John 2:9-10) Stay in the light and you won’t fall, but you will walk in truth. Because the word is both light and truth.

Sing: Lord, I can’t even walk without You holding my hand, the mountain’s too high, and the valley’s too wide. Down on my knees, that’s where I learn to stand; and I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

Thought For Today: “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)