Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 30

The One True God

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”
(John 14:1-9)

Today’s Morsel: One of the great divisions in the church is if Jesus was God or not. Some say that He was God, while others say that He was the Son of God, while others say that they have no clue.  According to scripture Jesus said: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.” (John 13:13); “And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:23-24). According to Isaiah, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:10-12) Are you His witnesses that He is God? The apostles were: Paul wrote, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16) He told the church at Corinth, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge...” (1 Corinthians 8:6-7) why don’t all Christians have this knowledge as to who Jesus was? John states, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) Jesus Christ he said, is the true God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men... “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-4,14)” Who do you say that I am? Ask Jesus.  He will reveal Himself to you.  

Sing: God is Elohim of the holy prophets, The El Shaddai, of all the seers and sages, He’s the mighty one of all the sacred pages, He’s the great, He is the great I Am.
He’s the great I AM, The everlasting Father, He’s the Prince of peace, the great eternal wonder, Holy Counsellor, and Zion’s righteous Governor, He’s the great, He’s the great I Am.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 29

Did You Understand the Message?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Today’s Morsel: Do you have a hard time understanding the messages that your pastor preaches? Do you ever go to him after service and ask him to explain it to you so that you can get an understanding? The disciples of Jesus didn’t have a problem with asking Him. Scripture says, “And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.” (Mark 4:10) When they were alone with Jesus, they were not afraid to ask him to expound His teachings. You have not because you ask not, Jesus said. Solomon said, “For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12) Do you remember that old saying, “I know that you think that you understood what I said, but I am not sure that you understood what I meant?”  For example, there are churches that are baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, according to Matthew 28:19. They say that they understand what Jesus said, but they fail to understand what He meant. The apostles who Jesus was speaking to, as far as we can tell, understood what He said and what He meant. And so, we see none of them baptizing anyone other than in the name of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus told them to baptize in the “name’ of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The disciples knew what name He was referring to. His name. The name of Jesus Christ. As Peter would say, “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.” (Acts 2:37-38) The disciples didn’t violate scripture; they got the message and follow what they were told. What about you? Do you understand? Have you followed what Jesus said? 

Sing: There’s just one, one, one, one way to God. One, one, one, one way to God. One, one, one, one way to God, baptized in Jesus' Name!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 28

Surprise, Your Prayers Have Been Answered!

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” (Acts 12:1-16)

Today’s Morsel: Are you one of those who pray without believing? There are many people who pray daily, and yet they don’t have the faith to believe that God will answer or come through for them.  The writer of Hebrews tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Scripture say that Peter was put in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Here is a church praying without faith. God answered their prayers by delivering Peter, and scripture says, “and when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, it is his angel. But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” They couldn’t believe it. Surprise - their prayers were answered, and they couldn’t believe it. I’ve heard people pray for people to be healed, for folks to come to church, for people to get jobs, backslidden children to return to the church, and on and on it goes. And when these things happen, they are surprised. They make comments such as, “I can’t believe that I got that job.” “I’m totally shocked that they came to church.” “Man, I never thought that I would see you here.” “Did you hear that they were delivered from cancer.” “I can’t believe that I didn’t have to pay for those repairs.” Where is your faith, Jesus asked? Jesus said, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24) Can you stop being faithless and believe?

Sing: Nothing is too difficult for Thee, Nothing is too difficult for Thee. Great and mighty God, in counsel, mighty in deed. Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing; nothing is too difficult for Thee. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 27

What Are You Worried About 

“Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.” (Haggai 1:13)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever wonder why in scriptures it seems that every time the disciples encounter trouble that they couldn’t handle, Jesus always showed up. That is to teach us that He is with us. God can’t violate His promise nor go against His word. Some people like to think that God isn’t fair or that He doesn’t answer their prayers. But that is not a true statement. God always answers His word. God will not stop you from doing dumb things when you know that what you are about to do is wrong. And He’s going to allow you to feel the consequence of your actions and decisions, too. God came to the disciples’ rescue because it was Him who sent them into the storm, or into the area that they went. They always seemed to seek God for His directions. Paul and Salas were delivered from prison because it was God that sent them to Macedonia. It was God that told Paul that He would stand before Caesar, and so the storm on the route to Rome, in Acts 27, could not deter his journey. It was God who sent Peter to Cornelius’ house to preach to them. So, it was God who delivered him from the chastisement of the Jewish council. God is with us. As the Psalmist tells us, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalms 118:8) So, stop worrying and put your trust in God. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13) Are you seeking God for your direction?  Then you can believe Him and trust Him.   

Sing: What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grieves to bear.  What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer. O’ what peace we often forfeit, O’ what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer. 

Have we trials and temptations, is there trouble anywhere.  We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrow share.  Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 26

God Is Mighty

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

Today’s Morsel: Zephaniah, which means Jehovah has treasured, states that the God in the midst of thee is mighty. Notice here if you will, what a wonderful rush of exuberant gladness there is in these words. The swift short clause he uses ought to cause your faith to leap inside of you like the baby did in Elizabeth’s womb when she heard the news from Mary that she was with child of the Holy Ghost. He uses clauses such as: He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. This is what the God in the midst of you will do for you. He will save. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) He will rejoice over thee with joy. “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11) He will rest in His love. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3) He will joy over thee with singing. “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12) Our God is mighty. He won’t leave us, nor will He forsake us. 

Sing: What a mighty God we serve, what a mighty God we serve.  Angels bow before Him; heaven and earth adore Him.  What a mighty God we serve.  

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 25

I Need A Praise Break

“Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalms 119:164-165)

Today’s Morsel: Over twenty years ago at Because of The Times, Pastor Rex Johnson preached a message entitled, “I Need a Praise Break, I’m About To Be Offended.”  I’m starting to feel just like him. Every so often, folks do things that raise my military PTSD, and I want to do two things. Either have a Drill Sergeant flash back and put everyone in the dying cockroach position or have a Vietnam Mad Minute and take everyone out. Either way, I have realized that the best for me and also for everyone else, is for me to just steal away and praise the Lord, because I am about to be offended. What about you, do you need a praise break today because others are about to offend you? A praise break is so you don’t lose your witness for Jesus. Yes, I know that Jesus made whips and ran everyone out of the temple, but He was God, and He could do that. You and I, we must choose the new way.  Praise God and let Him take care of the small stuff.   How about it, next time someone bothers you take a minute and say, “I need a praise break, I’m about to be offended”.  You will feel so much better after the break!  

Sing: Praise Him, praise Him, praise in the morning, praise in in the noon time.  Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him when the sun goes down.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 23

Praise The Lord

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalms 150:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: I often wonder why there is a call for us to praise the Lord in scripture.  Praise is a form of thanksgiving and celebration to God for His goodness, mercy, and grace. It’s offering Him thanks for all that He has done and is doing for us.  The word praise can carry with it many meanings. It can mean to boast, to shine forth, to celebrate, to act like a madman, to glory, to worship, and to applaud. In Psalms 150, we see the word praise mentioned ten times. Isn’t it also amazing that when Jesus talks with the woman at the well in John, chapter 4, their discussion leads into worship and the word is also used ten times “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:19-24) Can you think of ten things that you are daily thankful to God for? Do you praise Him for His goodness? Do you praise Him for His love? Do you praise Him because He is God? Are you a worshipper? Well, now is the time for the true worshippers to arise and worship Him in Spirit and in truth. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” (Psalms 50:23). Make it a daily habit to praise Him at least ten times a day.  

Sing: Father I see that You are drawing a line in the sand, and I want to be standing on Your side, holding Your hand.  So let your kingdom come, let it live in me, this is my prayer, this is my plea;

Let the worshippers arise, let the sons and the daughters sing. I’m surrendering in my all, I surrender to the King.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 22

Buy The Truth

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23)

Today’s Morsel: Which is more important to you, truth or a home? Truth or a car? Truth or a yacht? Truth or a new phone? Just what is most important to you. Do you own a Bible? But before you say yes, let me explain. There are a lot of Bibles on the market today and many of them have removed wording because the publishers say that they do not want to offend people. So, with that in mind, you will have to ask yourself which one should I purchase to ensure that I am purchasing truth? For me, I have always purchased the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. I first purchased it because at the time, it was stated that this was the version most related to the original manuscript of the scriptures. For me, the Old King James Version, of 1611, identifies what sin truly is, and what one must do to eradicate sin from their lives. In some cases, the newer versions, from what I have read, seem to omit what sin really is, and they do not tell you how to eradicate it from your life. Thus, they leave some to think that it is okay to remain as you are, come as you are, and without a true conversion from oneself and the ways of the world.   We must buy the truth. We need wisdom, self-discipline, and understanding to deal with this world and its ways in which we live. We also need to know what God requires of us, and we must not let it go for pleasure, honor, self-gratification, or anything else. Truth, Jesus said, will make you free (John 8:32), because He is the Truth, and He is the only One that can make us free. Not only must we buy the truth, but we must not sell it.  (Proverbs 23:23). Judas sold his for 30 pieces of silver. Esau sold his for a bowl of bean soup. Pilate sold his to appease the crowd. Demas sold his for the world. Felix sold his for a more convenient season. And the Jews sold theirs for Barabbas. How much are you willing to pay for Truth? Once you buy it, don’t sell it, it has a great dividend.

Sing: Little is much when God is in it, labor not for wealth and fame.  There’s a crown and you can win it if you go in Jesus’ name! 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 21

Finding More Than You Seek

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.”
(Proverbs 21:21)

Today’s Morsel: When you go to church, what are you seeking? Just what are you looking for when you go to church? Some folks have no clue what they are looking for, and so they focus on the mannerisms of others, and they come away confused, complaining, and in some cases worse off than when they went. I would think that when folks go to church they would go to hear and to learn, since scripture says, “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15) I also find that a lot of folks that do complain will not put forth any effort to teach others or improve things themselves. But I wonder what they would find if they went seeking for righteousness. Isaiah stated, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7) God is the God of righteous you know. And anytime you seek Jesus, you are going to find more than what you sought for. Listen to what Jesus said: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:31-33) Solomon said that if we seek after righteousness, you’ll will find mercy, life, righteousness, and honor. What are you seeking today? Seek for Jesus and everything you have need of will be added unto you. 

Sing: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you, hallelu-hallelujah.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 20

Renewed Heart

“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psalms 57:7)

Today’s Morsel: There are many folks today who have suffered with heart problems, but now some have had stints and pacemakers put in, and even heart transplants. And when asked how they are doing, they will say, “I’m feeling much better.”  To them, their natural hearts have been fixed.  But when the Bible speaks of our heart, it is speaking of minds. Our intellect. Our reasoning. In today’s world, there are many dealing with troubled minds. Many are depressed, stressed, confused even as to who they are, lonely, discouraged, oppressed, worried, fatigued, and some even downright befuddled. And it is due in part that many of them have surrendered their minds to the enemy of their souls. Satan doesn’t want your flesh; he wants your mind. Because if he can control your mind, he knows that he can easily control your flesh. The psalmist says, “My heart is fixed, O’ God, my heart is fixed.” What about you? Is your heart fixed? Is your mind made up to serve God and not allow the ways of this world and Satan to confuse you? Daniel said: “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” (Daniel 7:25) Notice, the enemy’s goal is to wear out the saints of the most High. I think that might be you. And the enemy knows that for him to do that, he must somehow get control of your mind. Have you stopped to consider why you are getting so many spam calls, your accounts are being hacked, junk mail floods your mailboxes, there is craziness on capitol hill, attacks on your children at school, transgenderism, critical race theory, and attacks on the church. It’s to get control of your mind and wear you out. But as Paul told the church at Galatia: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1) You’ve got to keep your heart fixed. You must keep your mind clear of confusion and evil. Again, Isaiah helps us with not becoming weary when he says: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” (Isaiah 26:3-4) Stay focused on Jesus and your heart will always remain fixed.

Sing: I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord. I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord. I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord. I’ve got my mind made up to serve the Lord. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 19

Thy Paths Drop Fatness

“Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.” (Psalms 65:11-13)

Today’s Morsel: Are you in the right path? The Lord told Jeremiah: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16) You see, when we are not in the right path, we can expect nothing but hardships and troubles to come our way. And I believe this is the reason that God is trying to get our attention. When we read in scripture of Israel’s trials and troubles, we often see that they were due in part to God trying to get their attention. God has your best interest at heart. He is not willing that any should perish, but He’s not going to keep trying to show you the right way if you keep insisting on walking the wrong path.  Yet when we walk in the right paths, we can expect fruitfulness, mercy, blessing, and grace, to always be there for us. His paths drop fatness. They drop abundance and blessings. Listen to what David says: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:1-6) If you are in the paths of righteousness, you have nothing to worry about. He will set a table of blessing right before you in the presence of your enemies.  With goodness and mercy following right behind you.  

Sing: I am blessed! I am blessed! Every day that I live I am blessed. When I wake up in the morning, till I lay my head to rest, I am blessed, I am blessed.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 18

Let’s Change Courses

“And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.” (2 Chronicles 34:19-21)

Today’s Morsel: When I was in the army serving as a scout, there were times that I would need to stop and compare my map with my surroundings and location to ensure that I had not strayed off course. You see, it’s easy to get off course when you are navigating through tough terrain. And once you determine that you are no longer on course you will need to readjust yourself so that you can get back on course. When King Josiah heard that they had found the book of the law, and once they read it, they realized that the people were not doing what the word of God said.  Josiah knew that they needed to immediately change course or suffer the consequence that lay ahead. When is the last time you stopped to check your surroundings with your map? I’m talking about your Bible.  Are you still on the right course or have you wandered off? Are you still walking holy, pure, and right? Are you still holding fast to the apostolic doctrine? Is Jesus still number one in your life? Are you leading your family on the right path? If you find that you are off course even a little bit, now might be a good time to readjust and get back on course.  Hell is not going to be a well pleasing place for those who have ventured off course and for those who are heading that way.  Check your map and make sure you are on course today.

Sing: Oh, there’s a highway to heaven, none can walk up there, but the pure in heart.  Oh, there’s a highway to heaven, walking up the King’s highway. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 16

Blindness of The Heart

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ;” (Ephesians 4:17-20)

Today’s Morsel: As we observe the world in which we live, people keep asking themselves how is that so many people who are supposed to be educated and know right from wrong seem to have lost their moral compass and have no idea what they are doing and where they are headed? But the answer lies in the fact that they are blinded in their hearts. And the sad part is that this same spirit of blindness is creeping into the church. Those who say that they know Jesus are now starting to compromise and show that even their minds are blinded to the truth. Paul wrote, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) He said that Satan has blinded the minds of them that do not believe. When you don’t believe in Jesus, His word, and His ways, you are opening yourself up to every type of evil that hell can send your way. If you want to be confused, tormented, and without hope, shut the book of truth, the Bible. Paul says that we who are in the church ought not to be walking and supporting the same things of the world, if we are then we have not learned Christ. You should be able to discern good and evil.  As John said, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” (1 John 1:5-6). Don’t let the enemy blind your mind or you will be groping at the walls like a blind man.

Sing: I saw the light, I saw the light, no more in darkness, no more in the night.  Now I am happy no sorrow in sight.   Praise the Lord, I saw the light.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 15

The Plumbline

“Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD. Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD. Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:” (Amos 7:1-8)

Today’s Morsel: A plumbline is a line with a plumb (weight) attached to it, and it is used for finding the depth of water or determining the vertical of an upright surface. Masonries and carpenters use them it to ensure straightness when laying brick, stone, or walls. The Lord showed Amos a plumbline and stated to him, “I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not again pass by them anymore.”  God is showing him that He is worn out with their continuous sin and wrongdoing. God was showing us that His judgments are exact and rules of justices. God doesn’t have but one standard for His people. That judgment is His word. And he is not going to pass over it when we stand before Him in judgment. Jesus said, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:46-48) The Lord is coming. Prayers aren’t going to stop His judgment. Pleading and begging for the mountain to fall on us isn’t going to stop His judgment. Repentance isn’t going to stop His judgment on that day. The only thing that will stop his judgment against you will be if your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Is your name there?  Today it is not too late to get it there, don’t wait for the day of judgment.  

Sing: I love Him too much to fail Him now; too much to break my vow.  For I promised the Lord that I would make it somehow, and now I love Him too much to fail Him now.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 14

The Valley of Decisions

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)

Today’s Morsel: The valley of decision mentioned here was the valley of Jehoshaphat. It was the place where God said, “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” (Joel 3:2) It was here that the people were being called by God to decide whom they would serve. It appears that everyone today is being drawn into the valley of decision. Whether we may like it or not, we are all being drawn into this valley called decision. We must decide to support the liberal views of the nation or support the conservative views. Support the church’s views on holiness or support the contemporary view to come as you are. Support the Bible view on God and water baptism by immersion or support the status quo of the trinity and sprinkling. Support the Bible views on traditional marriage or support the world’s view on same-sex marriages. Multitudes, multitudes are in the valley of decisions, for the day of the Lord is in the valley of decision. “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:12-14) The decision that you make now about God and His word will be the determining factor if you go and be with Him when He comes again for His church for eternity, or whether you spend eternity in the lake of fire prepared for Satan and his demonic force.  Choose ye this day.  Your decision determines your destiny.  

Sing: I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 13

Remember the Law

“Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.” (Malachi 4:4)

Today’s Morsel: My son-in-law encouraged our two youngest grandkids to learn the Ten Commandments. First, they learned and memorized them from the book of Exodus, Chapter 20: 1-17, and then they learned and memorized them from Deuteronomy Chapter 5: 6-21. You see, in the book of Exodus; it was given to the first generation that God brought out of bondage from Egypt. Deuteronomy was for the new generation which did not die in the wilderness and who was now ready to cross over into the Promised Land. And now God tells Malachi to teach the people to remember the law again. God wants us to know what His word says for our own well-being. While Jesus was upon the earth, scriptures say that one of the lawyers asked him, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40) Jesus didn’t change it from Ten down to Two. What Jesus was telling him was that the first four were their relationship to God, and the other six were their relationship to their neighbor. If you forget your relationship with God, you will forget how to treat your neighbor; and how if you forget how to treat and love your neighbor, then you have not learned the law of God. You might want to spend a little time memorizing the law. It was a commandment for you to know and to teach your children. 

Sing: He is my everything, He is my all. He is my everything, both great and small. He gave His life for me, made everything new.  He is my everything, O how about you?

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 12

The Hope of A Tree

“For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.” (Job 14:7-9)

Today’s Morsel: We see in scripture that it was on the third day that God created all the trees. It’s amazing the number and types of trees that there are and their purpose. Some of the trees are strong, some are soft, some are weak, some are poisonous, and some are hard. David even states that the man that meditates in God’s law, day and night, that even he shall be like a tree planted by the waters. Jeremiah even stated, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8) Notice, when we trust and hope in the Lord, we will be like a tree planted by the waters, and our fruit will not cease. Job states that there is even hope for a cut down tree. He states though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant. Keep in mind what David and Jeremiah said. Studying the word of God, and trusting and hope continuously in the Lord, you will be like a tree planted by the water. You can feel like your life is over, or that you are no longer any good to the Lord. But friend, as long as your roots are deep down in Christ, and you seek for Him, calling out to His name, you are going to find Him and bear fruit.  

Sing: Go ahead, drive a nail in my hand, laugh at me, where you stand. Go ahead, and say that it isn’t me, but the day will come, when you will see. Cause I’ll rise again, ain’t no power on earth can tie me down.  Cause I’ll raise again, death can’t keep me in the ground. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 11

Dying To Live

“If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” (Job 14:14)

Today’s Morsel: Mark Lowery sings, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.”  Job asked, “If a man die, shall he live again? The answer is yes. That’s why Jesus told Nicodemus that you must be born again to be able to see and to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-5). You can’t go to heaven without dying. Jesus died, was buried, and He rose again the third day. For the gospel to be applied to your life, you too must die. When we repent of our sins, we are dying to this world and its ways. When we are baptized in Jesus’ name in the waters of baptism, we are being buried with Christ. And when God fills us with the His Spirit, we are raised to walk in newness of life. Now, like Job, all the days of our appointed time will we wait, till our change comes. As Paul said, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 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 15:50-52) Just hang in there, your change is coming, and it is coming soon.  

Sing: Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down, ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. When I hear the trumpet, sounding in the sky, I’m gonna get up, get up, out of that ground; cause ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 9

Happy

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” (Psalms 144:15)

Today’s Morsel: On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being highest, where would you rate your happiness? Some people are always happy, while others seem to always be sad and without hope. Some folks are elated about things that come into their life, while others are downtrodden and brokenhearted. The Psalmist says happy is the people whose God is the Lord. Is Jesus your Lord? He says that you call me Master and Lord and you say well for so I am. Then you ought to always be happy. Happiness comes from knowing who God is. Happiness comes from realizing that Jesus won’t leave you nor forsake you. Daniel states, “...But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32) The people that know God shall be strong and do great achievements, for without Him we can do nothing. “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:” (Psalms 146:5) If you say that you have been born again of the water and the spirit, then you ought to be happy. Why? “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:10-12) Do you know Him? Are you elated knowing that you know the God of all the earth?  With Jesus as your God, you can have true happiness.  

Sing: If you’re happy, and you know it, say amen, say amen.  If you’re happy, and you know it, say amen, amen.   When God’s Spirit falls on you, it makes you shout hallelujah, if you’re happy and you know it say amen. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 8

Physicians With No Value

“What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” (Job 13:2-4)

Today’s Morsel: I love reading the book of Job. Even though Job is suffering because of his attacks by Satan, he still seems to have a sense of humor and displays himself as a man of great wisdom and one who knows God personally. Job’s story shows us that when we are suffering, we just don’t need to be listening to anyone or everybody. Especially not to those who have no value and antidote for our situation. I find that even physicians are just practicing. That’s why they are called practitioners. They are practicing on us trying to see if stuff will work. And if it works on me, then they assume that if you have the same symptoms, then it ought to work on you, too. But they fail to realize that none of us are the same. We are all fearfully, and wonderfully made by God. Job says to his friends that he would love to speak with God about his issue, but he can’t find Him now, but as for them, they were all physicians of no value. In other words, they were powerless to heal, or even to understand his case. He felt that they had failed miserably and utterly to understand him. Do you feel the same about your friends and others as it relates to your case? Don’t give up. Wait patiently for Jesus and He will come through for you.

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.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 7

The Miry Clay

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
(Psalms 40:1-2)

Today’s Morsel: Do you ever feel that you are sinking and can’t get your feet on solid ground so that you can walk upright again?  David found himself in a horrible pit. What kind of pit would be classified as a horrible pit. A horrible pit would be one that you cannot easily get out of. It can be filled with stench, rising muck and mire. It can be one where men are dying around you. It can be a prison cell. A neighborhood filled with trash and rodent infestation. Jeremiah found himself in a horrible pit, and if he had not been delivered, he would have died in there.  It was not uncommon in Bible days for men to be cast into such a place. Even Joseph’s brothers put him in a pit to die. But they chose to sell him into slavery instead. David found himself in just such a pit.  But he said, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” David had confidence that God would come through and deliver him, and God did. Maybe you feel as though you are in a horrible pit today and don’t see a way out. Just wait patiently for God, He will come through for you.

Sing: He brought me out of the miry clay, He set my feet on a rock to stay, He put a song in my soul today, a song of praise hallelujah. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 6

Clap and Shout

“O’ clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” (Psalms 47:1)

Today’s Morsel: Here in La Crosse, Wisconsin where we live, one of the main streets is Losey Blvd. And there are signs along the street telling the truckers and trains to not break their engines or blow their train horns because of the echo and reverberation can cause damage to people’s homes along the roadway.  Reverend Lee Stoneking has done a study on loud noises from a spiritual standpoint, and he says that when we shout, clap our hands, and praise God, it sends a shockwave through the atmosphere, and it gives the devil a headache. So I conclude that if we want to keep the devil at bay, then we ought to start worshipping God with loud shouting and clapping our hands and give the devil a headache and he’ll leave us alone. The first battle that the children of Israel faced when they entered the promised land, was the city of Jericho. They were to walk around the city for six days saying nothing. But on the seventh day, they were to walk around seven times, and when they were given the command to shout, they were to shout, and the wall would come down. And when they shouted, the wall came down just as God had said that it would because of their obedience. Do you have a wall that needs to come down? Seek God for what He will have you do, and if He tells you to shout, then shout.

Sing: Walking around these walls, I thought by now they'd fall, but You have never failed me yet. Waiting for change to come, knowing the battle is won, for You have never failed me yet.

Your promise still stands, great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness, I'm still in Your hands this is my confidence, you’ve never failed me yet.

I've seen You move, You move the mountains, and I believe I'll see You do it again. You made a way, where there was no way, and I believe I'll see You do it again. I've seen You move, You move the mountains, and I believe I'll see You do it again. You made a way, where there was no way, 

and I believe I'll see You do it again. I've seen You move, You move the mountains, and I believe I'll see You do it again.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 5

Casting All Your Care On Jesus

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22)

Today’s Morsel: What burden or burdens are you carrying that for some reason you just can’t seem to shake or get rid of in your life? You know, I’m talking about those things that just seem to keep weighing on you, draining you of your strength, breaking your heart every time, you think about them, or they keep causing you sleepless nights? Yes, you may have already prayed and asked God to take them away, but they just keep hanging around, don’t they? And then over a period of time you begin to feel that there isn’t a need to pray about them anymore because you’ve already been there, done that, and nothing is happening. So, what’s up with that since the scripture tells us to “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” There is our answer. God didn’t say that He would remove them, His word says that He will sustain us and never suffer us to be removed. Once you cast them on God, He’s got it. You aren’t going under, just follow Paul’s advice when God told Him that His grace was sufficient for him. Paul said: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) Just keep praising Jesus and following His word and your strength will be made perfect in weakness.

Sing: The blood that Jesus shed for me, way back on Calvary, it’s the blood that gives me my strength from day to day, it will never lose its power. 

For it reaches to the highest mountain, and it flows to the lowest valley, o yeah. It is His blood, that gives me my strength, from day to day, it will never lose its power.

It soothes my doubts, and it calms my fears; that old sweet blood, it dries away all my tears. It’s the blood that gives me strength from day to day, it’s will never lose its power. 

For it reaches to the highest mountain, and it flows to the lowest valley, o yeah. It is His blood, that gives me my strength, from day to day, it will never lose its power.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 4

Labor Day

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:8-11)

Today’s Morsel:  Across America today many will celebrate ‘Labor Day’. Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievement of the United States. But we see that the first Labor Day was instituted by God. God commanded that man must not work on the Sabbath Day. God states, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day.” Are you tired at the end of the day from your labor? If so, why not come back to Jesus and allow Him to give you rest. “And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” (Mark 2:27-28) Don’t allow the world to work you to death, get your rest.

Sing: When He calls me, I will answer. When He calls me, I will hear. When He calls me, I will answer, I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord. I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord. I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working, I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 2

Blessing God While We Live

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.” (Psalms 63:1-4)

Today’s Morsel: Sometimes around the church, you will hear folks say that they are waiting for their blessing. Or they may say, God is blessing me. But if God is doing all the blessing, who’s blessing Him? Doesn’t scripture tell us, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38) So if God is giving, who’s giving back to Him? Are you blessing Him as He’s blessing you?  David said, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (Psalms 34:1-3) Notice, what he said. I will bless the Lord at all times.  That sounds like a man who understands that once you receive blessings from God, you should give back to God. We reap what we sow. If you want more blessings, then you ought to learn to bless God. How do we bless God, you may ask.  It is to offer back to Him the praise and thanks for all that He is and has done for us. Thus, I will bless Him daily while I live. What about you?

Sing: I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in Thee, Lord, the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.  O’ magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2023 September 1

The Attributes of God

“In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” (Psalms 62:7)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that I like about scripture is that it allows you to make things personal when it comes to God. It allows you to put yourself right in the scripture. Some folks like to say that God is their personal Savior. Are they saying that they have ownership of God? I don’t think so. But it would be nice if we could. Jesus, who is God manifested in flesh, died for the whole world. However, we ought to have a strong and solid relationship with Him, so that when He speaks, we listen, because we as His sheep ought to know His voice. The more I read scripture, the more my love and understanding of God ought to be.  David said, God is my light and my salvation. We can take joy and delight in knowing that God will light our way. God is my strength. I can take comfort in knowing that because He is strength, He will give me strength. God is my refuge. I can take comfort in knowing that He will always protect me. God is my salvation. I can take hope knowing that He will save me. What would you like to take personal gratification in today about God? The psalmist again states, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”  That’s a lot to find grace, mercy, and hope in. 

Sing: He is my everything, He is my all. He is my everything, both great and small.  He gave His life for me, made everything new.  He is my everything.  Oh, how about you.