Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 6

The Day Abraham’s Faith Was Tested

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” (Genesis 22:1-14)

 

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever had your faith tested? When Albert Einstein was seen as a failure after the light bulb didn’t work at  1,000 tries, he stated, “I have not failed. I’ve just found a thousand ways it doesn’t work.”  There will come a time in your life that your faith will be tested, or you will never know if it is going to work when you need it. Jesus placed His disciples in a boat to go to the other side; their faith was put to the test by a storm. When they began to fear, Jesus chides them for not having any faith. Abraham was tested by God telling him to offer his son Isacc. Abraham, we see, doesn’t waver. His faith had been tested before, and he knew that God would come through for him. And He will come through for you. James tells us that it is the trying of our faith that worketh patience. When your faith is tested, don’t fret nor fear, just see it as God proving you to see if it’s going to work for you when you may need it the most.

Sing: Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails, so you might as well get thee behind me Satan, you cannot prevail; because Jesus never fails.

Thought For Today: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 5

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

“Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” (Job 4:8)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things that is sure in life is that you reap what you sow. Solomon, the wisest man to ever lived, stated: “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:8-13) Solomon highlights for us that the wicked and every sinner isn’t getting away just because their sentence is not speedily executed, he lets us know that it shall not be well or good for the wicked and sinner when their judgement comes. If we reap good for doing good and evil and wickedness for doing evil, I don’t think we need to be a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out. Job lets us know that we reap what we sow. Or should I say that we reap what we do. So, don’t be your own worst enemy. Be careful and aware of what you are sowing, it will come back around to you.  

Sing: I thought that number one, would surely be me, I thought I could be, whatever I wanted to be; I thought that I could build on life’s sinking sand, but I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

Lord, I can’t even walk, without You holding my hand, the mountains too high, and the valleys 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: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 4

Are You Enjoying Life?

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39-40)

Today’s Morsel: Bottom line up front, if Jesus is not the highest priority in your life, the likelihood of you enjoying life and living a productive life, is going to be very smallest. You may find some enjoyment and laughter here and there, as with some things, because most people do. But enjoyable life and having it more abundant will be sporadic. Let me share with you why. Jesus has already told us in His Word: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) We can’t do anything without Him. So, if we are missing the source from which life comes from, then we will not have it. Jesus also tells us: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus shared these teachings with us so that we could experience His personal overflowing inner joy through a loving relationship with Him, rather than relying on temporary worldly circumstances. When you study the Word of God, you soon discover that true, complete life, joy, and happiness, come from Jesus and by living closely connected to Him. It doesn’t come from money, success, or material things. Jesus links His joy, life, and peace, with keeping His commandments and abiding in His love. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10) If you want to have life and an enjoyable life, then you must stick close to Him the One who gives us life. 

Sing: I found a new way of living, I found a new life divine, I have the Fruit of the Spirit, I am abiding, abiding in the vine.

Abiding in the vine, abiding in the vine, love, joy, peace, strength, He has made them mine; I have prosperity, power and victory, abiding, abiding, in the vine.

Thought For Today: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 3

There Is Nobody Like Jesus

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41)

Today’s Morsel: There were many in Jesus’ day upon the earth that questioned as to who He was when they saw the miracles, heard His teachings, and His rebuke of the Pharisee’s Sadducee’s and Scribe’s which He did. Many of them questioned as to who He was when they saw that He was not afraid of what people thought of Him, or His willingness to go against the status quo. Even His disciples, whom He had chosen, had doubt in their minds about Him. Philip and Thomas, after being with Him for three years, did not recognize Him as the Father (John 14:7-10); And the disciples even questioned who He was after He commanded the wind and waves to be still. They asked, what manner of man is this. The men on the road to Emmus didn’t recognize Him. But He was the one whom Paul said, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:15-17) Jesus was more than a man. Paul said, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:9-10) Let me encourage you today, you will never recognize Jesus by human eyes. You can only recognize Him by eyes of faith.

Sing: He’s Jehovah God, the coming King of glory; He’s the true Nissi, the Lord of grace and favor, He is Jesus Christ, Redeemer Friend and Savior, He’s the great, He’s the great I AM!

He’s the great I Am, the everlasting Father, He’s the Prince of Peace, the great eternal Wonder, Holy Counselor, and Zion righteous Governor, He’s the great, He’s the great I Am.

Thought For Today: “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.” (Isaiah 43:10-11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 2

Are You Ready To Cross Over?

“And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.” (Joshua 3:3-4)

Today’s Morsel: When I was in the army as an infantry soldier, part of our training was to be ready at a certain time to cross the line of departure. In other words, there was a set time and a line that we must cross so that you did not get killed by friendly fire. One of the things we learned was that once we departed a site, our enemies would soon come in and seek to obtain any information or intelligence that they could find that they may be able to use against us. And so, we would preprogram artillery fire on that site for a set time after our departure. And if we did not get off that location at the appropriate time, we could suffer the consequences. 

The children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and now it was time for them to cross over to the other side. Joshua had told them that they had not passed that way before and so they should keep their eyes on the Ark. He gave them a set time that they must be ready to go. No delays. Our final home is heaven. And we know that there is going to come a day that we must cross over. So the question is, are you ready? Scripture says that the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas as he brought them out from the jail, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” (Acts 16:30-33). When Peter had preached to the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, according to Acts 2,: “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.” (Acts 2:37-41) In both accounts, the question is asked what they shall do, or what must I do to be saved? We see that according to scripture the first act is for one to believe on Jesus Christ, as neither is there salvation in any other (Acts 4:12). Next, we must repent of our sins (Matthew 4:17). Third, we must be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, 10:48). And fourth, we must be filled with God’s Spirit (Romans 8:9). Are you ready to cross over to the other side where you will live with Jesus forever and ever?“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11)

Sing: The captain of the vessel, he’s calling get onboard, the destinations heaven, upon those crystal shores, there we’ll see our blessed Savior, and our loved ones who have gone before, and we will sing and shout for eternity, thank God we’re going home.

I’m going home with Jesus, in the twinkling of an eye, I’ve made my reservation for my mansion in the sky. I may not know the moment, and I may not know the day, but I know that I’ll be leaving, when He calls His church away.

Thought For Today: “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 September 1

How Do You Handle Unexpected Bad News That Affects You?

“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.” (Job 3:25-26)

Today’s Morsel: If you have been in the church, or around the church for any amount of time, I am sure that you have heard of the story of Job and what trials that he endured. We read in chapters 1 & 2 of Job, that Job lost all his material possessions, his children, servants, and even his own health in what seems like minutes. Job seems to be doing okay with the news until his friends show up and begin to accuse him of sin.  One of the things you will find in life is that none of us know what type of news the next moment may bring our way. Some people leave home to go to work and never return. Some children go off to school and never return. Some folks go to their doctor what they think is a routine appointment, and they are told that they have terminal cancer and only have a few months or so to live. So, how should we handle such news when it affects us? Scripture tells us: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10). The Lord tells us not to fear as He will help us. God will come along beside us and direct us through such ordeals and hardships. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” (Hebrews 6:17-19) Jesus will never leave us, nor will he ever forsake us. We must keep our focus upon Him so that our ship will not sink.

Sing: Who is this who for our sorrow offers comfort and relief, bringing sunshine to the dark and shadowed life; Saying softly cease repining lift thou soul above its grief, let the peace pass understanding still the strife.

It is Jesus, Jesus, sad ones weep no more. He will heal the brokenhearted, open wide the prison doors, He is able to deliver evermore.

Thought For Today: Stay connected to the anchor or the wind will blow you out to sea. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 31

The Great I Am

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:13-14)

Today’s Morsel: When Moses asked God who he should tell the people that sent him to deliver them, He’s told by God to tell them “I Am” hath sent Him. Moses is probably thinking like some of us. Who is going to believe me when I just say, “I AM” hath sent me. What Moses fails to realize was, that he was just told by God, that “I AM” the God of your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6). So, God was saying, I believe is, just tell them that I Am the God of their fathers and this ought to suffice them as to who I Am. As the Lord had said that Abraham would command his children after him. And Abraham knew God personally, the same as did Isaac and Jacob. When Philip asked Jesus to show him the father and it would suffice them. “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? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:9-10). And Paul informs us: “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) If you want to know who Jesus is, He is the Great I Am!

Sing: He’s the Great I Am, the Everlasting Father, He’s the Prince of Peace, the Great Eternal Wonder, Holy Counselor, and Zions righteous governor, He’s the Great, He’s the Great I Am.

Thought For Today: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.” (John 13:13)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 29

Wisdom Or Gold

“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: My ophthalmologist always asks me, which is better A or B? 1 or 2? Well, Solomon asks us somewhat the same question. Which is better, Wisdom or gold? Understanding or silver? You must choose which you think is better. Solmon helps us in choosing, when he tells us: “Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. 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 7:11-12) Moses even asks us which is better, life or death? Blessing or cursing’s? Moses says, Well if you are having trouble with choosing, he said,  “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deuteronomy 30:19) This stuff isn’t that hard. Again, Solomon tells us: “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.” (Proverbs 4:5-9) Are you still having trouble choosing? Well, let me help you. Choose Jesus, as He is the wisdom of God and the power of God.  Choose Jesus and you will be just fine.

Sing: Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus, daily let me go. Higher, higher, in the school of wisdom, more of grace to know.

O’ deeper yet I pray, and higher every day, and wiser blessed Lord, in Thy precious holy word.

Thought For Today: “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:” (Proverbs 2:10-11)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 28

Stay Connect To Jesus

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:1-8)

Today’s Morsel: Jesus often used teachings where others could easily understand. His teaching in today’s passage highlights what happens to the branch if it does not remain connected to the vine. It withered; and men gathered them, and cast them into the fire, and they were burned. Once the branch is broken from the vine, it has no source of life. It loses the things it needs to survive and reproduce. Jesus said that it now is good for nothing but to be used as kindling for a fire. But the teaching is to open our eyes. He is the vine and we are the branches. If we do not stay connected to Him, we are good for nothing but to be burned, because we now have no way to reproduce fruit for the Master’s or anyone else’s use. He wants us to bear fruit. But the branch cannot bear fruit if it doesn’t stay connect to the vine. God is gloried when we bear fruit after His kind. But when we don’t, He takes us away. Everything we have need of to bear fruit flows from Jesus. So stay connected to Him.

Sing: Hold to God’s unchanging hand, hold to God’s unchanging hand. Build your hopes on things eternal. Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Thought For Today: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 27

Let Jesus Lead

“A Psalm of David. 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)

Today’s Morsel: Jesus informs us that He is the Good Shepherd, and that the Good Shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep. The shepherd is willing to risk his life against those who may come to steal the sheep, or wild animals, and in some case dangerous serpents. The shepherd leads his flock into greener pastures and beside still waters. His end state with the sheep, is growth, to reproduce, and to produce wool which can be used for other purposes. David highlights that the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want.  There is no reason for the sheep to wander from the fold. The sheep understand that the shepherd will lead them to the best grazing land, and the refreshing water holes, because they have come to know his voice and understand his care and protection for them. When we put our trust in Jesus, He, too, will lead us into greener pastures and to refreshing waters. So, you don’t need to wander away from the fold, stay where you are, trust Him, and He will ensure that goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life.

Sing: He leadeth me, He leadeth me, by His own hand He leadeth me. His faithful follower I will be, for by His hand He leadeth me.

Thought For Today: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 26

Don’t Ever Forget God

“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: One of the last things that Moses informed the Children of Israel, just prior to them cross overing into the Promise Land, was that they must not forget God. He told them if they forgot Him, that God would turn again and do them hurt. That same caution is given to us today. We must not forget God. No matter how good life gets, or how bad, we must not forget God. Sometime our bad days may be God’s way of developing us. You see, at some point, God wants us to be able to stand on our own two feet and make choices based on the word He has given to us. Jesus could have stopped the storm the disciples were in at any time. But He allowed the disciples to use their own minds to decide what they would do. And when they saw that their way was fruitless, they decided to wake Jesus up. Jesus didn’t chide them for not trying; he chided them for a lack of faith. At least they didn’t forget God. They knew that He could solve the issue. And so, they woke Him. Scripture says: “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalms 50:15) You can keep fighting trouble in your life on your own, or you can call on God.  Remember, without Him we can do nothing. So, don’t forget Him, He will be a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Sing: I’m gonna to praise the Lord anyway that I can. I’m going to praise the Lord anyway that I can. I’m gonna praise Him in the morning, praise Him all day long, I’m gonna praise the Lord anyway that I can.

Thought For Today: “Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 6:12)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 25

A Life Void of Wisdom

“Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.” (Psalms 14:4)

Today’s Morsel: Folks who reject wisdom and truth will never have the peace, rest, and contentment that they seek. Even “If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.” (Proverbs 29:9) When our lives are without wisdom, we become as the horse and the mule which has no understanding and their mouths must be held in with bit and bridle. In other words, they are out of control and will run ramped. When a life is void of godly wisdom, it becomes a place and seat for the wicked one. Satan will immediately take control of that life and destroy it. Jesus said: “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45) Solomon states: “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:30-34) If you want to avoid the torment and evils from consuming your life, may I suggest that you hide the word of God within you and seek Him for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. 

Sing: I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, o’ what a change in my life. I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, o’ what a change in my life. I’ve got Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, o’ what a change in my life, o, what a change in my life.

Thought for Today:  “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalms 119:18)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 24

God Is Always In Control

“For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 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.” (Jeremiah 29:10-11)

Today’s Morsel: Isaiah informs us that God will work if we let Him (Isaiah 43:13). God is always in control. There is nothing hidden from Him that He is not aware of. Ezra states “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” (2 Chronicles 16:9) Paul states, He that searches’ the heart knows what is the mind of the Spirit because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Roman 8:27). God is always at work on our behalf. When Philip brought Nathanel to Jesus, Jesus called him and Israelite in whom there was no guile. “Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” (John 1:48). When He conversed with the woman at the well: “Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.” (John 4:16-19) And when He told Peter, “Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice…; And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:34, 45). Peter was shocked when what Jesus told him was going to happen, happened just like he said. Jesus is in control. If he tells you that something is going to happen, prepare your heart as it will come to pass. God cannot lie. He’s the one in control.

Sing: Saved and I’m happy today, thanks be to God for this I can say, that I’m saved and I’m happy today, I’m walking up the Kings highway.

Thought For Today: “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 22

What Did You Gain From All Your Labor Last Week?

“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: When you go to work, what are you hoping to gain? If you go on a mission’s trip to a foreign country, what are you hoping to gain? If you study in school for a PhD, what are you hoping to gain? If you were selected by a major NFL team, what are you hoping to gain? Jesus asked the question, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) He also tells us: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” (Matthew 6:19-20) Jesus says, look, the earth is not your end state, heaven is. You can gain many things down here, but none of them can pay for your eternal soul. You need a solid relationship with Christ.  Again, Solomon states: “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (Proverbs 23:5) It’s here and then it is gone. So, the prophet Haggi stated: “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.” (Haggai 1:5-11) If we refuse to take care of the things of God first, what we have will just keep slipping away.  So, what did you gain last week?

Sing: When you see my praying, I’m working on the building, I’m going up to heaven to get my reward; while I never get tired, working on the building, I’m going up to heaven, to get my reward.

Thought For Today: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 21

The Counsel of The Lord 

“There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

Today’s Morsel: I have been asked by some what they should look for in a mentor. When I give them an answer, they sometimes give me that look as to say, that is too hard. Some folks say they want a mentor, but really, they don’t. They just want someone to tickle their ears and tell them what they want to hear. A real mentor and counselor are rooted and grounded in the word and ways of God. And when they tell you something, it’s going to stand and prove to be true in your life. You can choose people whom you may think is good for you, but as Solmon says, only the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. We may have many plans, goals, and dreams in our lives, but it’s only the Lord’s purpose that is going to prevail. If my ambition does not align with God’s word and purpose, they aren’t going to stand. Remember, God sees the bigger picture and end state.  I can’t see everything that is before me, but He does. And if I trust Him to give me counsel for what I desire, and it aligns with His will and purpose, there is nothing that can stop me or it from coming to fruition.

Sing: I lean on You Lord, I lean on You Lord, for the things 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, to supply my every need and I lean on You.

Thought For Today: “Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.” (Psalms 20:4)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 20

The Why’s In Life

“Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.” (Proverbs 30:2)

Today’s Morsel: Let any toddler asks you a question and you give them an answer that their little minds were not expecting, and you will often get another question which says, Why? I have not only had toddler’s ask me Why, but many adults. Especially when it comes to death, rejection by others, loss of employment, or ill-health. Those Why questions keep coming. And something I have to say, I just don’t know. I don’t have all the answers to the Why questions that come our way. God just tells me that His ways and thought aren’t as mine. Gideon had a why question for God. He said, “Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” (Judges 6:13) I’m sure some of you may have a Why question, like Gideon, when things are against you and they don’t make sense. There are going to be many Why questions you are going to have to consider and face in your life. But keep in mind, God has the answer to every Why question. We may not understand them, because we are asking man and not God. And at times, we simply must trust God with His perfect way.

Sing: I’ve had some good days, and I’ve had some hills to climb, I’ve had some weary days, and some sleepless nights, but when I look around and I think things over, all my good days, outweigh all my bad days, and I won’t complain. 

Sometimes the clouds are low, I can hardly see the road, I ask the question, Lord, Lord why so much pain? But He knows what’s best for me, although my weary eyes they can’t see, so, I’ll just say thank you Lord, I won’t complain.

The Lord’s been so good to me, He’s been so good to me, more than this old world or you could ever be, He’s been so good to me. He dries all my tears away, turned my midnights into day, So I’ll just say thank you Lord, and I won’t complain.

Thought For Today: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 19

Are You Trusting In The Right Thing?

“Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.” (Psalms 20:6-9)

Today’s Morsel: Some folks will trust in others and things but not trust in God. I have yet had any of them explain to me why they do not trust in God, who only has their best interest at heart. If God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that we could live and have eternal life, shouldn’t we trust in Him. When God told Abraham to leave home and He would bless him, Abraham obeyed. When God told him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, Abraham obeyed. Some today refuse to trust God when it comes to tithe and offerings and giving to the church or witnessing to others about Christ. For some reason they lose their trust in God to care for them or give them the words to say. Faith requires you to take God at His word. He is not a man that He should lie. So, are you trusting in things and others over God? Jesus said, For without me you can do nothing (John 15:5). Solomon tells us: “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 3:5-6) Notice the words and lean not unto your own understanding. Because God’s ways and thoughts are not as our, we must trust Him based on His word, and not on what we can see. As Paul said: “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:24,28). If you are going to trust in something, make sure it’s the right thing. Like Jesus!

Sing: I trust in God, wherever I may be, upon the land, or on the roaring sea; For come what may, from day to day, my Heavenly Father watches over, over me. 

And I trust in God, I know He cares for me, on the mountain bleak, or out on the stormy seas. Though come what may, from day to day, my Heavenly Father watches over, over, me. 

Thought For Today: “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (Psalms 37:5)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 18

What Do You Think of God’s Glory?

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.” (Psalms 19:1-5)

Today’s Morsel: One of my highlights of the day is when I go outside during my early for my morning walks and observe the things that God has created. While the wind oftentimes blows gently across my face, I hear the chirping of birds, squirrels chasing each other, deer trying to get a snack to eat, crescent moon setting and the sun rising, stars still in the sky, majestic mountains, different trees, flowers, dogs, and even humans. And as Louie Armstrong said, I also say to myself, What wonderful world. What beauty to behold. I have seen many places in this world; and believe me, God has created a masterpiece. From His wisdom bank, what He has created, I believe that even heaven would desire to investigate. When you stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon, or along the river of Niagara Falls, or see the Purple Mountains as the sun is going down upon them in the evening or see the many species of animals on a Safari of Africa, or the huge and colorful fish in each ocean, you too will stand in awe of His beauty and splendor. David asked the Lord, What is man that you are mindful of him? Or the son of man that He would visit Him? And that you would put such glory and beauty in his hands to oversee (My wording)? If you want to change your perspective of God, get out into His creation and it will blow your mind. If you get out and observe what God has done, you won’t be like the fool and say that there is no God.

Sing: Lord, we don’t need another mountain, there are mountains and hillsides enough to climb; there are oceans and rivers enough to cross, and enough to last until the end of time. (Chorus)

Chorus: What the world needs now is love, sweet love it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love, no, not just for some but for everyone. 

Lord, we don’t need another meadow, there are cornfields, and wheat fields enough to grow, there are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine, oh, Lord listen if you want to know (Chorus)

Thought For Today: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 17

Prosperity Will Not Satisfy Your Soul

“I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:7-11)

Today’s Morsel: One of the misunderstandings of some folks is that they think that the more that they have, the more satisfied they will be. But that is not the case. The more you have, the more you must care for. Solomon states that the eye is not satisfied with seeing, and neither is the ear satisfied with hearing. They each want more. Again, Solomon shows us that he got much stuff for himself, and in the end, he saw that it was all vanity and vexation of spirit. He concluded that it’s like a vapor, poof, gone. He saw that earthly things are temporary, lacks substance, and do not last. He said it was meaningless. Like chasing after the wind. Just as we cannot hold the wind in our hands, we cannot hold on to nor control the temporary joys in life. Yes, you may get stuff, and it satisfies you for a while, but it will soon lose its pleasure to your soul. You need Jesus. For He is the only One who can satisfy your soul and give you lasting joy. And the good part is, the things which He gives, they will last you forever and will always satisfy us.

Sing: For only Jesus can satisfy your soul, for only He can change your heart and make you 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: You will never find true satisfaction until you find the Lord.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 15

Can You Hold On Until The End?

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:3-14)

Today’s Morsel: The apostle Paul informed us that prior to the coming of the Lord, there is going to be a great falling away from the church. Jesus said that men’s hearts were going to fail them from looking at the things which are coming upon the earth. Paul said that men would creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:6-7). The last days are going to throw you a whole lot of curveballs that you aren’t going to be able to hit. Again, Jesus informs us: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) Things we are going to suffer! He’s informing us that imprisonment, trials, and even tribulations are going to come our way. But Jesus encourages us to hang in there until the end and He will give us a crown of life. So, my question to you is, can you endure hardness as a good soldier, can you stay in the fight until the end? Even though many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many; and even though iniquity shall abound, and the love of many shall wax cold; For us to be saved, we must endure unto the end. So, hang in there. He that will come, will come and not tarry. The just must live by faith.

Sing: Living below in this old sinful world, hardly a comfort can afford; Striving alone to face temptations sore, where could I go but to the Lord. Where could I go, O’ where could I go; seeking a refuge for my soul? Needing a friend to help me in the end, where could I go but to the Lord?

Thought For Today:  “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)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 14

Do You Know What The Will of God Is For Your Life?

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-6)

Today’s Morsel: Have you ever heard someone ask what is the will of God is? Well, if we read the Word of God, and we pay close attention to what is read and has been written, we will find our answer. Paul informed the church at Thessalonica, that the will of God, to include our sanctification, was that we should abstain from fornication: That every one of us should know how to possess his vessel (his body) in sanctification (holiness) and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscence (desiring what is forbidden), even as the Gentiles which did know not God; And that no man goes beyond and defraud (take advantage of) his brother in any matter. Do you know how to possess your body? In other words, do you know how to present yourself as a vessel of honor fit for the Master’s use?  Paul again asks the church at Corinth: “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:15-20) Your body doesn’t belong to you; it belongs to Christ. Therefore, it’s lent out to you to use for His purpose and will. And if you defile it, He will destroy it. Because the temple of God is holy and must remain holy. It is set apart for His use. Therefore, God is working in you, providing both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him for His will.

Sing: Lord, I give You my heart, I give You my soul, I live for You alone. Every birth that I take, every moment I’m awake, Lord, have Your way in me.

Thought For Today: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 13

Stop Hiding Your Love

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)

Today’s Morsel: When I was a kid and, in the world, I listened to a lot of so-called love songs. One of my favorites was titled, “What the World Needs Now is Love.” From creation, God displayed His love for His creation. Because God is love (1 John 4:7-8), scripture calls for us to love others also. I believe that the whole purpose for the law was to show us how to love others.  We know that love is the opposite of hate, so as Christians we must not hate anyone. We can hate the sin, but not the person. When King Jehosophat asked King Ahab to enquire of the Lord if they should go to war, Ahab told him that there was a prophet, Micaiah, but he hated him because he never spoke anything good about him. Upon hearing these words, King Jehosophat said, “Let not the king say so.” We are called to love, not hate. Paul told the church at Rome: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Romans 12:9). He told the church at Corinth, that the greatest gift one could have was love. And that this was the gift that they should honestly seek after. He told the church at Philippi: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (Philippians 2:1-2) When we have the same love as Christ, which we all ought to have if we say that we have His Spirit in us, then we should be no respecter of persons, we should be no hater of others, there should be no unethical practice by us, and no disunity of the body, nor pride in our lives, and no gossip in our tongue. None of these things are in Christ and they must not be in us. Remember, John said, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1 John 4:11)

Sing: I love you; I love you; I love you; what more can I say, but that I truly love you. And I’ll try to live my life so that it says it, too. I love you; I love you; I really love you.

Thought For Today: “These things I command you, that ye love one another.” (John 15:17)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 12

What Does God Want You To Do?

“And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” (Acts 9:4-6)

Today’s Morsel: Often, I will ask a college person what they are majoring? They sometimes look at me as if to say, What are you talking about. Then I may ask them, Tell me what you want to be when you grow up. Again, some of them give me that deer in the headlight look, and will say, “I don’t know.” I find the same when I ask kids in grades K-12. It is as if there is no discussion with parents, mentors, tutors, nor counselors about life and what road children ought to be on and helping them to become all they can become. Solomon states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I’m not being political here, but maybe this is why so many children are easily led astray in their thinking. Paul said: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3) Eve was deceived into thinking something different from what God said. Children today, and yes, some adults, are no exception. So, what does God want you to do? For what purpose did God let you live and save you from the sins of this world? If you don’t know your purpose in life, you will sooner or later become confused, depressed, and see life as boring and mundane. But if you know your purpose, and you pursue that purpose, life will be encouraging and uplifting. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Sing: Where He leads me, I will follow. Where He leads me, I will follow. When He leads me, I will follow. I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.

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

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 11

The Acceptable Year of The Lord

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Today’s Morsel: After Jesus had been tempted by the devil for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness, Scripture says: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:14-19) Isaiah had stated that He would proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. He said that God would proclaim the time of His favor and salvation, and a time when God will judge evil and vindicate His people. He will turn mourning into dancing and sorrows into joy. If your life, or anyone else’s life that you may know, is void of these promised blessings, then Jesus has come to fulfill His promise. His Spirit is available for you today, so that you can be made free of anything that may have you bound.

Sing: If you will come to Jesus Christ today, He’ll take your sins away, He’ll take you sins away; And keep you happy in His love each day; He’ll take your 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: “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:2)