Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 December 1

Overcoming Discouragement

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” (Psalms 42:5-8)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about discouragement is it doesn’t just pop-up in your life and you don’t how to deal with it. Discouragement comes about because we allow many disappointments to take root in our life. Once you allow people to continuously disappoint you or misuse you, and you never cut them off, soon those disappointments are going to take root and then cause discouragement in your life; and eventually if this continues you will become stressed, weary, and lose hope.  Discouragement can also be caused by our own self expectations. When we set high standards for ourselves (and don’t get me wrong, we should have them) or we allow others to place high standards on us because that’s what they want, and we fail to meet those standards, we can become disappointed with ourselves, we can fear what others may think of us, and we start to see ourselves as failures. And this, too, can lead to discouragement. Discouragement can cause you physical and mental health if it is not crushed. Therefore, you must not allow those disappointments to take root in your life. You must crush them and get them out by the roots before they start to grow. 

Sing: He gives strength to me, as I worship Him, as my heart is filled with praise.  Jesus breaks the bands, as I raise my hands; He gives glorious victory.     

Thought For Today: “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” (Matthew 5:30)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 November 29

Don’t Forget God

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-13)

Today’s Morsel: Moses, on his reeducation of the new generation of the children of Israel, just prior to them entering the promise land, warned them not to forget God. He told them that once they came into the land and they began to obtain things that was not theirs before but are now theirs, that they must not forget God which had delivered them. I’m afraid, that this is what happens to many Christians today. When they first come into the church, they are excited about their new life and new way of living, but then over time they forget God, and start trying to make it on their own and start thinking that they don’t need God.  They start to think that it is through their own efforts that they have what they have.  But Psalmist enlightens us: “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well-nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked… Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely, thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.” (Psalms 73:2-3; 17-19) Let me encourage you. Don’t forget God. Whether your life is good or things aren’t going so well, don’t forget God. As Jesus said: “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.” (John 15:4-5) We can’t do anything without Him. So, don’t forget Him.

Sing: Jesus hold my hand, Lord, I need Thee every hour. Through this pilgrim land protect me by Thy saving power. Hear my feeble plea, O Lord, look down on me; when I kneel in prayer, I hope to meet You there, blessed Jesus hold my hand.

Thought For Today:  “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.” (Deuteronomy 8:18-19)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 November 28

Love Lifted Me

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1-7)

Today’s Morsel: I often like to sit and reflect on where I was in my life before Jesus came into it and then I see where He has brought me from since He did. You see, no one can tell my story of salvation and deliverance like me. I know that if it had not been for Jesus and His love, I probably wouldn’t be here or be the person that I am today. I was sinking deep in sin. Daily my life was on a downhill spiral spinning out of control. Life was a ball of confusion, alcohol had me bound, and profanity controlled my lips. But God! But God who is rich in mercy, compassion, grace, and love, reached down and lifted me out of that muck and mire and set my feet upon a rock and reestablished my goings. And now I sing a brand-new song, it is amazing grace. I thank God that He lifted me. And He will lift you if you will let Him.

Sing: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore. Very deeply stained within sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, and from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me. Love lifted me. When nothing else could help, love lifted me. Love lifted me. Love lifted me. When nothing else could help, love, lifted me.

Thought For Today: “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 November 27

With A Heart of Thanksgiving

“A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalms 100:1-5)

Today’s Morsel: The Psalmist calls for us to worship God with thanksgiving and praise, encouraging us to approach God with a joyful heart, recognizing His goodness and enduring love for us. We must come before Him with a heart full of gratitude for all of His previsions and blessing that He has bestowed on us. We should always have a song in our heart to express our praise, exaltation, and gratitude to Him. We must not allow situations, depression, anxiety, stress, or anything else to get into our heart that would block our thanksgiving and praise to Him. Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving. A time to remember what God has done for us. So let’s enter today into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.

Sing: I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with praise. I will say that this is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice for He hath made me glad.

He hath made me glad, He hath made me glad, I will rejoice for He hath made me glad. He hath made me glad, He hath made me glad, I will rejoice for He hath made me glad. 

Thought For Today: Happy Thanksgiving!

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 November 26

Thank God For The Blood

“For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:19-22)

Today’s Morsel: When I first came into the church, there was not a service that someone did not sing a song about the blood of Jesus Christ. Someone would just start saying, “I know it was the blood, I know it was the blood, I know it was the blood that saved me; One day when I was lost Jesus died on the cross, and I know it was the blood that saved me.” Or someone would break out with Brother G.T. Haywood’s song, “I See a Crimson Stream of Blood.” It was all about the blood of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells us that under the law, sins were forgiven and purged by the blood. That means that some animal, under the law, would have to shed his blood for the people’s sin. When God told Abraham to offer his son Isaac for a sacrifice, Abraham went to do what God told him to do. But when Isaac asked his father where the lamb was for the sacrifice, Abraham tells him that God would provide Himself a lamb. John writes: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Remember what Abraham said, God would provide Himself a lamb. “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). “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:17-19) Have you been washed in the Blood of the Lamb? Your sins are only remitted by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Sing: Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing Blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? 

Thought For Today: God will pass over you and not destroy you only if He sees the blood.

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 November 25

Jesus Use Me

“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.” (Isaiah 6:1-13)

Today’s Morsel: What one area would you love for God to use you in? Do you know what will take you from being called by God to be chosen by God? It is the earnest of your preparation. If you prepare yourself, God will use you in more areas than you may think. If someone were to ask you why you chose the career path that you chose, what would you tell them? That career path that you chose can be used by you for God’s purpose and glory and for many other things. Isn’t it amazing that Isaiah received his calling at a funeral? By all accounts he was just observing the funeral of the king, and his eyes were opened, he gets a glimpse into heaven and is amazed at what he sees. He sees himself for who he is, a sinner, he hears the voice of God ask for someone to go for Him, and so he asked God to send him. And he is chosen by God to go. And His writing reveals more about Jesus Christ and His deity than any other book in the Bible.  All from just observing a funeral. Solomon states, “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4) So, in all your studies and schooling, why not ask God how He would like to use you in what you are learning and studying to advance his kingdom. 

Sing: Dear Lord, I’ll be a witness, if you will help my weakness, I know that I’m not worthy, Lord of Thee. By eyes of faith, I see Thee; Upon the cross of Calvary; Dear Lord I cry, Let, me Thy servant be.

Jesus use me and O Lord don’t refuse me; For surely there’s a work that I can do. And even though it’s humble, Lord, help my will to crumble. Though the cost be great I’ll work for you.

Thought For Today: If you don’t use your talents and abilities for Jesus, the world will kill you using them for it. 

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2025 November 24

Let’s Get Ready To Go

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7)

Today’s Morsel: When the children of Israel were told that they would be departing Egypt and coming out of bondage, they had to be ready to go. God told them that the death angel would pass through the land, destroy all the first born, and that Pharoah would command them to leave (my wording). They must be ready to go. Scripture said that Paul preached all night, ready to depart on tomorrow. I don’t know if this was his message title or not, but I think he was trying to warn them to be ready. What preparations are you making to be ready to go when Jesus comes? Like the children of Israel, they did not know when the time of their departure would be until Moses told them. None of us know when Jesus will come again for us. He just said, be ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh. Now is not the time to waste on the things of this world or to be putting your stakes in too deep here. We ought to be getting ready to move to our new home and land. Have you obeyed Acts 2:38 and Hebrews 12:14? Now is not the time to waste. My message title today is this:  Let’s Get Ready To Go; my subtitle is, You don’t want to miss your flight!

Sing: Some glad morning, we shall see Jesus in the air; Coming after you and me, joy is ours to share. What rejoicing that will be when the saints shall rise; Headed for that Jubilee yonder in the skies.

O, what singing, O, what shouting, on that happy morning when we all shall rise. O, what glory, Hallelujah! When we meet our blessed Savior yonder in the skies.

Thought For Today: “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:43-44)