Be A Praise Heaper!

Fresh Manna
By Pastor Tim Burt

Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” If someone asked me, “What helps you continue and press on in life more than anything else?’ I would say two things: the supernatural strengthening of the Lord and the sincere encouragement of others. These are the two most powerful boosts that fuel my tanks and help me press on!

I’m sure my mother had everything to do with that. She was probably the world’s greatest encourager. She was always telling me, “You can do it – you’ll see – you’ll be good at it!” She was what I would call a “Praise Heaper.” She would watch for opportunities she could encourage me in or praise me for and immediately do so. I don’t know if everyone is this way but encouragement just absolutely fuels my fire.

God knows we need affirmation, validation and encouragement. Consequently His Word instructs us to develop this quality and sow it into others. 1Thess 4:18 says, “Therefore encourage each other with these words.” And 1Thess 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

I want to thank the multitude of you that have written to encourage me in the writing of Fresh Manna and who send you continuously kind comments. When I started writing ten years ago, it was more for me as a journaling exercise to help me pay better attention to the things God was speaking to my heart. Never did I think that I would end up with thousands of readers from over 36 countries or become one of the top 55 blogging Pastors in the country. I only started blogging because someone asked me to.

Thank all of you for your kind words of encouragement to me concerning Fresh Manna. I have included some of your comments below. Again, thank each of you for them.

Fresh Manna Comments,

Pastor Tim, You don’t know who I am but I thought you needed to know that what you are doing is AWESOME! I am a busy teacher and I appreciate your efforts to further my growth in the Lord through Fresh Manna. Thanks for your commitment and consistency.

Hey, Pastor Tim, I really look forward to your Fresh Manna. So do several people I forward it to. We often chat about it. You have no idea the number of people you touch and the ways in which you touch them. The other interesting thing is, when we seem to be dealing with something, you end up writing about it. God is funny like that!

Pastor Tim, Wow…excellent fresh manna….just wanted to let you know that I very much appreciate the fresh manna that you provide. It is amazing how when you are going through difficulties, God speaks to your situation…

Pastor Tim, every time I read your Fresh Manna I receive direction from the Holy Spirit. I feel at times that the Holy Spirit has been working on me in a part of my life but my heart was not as open as it should be. Your Fresh Manna helps to open my heart.

Pastor Burt, I am once again amazed at your gift of speaking to my heart.

Pastor Tim, “Thanks for being so real with all of us Manna readers, it takes guts to tell to be as transparent as you are.”

Pastor Tim, as always you are so on with your manna & your timing is outstanding.

Pastor Tim, I just wanted to thank you for Fresh Manna; I look forward to reading it every morning when I arrive at work. I also thank you for your dedication in writing and sending this multiple times each week! Your messages and insight give me encouragement as well as educate me.

Pastor Tim, Thank you so much for all your wisdom. I feel very fortunate to be able to read your devotions each day, and I look forward to having them lift my spirit. They help me learn the bible verses better. I have done limited bible study in my life, so far. I am happy to be a part of your list. Thank you so much.

Pastor Tim, Speaking of giving honor to whom honor is due, thank you for your faithfulness in sharing your daily manna and everything else you do.

Pastor Tim, Your ministry through Fresh Manna is one of the blessings that has touched my life. Thank you for your tireless effort. You remind of Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah in the “Left Behind” series. I look forward to your daily messages.

Pastor Burt, I just wanted you to know how extremely timely your word from the Lord is. You are right on.

Pastor Tim…… thank you for sharing such honest and compassionate feelings about your marriage to your lovely lady ….it takes a lot of love and guts to do that and I have the greatest love and respect for you in doing that … I know the LORD is there in your life.. Praise God for People like you.

Pastor Tim, I am really blessed by reading Fresh Manna. It is amazing how I would be pondering stuff the night before, and Fresh Manna will give me the answer the following day.

Pastor Tim, Thank you so much! You helped answer many of the things that I have struggled with about faith.

Thank you all for your kind comments and encouragement. You are Praise Heapers!

In His love,
Pastor Tim