Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I was in the garage one evening when the overhead light began to dim. A minute later it began to flicker and moments later the light went out. It reminded me of this world we live in. It has dimmed so much over the past 50 years that it has become a dark and scary world to most. It’s why there’s an epidemic of hopelessness and suicide. There is the constant talk about #ClimateChange which would happen over hundreds and thousands of years. I’ve got news for you! The more important conversation should be about the #ImmoralityChange. That change will have much greater consequences in a much shorter period of time as it already has and is accelerating. It began to accelerate when God and prayer was stripped from public schools, homes, media, and society. It’s lead to #Godless homes, abandonment of marriage, the disregard for human life through abortion, fatherless children, an escalating violence and sexual perversion in media, and drug and sexual addiction, perversion, and sex-trafficking. The #ImmoralityChange will consume our planet and us, long before the woes of #ClimateChange. The world is getting darker and the end will come.

People, especially Christians, seem to be anxious about the last days. We are in the last days, but that could still represent another hundred years. The Bible tells us to recognize the seasons around us but that no man knows the day or the hour the end will come. What I do know is that God does not want His people cowering in fear or becoming indifferent about evil, thinking there is nothing they can do to influence this world or the people in it to a better place—ultimately toward Jesus and eternal life. Resisting Satan and his ways with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God will make you stronger. Becoming indifferent will suck you into the worlds way like a raft on a raging current over a waterfall. Indifference will result in you becoming cold and callous to God’s ways like the rest of the world.

There is turmoil in the world, but there always has been. The many evils of sin create turmoil. Today we have social media to broadcast and amplify that turmoil to every corner of the earth. As it does, it creates a spirit of fear. Fear does its work. It has the power to deceive, to manipulate, to paralyze, and to bring great discouragement and depression. It also has the power to make you feel like the world is caving in on you! It’s not!

Jesus said that there would be “last days.” In these last days, man would become his own god or solution to everything. Jesus Christ and Christians would become a hindrance and an obstruction to the freedom of man’s sinful choices and false religion. This godless world will increasingly reject Jesus and us as Christians! They also reject the boundaries God gave us for righteous living as archaic in this morally destitute world. All this tells us we are coming closer to the day when Jesus will return. God’s word was always meant to produce reverential fear (respect) for God in our heart, but it was never been written to produce fear! 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

God does not want you to live your life in fear no matter what’s going on in the world around you! Living in fear keeps you ignorant or deceived, and manipulated and paralyzed from the authority and freedom to live godly lives boldly. Those who live in fear are also living in discouragement. Discouragement unchecked leads you to depression and hopelessness which is why people kill themselves. Discouragement is designed by Satan to keep you from exercising your sound mind—a mind of clear thinking that can pray in faith and live life God’s way. 1 John 4:18 (NLT) says, “…love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear…” 

Until Jesus comes back. we will always live in an earth that has turmoil. The devil would like you to cower and be paralyzed with fear. This might be the behavior of the wicked who has no discernment, but not you! Proverbs 28:1 (NLT) says, “The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.” You are called to “resist the devil” (or demonic influences and behaviors.) James 4:7 (NIV) says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  

Yes, the world’s actions do try to invade and affect our mind and lives, but the Lord wants us to rise up in the spirit of prayer and boldness toward what is right and good. James 5:16 (NLT)  reminds you of who you are in Christ saying, “…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” That’s you! Your prayers of sincere faith in God’s promises are what produce change and the good we hope for in this world.

The confession of your mouth when your life feels like it’s in turmoil, needs to be the same as David’s was in his world of turmoil, in his day. Your faith needs to believe, pray, and say these words in a spirit of thanksgiving to God boldly each day till you absolutely believe them.

(Various verses from Psalm 91)
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” His faithful promises are my armor and protection. I will not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day… Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are dying around me, these evils will not touch me. But I will see it with my own eyes; I will see how the wicked are punished. Because I make the Lord my refuge and the Most High my shelter, no evil will conquer me,  no plague will come near my dwelling.  For He orders His angels to protect me wherever I go.

Yes, the world we live in is dimming and getting darker. But, you can be an agent of light representing Jesus in this world and being a vessel of faith-filled prayers that do change things! Don’t let the devil trample you! Trample him! Remind him of his destiny. Then remind him of yours with Jesus. Then pray in faith believing! Your faith and your prayers matter! Don’t bury your head in the sand out of fear or indifference! Be bold as a lion! Have faith in God. Receive these promises into your life. And pray for this world. It needs Jesus, your prayers, your action, and your light!

Proverbs 28:1 (NKJV) “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.”

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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