Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Why do bad things happen to good people? That is one of the most asked questions of all time!

I don’t know if you realize this, but the devil is indiscriminate. By that I mean that hates every person saved or not saved, equally. He hates. That’s what he does. He hates and because of that Jesus called him the “thief that comes to kill, steal, and destroy.”  He hates not only human beings, but everything God has created! He knows his destiny is to be tormented in Hell. That’s why demons would scream out when they saw Jesus walk the earth. They knew their time was coming and they were fearful beyond belief. We see that they recognized Jesus as God and obviously knew their future was Hell. Luke 4:34 (NKJV),  “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!”  We see this again in Matthew 8:29 (NKJV) “And suddenly they cried out, saying, ‘What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?'” 

I’m telling you all this to help you understand that the devil knows his future and desires to hurt all of God’s creation including you and I. That means attacks come in our life—sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Christian that’s been doing all you know to live right before the Lord. It doesn’t matter if you’re a really good person. You may be serving in ministry or helping people. You may be faithfully giving tithes and offerings. You may have thought, Lord, I am doing everything I know to do.  Lord, your word says if I do these things you will take care of me and help me and protect me from the enemy. Lord I don’t understand what is going on? I thought you’d protect me from all this?

Anyone can feel like this and I know many do. For some it’s led to confusion and doubt about some beliefs and promises you’ve held as sacred truths. Now they’re being tested and you’re being tempted to doubt them.

When circumstances are difficult and we’re hurting and can’t figure out why, it sometimes leads to confusion and frustration. When people feel hurt, angry, disappointed, and frustrated, they want to be mad at someone. Some get mad at God. They may know that isn’t very bright, but they want to get mad. They want to take their frustrations out on someone. Because we can’t see God, people often get mad at those that represent God including your Pastor, your church, your beliefs or even your Christian friends.

I want to encourage you. This is a trap of the enemy. The blame game has been happening since the Garden of Eden and the temptation to be mad and blame God or others comes. We can’t afford to be ignorant of Satan’s devices nor does God want us to be! 2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV says, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” He’ll do his best to undermine your faith in God, His Word and His promises. He’ll work to get you angry at those that represent God in this earth. He’ll get you to be spiritually touchy and overly sensitive to every word ministered. He’s trying to get you to abandon church and God.

I want you to realize that because of demonic forces and the taint of sin upon everything in life, there are things that go wrong. Until we’re with Jesus, we may never fully understand the how or why, but, we should know that if it represents killing, stealing, or destruction in our life, it’s the devil. Jesus told us a parable that helps us understand that even if we do everything right, the devil always  sows trouble and we can’t humanly resolve it. Matthew 13:24-29.  Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them…”

Jesus was teaching that there are some things that come up on your life, that if you tried to fix yourself (like pulling up the weeds mixed with the wheat), you would do damage to both. When you discern that you’ve got one of those attacks of the devil in your life and you know there is nothing you can do about it, understand that it’s a mountain to move! Only God can move mountains!

If you’re doing what’s right, rest in that! Put the situation you are facing before the Lord. Remind the Lord of what He promised you—not with an inappropriate attitude but with thanksgiving that He will not fail you. Jesus taught us what to do in the face of impossible circumstances. He called them mountains that we were to speak to. Mark 11:22-25 NIV says, “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

You’ve been given dominion through Jesus Christ and His name to use (in Jesus’ name!) over the devil. If you use it, demons will learn to tremble at you the way they did when they saw Jesus coming. Jesus said to “Have faith in God,” and He said to to speak to the mountains of your impossible circumstances. Tell them to be moved and cast into the sea. Speak the promise of God over you and your family. Post God’s promises on your mirrors. Post them on your refrigerator. Post them everywhere and speak God’s promises with conviction and authority. Don’t isolate yourself. Don’t blame God. Don’t blame your Pastor, your church, or your Christian friends. You don’t need to. God has not abandoned you. You’ve learned the promises of God and of your authority in Jesus; now rise up in your life and use what Jesus has given you. Say, Devil I rebuke you in Jesus name. I bind this attack against my life. I speak to these mountains of negative circumstances and cast them into the sea. I declare according to Psalms 37:39 (NIV) “The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is my stronghold in time of trouble.”  Thank you Jesus for being my help! I trust you! 

When time goes by and when God’s help, provision, and hindsight comes, you will be blessed that you stood on the Word and honored God with faith by speaking to those impossibilities rather than let the devil steal your faith and discourage you! You be happy that you kicked unbelief, doubt, and blame from your life.

Luke 10:19 (NLT) “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” 

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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