Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtHave you ever received a negative report? Who hasn't, right? Too many people have experienced enough unfavorable reports to feel shell-shocked and worn down. Negative reports seem to punch you in the gut and twist your stomach in knots. The loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or some calamity or tragedy is never easy to hear about. Moreover, watching the news can be exhausting, inundating you with unnecessary, distressing information. You might wonder, "I have enough drama in my life; why am I subjecting myself to all this? It only depresses me."
In your Bible reading, you may have noticed that in the Old Testament, kings were never pleased with those who couldn't wait to bring bad news. They often had them killed or punished. Many of us have been guilty of sharing a negative report with others, and for what purpose? The sad part is that sometimes people almost seem excited or in a hurry to share bad news. What's the attraction to telling bad news? It often brings fear or sadness to the hearer, so what spirit do you think is leading that impulse?In 2 Kings, a very wicked King Sennacherib spread a very evil report about all the harm he was going to bring against the children of Israel and how Israel's God could do nothing to stop him. He made terrifying threats that instilled intimidation and fear in King Hezekiah and God's people. This is an ongoing tactic Satan has used throughout all time. He brings an evil report and then gets as many people as possible to repeat it. The result is a negative report that gains momentum as people repeat it to each other! (Remind you of the nightly news?) Satan's strategy is that of a terrorist with the goal of robbing all hope and faith, replacing them with feelings of helplessness and despair. In 2 Kings 19:6-7 (NIV), God speaks through Isaiah the prophet and tells King Hezekiah, “This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me… I will have him cut down with the sword." God did exactly that and rescued His people.In Mark chapter 4:15 (NKJV), Jesus exposes Satan's tactic again. It says that when the Word of God is planted in our hearts, “Satan comes immediately to steal the Word of God from our hearts.” It tells us that one of the ways he does that is by bringing the cares of this world. An evil or negative report will definitely bring cares designed to steal our faith in God's love and help.
The Bible is written to encourage us to believe God’s truth—“that with man things are impossible, but with God all things are possible.” God desires us to stop responding out of fear to the bad news and negative reports that come our way. He wants us to learn to pray and stand on the promises of His Word—what our spirit should be hearing from the Holy Spirit. If we spend time in the Word of God, we will hear God’s voice and promises. With God, things are not over till they are over, and even then, they aren't over. His Words say that the enemy has no right to harm us. It is a covenant promise. Yes, I know that people are hurt every day. You can't answer for every person. You can only personally learn to stand in faith for your own life and intercede for others. This is one of the reasons a prayer life is so critical. If you do pray and learn to stand on God’s covenant promises, you will begin to see negative reports change. Praying in faith and trusting God will be your greatest part and save you from making all the wrong moves born out of fear.In closing, remember that as a believer, you belong to God. Luke 10:19 (NKJV) says, ”Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Behold means to pay attention, listen, and learn. God then tells us that He gives us power over Satan. He then promises, “…nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Learn to train your thoughts on God's thoughts while casting out Satan's thoughts of doom and gloomPhilippians 4:8 (NKJV): "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." In His love,Pastor Tim BurtIf today's Fresh Manna was a blessing to you, please hit the "LIKE" button below! And if you'd like to tell me why, I'd love to hear from you! Click here: FreshMannaFeedback
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