God’s love | Timothy Burt

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

An Inspirational Story: Better Together
by Pastor Tim Burt

Amos spent his days helping his father tend to their farm. Today was special! He and his family had just finished celebrating his 13th birthday, and now he and his father sat up in the hills of their land to take in the evening together. It was the most beautiful evening! There was a slight breeze, the temperature was perfect, and the moon was full. The sky was lit with stars that seemed so magnificent, Amos wondered if the angels would appear and sing like they did the evening of Jesus’ birth!

Amos was a bright and curious boy, always eager to learn more about the world around him. As he sat with his father gazing up at the sky and marveling at the beauty of the stars above, he commented to his father. “Dad, we are so blessed! I can’t imagine life being better than it was today and is right now! God has taken such good care of us!” His father, who swelled with thanksgiving for having a son with such a great outlook and perspective of life and God, responded, “Yes Amos! And God will always be with us and looking over us like the stars are shining down on us right now!”

Just one week later on a Friday night, a terrible storm swept through the town, destroying homes and crops alike. Amos and his family were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a few meager supplies. Amos was heartbroken and in anguish. He had completely trusted that God would always protect him and his family, but now he felt lost, discouraged, and alone.

The one building that was left untouched by the storm was the town’s only church. For the first time ever, every person in their small town was there that following Sunday morning. The people in his town were not the type to sit around in self-pity and discouragement and the Pastor was a person of great strength, mentally, physically, and spiritually. As the people filed in, he greeted each one thanking them for coming. He knew that they might have stayed away out of discouragement, but they didn’t!

That morning, the congregation sang and worshipped the Lord like never before. They were alive and that in itself was a miracle. The Pastor spoke an inspiring sermon about never quitting in the midst of adversity, but instead, banding together so that the Lord could take what the enemy of their soul, meant for evil, and turn it for good. The people left that morning determined to rebuild and know that God would help them overcome their devastation. The townspeople banded together to help one another sharing what little they had and working together to rebuild their homes and their lives.

Amos was inspired by the kindness and generosity of all his neighbors. He realized that God was not only with him, but He was with everyone in the village, guiding them to help one another in their time of need.

Amos loved his Pastor and wanted to be like him–hopeful and courageous. And so, with newfound hope and strengthened faith, Amos threw himself into the work of rebuilding, not only their home but helping others. He prayed every night for grace and guidance, and he knew that God was listening.

Months passed, and the town slowly began to recover. Amos’s family rebuilt their home, repaired their barn, fixed their fences, and replowed their fields. As often as they could, and that was often, they went from neighbor to neighbor until everyone’s home was rebuilt. And in time, farms and crops began to flourish.

One night, sitting up in the hills with his father, doing their favorite pastime together–looking at the stars and talking about God, Amos saw a shooting star streak across the sky. He felt it was a sign from God and smiled, knowing that God was still watching over him and his family.

From that day forward, Amos never forgot the lesson he had learned from this tragic event. Amos knew that even in the darkest of times, God was always with him and would always help him through whatever challenges lay ahead. In that moment both He and his father teared up as they prayed together thanking God for always being with them and helping them in every situation. And for the kindness of his neighbors and the unity they showed in working together. It was a lesson he never wanted to forget and didn’t. He vowed to God to live a life doing everything he could to help those around him in their time of need.

And so, Amos lived a long and happy life. He would never forget the power of faith, hope, and love, knowing that God would always bring something beautiful from the pain life tried to deliver! With God, all things were hopeful and possible!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) ” All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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