Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

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

People, especially Christians, seem to be anxious about the last days. We are speeding toward the last days, but no one can predict God’s mercy, grace, and longsuffering for the human race. The Bible declares that God desires all men to be saved (from their sins) and come to the knowledge of the truth (about Jesus).  Whether it’s a decade or decades, it still coming fast. Jesus and the scriptures give us signs about the End Times that we are supposed to look for, recognize, and be prepared for. But Jesus also told us that no man would ever know the day or hour of when the end would come. What I do know is that God does not want His people cowering in fear or becoming indifferent to evil, thinking there is nothing they can do to influence this world or the people in it for the better—that ultimately being to Jesus and eternal life. Resisting Satan and living intentionally as God has asked us to with the help of the Holy Spirit will make you stronger. Becoming indifferent will suck you into the world’s 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.

Jesus said 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. It’s for that reason that this godless world will increasingly reject Jesus and us as Christians! They will also reject God’s boundaries for righteous living, declaring them archaic. All this tells us we are coming closer to the day when Jesus will return. God’s word was always meant to produce reverential respect for God and godly living in our hearts. 

Though the world is getting darker, God does not want you to live in fear, no matter what’s going on in the world around you! 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.” He’s called us to live strong, bold, godly lives for all the world to see. Those who live in fear will also live in discouragement. Discouragement unchecked leads 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 have 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 minds 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 produce change and the good we hope for in this world.

When your life feels like it’s in turmoil, the confession of your mouth 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 until 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 dim 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 in your life. And pray for this world. It needs Jesus, your prayers, your actions, and your light!

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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