success

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I was talking to a gentleman who was reminiscing over the good old days when his benefits plan from work was abundant. He was upset that they were continually decreasing while paying more monthly for his health insurance. In the beginning, I had great benefits—even car and gas benefits. I lost those a few years back and they just recently cut our eye and dental plans. He finished the conversation saying, I used to take benefits for granted but I sure don’t anymore!

God’s word—the Bible, says that living for Him comes with benefits. I don’t think God’s people take His benefits for granted. I think the majority of God’s people don’t even know God has promised us benefits! God cares about benefits and what He promises never decreases! Psalms 103:2 (NKJV) says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits…”

From the time God instructed Moses and then Joshua to enter the promised land, He told them He would be there to help them. He told them there would be supernatural benefits of His help and blessings if they would trust Him, and keep steadfast in their faith in Him. His first benefit would be this: “I’ll go before you, be with you, and not fail or abandon you.” That was God’s exhortation through Moses to Joshua. Deuteronomy 31:7-8 “And Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong, courageous, and firm, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to possess it. It is the Lord who goes before you; He will go with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you.”

God’s benefits did not stop with Moses and Joshua and those who first entered into the Promised Land. They extend to us—into our lives by faith, today! John 10:10 teaches us that the devil is on a daily mission to kill, steal, and destroy our lives. God’s benefits redeem what the enemy has taken from us! They are a part of His grace and come to us through our believing in them—through faith! Romans 5:2 NIV says, “Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…” Bad and disappointing news plague people’s lives daily. It causes many to slip into fear. Fear is the opposite force of faith. Fear steals from you, whereas faith is like a shield around your heart and mind that helps you cling to the promises God makes to you. God’s promised benefits are accessed by faith—not fear! And it isn’t about deserving them. Another translation calls them an undeserved privilege! We read this in Romans 5:2 (NLT2) saying, “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand…”

Go to your Bible and read Psalm 103. It reveals God’s heart and deep love. His words are the expression of the perfect exchange of hearts—our heart with His heart—our heart blessing God in adoration for who He is, and God blessing us with the promise of His benefits expressed in Psalm 103. This isn’t some kind of poetic passage. They are God’s promise of blessings waiting for you to take hold of and believe by faith! God’s Word is filled with these promised blessings as your benefits from God. Are you even aware of them? See what they are and what they promise. He wants them for you!

Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV) “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits– who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

God wants to fill your life with His benefits, and this is what you should extend your faith toward. They won’t change during changing economies or as corporations and businesses tighten their belt. They come from a higher place! They feel miraculous as they manifest in your life.

Have you ever sat and looked out the window toward the sky and thanked Him in advance and contrary to any negative circumstances for these blessings in your life? Have you ever looked up and worshiped Him for who He is? The devil will try to kill, steal, and work destruction in your life. The Lord wants to give you life and benefits more abundantly over time as you stand strong in faith, in worship, and in thanksgiving for His sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and His never-ending love and benefits He has promised by faith.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (TLB) “He carries out and fulfills all of God’s promises, no matter how many of them there are; and we have told everyone how faithful He is, giving glory to His name.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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