Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

One day while going through my mail, I opened my bank statement. As I went through it, it appeared there was more money in my account than I thought should be there. As it turned out, I had given someone who owed me money, a deposit slip to my account and told him to deposit the money in my account whenever he could, no pressure. He was struggling financially and I wanted to make it as easy on him as possible. This was over a year later and I had forgotten about it. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a note from him resolving the mystery and thanking me for my help and patience with the loan.

The Word of God tells us that as believers, Jesus put a deposit in our account. We read in Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV, “…Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.” His word says we “were marked with a seal”—that seal being the Holy Spirit who is our a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.” When we are told that we were marked with a seal, we’ve been told a powerful truth! Let me tell you why and then encourage you to reread the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.

For those that know this story, you know that Joseph was made to be ruler over all of Egypt, only second to Pharaoh himself. We read in Genesis 41:42 NIV where Pharaoh made this proclamation over Joseph as second in command, “Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He then dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.” The signet ring was a seal—a symbol of all Pharaoh’s authority given to Joseph to use like it was his own. When a law was declared or an order was given, it was stamped with the signet. This was the final authority and nothing could change it. The robes given to him represented royalty. The gold chain represented the wealth and resources of the kingdom at His disposal. This is what was given to Joseph. I am sure he had to adjust to this, pinch himself, and learn to exercise this authority and power because in all of his previous years leading up to this moment, he had been only a servant—an utterly diligent and faithful one serving under repressive circumstances. Now he was royalty with riches and authority. What a sudden and instant change!

As believers, we have also been marked with a seal—“…Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit …” This means that the inheritance Jesus has provided for us is a deposit of royalty, authority, and unlimited resources. I know that’s difficult to grasp if you’re struggling or your conditions are less than favorable. That’s the way it was for Joseph too! And that’s why I want you to go read the story in your Bible. So you can see that much of his life leading up to this moment was the pits. God wants us to learn to walk in this kind of authority “by faith.” Galatians 3:11 says, “…the just shall live by faith.” He wants us to learn to walk by faith in the authority of the name of Jesus and in His righteousness. He wants us to believe that He will provide everything we need to equip us for the calling and needs we have to execute our life in Him. “By faith” means you have to believe that God really wants to make His supernatural provision available to you, and walk in the faith and confidence that because you’ve prayed, He will answer your prayers according to His will and timing for your life, and in union with His big picture plan for the whole earth.

It would be natural for you to think, “Really? God will work that powerfully in my life?” 
This may seem contrary to any natural situation you are in today. Joseph went from prison to having all authority—suddenly! So did we on the day we received Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. We were suddenly forgiven, suddenly adopted into God’s family, and suddenly given the Holy Spirit—our seal and deposit of this rich inheritance.

If there are trials of life that surround and discourage you, know that you aren’t stuck by the circumstances that face you. Remember, “You were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” Like Joseph, you are sealed with God’s authority, with the name of Jesus, and with the resources that come as we petition the Lord and lean on the Holy Spirit “by faith.”

Exercise your faith and speak with authority over those negative circumstances in your life. In prayer, pray that the angels of God be loosed on your behalf, and thank God in advance and in faith for the changes and blessings you know He desires for you. Ask and thank Him for the equipping you need in every area of your life to live wholeheartedly for Him and to fulfill His will for your life. Know that God wants to bless you so that you may be a blessing to others.  This is a faith and mentality God desires for you to walk in. So do it! Learn to be faithful like Joseph, always trusting that God is working in your life no matter what the circumstances look like. (You’ll see that when you go back and read it in your Bible.)

Your attitude, diligence, and faithfulness to the plan of God will be the evidence of your faith! Day by day, thank God for working in your life and for His blessing and equipping you to be the blessing you’ve been called to be. That’s what Joseph did. That’s what you are to do. You don’t have to wait. Find a way to be a blessing to someone now and every day. This is the calling on your life and one that He will bless! And know that your blessing is on the way! Jesus made the deposit in your account. Have faith in it!

John 16:24 (NLT) “You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” 

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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