Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Have you ever had someone unexpectedly have your back when you really needed it. I was doing some Spring clean-up in my yard yesterday. I was just finishing up when I noticed my neighbor hadn’t gotten to his leaves yet. At that moment I felt impressed by God to go do it for him, so I continued on and went to work on his yard. While I was working, he came outside walking slowly with his cane. He’d had some serious health issues and was sincerely appreciative of this unexpected blessing. He was thankful I had his back! It was really God that had his back as it was the Lord that prompted the thought!

Have you ever had anyone surprise you and do something extraordinarily nice for you? Something that was unexpected and beyond what you would have ever imagined? I have a few times over the course of my life and to this day, they are blessed memories that make me so thankful. With people, those occasions are not very frequent but with God, they can be.

The Lord has done things in my life continuously that can only be described by the verse in Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) that says, “Now to Him (God) who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”

God by His nature, seldom does or works things out in a conventional way. He most often answers prayers in a way greater than we could ask or think. The more you get bogged down in your expectation of how God should answer your prayers, the more you miss seeing how He really does answer them! Your part is to trust and believe in His promises knowing that He delights in helping and blessing you. Faith in promises like this verse becomes His power working in us.  “…according to His power that is at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20)

People continuously get anxious over what they need or over what they don’t have. Far too many people don’t know that God wants to help them with what they need and what they don’t have. They really don’t know God intimately and consequently, have no real sincere faith that He would care to help them with the details and needs in their life. Many have been taught not to bother God. To many people, praying is like breaking a turkey wishbone and making a wish. They know little or nothing about real Bible faith or trust in God’s promises. The fact is, God desires to help you. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” This peace and the guarding of your heart and mind come because you have purposely engaged your faith!

Not only does God desire to help us, but as we read earlier, “He is able to do …immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” But, He also reveals that this is a result of “…His power that is at work within us…” And get this point! It isn’t enough to know that God is able to help you. You much believe that He is willing and desirous to help you! You must have faith in that. It is the key to “…His power at work within us…”

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) says, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek Him.”

This is the kind of faith Abraham pleased God with. God called him the Father of our faith because of his faith in God’s promises. Let’s read about it.

Romans 4:16-22 (NLT) “So that’s why faith is the key! God’s promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it…if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures meant when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, “Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars,” even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything He promised…” Over time God fulfilled every promise to Abraham. 

It is our faith in God’s promises that honors God. This kind of faith working in us becomes the power of God. It’s not work. It’s faith! God is not a genie in a bottle. God blesses from a heart of love, those that love Him and have faith in Him and live for Him. If you truly love Him and live for Him, then let that kind of faith become His power working in you. Get rid of being anxious over what you cannot do yourself. Quit determining how God is going to answer your prayer. Just have faith that it will be beyond what you can ask or think. And lean on the Lord at all times knowing of His love and care for you! NEVER, and I mean never, doubt it! Then the peace of God that guards your heart and mind will be yours. His love is amazing and He absolutely does cares about the details and needs within your life! He knows the big picture and of His plan for your good! Just keep moving forward in faith. He’s got your back!

 Hebrews 6:12 (NIV) “…imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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