difficult times

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Renee and I would tell you that Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV) has been a foundational verse in our life. It says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” I learned that verse early on in my Christian walk and it greatly helped my faith.

At that time, I was a young man and a young Christian. I had a beautiful wife I believed God hand-picked for me as a gift, and four beautiful young children each just two years apart. I remember feeling like the richest man in the world! Was that because I had a lot of money? Not at all! We were financially poor at that time. But I felt rich because I always dreamed of being a husband and father and now I was living it!

We all loved each other and enjoyed life together. We had no extra money. None! We could barely pay our bills. But our life wasn’t about money. It was about our love for God, our love for each other, and trying to bring God’s love to this world. That was what mattered. But we, like anyone else, did face the financial obligations and needs that everyone else did. And the cares of them would often try to get into our heads and thought-life and bring us down. But as often as that happened, to the very best of our ability we would try to practice 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) that said, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” When the devil tried to build fear through cares, we would carry then right back to the throne of God and lay that at Jesus feet, daily!

I worked hard to provide for our family—literally three jobs for the first 13 years of our marriage. And Renee worked hard to make our home and family atmosphere special and fun. But, we could have felt as overwhelmed as anyone over all the thoughts and cares that presented themselves.

When our family was young, it was normal for me to wonder, God, how is this all going to work out? How am I going to afford to put them through school, and braces, and clothes, and college and on and on? Sometimes when I was discouraged, I’d think, I’m not smart enough or skilled enough to provide for my family. The Lord would remind me to lay those cares at the altar and remember that Jesus gave His life so we could expect His blessing and help. And again. this is where we learned to love and embrace Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV). “Now to Him (Jesus) who is able to do exceedingly abundantly ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, according to the power that works in us…”

“The power that works in us” is our child-like faith in the fact that Jesus intimately loves and cares for us and desires to help in every step of our life as we would pray, asking in faith, and then trusting Him no matter what the circumstances look like. I don’t know about you, but I never stop being dependent upon Him. I need His help every day! If God’s a crutch, then I have one under each arm! I do because have that precious promise that He will do “exceedingly abundantly above all that I can ask or think.”

As we look back, God has truly gone far beyond what we ever imagined or could have asked. We are so thankful to Him! Not just for helping and taking care of us, but for allowing us to know Him and have this place of faith where we could cast our cares and trust Him. His Word is so rich with His promises and love to us. He is such an intimate and loving God. And that’s why to this day, we cast our cares unto Him and trust He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all what we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us!

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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