experiencing God’s peace

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

A Special Note from Pastor Tim: We pray that you have a glorious Christmas with your loved ones! We are praying daily for you! As we approach the end of this year, we hope you’ll remember us in your prayers, and if you’ve been touched by Fresh Manna, then also in your end of the year giving. Fresh Manna has been read in over 196 countries and through Twitter, I am now able to virally reach millions each week. And we have an impact on the mission field. Thank you in advance for your part of that effort! You can read more about it here. ~ Pastor Tim & Renee

God’s Most Important Words Ever Spoken or Heard

The Christmas story is not like any other story told throughout the annals of time. It is not just a collection of creative words that make up a great seasonal story. It is not a story from just one of the countless books written in the earth over time. They are the precise, accurate, and declaration of words from God revealing His love, purpose and plan for restoring mankind to Himself through His only Son Jesus!

The words of man spoken and written over time are innumerable, forgettable, and at best, carry specs of truth. The Lord is not casual with words like we are. It is what makes the Bible—the word of God, absolute and trustworthy to believe. It why Jesus said in Luke 21:33 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

When the angelic host of Heaven pronounced the birth of the new-born Savior to the shepherds, their words were not casual but carried profound meaning and power. The words, “Glory to God in the Highest,” are literal words that exalt God in the highest expression of any collection of words in the Bible. The remainder of the words, “…and on earth peace, good will toward men,” carry this literal meaning: “to all those upon this earth, I offer you peace (meaning prosperity, quietness, and rest in your heart, and purpose in life with pleasure and satisfaction) to all who will have faith in His Son, Jesus the Christ.” This is the literal meaning of those glorious words sung by the heavenly choir of angels. This was and is God’s best and is available to us all through the gateway of faith in Jesus.

Again the words “…good will toward men,” is thee entry point to a restored relationship with God. It is God’s good will in giving man a fresh start and new beginning. This is what Jesus meant when He announced, to get into Heaven, “You must be born again!” That is why Jesus came—to restore fallen mankind, to His Heavenly Father through His birth, death, and resurrection. It is thee entry point to faith in God through His Son Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:6 TLB says it like this: “So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” Faith in these words being true is thee entry point of a supernatural peace that can only come from knowing that God loves you and cares for you. It is thee entry point of true prosperity—not measured in dollars and cents, but measured in the joy that comes with having a life rich in purpose—that purpose being a touch of Jesus’ love every day to the people and the world around you!

Jesus did not come to condemn any human being. John 3:17 says, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. God isn’t out to condemn anyone. To the contrary, Jesus is God’s gift and plan for restoration. Jesus is God’s gift of eternal life. Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit to live within us is His gift of restoring the eyesight of our heart so that we may see life and life’s purpose through God’s eyes. Condemnation and damnation is the choice that is left when Jesus is refused and rejected. God did not create any other way for mankind to be forgiven or receive His love.

The story of Christmas is not a story or gospel of condemnation. It is a story and gospel of the love of God reaching in restoration to the heart of man—through a baby—His Son born into the earth. It is His plan. It is a gift. And it is His Word and promise to us all! It is what the shepherds heard and through faith, went to behold and believe. Not just words spoken to them, but God’s Word—thee spoken and proclaimed word of a new life, a new peace, freedom from sin, and the gift of eternal life by His grace! And because the shepherds believed His Word, peace came and still does!

And because the powerful Word of God lives on today, every word of God should breath promise and life into your every situation, day-by-day and moment-by-moment throughout your life. Is that you? If it is, you will have a Merry Christmas now and always!

Luke 2:15 (NKJV) “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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