Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

In my last post, I told you that God has placed three embedded desires—desires that play a factor in driving your thinking and actions and the outcome of your life. They are, the desire to know Him, second, the desire to become Christ-like, and third, the desire to participate in His divine nature so that you can succeed in the changes to become more Christ-like. The reason we experience this third desire is because it’s God-given and revealed in 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV.  “God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 

Did you see those words?  “…so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…” Escaping the evil desires that are in this world is only possible by participating in the divine nature—in experiencing the supernatural help from God that touches your life as you believe by faith. Will you experience God moving in your life in supernatural way? Honestly, that is up to you. God doesn’t make us do anything. He leads us toward His will if we will follow and do so trusting Him by faith. This is why Jesus only called it a possibility. The possibility depends on you and that’s why Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NKJV) and, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 (NKJV) 

Why do the people in this world spend hundreds of billions of dollars dealing with weight loss, chemical addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and on an on? They do because they are unable to control themselves in these areas. Unbeknownst to most, Satan has power over those in this world that have not surrendered their lives to God through Jesus Christ.

I just heard a report that said that 98 percent of all overweight people who lose weight, gain it back. Another report said that 80 to 90 percent of all criminals released from jail offend again. Studies show that most people with addictions are tormented by them all their life. Why is that? Because without God, real and meaningful change fails and doesn’t happen. Why? Because a person remains in Satan’s clutch and power. God wants to rescue them from Satan’s power—from the grip that keeps them in his clutches and that keeps them powerless to make lasting change. Colossians 1:13 (NIV) addresses this saying  “For God has rescued us from the dominion (power) of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves…” 

The Bible says that Satan’s power over us becomes a “stronghold.” That could best be understood as a wrong desire that someone just can’t seem to control or break. There are negative desires that have power over people. Pornography is an example of that, and it’s rampant in this day and age. These negative desires or strongholds are broken only with God’s power. You may say, But Pastor Tim, I know people who have gone to groups and overcome these addictions. They may have gotten some control over their flesh but without Jesus, they almost always continue to battle the desire throughout their life. They often feel like they are living with a tormenting demon. This is why alcoholics continue to call themselves alcoholics even after they have stopped drinking. This why alcoholics, sex offenders, criminals, liars, and law-breakers repeat their offences over and over again. This is why those outside of God repeat their sins over and over again.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT) says, “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us…can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 

“…Changed into His glorious image.” That is His desire for everyone! Only through the supernatural help of God, can wrong desires be removed and replaced with good desires. That is a continuing change that everyone longs for. No wonder our spirit yearns for the supernatural help of God. Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.” Once this truth becomes your reality and you continuously lean upon it, you will immediately begin to instead, lean on and draw His supernatural strength and help.

How do we begin to lean on God and draw that strength? By learning to know what God says about you and then by faith, agreeing with it for your life. Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. God would not tell you to do something—be moderate—if you could not do it. You can in your divine nature! That verse finishes “The Lord is at hand.” What does that mean? The picture it paints in its original Greek form is that there is a hand to grasp your hand as one giving aid and strength. That is the supernatural power of God. If you apply your faith and walk it out, you will sense God within to help you.

If God instructs us to be moderate, then with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can be! If you’ve shown behavior other than moderation it’s time to make a faith confession. Say, I am a partaker of God’s divine nature. The Holy Spirit lives in me. Therefore, I am not addictive or a slave to anything. God says I am to show moderation and that means I have His ability to do so. I am moderate in Jesus name. Let these words be the ongoing confession of your heart and mouth spoken repeatedly whenever a situation calls for it. In time, you will see that change begin to take root in you.

Apply this to any scripture that speaks to you about attitudes and behaviors God wants you to change toward maturity and Christ-like thinking and behavior. Not so you can earn Heaven! Heaven is Jesus’ gift. But so that you can become more of a light and influence for others seeking God’s help! It won’t be long before you know you “…walk in God’s divine nature and escape the corruption in this world caused by evil desires!” As you do, your light for Jesus will become ever increasingly evident to all! Change is good! Go for it!

Psalms 119:39 (NLT) “Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good” 

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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