Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

It was a beautiful day in Meadowvale. After three days of clouds and rain, it was blue sky and the perfect day for Zack and his best friend Billy to go down to the creek and fish.  While they were fishing, Billy told Zack the Bible story about Peter fishing all night long yet catching nothing. Then Jesus asked Peter to go out again, much to Peter’s disliking, but out of obedience to Jesus, He did. Suddenly, Peter’s net was so full of fish it was sinking the boat. Zack thought the story was amazing and asked Billy where he learned all these great stories. Billy told him at church in Sunday school and invited Zack to come with him the next day. Billy said he’d ask his parents!

Chuck and Bette were good-hearted people, but they had never paid much attention to matters of faith or spirituality. When Zack asked if he could go to church with Billy, his parents said, sure! They were fairly indifferent when it came to the subject of faith.

Zack was intrigued as he began to investigate Billy’s church. He really knew nothing about what a church was! As they both went into Billy’s Sunday school class, Zach found himself in the lively atmosphere of the children’s service. They sang some songs on an overhead screen and then listened to this Sunday school teacher speak passionately about the significance of faithfulness and obedience to both parents and God. It was a revelation for Zach. It made him think about his shortcomings in this area. Zack returned home feeling different that day but couldn’t really put words to it. He hadn’t known there was a God that wanted people to live life with love and kindness and be obedient to His ways. But it felt so right to Him.

At dinner that evening, Zack, who was usually more on the quiet side, instead, talked and talked all through dinner. He gave his parents the play-by-play on all that happened at the church and what he learned. He begged his parents to allow him to go back with Billy again. They were stunned to see that it had impacted him so profoundly. Zack made a declaration that he was going to learn all about God and learn to live how God wanted him to. His parents were stunned as they’d never seen Zack so excited about anything before. They were moved by his sincerity.

Intrigued by Zach’s experience, they decided to attend church with him the following Sunday, suggesting Zack have a sleepover with Billy and then they’d bring Billy with them to his church. Sunday morning, they walked into the church. They found the main sanctuary and Zack and Billy went into Billy’s class. Zack’s parents were moved in their hearts by what they saw and heard and now understood what Zack felt. As they witnessed the positive impact of faith in Zach’s life, they too were touched by the teachings and soon made a life-changing decision to give their lives to Jesus. As the months passed, Zach and his parents embraced their newfound faith, and it began to shape their lives in remarkable ways.

A year later, Chuck received a prestigious award at work called the “Steady Eddie Award,” given for his consistent and excellent performance on the job. Along with a plaque, he was presented with a cash prize of $500.

In a heartfelt discussion with his wife, Chuck decided to give the entire award to Zach as a token of appreciation for leading them to church and inspiring their transformation. Excited by his father’s gesture, Zach proposed an idea. He had just learned in church the verse: Proverbs 17:17 (TLB) “A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” He asked his parents if they could use the money to help Billy’s family, as Billy’s father had recently been laid off from work, leaving them in financial distress. His parents agreed, but before they went to Billy’s house, his dad had to make an important phone call. It turned out that his workplace was looking for a new employee, and after a brief conversation, he realized that Billy’s father would be a perfect fit for the job. Filled with gratitude, Chuck and Zach headed over to Billy’s home.

With the cash award in hand, Zach presented the money to Billy’s parents, expressing their family’s concern and desire to help. Then, Chuck offered Billy’s father a job at his workplace, a timely opportunity that would help them navigate their challenging circumstances.

That evening, as Zach, Bette, and Chuck sat down for dinner, their hearts were filled with gratitude for all that God had done in their lives. It was truly amazing to think that a simple Bible lesson for children sparked such a profound transformation in their family.

The family continued to grow in their faith, embracing the teachings of the Bible and spreading love and kindness in their community. They recognized that it all began with a simple Bible story that sparked life in a young boy named Zach. The Bible, the word of God was truly alive and speaking today and always. And as they sat together, they knew that their journey had only just begun, with God guiding them every step of the way.

Hebrews 4:12 (TLB) “For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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