Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Last year I purchased a new bicycle that I had been looking at for some time. I have wanted it for cross-training in my exercise program. I went to purchase it on Labor Day and when I got there, they had just sold the last one. They told me that they had the bike I wanted at one of their other stores and so I went there. This store was in one of the most affluent suburbs of our city. The store itself was much larger and I immediately noticed a difference being at the store. First, the cars were much nicer and newer in the parking lot. The people in the store were dressed very nice and in expensive fashions. Even the children seemed to have more—they were better groomed, had nicer clothes, and parents that looked equally as nice. Simply put, they looked like they did not lack a thing in life.

At this point, it would be easy for people that don’t have as much to look at them and think “Ugh, rich people!” and then be critical. I thought, “I’m happy for these people. If they have good and prosperous lives, that’s a blessing.” There is plenty in life that goes wrong, but when you have your needs met and more, it takes some of the stress out of life. I thought, “I only hope they know the Lord and where there blessing comes from, and they help others.” I was not jealous. I thought, “If I had affluence, I would use it and share it.” I know that I would because Renee and I have always shared what we have no matter how little or much we had. We see everything as a gift from God and we love to bless others!

I am saying this because God wants to bless our lives, including material things. He simply does not want material things to own us and draw us from Him. Many Christian theologians, ministers, pastors, etc., struggle with this concept because they see so much poverty and lack in the world. They think it’s somehow part of God’s plan, and yet scripture tells another story! What they don’t get is that the source of lack is not from God but from the enemy of God. Satan is miserable and it is true that misery loves company. Jesus said, “The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, I have come to give life abundantly.” (John 10:10)

God’s covenant of promised blessing to Abraham and His future seed reaches all the way into our lives today – THROUGH FAITH! Galatians 3:14 says, “God redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

The promises of blessing to God’s children abound throughout the Bible. One promise I meditate on and thank God daily for is Deut 28:3-8. “The Lord will bless everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land He is giving you.”

You may not be farming, but you are working to produce a livelihood, and that is what God is speaking to when He says He will bless you. He goes beyond that to say, “and will fill your storehouses with grain.” He is still speaking this to you today! Are you blessed and are your savings blessed?

People want God’s blessings like rubbing a genie’s lamp. If it doesn’t happen immediately, they think its hooey! The Christian walk is not like that. It is living for Him, loving others through Him, and building a lifestyle of faith and trust that God will bless you and help you in everything you put your hand to – not because you deserve it but because of His love toward you. That kind of heart is formed in you over years of honestly living for Him. It’s then, over time and years, that His blessings manifest in your life in a diversity of ways. Galatians 3:14 says “God redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, SO THAT BY FAITH, WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT.” That promise starts with Jesus and works though every part of our lives as we seek Him, trust Him, and have faith that what He promises will manifest, despite your present circumstances. It did for Abraham. It did for Joshua and Caleb. It did for David. It will for you!

Psalm 138:2 (NLT) “I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.”

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2013 All rights reserved
http://timburt.org/