Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

If you know Jesus—I mean really know Him—then you would know that when you read scripture, it is never written to condemn you. It is written to reveal God’s love, plan, and destiny for you through Jesus Christ. It is written for you to know that God is mighty, holy, merciful, compassionate, and all the attributes that alone belong to Him as God. It is written so that you may know that we have an adversary that is out to destroy us, but that God sent Jesus to save us, give us eternal life with Him, watch over us, and bless us in this life now. It is written to let us know that life is meant to have boundaries that keep us safe, not steal our joy—boundaries that protect us all from the evil that has infected this world. And I say again, nothing is written with the purpose of condemning us.

That includes the verses written in Rev. 3:17-19. “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

These verses are telling us that the worldly pleasures people in this world long for, only make you wretched, miserable, poor and blind from the things God wants us to know and do. They continue to say that we should seek (or buy without cost) the things of God that make us rich. We should let the Lord speak into our lives along its course. He will correct us through His word and open our eyes to seeing life through His eyes. If we do, we won’t become indifferent about making a difference in this life. We’ll come to understand the importance of our life’s purpose and destiny, and make each day count! When we do, we’ll discover what makes life rich!

Life is not just about getting your needs met—eventually becoming a pleasure cruise. Nor, is it simply about your security from everything that can hurt us. To the contrary, life is only good when these things are not your central focus. It is a good thing to have objectives and goals toward things in your heart. But when that consumes your life, you become indifferent toward others. A life in God is all about people. When your life is about letting your light shine before men, reaching the lost, and touching others with the love of God through prayer, concern, and acts of kindness, then your life will take on incomparable value. God says that indifference—caring about yourself over everyone and everything else—indifference leads us to the place of being wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. It’s the loneliest and most empty life possible.

When your life is about touching others with God’s love, you’ll never feel this way because even though your personal needs may be met, you are surrounded by others in your life who have great need. You are always surrounded by others who face reports of illness leading to death, or facing financial crisis, or relational schism, or who are spiritually dry and lost and in need of knowing Jesus. Even though your needs are met, because of Jesus’ love in you, and because you aren’t indifferent, you see and feel the needs of others around you. You are not being asked to own the care of these situations, but your love, mercy, compassion, and willingness to pray and stand in faith, and help in any way you can is what helps define your sincere Christianity.

Beyond receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior, this is the gold tried in the fire that makes your Christianity complete! Buy some of this gold from the Lord today! Get your eyes off yourself and ask the Lord who you should pray for or whose life you should touch in some way. Touch someone with His love! This is Christianity in its fullness! This is the true riches of life. This is how to live out your calling as a Christian!

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt 

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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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