Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Much of the world is engaged in social media and media online and, through it, become more and more divided over issues. Social media makes it easy to disagree, argue, say inappropriate things, and block people you simply don’t agree with or want to deal with. Block and problem solved! Pretty slick. But the problem is, that’s how people are learning to deal with differences of opinion. I don’t have to listen to you! I block you! That, in turn, is teaching people to be easily offended and toss away good relationships like a piece of litter or garbage. The fruit of that has resulted in families not getting together and enjoying each other as they may have decades ago. That is a huge loss! And so I hope you will take this to heart and ask God to show you the truth of what I am about to share with you. I pray it will influence your life for good!

People are critical to our lives! The primary way God brings blessing into your life is through people! Cut out people God intended to be in your life, and you cut out vessels that God would use to bless your life! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

We all have times when people wear us out. You might think, They need me, but I don’t need them! But many of those we toss away are meant to be in our lives. They are used by God to teach us grace and patience. They are people God wants us to show His love—people He wants us to pray for.  And the only true love of God they might see and experience is His love through you. We need people. God commands us to love them. If we don’t prayerfully ask God to show and teach us how to love them, then we’ll miss out on the blessing God would bring to us through them. For this reason, it’s always been Satan’s effort to divide people. Division is one of Satan’s greatest tools, and he will always use it. We can only be more discerning and understand it’s one of the devices in his arsenal of lies and deceit!

In Luke Chapter 5, we read about Peter coming in from a horrible night of fishing—catching nothing. He was not a happy camper! Suddenly, Jesus asked Peter, who was tired and frustrated, if he could preach to people from His boat. Peter grudgingly yielded to his request. After that, we read the continuation of this story: Luke 5:4-7 (NLT) “When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.”

That is a story of miraculous provision, but it’s also a story of relationships, acquaintances, and friends. Peter didn’t voice all the negatives He was thinking. He thought he knew better than Jesus. But he yielded. When the miracle happened, it was a good thing Peter had friends around. They were all blessed by the miraculous supply of fish.

This is a powerful story and reveals to us that God will bring supernatural provision as we follow and obey His direction for our lives. Stories like this are there for the very purpose of building our faith in this truth. Yes, the Lord brings supernatural provision through ways other than people, but that is the exception, not the rule! The most common way He brings blessing—words of instruction, words of wisdom, help, encouragement, comfort, provision, and direction—is through people.

I hear people say more often than ever before, I’m getting to the place where I don’t like people. People wear me out. They disappoint me. They offend me. They hurt me. They do stupid things. That’s why I have a dog! Though people can discourage us at times, no one can afford to get to the place where they are tired of people and begin to isolate themselves from them whenever possible. If you get to this place, a HUGE part of your problem with people is you and your attitude. And it won’t be long until you cut yourself off from the source of the supernatural provision you are asking God for. He will almost always try to get His blessing to you through people!

God’s Word gives us the key to help keep a healthy attitude toward people. James 3:17-18 NIV gives insight into changing a bad attitude saying, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.” This verse helps us discern our own words, attitudes, and actions to see if the place we are coming from is from an ungodly or godly perspective. The cure to the people-attitude problem is humility and mercy. 

Are you absolutely aware that almost every offense that ticks you off at people is an offense you yourself have violated toward others? Proverbs 20:9 NIV says, “Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?” We may not say this, but we often act like we are more righteous than those who have made us mad. Psalm 143:2 TLB says, “Don’t bring your servant to trial! Compared to you, no one is perfect.”

The truth is, not one of us would survive without mercy. Mercy is one of the most powerful forces in the world and the one that God used to bring you and me back through Jesus Christ to Himself. Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) says, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” As you learn to practice mercy, God will soften your heart and help you to look past the offenses of others. You have no idea how much more peace that brings to your life. If God continually has mercy on us, then it should also be given from us to others. And often! It has the amazing power to INSTANTLY soften and reunite our hearts with someone we’d otherwise be offended or upset with.

I realize it doesn’t solve the problems that cause conflict, but it will help you keep your love for others while you work through the process. And it will protect you from being another stupid causality of the devil’s devices.

We are all a work in progress and, therefore, all desperate for God’s mercy. As liberally as we would want or need it, let us give it out. Are you in conflict? Don’t get frustrated with people. Have mercy toward them because of the love and mercy of God toward you. Don’t forget that the primary way God brings blessing into your life is through people. He just might bring it through the very person you were tempted to be angry and offended at. If you do this, then the blessing of God can flow without interruption from you to people and from people to you! Do you need God’s supernatural provision? Then learn to love people like never before! God will help you, and mercy will be His greatest tool! Be a giver in life. Especially of mercy!

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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