You Can Be Victorious in Personal Changes

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Shhh! Don't tell but people keep secrets. Some of them are secret sins. Let me state the obvious. People hide sins hoping that no one will find out. Sin can hide for a while but it eventually becomes discovered as revealed in Numbers 32:23 “…you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” God already knows. That's why He is speaking to you about change. But what too many people often fail to realize is that God isn’t condemning them in His admonishment to change. If you feel condemnation it’s from Satan’s accusing. God talking to us over and over is like the parent training his child and asking, reminding, and admonishing out of love please clean your room and pick up and put away your clothes. His motive and cry is love—not condemnation!

Does God hate sin? Yes enough to send Jesus to die for them. Why does He? Because sin hurts the sinner and always negatively impacts others! Always! But... God does not hate you or me! God is merciful, patience and kind. For good reasons better known to Him than understood by us, He wants to help us make the changes that we already know we should make. He wants us to especially change the hidden things that most hurt ourselves and others. And again, get this whether you fully agree with it or not—wrong thoughts and actions never hurt just you. They always find a way to touch someone else's life. So, out of God’s love for you and for others, He keeps talking to us if we will listen) about those changes.

The Apostle Paul understood change could not be accomplished through man’s will power. The power of sin is stronger than our will power. Paul, like you and I, learned that the hard way. He said, “I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong… When I want to do good, I don't. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway… Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin… For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 7:15 – 8:2 TLB)

Paul continues to reveal that power within us. Romans 8:3-9 “… But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent His own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful.
God destroyed sin's control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins…Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.)

Prior to giving my life to Jesus, I thought addiction ran in my genes. I was even told that! I believed I had no control over it. I guess in a way, it became a convenient excuse. Then I learned what Jesus did for me and that sin had no more power over me. What a wake up call that truth was! I applied my faith to that truth. When tempted I’d say out loud, “Satan, the power of the life-giving Spirit of God has freed me from the power of sin leading to death. You have no more power over me. I am free. I am no longer your slave. I am who God says I am – His child empowered by His Spirit. I rebuke this temptation in Jesus name.” I had to say these things out loud to overcome the pesky lying thoughts that were continuously running through my head saying otherwise. Over time my thinking changed and my mind was renewed to the truth of God's word. Sinful patterns in my life were eliminated one by one and I finally saw godly character forming in me. What a wonderful day that was!

There is power to change. It is Supernatural Power to Change. It is the power of the Holy Spirit within every believer of Jesus Christ. If you lean on yourself you will fail over the long haul. Instead, lean on the Holy Spirit knowing that God is on your side. Know that out of God's mercy, He is there to help you change. Lean on God's truth and declare it over you and your life. If you apply your faith and ask and pray according to His Word and promise – change will come! It will transform your life from destruction and bondage and into a life of blessing and great purpose!

Romans 8: 2 “For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.”

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

Honesty, Integrity and Respect - the High Road

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

We live in a world of manipulative people. Sometimes you work with them or for them. Their way to success often includes pursing what they want, using any method that works regardless of whether it’s moral or ethical. It might be by using forms of intimidation such as using threats, screaming, out-of-control outrage, or even physical bullying. They might incorporate lying, gossip, or slander. Their success might rely on taking the good ideas of others to the boss and taking credit for them. These kinds of things might go on in your life and if so, the temptation would be to do the same thing back—after all, how else are you going to survive much less succeed if you keep your heart right and walk in integrity? That might be how a non-Christian thinks, but it shouldn't be so of you! You have God on your side.

The question you might ask yourself is this: What matters more to you, walking in integrity and doing things right no matter what others do around you, or obtaining the lures of success at the cost of your integrity? The reason I ask you that is because it is typically a much longer and often more difficult road to success walking in integrity than it is manipulating your way through life. People manipulate to get their desired result in the fastest and easiest way possible. But that is short-sited and will ultimately cost them more than they can afford to pay! Remember the Pharisees of Jesus day. He called them …”whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27) The people of Jesus’ day thought the Pharisees were special until Jesus revealed their antics.

Jesus walked upright and in integrity but it wasn’t easy and looked unsuccessful before it successful. He was continuously persecuted as was Joseph and Daniel.

If your heart, words, and actions are integrious and the Lord knows it, you are in the best place of all.

It can be painful when people take credit for what you have done. It can hurt when you are blamed for something that you didn’t do. It can be painfully disappointing when you are never appreciated for your contributions. And this is why Jesus also said “God blesses those who are humble (meek,) for they will inherit the whole earth.” Matthew 5:5 (NLT) Manipulators appear to prevail, but Jesus said that it’s the meek that ultimately do!

Manipulators—unkind (generally only kind to get a desired purpose,) immoral, and unethical people, have to live with themselves. To do so, they deceive themselves justifying their actions. In the end, the material and egocentric trappings of success that people chase leads them to become unethical and manipulative. They aren’t worth it!

The good will be able to look back and stand before the Lord knowing how they lived their life—a life they are thankful for and without regret.  Having your character developed by God and in such a way that you were a blessing to others and pleasing to God—now that’s worth living for!

So, when you take the high road, don’t be a Woe is me—I do what’s right and no one knows or cares self-righteous whiny baby. That will rob everything your integrity would gain you. Instead, keep walking that right road. Know that God is with you. Know that He will defend you if you handle these difficulties through prayers of faith—real faith! The kind that says, Lord I am not compromising but trusting you for life. I know I'll come out blessed in the end—faith! 

Be glad and rejoice that you are serving God before man and know that nothing escapes His eyes! Know that He is pleased by it and it does count. And walk steadfast in integrity. It will give you a life without regrets and it will form a godly character in you that will draw the blessing of God to you that comes with no sorrow!
In the meantime, here are some verses to encourage you!

"If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, He'll help you catch your breath." ~ Psalm 34:18 (MSB)

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 (NLT)

“And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.” 2 Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22 (NLT)

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him…” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT)

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

If what you've read today has helped you, would you like to see it help others and reach more? Click here and Learn More... 

If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, let me know how. I’d love to hear from you!  Write me at FreshMannaFeedback@comcast.net





Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

The Ultimate Discouragement Buster!

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

The Ultimate Discouragement Buster!   Hard times of any kind—whether globally affecting all, or just personally affecting your own life—are a very revealing force. They reveal to each and every one of us the reality of our own human frailty.

Hard times reveal just how much we aren’t in control of our lives. Hard times reveal just how much we don’t know what to do. To the person not blinded by their own pride, hard times reveal how much they need God. And if they need God, they need His promises. You and I need His promises, but we need something more than His promises. We need sincere faith in His promises. Jesus died not only to offer us mercy in forgiving our sins, but also to make us His own children and leave us precious promises to live by. 2 Peter 1:4 “Through these God 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.”

There are times when you feel like you are in the lowest place in your life with the devil accusing you as the sole fault of the troubles you are in. Even if that was true-which it seldom is, it wouldn’t be as though there was no hope. Yet the enemy of your soul wants to make you feel hopeless. He’d like to convince you to quit and take your life. Most people have been brought to the point of experiencing those kinds of thoughts at some point in their life.

Christians aren’t immune from hard times and discouragement, but they have something the world doesn’t! They have great and precious promises that God has made available to them! You can be in the lowest point of your life—feeling desperate, confused, and not knowing what to do or what steps to take—yet you open your Bible and as you do pray, “God please speak to my heart and lift me from this place of hopelessness.” Suddenly your eyes fall upon the words, “For you, O Lord, have delivered MY soul from death, MY eyes from tears, MY feet from stumbling,” Psalm 116:8. When you read those words, you know they are more than just words. You sense that God is speaking them to you personally. They have become your promise. This is a sacred place. It’s a gift from God. You’ve been suddenly lifted from hopelessness to faith in God. Only Christians have this benefit!

When the promises of God become real to you, then no matter what state of mind you’re in good or bad, your heart immediately recognizes them and embraces them and hope is rekindled. Your faith is instantly increased and it’s at this point that miraculous things happen in your life. You are transformed in your emotions from depressed and discouraged to one that wants to defeat the enemy and get ready to rumble!

The promises of God lift you from despair reminding you that God always wants to help you in every situation. That is what the psalmist recognized here and it’s a promise to you today. Psalm 94:16-19 (NLT) “Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Unless the Lord had helped me, I would soon have died. I cried out, "I'm slipping!" and your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”

If all this still doesn’t convince you, then consider this prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples almost 2000 years ago. He didn’t just pray it for them. He was also looking forward to this very day, thinking of and praying for you!The Ultimate Discouragement Buster!

John 17:20 "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of the gospel they preach concerning me.”

If Jesus prayed for you then, He cares for you now! That is a promise! Put your faith in it.

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

If what you've read today has helped you, would you like to see it help others and reach more? Click here and Learn More... 

If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, let me know how. I’d love to hear from you!  Write me at FreshMannaFeedback@comcast.net

Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

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Do Not Forget Not All God's Benefits

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

If you set aside the technological and industrial changes of today, people are the same today as they were in the days of Jesus. If you look at Jesus' words in the gospels and Paul’s Words in the epistles, you see that they are both telling people that they need the one and only true God. They are telling people that they need to forgive, they need to be kind, and they need to put evil thoughts and behaviors out of their life—that they can’t live their life without God’s help through Jesus Christ. The technology may have changed. The landscape and conveniences may have changed. Cultural ideas and behaviors may have changed, but people are still people. They have the same basic wants, needs, and desires.

I say all that with this thought in mind: People of that day just like this day, suffered from sickness and disease and/or were surrounded by the sick. Supernatural healing was no more accepted or fit into the general public’s everyday thoughts then, than it does today. When Jesus went around from place to place laying hands on and praying for the sick, to some it looked like God had sent a messenger from Heaven, to some a prophet or the awaited Messiah, and to others, some kind of scam artist. There was no more reason for Jesus and what He did to be accepted then, than there is today.

You mind could never wrap itself around something supernatural for any reason. Miracles are unnatural, not logical, and outside or your mind's comprehension. Your spirit is capable of knowing and believing its from God. I have prayed for people and have seen many miracles but my mind still hits the wall.

Life always has its skeptics and Jesus was surrounded by them. It did not stop Him. Acts 10:38 NKJV reminds us Jesus' life here on earth saying, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.”

One Sunday I greeted a couple that I see most weekends in church. I was reminded of a time about eleven years ago. They walked up to me prior to church starting. She told me that the doctors had given her medical options with limited hope. I am sure they were experiencing an array of emotions that come with such a report, yet they also loved God and believed what Hebrews 13:8 declares; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” That means His heart, mercy, and compassion, toward people is the same today as it always has been.

They believed that and asked for prayer. Their words at the time were something like, We appreciate the medical advances of today and the doctors and medical people that help us. They are compassionate and amazing and are trying to do all they can do, but they don't have much hope. They are not God and they are not our Healer. They are not the end of the story. Pastor Burt, will you pray for my wife? I did pray for her as I knew others in the church were also.

They remind me of people in Jesus’ day that needed healing from God, but were also probably surrounded by doubting family, people, and critics debating whether this Jesus character was real or not. One blind man healed by Jesus was verbally attacked by the doubters of his day. He wasn’t about to enter into the debate. He had already experienced the healing power of God. When they wanted to debate he simply told them, "I don't know whether Jesus is a sinner," the man replied. "But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!" (John 9:25) 

This couple didn’t care about what others thought. They just knew that Jesus never changes and that James 5:14-15 NKJV instructs, “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.”

Here they are eleven years later sitting in the sanctuary worshipping God. They are wonderfully happy and are two people that clung to all who their Savior is. Just seeing them puts a smile on my face!

Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV) Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

Pause and Go Hug Your Children

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I have told young couples for years, "Your children grow up faster than you can possibly imagine. Enjoy every minute of your children because one day their infants, you blink and they are suddenly toddlers, you blink again and you are taking them to their first day of school, and suddenly you are celebrating becoming a teenager. Then you blink again and you are sending them off to college.  You think it doesn't go this fast, but ask anyone with grown children and they will verify this is true! This video demonstrates that in the most amazing way! Watch the entire video. It's only a couple of minutes.

Cherish your children, create time with them, but right now... stop what you are doing and go hug them!

Birth to 12 years in 2 min. 45 seconds.



Psalm 127:3 (NLT) "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him."


In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

Is God Doing A New Thing in You?

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

There are many reasons people love America. One is because it stands as a place of hope. People that come to our country have heard that In America, anything is possible. They have heard, In America, anyone has the opportunity to achieve success. Of course America also stands for freedom and liberty and many other things that could be written about. I would like to focus on hope. People see our country as a place of hope. For those of us who have been born in and lived in this country all their lives, this powerful word has possibly become dull to us. To someone who has come to this country from another—especially if the place they came from was in turmoil, this land of hope means great things to them. It mostly means the opportunity for a fresh start to create a new life and succeed in a supportive atmosphere.

To anyone who is a Christian, this should be one of the most empowering and ongoing truths of our life. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 TLB says, "When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! All these new things are from God who brought us back to Himself through what Christ Jesus did..."

God is telling us that He is the one who has the power and ability to make our lives new and give us more than a fresh start; He can give us a new start. Romans 12:2 uses the word "transformed" which comes from the word metamorphose—analogous of a caterpillar transformed to a butterfly. It means to be transfigured or completely changed. The verse says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (completely changed) by the renewing of your mind..." What do we renew our minds to? To God's perspective of love and life. He is the creator of all. It is His perspective and understanding we should seek and follow after.

To those who have received Jesus as their Savior, there CAN BE a powerful work of the Holy Spirit within us. Romans 8:11 NIV says, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." Are you catching the strength and power of this verse? It is the source for all hope!  This verse says that it is the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is also at work within us! Every true Christian has the Holy Spirit within them. So the question is; is this Spirit at work in us? Only if we engage in His promises by faith.

The devil would like to have us think that we are helpless, can't change, can't overcome our flesh, and that we can't accomplish God-given dreams in our heart because we inept or incapable. What a lie from the pit that is! Absolutely in our own ability we face limitations, but God's grace (His supernatural mercy and help,) is our strength to do what He leads us to do in the face of our weaknesses! What we accomplish isn't about what we accomplish. What we accomplish is about what God accomplishes through us.

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

God wants to do a new thing in us. If you were to go to the chapter where these verses are written, you would see that for many, this won't be true because they’ve drifted and walked away from God and don't know of or have forgotten His love and His desire to work in and through them. They don't praise Him for who He is. How about you? Do you know your God? Do you know His will for your life? Did you know that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is the power that CAN BE at work through you by faith? It's true but it's up to you!

To me this always creates and renews great hope! I have watched God transform my life little by little over the past 39 years and it has been nothing short of miraculous. I won't let it stop now. The 4th of July represents freedom and liberty and hope. God gives us the freedom of choice to follow Jesus, the liberty to believe in His promises, and a fresh new hope that each day, He is with us and desires to lead us in His plan and purpose that also creates our blessing. I no longer just hope but know I have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead transforming my life and helping me in all I say and do! Do you? Just remember that as a Christian, you don't fall into the same category as the world. You also have the transforming power of God available within you.

First be a seeker of Him motivated by your love for Him. Pray and ask Him to speak to you consistently through His Word. (That means you’ll have to spend time in His Word to hear from Him.)  He'll lead your heart through His Word. He is God. He can and will if you earnestly seek Him with the expectation to hear, and it becomes more than a one day quest! He’ll honor your faith, speak to your heart, lead you by His Spirit and do a “new thing” in your life!

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

If what you've read today has helped you, would you like to see it help others and reach more? Click here and Learn More... 

If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, let me know how. I’d love to hear from you!  Write me at FreshMannaFeedback@comcast.net 

Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

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Rejecting the Torment of Guilt and Condemnation

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I gave my life to Jesus Christ in 1977. That seems like a long time ago. I was 24 at the time which means I had 24 years to train my mind to think like the world thinks—that's bad! Upon giving my life to Jesus, my hunger for knowing Him grew more and more. My desire to learn God's word was like a thirst that couldn't be quenched. I loved studying the Bible but I confess, there were parts I loved and parts that made me feel so condemned.

For example, I initially felt that way when I read the verses in Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT which say, "There are six things the LORD hates— no, seven things he detests:  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,  a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,  a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family."  I was taught the Lord loved me, yet knowing that all these things were a part of my past and that I was still struggling with some of them, made me feel guilty and condemned.  His Word that He hated these things. The accusing thoughts Satan used to discourage me shouted, God hates these things—you still do some of them—therefore God hates you. I was tormented by thoughts like this continuously. I battled the fear that the Lord knew me all too well and had to be disgusted with my past and what was still clinging on within my thinking.

On every account I found myself overwhelmingly guilty. Of course I learned over time that Jesus didn't hate me. He truly did love me and washed the sins of my past away. He simply hated these six sins because they would hurt my intimacy with Him and bring hurt to my life and to others through me if I continued to walk in them. It was gaining a revelation of God's gift of righteousness that saved me from thinking that He hated me and from tempting me to run away from Him and hide like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden.

In Romans 3:22-24 NIV I found great forgiveness and freedom from the guilt and condemnation of the areas of my life I was still working  on. These liberating verses said this: "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fallen short of standing in God's Holy presence without sin, yet we are rendered as innocent by the free gift of His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

I learned, That’s me! I have fallen short but Praise God, this righteousness—God justifying me and declaring me innocent is by faith, not by my ability to live perfectly sinless. I had to take authority over these tormenting mind battles—mentally beating myself up every time I'd miss it. My thoughts were still far from pure in many areas of my life. Sometimes my attitude stunk. Sometimes my motives stunk. Sometime the thoughts I'd think were outright sinful even if I hadn't acted upon them. I had already seen the Holy Spirit work great change within me but the devil made sure to point out every shortcoming and failure within me. I had to accept this free gift of God's righteousness by faith and let it further empower me to become even more like Christ in my thinking and actions. Beating myself up only discouraged me. Rejoicing that God saw me washed from sin liberated and encouraged me to run to Him with a heart of thanksgiving rather than run from Him in shame. I began to work hard to change my way of thinking and rid my life of these things that God hated. Yet, whenever I fell short, instead of beating myself up, I'd repent and work again to get it right. Throughout all this, I purposed to keep this glorious truth before me. He made me righteous by faith. I cannot do it in myself.

Change for me in some areas was fast and in other areas seemed far too slow. When it was slow, Romans 4:6-8 NIV, became my favorite verses to meditate on. They felt like a nice warm shower. They cleansed me over and over again saying, "David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

My mind is not the devil's playground. Wandering evil thoughts and imaginations gone amuck are no longer what goes on in my head and heart. The tormenting condemnation and mind-battles of how God feels about me and the question, Am I ever going to get it right? are gone. God's gift of righteousness, His love, His presence, His truth and the promise of His Word sit upon the throne of my heart. They anchor my thoughts and steps! I am still under transformation and always will be. I will continuously purpose to become more and more Christ-like. And while that work continues in me, I am loved by Jesus, living free from torment of inadequacy and failure, and living in His righteousness—joyfully loving and impacting other's lives for Him. It is a wonderful place and one available to us all!

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind"

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

If what you've read today has helped you, would you like to see it help others and reach more? Click here and Learn More... 

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If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, let me know how. I’d love to hear from you!  Write me at FreshMannaFeedback@comcast.net





Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

Exchange Mental Warfare for Favor and Joy

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

For many people, life can be like a daily battlefield of relational conflict. That's sad but true. We can't always control the situations that come at us but we can learn to control how we respond to them. When a person doesn't learn how to manage the conflicts that come at them, the warfare often increases and intensifies beyond what is reality. What do I mean by this? I mean that not only are they experiencing the real problems within their daily relational encounters, but they usually magnify those conflicts in their mind. They may begin to imagine and play out problems that might happen before they ever really do. Their mind becomes this continuous battlefield of events that have never really happened. This actually causes some people to lose their mind!

I've known many men and women who, because of continuous problems within their marriage, have fallen into the habit of forming negative expectations about how their spouse is going to respond to a situation. For example; a husband has been guilty of coming home late from work without giving his wife warning. He has done it over and over again. She's hungry but is hesitant to come up with a meal plan or eat because she hasn't heard from him, doesn't know where he is, when he is coming home, or what he's thinking. She rightly discerns this as a lack of love, respect, and common courtesy. It’s bad enough that he’s late, but on top of that he never calls to let her know he'll be late. It’s led to multiple fights between them. Instead of correcting this inconsiderate habit, on his way home, he begins to imagine and expect the fight he is going to have as he walks through the door. He begins to play out an entire imaginary battle that prepares him to be even more reactionary and defensive than rational and apologetic. He is now fighting two battles instead of one: the pre-battle in his mind and the real one with his wife which is heightened by the imaginary one.

Repeated relational schism puts one in the mode where they begin to have imaginary mind battles. They are unhealthy. Not only does one deal with the relational situation, but they've now added a layer of imaginary mind battles. You can feel all the same negatives through an imaginary fight that never really happened, as you can a real one. Now you have doubled the amount of warfare you are having. Both need to be stopped.

ASK YOUR SELF THIS: Have others ever accused you of being defensive? If so, then there is a good chance that you have negative expectations, are doubling the warfare through imaginary mind-battles, and are probably offended fairly easy. How can you slow them down and eventually eliminate them?

Don't consider what I am about to tell you being over-simplistic. The Bible tells men to love their wife as Jesus loved the church. We all know the extent to which Jesus proved His love for us. The Bible says He loved us while we were yet sinners. He loved us when we didn't give Him the time of day. That means that His giving love is not conditional. That truth applies to every relationship. No matter what anyone else does, you do what is right! Is someone is being a jerk to you? You don't get to be a jerk back. You pray for God's grace to help you. Through that grace, aggressively show love. Fix your part in the relational schism. Only God can help them fix theirs! You be willing to sacrifice changing some bad habits. You offer the forgiveness, mercy, and grace that Jesus extended and continues to extend to you. Be more considerate and eliminate excuses that create these unnecessary battles. But then from there, learn to take control of your thought life. Purpose to quit being offended and imagining that everyone is out to get you. It's not true. Sometimes paranoia is a mental health issue but most often it’s self-inflicted. You’ve learned to yield to your own pity parties and jealousies that create torturous mental warfare.

Here is a new mind-set to have. As a child of God you have the promise from God of supernatural favor. God promises you favor—people liking you, helping you, and showing you grace—and you don't even know why. They do because it's a benefit and covenant promise from God for you to put faith in! Expecting favor is the opposite of a negative expectation. You have to put your faith in this promise for it to become real in your life.

Psalms 5:12 NIV says, "For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." You look in the mirror and say, Thank you Lord that people like and love me today. I expect it because it is your promise to me. I have favor as though it were a shield.

Combine the expectation of favor with a directive from the Lord concerning love. 1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV says, “Love always protects, always trusts, always believes the best in others, always perseveres.” Begin to combine your expectation of having favor with you treating others in love—you believing the best in them and their motives, not the worst. Purpose to believe they are for you, not against you. That is a mental and spiritual exercise that will help you develop a healthy and godly mind-set and thought-life. Over time, and as this takes root and becomes how you truly think, it will change how people respond to you. It will help unwind your defensive nature. Just like a dog gets nervous around a person that is afraid of it, so do people who think you are angry or defensive with them. They will avoid you. Instead think and act like people love you. Smile and shake their hand or give them a hug when you meet them. Let them see love in you! And make sure you do love and believe the best about them! As you carry this out, you'll find that people respond differently to you and in a good way! This takes work and prayer but will begin reducing daily schisms in your life. And once learned, will continue to bless you the rest of your life! That makes it worth the effort!

Knowing I would post this, I did a fun experiment this week. It’s normal for me to put my arm around someone’s shoulder or give a hug and smile to people I know well. This week I decided to do it with anyone. I treated everyone like they were my best friend. The reaction was fabulous and fun. Even those who were really more of an acquaintance responded positively and like we were great friends. People just lit up and treated me back even kinder than they already do. We all need to purposely ramp our revelation of favor and love to others. It is so much more fun than expecting something negative!

Psalms 5:12 says, "For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield."

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

If what you've read today has helped you, would you like to see it help others and reach more? Click here and Learn More... 

If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, let me know how. I’d love to hear from you!  Write me at FreshMannaFeedback@comcast.net





Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

A Godly Perspective on Money

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I am republishing today's post by request! Let it instruct and bless you!  Pastor Tim 

Okay it’s time for a question from Bible 101. Are you ready? Question number one: What is the root of all evil? Did you say money? BLEEP! You are wrong. The answer is... the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Question number two: Who covets after money more, people who have a great deal of money or people who don’t have money? Think about this. People who have more than enough money, to the point that they don’t think much about it, seldom covet money. If they want something, they just buy it. They have the money. If something is broken, they just get it fixed. They have the money. If they want to travel, go on a shopping spree, buy a vacation home, they just do. They don’t dream and wish they could. Their problems over money are different from those that don't have it. Now, money can lead them to pride. Money can facilitate the feeling of great self-achievement and pride, falsely leading them to the conclusion that they don't need the Lord. Money can lead them to look down on those that don’t have money, possibly even feeling superior. Money can create a sense of power that leads them to the habit of trying to control people with their money. And it can lead them to the place where they will compromise integrity to continue their in-coming flow of money. Theses are all serious issues but they are not issues of coveting money.

People that don’t have money are constantly faced with their need for it. It’s not that they want to think about money all the time. It’s just that the demand for money keeps knocking at their door. People without enough money, need money for a place to live, for food, for their car and appliance repairs, for their mailbox full of bills, and on and on. People without money are just as likely and often more likely to covet money that people with surplus of money. And because of their covetousness for money, often tempted to violate the boundaries of integrity to obtain it.

Money in itself is simply a medium of exchange for goods and services—a thing and not something inherently evil. It is the attitude of money that creates all issues. The poor often covet it. The rich let it bond them to the world and its goods, too often, leaving God as an after-thought.

You may have read or heard the verse Luke 18:26-27 NKJV many times that says, “And Jesus said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” It is a scripture often applied and quoted at times of needing a miracle. In its context, when Jesus said it, He was referring to rich men entering Heaven. When Jesus said in Luke 18:25 “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," the statement shocked his disciples. They responded, “Who then can be saved?" Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." 

Jesus was talking about the difficulty wrong attitudes toward money can create. He also made it clear that people cannot develop a right attitude toward money in their own strength. He said it was an impossibility. Relating rightly to money—relating to money with a godly attitude is only something the Holy Spirit can teach and help you develop.

Colossians 1:16 NIV says, “For by God all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.” God’s Word makes some things clear regarding the cultivation of a proper attitude toward money. He has made all things and all things belong to Him.

We are not the owners of anything but the stewards of all things God puts in our hands to manage—beginning with our paycheck. The management of all resources put in our hands whether it be money, possessions, time, or whatever, is subject to God's instruction and our stewardship. Luke 12:42-44 NKJV says, “And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.”

The first ten percent of everything given us belongs to God as the tithe. The tithe literally means, a tenth. Tithing is the symbolic reverence, acknowledgement and action that all we have belongs to Him, not us. It is the action representing that God is truly our Lord and we acknowledge every good thing being from Him. Since the tithe belongs to Him, it is not ours nor is it a gift from us to Him. Not any more than taxes are a gift to the IRS. Malachi 3:8-10 NLT says, “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! "But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?' "You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!"  Offerings that are given beyond the tithe and are a gift of worship and thanks to the Lord for what He has done for us.

If you understand these things, then you see how only our submission to God concerning money can transform our hearts. The love of money keeps a person coveting money, stealing from God, and/or caring less about God and what God has to say about money. Trust me, there will be those that read this that will blow this off. Tithing and godly stewardship is forever despite ridiculous excuses Christians come up with. God called it cheating or stealing from Him then, and still does today. God never changes. The wisdom of God never changes. The love, mercy and grace of God never change. And either does the tithe—the acknowledgement of His Lordship and our stewardship. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

When we do get our hearts right concerning money, we will become cheerful and unwavering in our tithes and offerings. We will have thankful hearts recognizing that God is the greatest of all givers giving us Jesus, His word and His benefits. Tithes and offerings become what God intended them to become—recognition and the action of submission and thanksgiving for His Lordship.  His will in all this is for us is to increase in our material resources knowing that because we tithe and bring offerings, we will use the increase He brings us rightly as His stewards.

You may not be a farmer but translate His desire for our abundance in the following scriptures into modern-day equipping and blessing for your life.
  
Deuteronomy 8:6-11 and 18 NLT reveals this saying: “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with springs that gush forth in the valleys and hills. It is a land of wheat and barley, of grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, olives, and honey. It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. When you have eaten your fill, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you... And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." 

Philippians 4:19 (NLT) "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus"

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

If what you've read today has helped you, would you like to see it help others and reach more? Click here and Learn More... 

If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, let me know how. I’d love to hear from you!  Write me at FreshMannaFeedback@comcast.net





Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/

Is God Speaking to You?

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Something stupid that I grew out of and matured in a long time ago is, letting my car run out of gas. Why do people ever do that to begin with? Why did I? I guess when I was younger it was mostly two things. A lack of money to buy gas and/or procrastination. Having a lack of money to put gas in your car be difficult for anyone that experiences financial hardships. Procrastination is about growing up and maturing. I am so glad I don’t do that anymore because it often created painful and unnecessary hardships and inconvenience.

Just as there are painful and unnecessary hardships from running out of gas, there are painful and unnecessary hardships in the Christian life from not filling up our spirit. Most, and I mean most Christians do not fill up daily on the Word of God. They may have learned to fill the gas tanks of their car, but have become dull to filling the most important fuel tank of all—the fuel tank of their spirit.

Our spirit does have a fuel tank and it needs to be filled! Jesus reveals in John 6:31-33 that there was two kinds of fuel for our human existence—natural food and spiritual food. Jesus said “Our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! As the Scriptures say, 'Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.' I assure you, Moses didn't give them bread from Heaven. My Father did. And now He offers you the true bread from Heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

Jesus said there were two kinds of bread. The manna – the food that God supplied and fed them with in with in the desert, and the spiritual bread—the “true bread of God that comes down from Heaven and gives life—life to the world.” Jesus says He is that bread in John 6:51. “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; this bread is my flesh, offered so the world may live." To those that didn’t understand Jesus or hadn’t heard some of the other things that He said, that might have sounded cannibalistic. It wasn’t. When He said “this bread is my flesh." He was saying that the bread was His Word. He was the living and breathing Word of God.

We see this in John 1:1 and verse 14. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Here we see that Jesus and His Word are one and the same. We may not have Him here in the flesh with us, but we do have the very same thing He was asking His followers to feed on – His words.

Isaiah the prophet gives another great illustration regarding how God feels about physical nourishment vs. spiritual nourishment. These words were pointing to Jesus.

Isaiah 55:2-3 “Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the mercies and unfailing love that I promised to David.”

What you may or may not realize is that God created you first and foremost as a spirit being. I know we live in this physical world but, your earthly body and this physical world will both one day be replaced. Your spirit will live for ever. That’s why the nourishment of it is so critical. That’s why prayerfully spending time in the Word of God is so important. You are feeding on Jesus – on His Word which is the true life and substance of your existence.

According to research done by the Barna, only 45% of Christians read their Bible during the week! Jesus taught in Matt 6:11 that when we pray, we are to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.”Since Jesus is that bread and He is the Word of God, what He was teaching was this; “When you pray, ask the Father to speak to your heart—to impart truth and life to you daily.”

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. (Luke 4:4-5) Reading the Bible on occasion—will not supply all of the Word from Heaven that you are to take into your heart.

Should I let you in on a secret? When you read the Word of God, whether you read a little or a lot, ask God to speak to you through it. When you see God speaking promises to His children, receive it for yourself. That is what the Bible is—a Word of Promise! Hebrews 6:12 “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

What is it that you are needing help from God so desperately for? Is it wisdom or help or healing? Is it resources or provision? Do you know what He promises You? God wants to fill your spirit with promises daily so that you will know Him as your living, loving Father who intimately cares for you. He wants you to experience and personally be touched by His marvelous works. As Isaiah 50:4 (NLT) says, "The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to His will."

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

If what you've read today has helped you, would you like to see it help others and reach more? Click here and Learn More... 

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If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, let me know how. I’d love to hear from you!  Write me at FreshMannaFeedback@comcast.net





Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2016 All rights reserved
http://todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com/