MY MANNA

My Manna

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8.

It is true that everybody has times when things go wrong. 
These times can either make us or break us. 

The following steps will help us to benefit and grow through these times.

First, attitude. 

If we respond to our difficulties positively, determined with God's help to overcome them, we will. 
If we react negatively with a defeated attitude, we will be defeated.

Attitude is much more important than aptitude.
Despite the overwhelming evidence which supports the importance of the right mental attitude-- our entire educational system from kindergarten through graduate school virtually ignores this vital factor in our life. 

Ninety percent of our education is directed at acquiring facts with only 10 percent of our education aimed at our feelings—or attitudes.

Second, awareness. 

To grow through our problems it is also critical that we face them realistically.

A doctor friend of mine tells about a family where the mother broke her arm. 

The husband and son had to force her to the doctor and hold her while the doctor put her badly broken arm in plaster.

"There's nothing wrong with my arm, Doctor. It's perfectly all right," she insisted.

"I see," said the doctor setting the badly broken arm. Several weeks later the woman returned to have the cast removed and the arm was healed.

"There," said the woman, "look at that. I told you there was nothing wrong with my arm!"

This woman was of a certain religious conviction which led her to believe that there was never anything wrong with her. 
Fortunately, her family was a little more realistic. 

We also need to be realistic about our problems if we are going to resolve them.

Third, acceptance. 

Furthermore, whatever happens to us needs to be accepted. 
It's no use saying, "If only…."

Several years ago a close relative suffered a massive stroke and was left partially paralyzed. 

Doctors felt that the stroke could have been avoided so it was extremely tempting to say, "If only we would have known."

However, it's useless to say, ​​"If only.​..​" 
The family couldn't go back and do things differently. 

We all had to accept the reality of what had happened, pick up the pieces, and go on.

In your thinking remind yourself that you are living with a challenge—not a problem.

That's something we all need to do when things go wrong and we are facing difficult times. 
We may not be what we think we are, but what we think, we are—or will become. 

"Dear God, when things go wrong in my life please help me to have a constructive attitude, be aware and accept what has happened as an opportunity for both personal and spiritual growth and therein become a stronger, healthier person as a result. Gratefully in Jesus's name, Amen."

​(to be continued)​

My Manna

"In all things God works for the good of those who love Him." Romans 8:28.

When things go wrong...
- as well as having a positive attitude,
- being aware and realistic about our situation, and
- accepting what has happened,
- there are several additional helpful actions we need to take.

Fourth, agony.
Express emotions.

When things have gone wrong in my life-
I've learned not to deny my feelings, so when I'm grieving, I cry.

God not only gave us laughter to express our joy-
- but tears to express our hurt and sorrow.

Crying has a healing effect.
It soothes the soul.

Plus, when I'm frustrated-
I share my feelings with a friend.

Or if I'm angry-
I share my feelings with the person I'm angry at or-
I write them out and throw away the piece of paper.

Fifth, appreciation.
Give thanks.

I constantly make a point of giving thanks to God for the many good things in my life which far outnumber my few problems.

I give thanks for these too knowing that God has a valuable lesson for me to learn.
As God's Word teaches, "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20.

Sixth, assuredness.
Trust God.

I have learned to trust God—not always without doubt or confusion.
I don't always understand why bad things happen.

However, one thing I do understand-
- while Satan and his forces of evil want to use my difficult times to try and destroy me,
God wants to use them to strengthen me.

The choice is mine!

The only times in my life when I have grown have been during difficult times.

Who wants to change when everything is going well?
Also, if there is any quality to my writing and other work, it has all come out of life's struggles.

While I don't believe in quick fixes or simplistic solutions to life's complex problems-
I do know that God teaches us many lessons through difficult and challenging times—if we let him.

In spite of outward appearances-
I also believe that "in all things God works for the good of those who love (and trust) him"—even if it is eventually!Romans 8:28.

Can you accept your difficulties as opportunities to grow and ask God to show you what he wants you to learn through them?

If so, your life will be greatly enriched.
And you can become a happier, healthier person.

"Dear God, please help me to see that in all my circumstances when I commit and trust my life and way to You, all things do work together for good. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, Amen."

My Manna

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15.

The story is told how a wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. 

The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. 

The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. 
She did so without hesitation. 

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. 
He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.

However, a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. 

​"​I've been thinking,​"​ he said, ​"​I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.​"​

One of my daily prayers is that God will help me to be "like Jesus" in some way to every life I touch and that they, seeing Jesus in me, will want him for themselves. 

This for me is the most precious and priceless gift I could ever give to anyone.

Could you imagine the tremendous ​​​​i​​mpact we Christians would make on today's world-- if every one of us would make and pray the following commitment.

"Dear God, I am available today. Please use me today to be 'as Jesus' in some way, first to my family, and then in some way to every life I touch. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, Amen

My Manna​

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

The Lord is never taken by surprise. 

He knows everything we’re going through.
And He is orchestrating our circumstances for both our benefit and His glory, according to His good will.

One purpose for hardship is to cleanse us. 

Because of our own “flesh” nature and the self-absorbed world we live in-
- it is easy to develop me-centered attitudes, mixed-up priorities, and ungodly habits. 

The pressures bearing down on us from ​​​​​​stormy situations are meant-
- to bring these impurities to our attention and direct us to a place of repentance. 

Our trials are not intended to sink us-
- but rather to purify and guide us back to the way of godliness.

Another reason for adversity is to comfort others. 

God’s work in our lives is not meant solely for us. 
It is designed to reach a world that doesn’t recognize or acknowledge Him. 

The Lord uses the pressures we face to equip us for serving others. 

As we endure suffering-
- we will learn about God’s sufficiency, His comforting presence, and His provision of strength to help us endure. 

Our testimony during times of difficulty will be authentic-
- those to whom we minister will recognize that we know and understand their pain. 

What credibility would we have with people in crisis if we ourselves never experienced a deep need?

Another divine purpose is to comprehend​​.
Reflecting on the divine purpose behind our hardships can help us respond to them in a God-honouring way. 

Take the time to fix your attention on the Lord-
- and seek to understand what He wants you to learn. 

His ​​lessons often unfold gradually.
But He will be walking by your side the whole way

My Manna

"The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth." Psalm 33:6.

Many modern astronomers probing into outer space with their gigantic telescopes favour two theories as to the origin of the universe. 

One is the so-called Big Bang Theory-
- according to which "the cosmos started with a titanic explosion, and as a consequence has been expanding ever since." 

The other is the Continuous Creation Theory-
- which maintains that "the universe is self-creating and is constantly making itself out of nothing and falling back into nothingness again."

What many scientists are not prepared to admit is that the ultimate energy behind the universe is not a Big Bang, but a Big Being-
- an intelligent Being of indescribable majesty and power who is able to do whatever He chooses. 

And because what He chooses is always good-
He can be trusted to have the best interest of His creation at heart.

When Joseph Haydn, the famous Austrian composer, had finished his great oratorio The Creation, he is said to have cried: 
"Not from me! Not from me! From above it has all come!" 

Our text for today reminds us that by God's Word were the heavens made and by His breath the stars were formed.

I once heard my father describe the creation in this way: 
"It was no harder for God to create a world than it is for my son to blow soap bubbles into the air out of his clay pipe." 

I often go back to that lovely image. 

I find that when contemplating this awesome, mighty, all-powerful God, my soul instinctively cries: 
"How great Thou art." 

I hope yours does too!

"Father, as I contemplate Your majesty and Your power, my soul cries out: 
"How great Thou art." 
It can do nothing else, for contemplation of You inevitably leads to adoration of You. Amen."

My Manna


"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2.

As the world continues to stress over the importance of achieving more, doing more, and being more-
- we may find ourselves trapped in a never-ending cycle of activity. 

Our days regularly fly by in a giant blur of meals, appointments, and mundane tasks.

On their own, these responsibilities often seem small. 

However, when they are all strung together day after day-
- they can create stress and lead to serious burnout!

Then we must take three steps of action.

First-
Rest!

It is imperative that we find the time to be still before the Lord and to rest in Him. 
In Mark 6:31, Jesus told His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” 

Resting in God renews our souls and quiets our racing minds, enabling us to partake of His strength.

Second-
Trust!

We should frequently ask ourselves-
Are the activities in my life all necessary and chosen by the Lord? 

In His Word, God gives us this instruction: 
“Cease striving and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10. 

Essentially, our Father wants us to slow down and realize that our lives are in His hands. 
With this assurance, we can replace striving with resting and trusting. 

No matter what we do in life, it should be done to the glory of God.

Third-
Invest!

Invest your time in the best.
Make time today for a quiet moment to sit before the Lord. 

Allow Him to provide the strength and rest you need. 
While doing this, ask Him to reveal to you any areas of your life in which you are “striving” needlessly. 

He longs to provide peace and rest for His children.