My Manna

My Manna

"...blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:29.

Do you sometimes worry about your faith--because you find yourself questioning some events in the scriptures?
Let's be honest: - seas parting, 
- a fish swallowing a grown man, 
- the turning of water into wine, 
- Jesus rising from the dead etc.

Sometimes biblical events can test your capacity for belief. 
But realize that you are in some pretty good company. 
Take the claim of the virgin birth. 
Not only have many people had their disbeliefs, so did Joseph and Mary!

How did Mary respond when told she was going to birth the Son of God? 

After the initial shock was absorbed-
- she immediately began to argue with an angel! 

She asked the angel what she considered a rhetorical question: 
"How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 

That angel must have had a mighty convincing answer to that question! 

Mary doubted and then believed the word of God through the angel.

And then when Joseph was informed, he didn't buy it for a minute. 
He knew he wasn't the daddy and immediately made plans to dump her. 

Once again, it took an angel to convince him that Mary was telling the truth. 
Joseph doubted and then believed the word of God through the angel.

So if you find yourself feeling guilty for harbouring occasional doubts, relax. 

You are in good company. 
There is no sin in doubting. 

Doubts only become sin when we begin to believe them as fact. 
And we are more fortunate than Mary and Joseph with the claims about Jesus' virgin birth. 

We don't need angels. 
We have the written, historical Word of God.

My Manna

"And Mary said, 'Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your Word.'" Luke 1:38.

Picture the scene: 

An angel had just informed Mary that she, a virgin, would soon be pregnant and, as a matter of fact, will be carrying the Son of God. 

Not the sort of news a woman hears everyday and certainly not the kind of news a woman in first century Israel would welcome. 

She knew she would soon face the wrath and scorn of her friends and family and society in general - not to mention the man she was engaged to!

Think about what Mary could have done. 

She could have run away. 
She could have had an abortion. 
And, like many unmarried pregnant women in that time, Mary could have taken her own life. 

But how did Mary respond? 
She chose a different path. 

If ever you want to see a clear profession of faith-
- look at the next words from her mouth. 

Mary said, "I am willing to be a voluntary slave of the Lord. I am willing to be a servant of God. May what the word of God has said, may it come true!" 

What a woman! 
What a faith! 

Truly the greatest woman who ever lived, for nothing any woman has ever done or will do is more important than what Mary did.

So as you think about the significance of the Child she gave birth to and what He came to do-
- do you believe it? 

If not-
- will you choose to believe? 
Will you choose to follow the example of Mary and believe what God's word says about her Son? 

Let me assure you-
- you will never truly experience Christmas until you do.

My Manna

Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." Luke 1:38 39.

Imagine this:
A young girl, betrothed to a reputable man, finds herself pregnant and the father is not her beloved. 

Two thousand years ago, this potential scandal could have cost her a reputation and maybe even her life. 

However, Mary was called out by the Lord. 
God entrusted her with a great responsibility.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to her and assigned her this task she didn't respond as most would by saying-
"But I can't take on that responsibility, Lord. I am about to get married. I just want to enjoy time with my husband right now. Please pass this assignment off to someone else! I don't want you to call me to do this!"

Instead Mary willingly obeyed the Lord-
- and submitted to His will for her life. 

Many people confuse Mary's status-
- some put her on the same pedestal as Jesus and 
- some even worship her as they would the Lord. 

But Mary was simply the woman God called to bear the Messiah-
- and the woman who was willing to carry out the task He laid before her.

As believers-
- we must learn the ‹meaning of surrender

When God places a call on your life-
- there is no room for questions or hesitation. 

Is God calling you to some specific task? 
Are you willing to surrender all to obey Him? 

You must simply say:
"I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." 

Take with you the very valuable lessons of surrender, compassion, obedience, and love displayed in the Christmas event.

Ask the Lord to show you His will for your life-
- and pray that He would help you to be a man or woman that is completely surrendered and obedient to

My Manna

"Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38.

If God wants something done-
- can it be done?

In other words-
- if God has a goal for your life, can it be blocked, or is its fulfillment uncertain or impossible?

I am personally convinced that no goal God has for my life is-
- impossible or
- uncertain, nor
- can it be blocked.

Imagine God saying, "I've called you into existence, I've made you My child, and I have something for you to do. I know you won't be able to do it, but give it your best shot."

That's ludicrous!

It's like saying to your child, "I want to you to mow the lawn. Unfortunately, the lawn is full of rocks, the mower doesn't work, and there's no gas. But give it your best shot."

Even secular scholars say that issuing a command that cannot be obeyed will undermine authority.

God had a staggering goal for a little maiden named Mary.

An angel told her that she would bear a son while still a virgin, and that her son would be the Saviour of the world.

When she inquired about this seemingly impossible feat, the angel simply said, "Nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37.

You wouldn't give your child a task he couldn't complete-
- and God doesn't assign to you goals you can't achieve.

His goals for you are possible, certain and achievable.

When God's will for us appears impossible, let's say with Mary: "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38.

Imagine the overwhelming assignment that confronted Mary.
She was to have a baby without being with a man.

She was to raise the child who would save the world.

The entire course of history would be altered, and the eternal destiny of believers would be changed.

Despite the staggering nature of the task announced by the angel-
Mary gave herself to accomplish God's will.

God is still looking for a few bondslaves who will dare to believe that nothing is impossible with God.

"Lord, I yield to You as Your bondslave.
I choose to believe that whatever You want me to do I can do.
In Jesus Name,Amen."

My Manna

I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled.Luke 1:38.

Smooth sailing is preferred-
- over rough seas; 
- paved roads over potholes. 

But sometimes the rough seas and potholes are by God's design to accomplish His purpose. 

At that point, the follower of Christ must decide whether to follow God in the tough times or not.

Mary experienced a time that was difficult by design. 

These verses record part of her predicament: an unexpected pregnancy. 
Imagine as best you can the full emotion of the situation. 

She, an unmarried virgin, was asked to have a baby. 

Undoubtedly she would become the object of much doubt and ridicule. 
The truth would be too unimaginable for people to believe. 

She would bear the shame. 

In Matthew's account-
- it is noted that Joseph even considered divorcing her.1:19.

Yet Mary's attitude was remarkable. 
She said to the angel, "May it be to me as you have said" v. 38. 

Her statement revealed her character. 
She was ready to endure the doubt and ridicule. 

God's work was more important to her than her reputation.

Following God will take you down rough roads at times. Sometimes you'll be tempted to find the easier path. 

The best road to travel, however, is always the one of God's choosing.

Are you on the right path, doing God's will? 

When the way is rough...
Pray like Mary did, surrendering to God's will in your life.

My Manna
I CAN!

"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.Luke 1:26-27.
It is difficult for us to understand, 2,000 years later-
- the significance of the angel Gabriel's appearance to Mary in Nazareth. 

After all, he could have found the future mother of the Messiah in Rome-
- the capital of the greatest power on earth at the time. 

He could have found her-
- in Athens, the cultural center of the world, or 
at Jerusalem, the spiritual center of the world. 

But God chose Nazareth-
- an obscure but extremely wicked city that was notorious for its sin. 

Upon hearing that Jesus was from there, Nathanael said-
"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" John 1:46.

What is amazing about Mary is that-
- she lived a godly life in a godless place, 
and she did so as a very young teenager. 

Commentators believe she may have been teen ager- 
- proving that it is possible to live a godly life in an ungodly world.

Here she was, a nobody living in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere-
precisely the kind of person that God goes out of His way to call. 

He chose an unknown girl in a relatively unknown city to bring about the most-known event in human history, an event so significant that we actually divide human time by it.

Maybe you are trying to live out your faith in a godless place today, 
‹maybe at work or school or among unbelieving family members. 

You're wondering if it can be done. 

It can
Mary stands as an example for us

My Manna  

Advent is the season of the year leading up to Christmas. 

It is observed with various traditions and rituals by Catholics and other liturgical churches such as Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists. 

In recent years, Advent celebrations of one type or another have been added to many evangelical services as well.

The word advent itself means-
-arrival or an appearing or coming into place.

Christians often speak of Christ's first advent and second advent.
That is, His first and second comings to earth. 

His first advent would be the Incarnation”Christmastime.

The Advent season lasts for four Sundays. 
It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, or the nearest Sunday to November 30. 

Advent ends on Christmas Eve and thus is not considered part of the Christmas season. 

The Advent celebration is both a commemoration of Christ's first coming and an anticipation of His second coming. 

As Israel longed for their Messiah to come-
- so Christians long for their Saviour to come again.

Should Christians observe Advent? 
This is a matter of personal conviction. 

Here is the biblical principle: 
One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. 
Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord.
 Romans 14:5“6.

There is certainly nothing wrong with commemorating Jesus birth-
- and anticipating His return”such commemoration and anticipation should be an everyday part of our lives. 

Are Christians required to observe Advent? 
No. 

Does observing Advent make one a better Christian or more acceptable to God? 
No. 

Can celebrating Advent be a good reminder of what the season is truly all about? 
Yes!

And therein lies its greatest value!

My Manna

"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided." Exodus 14:21.

We all have times when we feel we have no options. 

Maybe we’re in a job crisis and we feel there is just no way out. 

Sometimes we don’t have a job, money is rapidly running out, and we’re beginning to feel despair. 

Or maybe you are an average student going into a final exam in a course you must have to graduate. 

Sometimes it’s in a marriage that seems hopeless. 

There are many possible scenarios-
- but they all have this in common: 

It seems like we’ve run out of options and we don’t know what to do. 
We feel trapped in a hopeless situation with no possible way out.

We can learn how to face these crises by remembering the children of Israel. 
They faced a stormy sea to the front and Egyptian soldiers to the rear. 

Talk about having no options…they truly had no way out! 

But, if you’ll remember-
God led them from desperation to complete victory. 

Realize that the same God who parted the Red Sea is standing beside you whenever you think you’re out of options!

There is no lasting defeat for children of God.
He always gives us the option of allowing Him to lead us, teach us, and build our faith. 

If He parted the Red Sea for the people of faith-
- then through faith, no situation is hopeless.

My Manna

"Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him." Job 13:15.

How deep does your loyalty to God go? 
Is there a pretty clear line in the sand that you won't go beyond? 

Would you stay faithful to him no matter-- what happened to you or 
- what he asked of you?

Of all the heroes in the Bible-Job stands out as a model of faithfulness in the midst of adversity. 

We all experience tragedy of some kind in our lifetime-- but not like Job!

Everything happened to Job!

Though he was a loving father, his children were killed.
Though he was a generous man, he lost all of his possessions.
Though he was a loyal friend, his companions all turned on him.
Though he was a hard worker, he lost his health.

But Job didn't curse God.
He didn't even get angry or blame God for his predicament. 

Instead, he became so famous for his perseverance that to this day-- even non-Christians speak of "the patience of Job."

On a scale of "one to Job," how deep is your loyalty?

If it's on the shallow end, don't be discouraged. 
Take it as a sign that you don't yet know God as you should.

The only reason Job could trust God the way he did was because he knew him so well.

So keep getting to know God better-- and ask him to help you trust him. 
- regardless of your circumstances.

My Manna

And your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.Ephesians 6:15.

Feelings of stress are caused by the body's instinct to defend itself. 

This instinct is good in emergencies, such as getting out of the way of a speeding car. 
But stress can cause unhealthy physical symptoms if it goes on for too long, such as in response to life's daily challenges and changes.

Dr. Joel Elkes said, “Our mode of life - the way we live - is emerging as today's main cause of illness. 

The American Academy of Family Physicians says that two-thirds of all visits to doctors are stress related-
- and that stress is now known as the major contributor to heart disease, cancer, accidental injuries, and suicide.

People attend stress seminars and devour books on stress.
Sometimes they find that just focusing on it makes them more uptight.

But, let's face it!
Stress and pressure are a part of life.

Even Jesus Christ promised us that well all face it.
He said, in this world youll face much tribulation.
Tribulation also means pressure.

He goes on to say, but take heart. I have overcome the world. 

Jesus does not promise us freedom from pressure.
But He does promise us peace amidst the stress. 

Inner peace is a by-product of knowing Christ as Saviour and Lord. 
The good news is, its available to all who trust in Him. 

Pressure is a part of life.
But Christ gives us peace amidst the pressure!

My Manna
an unfortunate truth

"A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Mark 6.3, 4.

Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be-
- to spiritually impact your immediate circle of relationships and family? 

Jesus warned us of this phenomenon.
We often relate to family and friends differently-
- because they have a history with us that no one else has. 

They most likely have not had the privilege to witness the spiritual transformation that you have experienced and is evidenced by others in your life.

The spiritual authority that others may recognize in you is not there with your own family and friends. 
"After all, you're just my sister or brother, with whom I played, and lived everyday life," is what is thought. 

Jesus was more qualified to be a carpenter-
- than the Son of God in his own family and community's eyes. 

It was too difficult to change old perceptions of someone they knew so well. 
So too, is it for your family members.

The sad result of this mindset is that we often do not experience the same fruit of ministry in our family's lives that we do outside this circle. 

MY MANA
an unfortunate truth!
"Jesus still healed a few sick people," meaning there is still a remnant of faith that can receive from you and ​me. 

Ultimately-God determines the fruit of our lives. 
Do not allow spiritual pride to prevent you from freely giving to your family and friends when they do not receive you in the way you think they should. 

You don't know which "few" God will choose to touch through your life.

Many did not receive Jesus. 
Therefore, many will not receive you. 

Nevertheless-- allow God to touch the few in your circle He chooses to touch through you.

My Manna
Blessing upon blessing!

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."Matthew 6:33. 

Roger Babson, a famous statistician was having lunch with the President of Argentina, 

"Mr. Babson," the President said, "I have been wondering why it is that South America, with all its natural advantages, mines of iron, copper, coal and silver, rivers and great waterfalls is so far behind North America?" 

Babson replied, "Well, Mr. President, what do you think is the reason?" 

He answered:"South America was founded by the Spanish who came in search of gold. 
North America was founded by the Pilgrims who went there in search of God."

If we live a life of seeking gold...the blessings of God but not God Himself...we end up losing both. 

The Pilgrims came in search of God. 
It is because of this that America has reaped blessing upon blessing!

We need to examine ourselves and be careful that-- we are seeking God in all things, 
- putting Him first and giving thanks to Him always.

Seek first the kingdom of God.And He will surely provide from His riches in glory.

My Manna​

"For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith." Hebrews 4:2-3.

T​h​​ere are​ anemic Christians ​in every church.

They have a form of religion but fail to mix their belief with faith and obedience.

The apostle Paul described them when he said-
- "these people have a form of godliness but deny its power." 2 Timothy 3:5.

What are the telltale signs of anemic faith?

When you no longer pray about decisions-
- you have anemic faith.

When you fail to speak to others about their relationship with God-
- you have anemic faith.

When you're unwilling to spend time with God everyday-
- your faith has become anemic.

You no longer have a living faith!

God spoke to John, the apostle, through a vision and told him about some Christians who were part of the church in Laodicea:

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either one or the other!
So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. " Revelation 3:14-18.

These are strong words from our Lord!

We are all susceptible to growing cold and anemic in our faith.

Ask God to revive your heart and to restore the fire of your faith-
-so that you will experience a vibrant and active faith that impacts the kingdom of darkness.

M​y Manna​

"I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me."​ ​​Acts 26:17-18.​

​When the apostle Paul stood before King Agrippa and explained what God had called him to do in proclaiming the gospel, he broke it down into one of the most clear presentations I have found anywhere in the Bible. 

Paul said that God had called him to proclaim this message-
- which was to open the eyes of his listeners that-
- they might turn from darkness to light, 
-​ ​from the power of Satan to God,
- and that they ​​might receive the forgiveness of sin​,​ 
-​ ​and an inheritance among those who are sanctified. 

Here, we see ​five ​steps: 
One, your eyes are opened. 
Two, you turn from darkness to light. 
Three, you turn from the power of Satan to God​,
Four, you receive the forgiveness of sin and,
Five, ​​possess an inheritance among those who are sanctified. 
​
Many people have taken step one-
- but they have never made it to step two​ onwards​. 

They have had their eyes opened and have seen there is a God and there is a devil. 
They have also seen there is a choice to be made. 
They have seen that Jesus Christ is the answer to their problems and that they need to trust in Him and turn from their sin. 

They intellectually agree with these things. 

But they haven't taken step two, which is-
- turning from darkness to light and 
-​ ​from the power of Satan to God. 

And until you have taken that step-
- you are ​​​​​​not truly converted​!​

My Manna


In the past few days-
I have experienced a sudden arrest of activity-
- that had been one form of my continued service to God. 

I'm prevented from continuing here and there. 
I'm uncertain as to why this has happened and what I'm to do. 

But-
I know that God is in control of my situation.
And I have a great hope and future in the Lord,especially in the area of serving God non-stop.

Paul and Silas were arrested suddenly-
- while they were proclaiming the gospel in Philippi and put into stocks. Acts 16.

Not only was their work halted altogether-
- but they themselves were physically immobilized in a dungeon, held fast in stocks. 

What strange treatment for two earnest servants of God! 

What did they do? 
It would be quite understandable if they had raged or wept or ​​​​​​sunk into silence! 

Instead-
- they continued what for them had long since become habitual-
- they continued "at their prayer," and sang praises to God. 

Then what happened?
They ministered to a jailor's family that came to Christ.
Then they continued a marvellous ministry!

God allowed an arrest-
- in order that He could accomplish His will through His servants.

What do I do now? 

Simple answer:
Praise and pray.
Plan and ​be patient! 

"For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36.

As a sincere servant of God-
If you are blocked,hindered,stopped or prevented to serve God in a particular area,do not worry.

Praise God.
Pray and plan for the future in the presence of the Lord.

For God needs you for a special purpose in a special place of His choice!

My Manna

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9.

We make our plans-
- but God always will have His way. 

There is nothing wrong with making a plan for tomorrow or next month or next year. 

But just keep in mind that God may change your plans. 

He is in control of your life. 

We are told in Jeremiah 10:23, "I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course." 

We call this divine providence.

Having said that-
- it does not mean that bad things will not happen to good—even godly—people. 

But it does mean that even when bad things happen-
God can bring good out of bad. 

Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that God causes everything to work 
together for the good of those who love God and are called according to 
his purpose for them."

However-
- the good that God promises will not be fully realized until we get to heaven. 

We can look at some things in our lives and say, "That was bad, but in retrospect I can see the good that has come from it." 

Then there are other things we will experience in which we never will see the good, at least, as far as we can see. 

In fact-
- it will not be until we get to the other side and see God ​​​​face-to-face that we will understand these things.

Meanwhile,
we must realize that God loves us and is always looking out for our 
eternal benefit, with emphasis on the word "eternal." 

What we sometimes perceive as good could be potentially bad, and what we sometimes perceive as bad could be potentially good.

And sometimes what we think of as bad today may ultimately be good-
- because it changes who we are and makes us more like Jesus!

My Manna

"What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?​" Psalm 116:12.​
A farmer who was known for his frugality owned a cow that 
gave birth to two calves. 

He said to his wife, "I am going to dedicate 
one of these calves to the Lord." 

Knowing his miserly ways, she was 
very surprised and asked which one he was planning to give to the Lord.

"I haven't decided yet, but I'll let you know," he said. 

A few days 
went by, and again she asked which calf he was giving to the Lord. 

"I'm
still thinking about it," he told her. 

Then one day, one of the calves
got sick. 
It grew worse and worse, until one night the farmer walked 
up on the porch with the calf draped over his arms. 

He said to his 
wife, "Honey, I have bad news. The Lord's calf just died."

Many times we tend to give God that which we don't really want 
ourselves. 

Think about a typical day. 
What place do we give to the 
things of God? 

Maybe we utter a quick prayer as we roll out of bed or 
offer some hurried words of thanks over breakfast?

Then we rush off to 
our responsibilities. 
At the end of the day, we say, "Oh, right. I'll 
give God these last four minutes as I'm dozing off."

If God is important, then why do we give Him our ​​​​​​leftovers? 

God 
doesn't want our leftovers. 

In Malachi 1:7-​-8​, God said to Israel, " 'You have despised my name by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. Then you ask, "How have we defiled the sacrifices?" You defile them by 
saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect.' "

God gave us His best. 
Let's give Him our​ be​s​t​.

My Manna

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress..." ​Hebrews 12:1.​

I heard about a great concert violinist who was asked about the secret to her great performances.

She answered:
"Planned neglect. Anything that would keep me from practicing and playing well must be neglected."

I think that some of us could use some planned neglect in our lives, because there is a lot more junk in them than we may realize.

If you don't believe me-
- then try moving from one house to another.

Isn't it amazing how much junk you have collected?

The same is true in our lives.
We take on things we don't need.

Periodically, we needed to jettison this excess weight and let it go.

When the race of life gets difficult-
- we like to blame circumstances,
- other people, or
- sometimes even God.

But we need to remember that if we stumble or fall, it is our own fault.
The Bible says that Jesus' "divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life​.​" 2 Peter 1:3.

The Bible also tells us to lay aside the weight and the sin that hinders our progress​.​Hebrews 12:1.

Notice the distinction:
​W​e are not just to lay aside the sin​.
​W​e also are to lay aside the weight.

In fact, I would suggest periodically asking yourself this question about the uncertain areas of your life:

Is it a wing?
Or is it a weight?

In other words-
- does it speed you on your way in this race you are running?
Or, is it a weight—something that slows you down?

My Manna
​
"Don't copy the behavio​u​r and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do​..." Romans 12:2.

A flock of wild geese was flying south for the winter when one goose looked down and noticed a group of domestic geese by a little pond near a farm.

He noticed they had plenty of grain to eat.

So, he flew down and hung out with these geese until spring and enjoyed the food that was there.

He decided that he would rejoin his flight of geese when they went north again.

When spring came, he heard them overhead and flew up to join them, but he had grown a bit fat from all of the seed.

Flying was difficult, so he decided to spend one more season on the farm and then rejoin the geese on their next winter migration.

When the geese flew south the following fall, the goose flapped his wings a little, but he just kept eating his grain.

He had simply lost interest.

That is what happens in the subtle process of the world influencing our lives.

It is not necessarily dramatic, nor does it usually happen overnight.
It is gradual, causing erosion in our lives as we begin to lower our standards.

Soon, the things of God become less appealing-
- and the things of this world become more appealing.

After awhile, we have no interest in the things of God.

We have a choice​!
​
​E​ither we will be conformed to this world, or we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

It is one or the other.

The only question is-
​​​​​​​Which way will you go?

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2.

An unbiblical lie
My Manna

A great many people believe falsely in purgatory-
- a miserable place where people supposedly go after death. 

In order to advance to heaven-
- a person supposedly must either suffer long enough to make restitution for his or her sins 

- or be prayed out by loved ones still living. 

The doctrine is ​​​​an unbiblical lie-
- because purgatory is a thinly veiled second chance for people to get into heaven.

There is not a single verse with which to defend the false theology of purgatory. 

In fact, the very idea of a second route to heaven runs counter to God's redemptive plan. 

Jesus Christ was the substitute for you and me, and His death paid our sin-debt. 

He obtained our eternal redemption with His blood. Hebrews. 9:12. 

If there is a place where people can go to suffer for their own sins,in other words, pay their own penalty-
- then God sending His Son to die makes no sense.

In John 14:2, Jesus told the disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for His followers. 

Nowhere in Scripture do we find any mention of a detour into misery where we "earn" a pass into heaven. 

The Bible says that believers are either at home in the body, or absent from it and present with the Lord. 

There is simply no in-between stopover. 2 Corinthians 5:8.

I have a responsibility to present biblical truth. 

Those who reject Christ get no second chance after death. 

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.." Hebrews 9:27.

They are eternally separated from God. 

But whoever receives salvation is completely forgiven of all sin and guaranteed an eternity with Him.

My Manna ​
A poll was taken not long ago that asked a group of people what they thought was their main purpose in life. 

The responses were interesting. 

You would
think some would say-
"To make a contribution to society," or 
"To
have a meaningful life." 

But what most people said was-
"The main 
purpose of life is enjoyment and personal fulfillment." 

It's 
interesting to note that 50 percent of those polled identified 
themselves as born-again Christians. 

According to the Bible-
- the purpose of life is not enjoyment and 
personal fulfillment. 
​
The Bible teaches that-
- we are placed on this earth to bring glory to God.

We need to mark that well in our minds and 
hearts. 

God says​:
"All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them."Isaiah 43:7.​​​
​W​e are to glorify God in all that we do with our 
lives. 
Are you using your resources and talents for His glory? 

Sometimes 
we think that it God has given us this life to do with what we will. 

We
may say, "Lord, this is mine. This is my week. Here is your time on 
Sunday morning. The rest of it belongs to me." 
Or
"Here is the plan 
for my life, Lord. Here is what I want to accomplish." 
Or
"This is my
money. Here is your 10 percent, Lord but 10 
percent is all you get." 

We develop a false concept of God.

It's possible to have-
- a saved soul, 
- but a wasted life. 

If you were
asked today-
"What is ​​​​the main purpose of your life?" 
-​​what would you say?

My Manna ​

"For the eyes of the Lord 
run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on 
behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."​2 Chronicles 16:9.​

What kind of people does God want to use? 

We find the same 
pattern throughout Scripture: 
​T​he people God used were faithful in what 
He had placed before them. 
The people that God used for big things were
people who were faithful in the little things. 

Perhaps you have 
considered dedicating your life to Christian service one day, maybe even
in another country. 

That is a good and noble aspiration. 

But how 
about just serving the Lord where you are right now? 
How about seizing 
the opportunities around you today? 

When God used David to defeat Goliath, he was on an errand for his 
father, taking food to his brothers on the front lines. 
But as he was 
faithful in a little way, God gave him more. 

We know that when God 
called Gideon to lead Israel, he was threshing wheat. 
When Elijah 
called Elisha into the Lord's service, he was plowing a field. 
When 
Jesus called Peter and John to become fishers of men, they were mending 
their nets. 

Not one of them was sitting around thinking​:
"I wonder if 
God will ever do anything in my life?" 

They were busy with the work at 
hand. 

While we're looking for distant opportunities-
- we might miss the 
ones that are right in front of us. 

Are you serving the Lord right now 
with what He has called you to do? 

Be faithful in that. 
Do it well. 
Do it as unto the Lord. 

It may seem like your efforts go unnoticed​.

But
there is someone who sees!
And He will one day reward you openly.

My Manna


From what we get-
- we can make a living!

From what we give-
- we can make a life!!

The focus should be on giving rather than on getting.
And that makes all the difference.

As long as our focus is on-
- getting all we can, 
-​ ​canning all we get, 
-​ ​and sitting on that can-
- we're slaves to our money. 

On the other hand-
When we view money as a tool for accomplishing good-
- then it becomes our servant. 

That attitude frees us to use money as God intended-
- to provide for our needs, 
- but also to provide for ​others. 

Jesus addresses the bottom line. 
"You cannot serve God and money." 

Are you the master of your money?
Or is your money your master? 

Master or slave? 
​​​​The choice is yours!

My Manna

"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus". John 11:5.

When Mary and Martha informed Jesus that Lazarus was sick-
- they expected to see their brother recover as soon as the message reached Jesus. 

But nothing happened.

And instead of coming right away-
Jesus intentionally waited for two more days.

By the time He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four days. 

Like Mary and Martha, maybe you had a need that you brought before the Lord-
- only to receive an answer you didn’t want. 

You may have concluded that God doesn’t love you.

But-
God had a different plan than you did. 

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the 
heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8–9. 

Martha and Mary’s message said, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” John 11:3. 

Their word for “love” can be translated, “brotherly love,” which speaks of love that a friend has for a friend. 

Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...”John 3:16.

This word “love” speaks of a sacrificial, agonizing love, which loves a person in spite of anything. 
And this is how Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. 

Mary and Martha only thought of friendship-
- while Jesus thought of sacrificial love. 

They thought of their temporal comfort-
- while Jesus thought of their eternal benefit. 

They wanted a healing-
- while Jesus wanted a resurrection. 

Jesus wanted to do above and beyond what they could ask or imagine.

He loved them with a deeper love. 
And He loves us with a deeper love as well.