My Manna

My Manna

"On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, 'No! He is to be called John.' They said to her, 'There is no one among your relatives who has that name.'" Luke 1:59-61.

Have you ever had to go against public opinion or advice from family members or peers? 

Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. 
It was time to name the child. 

Tradition said the name would be in honour of a family member. 

The family members were insistent. 

When Elizabeth didn't agree with them-
- they appealed to Zechariah who supported Elizabeth.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were told by the angel Gabriel the name was to be "John." 
They were being obedient to the Lord's command which went against tradition and public opinion!

We live in a day when leaders are often driven more by public opinion than what is right. 

We are each called to live a life based on-
- the Bible based decisions, 
- not public opinion. 

Living a life of obedience will often go against the tide of public opinion. 

Jesus lived a life based on a purity of purpose and mission. 

The Pharisees wanted Him to conform to the rules of religious tradition. 
The result was He died because He lived to obey an audience of the One, not public opinion​!​

Are you challenged to live a life of-
- conviction versus 
- compromise?
Be true to what God has called you to do no matter the cost.

My Manna

Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah-
- where she entered Zachariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting-
- the baby leaped inside her, 
-​ ​and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then she exclaimed with a loud cry:
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your offspring! How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! Blessed is she who has believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!" Luke 1:39-45.

Mary was a maze of emotions on her hurried trek to Elizabeth's house.
She was going with congratulations on her cousin's pregnancy.

But to be honest, she needed someone to talk to.
Elizabeth was one of those people who would really care.

We Christians are actually pretty good at responding to a crisis-
- throwing our arms around a hurting friend, 
-​ ​calling to check on someone who needs a listening ear.

But too often when someone-
- encounters a victory in her life, 
-​ ​finds the man of her dreams, or 
-​ ​takes a new job that doubles her salary, 
-​ ​our congratulations are cloaked and guarded.

It seems we're better at mourning with those who mourn than-
- at rejoicing with those who rejoice.

Try going into a new day with your eyes open for the people you'll encounter at the store, the office, the school outing, wherever you're headed.

Give someone your full Attention today.

Promise for Today: God’s Care for Us

God's Care for You Never Ends

“I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be 
your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age. I made
you, and I will care for you.” (Isaiah46:3-4 NLT)
God’s Care for Us

Does God really care?

Absolutely. You were in His heart and mind long before you first took a 
breath. Does He stop caring for you once you’re born?

I love this promise. As my dark brown hair strands begin to turn more gray, 
I don’t mind the white that will eventually follow. It will be another 
reminder
that God’s care is still with me.

There may be times when you wonder if this promise is really true. You look 
at your circumstances–or at others. You look at our world situation. And you
think, did God take a vacation?

As long as we live in a fallen world, we–and others–will experience 
difficulty, trials, and unbelievable challenges. But those whose faith is 
planted firmly
in God’s promises and in His Word, will not be shaken.

God’s Care Never Ends

Treasure it. Believe it. (And enjoy that graying hair!) God cares for 
you–and He will never stop caring for you!

It’s Your Turn
What about you? What Bible promise will you claim this year?

My Manna
For months-Zechariah has been ‹silenced. ‹Luke 1:68-75.

He was silenced by an angel because of his lack of faith in God's ability to cause his old, childless wife to become pregnant. 

I imagine these have been difficult months-
- months in which Zechariah has longed to process this wild miracle and to verbalize his amazement. 

And I'm sure his wife, Elizabeth, has yearned to know what had happened and, like her husband, to talk through the experience.

Perhaps, though, the silence in their household has allowed Zechariah to consider his wife's pregnancy in light of the ancient prophecies. 

He knows that the prophets spoke of a messenger-
- one who would appear ahead of the Lord to proclaim the Lord's coming and prepare God's people for God's arrival.
And now Zechariah has had nine whole months to let it sink in that this messenger is his son. 
More than that, it means the prophecies of old have been realized. 

This is the moment.

If the messenger is here, the Lord is not far behind. 

The Lord is looking favourably on his people and redeeming them. 
He is showing the mercy he promised ages ago. 

He is remembering his covenant.

God has given Zechariah the power of speech once again.
And Zechariah is putting it to good use-
- telling the Israelites what he has come to understand over these months of silence:

The messenger is here. 
The Lord is on his way.
"Faithful God, thank you for remembering your covenant. 
Thank you for not forgetting your people; especially me.Amen"

My Manna​

"The Lord has done this for me...he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace." Luke 1:25.

Like Zechariah, Elizabeth is described as “righteous.” v. 6. 
We know that she was “childless” and “very old.” v. 7. 

Elizabeth was descended from the line of Aaron, the priestly line. 
Her reputation and lineage were impeccable. 

She and Zechariah had prayed for God to give them a child-
- but now the realities of biology had led them to think that God’s answer was no.

Zechariah left the temple, unable to speak, and those who were present realized he had seen a vision. 
He motioned to them but was unable to explain. v. 22. 
He returned home, which was probably not far from Jerusalem.

Scripture doesn’t tell us how he conveyed the wonderful, shocking news to his wife-
- but the text implies that they responded to this news in faith. 

Elizabeth indeed became pregnant.

As was the custom of the time, Elizabeth kept herself in “seclusion” for five months. 
This pregnant elderly woman saw her growing belly as an outward sign of God’s favour. v. 25. 

Indeed, in Scripture, children are a blessing from God. Deuteronomy. 28:4; Psalm 128:3. 
The child growing in her womb was a miraculous answer to her prayers.

Many women throughout the Bible struggled with infertility: 
Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and now Elizabeth. 

Each prayer was answered-
- but not always in an expected way. 

Their stories also reveal something about the tender heart of God toward these women who longed to be mothers.

At Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour-
- we can also give thanks for the children in our lives. 

Also pray for those who struggle with infertility-
- that God will provide hope and comfort in their times of need. 

Pray to the God who blessed Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth that-
He will continue to answer prayers in unexpected ways.

My Manna​

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.” Luke 1:13.

​T​he angel tells Zechariah that his prayer for a child has been heard; his wife, Elizabeth, will have a son. 

Does this mean Zechariah has been praying continually until this time, even though he and his wife were both “well along in years”? 

That would be a very persistent prayer-
-​ ​like a farmer praying for a harvest even in the dead of winter!

Maybe the angel is referring to prayers that Zechariah offered to God long ago, before Zechariah’s face was lined with wrinkles and Elizabeth was past the age of childbearing. 

Maybe at some point they looked up after offering yet another “Please send us a child” prayer and said to each other, “It’s no 
use.” 

Either way-
God’s answer to Zechariah’s prayer was a miracle.

But the prayer of this couple isn’t the only prayer God is about to answer. 

There’s Simeon’s prayer for the consolation for Israel​.​ Luke 2:25​Anna’s prayer for the redemption of Israel (Luke 2:38)​.
A​nd countless prayers for a Messiah to fulfill the old promises. 

God is about to respond to all these prayers and more!

What are you praying for these days? 

Is it okay with you if God responds according to his own timetable, in ways that serve his perfect plan? 

In the meantime, simply trust that someday God will show you too that your prayer has been heard.

​"​We trust you, O God. Help us in our mistrust. And help us to ​​pray persistently. We know you hear us. Help us to see that by your will and in your time all will be complete. Amen.​"​

My Manna​

Luke 1 also tells of a miraculous birth to the high priest Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth. 

Both are “advanced in years” and Elizabeth is barren, so a baby would be considered virtually impossible. 

Yet, while he is praying and burning incense in the temple, an angel appears to him. 

“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John” Luke 1:13. 
Like Mary, he questions the angel. 

“And Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years” Luke 1:18​.​ 
So the angel tells Zechariah that he will be silent and unable to speak until the day these things come to pass, because he did not believe his words.

Why did the angel answer Mary’s question but punish Zechariah? 

Because Mary believed that the miracle would happen​.​S​he was simply questioning how it would come to pass, whereas Zechariah wondered if he could trust that the angel’s prophecy would really happen at all. 
It was just a slight difference in wording​-- but a huge ​​gap in belief​!​

God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers. 
And He doesn’t even mind us wondering how in the world He’s going to get something done. 

All He asks of us is that we believe that it can be done

My Manna

Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. Luke 1:13

w‹hen Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 

And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 

But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. Luke 1:8-13

At the time that Zechariah was visited by the angel, there were thousands of priests in Israel. 

His experience was literally a once in a lifetime opportunity- 
- because there were so many priests, 
it was not allowed for a priest to burn incense in the temple more than once in his lifetime. 

God had thousands of men to choose from and yet Zechariah was ‹ingled out to be the father of the forerunner to Jesus Christ!

What have you been singled out to do? 
Why did God create you? 
What is He calling you to do that only you can fulfill? 

If you don't know- why not ask Him? 
God wants to use you in a powerful way to expand His Kingdom!

My Manna

Can you imagine how excited Zechariah and Elizabeth were? 

Zechariah was about to experience a once in a life time experience.​​Luke 1:5-20​​.​

I'm sure he would have felt concern about leaving Elizabeth at home to take care of all that needed to be done by herself, but his two week session at the temple was part of his yearly duties as a priest.

He was chosen, by lot, to be the one and only priest to enter the Holiest of Holies in the temple-
- to burn incense while presenting offerings morning and night. 

He was to offer prayers up to God for God's people. 

This entering of the Holiest of Holies only happened once in a priest life. 

He had a huge responsibility​.
A​nd God was right there waiting for the prayers and offerings.

Elizabeth and Zechariah were a Godly couple. 
Luke said they were blameless. 

They were getting on in years but one thing was missing all those years. 
They missed the joy of having children.

As a priest Zechariah taught the Israelites the Laws of God. 
As a Jewish man one of his pleasures would be to teach his own son about God. 

So Elizabeth and Zechariah lived with the emptiness of not having children and the stigma attached to being Jewish without children. 
Maybe they still secretly prayed for the child they longed to have even at their older age. 

God knew them and their hearts and God had a Wonderful plan for Elizabeth and Zechariah.

The big day finally came. 

He was in the temple smelling the rising incense and burnt offerings going up in the smoke with the prayers being sent up to God. 

Who knows if he might have even mentioned in this special place and time his heart's desire for a child. 
But suddenly to his right at the altar the angel Gabriel appeared. 

Since Zechariah was to be there alone it startled him. 
But Gabriel told him not to be afraid, He said, "You're prayer has been heard and Elizabeth will bear you a son."
​​
Well ​​w​​orth the wait wouldn't you say? 
He is the one before Jesus and his life and name are important to this very day!

Do you ever pray and pray for weeks even years the same prayer and wonder if God hears or cares about your prayer. 

Do you ever think it's too late...this prayer is never going to be answered. 

Just look what God did for Elizabeth and Zechariah. 

In God's infinite wisdom and timing he answered their prayer in a magnificent way. 
Something they couldn't have imagined to pray for themselves. 

Be patient we don't know God's whole plan for us and He will answer you.

"Heavenly Father, I know you hear every word we speak to you and You know our hearts desires.
Help me to be Godly person, help me to see Your will for me each and every day. 
Help me be patient and consistent in my prayer life." Amen.

My Manna

Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." Luke 1:13. 

Zechariah is not a name-
- that is mentioned often when faithful men of the Bible are spoken of. 

He is only mentioned in the Gospel of Luke-
- because he is the father of the great John the Baptist, the fore runner of the Messiah, Jesus. 

While there aren't books written about him or any other mentions in the Bible-
- he is someone we can look to as an example of faithfulness.

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were old in age and did not have children. Luke 1:7. 
In that day, being childless usually brought sorrow to the family and shame from those around them. Luke 1:25. 

Outsiders would often think that there was sin in the lives of the couple-
- and that childlessness is the means by which God is punishing them. 

During all of this though-
Zechariah chose to remain faithful to God in his work as a priest and in his prayers for a child of his own.

Zechariah could have easily-
- stopped praying, 
- became bitter, and 
- stopped working for the God who was not providing a child for him. 

However, this is not how Zechariah's story ends. 

We know that God did in fact answer his prayers and proved himself faithful by blessing him with a son, John the Baptist. 

We can be encouraged that God hears our prayers-
- and answers them in His timing for a greater blessing than we could have ever imagined.

Let us remember to recall the story of God's faithfulness to Zechariah at moments in our lives when we are tempted to ‹give up on God.

My Manna
He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:16-17. 

One day Zechariah was doing his duty as a priest before the Lord. 
Suddenly an angel appeared before him. 

As you can imagine, Zechariah was terrified. 

But the angel told the trembling priest unbelievable news
Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

The angel explained that many would rejoice in John's birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. 

This son would bring many back to the Lord. 
He would live in the spirit and power of the great prophet Elijah. 

This miracle baby would-
make ready a p‹eople prepared for the Lord.

God has the same promise for you. 

He is working in your heart to do great things for him. 
Every believer lives with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

You have everything you need to do-
- what God has called you to do. 

God is writing his story in you! 

He will use you for eternal purposes. 
He will use you to prepare yourself, your family, and your friends for God.

Father, thank you for using me to prepare others for Jesus. 
Help me be ready and willing to be used by you.

My Manna

"In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord'¹s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Luke 1:5-7.

Zechariah was a priest. 
His wife, Elizabeth, was a descendant of Aaron, Israel's first priest. 
Both came from a long line of God-fearers and followers. 

Zechariah and Elizabeth continued in this spiritual heritage. 
They lived their lives in a way that honoured God. 

While they were not perfect, both observed the Lord¹s commands with consistent obedience. 

They desired to serve the Lord. 
And they had another deep desire that had gone unfulfilled for many years.

Zechariah and Elizabeth longed to have a child. 
They wanted a son or daughter running around their home bringing noise, laughter, and joy. 

They rejoiced with the other couples that had children. 
They knew many families with a house full. 

But now they were past childbearing years. 

God had a plan
He used this godly couple to bring into the world the one who would prepare the way for Jesus.

Maybe you can relate to the emotions of Zechariah and Elizabeth. 
Maybe a longing of your heart has not been fulfilled. 

I challenge you to keep believing. 

God is not finished writing your story. 
He may still meet the longing of your heart€ ¢â’ ¦or he may give you a new dream.

"Lord, help me continue to believe. 
Don'’¹t let me give up on you. 
If my dream is not yours, help me to lay it down and embrace your desire for my life. 
In Jesus name. Amen.

My Manna

Sometimes, when things aren't going as well as we hope-
- we are tempted to give up on our righteous commitments to God. 

"What's the use?" we sometimes think to ourselves, "It surely doesn't seem to be paying off for me!" 

God gives us Zechariah and Elizabeth to help us-
- not give up in our discouragement, impatience, and frustration. 

The beginning of the Gospel ​of  Luke ​is found in two, old, faithful followers of God. 

They were righteous in God's eyes-
- even though their most fervent desire to have a child had not been granted by God. 

They honoured God because it was right. 

Out of that faithfulness came the beginning of our salvation story in Luke. 

So the next time you find yourself discouraged and ready to give up because your prayers seem unanswered-
- remember this old couple and their ​​​​​​j​​oyous surprise! 

It’s worth the wait to share in God’s glory!

"Holy and righteous God, my Abba Father, forgive me for the times that I have let discouragement and impatience cause me to stumble and even give up for a time. I do believe that you are at work in my life and want to use my life to help others find Jesus. Please give me strength to live before you righteously as Zechariah and Elizabeth did. In Jesus' name I pray.​"​ Amen.

My Manna​

We will look at an older man who was indeed aging well and who played a key role in setting the stage for the Nativity. 

In Luke 1:5, we meet Zechariah, who lived in the time of Herod. 
Herod the Great ruled from 40 to 4 ​BC​​.​
While Herod is mentioned here, his role in the Nativity is more significant later in the story.

We also learn that Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were “righteous in the sight of God.” v. 6. 

This alone is a high compliment-
- and the verse goes on to say that they were blameless in their spiritual walk. 

But despite their faithfulness to God-
Zechariah and Elizabeth were barren.

They had been unable to have children and were “very old.” v. 7. 

Note that at the beginning of the Nativity story-
- before telling of the miraculous birth of our Saviour, 
- we meet a couple physically unable to bear children. 

​​​​​​They needed a miracle​!​

At this time of year, one priest would be chosen to enter the temple and offer incense. v. 8. 
According to Bible scholars, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for any priest. 

Zechariah was deeply honoured. 
We are told that people gathered outside to pray during the offering. v. 10. 

Imagine Zechariah’s surprise when an angel of the Lord appeared to him, just to the right of the altar! 
What he did not know was that the angel would deliver news that would change his life forever.

Apply the Word Zechariah realized that he was in the presence of God-
- yet he was shocked to see an angel waiting to deliver a personal message to him. 

Are you aware that God is present with you as well? 
And He will use His Word and His Holy Spirit to speak directly into your life. 

As you spend time in prayer-
- tell God that you are open to hearing His message to you.

My Manna

There was a priest of Abijah's division named Zachariah.

He was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood-
- to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. Luke 1:​8-10.​

An angel of the Lord appeared to him and said "Do not be afraid, Zachariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John."

"How can I know this?" Zachariah asked the angel. "For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years."

The angel answered him "You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."

Zachariah was an old man.
Won't he be dumbfounded to find out - at his age - that he's going to be a first-time daddy?

Your prayer has been heard, Zachariah.

Prayer?
What prayer?

Oh, he had prayed himself blue in the face back when Elizabeth was of childbearing age.

For forty years or more he had prayed.
But after a while, you just resign yourself to the facts.

Wonder how long God had been saving that prayer-
- like a letter folded up in his breast pocket,
- waiting for just the right time to answer it?

If he'd answered it any sooner, no one would have paid attention.

So Elizabeth is expecting?
Well, it's about time.

Doubt is not the opposite of faith.
But an element of faith.

I have faith that-
- there is an all-loving God in spite of the fact that I have no sure way of knowing that there is.

When God's Word asks you to believe something that's simply ​​​​​​​​beyond belief, then you get to decide:

Will you trust your five senses-
- or have sense enough just to believe Him?

My Manna​

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah.

His wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 
But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 
And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 
When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 

But the angel said to him:
"Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their  God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:13-17.

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

When he came out, he could not speak to them. 
They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. Luke 1:5-20, Luke 1:22, Luke 1:24

Zechariah and his wife suffered unfulfilled longings. 
Though they were faithful servants of God, they had to endure the pain and disgrace of childlessness.

But Zechariah didn’t let his disappointments keep him from service. 

He did not get distracted from his duties to the Lord and to his community. 

God would override nature (as he had with Abraham and Sarah before) to prove His faithfulness. 
Elizabeth, a senior citizen, would bear a child. 

Their years of waiting and watching and hoping and praying would find their fulfillment in the birth of a son, a very special son.

As we grapple with our own unfulfilled yearnings and unmet needs, may we remember that the events of so long ago echo in our lives today. 

We still long for fulfillment.
We still desire someone who will meet our needs. 

God will provide. 
God will send His Son.

"Dear Lord, I confess that I am often impatient with the processes of this world. I grow frustrated with the challenges and unexpected troubles that crop up so often. But when I think more deeply, I realize that these ​​​​setbacks and circumstances can accomplish more to shape my character than having everything go my way. It is through such difficulties that patience, steadfastness and fortitude are forged by Your wise and loving hands. May I learn to wait on You, to hope in You, to trust in You, to delight myself in You and to unreservedly commit my ways to You. In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen."

My Manna

It’s Advent in here.
 
Advent is the season-
- that the church has marked off to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ.

It occupies the weeks leading up to Christmas Day-
- beginning four Sundays before Christmas.
 
As Christians-
- our anticipation of the coming of Jesus is twofold. 

On the one hand-
- we enter into the story of Israel, year after year, 
- and remember what it was like for God’s people to wait for the promised Messiah. 

We wait​ed​ for Jesus to come as a little baby.
 
On the other hand-
- we also anticipate the time when Jesus will come again in glory. 

We wait in eager expectation for his return-
- when he will set all things right and dwell with us in peace forever.
 
"Long-awaited Messiah, 
I want to humble myself as I look toward your coming. 
Help me to set aside my tasks and instead attend to you. 
Work in my spirit. 
Make me ready. Amen

My Manna

​"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."  James 1:17.

In 1674, an Anglican priest wrote a simple song of praise for his students at England’s Winchester College.

Although the understated lyrics expressed praise to God for his wonderful blessings-
- he was careful to warn the boys to only sing the hymn in the privacy of their dorm rooms during their personal devotions.

Why all the secrecy? 

At that time the church believed hymns should only include words directly from the Bible. 
Using your own lyrics was like adding words to scripture itself. 

Blasphemy? 
No. 
Praise should be words consistent with scripture.

But what beautiful and simple words they were! 

The hymn shouted its praise to the source of all our blessings-
- announced with a joy and passion for all God’s glory. 

Fortunately this hymn, which is today referred to as the Doxology-
- was soon taken from the shadows and saw its popularity quickly spread. 

Do you catch the irony here? 

This hymn, first used in secret-
- quickly became the most frequently sung piece of music used in public worship!

Just before you dive into your Thanksgiving Day-
- consider singing these joyful words of praise as your ​​​​​​​​Thanksgiving prayer:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him, above ye Heavenly Host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen

My Manna

"If the sun is shining in the morning, I'll do it."
"If he's there when I open the door, I'll know he's the one."
"If I pass the class on world missions, I'll be a missionary. If not, I'll be a local pastor."

We all know better than this, but it's amazing how often scenarios just like these pop into our minds.

Such propositions are referred to as "laying a fleece" before the Lord or "​​​​​​seeking a sign."

The term fleece comes from the account of Gideon.
In Judges 6, Gideon is called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites.

Gideon questions whether God is even for Israel (verse 13), and he doubts his own ability (verse 15). So he asks God for a sign (verse 17).
 
God gives him one, then tells him to tear down the altar of Baal.
Gideon is afraid to go during the day, so he goes at night.

Then he questions again whether God will deliver Israel.
This time he puts a lamb's fleece on the ground.

If God will deliver Israel, then the lamb's fleece will be wet in the morning and the ground around it will be dry.

The next morning it is so.
 
That ought to satisfy him, right?
Wrong!
 
Wanting to be sure, and hoping that God won't get too mad, Gideon asks Him to do it again, but this time with the opposite result (i.e., the fleece dry and the ground wet).

Not exactly the stuff heroes are made of.

But God answers Gideon's request and then He reduces Gideon's army down to 300 men!

The whole point of the passage is that God, not man, is the deliverer.

God chose a man desperately seeking assurance and reduced an army down to nothing so that the victory would clearly be His.
 
The fleece wasn't a means of demonstrating faith​.​
​I​t was just the opposite.
And it certainly wasn't used to determine God's will.

God had already told Gideon what to do.
 
Gideon was questioning the integrity of God-
- just as we do if we ask for a fleece when God has already shown us His will.
 
"An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign." Matthew 12:39.
 
As God's people-
Let's seek the face of God.
Let us search the Word of God!

"Lord, forgive me for the times I have looked for sign instead of seeking Your face.
I commit myself today to walk only in the faith revealed in Your Word."

My Manna

"But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are theclay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." Isaiah 64:8. 
Early in the last century-- sculptor Gutzon Borglum gazed at thecliffs of South Dakota's Black Hills. 

As any great artist would-He sawwhat no one else could the sculpted faces of US presidents GeorgeWashington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. 

After 14 years, he finally completed his project-Mount Rushmore.

How in the world did Borglum foresee such a work of art by lookingat a cliff? 

He envisioned-- what those Black Hills could become.

God is envisioning what we are to become in Him!
But in order for the Himto make a beautiful monument of us-- we must allow ourselves to ​​​​​​be moldable​!​

He wants to mold us into the image He desires-His own! 

He wants to chipaway at our rough edges-- and make us into a fine work of art, 
- that all whosee us will be awed and enriched. 

In the hands of a great artist-- we can becreated into incredible works of art that survive the ages, 
- even after wehave passed through this life into the next! 

Let's become moldable in the Father's hands-- and makeHim proud to show off what He's created!

My Manna 
"He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name." Philippians 2:8-9.

If you're with Jesus-- you're on the way up!  When Jesus came to the lowest point of emptying Himself-- even the death on the cross, - from that very moment, - everything is higher and higher! This is true with everyone who sides with Lord Jesus too. 
"We are raised up to sit in heavenly places," Ephesians 2:6. "We are built up in the most holy faith," Jude 1:20 . "Therefore hope is laid up for us in heaven," Colossians 1:5. "A crown of righteousness laid up for us," 2 Timothy 4:8. "One day we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air" 1 Thessalonians 4:17 .  Every reference to the career of Jesus from the point of the cross is always up!​​​​
Now-You have a choice! You can follow the career of the loser!Or you can follow the career of the Lord!!
It's your choice!

My Manna

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers." Philippians 4:6.

Historians will probably call our era “the age of anxiety.” 

​​​​​​Anxiety is the natural result-
- when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us. 

When we make anything else our goal, frustration and defeat are inevitable. 

Though we have less to worry about than previous generations, we have more worry.
Though we have it easier than our forefathers, we have more uneasiness. 
Though we have less real cause for anxiety than our predecessors, we are inwardly more anxious. 

Calloused hands were the badge of the pioneer-
- but a furrowed brow is the insignia of modern man.

God has never promised to remove all our troubles, problems, and difficulties. 

In fact, sometimes I think the truly committed Christian is in conflict with the society around him more than any other person. 

Society is going in one direction​.
​A​nd the Christian is going in the opposite direction. 

This brings about friction and conflict. 

But God has promised-
- in the midst of trouble and conflict, a genuine peace, a sense of assurance and security, that the worldly person never knows.
​
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me." Psalm 23:4.
​
"Lord Jesus, teach me to keep my eyes centered on You rather than on myself and my anxieties. Help me to allow You to give me peace of heart and mind today."

My Manna

One of the favorite traditions of this season is to illuminate the night with lights. 

Neighbourhoods, businesses, homes and worship places all burst in patterns of red, green, and white. 
This tradition is well suited to the real celebration of the season. 

The Bible says that when Jesus Christ was born-
- the light came into the world. John 3:19.

In fact, more than 200 times throughout the Bible-
God is described as light. 

Figuratively and literally, whenever God appears, light appears. 

It happened in the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, and all the way at the end of time when the book of Revelation tells us that in hell there will only be darkness and in heaven there will only be light.

We remember the day in history when Jesus stepped from heaven to earth-
- bringing with Him the light that drives out the darkness in our hearts. 

The Bible says, “In (Christ) was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4.

You may be wondering, what does this have to do with me? 
Or, what does it mean to have the light of life? 

There are many ways to describe the gift that God wants to give you, but let’s start here. 
Ask yourself, “What should I do with the light of the world?”

Jesus said:
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12.

The Light exhibits the right way.

Have you ever been in some pitch-black place when you couldn’t even see your hand in front of your face? 
That’s what life is like without Jesus. 

Every person who turns to Jesus Christ sincerely by faith-
He helps find their way out of the darkness. 

If you’ve ever felt lost, alone, and trapped—searching but not finding, Jesus Christ is the light.
If you’ve ever felt cruelly crushed under the wrongs done in this fallen world, Jesus Christ is the light.
If you’ve ever felt perplexed by an issue or circumstance that you can’t figure out, Jesus Christ is the light.

The Light exposes your heart.

Think back to that pitch-black place—now light a candle. 
Suddenly darkness is chased away. 
But it begins by facing the hard reality of who you are: a person in need of God’s grace.

When you come to the light, all that is devious and sour in you is exposed.
When you come to the light, everything that is dirty and shameful in you is exposed.
When you come to the light, all that is dark and sinful in you is exposed.

The darkness of your heart can’t be denied anymore; it can’t be hidden or pushed away. 
But you can’t experience what the light of Jesus Christ offers you until you first let it expose who you really are.

We are all born with a sinful, dark heart. 
That doesn’t change until we first recognize how desperately we need God and how we have broken His law and are under His just condemnation. Romans 3:23. 

When you choose to come to Jesus, the light-- the first thing that happens is that the light exposes your heart.

The Light expels the darkness.

Now for the good news. 
When you expose your heart to the light and you see what you really need, the light of Jesus Christ chases away that darkness that is in your heart.

There is no darkness in any human being that the gospel can’t get to. 
There’s no place where you have been where Jesus’ light can not go. 
There’s no sin that you have fallen into that the light can not overwhelm with grace. 
No sin is so dark that the light of Christ can not penetrate its depths.

What qualifies Jesus for this transaction? 
As God’s Son, He took on all your sin—and the sin of the world—when He died on the cross in your place. 

His blood covered the darkness of sin.
He paid the complete price. 
He deserved none of it but He took all of it. 

Jesus suffered and died to set you free.

Sin offers only suffering, sadness, shame, and slavery. 
But Jesus, the light, brings hope, healing, forgiveness, life, and love. 

It’s your choice. 
Make today the day that you are saved from the darkness of sin. 
Don’t put it off. 

By faith, ask Jesus the Light to come into your life!​For He is the real​​​​ ​D​ivine ​Deepavali!​

My Manna

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.
I have read how, in 1929, business tycoon J.C. Penney was in the hospital because of his severe anxiety. 
One night he was sure he was going to die, so he wrote farewell letters to his wife and son.

But he survived the night, and hearing singing the next morning in the chapel, felt drawn to go in. 
A group was singing, "God will take care of you," after which followed Bible reading and prayer.

Penney said, "Suddenly something happened. I can't explain it. It was a miracle. I felt as if I had been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into warm brilliant sunlight. I felt as if I had been transported from hell to paradise. I felt the power of God as I had never felt it before.

"I realized then that I alone was responsible for all my troubles. I knew that God with his love was there to help me. From that day to this, my life has been free from worry. The most dramatic and glorious minutes of my life were those I spent in that chapel that morning."

Most causes of anxiety and worry lie within ourselves. 
At best they are triggered by outside circumstances. 

Only when we admit to and resolve these causes-
- are we free to fully surrender our worries and anxieties to God and experience his peace.

Whether this peace comes instantly or over a period of time doesn't matter. 

The important truth to remember is that God is always there. 
His love and power are constant and available to all. 

As we reach out to Him through the fog of our worry and damaged emotions-
- we discover that He is waiting to help us if only we will be totally open and honest with Him, respond to His love, and give Him the chance to help us.

Every day, visualize Jesus being with you and opening yourself to receive His love, joy and peace. 

The ultimate source of ​​​​worry-free living is found-
- in learning to trust God fully for every detail and in every circumstance of our life.

"Dear God, commit and trust my life and every circumstance in which I find myself to You. I choose to trust You regardless of my feelings, and please help my feelings to catch up with my choice to trust You. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, Amen."

My Manna

"Let us not become weary in doing good: for in due season we will reap, if we don't faint."​ ​Galatians 6:9.

Had Thomas Edison not been a man of faith, perseverance and determination-
- we may still be working by gaslight or, 
- at least, it may have been many years before the first electric light was seen.

It has been reported that Edison failed over 6,000 times before perfecting the first electric light bulb.

On one occasion a young journalist challenged Edison saying to him:
"Mr. Edison, why do you keep trying to make light by using electricity when you have failed so many times? Don't you know that gas lights are with us to stay?"

To this Edison replied:
"Young man, don't you realize that I have not failed but have successfully discovered six thousand ways that won't work!"

Because Edison believed an electric light was possible, he refused to give up. 

He tried countless types of material in his search for a filament that would work. 
He sent men to China, Japan, South America, Asia, Jamaica, Ceylon and Burma to search for fibers to test in his laboratory—all to no avail.

On October 21, 1879, after thirteen months of repeated failures-
Edison finally succeeded in finding a filament that would work. 

While experimenting, the thought came to him, "Why not try a carbonized cotton fiber?"

After going through two spools of cotton, he eventually perfected a strand only to break it while trying to place it in a glass tube. 

He still persevered with this idea for two more days and nights without sleep. 

Finally he succeeded in placing a carbonized thread into a vacuum-sealed bulb! 

​​​​Eureka!
It worked.

"Dear God, thank You that You have a mission in life for me to fulfill. Give me the insight to know what it is, the faith to believe You will help me, the courage to attempt to do it, and the perseverance to hang in there and 'not faint' till my life's work is done. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name,

My Manna

According to an article in Today in the Word-
"In the spring of 1981, a young man was flown into desolate northern Alaska to photograph the natural beauty and mysteries of the tundra.

He took along 500 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1,400 pounds of provisions.

"As the months passed, the words in his diary changed from wonder and fascination into a nightmare.

In August he wrote-
'I think I should have used more foresight about arranging my departure.
I'll soon find out.'

In November he died in a nameless valley, by a nameless lake, 225 miles northeast of Fairbanks.

An investigation revealed that though he had carefully planned his trip, he had made no provision to be flown out."

Difficult to imagine; isn't it?
How could anyone be so foolish or even forgetful?

He made every provision for his journey except how to get home!
"How tragic," we say.

And yet, how many of us make every provision for life here on earth but no preparation for our departure?

God has warned us in his Word, the Bible, that there is life after death...after which is God's judgment.

And as he warned the nation of Israel to prepare to meet God; He warns us to do the same. Amos 4:12.

We need to do this today.
After death it is too late.

As God's Word also says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Hebrews 9:27.

And how do we prepare to meet God?
By confessing our sins to God and accepting his Son, Jesus, as our personal Lord and Saviour.

Doing this is getting our " Passport to Eternity in Heaven."

"Dear God, please help me to make certain that I don't leave this life without making preparation for life beyond death.
Help me to accept Your provision.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, Amen."