My Manna

My Manna

"Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." 1 Corinthians 7:20.

In Webster's Dictionary, you will find there are fifty-nine definitions of the word, "calling!" 

Fifty-nine! 

What is the Biblical definition of calling? 
A "calling" is a summons by God.

Those of you that were drafted into the military know what it's like to get a letter saying you've been drafted into the military. 

That is a summons by the government for you to serve in the military. 

God gives a summons!
It's a summons to follow Him. 
It's a summons to trust Him. 

As a matter of fact, in all callings-
- there is a calling to serve, 
- a calling of sanctity, 
- a calling of sacrifice. 

That's why military service often is referred to as a calling, 
- because the same kind of things are involved-
- sacrifice, sanctity, service, 
- when you are receiving a calling of God. 

But that's not all. 

There's also a calling-
- to leave the familiar and 
- venture into the unknown. 

And that causes us to feel inadequate and insecure at times about the calling. 

But this is good-
- for it forces us to depend on God. 

When Jesus Christ calls-
- it is most of all a call to follow Him. 

Then, as we follow Him-
He calls us to specific places of service. 

Have you accepted His call?
​I have!

My Manna

Why is there such a thing as Christian yoga? 

It certainly has no biblical basis in support of it. 
Yoga is a Hindu practice and has no place in the church. 

The description of yoga is contradictory with Christianity.
Its practice strives to unite the individual soul with the "greater soul" of the universe. 

It is a whole series of ritual appreciations to the sun, being thankful for that source of energy.

If I were to go to a Hindu temple and tell them-
"Get on your knees, clasp your hands together and repeat over and over again, I accept Jesus Christ as my personal saviour". 

Do you think they would embrace it? 
So why do you as Christians embrace their religious prayer, meditation or practice? 

When you ask them about why they practice yoga, it is almost always related to stress relief. 

Yoga’s main selling point is stress relief. 
Supporters of yoga state that the stress relief comes from the practice of yoga. 

No!
Stress relief doesn't come-
- from a practice, 
- but from a person:
Jesus!

He says,"Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.

If your reason for practicing “Christian” yoga is to come closer to God-
- why would you believe that a Hindu ritual would accomplish this? 

I believe that many Christians who practice yoga may genuinely want to come closer to the Lord-
- but due to a lack of proper biblical knowledge they resort to a false practices!

So why is there "Christian" yoga at all?

Many are simply ignorant that it is a Hindu religious practice.
Many churches look it as a "hip" new way to attract people. 
Increasing the numbers coming into the church is more important than worrying about its Hindu religious roots.

Rather than trying to persuade Christians that they are in error-
- they have chosen to accommodate their error and call it "Christian" yoga to make them feel better.

Why do we need to combine any form of exercise with prayer? 

When the disciples asked Jesus how they should pray-
- did he respond by saying let’s begin with push ups? 

No, of course not. 
We can easily pray and without any exercise or gymnastics.

Keep churches-
- as a place as a worship center,
- not as a fitness club.

Study the Bible to come closer to God!

My Manna

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11.

I once read a strange story in the news about a plumber who was called in to unclog a drain. 

He had one of those snake-like devices that runs down into a drain and keeps running until the drain is cleaned out.

But this time, the "snake" did a strange thing. 
It went outside of the house through an open vent and into the house next door. 

Then it went down through a vent, came out, and grabbed a ten-year-old girl who was playing in her backyard. 

Fortunately, her little brother started crying, and they stopped. 
The fire department had to use cable cutters to set the girl free.

After reading that story-
I thought about how sin can be that way. 

You never know where it's going to go. 

When we commit a sinful act-
- we don't realize the repercussions that can take place and the other lives that can be impacted by it.

Billy Graham once said, "Immorality is an epidemic in our churches just as it is in the secular world at large...No wonder the world is in crisis."

God has a lot to say about immorality-
- and specifically adultery, in Scripture. 

It made His Top Ten list-
- the Ten Commandments. 

It was, in some cases, punishable by death. 
And we see it addressed in the New Testament as well.

God has told us not to commit adultery for good reason. 

When you cross that line of protection that God has placed around your and your spouse's life, you do so at your own peril. 

And the repercussions of that sin can last-
- for months, years, and yes, even a lifetime.

My Manna

“The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.’ Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’ 2 Kings 4:1-7.

‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a little oil.’ 

Elisha said, ‘Go around and ask all your neighbours for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.’

She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. 

They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 

When all the jars were full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another one.‘ 

But he replied, ‘There is not a jar left.’

Then the oil stopped flowing. 
She went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.’”

At the place where you have nothing at all, in your desperation, look and see the “little oil” that you have, not what you don’t have. 

It may be-
- a financial need, or 
- the grace to handle a difficult person, or 
- the courage to try something new. 

Your identity may be at stake, because in the Old Testament world when a woman’s husband died, she lost her identity and standing in the community. 

Do not major on your inadequacy or lack. 

Don’t bind yourself with-
“I can’t...” “It’s impossible...” “I’ll never be able to…”

Look into the face of God, listen for his voice, and follow his instruction. 

Whatever he says, do it quickly and thoroughly. 

Gather “empty jars,” as many as he says. 
Behind closed doors, in your prayer closet, present the vessels to him in the secret place. 

The widow poured oil into each one until it was full. 

Keep doing whatever God says. 
The oil flowed until all the vessels were filled, as many as the widow presented to God. 

Today be blessed to know that whatever “jars” of your emptiness you present-
God will fill them full with provision for today and for the future.

Watch over this process of obedience to him. 

The wise widow did not tell the neighbours what she was doing. 

Some people cannot understand your journey. 
Everyone does not see what you see or have the relationship with God that you have. 

You are uniquely in process with him. 

Others may try to talk you out of your faith, or discourage you, or make you feel inadequate and unworthy. 

Listen to God and protect his communication with you by knowing when to speak and when to be silent.

Be confident that your Father takes good care of what is his. 
Sparrows find nesting places, and panting deer find water. 

You are more valuable than all of these.Matthew 6:26. 
He numbers the hairs on your head, and he knows your needs.Matthew 6:32. 
He promises to feed you with the finest wheat and satisfy you with honey from the rock.Psalm 81:16. 

He himself is your provision. 
Be blessed in his daily blessings, answered prayers, and undeserved favours.

Be blessed in the name of the Eternal God,whose everlasting arms uphold you.Deuteronomy 33:27.

My Manna

"For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come."1 Timothy 4:8. 

For many, yoga is-
- simply a system of physical exercise, 
- a means of strengthening the body, 
- improving flexibility, and 
- even healing or preventing a variety of bodily ailments. 

But if we inquire into the history and philosophy of yoga we discover that “much more than a system of physical exercise for health, Yoga is an ancient path to spiritual growth.” 

It is a path enshrined in much of the Hindu literatures of India.

Thus, if we truly want a better understanding of yoga-
- we must dig beneath the surface and examine the historical roots of the subject.

Before we begin digging, however, we must first understand what the term “yoga” actually means.

According to tradition, ‘yoga’ means ‘union,’ the union…of the finite ‘jiva’ (transitory self) with the infinite’...Brahman’ (eternal Self).

Brahman” is a term often used for the Hindu concept of “god,” or Ultimate Reality. 
It is an impersonal, divine substance that “pervades, envelops, and underlies everything.”

With this in mind, let’s briefly look at three key texts that will help us chart the origin and development of yoga within India.

It appears that one can trace both the practice and goal of yoga all the way back to the Upanishads, probably written between 1000-500 B.C.

One Upanishad tells us: “Unite the light within you with the light of Brahman.”

Clearly, then, the goal of yoga (i.e. union with Brahman) is at least as old as the Upanishads.

In addition, the word “yoga” often appears in the Bhagavad Gita, a classic Hindu text possibly written as early as the fifth century B.C.
In chapter 6, Krishna declares: “Thus joy supreme comes to the Yogi...who is one with Brahman, with God.”

In about A.D. 150, the yogi Patanjali systematized yoga into eight distinct “limbs” in his Yoga Sutras. 
These eight limbs are like a staircase, supposedly leading the yogi from ignorance to enlightenment. 

In order, the eight limbs are: yama (self-control), niyama (religious observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), pratyahara (sense control), dharana (concentration), dhyana (deep contemplation), and samadhi (enlightenment).

It’s interesting to note that postures and breathing exercises, often considered to be the whole of yoga, are steps three and four along Patanjali’s “royal” road to union with Brahman.

We see that yoga is an ancient religious discipline deeply rooted in the religion of Hinduism. 

This being so, we may honestly wonder whether it’s really wise for a Christian to be involved in yoga practice. 

Let's examine some of the important doctrinal differences between yoga and Christianity.

What are the Differences?

Many people today (including some Christians) are taking up yoga practice. 

We’ll later consider whether yoga philosophy can truly be separated from yoga practice-
- but we must first establish that there are crucial doctrinal differences between yoga and Christianity. 

First-
God!

Yoga and Christianity have very different concepts of God. 

As previously stated, the goal of yoga is to experience union with “God.” 
But what do yogis mean when they speak of “God,” or Brahman? 
Exactly what are we being encouraged to “unite” with? 

Most yogis conceive of “God” as an impersonal, spiritual substance, coextensive with all of reality. 

This doctrine is called pantheism, the view that everything is “God.” 
It differs markedly from the theism of biblical Christianity. 

In the Bible, God reveals Himself as the personal Creator of the universe. 
God is the Creator; the universe, His creation. 
The Bible maintains a careful distinction between the two.Romans 1:18-25.

Then-
Man!

A second difference between yoga and Christianity concerns their views of man. 

Since yoga philosophy teaches that everything is “god,” it necessarily follows that man, too, is “god.” 

Christianity, however, makes a clear distinction between God and man. 
God is the Creator.
Man is one of His creatures. 

Of course man is certainly unique, for unlike the animals he was created in the image of God.
Nevertheless, Christianity clearly differs from yoga in its unqualified insistence that God and man are distinct.

Finally-
Salvation!

Let’s briefly consider how yoga and Christianity differently conceive man’s fundamental problem, as well as its solution. 

Yoga conceives man’s problem primarily in terms of ignorance; man simply doesn’t realize that he is “God.” 
The solution is enlightenment, an experience of union with “God.” 

This solution (which is the goal of yoga) can only be reached through much personal striving and effort. 

Christianity, however, sees man’s primary problem as sin-
- a failure to conform to both the character and standards of a morally perfect God. 

Man is thus alienated from God and in need of reconciliation. 
The solution is Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Through Jesus’ death on the cross-
God reconciled the world to Himself.

He now calls men to freely receive all the benefits of His salvation through faith in Christ alone. 

Unlike yoga-
Christianity views salvation as a free gift. 

It can only be received.
It can never be earned.

My Manna

"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." 1 Timothy 4:16.
       
Make no mistake about it: 
The devil is a master manipulator and imitator. 

One of his most effective tactics is to imitate, offering a counterfeit version that is close enough to be believable, but far away enough to be damaging. 

And he has done this with the gospel. 
I believe much of what we hear today that is offered as gospel preaching actually is a false gospel.

That is why Scripture tells us as believers to rightly divide the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15. 

The Apostle Paul warned against straying from the gospel when he wrote:
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6–8.

A false gospel would tell you that all you have to do is believe, but not that you need to repent. 
A false gospel would tell you there is a heaven, but would not warn you of a hell. 
A false gospel would talk only about Calvary cross, but would not teach about carrying of the cross. 

That is not the true gospel. 

Think of repentance and believing as two wings of an airplane.
It needs both. 
Or think of repentance and belief as two sides of a coin. 
They are connected. 

Repentance is letting go of something.
Believing is grabbing hold of something. 

We need to keep both our understanding and our presentation of the gospel true to God's Word.

My Manna 

"Thy LORD makes poor, and makes rich: He brings low, and lifts up." 1 Samuel 2:7.

All my changes come- - from Him who never changes!   If I had grown rich- I should have seen His hand in it. And I should have praised Him.   Let me equally see His hand- - if I am made poor. And let me as heartily praise Him.   When we go down in the world- - it is of the LORD! And so we may take it patiently!!   When we rise in the world- - it is of the LORD! And we may accept it thankfully!!   In any case- The LORD has done it! And it is very well done!!

It seems that the Lord's way is- - to lower those whom He means to raise and - to strip those whom He intends to clothe.   If it is His way- - it is the wisest and best way!   If I am now enduring the bringing low- I may well rejoice, because I see in it the preface to the lifting up.   The more we are humbled by grace- - the more we shall be exalted in glory!  That impoverishment which will be overruled for our enrichment is to be welcomed!

"LORD! You have taken me down of late and made me feel my insignificance and sin. It is not a pleasant experience. But I pray to you to make it a profitable one to me. You would thus fit me to bear a greater weight of delight and of usefulness.Amen!"

My Manna   Imagine you are in a plane on the runway.

The pilot has come on the intercom and told you that there is a delay because of the fog.   You glance out your window and it looks so gloomy and dark. You wonder if the sun is shining.   The fog lifts enough for the control tower to give the pilot the green light. And the plane takes off.   It's still cloudy. But the plane starts climbing, climbing, and climbing.   Suddenly, the plane bursts through the clouds.  And it is so gloriously bright that you have to blink your eyes.   Now, you realize the sun has been there all the time.   That's the way it is with the Lord God! The Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings.
Malachi 4:2-3.   He is always loving, always giving. He is waiting for you to see Him now.

Are you worrying about something today? What is it?   Name it and give it to God. He is more than able to carry your burden and solve your problem! . Ask Him to give you faith to trust Him with your burden. Certainly He will lead you from gloom to glory!

My Manna

" Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23. 

Years ago, a power plant in a tinyvillage caught fire one evening, alocal fire truck stood, unused, in perfectly working conditionas the plant burnt to the ground. 

Damageto the plant was great. 

And why did this stateof the art firetruck go unused? 
So sad... simply nobodyin the town knew how to operate it.

This is what Irealized. 
Amidst the everyday fires we face in our lives-
God hasgiven us precious, perfectly good working, state of the artpromises. 

Unfortunately, it seems that-
- either we are ignorant of them 
- orfail to know how to operate them!

D.L. Moody says that manyof the promises God has given to His people, to us, "seem to bepretty pictures of an ideal peace and rest, but are not appropriated aspractical helps in daily life. And not one of these promises is moreneglected that the assurance of salvation. An open Bible placesthem within reach of all, and we may appropriate the blessingwhich such a knowledge brings." 

Are youburning to put God's promises to work in your life today?

I knowI am! 

Let's get into God's Word-
- get to know the depth of Hiscommitment to us, 
- and put His wonderful promises to action!

My Manna

"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.

Even when you're young and strong-- life can wear you down sometimes, 
- both physically and emotionally. 

There is one form of weariness, however, that no nap, bubble bath, or summer break can touch--spiritual exhaustion.

This usually happens gradually and imperceptibly. 
You might not even be aware that your spiritual strength is draining-- but one day you realize your soul feels heavy from all you've experienced. 

It happens...

-When you stop spending time with God as you once did.
-When you allow unconfessed sin or bitterness to weigh you down.
-When you hold on to your anxieties instead of giving them to God.
-When you wrestle with decisions God has already made for you.

These things can subtly eat away at your spiritual strength until you finally hit the wall. 

You'll know it when it happens-
- because you'll consider your Christian life a drain-
- a burden rather than a joy.

It doesn't have to be that way, however. 

Jesus offers you a perfect, peaceful rest that no human therapy could ever give you. 

He can give you strength, not only to get back on your feet, but to "soar on wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31. 

He loves you. 
He wants to carry your burdens. 

Go to him and find rest for your soul.

My Manna

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renewtheir strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. 
We've all heard the word "nesting" but have we ever takena close look at true nesting in action? 

When a mother eagle starts building her nest-- she begins usingitems we wouldn't at all expect for such a job -- sharp thorns, brokenbranches, rocks etc. 

Later, she places on top of it a layer of wool, feathers,and fur from animals she has killed, making it soft and comfortable for hereggs. 
Her eggs eventually hatch and her little ones grow to flying age. 

Aswith any creature, growing up is never an easy thing. 
That's precisely whenmom begins "stirring up the nest." 

With her strong talons, she beginspulling up the thick carpet of fur and feathers, bringing the sharp rocksand branches to the surface. 
As more of the bedding gets plucked up, thenest becomes more uncomfortable for the young eagles. 

Eventually, this andother urgings prompt the little eagles to leave their once-comfortableabode and move on to bigger and better things like learning to fly andeventually making homes and families for themselves.

I think some of us may have gotten a little too comfortable in ournests. 
We've had all the warmth, comfort and free meals we could want butall good things come to better things, with the Lord! 

It's time to fly!

Let's not be bitter at the Lord for pluckingup our comfortable nests. 
He wants us to be all that we can be! 
He wants usto accomplish all the things He has for us-- to reach our fullestpotential,- to experience the amazing sensation of flying, 
- even soaring,high above our problems and issues and 
- whatever other distractions hold usback from growing up in Him. 

Let's take the leap of faith today.

My Manna

"Wait for the Lord; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14.

Waiting is one of the hardest things to do in all the world! 

If you have to wait for someone who's late, or if you're expecting something important in the mail, or if you're waiting for the phone to ring, it can almost drive you crazy! 

Waiting means you're not in control. 
Someone else,besides you,is getting to determine what happens next.

Waiting on the Lord, however, is a different matter. 

When God delays in giving you something, he has a good reason. 
It's not that he doesn't love you or that he wants to make you squirm. 

It's a matter of timing.

Waiting on God reminds us of just how much our lives depend on him. 
Every day we wait is another day to realize how helpless we are apart from his strength. 

This is why waiting on God can be one of the most spiritually rewarding things we ever do. 
Waiting on God doesn't mean sitting around doing nothing. 

It involves action on our part:

* We should pray.
* We should continue doing what God told us last.
* We should watch for what he does next.
* We should check our hearts to see if sin is hindering God's answer.
* We should be patient for God's timimg.

If you're waiting on God for something right now, don't consider the time an idle, frustrating experience. 

Trust that he loves you.And that his answer will come.

"For you have need of endurance-- so that after you have done the will of God, 
- you may receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36.

My Manna

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22.

Three birds are sitting on a telephone wire.
Two of them decide to fly south.

How many are left?

One? 
No!

It's three.

This is because deciding to fly south isn't the same as doing it.

It's a bit like the difference between a want and a wish.

I may want to lose some extra kilos and decide to do it-
- but don't do anything about it.

This makes my desire and decision to lose weight nothing more than a wish.

In life it's not what I say, wish, or decide that counts.
It's what I do.

Action always needs to follow one's decision.
Otherwise it is meaningless.

Have you been wanting to make amends with a friend whom you hurt or who has hurt you, or with whom you had a difference?

Have you been meaning to visit a shut-in elderly person, make a phone call, send a card, or write a letter to a friend in need, buy flowers for your wife or special friend?

Then don't delay.
Do it today.

Good intentions are simply not enough.

Our character is defined and our lives are determined not by what we want, say or think, but by what we do.

And as God's Word says-
"Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

"Dear God, please help me to be a doer of your word and not just a listener. Help me to be a proactive person and make good things happen and not be an uninvolved bystander. And help me to always practice what I preach. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, Amen."

My Manna

"Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first​..."​ Revelation 2:5.​ 
At first glance, you might think that Abraham and his nephew Lot both were spiritual men. 

But a closer examination reveals that this was not the case. 

Abraham lived for God. 
Lot, on the other hand, lived for himself. 

Abraham walked in the Spirit. 
Lot walked in the flesh. 

Abraham lived by faith. 
Lot lived by sight. 

And most significantly-
Abraham walked with God​.
​But ​Lot walked with Abraham.

Unfortunately, because of Lot's ​​​​​​half-hearted commitment to the Lord-
- he was becoming a spiritual drain on Abraham. 

The relationship they had was pulling Abraham down. 

That is why, earlier in Genesis-
God said to Abraham, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you​.​" Genesis 12:1.

But Abraham was reluctant to part ways with Lot. 

Then, when a famine came, Abraham actually went down to Egypt. 
It was a definite step backward. 

But Abraham eventually came to his senses and realized he was in a backslidden state. 
He decided to return to God and to the place where He had called him.

Sadly for Abraham, he reaped in the years ahead the results of that wrong choice. 
It was in Egypt that a woman named Hagar became Sarah's servant. 

Abraham ended up having a child with Hagar. 
The child's name was Ishmael, and conflicts between his descendents and the descendents of Isaac continue to this very day.

Have ungodly influences been wearing you down lately? 
Has a certain relationship or pursuit become a spiritual drain in your life?
Have you been compromising? 

Then make a change. 
It isn't too late​!​

My Manna

"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:28.       
     
Winston Churchill quite often exemplified integrity and respect in the face of opposition.

During his last year in office, he attended an official ceremony.

Several rows behind him, two gentlemen began whispering, “That’s Winston Churchill. They say he is getting senile. They say he should step aside and leave the running of the nation to more dynamic and capable men.”       

When the ceremony was over-
Churchill turned to the men and said, “Gentlemen, they also say he is deaf!”

Gossip is one of the most destructive forces anyone can introduce into a relationship.

That’s because when someone discovers—and they likely will—that you said something bad about them in secret, it destroys the single element on which friendships are based: trust.

And once trust has been abolished, many, if not most, relationships will never recover from that trauma.

So instead of gossiping about someone, make one of two choices.

Either keep the matter silent, or go directly to the person and talk with them about it.

While it may seem easier to talk about others behind their backs than doing either of these, gossip is much more destructive in the long run.

So make the choice to preserve trust by refraining from gossip.

Pray that God would give you the strength to refrain from participating in gossip.

Ask Him to bless your relationships by keeping them built on trust!

My Manna

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ˜Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Recently Southern Baptist missionaries found themselves in grave danger--when the government of an African country was overthrown. 

Anarchy prevailed as security evaporated. 
Foreigners were targets of bandits and rampaging mobs.

The missionaries were rescued and evacuated-- when the American ambassador negotiated a truce between the warring factions.

Because he represented the authority and resources of the United States-- he was able to leverage the international reputation and influence of our country,- not by personal power but by whom he represented.

God yearns for the whole world to be rescued from the bondage of sin and has provided for their salvation. 

But when Jesus returned to heaven, having shed His blood in redemption for a lost world-He appointed us as His ambassadors!

We are to be His representatives to bring people out of the chaos and hopelessness of sin into the kingdom of God.

Our personal power doesn't intervene and reconcile people to God-- but because we represent His authority and power to save, redemption is possible.

"Father, may I faithfully represent You in this lost world Amen.

My Manna

"O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he has done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has gotten him the victory." Psalms 98:1. 

Years ago, a young sailor went to sea for the first time. 

Not long after setting sail his ship encountered a heavy storm and the sailor was commanded to go aloft and trim the sails. 

About three quarters of the way up, the young sailor made the mistake of looking down. 
The roll of the ship combined with the tossing of the waves made for a frightening experience. 

The young man started to lose his balance. 

At that moment, an older sailor underneath him shouted, "Look up, son! Look up!" 
The young sailor did as he said.
He looked up, and regained his balance.

Similarly-- when our focus is on the circumstances that we face, the waves of life, we can easily lose our balance and our direction. 

But when we change our focus and simply "look up", our internal spiritual compass fixed on the Lord will restore our stability, and enable us to finish the assignments we’ve been given and get to the top! 

Are you feeling unstable today? 

Look up! 
The Lord will steady you and save you!

My Manna

"The LORD will fight for you; you must be quiet." Exodus 14:14.

Imagine being caught between the Red Sea on one hand and the Egyptian army on the other. 

Hundreds of chariots race through the sand toward you. 
The rumble of horses’ hooves, the commands of the drivers, the clanking of metal and wood pierce the air and pronounce your doom. 

You look around and see nothing but ashen expressions on each face.

“Surely God has a plan! Surely he didn’t lead us to follow this Moses fellow to the desert to die simply because there wasn’t space to bury us all in Egypt,” you think. 

You look to Moses for an answer from God. 
His answer isn’t what you wanted to hear.

“Is this the big plan?” you respond to Moses. “Are you kidding me? Hold my peace?”

Like the Israelites-- we are often called to obedience while at the same time told to “hold our peace.” 

Waiting on God is much harder work than taking things into our own hands. 
We want control and a plan of attack. 
Instead, God often replies to our demands with a soft, still voice. 

Are you ​​​​​​​​willing to trust Him enough to wait?

"Father, I commit my battles to You alone. Help me learn to hold my peace and trust in You.In Jesus' Name;Amen

My Manna

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9.
William Wilberforce led a campaign against the British Parliament to abolish slavery in the late 1700's and early 1800's. 

During the course of his intense efforts-Wilberforce came to a desperate place of discouragement, feeling he had absolutely no more strength to continue. 

In this condition he was about to give up, when his elderly friend, John Wesley, lying on his deathbed, was informed of his friend William's distress. 

Wesley requested pen and paper, and with a quivering hand, wrote these words,

"Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them stronger than God? Oh be not weary of well-doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery shall vanish away before it."

John Wesley died six days later-- but William Wilberforce fought for forty-five more years, and in 1833, three days before his own death, witnessed the abolition of slavery in Britain.

Do not grow weary in well-doing, for we can still triumph! It's exactly when everything looks hopeless that our God has opportunity to display His awesome power. 
Even the great men that changed history-- needed a word of encouragement now and then – so be encouraged, and be an encourager! 

You never know when you may enable another saint to continue pressing on, or how that may change the world!

My Manna

“Look, the days are coming”—this is the LORD’s declaration“when I will fulfill the good promises that I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” Jeremiah 33:14.

The prophet Jeremiah told us-
God would fulfill His promise of a Saviour. 

The people could look forward to someone who would save them from captivity.

What did they expect as an answer to their prayers? 
They thought the Messiah would be a powerful leader, capable of subduing an empire and ushering in God’s reign. 

But instead of answering the promise as they anticipated-
God did the opposite. 
He sent a servant who would die on the cross for their sins.

God often does that. 
He answers our prayers in unexpected ways. 

We ask for healing-
- but God chooses to give us strength for each day. 

We ask for relief from our trials-
- but God helps us endure and grow stronger. 

We ask God to deal with our adversaries; instead-
He transforms our attitudes.

God is always faithful to his promises.
He just doesn’t do things the way we expect. 

When you don’t see answers to prayer that you are anticipating-
- take a look to see if God is blessing in unexpected ways!

My Manna

"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17.

Mission teams in other countries encounter cultural differences that may be surprising. 

In some countries Christians customarily dress up for worship women in dresses and men in dress slacks and perhaps a tie.
People in other cultures are used to a more relaxed standard of dress for worship.

Most mission team members follow local customs rather than insisting on freedom to dress as they prefer. 
They agree that God accepts their worship whether they are wearing casual or dress clothes.

Believers in Rome faced a similar issue related to their Christian liberty!
Some insisted they were free from religious dietary restrictions.

They may have ridiculed believers who struggled with going against ancient standards.

We Christians can easily lose sight of our priorities. 
Our focus shouldn't be-- our liberty, but 
- rather our love.

We honour God and build His kingdom as we demonstrate love to others. 
This only happens as the Holy Spirit works in us, 
- resulting in peace and joy among believers.

My Manna

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17.
D.L. Moody spent many hours praying for faith.  

He once said:"If all the time I have spent praying for faith was put together, it would be months.  
I thought that someday faith was going to come down and strike me like lightening.  
But faith did not come.  
Then one day I read inthe 10th chapter of Romans, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."  
I now opened my Bible and began to read God's Word and faith has been growing ever since."

Much of what believers describe as 'faith' has nothing to do with Biblical faith.   

Our faith must not be based-- on emotion, - or want, and - not on the latest Christian seminar.  

But it must be centered on God's Word.

The Living Word is the eternal, everlasting love of God which has been poured out upon our lives. 
Read, hear, apply and live the Word.And you will grow in faith!

My Manna

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."1 John 5:20. 

There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. 

An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something."

"Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher."

"What is the reason for the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds follow you wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all!"

Macready's answer was this: 
"This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."

It is easy to know when something is aflame. 
It ignites other material. 

Can you imagine how quickly the truth of Jesus could spread-- if we were only passionate about living it and sharing it?
We who know God need to be on fire-- igniting the world around us! 
Let's give our inhibitions and fears to the Lord-- and ask Him to light the fire in our hearts for the lost!


“The Christian idea is this:
 that God is the absolute owner of all things.” – Clovis G. Chappell

My Manna

"...whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13.

Despite man's efforts to eliminate Christ-- out of Christmas...- out of everyday life...- out of government...- out of schools...- out of the marketplace --- He just won't go away.
Despite our efforts to keep Him out-God intrudes!
The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: - a virgin's womb and - an empty tomb. 
Jesus-- entered our world through a door marked 'No Entrance,' - and left through a door marked 'No Exit.'"
That first Christmas, there was no room for Him in the inn. The world never wants to make room for Christ at Christmas and in everyday life. 
Man killed Him and sealed the tomb with a huge stone to shut Him out of our lives once and for all. But God removed the stone to prove Jesus will not be shut up or shut out of His plans.
One day Jesus will intrude on history again. 
The way to be ready is to invite Him into your life today. Will you shut Him out or let Him in?

My Manna

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians1:18.
The scene of the cross is a paradox!
It demonstrates the power of God in what appears to be the weakest moment in His Son's life. 
With hands and feet nailed to rough wood-Jesus looked totally helpless. 
Adding to that impression was the fact that He remained there while the crowd jeered-"If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." Matthew. 27:40.
Strength is not always revealed in a dramatic display; at times, it's demonstrated in determined endurance.
What power held Jesus on that cross, when with one spoken word-He could have been free? 
Divine love kept Him there.
With mankind's eternal destiny at stake-Christ hung on the cross until our salvation was attained.
But the power of the cross didn't end when Jesus finally finished His suffering, gave up His spirit, and died. 
His death thrust open the door of salvation to all people, and those who walk through it by faith are forgiven for every sin and insured a place in heaven.
Yet even after salvation, the power of the cross continues in believers' lives. 
Millions of people have been transformed as a result of the Saviour's victory over sin and death. 
He sets us free from sinful habits and addictions-- empowering us to live victoriously in His righteousness.
Have you let the cross do its work in your life? The Lord does not force its benefits on anyone. 
Rather, He offers them freely to all who will believe in Him and walk in His ways. 
With each step of faith that we take, the mighty work of God in us increases.