I am behind a week on my writing because I have had an extremely packed schedule and I usually write on Sunday evenings. I am trying to get into a routine so that I can be faithful to God with my writing. I may just have to start writing each day as He pours into me so I can be sure and capture all that He is speaking to me at the time. With that said, I guess I am like everyone else with a crazy schedule. I pray that the words that God lays on my heart speaks to you today.

This morning in service Pastor Glenn talked about God’s manna, not the main topic of the sermon but it did bring to mind a message that God had given me many years ago to teach. The title was “Yesterdays Manna Won’t Do For Today.” I felt like God wanted me to touch on that message a little today. In Exodus chapter 16 we see where God miraculously rains down manna from heaven in order to feed the Israelites who were once again complaining and not trusting God. Mind you that He had just brought them through the Red Sea, on dry land no less, and yet they so easily forgot that miracle. Anyway, I digress, the main point here was that God provided manna for them daily and He told them that they were to gather only what they would need for the day and not to gather more than that because if they did it would be rotten, stink and grow maggots the next day. The only day that He allowed them to gather extra was on the sixth day because the following day was the Sabbath day and it was a day of rest for them. The main point was that God provided for them daily.

One of my many favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of Hosts. (KJV) This particular scripture has always spoken to me because His Word brings life. His word nourishes and sustains me and makes me new each day. He is the only one that can bring contentment where there is none and He is the only one that can heal us where we are broken. I truly believe that throughout Gods word He speaks to us in different ways through the seasons in our life. In Hebrews 4:12 it says, ”For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, able to judge the thoughts and the intentions of the heart.” (NASB) Like the manna, God brings us what we need daily as we read His word and fellowship with Him. The only problem is, very few read His word and fellowship with Him daily and therefore when they run into various trials and tribulations which we are told we will face, they don’t really know what to do. Only through a close relationship are we able to be guided and moved by the spirit of God to know what direction we are supposed to go in. I have often taught that relationship is not about proximity but about intimacy. I am married to a wonderful, loving and Godly husband (sorry had to brag there for a minute) and we both work and have a busy life. However, if I came home each night and sat down with him but never talked to him or held his hand or spent any quality time together, would we truly have a relationship? The answer is NO! The reason is that we wouldn’t truly know each other and therefore when tough times came we would try to handle it alone instead of relying on each other. That is the same way it is with God. Do we take the time to fellowship and talk with Him daily? Do we eat God’s word by taking it into us and digesting it or do we go to a church service on Sunday and sometimes Wednesday and hope that the table that was set before our Pastors will somehow nourish us throughout the week? How can we possibly watch someone else eat (think in both the physical and metaphorically) and get full ourselves? It is impossible and yet people repeat this same pattern week after week and then wonder why they don’t have the strength they need to go through the trials of life.

God wants so much to help you through what you are going through. He wants you to lay aside that bitterness and anger that you are carrying and He wants you to turn to Him. If you turn to Him then you will be able to see circumstances the way that God sees them and you will look on people, yes even the ones that have hurt you, with the heart of Jesus. As a Christian, we are called to a higher standard and we need to be able to see people the way God sees them and to love them the way that He loves them. Only in pressing into God and allowing Him to nourish you and open your heart and mind will you be able to fulfill all you have been called to. It’s time to pray for others and love others in spite of what you feel has been done to you. Just know that 90% of the time, though you are going through it, the enemy has a greater plan to hurt more people than just you. His plan is to bring division and to keep God’s people from being powerful. It has been that way from the beginning and you can see it play out throughout scripture. If you are going through something, turn it over to God and then pray for all of the people involved and that will defeat the plans of the enemy. I don’t know about you but I want kick the devil in his teeth instead of seeing him kick all of us in ours.

Please know that I am not saying this to bring you condemnation but to wake you up to all that God has for you. It says in Psalms 23:5-6 (NASB) “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness (mercy) shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” He wants to have a deep and abiding relationship with you personally and all He is asking is for you to come to the table. We’ve all gotta eat, right? Why don’t you join me at the table that He has spread before us? Let’s grow together.