Commitment Archives - My Manna

Calvary Continues

My Manna — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 17:00:00 +0000

“Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).” John 19:17.

In Jesus’ day, crucifixion was used by the Roman government as a method of executing criminals.

God transformed the cross into a symbol that unites Christians everywhere.
It stands at the heart of what we believe and serves as a central focus of the gospel message.

When we consider the cross-
– we will think about his…

Reputation!

Our Saviour left heaven to dwell on earth and become one of us.
While here, He obediently accomplished the work His Father had given Him. John 5:19.

Because of His perfect life-
He alone was qualified to be our substitute and bear God’s judgment for our sins.

Reconciliation!

Christ went to the cross in order to reconcile us to God.
He suffered a painful death on our behalf, and through His sacrifice, our sin debt has been paid.

God’s justice was fully satisfied at Calvary.
Nothing else is required for our salvation.

Resurrection!

Three days after Jesus was buried-
God raised Him from the dead.

The Saviour’s sacrifice on the cross was accepted as payment for our sins-
– and the way to heaven was opened for all who trust in Jesus.

Our resurrected Lord, having appeared on earth to many people, ascended to live forever with His Father.
Jesus conquered death and made it possible for us to dwell in heaven with Him someday.

I invite people to place their faith in Jesus Christ.

Because of the cross and what happened there-
– such an invitation has great value to the hearer.

In fact, the events of Calvary continue to be relevant to Christians of all ages.
Take time today to thank the Lord for the cross.

(PR)

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Wait on the Lord

My Manna — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 17:00:00 +0000

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14)

Many people clear their stuff during the end of the year.

They throw away old things. They clean the house. To prepare for a good start for the new year.

Let’s go through our lives and see if there is anything we should throw away or keep for next year.

The Christian life is a life of growth. We learn lessons from the past but we forge ahead.

Three lessons we can learn from the past two years of the pandemic:

1. Reboot.

We learn what is essential and what is not.

Countries close their borders. The overcrowded skies become clear. Non-essential work, travel, and businesses ceased.

Nature is given a break. Animals come out from hiding. The earth is having its Sabbath.

Shops selling non-essential goods are closed. Public transport see fewer passengers. Public places have become less crowded.

It was like going back to those days where life was simpler and less cluttered.

2. Rest.

We learn to rest.

Instead of rushing off to work, Dad and Mum are at home with their children.

People are interacting more with their family members.

They take up hobbies like gardening, pottery, or playing games like jigsaw puzzles or building blocks.

People are staying at home. We seem to have more time on hand.

3. Return of Christ.

The Bible prophesies the coming end times.

Many say this pandemic is a prelude to the tribulation period.

The tribulation will be a time of great global chaos. Earthquakes and other natural disasters, wars, pandemic, economic collapse will all happen at the same time.

God is shouting at us through this pandemic to repent before He sends judgment during the last days.

We need to:

1. Reboot our lives. We have been distracted for too long. Go back to where we started in our Christian lives by Bible reading, prayer, church, witnessing.

2. Rest. Wait on the Lord. Cease all non-essential activities and focus on growing our Christian lives.

3. Return of Christ. Turn our eyes from looking at worthless earthly things that do not last. Look upwards for the blessed hope of His return.

(MT)

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The Intrusion!

MyManna — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 22:00:22 +0000

“…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…in spite of it all, He just won’t go away.
Peter Larson writes:
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?
(PA)

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Settling for the second-best!

MyManna — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 22:00:22 +0000

” If you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern, he will give you all you need from day to day” (Matthew 6:33 paraphrased).
A man was out driving in the country during a heavy rainstorm when he came across an old farmer who was surveying the ruins of his barn.
He pulled over and to ask the farmer what happened.
“Roof fell in,” the farmer replied
“What happened with it? Why did it fall in?” asked the stranger.
“It leaked so long, it just finally rotted through,” the farmer said.
“Why in the world didn’t you fix it before it rotted through?”
“Well, sir,” said the farmer, “I just never did seem to get around to it. When the weather was good, there wasn’t a need for it. And when it rained, it was just too wet to work on.”
Isn’t it amazing that when you want to do something, you find the time, no matter how busy you are?
But when someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, suddenly there is just no room in the schedule.
This can happen when it comes to the Christian life as well.
If we are serving God only when it’s convenient-
– then we are settling for the second-best!
If we make time for the things of God only when something better doesn’t come along first-
– then we are missing out on what God wants to do in our lives.
How much better it is to make time for the things of God-
– to put the things of God above everything else.
How much better it is to get your priorities right.
Instead of making excuses-
– make time for the Lord.
It is not only the simple way to live-
– but also the best way!
(PA)

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Are there any idols in your life?

MyManna — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 22:00:34 +0000

An idol is any one or any thing that people worship!
Some people today worship their money or social position or possessions-
– just as devoutly as people in the ancient world worshipped an image made of gold or wood or stone.
The difference, of course, is-
– that most people don’t think of money (for example) as an idol, or as something they worship.
In reality, however, many people do; their whole lives are focused on money, and they serve it just as faithfully as other people serve an actual idol.
In fact, money has become their master, and they have become its servants.
In other words, money has taken the place of God in their lives.
Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matthew 6:24).
The Bible gives us two important warnings about idols (whatever form they take).
First-
It warns us that they are false; only God can meet our deepest moral and spiritual needs.
Second-
It warns us that nothing should take God’s place in our lives.
The Bible says:
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything” (Exodus 20:4).
Are there any idols in your life?
– things that you have allowed to take God’s rightful place?
Repent of them!
And then make Christ alone the center of your life!
(PA)

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Simple Suggestions to be Rid of Anxiety

MyManna — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 22:00:13 +0000

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:32-34).
To all who wish to be rid of anxiety-
I would make three simple suggestions:
First-
Stop seeking the trivial, transient things with which modern men and women glut themselves, and seek the Kingdom of God as it is revealed in Christ.
Let God’s life surge through your soul as you, by faith, put the whole weight of your burdens on Jesus Christ, who died for you.
Second-
Get your eyes off yourself.
Focus them upon God first, and then others.
Self-centeredness is a terrible breeder of anxiety.
Spend much time in prayer, and let a large portion of this time be spent in praying for others.
Third-
Commit yourself fully to Christ.
The truly happy Christian is the one who is fully and wholeheartedly committed to Christ.
Be that kind of follower of Christ!
(PA)

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Weight of the Worldly!

MyManna — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 22:00:34 +0000

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).
“On Sunday, believers arrived at a house church in the Soviet Union in small groups throughout the day so not to arouse the suspicion of KGB informers.
They began by singing a hymn quietly.
Suddenly, in walked two soldiers with loaded weapons at the ready.
One shouted, “If you wish to renounce your commitment to Jesus Christ, leave now!”
Two or three quickly left.
Then another.
After a few more seconds, two more.
“This is your last chance.
Either turn against your faith in Christ,” he ordered, “or stay and suffer the consequences.”
Two more slipped out into the night.
No one else moved.
Parents with children trembling beside them looked down reassuringly-
– fully expecting to be gunned down or imprisoned.
The other soldier closed the door, looked back at those who stood against the wall and said:
“Keep your hands up–but this time in praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. We, too, are Christians. We were sent to another house church several weeks ago to arrest a group of believers.”
The other soldier interrupted, “But, instead, we were converted! We have learned by experience, however, that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted.”
(From “Living Above the Level of Mediocrity,” by Chuck Swindoll).
Can you imagine being faced with a decision to run or die for our faith?
We are living in a day where this could very well become reality!
But how many of us would be willing to stand?
Let’s start deepening our relationship with the Lord today so that-
– our minds may be focused on heavenly things and not consumed with the weight of all the worldly ones.
That it would be easy for us to make a stand for Him should that day ever come.
(PA)

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Simple Suggestions to be Rid of Anxiety

MyManna — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 22:00:20 +0000

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Weight of the Worldly!

MyManna — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 01:00:26 +0000

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Delay?

MyManna — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 22:00:23 +0000

“That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” Acts 24:24-27.
Some people like to say that they are “born procrastinators.”
According to Scripture, that is impossible for believers.
Procrastination can be a form of bondage in a person’s life, and the Lord, who wants the best for His followers, didn’t design us to be enslaved. Procrastination has several common causes.
Discomfort
The first is an attempt to dodge discomfort.
Many people put off taking action because they feel uncomfortable or anxious about the ramifications.
In today’s passage, Felix sends Paul away-
– fearing the apostle’s talk about righteousness, self-control, and judgment.
This can show up in our spiritual life!
We sometimes delay Bible reading and meditating-
– because we are afraid God will bring to the surface a matter we need to confront.
Then, if such a subject comes up, we often choose to procrastinate about dealing with it. Issues like pride, self-control, or guilt may not be comfortable to face, but dodging them obstructs God’s purpose in our life.
Doubt
The second cause for putting things off is self-doubt.
Those who consider themselves inadequate to complete a task may choose not to begin it.
Related to this is another factor:
Dread
Fear of making a mistake or failing in an endeavour can make postponement seem preferable.
Procrastination is no laughing matter-
– particularly in the spiritual realm since delaying on an assignment from God is the same as disobeying Him.
Are you prone to delay?
Identify problem areas and the feelings that accompany them. Then confess your tendency, and rely on God’s strength to overcome it.
(PA)

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