“The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11.
If God has promised to provide and is able-
– we might wonder why He doesn’t always meet our needs when we ask.

But since He is faithful to His Word-
– we can know that the problem is never with Him.

Notice that in today’s passage-
God’s promise to provide has a condition—it is given to “those who walk uprightly.” v. 11.

So if God isn’t meeting our needs as we think He should-
– either He may have a different plan,
– or something in our life may be a hindrance.

Sin!
One reason our prayers may not be answered is because there’s sin in our life and we are not living righteously.

If God ignored disobedience and granted our requests-
He would be affirming an unrighteous lifestyle.

Slothfulness!
Although the Lord is the ultimate source of all we have-
He has given us the responsibility of working in order to provide for our basic necessities. 2 Thess. 3:10-11.

If you’re a capable, able-bodied person who’s unwilling to work and wants something for nothing-
God won’t reinforce your laziness.

Selfishness!
It’s possible that the Lord hasn’t provided as you expected because your “needs” are really selfish desires.

If He sees that what you want won’t fulfill His plans for your life-
He may be saying “no” because He has a “yes” that’s even better.

To avoid disappointment with God-
– understand that His actions and character always align.

He won’t reward rebellion or laziness, and His answers to prayer fit with His goal of conforming us to Christ’s image.

So if He hasn’t provided what you deem essential-
He’s working to bestow a better blessing!

(PR)

The post To Bestow a Better Blessing appeared first on My Manna.

Do you ever feel as though you are missing out on God’s rich blessings?

Certainly hardship is a part of life, and we can’t have everything we ask to receive.

But if we act foolishly, we might also miss out on some of the good things the Lord has in mind to give us.

That is exactly what happened with Esau. Genesis 25:27-34.

He was famished when he returned from a hunting trip.
His brother Jacob offered a bowl of soup in exchange for Esau’s birthright.
And the trade was accepted.

Doesn’t it seem foolish that this older brother would make such a swap?

Yet if we’re not careful—that is, if we are spiritually shortsighted—we, too, can give up what is excellent for temporary satisfaction.

A person acting in this way exhibits certain characteristics.

For one thing-
– he makes decisions based on today, without considering tomorrow’s consequences.

Next-
– he is blind to life’s essential values and gives higher priority to his appetites and emotions than to the Lord.

In addition-
– he’s willing to sacrifice what is lasting for something that brings only fleeting satisfaction.

Similarly-
– his focus is on the temporal rather than the eternal.

Finally-
– he makes decisions in moments of physical, emotional, or spiritual weakness.

At the time, it may seem desirable to base a decision upon an immediate want.

But are you willing to pay the price for that kind of shortsightedness?

It will never satisfy your heart.
Instead, rely on God’s Word for truth, and let His Spirit guide you in making your choice!

(PR)

The post Making Your Choice! appeared first on My Manna.

When you are in a struggle, when dark clouds hover, when disappointment or betrayal meet you unexpectedly, what is the best way to respond?

Here are three things to always remember.

Don’t give in.

We are not to give in to the things the enemy wants to use to bring us into defeat.

His scheme is to have us focus the eyes of our faith upon the darkness of the cloud that has appeared over us, rather than focusing upon the glory of His light that shines over us and above it all.

Don’t give up.

Don’t give up on life.
There is hope.

It is not all over. What has happened is a chapter in your story, but it is not the final chapter.

If people are directly involved in the problem, don’t give up on them.

Forgive.
Pray for everyone involved.
Speak blessings over their lives (it is a good thing to desire God’s best for every life).

Do give Him.

He knows what has happened, He knows your heart, and He knows exactly what to do.

God can make a way, open a door, build a bridge, restore a loss, heal a wound, or renew a relationship.

Let Him work!
Wait.
God still changes hearts.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-11.

(PR)

The post Let Him Work appeared first on My Manna.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33-36).

Most of us enjoy feeling in control of our own schedule and grow frustrated when things don’t go according to plan.

Yet if we truly desire to walk in the center of God’s perfect will, we must become willing to cooperate with His time frame!

Consider how you pray about situations in your life.

Without realizing it, you may be demanding that God follow the schedule you’ve constructed according to your very limited human wisdom.

Yet if we believe He is who He says He is, how can surrendering to His way not be to our benefit?

Think about His unique, praiseworthy qualities:

• His all-encompassing knowledge.
The Lord has complete understanding of our world and the details of every individual life—past, present, and future.

• His complete wisdom.
God understands man’s every motive, whereas none of us are able to accurately discern people’s intentions.
We make choices based on partial information, whereas He has the wisdom to take action based on truth.

• His unconditional love.
Our Creator is always motivated by love and constantly has our best in mind.
Unless we trust His heart, our view of reality will be distorted.

• His perfect sufficiency.
At just the right time, God will provide us with everything we need to carry out His plan.

Submitting to God’s timetable requires faith and courage.

Believe in the goodness of His heart and His plans—and wait until He gives the signal to move forward.

Then, as you follow His schedule, you’ll experience the joy of watching Him make all things beautiful in His timing.

(PR)

The post His Time Frame appeared first on My Manna.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). 

If Jesus is Lord of your life-
– then not only is your entire life ordered,
– but so is every single step within your life.

God has a plan-
– for the plumber,
– as well as the preacher;
– for the mechanic,
– as well as the missionary!

And if God, for instance, calls you to be a mechanic and you become a missionary-
– you are accepting the second best!

To find God’s will is the highest achievement in your life!
Success is not spelled-
F-A-M-E.
Nor it is spelled P-R-O-S-P-E-R-I-T-Y.

Success is the continuous realization of the will of God!
– what God desires — for your life!

God does not make clones!
He makes children!!

There is an ultimate purpose for your life as His child:
To be like Jesus!

He doesn’t want us to be comfortable always!
But to be conformable to the image of His Son!!
Don’t be cheated by cultic teachings!
They will never work in your life!

Read the Bible!
Reject sooth saying preaching!!

(PR)

The post Success Is Not Spelled…. appeared first on My Manna.

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

I believe that God desires all His children to be successful, significant, satisfied, and secure!

From birth you have been developing in your mind a means for experiencing these values and reaching other goals in life.

Consciously or subconsciously you continue to formulate and adjust your plans for achieving these goals.

But sometimes your well-intended plans and noble-sounding goals are-
– not completely in harmony with God’s plans and goals for you.
“How can I know if what I believe is right?” you may be wondering.
“Must I wait until I am 45 years old or until I experience some kind of mid-life crisis to discover that what I believed was wrong?”

I don’t think so.
I believe that God has designed us in such a way that we can know on a regular basis if our belief system is properly aligned with God’s truth.

God has established a feedback system which is designed to grab your attention so you can examine the validity of your goal.

That system is your emotions.
When an experience or relationship leaves you feeling angry, anxious or depressed, those emotional signposts are there to alert you that you may be cherishing a faulty goal which is based on a wrong belief.

If our goals are blocked, we become angry.
If our goals are uncertain, we feel anxious.
If we perceive our goals as impossible, we become depressed because the heart of depression is hopelessness.

Can any God-given goal be blocked, uncertain or impossible?
Put another way, if God wants something done, can it be done?

Of course!
The question is:
Do we have a biblical understanding of success, significance, satisfaction and security?

When we see and pursue these values from God’s perspective-
– we will reach our goals because they are God’s goals for us.

May God help you recognize whether your goals are in line with His.
And make the proper adjustments in your belief system.

(PR)

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Some Christians are just grateful for whatever the Lord gives them. Some believers have confused success with greed and discontent!

This happens because of –
Our overwhelming obsession!
– with the world’s definition of success!! For most people
– Success is equivalent to wealth and power.

If you asked the average person on the street whether he’s successful, there’s a good chance he would talk about his career or investments. He may even make a passing reference to the five “C”s. Many people simply cannot view success outside of these terms. They think of only becoming “rich and famous!”

If the pursuit of success were sinful – how could God have made the promise of Joshua 1:7? “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”

The Lord was promising success! For Joshua
– Success was defined as the fulfillment of God’s promise to Moses!

Joshua wasn’t concerned with money or fame; rather, he was intensely focused on fulfilling God’s plan for him. Armed with the power of the Word, Joshua boldly marched ahead and received the Lord’s blessings. And for that, God called him a “success.”

Do not be confused! The world’s traps have nothing to do with spiritual success!

Your family, fellowship, faith, faithfulness…these are the things that matter in life;
– not your fame, finance, fake status or false dreams!

When you place your emphasis on spiritual things
– You’ll discover the Godly way to measure success!

Success in the Christian life or ministry
– is neither achievement nor accomplishment nor advancement! But
– It is the fulfilment of God’s will in our life and ministry!

(PR)

The post Our Overwhelming Obsession appeared first on My Manna.

“And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:26-30).

At first glance –
It would seem that God allowed this earthquake to take place in order that Paul and Silas would be set free. The earthquake came and their bands were loosed. There was nothing holding them back. They could have fled immediately!

Wouldn’t have you? But no! Paul and Silas waited!

And as a result
– The jailer and his entire family were saved!

Many times we assume God’s reasoning for doing the things He does.

The Lord may have released us to walk through a door that He has clearly opened!

But- He may also have other purposes in mind. God’s purposes are not always as they seem! Let’s not be so quick to assume!

There’s no hurry. God won’t shut a door if it is His divine will for it to be open!

Let’s be patient! And be sure to be led by the Spirit of God.

These are amazing times we’re living in! We don’t want to miss out on God’s perfect will! There is much ministry to be done!

Wait for some more time for the will of God!!

When He sends –
– Then you Go!

(PR)

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“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia” (Acts 16:6). 

It is interesting to study the methods of God’s guidance as it was extended towards these early heralds of the Cross.

It consisted largely in prohibitions, when they attempted to take another course than the right.
When they would turn to the left, to Asia, He stayed them.
When they sought to turn to the right, to Bithynia, again He stayed them.

In after years Paul would do some of the greatest work of his life in that very region!
But just now the door was closed against him by the Holy Spirit.

The time was not yet ripe for the attack on these apparently impregnable bastions of the kingdom of Satan.

Apollos must come there for pioneer work!
Paul and Barnabas are needed yet more urgently elsewhere, and must receive further training before undertaking this responsible task.

Whenever you are doubtful as to your course-
Submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God!
And ask Him to shut against you every door but the right one.

Say:
“Blessed Spirit, I cast on You the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any
and every course which is not of God. Let me hear Your voice behind me whenever I turn to the right hand or the left.”

In the meanwhile-
Continue along the path which you have been already treading!
Abide in the calling in which you are called, unless you are clearly told to do something else.

The Spirit of Jesus waits to be to you what He was to Paul.
Only be careful to obey His least prohibition; and where, after believing prayer, there are no apparent hindrances, go forward with enlarged heart.

Do not be surprised if the answer comes in closed doors.
But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas.

There Luke awaits, and visions will point the way, where vast opportunities stand open, and faithful friends are waiting.

Is there some problem in your life to solve?
Some passage seeming full of mystery?

God knows and-
He keeps the key!

Is there some door closed by your Father’s hand?
Trust God and wait–for when He shuts the door-
He keeps the key!

Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet?
Or answered NOT as you had thought it would be?

God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.

Have patience with your patient God!

(PR)

The post He Keeps the Key appeared first on My Manna.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35-36). 

Strive not so much to succeed!
I remember addressing a group of ministers.

I told them the story of my own failures-
– which at that time amounted to a great many, and I said:
“The lesson I have learned from my failures is that I don’t have to succeed.

I have to do the right thing under God’s guidance and leave success or failure in His hands.”
One of the ministers came to me afterwards and said, “I am a pastor of one of the largest churches in this area and regarded by my peers as one of the most successful ministers in my denomination. But today you have helped me overcome the greatest pressure in my life – the pressure to succeed.”

In the early years of my ministry-
I was extremely success-oriented!

When I succeeded, I felt good.
When I failed, I felt devastated.

Then God said to me quite bluntly one day-
“Are you willing to be a failure for My sake?”

The question shook me rigid.
God called Ezekiel for a ministry of failure.
He said to him,”The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn…for they are a rebellious house.”

Then God gave him a book that described his mission “on both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe” (Ezekiel.2:4, 5, 10).

The fruit of the Spirit is-
– not only love, joy and peace
– but also longsuffering! (Gal.5:22).

It was a whole week later before I found sufficient grace to answer that question with a “Yes!”
And when I did, I was instantly released from the two things that had crippled my life and ministry:
– the pressure to succeed!
– and the fear of failure!!

What matters is not succeeding or failing.
But being faithful to Him!

God has not called us-
– to be successful
– but to be faithful!

Success and failure are in His hands.
I am not-
– on the way to success!

I am on the Way!!
Success in life is-
– neither achievement nor accomplishment!

But-
It is the fulfilment of God’s will in my life!!

(PR)

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