Salvation 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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Every Believer Can Enter!

My Manna — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 17:00:00 +0000

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever…” (Hebrews 6:19-20).

The Old Testament temple had three parts:
The outer court,
The inner court,
The innermost court.

The innermost court was called-
The “inner sanctum” or the “Holy of Holies.”
Only the priest could go in there.

Once a year-
– the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people.
He would lift up a corner of the heavy veil and slip under.

Then, he would sprinkle blood upon the Mercy Seat.

If anyone went in without the blood, there was sudden death!

When the veil of the temple was torn at Jesus’ death-
– it was torn from top to bottom so no one would think a person did this.

By His death-
Jesus was saying that there were no more animal sacrifices necessary.

Now-
Every believer can enter the Holy of Holies!

Have you been there today?

It’s time to enter in and praise Him for sending His Son to make atonement for your sin.

It’s time to bow before His mercy seat and thank Him for His grace towards you.

It’s time to praise Him for He has saved you from eternal separation from God’s presence.

(PR)

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Consider five key reasons!

MyManna — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 22:00:51 +0000

If you’ve trusted in Jesus Christ-
– but still doubt your salvation-
– then your whole life can be thrown off balance.
Key areas of faith begin to crumble.
And you limit the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.
It’s impossible to live an effective, empowered life-
– if you’re always facing doubts about your salvation.
Why do believers doubt?
Consider five key reasons:
First-
Disobedience!
Sin hurts our prayers and spiritual understanding.
So it’s understandable how sin can confuse our understanding of salvation.
Second-
Deception!
False teachings!
If you’ve been taught that salvation is dependent upon good works, then you’ve been misled.
Read the Bible!
Don’t be just satisfied with pulpit messages, books and CDs.
Third-
Distraction!
Overemphasis on emotions!
Exaggerated exciting testimonies!
Too often, the salvation experience is tied to an “emotional high.”
This leads many people to doubt their salvation during times of life’s natural “emotional lows.”
Fourth-
Disbelief!
Acts 16:31 clearly states, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
If you’ve made this saving confession, then you’re saved.
When you doubt the truth of this statement, you fail to take God at His word.
Fifth-
Devil!
Demonic attacks.
The Enemy’s goal is to alienate us from God.
One of his most effective tactics is to cause us to question our standing with the Lord.
If you doubt your salvation…
– prayerfully examine your heart.
Are any of these five deceptions corroding your faith?
If so-
– allow the Lord to comfort you with His love and the truth of your salvation.
(PA)

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Change of condition!

MyManna — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:00:56 +0000

Nicodemus would probably be welcome at any church today.
He seems an ideal member-
– principled, knowledgeable, morally upstanding, courteous, and humble.
However, Nicodemus had two big problems despite all of that outward religious appeal.
He was-
– blind to the truth and
– spiritually dead.
The man was lost!
That is, he did not have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
As a Pharisee-
Nicodemus adhered to strict Jewish codes and laws, so he was certainly religious.
But the problem of the lost person is not attitudes, conduct, or even character.
We can change and control those through sheer determination, and many folks do.
What people really need is a change of condition!
We come into this world-
– with a sinful nature that is bent away from God.
Jesus explained to the observant rabbi that-
– all his outward goodness couldn’t erase, replace, or change his nature.
Instead, every person who desires to serve God-
– must be born again!
The Lord promised that if Nicodemus received Him as Saviour-
– then he would enter into a brand-new life!
His old sinful nature would be transformed-
– so that he could have a real relationship with God.
Instead of appearing to be a religious man-
Nicodemus would be a true believer.
No one gets into heaven on the strength of good works and kind behaviour.
When we stand before God, only our condition will matter.
In place of our old, dead “flesh” nature-
– we should show Him the living spirit we have received when Jesus Christ came into our life.
(PA)

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Yoga

MyManna — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 22:00:32 +0000

“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 it is “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 literature 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.
(PA)

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Passport

MyManna — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 22:00:22 +0000

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.”
(PA)

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Not truly converted

MyManna — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 23:00:09 +0000

“I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18).
When the apostle Paul stood before King Agrippa and explained what God had called him to do in proclaiming the Gospel, he broke it down into one of the most clear presentations I have found anywhere in the Bible.
Paul said that God had called him to proclaim this message-
– which was to open the eyes of his listeners that-
– they might turn from darkness to light,
– from the power of Satan to God,
– and that they might receive the forgiveness of sin,
– and an inheritance among those who are sanctified.
Here, we see five steps:
One, your eyes are opened.
Two, you turn from darkness to light.
Three, you turn from the power of Satan to God,
Four, you receive the forgiveness of sin and,
Five, possess an inheritance among those who are sanctified.
Many people have taken step one-
– but they have never made it to step two onwards.
They have had their eyes opened and have seen there is a God and there is a devil.
They have also seen there is a choice to be made.
They have seen that Jesus Christ is the answer to their problems and that they need to trust in Him and turn from their sin.
They intellectually agree with these things.
But they haven’t taken step two, which is-
– turning from darkness to light and
– from the power of Satan to God.
And until you have taken that step-
– you are not truly converted!

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Change of condition!

MyManna — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 16:00:27 +0000

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The Old Testament

MyManna — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 16:00:18 +0000

Sunday, 14 February 2016

Why don’t Christians follow all the laws in the Old Testament-
– and not just parts of it like the Ten Commandments?
Christians believe it’s all part of God’s Word, don’t they?
The whole Bible is God’s Word.
Every part of it has lessons to teach us.
The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
At the same time-
Christians have always believed that many of the laws of the Old Testament no longer apply to us the way they once did.
And the reason is because Jesus Christ has fulfilled them.
They pointed forward to the coming of the Messiah.
And once He came, they were no longer needed.
Let me give an example.
In Old Testament times-
– the priests carried out animal sacrifices every day to make atonement for the sins of the people.
But through His death on the cross-
Jesus paid the final price for our sins, fully and completely.
No more sacrifices are needed.
Because He is a final sacrifice for sin.
Our sins have been forgiven because all our sins were placed on Christ.
“And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin” (Hebrews 10:18).
Does this mean we should just ignore those parts of the Old Testament?
No, not at all.
They teach us just how seriously God takes sin.
And they remind us too of what it cost God to make our salvation possible.
Most of all, they point us to Jesus Christ, who loved us so much that He was willing to give His life for us.
Have you responded to His love by giving your life to Him?
(PR)

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Prince of the Outcasts

MyManna — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 16:00:09 +0000

15 November 2015, Sunday

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier…” (Ephesians 2:14).
Many years ago, the Prince of Wales visited the capital city of India.
An arduous, stately barrier had been set up to keep back the masses of people, most of them lower class, who wanted to catch a glimpse of royalty.
When the prince arrived, he shook hands with some of the political dignitaries who were presented to him.
Then, looking over their heads to the crowds beyond, he said, “Take down those barriers!”
They were quickly removed, and the people, regardless of social rank, had free access to the heir to the British throne.
Several years later, the Prince of Wales visited the same district again.
Waiting on him, were 10,000 outcasts that waited under a banner.
The banner welcomed him with these words inscribed:
“The Prince of the Outcasts.”
Not many of us take time out of our hectic schedules to reflect on the majesty of Jesus and what He did for us.
Born into sin, we were outcasts from conception.
But by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus-
– we have been adopted into the family of God.
So often we don’t thank Him or praise Him enough for the incredible mercy he showed us on the cross.
We were separated from God.
We were the outcasts.
Sin was the barrier.
And the heir to the throne came and ordered it to be taken away.
As a result-
– we now have free access to the Son.
Thank God for our “Prince of the Outcasts”-
Jesus Christ.
Take a few moments to simply thank God for sending Jesus to provide forgiveness for your sins as a sacrifice on the cross through His shed blood.
Take time to worship Him for bridging the gap so that we can have eternal life.
(PR)

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Salvation Archives - My Manna

Calvary Continues

Every Believer Can Enter!

Consider five key reasons!

Change of condition!

Yoga

Passport

Not truly converted ​

Change of condition!

The Old Testament

Sunday, 14 February 2016

Prince of the Outcasts

15 November 2015, Sunday

Not truly converted