Witness Archives - My Manna

Are You Hiding Behind Closed Doors?

My Manna — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 22:00:00 +0000

After Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were terrified.
Afraid that the same authorities who executed Jesus would come after them next-
– they hid behind shut doors, afraid for their very lives.

So what did Jesus do to bring courage to these frightened disciples?
He appeared in the midst of them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Are you afraid of something right now?

Quite honestly, there are a number of things we maybe ought to be concerned about today.
There is instability in our world.
There are wars and rebellions everywhere.
The economic situation could change overnight.

Maybe you are afraid of losing your health.
Or maybe you are afraid of losing your job.

Are you hiding behind closed doors?
– like the disciples, terrified of what is out there?

Jesus wants to come into your life and set you free from that fear.
The same Holy Spirit that energized the first-century believers is here today, ready to fill your life.

Stop and consider the simple fact that these very panic-stricken, fearful disciples went out after this and boldly and courageously shared the gospel.

Most of them, in fact, laid down their very lives and became martyrs for the faith.
Think about it.

It is because Christ was indeed risen, because He was alive, that these men went and, for all practical purposes, turned the world upside down.

It is the explanation for the change in their lives.
It is the explanation for the Christian to this present day.
We serve a risen, living Lord who is still transforming lives.

(PR)

The post Are You Hiding Behind Closed Doors? appeared first on My Manna.

Extra Mile

MyManna — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 22:00:14 +0000

“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” Matthew 5:41.

When Jesus spoke about going the extra mile-
He wasn’t referring to customer service,
– but to a Roman law imposed on the people.
The law stated that Roman soldiers could order any citizen-
– to carry their weapons or equipment for a distance of up to one mile.
No matter what you were doing, the law required that you drop everything and obey.
You can guess how the people felt about that!
So when Jesus said, “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two,” the people weren’t exactly thrilled.

In today’s context-
– it would be comparable to having a very demanding boss who expects so much from you that at times it seems unreasonable.
Yet still you do even more than he or she expects even if it goes unacknowledged.
What Jesus was saying to Christians is this:
“Even if your boss is incredibly difficult, don’t just do the bare minimum.
Go above and beyond, even exceeding their expectations.
But be careful to watch your motives.
Don’t act in this way expecting a raise or hoping to be promoted; do it because you want to be a positive witness for Christ.”
Do it for the glory of God!
If you want to communicate a character and a lifestyle that is beyond the norm-
– if you want to be a positive witness for Christ,
– are you willing to go the extra mile?
The world is always surprised when people live that way!
(PA)

The post Extra Mile appeared first on My Manna.

Bad news for you!

MyManna — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:00:47 +0000

“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4).
This is a special message!
And it’s one that I didn’t particularly enjoy writing.
However-
– it needs to be said again and again.
This message is to all church-going pretenders out there-
– the ones who look heavenly on Sunday,
– but live like hell Monday through Saturday.
You look good on the outside but when God looks at your inside your heart- it’s a dirty mess!
I’ve got bad news for you!
Jesus hates religious pretense.
But I’ve also got good news also.
He loves the pretenders!
He gave His life for hypocrites like you and me.
The end of being a religious pretenders is-
– to admit our sin that separates us from God;
– then ask Christ’s forgiveness;
– and then believe to be right with God
– is your only hope for change.
And here’s the irony:
When we begin to be more real with God and with others-
– we begin to be more like Jesus!
He’s the only person who has ever lived without any trace of pretense.
(PA)

The post Bad news for you! appeared first on My Manna.

Explosive evangel!

MyManna — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 22:00:40 +0000

” For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (1 Corinthians 1:17).
There is explosive power in the message of the gospel-
– because Paul says, “It it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
The word “power” that Paul used in this verse originates from the Greek word, dunamis.
It is the same word Jesus used in Acts 1:8:
” ‘ But you will receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses ‘” (Act 1:8).
The English words “dynamic,” “dynamo,” and “dynamite” also have been translated from this word, dunamis.
Paul was saying that the very message of the gospel is the dynamite of God.
It is the dynamic of God.
It is explosive evangel!
We often underestimate-
– the raw power of the gospel in reaching even the most hardened heart.
We think we need to add to it, gloss it over, or even complicate it.
But there is distinct power in the simple message of the life, words, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Don’t underestimate its appeal.
Don’t be ashamed of its simplicity.
Don’t add to it or take away from it.
Just proclaim it.
And then stand back and watch what God will do.
As Paul said, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
The gospel is a simple message, one that we in the church have heard time and time again.
But we should never underestimate its power.
(PA)

The post Explosive evangel! appeared first on My Manna.

Prized Possession

MyManna — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 22:00:12 +0000

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone, everywhere.” Mark 16:15.

According to an article in Turning Point Daily Devotional, “Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away.
So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn’t able to buy it.
Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument.
But to his great dismay, it had been sold to a collector.
“Kreisler made his way to the new owner’s home and offered to buy the violin.
The collector said it had become his prized possession, and he would not sell it.
Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea.
‘Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?’ he asked.
Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred.
‘I have no right to keep that to myself,’ he exclaimed. ‘It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it.
God has given you and me the greatest news and most powerful “music” in the world—the message that Jesus died on the cross to save mankind from the dreadful consequences of sin, so that all who come to him can receive God’s forgiveness and His gift of eternal life.
This is the message Jesus commissioned us to take to the world so everyone, everywhere will hear it and have the opportunity to have their sins forgiven and receive God’s gift of eternal life.
“Dear God, please make and use me ‘as an instrument’ of your love and peace to communicate your great salvation in some way to every life I touch—through being “as Jesus” to all and as opportunity arises share your gospel message of salvation. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
(PA)

The post Prized Possession appeared first on My Manna.

His Ambassadors

MyManna — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 22:00:12 +0000

“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.”

(PA)

The post His Ambassadors appeared first on My Manna.

Hearts for the Lost

MyManna — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 22:00:46 +0000

“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!

(PA)

The post Hearts for the Lost appeared first on My Manna.

Yet So Irritated

MyManna — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 22:00:36 +0000

“First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck in your brother’s eye.” Luke 6:42.

Most of us live by a double standard.

We judge ourselves one way, but we use a different set of rules for others.

When we sin, we’re quick to explain the reasons behind our disobedience:
“I was exhausted.”
“I didn’t know what I was doing.”
“I was under a lot of stress.”
When it comes to other people, however, that’s another case.

We put on our judge’s robes and pronounce them guilty, regardless of the evidence:
“He knew better.”
“This isn’t the first time she’s done this.”
“There’s just no excuse for that!”
It’s good to help your friends live the life God desires-

– but your first priority should be to make sure your own life is pleasing to God.

When you’re diligent to keep sin out of your own heart-

– you’ll then be able to see others in the correct perspective.
Whenever you’re involved in willful, deliberate sin, it distorts everything you see.

But when your heart is pure-

– you won’t be so quick to condemn others for their sins,

– nor will you jump to conclusions about them.

You’ll have the grace to help without judging.
What makes us so comfortable with our own sins-

– yet so irritated by the sins of others?

(PA)

The post Yet So Irritated appeared first on My Manna.

Prime the Pump

MyManna — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:00:43 +0000

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37-39).
A man was travelling across the desert. He consumed all the water he brought along with him. He was in desperate need of water.
He saw a pump and rushed to it. He lifted the handle and tried to prime the pump but no water comes out. A notice on the pump read:
“Dear traveller,
Do not despair. There is plenty of water below the pump. Dig on the left of the pump and you will find a bottle of water.
Empty that water into the pump. The water will get the pump to work. Draw out as much water as you want.
You will be tempted to disbelieve me and drink that bottle of water. If you do, there will be no water left. You will be thirsty again.
But if you follow my instruction, you will find that there is enough water to last you for the rest of your journey. Fill your water bags.
Before you leave, don’t forget to refill that bottle with water and bury it for the next traveller. You will help to ensure that there will be a continuous supply of water.”
Jesus offers us that drink of water, that is He Himself, the living water.
We can empty our lives for ourselves. We can enjoy Him and pray for ourselves only.
Or we can pour it into His hands.
If we do the latter, He will use us as a channel of His grace to bless the lives of others.
Would you keep Jesus to yourself or share Him with others?
(MT)

The post Prime the Pump appeared first on My Manna.

Spread the Word

MyManna — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 22:00:52 +0000

“Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child” (Luke 2:17).
What did the shepherds do in response to what they had seen and heard? They spread the word.
In keeping with their active nature, we dont read about them hanging around Mary and Joseph for a long time. They got moving again. There is a sense of energy about these shepherds, of enthusiasm, of contagious excitement.
The news and experience was so great that it had to be shared. Have you had an experience like that recently where something really positive happened and you couldn’t wait to share it with someone? So you called your best friend or your spouse or someone else as quickly as possible, just to share the good news. This is what happened with the shepherds. They shared the amazement with others.
What God has done for us needs to be shared. Picture them like excited children, running up to people, jumping around, stammering out the facts like it was just so amazing! “You should have seen it! The angel appeared, and then there was a multitude, and it was all true the baby was right like they said, and they said it is the Christ,” and then grabbing the next person and saying the same thing.
Now maybe that isn’t your personality type and that is alright. But the principle stands that the good news needs to be shared.
Maybe you share it on a quiet note to a friend. Maybe it is in a deliberate action that demonstrates concretely the love of God. Or maybe it is excited, energetic, and lively. The important thing is that the message gets shared. Find or create opportunities to follow the example of the shepherds to invite someone to share the amazement and the wonder of the fact that God became man so that we could be in relationship with Him.

The post Spread the Word appeared first on My Manna.