Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt
The world is filled with those who know and have received Jesus as their Savior and live for Him, and those who haven’t. Of those in the world without Christ, there are those that hate Christians, those that are curious as to what makes a Christian tick, and those that are hungering to know God this very moment – waiting for someone to share the truth of Jesus with them. None of them love Christians telling the rest of the world what is right and wrong. They often despise it! That’s why they try to shut us up in the workplace and everywhere else.
Non-Christians often sense the presence of God just being in the presence of a Christian sincerely living for Jesus. They often feel guilt just being around us. They don’t know how or why, but they do – that is of course if we are living our life for the Lord. If we call ourselves Christian but our life reflects the life of a hypocrite, then we measure up to exactly what they think Christians are anyway. If we live up to a higher moral standard of right living and love according to the Word of God, then those around us usually feel one of two things.
If their hearts are open to the things of God, they are watching us because they want to see if we are real. and learn more about what makes us tick. If they hate the things of God, they often feel condemned. Not because of anything we’ve said as much as what we stand for. We give off a spiritual aroma.
It’s a supernatural thing! 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 says it like this: “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life…”
The world says that we should keep our faith to ourselves. Those who call themselves Christians but don’t really know Jesus as their Savior, might agree. They’ve most likely grown up religious, but without understanding what Jesus did for them and without knowledge of the Bible. If they did understand Jesus and the Bible, then they’d know that the Holy Spirit was given to us to help us shine brightly in a dark world.
Prior to becoming a Pastor, I worked for the airlines. About half way through my 14-year career there, a new policy was established that employees couldn’t share their faith with anyone unless someone asked them first. That was okay with me because I shared with people constantly but not because I “confronted” people with the gospel. I would just live my life as an example. I would read my Bible in public on my breaks. I would sprinkle conversations about how good the Lord was when I talked to people. I would try to show kindness and love while trying to be that “light” in any way I could. There was one other thing I did daily. I would always pray asking God to let me be a light and a laborer to share His love through Jesus with someone.
I am not in the airlines any more. I am a Pastor in a church. Most of those I work with or am around do know the Lord. So, I still pray that the Lord will use me outside the four walls of the church amongst those that don’t know Jesus. One of those ways God has led me to do that is through Social Media such as Facebook and Twitter. By taking the time to learn how to use these two mediums of outreach, I have reached people around the world. And I’ve discovered that nothing has changed. There are those that hate me just because I talk about Jesus and sometimes let me know. But I have also touched countless others through my devotions and tweets about Jesus, His promises, and His word.
Today I got back a message from someone who found my devotionals through Twitter. She wrote: I“Pastor Tim – Fresh Manna was … I just don’t have the right words so I’ll just say, I’m soo excited from it I’m smiling to the point of my cheeks hurting. I can feel what you wrote all in my bones. My heart and every cell are praising Jesus!! If it was not midnight I’d run thru the house. Don’t wanna wake my neighbors. You always inspire – I wish I could find a church home that inspired like you. Have a blessed week!!”
Yolanda
If our heart is to reach and touch people with His love, the Lord will help us do so in ways we can’t imagine and within OUR OWN gifting. We are an aroma if we live for Him. Some are paying attention. Some won’t like it or you just because they feel guilty. Others are curious and will check you out. And others are hungry to know what you know. Be that light and don’t hide it under a bushel! This is your significant life and there is nothing more significant! Be blessed as you are that light today!
Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…’
In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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