Have You ever eaten Manna?

Before we jump to preconceived definitions or understanding of manna, let's take a step back and understand what manna was. Was it only for the Jews when they wandered in the desert and didn't have food?

Manna has a Greek root that comes from the Hebrew "man", and although it literally means "substance exuded by the tamarisk tree," it's almost always used to refer to God's nourishment, in the Bible.

Figuratively speaking, you could say that when I was ravenous in the morning - The doughnuts my coworker brought in this morning were like manna ...."

Combining both statements, the key here is Gods provision at the time when you most need it!

With this background, can we think back and remember all that God provisioned us when we most needed? It could be health, food, money, a shoulder to cry on, a friend who dropped by when we were down and out? When He enabled us to achieve something. When we or someone we prayed for had a successful operation? 

Manna can be anything that we have needed, when we have needed, and what we have needed, most, at a point in time. 

I don't think anyone can truthfully say they have not had manna. We all have received it when we needed it most. It's time we thought back, identified such occasions and thanks and praised God for it, personalizing it and accepting and believing that the Biblical manna was not historical, for Jews alone, but for you and for me. In truth, Jesus Himself is Manna.  

Bloom and Grow

  

Flowers bring beauty and serenity to our lives. On every occasion we present flowers to our friends and family, to bring cheer to the day. Think about how a flower, becomes a flower and presents its beauty to the world and there is so much we can learn from it.

Think about the dandelion. Dandelions are both fast growing and incredibly hardy. It can spread both by seeds and by new shoots from roots or root segments. The seeds are easily blown around by wind and will quickly spread into adjoining downwind areas. It needs no special treatment yet produces 13 benefits for humans. 

But what is more important is this:  a flower blooms where it grows. The dandelion does not say I will grow here but bloom there. It does not put conditions to its blooming. It simply shares its beauty and its scent, wherever it is, and goes wherever the wind takes it. It does not put-up conditions for sharing its goodness.

But we people do, don't we? "I wish I had more money so I could feed the hungry". "I wish I had more time, to visit the sick, or the widows, or lonely people around me". Or simply, "I can't come to Church because I don't have my car this Sunday". 

Sounds familiar? Sure, it does, we do it all the time! 

 Let us remember some key instructions - 

..... ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Christmas is over. Will sorow bring you down?

Live like a King!

                                                 

Read Matthew 18 21-35

This is a very important parable and teaching. Probably the essence of Christianity revolves around this principle of forgiveness. Not only in thought but indeed and action. I doubt there may be a single person in this world who does not bear some ill will towards someone else.

So today we quote from Ms. Francis Taylor on this very important topic.

"I'm sure you are familiar with the parable of the unjust servant. The servant in this story owes the king a lot of money but when he begs the king for mercy and promises to pay it all back if he will just give him a little more time, the king forgives the debt. Then the servant sees another servant who owes him some money – nowhere near the amount he owed the king! – and he demands that the servant pay him back immediately. When the servant begs for more time, he refuses and has him put into prison until he can pay back the full amount. The other servants are horrified at his behavior and tell the king what has happened. The king calls in the servant and has him turned over to the "tormenters" until he can pay back the full amount. Any offense against God is a major offense, and yet God has forgiven us, and forgives us over and over again. We pray in the Our Father asking God to forgive us AS we forgive others. I'm not sure we mean it. Is there someone we still can't forgive? I'm not saying anything about forgetting. Have we asked God to help us forgive? The problem here, is that a lack of forgiveness does nothing for the person not forgiven, but it can keep us from moving on. In families it can keep brothers and sisters apart; parents and children, and can cause problems for generations. Let us be more like the King and less like the unworthy servant."

How does a king live? Exactly how our King, the Lord Jesus Christ lives. Love as He loved. Forgive as He forgave. Let us therefore live like our king.

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You name it. I've done it!

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8: 5-6

There are 613 commandments in the Old Testament. For list refer here 

Going through them, we will realize it is impossible not to break them. They cover each and every minute aspect, in a day to day scenario, and situations which we commonly ignore, like telling someone we are not available when we are. It is when such a realisation comes that we understand how we are saved by grace.

But being saved by grace does not mean we continue to live as we like!

Commenting on the quoted verse, David Jacob writes in his devotional - 

"I have certainly been guilty at times of seeking the pleasures of the flesh. I believe that we all have, whether it be romantic love, material possessions, or even another juicy cheeseburger. It is so hard to steer clear of these temptations, and if we think about it further, is it really wrong for us to want these things? Is it wrong to romantically love someone and enjoy the physical nature of the bodies that God provided us? Is it wrong to want to make money and be successful so that we can buy the things that make us feel good? Is it wrong to want to eat and drink to our hearts content? In a vacuum, all of these things are not wrong, but as Paul explains, if the pleasures of the flesh are the REASON that we do these things rather than with the Spirit in mind, it will lead to death".

While the question is a debate in itself, and best left to theologians, on our side it maybe a good idea to be aware of  two things - that we are saved by grace and by grace and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we try and examine the motive and driving force behind our actions and desires, rejecting those that are driven by material lust (gluttony, love, gathering wealth and so on). As Mr Jacobs has pointed out, there is nothing wrong to desire but it's the thought behind it which counts. 

Proverbs 16:2 drives home the point and can't be clearer when it says - 

All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the Lord examines the motives. NASB

New Year Wishes for you

They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. — Joshua 5:12

(Based on the KJV Bible Study)

Israel’s weary wanderings were all over, and the promised rest was attained. No more moving tents, fiery serpents, fierce Amalekites, and howling wildernesses: they came to the land which flowed with milk and honey, and they ate the old corn of the land. Perhaps this year, this may be thy case or mine. Joyful is the prospect, and if faith be in active exercise, it will yield unalloyed delight. 

Let us banish every fearful thought, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, in the prospect that this year we shall begin to be “forever with the Lord.”

What did you Gift this Christmas?

We have all heard this story of the widow's mite. Have you thought about where you fit into the story? I would guess, somewhere in the middle. 

I understand poverty; the feeling that you don't know how you will pay the bills or buy food for your children. I am keenly aware of wondering how I will put oil in my tank so that we would have heat and spent many nights where the temperature was below fifty in the house. At that time, my donation to the Lord was time and talent. I gave time to my church and taught classes to children and adults. When we don't have money, it doesn't mean that we don't have anything to offer to God. We can offer time and talent to a church, or to the community. As long as we are giving whatever we can offer in service to the people, we are offering our gifts to God. 

For the rich, money is an easy way out. It is easier for them to throw money into a cause than to donate their time. Money is also important. In small churches, I have seen people take care of everything from baking cookies for a gathering after church to taking care of the grounds, shoveling snow or planting flowers. 

In many of the larger churches, the people don't seem to have time to share their talents, so they pay into the collection. Another thing I have noticed, is that the rich pay what they want and not necessarily enough to keep their church open and then they get upset because it's closed or that the minister is only part-time and isn't available when they want him or her. 

The important thing for us is to decide what we have to offer God and then to do it. The choice is ours.

Francis Taylor

The Unsung Hero of Christmas

"We haven't thought about Joseph's role in salvation yet. Joseph must have been very confused when he found out that Mary was pregnant, but because he loved her, he didn't want her to be disgraced and possible stoned to death. He believed the angel, married Mary, and became the foster father of Jesus. 

No one knew that he wasn't actually Jesus' father...... What makes a child a son or daughter? I believe that it is love.

Joseph loved Jesus and raised him to be a faithful Jewish boy, brought him to the synagogue so that he would know the Scriptures and taught him the skills of being a carpenter. He gives us an example of what it means to be a parent regardless of the circumstances". (Ms Francis Taylor)

We don't really think about it but what if Joseph had not accepted the angels statement? After all he did have free will. How many of us would have done that? I can't think of anyone. 

He loved Jesus, protected Him, trained him in skills and acted as any father would. What would he have felt, knowing he was a human father to God Himself? Did he expect some material privileges? Or did they go through the grind every family goes through? I am sure he and they did. 

What an awesome role Joseph played! Yet we do not give him much thought. Let's take a moment to think about him and learn how to be a father. 

Joseph, the unsung hero of Christmas. 

The Power of Peace: Pastor Rajiv's Christmas Message

 

The Christmas Spirit

 

For many people, advent can also be a time of sadness as they may lost a lived one this year or in the years preceding. Christmas time can be full of sadness as well as it brings back memories of who we lost.

It is also a time when we can turn those sad memories into pleasant ones. We can rediscover joy in small moments and family traditions in holiday celebrations—perhaps use your grandmother’s favorite pie plate or your mother’s treasured sugar cookie recipe. Let those memories bring us joy and gratitude for the time spent together.

But above all, we can find great joy by being the hope that pierces through someone else’s darkness. Maybe some elders joy of visiting; maybe filling in a void being felt by someone; maybe simply sharing Christmas food stuff with someone who does not have; gifting a child something he or she wanted but could not get for some reason or the other. it above all, sharing your time and love with someone, in the family and outside.

It's simply a matter of sharing love, joy, peace and hope.