Lessons From Manna

by Jeff Curtis

One of the most significant events in Israel’s wilderness experience happened in Exodus 16. The Israelites ran out of food, and God provided manna. The story presents several lessons for us to learn.

1. Remember God’s blessings (16:1-3). The people “grumbled” (v.2); the KJV

says they “murmured,” and the NRSV has “complained.” They did this eight times in this context (16:2,7,8,9,12). This was neither the first or the last time that God’s people complained; they were, in fact constantly complaining. They had a genuine need, but it was wrong for them to complain. Why did they complain? They were forgetful, ungrateful, and lacking faith. They forgot that they had been in bondage and had cried to God. (Egypt had not seemed so attractive back then!) They were ungrateful for what God had done for them. They also lacked faith: They failed to appreciate the fact that a God who was able to part the sea so they could walk through on dry ground could also provide them with food in a barre wilderness. They grumbled against Moses and Aaron, but their complaint was really against God (16:7,8).

      Let’s learn to complain less.

2. Trust God’s Provisions (16:4-16). God met Israel’s need. He provided

manna in the morning and meat (quail) at night. He helped Israel, in spite of these complaining, faithless, forgetful, ungrateful people did not deserve to be helped. One reason He provided the manna was to help Israel learn that “man does not live by bread alone…but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3).

     Let’s learn that God graciously meets our needs, even when we don’t deserve His blessings.

3. Obey God’s Commands (16:16-36). Though God provided the manna, the

people had to take advantage of God’s gracious provision. They had to gather the manna according to His command in order to have food for each day.

     God gave specific commands regarding how the manna was to be gathered. The Israelites were to gather a certain amount each day, twice as much on the sixth day, and nothing on the seventh day, The Sabbath day was to be a day of rest. This instruction tested their industry, their faith, and their loyalty. Would they perform this daily task? Would they trust God to give enough on the sixth day to sustain them on the seventh day? Would they obey God exactly? Some did not. Those who did not follow God’s directions were not blessed.

     Let us learn that we also must take action to receive God’s gift. If we are to be blessed by God’s provisions, we must follow His directions.

Phoebe - A Servant of the Church

by Jesse A. Flowers

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Romans 16:1-2).

A sister, a servant, a saint, and a helper. Paul’s description of Phoebe is quite impressive. Obviously, she was a remarkable woman of God. She was a child of God, for she was a sister in Christ, having obeyed the gospel. She was lowly in spirit, for she was a servant, making her great in the kingdom. She was a saint, indicating her life of holiness and separation from sin. She was a helper of many, implying she was a diligent worker for the Lord and His cause.

May we all strive to possess such a spiritual resume. It may not impress the world or be viewed as marks of success. But that’s okay, for we are not striving to please men, but God. So, be a spiritual Phoebe! If you are a Christian, a servant, a saint, and a helper of many… you will be in a saved condition, you will be great in the eyes of Jesus, you will be a bright shining light in a world of darkness, and you will build up the Lord’s people and the work of the Lord.

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS!

                                                                                                           by Richie Thetford

In Mark 15:21-41, we can read about the crucifixion of Jesus. These verses tell us what Jesus had to go through just before and during His death on the cross. As I read these words, tears come to my eyes because an innocent man, God's only Son, came to this earth and suffered and died so that I can have forgiveness of my sins if I am faithful and obedient to Him. It is sad that Jesus had to go through this agony, but I am glad He did so that I can look forward to being with Him in eternity. In these verses, there are several things that I see:

I SEE - the greatest act of love known to man. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). It is hard for me to know and understand the great love of God, our creator, for man - that He would send to this earth His only son, to live and die for me - a sinful man. I know that I am blessed because when I make the choice to live for Him fully and completely, then at the end of my life on earth I have comfort knowing that I will continue to live with Him throughout eternity.

I SEE - the reason and importance for Christ's sacrifice. "Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7). If Jesus' death on the cross means anything to me, then I will strive to purge out the old leaven (sin) and put on the new man of righteousness and service to Him. I must always remember that He was sacrificed for me. I know that I cannot take that for granted.

I SEE - the necessity of living like Christ lived. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:" (1 Peter 2:21). As I read the Bible and examine closely the life of Christ, I see God's Son living on this earth as I do, yet without sin. Therefore, I understand that it is absolutely necessary for me to follow His example, living my life like He lived. This attitude shapes who I am, being a faithful Christian, husband, father, and servant. Because of this, I am able to make good decisions through life by simply asking myself before doing anything, "what would Jesus do?" When answered honestly, the right decision is confidently made.

I SEE - the urgency of commitment to Christ. "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). It is urgent that I am committed to Christ daily because I don't know how much longer that I will be living in the flesh on this earth. My commitment must be constant and unwavering every day. If I don't stand for Christ, then I'll fall for anything. Our heavenly Father is pleased with me when I am committed to serving His only Son.

I SEE - the joy of striving for Heaven. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5). It took the death and resurrection of Jesus to allow me to have the hope of heaven. When I love Him, live for Him, and am faithful and obedient to Him in all things, then I can know that Heaven will be my inheritance one day. I understand that I live in this world but I am not "of" the world. If I allow the pleasures of life to occupy my mind first and foremost, then I will not gain heaven. I am mindful of a sign I saw one time hanging above the front door in a home which read, "Heaven, don't miss it for the world!"

In conclusion, I remember the words from an often-sung gospel hymn: "I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?" My life is not all about me - it is about Jesus and serving Him diligently. What do you see when you "survey the wondrous cross?"