Saturday, 22 August 2026

the Perfect Octave

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Friday, 21 August 2026

Developing God’s Standard Fresh Manna by Pastor Tim Burt

Fresh Manna with Pastor Tim Burt 
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Developing God’s Standard

August 21, 2026
by Timothy Burt
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Does it ever feel like the standard of this world is being lowered more and more? And if we’re honest, has that shifting standard ever influenced our own thinking, speech, or behavior in a negative way?

When we come to Christ, we don’t instantly think, speak, or act like Jesus. We are born again in our spirit, but our minds, habits, attitudes, and words are still being transformed. That’s why the Christian life is one of continual growth.

Many new believers come from backgrounds where profanity, coarse humor, anger, gossip, sexual immorality, or worldly thinking were simply part of everyday life. They were routine in my life, that's for sure!

It's easy to be unaware that there is a higher standard until you begin spending time in God’s Word. When someone surrenders their life to Christ and begins reading the Bible, the Holy Spirit lovingly begins speaking to and shaping that surrendered heart.  What once seemed normal no longer feels right. Their desires begin to change. Their speech changes. Their priorities change. Their character changes. This is the beautiful work and transformation of the Holy Spirit working in the life of a surrendered heart to God.

God has never called His children to blend into the world. He has called us to shine within it. Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16 NIV)  So that you may become that light, God speaks to your heart through His Word and begins raising your standards so that you may ever-increasingly mirror His!

The purpose of developing a godly standard isn’t to earn God’s acceptance. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are already accepted, loved, forgiven, and made His children Nor is it about becoming self-righteous or looking down on others. Rather, it is about allowing Christ to be seen in us. The Apostle Peter reminds us: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV)

Holiness isn’t merely avoiding sin. It is becoming more like Jesus in our attitudes, our speech, our mindsets, our relationships, and our conduct. Every day, the Holy Spirit is teaching us to love what God loves and to turn away from what diminishes His work in our lives. And the word of God is the revealer of His words and ways.

This transformation doesn’t happen accidentally. It happens as we consistently spend time with the Lord. His Word renews our thinking. Prayer softens our hearts. Worship lifts our eyes above the world’s values. Fellowship with other believers strengthens our resolve. Little by little, God’s standard becomes our standard.

Paul wrote: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)

The world constantly presses its values upon us. If we neglect God’s Word, it won’t take long before our thinking begins to drift and our standards begin to erode. But when we remain close to Christ, He continually shapes us into people whose lives reflect His love, truth, grace, purity, kindness, patience, and self-control.

The greatest testimony we have is not simply what we say—it is the life we live. A believer whose speech, attitudes, integrity, and love reflect Jesus becomes a living testimony that Christ truly changes lives. I've been radically changed and am still changing! How about you?

Ask yourself today: Am I allowing the world to shape my attitudes and standards, or am I allowing God’s Word to transform me into the person He has called me to be?

Philippians 2:14–16 NIV “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me just as I am, but also for loving me too much to leave me unchanged. Continue Your work of transforming my heart through Your Word and by Your Holy Spirit. Help me to develop the character, speech, attitudes, and conduct that honor You. Let my life shine with the love of Jesus so that others will see Him in me. Keep me from drifting toward the world’s standards, and instead help me to grow into the likeness of Christ each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
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