Monday, 30 June 2025

The True Freedom in Christ and Our Nation Fresh Manna by Pastor Tim Burt

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Tim here. I'm so glad you're part of this journey. Below, you'll find today's Fresh Manna Devotional. I pray it speaks to you!

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The True Freedom in Christ and Our Nation

 by Timothy Burt  

June 30, 2025
 
The night was dark, the water was rough, and the mission seemed almost impossible. A group of exhausted soldiers, led by General George Washington, rowed quietly across the icy Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776. Their chances looked slim—morale was low, they lacked supplies, and defeat seemed just around the corner. But Washington pressed forward, trusting that something greater was possible even when everything around him said otherwise.
 
That daring move led to a surprising and much-needed victory in the Battle of Trenton. It gave new hope to a struggling nation. This wasn't just about military strategy—it was about courage, perseverance, and faith. The war wasn’t over, but that moment proved that breakthroughs can come when we refuse to give up, even in our darkest hour.
 
As we celebrate the 4th of July, we honor the sacrifices made for our nation’s freedom. But there's an even deeper kind of freedom available to every person—no matter where you live or what country you call home. It’s the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus.
 
The Apostle Paul once wrote,
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV)
 
At first glance, that verse might sound confusing. Paul wasn’t talking about being set free from a human government or physical chains. He was talking about a different kind of burden—the kind people carry in their hearts and minds.
 
Many people feel like they have to be perfect to be accepted by God. They try hard to be good enough, follow the rules, go to church, or do religious things to earn God’s approval. But no matter how hard they try, it never feels like enough. That’s the kind of pressure Paul was addressing.
 
What’s important to understand is that God doesn’t want perfection from us. Instead, He wants us to change and grow—because that change will bless our lives and help us avoid many of the problems we create for ourselves. He isn’t looking to judge us by a strict checklist or to trap us with rules. Rather, He desires a slow, steady transformation that happens over time, without pressure or fear. This process leads to a closer relationship with Him and a better, more peaceful life—bringing freedom and peace of mind and heart as our love for God grows and we experience His guidance and personal transformation.
 
That’s what Paul meant by freedom.
  • Freedom from guilt.
  • Freedom from fear.
  • Freedom from feeling like we have to earn God’s love.
When Paul says, “Stand firm,” he’s encouraging us to hold on to that truth and not slide back into the mindset that says we have to perform or prove our worth. Jesus didn’t rescue us so we could go back to living under pressure. He freed us so we could walk in peace, knowing we belong to Him.
 
Even some of America’s founding fathers understood that true freedom needed a foundation deeper than politics. John Adams once said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” In simple terms, he was saying that without hearts guided by faith and moral character, freedom wouldn’t last.
 
And isn’t that the same in our personal lives?
 
God gives us freedom, but if we forget what He’s done for us—or if we ignore it—we end up back where we started: weighed down by fear, worry, or pressure to prove ourselves.
 
When Washington crossed that icy river, he didn’t know what would happen. But he stepped out anyway, believing the cause was worth the risk. And when Jesus went to the cross, He did so with that same kind of determination—only He wasn’t fighting for a temporary victory. He was fighting for your heart and for eternal freedom—freedom that no one can take away.
 
So this Independence Day, as we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as a country, let’s also remember the deeper freedom Jesus offers us.
 
Let’s:
  • Stand firm in that freedom.
  • Refuse to carry the old burdens of guilt and fear.
  • Live boldly, not to earn God's love, but because we already have it.
Because the greatest freedom isn’t just what we’ve been set free from—it’s what we’ve been set free for: to love, to serve, and to live in peace with God.
 
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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Friday, 27 June 2025

Chasing The Blues — The Crossroads & The Grave Of Robert Johnson

God's Majesty in a Deck of Cards: An Inspirational Story Fresh Manna by Pastor Tim Burt

Tim Logo   A Note from Tim
Tim here. I'm so glad you're part of this journey. Below, you'll find today's Fresh Manna Devotional. I pray it speaks to you!

Explore more on my website →

God's Majesty in a Deck of Cards: An Inspirational Story

 by Timothy Burt  

June 27, 2025

I've always loved this one so I thought I'd repost it for you to read or read again!

God’s Majesty in a Deck of Cards (Author Unknown)

The battlefield was unusually quiet that day. No gunfire. No mortars. No land mines shaking the ground. For the first time in a while, silence wrapped around the young soldier like a rare gift. He knew it was Sunday—the holiest day of the week.
 
Sitting on his bunk, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an old deck of cards, spreading them out in front of him. As he did, the door swung open.
 
“Why aren’t you with the rest of the platoon?” his sergeant asked.
 
The soldier looked up. “I wanted to stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.”
 
The sergeant’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at the scattered cards. “Looks more like you’re playing a game.”
 
The soldier shook his head. “No, sir. Since we’re not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books here, I’ve learned to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.”
 
The sergeant crossed his arms. “Oh? And how do you do that?”
 
The soldier picked up the first card.
  • “The Ace reminds me that there is only one God.
  • The Two represents the two parts of the Bible—the Old and New Testaments.
  • The Three stands for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  • The Four represents the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
  • The Five reminds me of the ten virgins; five were ready for the bridegroom and were glorified.
  • The Six is for the six days God took to create the heavens and the earth.
  • The Seven represents the day He rested.
  • The Eight reminds me of Noah and his family—the eight souls saved from the flood.
  • The Nine is for the ten lepers Jesus healed; only one returned to thank Him.
  • The Ten stands for the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses.
  • The Jack is a reminder of Satan—once one of God’s angels, but cast out for his wickedness. Now, he’s the true joker of eternal damnation.
  • The Queen represents the Virgin Mary.
  • The King? That’s Jesus—the King of all kings.
The soldier looked down at the cards, then back at his sergeant.
 
“But it doesn’t stop there. When I count all the dots on every card, I get 365—one for each day of the year. There are 52 cards in the deck, just like the 52 weeks in a year. The four suits remind me of the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. And each suit has 13 cards—just like the 13 weeks in each quarter of the year.”
 
He exhaled, voice softer now. “So when I need to talk to God, when I want to thank Him, I don’t need a Bible. I just pull out this old deck of cards, and they remind me of everything He’s done for me.”
 
For a moment, the room was silent.
 
The sergeant swallowed hard, his expression shifting. Then, with tears in his eyes and a weight in his voice, he asked, “Soldier… can I borrow that deck of cards?”
May this be a reminder to take time to pray for all our soldiers—those who leave home, risking their lives to protect ours. May God be with them always.
 
Psalm 111:3 (NLT)"Everything God does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails."
 
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
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Free Indeed: An Inspirational Story Fresh Manna by Pastor Tim Burt

  A Note from Tim Tim here. I'm so glad you're part of this journey. Below, you'll find today...