Thursday, 29 January 2026

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Wednesday, 28 January 2026

A Profane World and a Holy Calling Fresh Manna by Pastor Tim Burt

Fresh Manna with Pastor Tim Burt 
Tim Logo   A Note from Pastor Tim
Greetings and thank you for reading. I pray that God speaks to your heart, helps you understand His word, and brings insight and direction to your day and your life! Be inspired and blessed! 

Explore more on my website →

A Profane World and a Holy Calling

January 28, 2026
by Timothy Burt

There was a time in our nation when restraint in language was assumed, even expected. Profanity was not celebrated; it was corrected. Coarse and degrading speech was understood to shape attitudes, erode respect, and influence behavior—especially among children. Those boundaries were imperfect, but they reflected a shared belief that words matter.

That belief has largely vanished.

Today, profanity saturates television, movies, music, social media, gaming, public discourse, and everyday conversation. What was once shocking is now casual. What once disqualified a voice from leadership now earns applause. Vulgarity is framed as authenticity, and crudeness is mistaken for honesty.

We live in a profane world.

Biblically, profanity is not merely the use of “bad words.” Profanity is language that insults, degrades, demeans, or strips honor from people and from God. It treats what is sacred—human dignity, moral restraint, reverence for God—as disposable. Profane speech cheapens life, trivializes sin, and dulls the conscience. It often wounds long after the words are spoken.

Scripture makes it clear that this kind of speech is not harmless.

Matthew 12:34–35 (NLT): “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.”

Our words are not accidental. They reveal our compass—what directs us, what we excuse, and what we allow to shape our inner life.

Along the way, I encounter people who consider themselves Christians yet use profanity with little or no sense that it is a problem. Somewhere, the line has blurred. What once stirred conviction is now dismissed as cultural, harmless, or insignificant—as if grace made holiness optional. But grace never lowers God’s standard; it empowers us to live differently.

The apostle Paul speaks with unmistakable clarity.

Ephesians 4:29-30 NLT“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”

Notice what the apostle Paul does not do. He does not frame speech as a social issue or a matter of preference. He ties our words to purpose and spiritual impact. Our speech is meant to build, help, and encourage. Profanity does the opposite. It tears down, cheapens conversation, and diminishes both the speaker and the listener.

When degrading language becomes normal—even among those who claim Christ—it signals a loss of spiritual direction. What once troubled the conscience now passes unnoticed. This is not maturity; it is spiritual dullness. It reflects a heart slowly being shaped more by culture than by Christ.

Scripture does not soften this issue.

Colossians 3:8 (NLT): “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.”

The phrase “get rid of” is decisive. It does not suggest moderation or justification, but removal. Profanity is not a personality quirk or a cultural accessory. It is something believers are commanded to put off because it does not reflect the character of Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not redeem us so we could sound like the world with a thin layer of faith on top. He redeemed us to be different—to speak life in a world drowning in verbal decay.

James confronts the contradiction directly.

James 3:9–10 (NLT): “Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God… Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right.”

Praising God while using language that degrades people made in His image reveals a divided heart. It exposes a faith that has learned to compartmentalize rather than fully surrender.

Profanity may be common, but it is never harmless. It numbs the conscience, erodes reverence for God, and weakens our witness. In a profane world, God’s people are called to be different—not quieter or withdrawn, but clean, intentional, and life-giving.

The goal is not perfection, but direction. When we stumble in speech, we repent, realign, and move forward. But we never redefine holiness to make room for what Scripture clearly calls us to put away.

1 Peter 1:15–16 (NLT): “You must be holy in everything you do… because I am holy.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, search my heart and guard my mouth. Where my words have become careless, coarse, or unkind, convict me and change me. Help me speak in ways that honor You, respect others, and reflect the transforming work of Your Spirit in my life. I want my words to bring life, not harm. Shape my speech so that it points people to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen! ‍

‍
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
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Monday, 26 January 2026

Finding Peace in a Divided World Fresh Manna by Pastor Tim Burt

Fresh Manna with Pastor Tim Burt 
Tim Logo   A Note from Pastor Tim
Greetings and thank you for reading. I pray that God speaks to your heart, helps you understand His word, and brings insight and direction to your day and your life! Be inspired and blessed! 

Explore more on my website →

Finding Peace in a Divided World

January 26, 2026
by Timothy Burt

Hebrews 12:14 (NLT) says “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

We are living in one of the most divided seasons many of us can remember. Political views no longer stay in voting booths or news panels. They show up at family gatherings, church lobbies, social media feeds, and even quiet conversations between long-time friends. Lines are drawn quickly. Words are sharpened easily. And too often, peace is the first casualty.

God knew seasons like this would come. That is why Scripture does not say, “Enjoy peace when it’s easy.” It says, “Work at living in peace.”

Peace takes effort—especially when emotions are high, convictions are strong, and opinions feel personal.

The verse does not ask us to surrender truth, convictions, or conscience. It does not require silence where God calls us to speak. But it does require something far more challenging: that we represent Him well while we do.

Let me paint a familiar picture.

Two believers. Same church. Same Bible. Same desire to see the nation healed. But very different political conclusions. One conversation turns sharp. Voices rise. Motives are questioned. Soon, the issue is no longer policy—it’s pride. The relationship suffers. The Spirit is grieved. And both walk away convinced they were right… but neither feels peace.

This is where Hebrews 12:14 speaks directly into our moment. “Work at living in peace with everyone.”

Peace does not mean agreement. It means restraint when flesh wants to react. It means choosing tone over volume, humility over winning, and love over being proven right. Peace says, “I will not let disagreement turn me into someone Jesus wouldn’t recognize.”

And God says, “And work at living a holy life…”

Holiness is not about appearing religious. It is about being governed by God’s Spirit rather than our impulses. Holiness asks hard questions of us.

At its core, this devotional is not about politics.
It’s about holiness. Politics merely reveals what is already forming in us. Pressure exposes priorities. Disagreement surfaces what governs our hearts.

When Scripture says, “work at living a holy life,” it is reminding us that holiness does not drift into our character—it must be intentionally pursued.

If our convictions make us harsh,
If our arguments make us careless with people,
If our passion erodes our compassion,
Then something other than holiness is shaping us.

Holiness always clarifies Christ—it never obscures Him.

In a divided world, holiness becomes our greatest testimony.

Not perfect holiness—but surrendered holiness.
Not religious holiness—but Christlike holiness.

The world may never agree with us—but it should never struggle to recognize who we belong to.

1 Peter 1:15–16 (NLT) “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’”

Prayer: Dear Lord, in a world filled with division, draw us back to what matters most. Shape our hearts with Your holiness, govern our words by Your Spirit, and guard our witness in every conversation. May our lives reflect You clearly, even when disagreement surrounds us. Teach us to pursue peace without compromising holiness and to represent You well in every season. In Jesus’ name, Amen! ‍

‍
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
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