Manna - Manna - Manna . . . No Manna! – Joshua 5:12

12 And then no more manna; the manna stopped. As soon as they started eating food grown in the land, there was no more manna for the People of Israel. That year they ate from the crops of Canaan.

– Joshua 5:12

Manna - Manna - Manna . . . No Manna!

God knows just how long we need to be hand-fed His Word, and nurtured in His ways . . . then . . . He gives us the cut-off date and lets us know that it's time to start gathering the Bread of Life for ourselves.  It's time for us to start feasting on the big, meaty, bone-in, well-marbled slabs of the Good Stuff, straight from His adult menu (Bible), on our own – becoming self-sufficient, mature Christians who don't fall over every time the enemy blows a trial or a temptation our way.

The Meat that sustains us and puts His weight on our fragile egos; the Gristle that holds us together and helps us not be offended by every little thing that people say; the Marrow of our very souls which keeps us centered and focused on why we're here in the first place; the Blood which identifies us and gives us new life.  No more manna!  No more just getting by with the basic required daily nutrients.  No more needing God to be our "Da-Da," but now understanding the strength we have in our Father God.  Having Power, and Might, and Victory over our own lives, with the ability to serve, and to work, and to minister, and to hand-feed manna to those just coming in to the fold.

We need to grow up.  We need to stand up.  We need to hold up, to anything the world can throw at us.  And we need to man-up and be accountable for our own actions and take responsibility for our decisions – good, and bad – no matter the consequences.  We need to be His church, undivided, unwavering, uncompromising, and unbelievably strong in the face of adversity.  We need to be examples of the Risen Christ, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords . . . our Savior King . . . THE God . . . Our God.

So how about it?  Are you ready to take on the 72oz Cowboy cut?  The All-You-Can-Eat smorgasbord?  The Grade-A, triple-decker, thick-sliced bacon-wrapped, jalapeños, onions, and spicy mustard, on a kaiser roll?  The God's Waffle House "All The Way" scattered, smothered, covered, chunked, diced, peppered, capped, topped, and country-style hash browns?  The give me a Holy coronary, triple by-pass for Jesus meal that's going to send the devil running with his forked tail between his scrawny bow-legged, pigeon-toed hoofs?

It's time, you know – no more happy meals.  Time to take on a real meal.  It's time to devour the Word of God and get it in you.  It's time to let God know that you're ready for all He's got, without conditions, His way, from His pre-set menu, carefully selected, designed, and prepared . . . just for you.

A better meal doesn't exist anywhere in this world because He's the Top Chef, and if you eat His food . . . you won't be Chopped!

Prayer

Father, thank You for the meat of Your Word.  Thank You for the time of training we have had and for the "manna" You have provided for us.  Help us Lord, to be willing to feast on Your banquet and to take ALL that You have prepared for us.  Forgive our finicky, picky ways and know that we are ready to step up to the adult table and start tasting and seeing for ourselves, how very good You are.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard