Stop eating the mana-EAT the PROMISE

I have heard recently that 80%-90% student when they become freshman in college never return to the fellowship of believers.. We have all heard this. I believe there are many reasons why, and am convinced this is one of them….

In short… The Israelites were given a promise, the land of Canaan, the land filled with milk and honey, the land God told Abraham would be for his offspring. We know this. We also know that the Israelites rejected the promise by doubting because of the enemies appearance, their military force, etc. So because they did not receive the promise they were destined to die in the desert. God did not destroy them, he allowed the one’s (Joshua and other, along with the children who would grow to be men and women after the 40 years) that were faithful to survive the desert and conquer Canaan, but the others, the disobedient to receive mana until their death in the desert.

Mana is said to contain Honey & Milk…. The Promise land was FILLED with Milk and Honey. The Mana was only good for daily consumption, you could not keep it for the next day, for it would be of no good use to eat. The Promise Land was for them forever, if they kept the commands of the Father. The mana filled up the camp and around the Israelites. The promise land was vast and gave room for all.

This is my believe. We have, in rightly doing so for Christians, given out mana (pieces of the promise) through teaching, preaching, leadership, but we have forgotten that the “lost” don’t need the mana…. THEY NEED THE PROMISE. John Maxwell stated “People will not sacrifice for something they are not passionate for…. something that gets their heart.. We must see that the lost will only eat mana for awhile in till they are given another route or excuse to do something else. See the disobedient ate the mana in till they were dead, but they never got to the promise land. They had daily reminders of a promise they never had. Now if we tell the lost that they need mana they will be satisfied for a moment. In till they are about 18-20 and will leave… But if we give them the Promise (Christ Jesus) they like us as Christians now will consume the mana knowing we have the promise.. Basically: Mana is not for the lost. The promise is. Stop telling the lost what God can give them and give them what God as promised them. The mana is for the believer. Continue to give a lost person mana and they will come IF they are hungry. Give them the promise and they will hunger and thirst for righteousness. God will continue to pour out mana so that the young ones, who believe, can grow up strong being reminded of their fathers failure and doubt and their promise of Canaan. One day the mana will stop dropping. What a glorious day that will be for us! Come quickly Lord. I hope this pushes you to smile was again at God’s grace and love. If your relying on the mana (to satisfy) we will never be satisfied (the Israelites weren’t). But if we are relying on the Promise, we will be joyful for the mana.