How happy are you?

Psalm 68:3 (NIV) But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

Today more than ever in my life I am generally happy. I have moments where I am attacked with some kind of oppression but generally 99.9% of the time I am happy. I am happy not because things are always good in my life which though mostly they are. There is still much in my life that I want to accomplish and there is still more left for me to do.

I think it was the decision that I made in the rough times late last year and earlier this year that has made this good time so much sweeter.

Today I know the truth that I am happy not because of good my life is but because I know with all my heart, soul and spirit how good my God is.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NIV) When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.

I know of bondage of only being able to be happy unless things are perfect in life. I especially know the bondage of needing people to make me happy and not making that choice for myself.  The sad part was that those people were so incapable of bringing any lasting happiness and joy to my life or even their own life.

Today the fact that I can even say I am happy testifies of my freedom from depression, neediness and misery which makes me even happier. That makes me know that I am happy that I can say with all faith according to Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

 

Be Happy, Manie

Just Fine

This is a message that in some form or another I have written about before but it is one is important enough to be preached again.

 

Romans 8:28 (CEV) We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose.

 

I want to tell you that even with the little that is going good and the lot that is going bad that God will work out for your good. The faith it takes in receiving that revelation means looking past how it looks or how you feel about things in your life today. The peace it takes to receive this word goes beyond your understand of what God wants you to do.

That is we must do as the word says in Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEV) With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.

 

Today I want you to trust God that everything will work out for your good regardless to if you have been dealing with a problem for a long time or if some new issue have invaded your life.

 

I am in agreement with all you reading this word today that what the enemy meant for evil God will use it for your good.

 

Be Blessed, Manie

You don’t need to be David Copperfield

It has been a long time but I am still here glad to be on the WINNING side and sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ.

Today in my spirit there was a sense of excitement as I thought about the word of God in Romans 4:18 ..Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed..

That is enough right there to praise God about because like our spiritual father we know how it feels to hope against all hope.

We know the dullness of looking a dead and impossible situation. But thank God our faith is not of magic and hocus pocus.

It is not up to us to make things happen but to believe God that upon our asking and believe that we shall receive.

It is an exciting time to be a believer because when everyone has put their faith in world leaders and the world economy we have put our FAITH is in a UNDENIABLY DEPENDABLE God.

This is not a long message but something quick for those of you that are still reading to let you know to continue to fight the good fight of faith. It is to let you know that we are the children of the God of Moses.

And to all of those Pharaoh’s whether it be people or problems-  in our life it is time to announce to them the word of God according to Exodus 6:1 (NLT) Then the LORD told Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave his land!”

TEETERING THE FENCE

And the just shall live by faith..Hab. 2:4

The thing you must remember today is that this life of faith is forever. Many of us call it the faith walk but it is the faith life. It is not like a cold where you just catch it and then some time later it is gone.  There will come a time where real believers realize that what they believe according to the word of God has become a part of who they are. They can’t forget it or let it go.

We understand that there is no turning back from believing and confessing the word of God. We embrace the truth that life as we knew it will never be the same and things can go only up and up.  We have NOW made the choice to live out the mandate God has placed on our lives as kingdom workers. We believe with our whole hearts in what the Holy Spirit in doing through us and what Jesus DID and still does for us at the right hand of t he Father. We believe in the love and goodness of our Heavenly Father.  We believe in the living and active power of the written word of God. We trust in the completion and totality of our redemption due to the work done at Calvary.

So then when chaos, confusion and all else comes against us we HOLD UNSWERINGLY to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

There is no more indecisiveness on whether THIS will work for us because we know now the work has already been done for us.

Be Blessed, Manie

Keep focus on your faith

I am NOT going to be able to post as frequently as I normally do but just rest assured I am still HERE doing the will and work of the LORD.

I felt led to share with you the word of the LORD to you this day that the things in your life are not as they appear.

I know that all of God’s children our troubles and circumstances are SCREAMING

for our attention. The things going on around us are pressing for us to be anxious, worried, fearful and upset. Yet we have to trust and know that God is with us. We have to

keep looking to the hills from where our help comes from. We have to know that we

have the victory.

 

Think of the 3 Hebrew boys in the fire…

Meditate on Caleb & Joshua as they face a community of giants..

Remember our Saviour beaten, bruised and dead on a cross..

and know they came out, they went through, and HE got UP.

 

Again I tell you the things going on in your life are NOT as they appear!!!

 

We have to put our faith in the finished work of Christ. Don’t focus on the world but keep focusing on the word.

 

Be Blessed, Manie

Least Likely

Ephesians 3:8 (NLT) Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.

 

In this season there is so much going on in the body of Christ. I sense in my spirit there are so many of us that have been FOLLOWING hard after the kingdom of God. We have not and will never cave into the negative reports of recession according to the media.  We have branched out and opened businesses, started ministries, bought houses and cars because we know all though the world may be without WE know as the children of God we live in favor, abundance and overflow.

 

For those of us that have disown the world system and KEPT our eyes on the LORD our time is now. Most of us are pregnant with supernatural possibilities and potential and although we have had many false starts the time to give birth is at hand.

 

From a stuttering killer name Moses, an forgotten son named David and a murderer name Saul it is always standard for the LORD to use in a mighty way those people considered by the world to be the least likely for anything great. 

If you have been forgotten and forsaken, used and abused, or rejected and unloved THEN get ready for the power of the LORD to be manifested in your life for the world to see HIS GREATNESS in and through you.

Everything in your life has not been to set you back but to you set you up for the glory of the LORD to be manifested for the teaching and edifying of other people.

From the world’s standpoint I should be the least likely to praise God: One year ago this month I left my job to pursue my ministry and in the process I lost my duplex and my car. Yet I have learned FIRST HAND how the favor, grace and goodness of God. I have learned the power of His strength in me in the face of my own apparent weaknesses. I have seen Him show up and make a way when there seemed no way. I have seen HIM move for me and cause people to bless me. I have been moved past the mentality of giving up to the maturity of pressing in and breaking out. I grown past the tendacy to be depressed, miserable, and quitting to knowing, believing and living out the importance of encouraging, comforting and exhorting myself and others in the word of God.

It has been in giving up so little that I have received so much. Yet the GOOD NEWS for me and for you is that THE BEST IS YET TO COME. It is time for us to be freed from our place of incubation and propelled into our place of blessings and greatness. 

 

Judges 6:15-16 (NLT) “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

 

Today it is the same with us- no matter how least likely you feel to do the will and work of the LORD- just know that HE is with you and whatever opposes is as nothing to Him and it should the same to you.

 

Be Blessed, Manie

The way of the Lord…..

Exodus 13:18 (NLT) So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

 

Like with the children of the Israel for us the way of the Lord requires blind faith. It is hearing Him give us the promise and believe it will happen without knowing how it will happen. 

 

First of all God choose for them the longest route and at the onset of the trip  was the Red Sea that they would have to get across with no boats. When they got across they rejoiced for only a moment before they started to worry and complain about the next problem. For these blessed and chosen people of God it always seemed to be one thing after another.

 

If it is one thing today we can learn from their mistakes is to not get so caught up in HOW you are getting there but to know, believe, affirm and confess that ARE getting there.

The celebration of Passover they took before crossing the Red Sea was not just to say they were leaving Egypt but to announce they were on their way to Canaan.

I believe the word of God shows us that the children of Israel had a LONG trip because they had such short memories.  

The LORD showed them over and over that HE was with them through the plagues he sent against Pharaoh and the Egyptians. He gave them favored to plunder the wealth of the Egyptians on their way out of their former place of slavery. He open the Red Sea for them. He change the bitter water for them. He fed them daily. He didn’t allow their clothes or feet to wear out during their time in the wilderness. He gave them victory in their battles against the armies that were against them. And the list goes on and on.

 

The truth is that we today have that same kind of testimony in our own lives. We can tell of all the times we didn’t know how He was going to make a way out for us but He did just that.

You have to trust that God knows the way in which He is taking you and He will give you what you need at the time that you need it. You have to trust that when you stumble and fall you can get back up and still proceed in the way in which He meant for you to go.

 

Isaiah 46:10 (NLT) Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

 

The faith of Abraham in Romans 4:21 (NLT) He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

 

Stop worry and concentrating on HOW you will get there and believe God today that you WILL most definitely get there.

 

Be Blessed, Manie

 

True Living…..

1 Peter 1:23 (NLT) For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal,living word of God.

Leave it up to this world to confuse us about what true living and real life looks like for us. We come to Christ empty,drained and tired after running as hard as we can after everything the world promises will make us happy, fulfilled and satisfied. We chase after the riches, excitement ,and pleasures yet even when we get a taste of  THAT it still isn’t enough. Today in my own life I am learning about the balance of what true living looks like for me as a believer. 

 I am learning its peace and not pleasure that is really satisfying to my soul and spirit.

It reads in 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT ) By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

I have said it before but it so POWERFUL that it bears repeating again in this Holy Week: True living comes when you believe and confess Jesus Christ to be Lord of your life. . You can’t know what LIFE is without the one who is LIFE. John 11:25 (NLT) Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

Before you come to really know Him then you are always searching and seeking for something or someone to make you happy and give you a sense of wholeness.

 The more I walk with Christ the more whole and fulfilled I am in HIM with my life. I have stopped being that empty, needy person who is always asking for validation and confirmation. True living is also having enough in US that we can give to another out of the abundance that God pours into us.

On this Good Friday where we observe the suffering and death that Jesus suffered in our place. Let us not waste this precious gift by wasting our time in this world living as if we were dead. True living is living life abundantly. And that means true living is staying connected to our Source: Jesus Christ.  

 

Be Blessed, Manie

There is still a new beginning in store for you….

I pray we all were blessed as we celebrated Passover yesterday and left our place Egypt.  I pray that as we applied the blood of Jesus over our bodies, minds, wills, emotions, finances, property, family and friends and told the enemy he has NO entry into these things that are covered by the blood.

In this Holy Week the Lord is revealing a few things to me about 2008 the year of New Beginnings. The LORD wanted me to tell His people that He is aware of how last year played out in our lives. It was a complete construction zone. There was so much demolition, demolishing and dismantling. Many of us have never had to let go of so much and so many at one time.  We looked back and thought what happened to new & exciting beginning that every pastor in the world was speaking would take place in our lives.

 

What started as a time of New Beginnings ended with reports of recession and lack.  We have to be still and know that the LORD was just gutting out what needed to be removed in order to start construction on the new thing.

 

Remember what started out as a total blood bath in the form of the crucifiction ENDED in victory and triumph for our LORD JESUS CHRIST  and all us believers.

What looked like LOSS in the world is actually GAIN for the kingdom.

Jesus assures us in Mark 10:29 that everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred time as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and property-along with persecution.
So maybe last year didn’t look like you thought it was going to look in your life. God wants you to know today YOUR NEW BEGINNING is still coming to pass. Stand still in your faith and know that it is done. 

 

We must be careful in this season to BE excited as the new THING springs up. Because as God said it has already begun.

 

Be Blessed, Manie

Cultivated Confidence

There is a confidence there comes from getting in and believing the word of God. It causes to be confident in who we are in HIM. It causes to become spiritually bold and authoritative. When we continue in the word of God and in relationship with Christ then our confidence get cultivated that it might become concrete.

 

So that when storms, trials, troubles and opposition comes you are not easily moved from your strength, power and might in God. You know how to bounce right up if you fall. You know that even after a night of crying that joy WILL come in the morning.

 

The enemy will use everything about your past and even some of your present to make you hold on to the lies he has spewed about who you really aren’t. He wants us to believe that we are not good enough because of where we came, how we look, and our past sins and mistakes. Yet the truth is that what God has said about us can’t be revoked or recanted.

 

You are today, tomorrow and forever EVERYTHING that God has called and said about you.

You are a blessed, favored, loved, forgiven, and redeemed child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are a Holy-Ghost filled joint-heir with Jesus Christ.

 

It is time to disown the confidence we use to have in the world’s system. One day you are hot and the next day you are not. One day you are in and two months later you are out.

This is a system of broken promises and forgotten vows. Sadly we see people go into marriages already thinking about the option of divorce. Jobs hire you on a probation status and won’t give you benefits until you have proven yourselves for 90 days. We are living in a time when your word is NOT your bond and truth is subject to personal interpretation.

 

Never before has it been such a time as NOW that we need to know the confidence that we have in Christ and His words and truth to, for and about us.

I want to personally testify to the power and freedom of believing what God says about YOU. I want to tell you of the pure bliss I have in waking up and choosing to be happy right now with my life. I am sure NOTHING causes more chaos in hell than when we celebrate God and ourselves in face of the LESS than celebratory circumstances in our lives.

 

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

I learned a long time ago to STOP picking myself apart based on the criticism of the enemy through other people in the world. I stop yielding my own mouth and mind in repeating the enemy’s accusations about me to me. I learn to love ME right now and not when I weigh a few pounds less, my hair is perfect and my skin is clearer. I have decided to have joy because I know the money is coming even though I haven’t seen it yet. I am determined to have peace even though the storm is STILL raging. 

 

It may still look bad but give the enemy a stroke and throw yourself your own daily praise party because you know where you are is not where you are going to stay.

 

1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Be Blessed, Manie