TO LOVE & TO...CHANGE! - 1 (Fiction Series)

I huddled my husband for warmth but then Jake knew exactly what I wanted. He looked me in the eyes and grinned. Then he responded with a deep smooching.
“I love you…Lovey” that was what he affectionately called me.
As he got up to prepare himself as usual, I seized him violently and launched into a deeper snuggle. He pushed me away lightly
“Hey,” he giggled “what are you doing? Let me get prepared, ok?”
“No…” I muffled on his neck. But then he managed to get his way out of the bed and fixed himself. Then he joined me again on the bed. He was about to launch out when he asked
“Hey, are you fixed up?”
“No…” I said, launching out my kisses.
“What! Is this intentional?” he was surprised.
“Mmm…” I moaned silently “sometimes I want to…”
“You want to what?!” I saw the upset in his face. Was he really afraid?
“We’ve talked about this, Sylva…” he only called me by my first name when he was grave about something unfavorable. “Until…”
“Until next year June! I know…” I said softly and touched his cheek with my palm and gave him a reassuring smile. He smiled.
“That’s my girl!” Now, he was elated.

~~~~~~~~~~

Jake was a man who deeply loved me, treated me like a queen and worshipped the very ground I stepped on. I was the envy of every woman who knew Jake and me. Not only was he truly a gentleman, but, man, he was just fine! He had no problem when it came to good looks. It was impossible for me to disrespect and not to submit to this son of Adam. For almost two years that we’ve been married, it has been so easy to love him – and yes I’d come to love him more. He was a perfect example of the ‘…husbands, love your wife as Christ loved the church…’ and I was submitting so graciously. He was such a near-perfect man so much that sometimes I used to wonder if he was real. Yet, in all, I just thanked my God for this gift of love.

Until eight months ago, when I started seeing changes in my dear Jake! He wasn’t the all-loving, nice-talking and boisterous confident man I knew him to be. He had become a narcissist – he was unnecessarily jealous but won’t admit it. He was getting angry at the least thing I did wrong. He was carping all the time. He saw something wrong with everything I did that he used to be happy about. His church attendance diminished. He had become passive and sometimes he wouldn’t make love to me until I forced him to. The working-hours calls seized. The love-notes were not forth coming. I convinced myself he had only lost his passion to write. He started spending long hours in the Study. He was acting as if I didn’t exist anymore! I was getting tired of his negative behavior and several times, I had wanted to put in a divorce.
Then I vent my upset on my God – ‘God didn’t you say he is the one? Or did I hear a wrong voice? Why didn’t you tell me who he really was?’ I blamed God for this mess of a marriage. Eventually, I thought it wasn’t from Him.

I wanted Jake to do everything I wanted like he used to, but he stubbornly didn’t seem to care! He wouldn’t do most of the simple things as opening the car door for me when we went out together. He acted as if he forgot. He virtually stopped the breakfast-in-bed treat, and all he used to do without me asking. When I uncommonly asked politely if he could prepare me something to eat, he would tell me, “I’m busy. Why don’t you do it?” He had become cheeky and disrespectful.

I had gotten it to my neck and I also started to act up. I intentionally stayed long hours outside home knowing I had to be home and do my duty as a wife. Maybe, at least, if he saw no food on the dining table, he would miss me and call me. But he didn’t. I didn’t care either whatever he did with his life. I didn’t care to check him up in the study anymore when he spent unusually long hours there. Woe to him if he felt like he was thirsty for me and asked for it! He just wouldn’t get it! That would make him thirsty more and he will start to treat me nice if he were to be quenched! I thought. If his presentational work was not typed, I didn’t care! I was no more his ‘private’ secretary…!
There were times I confronted him and it made matters worse.
“We need to talk, Jake!” I would snap. He would give me his patience and listen “You have changed, why?” and I would list to his face all that he did wrong. Sometimes he would exhibit an outward patience and stay until I finished but he wouldn’t say a word. That silence killed me more inside and made me angrier. Sometimes, he would walk away “You walk over me?! You have such a nerve, Jake…” and I will nag till he disappeared.

This devastating marriage life went on for almost eight months. I still can’t make it out how I was able to stay in the marriage all that while, for many times, I had wanted to leave. In fact, I had threatened Jake I was leaving, and I realized those times when he came back home early, it was nervously to check if I was still in the house but he wouldn’t show. Suddenly, three months ago, Jake was back to himself! He was coming around and had come far indeed. How it happened, I didn’t know. All I cared was I was happy to get my man back. Our love grew more. Who said challenges in marriage don’t grow your love? I had experienced it!

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TO BE CONTINUED...

BY: LILLY MORGAN

NB: Kindly access the rest of the parts at the links below:
(Part 2 @ : http://tinyurl.com/8jyle8u)
(Part 3 @ : http://tinyurl.com/bswtejw)
(Part 4 @ : http://tinyurl.com/9k745bd)
(Part 5 @ : http://tinyurl.com/9ytwe5b)
(Part 6 @ : http://tinyurl.com/93y6ds9)
(Part 7 @ : http://tinyurl.com/8rtswfq)
(Part 8 @ : http://tinyurl.com/9zad9xa)http://tinyurl.com/9sr5let

ARE YOU BELIEVING GOD?

I woke this morning overwhelmed with the magnitude of my mandate, the severity of my discipline and the financial budget it entails. It just dawned on me, I will have to believe God for all my desires to become a reality. It got me thinking. It sparked a fiery debate in me that consumed me with an earnest desire to dissect the word "believe" and to grasp its significance, and expectation on my life as a Christian. What is belief? I queried in my mind. The search was on and I was not letting up until I have some concrete biblical facts that could unlock the reality of my expectation.

The dam of ignorance was broken and the flood of divine revelation flooded my soul sprouting the bud of understanding. I realized I have slipped into the same passiveness that had knocked out many church goers who called themselves believers. The word "belief" has become a casual word that we declare to express our expectation in God. Does believe relinquish our responsibility of actions. Do we just park our mandates while we are left in the wake of ambitious unbelievers who just scramble to achieve and possess everything in their path? Does believe mean we do nothing? I wondered. As I pondered on these and searched the living word, I noticed that believe is not just a passive state of “do nothing" but a call to trust the Lord in the path of obedience. Believe is not initiated by your whims, the pressure of your needs or the religious norm that is prevalent in your denominational circles but it is based on the word of the Lord. You cannot believe until God has spoken.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17)

God's promises in His word or divine revelation is the foundation of our belief. However belief is not complete until you have embraced God’s word as true and taken an action in obedience. Our belief must also be reflected in our utterance. You cannot be speaking against what you believe. What you say in the heat of your circumstance is an evidence of your belief. Your belief must also affect your emotional responses to your challenges.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
(Isa 28:16)

This flood of divine revelation eroded away any root of ignorance that had been planted in my soul. Now I know what it really means when I say am believing God. I accept His promise as true; I walk in obedience, full of expectation, drowned in the rivers of His peace, with my mouth filled with praise and the declaration of my affirmations of his promise. I believe, am believing, I AM A BELIEVER.

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
(2Co 4:13)

BY PASTOR REINDORF MANTEY
www.crusaders.biz

What is Worhsip?

From the onset, worship is not just the lifting up of hands while praying or singing a reverential song, bowing down, laying prostrate, etc alone though all these are forms of worship. Many Christians tend to focus on the outward expression than the inwardness of a man or the involvement of the heart in the worship offered to God. Believe it or not one can pass the human expectation of expressions and dynamics of worship without a single mistake but yet his or her worship rejected by God. For example; The Pharisees in the bible were very experienced in all the forms of religious rituals and worship but the Lord rejected their worship: “in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Not only were their character or nature the grounds for their worship being rejected but also not fulfilling the mandate of their life; as in the specific assignment given to them by God which is teaching for doctrine the commands of God not men. Let’s consider another example. The people of Israel were very pious and excellent in the dynamics of offering sacrifices unto God as required of them by the law. They were very diligent! Somehow along the line, fallen from righteousness, they had the impression that as long as they offered their burnt offering, blood of bullocks, incense, oblation and celebrated their festivities, God will still be pleased and accept them anyhow. Hence, the Lord spoke to them thus: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? I am full of the burnt offering…and delight not in the blood of bullocks…who hath required this at your hands…?” According to the law, the Israelites were to offer those sacrifices, but the Lord through his prophet Isaiah said He had rejected such an offering and he needed no more. Though they were obeying the law and were diligent, because of their lifestyle of sinfulness the Lord rejected them and their sacrifices or worship. Today’s compared to that of the early church exalt expression above character.

Considering the Scriptures, what does God mean when he talks about worship or speak of offering worship to Him?

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat 4:8-10

The Lord Jesus had fasted forty days and nights and was very hungry. The devil, Satan comes to tempt him by using his hunger as a bait to get him to abuse his authority and satisfy self but fails. Satan not willing to give up tries again concerning his belief in divine protection and again fails. Then finally the devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, showed him all the kingdom of the word and it glory and proposes to the Lord that he will give them all to him if he just bows and worship. Though the devil failed, Jesus made an expecting yet very profound statement concerning worship that will aid us in our search for the definition of worship.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat 4:10

The Lord replied Satan and said that it is written that it is God we are to worship and only him we serve. Considering Jesus’ and Satan’s interaction, the devil was referring to worship as in lying prostrate, bowing down, lifting of hands, etc but Jesus in his reply addresses the devil’s intent request mingled service. In other words the Lord is saying that worshipping and service falls into the same category. This means that the one you adore and reverence is the one you serve or render service to also. To serve means to minister to God, to render religious homage: to worship, in reference to the Greek. Also carefully studying the Greek word we observe that to serve was derived from a Greek word meaning one hired, to hire one for a work. In addition the same Greek word meaning to serve refers to the performing of the Levitical Service. Now the Levitical Service also as the mandate of the Levites included; bearing and guarding the ark of covenant, the vessels of the tabernacle, to assist the priest and to minister to him, to stand before the Lord and minister to him, bring wood for sacrifices and other necessities and so on.

From this (the dialog between Jesus and Satan) we can partially define worship as adoring, reverencing God through our expression streaming from our heart and fulfilling our duties and or our mandates as Christians.

Let’s consider another scripture to bring the definition of worship to a concrete conclusion.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:1

The Roman Church was a church believed to consist of both Jews and Gentile with the Gentile being the predominant members. Imagine the possible chaos and immaturity in the church! Since they lacked better doctrine the apostle made his letters available to them for doctrine sake, edification, and with the intent of a closer intimate relationship with the Lord. The apostle being a man of righteousness and intimacy addressed a lot of issues with regard to the Church, however he makes a remarkable and insightful appeal in the chapter twelve verse one of Romans that I wants us to examine by the Holy Spirit for the definition of Worship. He implored them through the compassion of God that they should offer or present their bodies (all their members and faculty) a living sacrifice, holy (devoted and consecrated: set apart, upright, purity or abstaining from earth’s defilement) for that was their reasonable service (worship).

Here in this text the apostle was referring to the Levitical system of offering a sacrifice to the Lord. In the Old Testament, we will observe that the person offering a sacrifice brings the animal specified without blemish (otherwise will not be accepted) before the priest to offer it to the Lord. He lays his hand on the victim for the purpose of oneness with the victim, then presents it to the priest as in transfer of complete ownership to the Lord. The priest dissects and cut the sacrifice as instructed by the Lord through the Law and finally burns it on the altar as a sweet savor onto the Lord. This is what worship is all about, becoming a burnt offering unto the Lord.

In plain, the apostle instructs us to presents ourselves unto the Lord Jesus our high priest who will offer the sacrifice to God almighty. We must present ourselves holy for that is the only way the offering will be accepted: for without holiness none can see God or please Him. “…Which is your reasonable service” he included. Service here means to worship, the same in meaning compared to that of Matthew chapter four verses ten.

With all this noted, What then is worship?

Worship according to Scripture is having a reverential fear of God which springs from the heart, expressed through your emotions through a time of ministration. It is living a consecrated life (holiness is expressed and evident in your character). Worship is one coming to the destinations of surrendering your agenda, will, desire, to the Lord as you embrace his counsel and purpose for your life. Worship is one with a pure heart fulfilling his or her Christian duties and also mandate and commission of their life.

YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT

One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first experience in selecting and cutting oak trees. These they would later sell to the boat builders. As they walked along, the woodcutter explained that the purpose of each tree is contained in its natural shape: some are straight for planks, some have the proper curves for the ribs of a boat, and some are tall for masts. The woodcutter told his grandson that by paying attention to the details of each tree, and with experience in recognizing these characteristics, someday he too might become the woodcutter of the forest.

A little way into the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that had never been cut. The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it down because it was useless for boat building - there were no straight limbs, the trunk was, short and gnarled, and the curves were going the wrong way. "We could cut it down for firewood," the grandson said. "At least then it will be of some use to us." The woodcutter replied that for now they should be about their work cutting the proper trees for the boat builders; maybe later they could return to the old oak tree.

After a few hours of cutting the huge trees, the grandson grew tired and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they rested against its trunk in the cool shade beneath its twisted limbs. After they had rested a while, the woodcutter explained to his grandson the necessity of attentive awareness and recognition of everything in the forest and in the world.

Some things are readily apparent, like the tall, straight trees; other things are less apparent, requiring closer attention, like recognition of the proper curves in the limbs. And some things might initially appear to have no purpose at all, like the gnarled old oak tree. The woodcutter stated, "You must learn to pay careful attention every day so you can recognize and discover the purpose God has for everything in creation. For it is this old oak tree, which you so quickly deemed useless except for firewood, that now allows us to rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.

"Remember, grandson, not everything is as it first appears. Be patient, pay attention, recognize, and discover."

It is very unfortunate that many of us feel the same way. We go through life cycles beaten down and like the old oak tree nobody sees our worth as we also feel likewise. We have given up so much on life that we nothing good can come out of our lives. But just because you do not know your value does not mean you are not valuable. The old oak tree did not have beautiful description, it was not recognized amongst the finest of the trees and even the grandson labeled it useless yet it’s role was very significant; Yes your experiences in life may have forced you to label yourself useless like the old oak tree that had a short and gnarled trunk, crooked limbs, and the curves going the wrong way.

Society may have despised you and ready to “cut you down” nevertheless you are here because you are needed. The old oak tree knew it’s worth. It did not have great accolades but it was needed because it provided shade and a refuge for the grandfather and his grandson, a great need that the other trees could not provide. You may not know your worth but do you know that you are a vital player for the good of humanity? Do you know that in spite of your insecurities and deficiencies, the world needs what you have? Actually you are the product of a billion years of thinking; the Greatest Mind in the universe designed you-GOD ALMIGHTY!

Consider the two scriptures below:
The bible in Genesis 1:26
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness……”.

We see God speaking to Himself, the Trinity (FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT) to make man (us) in HIS image, after His likeness. The image here is not referring to physical likeness but it is translated originally translated from the hebrew wores, tselem and demut which means nature, copy, characteristics and essence. Which indicates that we (MAN (both male & female) are expression of God Himself. In other words, we carry the same characteristics, nature and moral attributes of God. And as children of God we are supposed to talk and act like Him. Look into your life today and ask yourself, are you behaving like God? If not reevaluate your life.

The bible in Romans 11:36 Amplified Bible (AMP) Says,
“36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it).”

Thus from the above scriptures, we know that everything we see in life has a source who is God Almighty and we exist to give Him Glory. Thus the only way you will know your value is to know the mind of your Source concerning you and He sees value in you because you are His original piece, a display of His glory and beautiful creation.

David described himself as unique, “for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 134:14)
He was confident because he knew he was a masterpiece. What an attitude! Sometimes we need to stand in the mirror and admire ourselves including all our imperfections and boldly declare our uniqueness because that is what we are.

You may be beaten down by the storms of life nevertheless you are needed by your Creator, and He loves you unconditionally. The gnarled old oak tree was hit by rain and other natural disasters yet it was still needful. The tree that initially appeared to have no purpose at all and deemed useless except for firewood was the same tree that allowed the old man and his grandson to rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.

We need to rise up today and realize that our presence is needed in our families, job, school, marriage and the world at large we may be stones the builders rejected yesterday or today but we can still be the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22) tomorrow and until we recognize our value we will not contribute to the greater good of humanity.

http://www.crusaders.biz

YOU ARE NEEDED!!!

Mat 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

Mat 21:2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

Mat 21:3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

Mat 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying

Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

The Lord Jesus was very passionate about fulfilling his divine assignment when He was on earth. Knowing what had been prophesied about him in the Old Testament, He set His face to Jerusalem with His appointment with destiny. As he drew near to Jerusalem He stopped abruptly because there were conditions that had to be met for Him to enter the city. Zechariah the Prophet had prophesied in Zech 9:9 that the Messiah will enter the city riding on a donkey. Therefore Jesus could not enter the city without riding that donkey. Though He was willing, anointed and zealous, He could not break the prophetic law and enter the city. For Him to be qualified to die for humanity in Jerusalem, it was necessary to fulfill all the prophetic declarations about Him. His work of salvation was here hinged on this donkey. He called His disciples and asked them to go and get the donkey because He was in need of it. It is incredible that the son of the most high God is in need of a donkey. Though He was very powerful, yet He needed the Donkey to transport Him to His appointment of destiny. Without this donkey His mandate could not be fulfilled.

I wonder what the donkey felt until this time. It had felt insignificant and useless. It was tied up and no one was riding it. There was no progress in its life. It seemed there was no purpose for its existence. Yet it was the object of divine purpose. It was not born to be just tied up as life passes by. It existed because it was the transport of the most high God for a divine appointment. People might have despised it; it might have embraced its mediocrity and settled for a life of being tied up until the Lord put a demand on its existence. The divine requirement exposed its significance and potential. It was the transport for divinity to fulfill the mandate of salvation.

Do you know God needs you? You are the object of His affection, the vehicle of divine purpose, His precious agent of His will on earth. Do you know the omnipotent God needs you? Don’t let your past experience label you, don’t settle for the limitation of man’s measurement but look up to your maker who demands your presence to reveal divine excellence on earth. Without your cooperation with God, His work in your life will be sabotaged. You must be awakened to this revelation that you are here on earth as an agent of divine purpose. You are an ambassador to implement His order in the vicinity you dwell. Without you, there are many divine purposes that will not progress in your life. Though God is omnipotent, He needs you to manifest His purpose. The Lord sent His disciples to bring the donkey to Him so that they can together fulfilled the mandate of God. The Lord demands our consecration so our significance will be revealed. It is when we have dedicated ourselves to the Lord will we be able to fulfill our divine purpose. Many of our dreams and desires have not manifested because we are over-opinionated, ambitious and selfish believers who live to ourselves. We delight in our religious activities without consecration. We are skilled in our church formalities yet are not submitted to His will. The Lord wants to do incredible things in our lives but are we willing to yield to Him through consecration?

Though the donkey was tied up, it was released because the Lord had need of it. His demand for the donkey was greater than any impediment that restricted or opposed it being brought to the Lord. If many believers will come to the revelation that the Lord is in need of them, the shackles of the enemy will break of them. Many are bound because they refuse to enter into consecration. Consecration to divine purpose liberates one from the restrictions and bondage of the enemy. Let us arise and respond to the call of consecration for the Lord has need to fulfill all those things He has promised concerning us.

Don't Faint; BELIEVE!

Psa 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Fainting is when you are weary of your walk with the Lord. It makes you sluggish and cannot bear any divine responsibility. You are depleted of the invigorating joy that empowers you in your walk of faith. When you feel you have no strength to go on any more you have been bitten by the bug of fainting. You then begin to give excuses why you cannot engage in any divine activity. You compromise your righteous ethics and you utterances are marked with defeat and discouragement. The seemly burden of your disappointment makes you intolerable, extremely sensitive and easily offensive. The virus of fainting is a peril to the Christian walk yet the Lord has given us its antidote and it is called belief.

The writer was so sure that he would have fainted if he had not believed in the Lord in the midst of his challenging circumstances. What he had experienced could have sucked his strength right out of him but his belief in the Lord immunized him from the viral effect of fainting. God has not promised us a detour from the path of contrary circumstances. He has not exempted us from the peril of defeat or the onslaught of the enemy but He has empowered us with the ability to believe in the midst of our contrary circumstances. He has given us a glimpse of the goodness ahead. What you see now is not your end for the omnipotent God has determined the conclusion of the matter. Your belief in the goodness ahead will energize you to keep walking and not throw in the towel. If we will survive the onslaught of the enemy we need to believe to see. Our expectation in the Lord makes us understand that our peril today is temporary. Our joy must not be measured by what we just see today, but the goodness ahead. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE? DO YOU BELIEVE GOD IS ABLE? IF you are paralyzed with the symptoms of fainting I strongly exhort you to look ahead for there is goodness ahead. I urge you to believe and shake yourself out of your slumber. Remind yourself of the promises of God and say with me: I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE TO SEE.

Job 8:7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

BY: Pastor R. Mantey

Discerning your Purpose in Life - part1

Discerning your Purpose in Life - part2

Discerning your Purpose in Life - part3

I KNOW NOT A MAN

Lk 1:34-35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mary, a young destitute virgin who lived in obscurity in the province of Galilee was visited by the angel of the Lord and was promise to be the mother of the Messiah. This was the greatest honor that could be bestowed on a Jewish girl. She was graced with such an honor not because she merited it or was so distinguished in piety but it was the grace of God. Though Mary believed the angel's message, she could not fathom how God was going to pull this off because she "knew no man". If she was going to conceive this promise of the Lord, she will need a man. Unfortunately, she knew no man as at yet. Mary lacked the human potential to produce the promise of God. If she were to be scrutinized, her deficiency, inadequacy and handicaps was painstakingly evident. She was inexperienced and her virginity was very apparent. However God chose her in spite of her handicaps to conceive this incredible feat. Her weakness made her liable to the promise of God.

There are many who have been given incredible promises of the Lord and yet they lack the means to manifest such promises. Such know not a man. They lack the human concepts, strategies or potential to conceive the divine promise. There are many of such who have been called into ministry and yet have no theological training. They lack the eloquence or oratory skills needed for good communication of the gospel. Some become incoherent when exposed to a congregation and yet the promise of the Lord to them is that they will preach the gospel. Others have been promised businesses and yet they lack the capital, or the commercial ingenuity to even initiate such feat. These people can not trust in man because they "know not a man". Their limitations qualify them for the grace of God. If they could conceive the promises of God they will not be used by God because then it will not be by His grace. God is still using the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. He chooses the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty so no man can glory in His presence (1Cor 1:27-28). These are used because they know not a man and therefore will have to depend on the grace of God.

Since Mary lacked the human potential as at yet to conceive the promise of God, she asked the angel how God was going to get this done. The angel made her aware that it will take the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Mary did not need a man to conceive the promise but the Holy Spirit. The angel indicated that when the Holy Spirit comes upon her, she will receive all the potential that she needed to manifest the promise of God. It is the Spirit of the Lord that imparts the grace we need to fulfill the will of God; hence He is called the Spirit of grace (Zech 12:10). We need Him in all our divine endeavors. Without Him we will be paralyzed in our attempt to fulfill the mandates of God. It does not take power or might to embark on our divine tasks but it is by the Holy Spirit (Zech 4:6b). Let us increase our fellowship with Him so He can grace us with the skills we need to birth the things of the Lord.

By Pastor Mantey

Setting Goals-part 1- Pamela Mantey [HQ].mp4

Setting Goals-part 2- Pamela Mantey [HQ].mp4

WHO ART THOU?

Zec 4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

Zerubbabel was the Jewish leader who was undertaking the rebuilding of the temple after their exile from Babylon. He had successfully laid the foundation of the temple but was gravely opposed by the enemies of the Jewish nation that the construction came to a halt. This opposition was insurmountable, immovable, and impassable, like a mountain. Completing the temple project was a daunting task in the face of such an incredible opposition yet God exhorts His servant through the prophet Zechariah not to give up. God promised to miraculously demolish such mountain into a plain. Though the opposition was surely like a mountain yet it could not hinder God in fulfilling His purpose through His servant. Therefore God asks: who art thou, O great mountain before Zerubbabel? God belittles the opposition in light of who Zerubbabbel was to Him. If Zerubbabel knew who he was, he would have been assured that God would surely empower him to fulfill his divine assignment.

Today, God’s question must resonate and be amplified in our hearts at the face of our oppositions. God is still asking: Who art thou, O great mountain before my people? It is not the size of the opposition that counts but our identity in God will determine the finality of the matter. Do you really know who you are in God then? Do you really know the God you belong to? We have allowed the size of our mountains to suspend our obedience to our divine assignments. We focus on the mountain and belittle ourselves. We compare our potentials to the power of the oppositions and we get so discouraged because we fail to bring God in the equation. Sure, your oppositions are great like a mountain before you, but to God, it is nothing like a plain. Do you know who you are in God? If you did you will not be discouraged. Your identity in God has equipped you to face any challenge and be victorious. You were born to be overcome.

1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Through the process of our being born again, we were equipped with the potential to overcome any opposition that threatens our divine purpose. Therefore, if we get the revelation of who we really are in God, we will be launched into the power of faith to confront any opposition. If we focus on only our problems and ignore our divine identity we will be griped with fear. Do you know who you are? Do you know the name that God calls you? The mountain of opposition must be terrified of you. You are not a nobody but a child of the most high God. Do you know who you are?

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

In light of your divine identity, the mountain is nothing? It is there to expose your divine potential. If there is no mountain in your life, then the invisible God will not demonstrate His miraculous power in your life. Get ready for your mountain is about to be destroyed because you are a child of God. Your identity guarantees your completion of the divine assignment.

God exhorts Zerubbabel that as he has laid the foundation of the temple, he shall bring forth the headstone with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it to finish it. God does not start what He is not determined to complete. If he started it, then you should be fully assured He will complete it. If he built the foundation, then there is no mountain of opposition that will stop Him from laying the headstone. What then is this mountain that has gripped you with fear? What is this boastful mountain before YOU? I exhort you to awaken to your true identity and know that you belong to the most high God before whom mountains evaporate to become a plain.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

By Reindorf Mantey

Do you Believe?

Mat 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

Mat 9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Mat 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Examining this short narrative under the light of the Holy Spirit, we observe that Jesus Christ was on his way somewhere, though the bible does not state. Two blind men followed him crying, “son of David, have mercy on us.” Christ did not answer them or say anything at that moment. So they kept crying as they followed; “have mercy on us” till they got to his destination. These blind men were not angry, nor allowed their pride get in the way. They interpreted his silence as delayed but not denial. The mere fact that Christ did not respond or react to their cry did not mean that they had to turn back and or give up. These men were passionate about what they needed and humbled themselves to follow Christ without questioning him, murmuring against him or pointing fingers at him.

Sometimes, we as human beings not being careful allow our pride to get in the way of our deliverance, restoration, healing, or breakthrough. Instead of us considering and judging things from a divine perspective, we allow our fleshly emotions to have the best of us. This on the contrary causes us to loose the precious things God has ordained for us. “After all I’ve called upon his name, tried reading my bible, went to church and all night prayers, sang in the church choir, paid my tithes, fed and gave money to the homeless, so no and he is not minding me,” some may say. But do you know that his silence is a test of character, passion, and maturity? Do you know that the silence serves as a transfiguration period for us to be like him? Do not let your flesh deceive you that God does not want to answer you or give you anything. He is a prayer answering God and it is his desire and will that we prosper in every areas and aspects of life. Don’t shrink back! Be tenacious and diligent as these blind men were to access what God has for you. Don’t forget that since the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

According to the narrative, these blind men kept following and when they got the house Jesus asked them a simple question: “believe ye that I am able to do this?” Now, why would they have followed him if they did not believe that Christ was able to heal them? Did not their approach in Christ define their faith in him? The questions Christ asked bring us to understand that, there is a possibility that one can be very diligent, passionate, prayerful, etc and not believe. You see, Christ by the question was not really concerned about their problem, rather, their belief. In actuality our problem is not a problem to God, our sickness is not a difficulty to the Messiah, and our critical conditions are nothing but mere chaff before the Christ. Our moral deficiency is not a problem at all to Jesus because with him all things are possible. His concern is our belief in him. Do you believe that he can deliver you right now as you are reading? Do you believe that you can receive your miracle right now as I write to you? Do you have faith in him to transform you life?

The Lord asked them the question to initiate their faith. By the pronouncement of their belief in response to answer the Lord they activated the faith necessary to receive their sight. When these men were following Jesus the only thing they did was to cry “have mercy on us” which was not exact according to our deduction. The genuineness of their belief was locked in their declaration and until they spoke, they would have remained in that same condition. Do you really believe? If you believe, then you must speak it out. The bible says that let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Out of the mouths baby and suckling has God ordained strength. You shall decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee. The power to affect your today and or future is residing in your mouth and you must speak it forth irrespective of how you feel or what you are going through.

For these blind men to see they needed to actualize their belief through speaking. As far us God was concerned, He had made the provision already. It was not yet manifested because all these years they “cried” but never took a step in declaring their belief. God had already healed you before the foundations of the earth. Your “messed up” life was fixed even before you were born. Your ministry was established before you even started ministry. That marriage you desire was put together even before you thought of having a desire for marriage. All you have to do is to speak it out you belief so that the faith needed will be activated. Declare your belief in Christ and see it manifest for all to see the power and glory of the risen Lord. If you believe, then declare it and according to your faith it shall be done unto thee.

DO IT AGAIN!

Gen 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bore a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

The Bible says God created the earth and placed Adam and Eve in a garden called Eden – pleasure. God gave them a commandment not to eat the fruit of knowledge of good and evil but they disobeyed. Their disobedience placed them in direct opposition to God and therefore He had to cast them out of the garden. In the midst of time while God was casting them out of Eden he gave them a pronouncement, a prophetic declaration. He told them that although Satan through his deceptive means has caused them to deny their heritage and status in God, through their seed they will crush the head of the serpent. So when they came out of the garden their only hope of restoration was the seed God promised them.

Adam with the prophetic word in mind knew his wife and she bore him children. With Cain being the first the born and Abel the second, they were confident that one of them was the seed God was talking about. Preferably, the first son, Cain! But something tragic happened during the cause of life. Cain became messed up and murdered his only brother Abel. Now Adam and Eve’s dreams and hope for restoration had been shattered.

With Cain rejected, driven from the presence of God and Abel murdered, what was going to be the outcome of Adam and Eve’s generation and moreover the prophetic word given to them by God?

Many of us find ourselves in situations such as Adam and Eve and all we can think of is throwing in the towel. Some also forget that God is God indeed and nothing can and will stop him from fulfilling his purpose in our lives as we allow him.

Isa 14:27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Adam and Eve held on to the promise of God and took a step again. The Bible tells us the he “knew” his wife again and she bore him a son called Seth meaning in stead of or substitute or appointed. Because he did it again their dreams and hope for restoration were realized. Their trust in God became the vehicle that transported them to arena of doing it again, thus “knowing” his wife to produce another seed. Do you trust God? Do you really believe God be who you say He is?

Maybe you have placed your trust in someone or something and you have been disappointed. You have been left paralyzed, demoralized and traumatized. You are so discouraged that you have thrown in the towel. You are confused and clueless of what to do in life anymore. I write to you to encourage you that God has a vision for you life. He has a mandate for your life. It is does not matter whether you have lost your “Abel” and frustrated with your “Cain”. God has an appointment for you. The vision of God for your life is set for an appointed time. Believe His word, and trust also in him and He shall bring it to pass. For as long as He is seated on the throne, that vision or prophecy will be made manifest. It is not over until God says it is over. Don’t throw in the towel for the vision of God is set for an appointed time even though it seems you have lost it all.

Now, considering Adam and Eve’s situation, they should have given up, complained, murmured against God like some of us do. They should have departed from righteousness unto ungodliness just because the manifestation of the Lord’s promise was delayed. Rather they remembered the word declared to them by God and decided to take another step. Though they failed the first time but that did not stop them. They did it again and succeeded.

I might not know what you are going through but I have come to you today in writing to tell you don’t loose hope but rather trust God and His word and do it again. Whatever the devil might have stolen from you don’t let it stop your confidence in God. You might not understand God’s plans or His ways but Jer. 29:11 clearly states that His plans towards us are good and to bring us to an expected end. Rise up mighty man and woman of God in obedience to His word and do it again. Whatever the Lord has spoken to you, don’t withdraw because of your past failure. Let it be your experience and do it again.