Reflections

Which is Easier: Forgiveness or Healing?

November 8, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

²And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” ³ And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.” ⁴ And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? ⁵ Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? ⁶ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” ⁷ And he got up and went home. Matthew 9: 2-7

For the past several weeks I have been meditating on the following quote by John G. Lake:

“It does not take a bit more faith to be healed from your sickness than it does to be saved from your sins. The only difference is that in your own consciousness, you knew there was no place to get forgiveness except from God.”

When Jesus was on earth many witnessed Him heal the sick, but many did not understand the authority He had to forgive people of their sins. So Jesus asked the question “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? Jesus had the authority and power to do both. Today as Christians we know because of Jesus that salvation is available to all mankind; we just have to believe. Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” That same grace that saves us also heals us.

However, today many Christians do not view healing the way they do salvation. We know that the only one that can save us is Jesus. We cannot obtain salvation by another person or any work on our part. We have faith in God that He will forgive us of our sins and make us righteous in His sight. When it comes to healing we are not so sure because we view sickness and disease as a part of life. Some may even believe that sickness and disease is used by God to strengthen our faith or test us. This is not the case.

Sin, sickness and death do not reside in Heaven. They are not a part of the nature of God. Just like God does not use sin to tempt us or to test our faith; He will not use sickness and disease to “teach” us. God is a life giver; salvation and healing are His nature.

Many who are sick will say God’s grace is sufficient. They believe that God will see them through their ordeal. If healing is God’s will, He will heal. If it is not God’s will to heal, at least there is salvation the ultimate in healing. God’s grace is sufficient to heal us physically just as it is sufficient to save us from sin and death. Too often we look for other means of healing besides turning to God the way we do for salvation and forgiveness.

Sickness and disease are precursors to death. They are a part of death not life. They are Satan’s tools, his curse. Jesus said that Satan only comes to kill, steal and destroy; Jesus came so that we may have life (John 10:10). Jesus died and rose again so that we might have life, a life in Him. A life that is free from sin and sickness. We have a right to divine healing as we have a right to salvation.

We should look at sickness and disease the way we look at sin. It is not the will of God because God hates sin. He hates sickness, disease and death. We are no longer a part of the curse that resulted from the fall of Adam but we are part of the new life and freedom that is found in Jesus. Jesus died and set us free from sin, sickness, and death. Sickness and disease binds us, it prevents us from being free, just like sin. So it is always God will to heal just as it is always His will to save.

We run to God for forgiveness when we sin. We know that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins (1 john 1:9). No one can forgive us like God. However, when we are sick we pray for healing but we don’t have the same expectancy that we have with forgiveness. Sometimes we doubt the willingness of God to heal, or we think He wants us to go “through the situation” before we experience divine healing. We may also think that God wants us to fend for ourselves and find our own means and methods for healing.

I believed this for a long time. When I was sick in 2009 I had tumors in my lungs and believed that God would see me through my chemotherapy treatment. I was confident from the doctors’ report that the chemotherapy would work and God would never leave me nor forsake me. I thought by going through this ordeal my faith would be stronger and I would be a much stronger person for having endured this fight. To be honest I didn’t have faith for a supernatural healing, I believed God’s plan was for me endure this ordeal. I read the reports and understood the statistics. I had an 80% chance of survival and an 80% chance the chemotherapy would cure me.

The chemotherapy made things worse. I ended up in the hospital and the doctors couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting better. They were very concerned that the chemotherapy drugs were actually doing more harm than good. So they made the decision to stop the treatment and “wait and see” if I would get better. It was in that moment I knew that only God could heal me 100%, the doctors tried but I needed a miracle and God answered my prayers. God did not delay. The worse day in the hospital was the same day the doctors brought my report of healing. My numbers had dropped dramatically and they were so relieved that the worse had not happened. So they monitored me for another year and a half to ensure the tumors did not return. Today I still walk in my total healing.

Divine healing is our inheritance. It is the will of God to always heal. As John G. Lake says it really doesn’t take more faith to believe in healing than it does for salvation. We just have to know in our conscious that the only place we can go for divine healing is God. God is concerned about our physical healing as much as He is concerned about our spiritual healing and renewal.

Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5: 14-16

Posted in Healing, Jesus, Knowing God, Prayer, Salvation, Sin, The Father | Leave a Comment »

We Need More Daniels

October 13, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
²¹ “It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
²² “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.
²³ “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s matter.” Daniel 2: 20-23

When King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem he took some of the sons of Israel and brought them to the king’s court. Daniel was one of the young men brought to King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel found favor with his overseer and God gave Daniel intelligence and knowledge in every branch of literature and wisdom (Daniel 1: 17).

One day King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and asked the magicians, sorcerers, conjurers and the Chaldeans to interpret his dream. Because they could not interpret the king’s dream he ordered all wise men to be killed including Daniel. When Daniel heard the news he asked if he could have a chance to interpret the king’s dream. Before going to the king Daniel prayed to God and asked for wisdom and the interpretation. God gave Daniel the interpretation which Daniel then gave to King Nebuchadnezzar.

King Nebuchadnezzar was so pleased that he gave homage to Daniel; gave him gifts; made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and the chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon (Daniel 2: 48)

We need more people like Daniel. Daniel did not allow his circumstance as the king’s servant to stop him from serving and relying on God for everything. Daniel could have accepted the king’s decree that all wise men to be killed but he took a stand and inquired of the Lord. God gave Daniel the answer and Daniel was able to interpret the king’s dream and found favor with the king.

King Nebuchadnezzar was an evil king. Daniel never complained about the king or his circumstance. Instead Daniel served God and the king. Later when Daniel interprets the king’s dream of God’s judgment Daniel wishes that the dream was for one of his enemies and not him. We see how Daniel’s heart is toward the king and not toward his destruction. Even after King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign Daniel continued to serve under other kings and found favor in their sight.

As Christians we seem to enjoy sitting back and criticizing our leaders. We sit in judgment and complain about their policies and governing tactics. We are told to pray for kings and leaders. We are to stand in the gap. Though we may not agree with their policies are how they govern; we should seek to bring the kingdoms of the world under God. We can do this by asking God for wisdom in the problems our society faces. We should be active participants like Daniel. We should not idly sit by why a leader makes decrees that would destroy us.

Daniel prayed and asked God for wisdom. Daniel found favor before the king and in the end because of Daniel’s love and compassion for King Nebuchadnezzar, he acknowledged God.

We can greatly impact our government but we can’t do it by just sitting back and complaining about what is going on. God has the answers all we have to do is ask and then present these to our leaders. If we are not in a position of influence we should pray for those that are. We may not like who is in charge but we have a responsibility to pray for them; to support them and serve them. Through us God will bring the kingdoms of this world into His Kingdom.

Posted in government, Love | Leave a Comment »

Identity Crisis

October 11, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

¹⁴ For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:14-17

As a Christian I constantly struggle with my identity in Christ. I grew up in a church that taught you had to be good to go to heaven. I was told by some as a child that I would not amount to anything. At one time I defined myself by my career. Currently, I am a wife, mother, and pastor. However, we are told in the bible we are sons of God; we have been adopted and are fellow heirs with Christ. This is where, at times, I have confused my identity.

Sometimes I struggle to see myself the way God sees me. I don’t always act like a child of God’s. There are times I walk in accordance to my flesh and not by the spirit. Many times I have walked by sight and not by faith. In the times I have fallen or made mistakes I often ask myself “who am I?” It’s very easy to fall into the old patterns of my thinking that I am not good enough or what I do is not good enough. Honestly, I wish I could always see myself the way God sees me.

There are times I try to impress God with my “good” deeds. I seek His acceptance instead of receiving His love. I struggle with my faith when I don’t understand my identity. Things are much more difficult when I look at my own weaknesses instead of keeping my eyes on Jesus. When God looks at me He sees His child; not a slave nor a servant. There are times I act like a slave full of fear and doubt lacking faith in God.

God created us in His image and in His likeness. Jesus knew and understood His identity; He only did what He saw the Father doing. Jesus didn’t struggle with sin; sin was not a part of Him because sin was not in the Father. God hates sin; Jesus hates sin. Jesus healed because the Father is a life giver. Jesus raised the dead because death has no place in the Father. What fellowship does light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14) Jesus saved us so that we would be reconciled with the Father. So through Jesus we are made righteous and are now considered the children of God. Even the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Each day I have to make a conscious decision to know that I am a child of God’s. I am no longer to walk according to my flesh or what others say that I am. I should not hold the opinion of others or of myself above what God says about me – He is perfecting me in the image of Jesus.

So I will no longer live based on my past identity but I will press forward in understanding and knowing my true identity in Jesus. Do you know your identity?

Posted in Jesus, Knowing God, Salvation, The Father, The Holy Spirit, The Righteous | Leave a Comment »

Visionaries

October 5, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained… Proverbs 29:18

Steve Jobs was a great visionary. He transformed Apple Computer and changed how we use computers and electronics in our everyday lives. Apple was the first computer I learned to do programming on. It was an Apple II that we used in my computer math class and we used a program called “Hello”. Then in college I remember the Macs we had. Both my high school and college were behind in the times but I always loved Apple products.

When Steve Jobs returned to Apple he brought us the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. When each one was launched many questioned Steve Jobs’ vision but we cannot deny how these products have changed Apple but even our lives. Apple was driven by Steve Jobs’ vision and continued to innovate new products.

So many companies in this great recession have crashed and burned but Apple continues to grow. It’s interesting that some of Apple’s major product launches happened when this country was in a financial downturn. Still Apple was able to convince the average consumer to buy their products. Apple was not driven by money but by vision. I believe it is the reason Apple is so successful.

We so desperately need vision; without it we caste off all restraints. Many failures can be attributed to lack of vision. We are all called to be visionaries. It’s part of our DNA because without vision we will actually perish. Our brains thrive on creativity, imagination and vision. We are at our best when we have a vision set before us.

However, visionaries can be very lonely people because often times others do not see or understand the vision. Many visionaries were laughed at during their time but not until after they are long gone do we realize just how much of an impact they had.

As Christians that is the kind of life we are to live as visionaries. There are so many issues that the world has they are in need of great visionaries. We are living in very critical times and we cannot live a life without vision the world needs us. So as we reflect on the impact Jobs had on the computer world; imagine the impact we could have if take the vision of spreading the Kingdom of God to the whole world.

The world still needs visionaries; the world needs You.

Posted in The Righteous | Leave a Comment »

A More Personal Approach

October 1, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

When I started this blog my purpose was to create devotionals based on scriptures and how God’s word pertains to our everyday life. I tried to take a more theological approach to life but find this approach is not working for me. Also, many of the things I shared was based on my knowledge and interpretation of the scriptures. However, I know that there are many blogs, writings, teachings, books, sermons that interpret the scriptures. Do we really need another one?

Quite honestly I have been stuck for months as to what to write. The devotional approach I took just hit a wall. Nothing was coming to me. However, in the past few months I have been growing in my spiritual walk and many changes have taken place. I have been seeking God more for answers to questions I have. Also I have been questioning many religious things I was taught in the church for years that do not seem to agree with God’s word.

I thought the better approach to this blog would be to chronicle my journey in seeking answers to my questions and my own personal experiences in my walk. I will still use the scriptures as my jumping off point but the entries will be more personal. My hope is that as I reflect on questions I have, what God is doing in my own life and what is happening around me you too will be blessed.

I really do welcome comments and questions. We are all on a similar journey of going from faith to faith and glory to glory. I pray that this blog will bless you as it is blessing me.

Yours in Christ,

Anna Mangeni

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Remembering 9/11

September 11, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
³ Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident. Psalm 27:1-3

Today we remember September 11, 2001 and the terror attacks that happened in the USA, and those who lost their lives. In New York City the Twin Towers were destroyed by two passenger planes, the Pentagon was hit by a passenger plane and another plane headed for DC crashed in Pennsylvania after the passengers decided to stop the terrorists themselves. In all about 2,976 people lost their lives that day. It is a day that will be remembered as the day that started our war on terror against Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. They attacked us in the name of their god, but in the end it was our God that saved us and defended us.

As we reflect on the last ten years, I am struck by the protection, mercy and grace that God has continued to show to the USA. We have not had a major terrorist attack on our land and we should give glory and honor to God. Darkness cannot prevail where there is light; in the USA our light continues to shine because our light resides in God.

I have no doubt that God’s hand of protection has always been on us. Even on September 11, 2001, God was with us. So many people, who could have died, did not. Today we remembered those that died but there are also thousands of stories of those that survived.

We have proven our resolve to our enemies; we have shown that evil cannot prevail. If God be for us who can be against us? If these terror attacks were supposed to demonstrate the god of Al Qaeda; then our resolve and salvation demonstrates the love, mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who will forever reign in heaven and on earth.

Posted in God's Glory, Grace, Love, The Righteous | Leave a Comment »

Trust God for Provision

June 17, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

²⁴ “If I have put my trust in gold
   or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’
²⁵ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,
   the fortune my hands had gained,
²⁶ if I have regarded the sun in its radiance
   or the moon moving in splendor,
²⁷ so that my heart was secretly enticed
   and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
²⁸ then these also would be sins to be judged,
   for I would have been unfaithful to God on high. Job 31:24-28 NIV

Often times we find security in things other than God. For instance, we may look at our job as our source of income and financial security. We can’t imagine what we would do without our jobs or money. Today is evidence that many people are looking for security in other places. When the stock market was booming everyone was saying to put your money in stocks so that when you retire you will be a millionaire. but the stock market crashed. Many lost tens of thousands of dollars in retirement and investment funds.

We can’t overlook that God is our provider, and put our faith and trust in Him. We can’t always trust in our jobs to keep us employed or others to take care of us. We can’t trust in temporal things but we are to trust in eternal things. We must trust God, and put God first in our lives. To put anything else above God is unfaithfulness on our part. We should not hold our wealth or the splendor of life over God. God is jealous and He will not compete with anything or anyone.

Posted in Money, The Father | 1 Comment »

The Good Shepherd

June 13, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. ¹² He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³ He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, ¹⁵ even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:11-15

Jesus is the good shepherd. He knows us and we know Him. He laid down His life for us – His sheep. He is not like other gods or men that leave the sheep to the wolves, Jesus protects us. Many others are trying to find ways to appease their gods or make themselves worthy. Christianity is not like that because we have a Savior, a good shepherd who watches over us and protects us. If we stray away from Him, He does not require us to find our way back to the flock; He will come, find us, and bring us back to Himself.

Jesus knows us by name, he knows our thoughts, and He even knows the number of hairs on our head. We know our Shepherd; we know His voice. When He calls for us we come because we are His sheep.

We can take comfort in knowing that our Shepherd will tend to us and care for us. He loved us so much that He laid down His life for us.

Posted in Jesus, Love, Salvation, The Righteous | Leave a Comment »

Never Settle for Less than God’s Best

May 30, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

We cannot fathom what God has planned for us. Many of us will not let go of our own will and surrender to God’s will. When we hold on to our wills, we miss God’s very best for our lives. Our minds are finite and limited in thinking. God is infinite and with Him all things are possible.

Too many of us settle for the little things in life, not pursuing our dreams, thinking we don’t deserve greater things. God desires our faith, He wants us to trust Him to deliver blessings and plans we could have never imagined for ourselves. He loves us.

We think of heaven and he mansions Jesus talked about, but we don’t think of what we can have, and accomplish, through God on this earth. How many of us live up to our potential? When God sees us, He does not see a person with limits or shortcomings. God sees what He is creating us to be and what He desires us to be – the image of Christ.

We limit God in our lives with our lack of faith and our lack of vision. God is creating dreams and visions within you right now. What is stopping you from pursuing your purpose? It is time we start putting our faith and trust in God, and believe in the impossible. Pursue God’s will for your life today and let Him order your steps.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Trials of Joy

May 27, 2011 by Anna Mangeni

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

Do you like tests? Most people would say no. However, our faith is constantly tested as we face trials in this world. James said to count it all joy when we face trials. It takes a lot of faith to find joy in trials; through trials our faith is strengthened and we learn patience.

One reason we should find joy in trials is that God has a plan and purpose in mind. God is concerned about our growth and wants to conform us into the image of Jesus. We can’t expect to escape trials in our lifetime. We should look at trials the way God does – the perfecting of our faith and working patience within us. Trials are not to be looked upon as punishments or God’s disproval of us. On the contrary, when God allows us to go through a trial He is showing His love for us. He wants us to be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. God finds joy in our trials because He has in mind the person He wants us to become. God has our very best in mind.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Posted in Love, The Righteous | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »