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Pray for Them!

November 4, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

“But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

“At that time my reason returned to me And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me.

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”  Daniel 4:34-37

Now that the election is over what do we do?  We pray for our leaders.  Even if we do not agree or like our leaders we are responsible for praying for them.  We should not just pray for those we like but pray for all of our leaders from our local leaders to our national leaders.  We can have influence over our leaders through prayer because God has authority over all of them.

Daniel was known as a praying man.  Even King Nebuchadnezzar knew about Daniel’s God and sought Daniel’s wisdom and influence.  Daniel went on to influence other kings.  Daniel did not just sit back and complain about the kings but he committed everything to prayer and God’s hands.  When we commit ourselves to praying for other God will actually knit our hearts together and give us wisdom and insight.

Our government needs our wisdom and prayers.  God is the one with all the answers and when we seek God’s face and stand in the gap for our nations God will intervene and bring about change for the better.

Look at what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar, he was the wicked king in the world but when he lost his kingdom and everything he finally called on Daniel’s God – the Most High.  When King Nebuchadnezzar called out to God all that he lost was restored to him and he gave all glory and honor to God.  One of the reasons that King Nebuchadnezzar came to know God was through Daniel; Daniel stood in the gap and we must do the same for our leaders whether we like them or not.  We must pray because prayer changes everything – including the salvation of a wicked king.

Posted in God's Glory, government, Salvation | Leave a Comment »

Please Vote!

November 2, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

13So the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they looked for Daniel and his friends to kill them.

 14Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon;

 15he said to Arioch, the king’s commander, “For what reason is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter.

 16So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him time, in order that he might declare the interpretation to the king.

19Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven;

 20Daniel said,
         “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.  Daniel 2:13-16, 19-21

King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream and asked for interpretation from the wise men in the kingdom.  Daniel was one of those wise men and had been taken from his people and made to stay at the king’s court.  When no one could interpret his dream, King Nebuchadnezzar issued the death sentence of every wise man including Daniel.  Daniel was surprised to learn of this and inquired why the King made this decree.  When Daniel learned about the King’s dream, he asked God for the interpretation and gave King Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation.  Daniel found favor with the King and was made ruler over the province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men.  Daniel was not apathetic to the King’s decree but instead sought God’s wisdom and found favor with the King.

As Christians we cannot be apathetic in participating in elections and having a role in who gets elected to various government offices.  In the US only a slight majority participates in the presidential elections and only about a third participate in “midterm” elections.  Too often we complain about those that are in power but we sit back and do nothing because we think it will not matter.

Voting is our right and privilege we should not take it for granted.  God has given us charge over this land and we should have a part and say who are elected officials are.  Even if the people we vote for do not win we still should participate in the electoral process.  God will give us wisdom and even favor before these government officials if we just put our faith and trust in God.

Daniel found favor with many kings and government officials.  He did not compromise his beliefs or faith in God. But because he chose to be involved he had great influence over their decisions and how his people were treated.  We also must be involved in the selection of government officials, and we will be able to have an impact and even change how our government operates. 

The founding fathers intended this to be a nation run by the people for the people.  They never wanted a government that was controlled by a few select individuals who used their money and power to control the rest of the nation.  So please go and vote your, vote will make a difference.  Above all ask God for wisdom and direction and He will give it.

Posted in government | Leave a Comment »

Unmet Expectations

October 26, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?”

When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'”

At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.

And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.  Luke 7: 19-22

John the Baptist had been arrested by Herod and thrown into prison.  John did what was right and stood up to Herod for his sin.  In return John was arrested and later beheaded.  Jesus never came to rescue John the Baptist.  Why didn’t Jesus come to John’s aid?  John wanted to know and even sent two of his disciples to ask if Jesus really was “The One.”

Many times are expectations are not met by God.  Many times we find ourselves in situations beyond our control and we hope and pray God will deliver us from those situations.  There are times we pray for healing and it does not come.  There are times we pray for God to spare a loved one’s life but they still die.  Is God listening?  Does God care?  Do we have enough faith?  These are questions people ask when God does not meet their expectations.  Often times God does not give us the answer we are looking for.

In John’s case Jesus responded to John’s inquiry that the gospel was being preached, the sick were being healed and the dead were being raised.  Jesus didn’t go to save John but sent him the answer.  Jesus was doing what the Father had sent Him to do.  He was spreading the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.  Jesus knew John’s plight but the issue Jesus was concerned about was not a temporary one but an eternal one.  Yes Jesus was the expected One and He was doing exactly what God intended Him to do – saving the world.

There are things that happen in life that we don’t always understand.  Sometimes we do not get the answer from God that we seek.  But we should take courage in knowing that He is the one and that the gospel is preached.  I don’t know why Jesus did not rescue John or why John died the way he did.  John paved the way for Jesus and he was able to see Jesus, baptize Him, and know that the Gospel was being preached.

When things do not go the way we expect let us remember that God is still God.  He will never forsake us especially in our time of need.  God is the eternal answer to our temporary situations.  Let us continue to rely on God even when we do not understand everything about God.  We have to continually put our faith in God, even when are expectations are not met.

Posted in Healing, Jesus, Prayer | 2 Comments »

Grace

October 18, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'”

For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.  John 1: 14-17

Grace has many definitions.  One way grace is defined is God’s unmerited favor and love of God that is freely given.  We find this in the above scriptures.  Jesus was given as a gift to man from God the Father.  Jesus came full of grace and truth.  God so loved us that He gave us His only begotten Son Jesus Christ; through Jesus we have received God’s unmerited favor and love.

Before Jesus we had the law.  The law was given to us by Moses.  It was impossible to earn God’s favor and love by observing the law.  Jesus fulfilled the law but Jesus did not come to teach us to exist only by the law.  Jesus came to give us grace so that we may experience the love of the Father.  It is also this grace that enables us to live according to God’s word and purpose for our lives.  God never intended for us to live apart from Him and His word; that is why we have Jesus – God’s gift of Grace.

Posted in Grace, Jesus, Love, The Father | Leave a Comment »

Train A Child

October 7, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.  Proverbs 22:6

This past summer we went on a Mission Trip to Uganda, and we took our young children with us to the remote areas we visited.  One weekend we ministered at a church in a small village.  Our children never complained about the lack of their usual comforts (TV, snacks, toys, etc.).  Instead my son wanted to stay with his father to “preach”.  I was amazed how my son mimicked his father’s every move while he preached.  He even held a small bible in his hands and stood next to his father while he preached to the people.  Wherever we went my son wanted to be next to his father preaching.  Both my son and daughter laid hands on people and prayed for them.  Yet they are only six and four years old.

As I have watched my children grow I am constantly amazed at how impressionable they are.  They truly are like sponges.  They take in whatever they see or hear.  Everything influences our children (parents, siblings, teachers, friends, relatives, entertainment, etc.)  Who is influencing your child?

There are days my son wants to be Batman, Superman, Spiderman, or even Tigger.  Most of the time he wants to be like his dad.  He wants to wear the same clothes, walk like him and talks like him.  As parents we have such a huge influence over our children and we are expected to train them starting when they are born.

They say that 90% of a child’s personality is developed by the age of 5.  This means the first five years are crucial and we the parents should be the one influencing our children and training them in the way they should go.  The scripture above tells us that if we do this they will not depart from it when they grow old.  Kids may rebel in their teens or early 20s, trying their best to be unlike their parents, but eventually most turn out like mom or dad.  If we parents do not influence and train our child someone else will.

It really does take a village to raise a child.  Even if you do not have children yourself, know that you are an influence on the youth.  They see us and they are watching.  They listen to our speech, watch what we do, and imitate what they see.  The above scripture works both ways – if you train a child to do badly, when he is old he will do bad.  Children will grow up doing as adults what they are trained to do as children.  The youth are our responsibility and we all have a responsibility to raise the next generation of godly men and women – who shun evil and fear God.

Posted in Law, Teaching | Leave a Comment »

The Struggle

September 30, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  Romans 7:14-20 New International Version

It pains me whenever the church is involved in a scandal.  When one member of the body is hurting we are all hurting.  Moments like this remind me just how easy it is to fall into sin.  We should never assume we are above sin and look down on others who are struggling with sin.  The truth is as Christians we are struggle and none of us is above falling into sin.  We are prone to wander from God.  Paul understood this.  In Romans 7 Paul discusses his own issues with sin and how it is in our nature to sin.   That is why apart from God we can do nothing including good.

God did not intend for us to struggle so much with sin and the law that is why He gave us His Spirit.  If we walk according to the Spirit we can overcome the struggles of sin.  The key is walking wisely by the Spirit and not according to the flesh.  The Holy Spirit will not instruct us to live on the edge of sin but will always give counsel in wisdom to keep us out of situations that can lead to falling back into a sinful lifestyle.  We have to be aware of the Holy Spirit and heed to His promptings that lead us away from sin.  We all struggle with sin but Jesus has overcome sin and those in Jesus can be free from the enslavement of sin.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25

Posted in Law, Sin | Leave a Comment »

Rejoice!

September 17, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:4-8

The news is quite depressing.  There are so many problems going on and people are angry.  Many people are not happy with their life and do not have a positive outlook of the future.  Even the experts say these are tough times.  Yet God is still worthy to be praised.

Why dwell on the negative?  It takes so much energy and stress to worry and be angry.  Circumstances should not dictate how we feel.  We can set our minds on the things above and not on the things of this world.

Paul admonishes us to let our gentleness be known to all because the Lord is near.  We have no reason to worry because we can take everything to God in prayer.  We have peace that surpasses all understanding even in the midst of turmoil and in times we don’t understand why these things happen. 

Choose today to rejoice in the Lord and be glad.  Think about the excellent things God has done and will continue to do.  Remember when God got you out of that tough situation?  Remember when God answered your prayer at the moment all hope seemed lost?  Look at the lilies in the field, they don’t worry about when it will rain or when the sun will shine, they just are lilies in the field displaying the glory of God.  So rejoice, rejoice and again rejoice!  Then you will see the peace of God transcend all life’s problems.

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

Rembering 9/11

September 11, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

 23Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

 24″Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?

 25″Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

 26So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”

 32Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” Genesis 18: 23-26, 32

On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced one of the worst terrorist acts in history.  Thousands of people lost their lives that day and many continue as we have been fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It’s hard to believe it has been nine years and we are still fighting an enemy that wants to see us destroyed.

When a tragic event like 9/11 takes place the inevitable question is “Why God?”  The mistake many of us make in explaining God’s role is we try to justify what took place.  There were some who said that God was judging the United States and He was not happy with what we are doing in regards to sin.  Those few believed God was passing judgment and even our enemy believed they were doing the right thing by “judging” the USA through acts of terrorism.

I was on a plane at the time the terrorist attacks took place on 9/11.  I was on an airport runway in Pittsburgh waiting for our plane to take off.  We were told to return to the gate and learned when we got off that the FAA had ordered all planes to land and all airports to shutdown.  I was in complete disbelief at the events that began to unfold in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon.  As the day progressed I began to see God at work. 

As I heard of the reports of survivors and that this could have been so much worse I began to thank God.  So many people were able to get out of the Twin Towers before they fell and their lives were spared.  The planes were not full to capacity and one of the planes did not reach its target in Washington, D.C.  Instead of seeing God’s judgment, God’s mercy and love were at play.

I know many people died on 9/11 but let us remember it is because of our enemy not God’s divine judgment.  Let’s praise God for the many lives that were saved and the fact that God continues to protect this nation.  I believe it is because of the righteous that this nation is blessed and protected by God.  I marvel at how we have not experienced far worse terrorist attacks in our nation.  It is not because we have such great security (security is still very lax), it is by God’s grace that we have been spared more attacks and innocent deaths.

Our enemy is very real but God is greater than our enemy.  As we reflect on this day let us give glory and honor to God for His mercy, love, and protection.  We are not destined for destruction, but we are destined to be blessed and be a blessing to so many other nations.  God is for us.  He watches over this nation and keeps us safe from our enemy.  We have peace knowing that we are one nation under God, even if only a few righteous are found.  For the righteous sake, God bless America!

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

Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

September 9, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.  1 Peter 3:14-16

By now you have heard the news of a pastor and his small church in Florida that is planning on burning the Quran to protest radical Islam on the anniversary of 9/11.  The President of the USA, the state department, religious leaders, the military and other governments are asking that this pastor cancel the event for fear of what the Muslim extremists will do.  The fear is extremists will use the images of the Quran being burned to fuel terrorists attacks against our soldiers and against the US.

Is fear a justification for asking this pastor and church to back down?  No.  The argument may be true but in the heart of many of us we do not want to be ruled by fear and intimidation of terrorists.  There are those who are thinking if this pastor backs down then the terrorists win.  Maybe the pastor and his church think the same thing, but let’s examine the scriptures.

Peter sums it up the best.  We should not fear Muslim extremists or their tactics to terrorize us.  We are in Christ and if Christ be for us who can be against us?  Peter exhorts us to be ready with an answer about our faith.  We should always be ready and willing to talk about our faith and why we believe in the Holy Bible and that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.  There is no need for us to attack others in their faith or even burn their books.  We should always respond with gentleness and reverence, even when our enemies respond with hatred and violence.  It is in that power of our response that we will put our enemies to shame and glorify Jesus.

The Quran should not be burned by Christians – what does that do to our testimony?  What message are we sending?  Does it actually give glory and honor to our Savior Jesus Christ?  Does it make others want to hear and learn more about Jesus?  Right now the whole world is watching what these Christians will do.  We as believers represent Christ on earth.  So the world is asking “What will Jesus Do?”

Posted in Jesus, The Righteous | Leave a Comment »

The Prodigal’s Brother

September 7, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.  And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’  But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.”

“But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’  And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'”  Luke 15: 25-32

In the story of the Prodigal Son Jesus tells us how the younger son had taken the money his father had for him and spent it all.  Then when he had nothing left, he then went back to his father to ask for forgiveness.  The father was so happy to have his son return home he embraced his son and rejoiced he was home.  The father also had a party to welcome the prodigal son home.  Unfortunately, the older brother, who remained with his father, was not as happy.  He was hurt and offended that after all the trouble his brother caused he gets a party.  The older brother wanted justice; he wanted to see his younger brother pay for everything he did wrong to the family.  However, the father was just so happy to see his son home and the past no longer mattered.  Once he was lost and now he was found.  The father did not discount the loyalty of the older son and said everything the father had belonged to him, but his young son was now home and he wanted to rejoice.

Many times as Christians we feel like the older brother in regards to unbelievers.  Many of us have been faithful in our walk with God, and sometimes hate to see those who have done God wrong suddenly say they are sorry and get saved and seem to get away with some pretty serious sins.  We must remember God is no respecter of persons and want all to come to salvation.  We must take the position of the Father and also look forward to the lost ones coming home.  We should rejoice the way heaven does when someone gives their life to the Lord no matter what they have done.

The older son would have been so much happier if he joined the celebration of his brother’s homecoming, and so should we.  We were all once lost and dead in our sin, but now we are made alive in Jesus Christ and we should beckon the lost ones home because this will make our Father in Heaven very happy.  Remember what it was like when you were found by the Father and He welcomed you home?  We should want every person to experience the same love and forgiveness.

Posted in Salvation, The Father | Leave a Comment »

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