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Job’s Story

March 18, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.

 2Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

 3His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east.  Job 1:1-3

Job is an interesting book to study in the bible.  It is a book that is not really related to any other book in the Old Testament.  There is no mention of Israel or the Law of Moses.  The focus is on a man named Job, it is a book that really speaks volumes about the sovereignty of God, but never really answers the age old question “why do bad things happen to good people?”

The bible says Job was a good man.  He was blameless, upright and he feared God and stayed away from evil.  We also know Job was a wealthy man.  He was a man that was blessed by God and highly favored by God and men.

One of the problems in looking at the book of Job is that we try to figure out why all these horrible things happened to Job.  If he was such a good man, then why did God allow Job to lose everything?  This is not the purpose of Job.  It is not our job to analyze the character of Job, but what we can learn about is how to maintain our faith in times of suffering, and how to never lose site that, whatever happens, God is in control.

The one thing we should keep in mind is that Job never lost favor with God, on the contrary, Job was highly favored of God and there was no one in all the earth like him.  Let’s see what we can learn from the story of Job.

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Why Worry?

March 17, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

It is so easy to worry about things in our lives.  We worry about the future and what tomorrow holds.  Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow.  We have enough to deal with in a day, and do not need to add tomorrow’s worries.  Of course this is easier said than done.  We all have responsibilities and plans for tomorrow so it is human nature to worry about these things.

We have to recognize that God is in control.  We have to learn to relinquish control to God and trust that He will work everything out for our good.  Jesus knew that worrying about tomorrow only brings us trouble and burdens that God did not intend for us to bear.  So we have to learn to live each day and trust God in everything that we do.

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Sound Doctrine

March 16, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

When we turn away from truth it is easily to be deceived.  We are living in a time when more and more people want to listen to those that tell them want they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.  So they will gather around those that teach in accordance to their own desire. 

I recently read an editorial from a pastor that was so excited that Washington D.C. recently passed a same sex marriage law.  I was not bothered that this pastor was looking forward to marrying people of the same sex, but I was bothered that this pastor was trying to teach in the article that Jesus would have embraced the idea and that marriage was simply about two people who loved each other.  Of course those that want to marry the same sex hailed this pastor and the teaching.

We have to be very careful who we listen to in the church and what we consider good teaching.  Too often we would rather listen to preachers and teachers who are telling us feel good messages instead of the truth.  Remember the devil is the father of all lies and is out to deceive us from the truth.  So we must secure ourselves in sound doctrine and judge anyone’s word against the word of God.

There are many false doctrines that are gaining in popularity and increasing in number.  A big fascination these days is new age teachings.  On the surface they sound good and make you feel good but when you begin to really study what is being taught a lot of these teachings are based on us fulfilling our own selfish desires and not living according to God’s plan and purpose.

The purpose of pastors, teachers and preachers is to teach the word of God – to reprove, rebuke, exhort with patience and instruction in order to build up the body of Christ and prepare the saints for the work of ministry.

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Beware of the Tongue!

March 13, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

 5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.  See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!  6And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.  7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.  8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.  James 3:5-10

Sometimes the wisest thing we can do is keep our mouth shut, because the tongue is very dangerous.  James tells us in the above scriptures that no man can tame the tongue.  We should never assume we can control our own tongues.  How many times have you said something without really thinking and got in trouble?  Or spoke to soon?  Or, as the old saying goes, “put your foot in your mouth.”  We will speak kindly to a person’s face but when they turn their backs we will talk about them and curse them.

The internet has given a voice to many people who normally would not be heard.  You don’t even need your own website to voice your opinion.  Many places allow you to leave comments about a subject matter.  If you read the comments on any given article you will read just how mean and vicious people can be.  Honestly, I am shocked by many of the things I read from others but it just shows how true the above scriptures are in regards to the tongue.

Since the tongue can’t be tamed we have to be very careful in our speech.  It is very easy to say things without thinking and hurt others in the process.  Some of the most hurtful things we can do to a person involves our tongue.  Remember the wise saying “If you do not have something nice to say, don’t say anything.”

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What Are You Seeking?

March 12, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

 4One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
  That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
  To behold the beauty of the LORD
  And to meditate in His temple.
 5For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
  In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
  He will lift me up on a rock. Psalm 27:4-5

The Christian life is not easy.  We face many obstacles and seem to be constantly at war with our flesh.  Then you add all the trouble in the world and life can be overwhelming.  However, it is great to know that we can find comfort in God.  We should seek after spending time with God.  When we spend time with God, He will conceal us from trouble and hide us in the secret place.  In God’s presence all our troubles seem to go away.

It is important that we take time to seek after the things of God.  If not, we can be overcome by the cares of the world.  Even Jesus found quiet time to be alone with the Father.  Jesus was connected to the Father, but Jesus was also a man and got tired and worn out; so Jesus found strength in the Father’s presence.

The above scripture is not a future event.  We can seek the Lord now and dwell with Him for the rest of our lives.  We are His temple and we can meditate on His goodness and presence.   There is nothing that an separate us from the Father.  So let us seek Him while He may be found.

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Suffering Leads to Hope

March 11, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

There are those that are reading this and this is a difficult time for you.  These are difficult times we are living in.  But we have reason to REJOICE, for our hope is in God.  Whatever we go through is not in vain, but as Paul states in the above scriptures we are being built up.  God is developing our character and hope.

So will things get better? Of course they will because hope does not disappoint.  God will not disappoint us, He will deliver us and we will experience the victory.  He takes from faith to faith and Glory to Glory.  Whatever you are going through God is just causing you to be stronger, to persevere, and causing you to be more like Christ.  We fellowship with Christ in our sufferings, for even Christ suffered, was crucified and rose again.  You will rise again and experience the victory.

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Submit to Authority

March 10, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

 1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

 2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

 3For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; Romans 13:1-3

Let’s be honest this is a hard scripture to follow especially when you don’t agree with your boss, leader or government officials.  However, we are to submit to all authority because God is the one who establishes authority.  So what do we do when we disagree then we pray.  Too often we spend so much time complaining about those in authority instead of praying for them.

This can be especially difficult when you are dealing with someone who does not treat you well or seems to be incompetent.  Also, remember that some people are in authority because of the will of the people.  We can take comfort in knowing that God is ultimately in control and has the greatest authority.  So even when our leaders fail us we can know that God will never fail us.  Also, those in authority must answer to God, so we can take our issues with them to God.

When we do well and submit to the authority that God has placed over us we will find favor and receive praise with that authority.  Think of godly men like Joseph who found favor with Pharaoh, or Daniel who found favor with King Nebuchadnezzar who was the most evil king.  When we submit to our leaders we are submitting to God who placed those leaders over us.

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Where’s Your Hope?

March 9, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

17A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. 18Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, 19To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:17-19

People are angry.  There are many that are unemployed, losing their homes, losing their money, and have lost all hope in our government.  There are even those taking their frustrations out in violent acts – a man flew his plane into the IRS building, shootings at jobs and schools, the news is not good.  So where is your hope?

In the midst of all that is happening I am ever more aware of God’s presence and favor.  My hope is in Him and He has not disappointed me.  I have witnessed and hear more testimonies about God’s goodness in this time of famine than any other time in my life. 

Remember when people were prospering in the 90s, stock market was rising and people were making a lot of money in their retirement plans.  People were buying homes and selling for a profit.  Millionaires were popping up everywhere.  People were happy and thought “let the good times roll.”  Then the bottom dropped.  Where was their hope?  It was a false hope in something that could not last or could deliver them in times of trouble.

Hoping in God gives you an unspeakable joy.  It is the joy you feel even when your world is crashing around you.  Isn’t like God to take the worst situation and make it the best?  We experience and see God’s glory in the worst of times.  So even as I read all the news and see things getting worse, I know God’s glory will be revealed and we will know to put our hope in Him alone.

Posted in Knowing God, The Father | 4 Comments »

Judging Others

March 5, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2

It is good for us that God does not judge us the way man does, otherwise we would all probably be gone.  We are so judgmental toward one another.  Many of us who are saved sit in judgment of those who do not know Jesus.  We judge people based on their past mistakes or our prejudice toward someone.  We can be very harsh with each other. 

Jesus tells us that they way we judge others is how we will be judged.  How do you judge people?  Do you show people the same mercy and compassion that God shows?  Our judgment will not win people for Christ.  Even the bible says the kindness of God brings repentance.  We are to show the love of God especially to the unsaved.  We must remember that we were once sinners and Christ died for the ungodly.  We are saved by grace and not by works, so we have no room for boasting.  Let’s use the measure that Jesus used in judging others.  Jesus sees the best in a person and does not hold their sins against them because He died for all of our sins. 

One day we will stand at the judgment seat and must give an account for what we have done.  Do you want to be judged on how you judged others or judged by Jesus who already paid the price for your sins?

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Hope In God

March 3, 2010 by Anna Mangeni

Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Psalm 119:116

In the news this week there were two stories of suicides by celebrities’ adult children.  As I was reading these stories I began to wonder what hope did they have.  There are so many who do not have hope or faith to live by.  There life is full of pain, despair, hopelessness, etc.  We that know God put our hope in Him.  God sustains us through His word.  So we should never be ashamed that our hope is in God.

Our world is full of so much trouble and bad news but we who hope in God have good news to share.  God loves us with an everlasting love and God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  So let’s spread the hope that we have to people who are desperately looking for purpose and hope in their life.  Let’s not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus for it is life giving and will sustain us so that we might live.

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