This is what the Lord says

--He who made you,   who formed you in the womb.   (Isaiah 44:2 *nkjv )

  Dear Friend

      God knew you long before you were born, just as   He knew Isaiah and Jeremiah.  He thought about you and   planned for you!  For He wanted someone just like you,   therefore you are very special to Him.  After all God has   said: "before I formed you in the womb I knew   you, before you were born I set you apart."   (Jeremiah 1:5 )

      So when you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember   that God has always thought of you as very valuable.  He is   always with you and He loves you dearly, and nothing can   separate you from that love!  For I am convinced that   neither death nor life, neither  angels nor   demons, neither the present nor the  future,   nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor   anything else in all creation, will be able to   separate us from the love of God that is in   Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39 )

      So never feel that you are unloved, or let one of   life's many discouragements set you back, instead: be   confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion   until the day of Christ Jesus.   Amen.

  (Philippians 1:6 )

  All My Love & Prayers,

         Joe

Mind Matters

My Manna

"Gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13.
Since we came into this world physically alive but spiritually dead-

- We had neither the presence of God in our lives nor the knowledge of His will. 

Our minds were programmed to live independently of Him.

We were mentally conformed to this world.
When we became Christians, nobody pushed the clear button in our pre-programmed minds.

Even as Christians we can still allow our minds to be programmed by the world.

So what must we do?
First-

Provide!

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1. 

How do you renew your mind?

By providing it with God's Word.
Second-

Prepare!

Peter directs us to prepare our minds for action. 1 Peter 1:13.

Do away with fruitless fantasy.

To imagine yourself doing things without ever doing anything is dangerous. But if you can mentally prepare yourself in advance to obey the truth-

- you can motivate yourself toward productive living,

- as long as you follow through by doing what you imagine.
Third-

Practice!

Take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Practice threshold thinking.

Evaluate every thought by the truth-

- And don't let your mind entertain thoughts contrary to the will of God.
Fourth-

Pray!

Turn to God.

When your commitment to do the will of God is being challenged by thoughts from the world, the flesh, or the devil, bring it to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6.

By doing so you are acknowledging God and exposing your thoughts to His truth.

Your double-mindedness will dissolve "and the peace of God...shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7.

Fifth-

Program!

Consider your responsibility to think spiritually. 

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, 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, let your mind dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8.

Because-

Mind matters!

Corporate Worship

My Manna

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God." Collosians 3:16.
A disgruntled church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained:
"I've gone to church for thirty years now, and in that time I have heard something like three-thousand sermons.
But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them.
I think I'm wasting my time and the Pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This began a major controversy which went on for weeks until someone wrote in this reply:
"I've been married for thirty years now.
In that time my wife has cooked some three thousand meals.
For the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.
But I do know this...they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work..."
So true.
We need our spiritual nourishment to be able to do the work of the Lord effectively!
Corporate worship, fellowship with our brothers and sisters and Godly counsel are a great means to get it!
God does not want us to isolate ourselves!
He wants us to be in consistent fellowship with like minded believers, teaching and exhorting one another, singing psalms and spiritual hymns together!
Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.Heb.10:25.
There's so much work to be done!

Gates to Keep

My Manna

"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." Matthew 5:27-29.

The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

It stretches over 4,000 miles (6,400 KM) and was built to protect China from the barbaric hordes to the north.
The designers of the wall made it so high that it could not be scaled, so thick that it could not be penetrated, and so long that no one could go around it.

Yet, during the first hundred years of the wall's existence China was successfully invaded three times, without the wall having been climbed or breached.

So how, you ask, did the invaders raid China?
Well, the problem wasn't the wall.
It was the gatekeepers!

In each of these invasions the barbarians simply bribed the gatekeepers who opened the gates, so the enemies just walked right through.

The protection of the Great Wall of China was only as secure as its gatekeepers.

Don't we all also have "gates to keep?"
Our eyes, and our ears, and our mouth?

No matter how strong we may feel-
- we can never forget that these points of entry will be seen by our enemies
- and there will be attempts to bribe or seduce us so they can break through.

We must not allow the "barbaric hordes"-
- to invade our lives by failing to keep careful watch at these entry points!

Our integrity and our authority depend on the security of our gates!

Sovereign Silence

My Manna

When Lazarus was dying, his sisters urgently called for Jesus.
Imagine how their grief must have compounded when He didn't instantly respond to their request.

God's silence is difficult to accept.
Why is He silent at times?

Silence delays His action!We want Him to leap into action when we call, particularly if we are hurting or afraid.

But since He promises to meet our needs-
- we can be sure that a silence from heaven has purpose.

Silence draws our attention!The disciples knew that Jesus could heal, so they must have wondered why He delayed instead of rushing to His friend's bedside.

But the Lord wanted them to witness something even greater:
His power over death!

They had been confused by His statements about conquering death, and they needed to understand that He could fulfill His own resurrection prophecies. Mark 9:31-32.
The miracle at Lazarus' tomb was part of their preparation.

Silence deepens our assurance!Mary and Martha sent word of Lazarus' illness because they anticipated that the Lord would heal him.

But would their faith waver if that expectation was not met?
Martha answered the question by stating, "I believe that you are the Christ." John 11:21-27.

The Lord rewarded the women's trust with a stunning miracle:
- their brother's return to life.

At times, the only thing we can hear when we pray is our own breathing.
That can be frustrating and frightening.

But Scripture says God is always with us.
The Sovereign silence will not last forever.Job 23:8-10; Heb.13:5.

Cling to those promises as you seek the purpose behind His silence.

Temptation

 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  (Matthew 6:13 *nkjv )

  Dear Friend
      We all face temptations in this life at times so, Be  sober, be vigilant; because your adversary   the devil walks about like a roaring lion,  seeking whom he may devour. (1 peter 5:8)

After all Satan knows that each one is tempted   when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed, and that is one of his favorite tricks!   Therefore; my son, if sinners entice you, do   not consent. (Proverbs 1:10)  Instead; watch   and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (James 1:14) (Mark 14:38 )

      Also remember that, no temptation has over-   taken you except such is common to man; but   God is faithful, who will not allow you to be   tempted beyond what you are able, but with   the temptation will also make the way of   escape, that you may be able to bear it.   (1 Corinthians 10:13)

      So, the next time you are tempted do not give in,   instead submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  ( James 4:7 )  now to Him who is able to keep you from   stumbling, and to present you faultless   before the presence of His Glory with   exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone   is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and   power, both now and forever.   Amen   ( Jude 24-25 )

Promises

There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. ( 1 kings 8:56 *kjv )

 Dear friend

   Did you know that there are 8,910 promises in the Bible?  There  are 7,706 promises in the Old Testament, and 1,204 promises in  the New Testament!  That is a total of  8,910 promises in all!

   Now you will find that God made 7,485 promises to mankind,  and mankind made 1,416 promises to God.  [ The remaining 9  promises were made by satan to mankind!  Most of those you  will find in the Book of JOB.]

   Well Friend  these 7,485 promises from God to us just about  cover all of the bases!   Isn't it Wonderful that we have a Heavenly  Father that is gracious enough to give us all of those promises? A God that also anticipates all of our needs and often sends us

 help even before we ask Him too.  After all it is written; He shall  give His Angels charge over you, to keep you in  all your ways. (psalms 91:11 )

    Now, having these promises, beloved, let us  cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ( 2 Corinthians 7:1 )

   Therefore why not enjoy your day thinking about  how well God has taken care of you, and knowing that He  always will!   Also have a safe and happy weekend  my friend!

 Amen.

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The Real Deal

My Manna

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:11-12.

An ancient story is told of the Queen of Sheba.

She sent two wreaths of roses to Solomon, one real and one artificial, to test his reputed wisdom.

She defied him to detect the genuine from the artificial.

Solomon at once directed that some bees be brought into the room and of course-

-         They immediately flew to the real flowers and thought nothing of the counterfeit.

So it is with us as believers!

When we find ourselves overwhelmed, surrounded, being attacked from every side with the bees of revile and persecution-

-         It simply means they recognize that we are the real deal!

Our beautiful aroma attracts those scary bees!

But our Lord has overcome the 'bees'.

Oh bee where is your sting?

Rejoice when the bees come around!

Don't lose heart!

God has the victory!

I will not forget 

Watch over your heart

My Manna

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23.

Our culture is obsessed with success!

We are obsessed not only with our own personal success-

-         But we may be even more obsessed with providing our children with the tools they need to become successful.

We all want to do our best!

But a lot of times-

-         there's confusion about what real success is

There's a nebulous understanding that-

-         Success means that our child will one day get a good education, have a good job, a good family and be good citizen.

But-

That is a very short-sighted view!

It's not much success-

- If our children grow up to have worldly success for fifty years-

- And then spend eternity in hell.

That's a temporary success-

-         but an eternal failure!

In God's eyes-

- Success means discovering His will for your life,

- And using that purpose for the glory of God,

- Not for the glory of self.  

We must see that big picture when we help our children become truly successful.

When a child grows to understand that-

- then the child has a far greater chance of experiencing real, lasting success,

- for they will be successful in God's eyes.

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Light

My Manna

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." Matthew 5:15.
D. L. Moody told the story of a man who was crossing the Atlantic by ship.
He was terribly sick and confined to his cabin.
One night he heard the cry "Man overboard!"
He felt that there was nothing he could do to help.
But at second thought-
- he said to himself, "I guess I can at least put my lantern in the porthole."

He struggled to his feet and hung the light so it shined out into the darkness.
The next day he learned that the person who was rescued said, "I was going down in the dark night for the last time, when someone put a light in a porthole. As it shone on my hand, a sailor in a lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in."

All of us have weaknesses...and times of weakness!

The fact of the matter is, though, that weak or not-
- we need to muster up the strength to put our lights in our portholes for the sake of the dying and the lost among us.
It's so tempting to-
- sulk in our weaknesses,
- and stay in our beds.
But God expects more of us!
He has given us the strength to do all things, even move mountains!
There are so many people around us sinking in despair.
But God has chosen us to reach out and light up their lives!
Let's do something extraordinary for the Lord today.
Be bold, speak up!

Let's get beyond our weaknesses-
- and light up the darkness around us!

Perfect Peace

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind   is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. ( Isaiah 26:3 *nkjv )

  Dear friend,

      Now true peace in our lives can be hard to find at times,   but through our faith in Jesus Christ we can know peace   even in turmoil.  This is because He Himself is our   peace.    ( Ephesians 2:14 )

      Now our savior Jesus Christ said, "These things I   have spoken to you, that in me you may have   peace.  In the world you will have tribulation;   but be of good cheer, I have overcome the   world."  (John 16:33 )

      Therefore when you find that peace has left you, and you   feel troubled; return your thoughts to our heavenly father   and trust in him with all your heart.  Always remembering   that having been justified by faith, we have peace   with god through our Lord Jesus Christ.   (Romans 5:1 )

      So, always let the peace of god rule in   your hearts, to which also you were called in   one body; and be thankful.  ( Colossians 3:15 )

      Have a wonderful day and may the grace of our   lord Jesus Christ be with you all, now and always!   Amen. (Revelation 22:21 )

Loving God

YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR   HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR   STRENGTH.  ( DEUTERONOMY 6:5 *NIV )

  Dear Friend,    

 It is very easy to love the Lord with all your being   when you think about how much He loves each of us.   FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE   HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER   BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE   EVERLASTING LIFE. ( JOHN 3:16 )

      Further, Jesus Christ said; "GREATER LOVE HAS NO   ONE THAN THIS, THAN TO LAY DOWN ONE'S LIFE FOR   HIS FRIENDS.  YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO   WHATEVER I COMMAND."  ( JOHN 15:13-14 )

      Therefore; WE HAVE KNOWN AND BELIEVED THE   LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR US.  GOD IS LOVE, AND   HE WHO ABIDES IN LOVE ABIDES IN GOD, AND GOD   IN HIM. Thus it is only right to show God our love by   worshiping Him, for; THE HOUR IS COMING, AND NOW   IS, WHEN THE TRUE WORSHIPERS WILL WORSHIP   THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH; FOR THE FATHER   IS SEEKING SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM.   ( 1 JOHN 4:16 ) &   ( JOHN 4:23 )

      So Friend, COME, LET US BOW DOWN IN WORSHIP,   LET US KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD OUR MAKER; FOR   HE IS OUR GOD AND WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF HIS   PASTURE, THE FLOCK UNDER HIS CARE.  Amen.   ( PSALM 96:1 )

Past

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 You may be stronger because of your past; you may be wiser because of your past; But you are not who you were in your past!
Listen, we have a problem sometimes forgetting... It's not really people doing it to us as much as it is us beating ourselves up because of stupid mistakes. We think of the past mistakes, sins, and just plain foolish decisions we made and we cringe sometimes. But we cannot focus on that!!!
God took it away when we asked Him to and He is concerned about where you are going and not where you have been or what you have done.
You cannot find it in the Bible anywhere when God threw someone's past up in their face! Out of all the people He used, He never talked about what they did in their past until they were dead and gone. He spoke about their future and their call. He spoke about their purpose and their faith. But never their sinful past.
Let it go my sister and my brother. No matter how bad it is or was, God gave Jesus so you would be able to let it go.
We minimize the cross by carrying past issues and sins around. We take away from the power of Jesus' blood when we harbor unforgiveness towards ourselves.
Look, after you are forgiven, it's then time to move on. Don't hold on to your past any longer. Allow God to be God and let Him give you a fresh start.
I know it's hard sometimes to forget things because people will try to remind you of it. But the Bible says that we all have sins and come short. What you did has been done before. But if sin could stop the plan of God, then the death of Jesus was a farce!
The bible says that Jesus took the power of death, hell, and the grave when He rose. Hell? That means, that hell has no power over you. That means that your past sins no longer have the power to take you there!
So, if you have power over sin, then sin has no power. Your past can't stop you.
Forget about it! Let it go and move forward in Christ. Your sins are not hidden, but they are buried! Cast into the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered by God again. He has wiped them away and will continue to if you continue to move forward. But if you talk about it and worry about it, you give it back it's power and you will begin to suffer for it. Don't give your past energy and power. Don't awaken your past by worries and woes. Let it go and move on.

God has forgiven you, now it's time that YOU let it go.

Redemption and Forgiveness

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God. (Ephesians 1:7 *niv )

dear friend,
now speaking of Jesus' blood is an important way of speaking about Christ’s death. For his death points to two wonderful truths, forgiveness for, and the redemption from
our past sins.

In the Old Testament redemption was the price paid to gain freedom for a slave. You will find that written in the book of (Leviticus 25:47-54.) Jesus' paid the price to release us from slavery to sin, thus granting us eternal life.

Now forgiveness was granted in the Old Testament on the basis of the shedding of an animals' blood. A young lamb without blemish was usually used for this. Now it is written: for the life of a creature is in the blood and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for ones life. (Leviticus 17:11)

therefore, with the precious Blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our old sinful ways! (1 peter 1:19)

now that does not mean that we no longer must repent for our sins. For we must continue to; Repent, then, and turn to God, so that our sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Amen (Acts 3:19)

Seek first the kingdom of God

Seek first the kingdom of God and his   righteousness, and all these things shall be   added to you.  (Matthew 6:33 *nkjv )

                

  Dear friend,

      Trying to keep up with those who seem to have it all may   easily cause you to lose focus on what is really important!   After   all, many people do evil things to gain large sums of money,   and even seem to get away with it as well.

      As God's children we should; trust in the lord, and do   good; dwell in the land, and feed on his   faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the lord,   and he shall give you the desires of your   heart.  (Psalm 37:3-4)

      Therefore; do not fret because of evildoers, nor   be envious of the workers of iniquity.  For they   shall soon be cut down like the grass, and   wither as the green herb.  (Psalm 37:1-2) for   evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait   on the lord, they shall inherit the earth.   (Psalm 37:9)

      So; be anxious for nothing, but in everything by   prayers and supplication, with thanksgiving, let   your requests be made known to God; and the   peace of God which surpasses all understanding,   will guard your hearts and minds through

  Christ Jesus.   Amen (Philippians 4:6-7)

       Now friend, relax and enjoy your weekend, for God is smiling   down upon you right now!

Confusion

Dear Friend
      When your life becomes filled with noise and confusion,   and you long for a little peace in your life, turn to our   Savior Jesus Christ!   For He said, "THESE THINGS I
  HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE   PEACE, IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION;   BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE  WORLD."  ( JOHN 16:33 )   After all Jesus' never abandons
  us, or leaves us to struggle alone!   We can always call on   Him in even the most troublesome times, for He is always   with us!

      Also remember that when confusion enters your life, it is   not from God but from satan.  For it is written that; GOD IS   NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION BUT OF PEACE!   ( 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33 )

      So BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN   EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH   THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE KNOWN   TO GOD; AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH   SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD   YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.   Amen.  ( PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 )

      Now have a Wonderful Day and may it be filled with
  Peace and Joy!

Returning To God

"Return to me, and I will return to you," says the lord almighty.(Malachi 3:7 *niv )

  Dear Friend,
      there are times that we may find ourselves walking far   from god.  Know that if ever that happens to you it is   because we have moved, not because god has left us.   For the lord your god goes with you; he will   never leave you nor forsake you.   (Deuteronomy 31:8)

      Now, perhaps we find ourselves feeling abandoned by God because we are overwhelmed with problems, or   because of the loss of a loved one.  If that is the case
  remember that; he does not willingly bring   affliction or grief to the children of men.   (Lamentations 3:33)

      therefore if you ever find yourself feeling far from our   heavenly father, remember, that god is there with   open arms to receive you back. So, take words   with you and return to the lord, say to him,   "forgive all our sins and receive us   graciously."  For then he will say: "I will heal   their backsliding, I will love them freely."   (Hosea 14:2 & 4)  after all that is his promise always,   for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and   today and forever. (Hebrew 13:8)

      so if you are feeling far from god right now, let   us examine our ways and test them, and let   us return to the lord.  (Lamentations 3:40 )   for he loves you very much!

      Now , may the lord bless you and   keep you; the lord make his face shine upon   you and be gracious to you; the lord turn
  his face toward you and give you peace,  ( numbers 6:24-26 ) and may his: grace be with   you all.  Amen.                    (Hebrews 13:25)

This is Love

Dear Friend,
In this World today many do not know what true love is. They
confuse it with lust and other Earthly values. After all, true love is
utterly unselfish; it is giving love to another without expecting
anything in return.

The Apostle Paul taught us what real love is when
he wrote; "LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. IT DOES NOT
ENVY, IT DOES NOT BOAST, IT IS NOT PROUD. IT IS NOT
RUDE, IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING, IT IS NOT EASILY
ANGERED, IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS. LOVE
DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE
TRUTH. IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS,
ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES."
( 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 )

So as our Savoir Jesus Christ said, "AS THE FATHER
HAS LOVED ME, SO I HAVE LOVED YOU. NOW REMAIN
IN MY LOVE." ( JOHN 15:9 )

Therefore my friend, remember that you are my Valentine!
For it is written; LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL
YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL
YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND,
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ( Luke 10:27http://www.facebook.com/Beroya-Mission-Centre-Nanyuki/