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Manifest Devotional

2011-12-31T05:00:00Z

Today is a Good Day to Die!
Evangelist José Cuesta

Isaiah 6:1 - [Isaiah Called to Be a Prophet] In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

One of my favorite TV shows is Star Trek: The Next Generation. In the show, the Chief of Operations was a being name Worf. Worf was a member of the Klingon race and they had a saying right before going into battle “today is a good day to die!” To the Klingons it was a thing of honor to die in battle.

What a cool concept! If you think about it, dying is awesome if you are doing it for a greater cause. Our life on this earth is rather insignificant yet we do everything to stay alive. We are getting cosmetic surgery, hair replacements and other things that enhance our life for youth and life extension. We look good and are living our lives, but sincerely WE NEED TO DIE! Until we die to our flesh and the things that hinder us to the oracles of God, we can never really live. We are so hyped by images shown us by the media that we don’t have time to die to Christ.

Today is a good day to die to the things of the world and begin to bring life to the true sincere life in Christ. Living two lives is a lie…Kill one and let the other flourish in Jesus. TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE!

Lord, forgive us for not putting you first in all things. Our desire is to serve you with all our hearts and minds and being. Show us the thing that we need to put to death in our lives to please you first without reservation. We want to be used of you to win souls and be the example of Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-30T05:00:00Z

Discipline: Making Disciples and Changing Lives
Pastor Maxine Ball

At Breath of Life Ministries we are making disciples and changing lives. We do this through deliberate acts of practicing six disciplines that every disciple of Christ must have.

Spend time with the Master – John 15:5, Every disciple must make Christ a priority and spend quality time allowing God to speak to you and you responding to Him.

Live in the Word – John 8:31-32, The Word of God is essential to our growth and maturity.

Pray in Faith – John 5:7, If we abide in Christ and He abides in us, whatever we ask in prayer believing we shall receive.

Fellowship with Believers – John 13:34-35, The mark of a disciple is shown by his/her love. We make it a must to forsake not the assembling of ourselves with other believers in fellowship.

Witness to the World – John 5:8, Jesus commissioned us to go into the entire world to make disciples of every nation (unbelievers).

Minister to Others – John 15:13, Jesus told us that we must take up our cross and follow Him. This is done through voluntarily turning to a world in need and serving to meet the need.

The word discipline means training people to obey rules or a code of behavior; or controlled behavior resulting from training. This is how we do it. This is how we make disciples and change lives.

Dear God, thank you for choosing me to be your disciple. As I have practiced the six disciplines of being a disciple, my life has not been the same. You have given me such joy in knowing that I am developing a lifelong obedient relationship with you. You are changing my values to kingdom values and including me in your plan for the salvation of the world.

________________________________________
MasterLife Discipleship – The Disciple’s Cross

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-29T05:00:00Z

I HOPE SO...
Pastor Renée Cole

Psalm 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Oh how I love the Lord and all that he builds by faith in the lives of the believer. The songwriter wrote, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and His righteousness...” How true the words of this song are. We do not have to look too far to see that in our darkest hour of need when we may feel torn down by life itself and often left hopeless, it is Jesus that has been our answer. Not the Jesus on the cross, but the risen Savior who did not come down from the cross, but was crucified, died, was buried, then resurrected for the remission of our sin! Jesus truly hung, bled, died, and rose again for us! What a powerful thought. For the disciples and all who gathered at the cross, it must have been challenging their faith, but their hope was in the power of God and the Word to do just what He said He would do. They did not lose hope. Surely, their spirits must have been strengthened and so should our hearts be when we reflect on,
Psalm 31:24 - “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

Yes, there would be the resurrection of Jesus, but He would leave us a comforter—the Holy Spirit. Now that is hope!

The world needs more hope. We need more prophetic thinkers and doers. Jesus, was the Savior of the world who knew that He was the embodiment of hope. He still is the hope and promise for a sinful world. One of my favorite and one of the most intriguing and prolific philosophers of our time is Dr. Cornell West. He writes in his book, “HOPE on a TIGHTROPE”, and I quote him, “Prophetic thinkers are intellectuals willing to live and die for justice, love, and hope.” God is love, births hope, and Christ died for justice. Our debts were paid on the cross. You may not be a prophet, but you can be a prophetic thinker and doer!

Are we willing to live and die to the flesh for a life of hope, by the power of the one who died for it all? His name is Jesus.

I sure hope so!

Dear Lord, expand my thoughts, strengthen my heart, and increase my spiritual intellect. Let my hope be in you and you alone. Help me to be of good courage. My hope is built on you, dear Lord, so help me to give hope to others, to love more, and never to lose hope. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-28T05:00:00Z

Never Cease Proclaiming
Deacon Inga Robinson

Acts 5:41-42 (AMP): So they went out from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin), rejoicing that they were being counted worthy [dignified by the indignity] to suffer shame and be exposed to disgrace for [the sake of] His name. Yet [in spite of the threats] they never ceased for a single day, both in the temple area and at home, to teach and to proclaim the good news (Gospel) of Jesus [as] the Christ (the Messiah).

In spite of what you are going through or have been through, in spite of what indignities you have faced or will face, in spite of the shame or exposure, in spite of the threats or disgrace, NEVER cease to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Rejoice! For in the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For Jesus has overcome the world. [Jesus has deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33 Amplified) If you are in church, on your job, in your house, or in town, never cease for a single day to proclaim and declare the gospel of Jesus in your life.

My Father, Lord and Savior, Thank you for hearing me when I pray. Thank you for being the Lamb that died on the cross for our sins. Lord when I was afflicted, I sought you, humbled myself before you and you answered. Lord, by your stripes, we are healed. When you rose on the third day, you had all power in your hands. In spite of all we may go through, it can’t compare to the price you paid for us. May we never cease (not for one day) to proclaim this gospel. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-27T05:00:00Z

What are You Willing to Pay?
Evangelist Shari Cuesta

John 12:25 - Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

It never ceases to amaze me when we come to our altar experience and we’ve been forgiven our sins, God cleans us up and we commence our quest of servitude and kingdom labor. We start out sooooo great as we have it in our mind that we will serve God all our days without reservation and saving nothing. But then slowly the process begins—the further away we get from our altar experience, we tend to become less on-fire, more weighed down and more focused on the trials of life than the fruits of the labor. Our servitude begins to pale at best and becomes a stereotypical routine rather than an aggressive move on strongholds and dark forces. I believe the reason is that we don’t consider the cost of our salvation experience.

It costs a lot when you just get home from a mentally exhaustive experience at work and you’re so tired you can barely cook dinner, when you should be witnessing or planning an event to evangelize. It costs a lot when your money is so low and you see a need in someone’s life and you’re more worried about your bills than how God can be glorified in the situation. It costs a lot to trust in God when you can’t see the outcome of a situation and it seems hopeless. IT COSTS TO SERVE!

Considering the cost is your reasonable service in kingdom servitude. Jesus paid the highest cost of all and though He could have brought the entire situation to an end based on His problems, He chose to go through with what was before Him.

Question: When faced with trial after trial and mountain after mountain, do you consider the cost of kingdom servitude? If your service to God hasn’t cost you time, effort, money and other personal resources and sacrifices…you’re not in the true flow of worship and servitude. Service must cost you something!

Lord God, on this day we offer a prayer of sacrifice and servitude. Give us revelation on the price we are to pay to offer up true worship and servitude unto you. Our true desire is to please you and seek your favor. Let not our servitude be comfortable for us, but to those we are serving and let it be at the expense of the cost of the cross. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-26T05:00:00Z

EVANGELISM
Deacon Sidney Zollicoffer, Jr.

Acts 21: 8b-9 - and we entered into the house of Phillip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Even in the early church, we see here that people don’t necessarily have to possess the Office of Prophet nor possess any leadership role. In the early church the Holy Spirit gave the gift of prophecy to anyone He might choose: leader or layman, man or woman. The Prophet was merely that mouthpiece of a truth God desired to make known.

Has GOD given you a truth that He desires you to share with others? Speak it! Write it! Draw it! Type it! Show it! Live it! Just Share it with others. Now that’s Evangelism!

Heavenly Father, Hallelujah! Thank you for the Power of Communication and the Truth of Your Word. May we use it to bring life into a dying world! Thank you, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-25T05:00:00Z

Strength
Elder Angel Williams

2 Corinthians 11:9 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

If we were to be honest with ourselves, most of us do not like to admit our weaknesses. Our reasoning is two-fold: we just don’t like to admit that we are weak because that means we are really weak, and; if we admit that, there is a chance that someone will use our weakness against us. It is our natural inclination to protect ourselves, to protect our hearts and to save face.

This doesn’t work with God. In order for God to work on our behalf, we must be willing to accept the fact that we have weaknesses, and OFTEN we come to times in our lives where we cannot go any further. This gives God the opportunity to ‘make his strength perfect in our weakness’. Many of us miss out on the liberty, deliverance, and healing that God has in store for us simply because we are too proud to admit that we are weak. The reality is that when we are weak, that is when we really become strong. Because the moment we admit to God that we are truly weak and need his help, that is the moment that God works in us.

Let us be more like Paul and celebrate the fact that we are flawed, because that is how we know that moment, our being is only because of Christ! It is through Christ that we are stronger, wiser and better!

Father, thank you for the way you love and care for us. Thank you for being on standby, waiting for us to admit that we need your help. Give us the wherewithal to admit that we are frail, and need you. Help us to accept the help that you offer and make us stronger through our weakness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-24T05:00:00Z

Strength!
Trustee Evette Clarke

Luke 12: 48 (New KJV) …For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

God has entrusted everyone with gifts and talents to build the kingdom. It requires us to not get weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). Instead, we must move and operate in God’s strength, power and authority. We have so much to offer the lost, hurt, and confused. It is through our gifts that someone is compelled to seek love and acceptance through Christ Jesus, whether it is through teaching, singing, dancing, sports, writing, or the like. Let’s use what God has given us to strengthen ourselves, edify the Lord and bring the gospel to the world. Our strength comes from knowing that we can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

Many are seeking strength to wake up, carry on, care for their family, find employment, start a business, give back, build, conquer, and become victorious! Let’s build God’s kingdom by strengthening the body one person at a time knowing that God has equipped each of us with everything we need. We each play a role in bringing this to fruition. To whom much is given much is required!

God, I know that the gifts you have given me and all that you’ve entrusted to me is for the building of your kingdom. I count it joy to serve you so the kingdom may be strengthened. For I give you all the honor and the praise. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-23T05:00:00Z

The Connective (Hearts On One Accord)
Evangelist LaJeune Farmer

Acts 2:1 - When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

The connective manifest a servants heart. Hearts on one accord like the disciples in the upper room.

The upper room is like a metaphor of our communications station during prayer with God— keeping our minds stayed on the one who is the source and resource of perfecting Kingdom building. The “I Am” of life speaks, proceeds, prepares and provides from life’s beginning to life’s end or life’s eternity. Jesus sacrificed His life to save, serve and synchronize our lives for greater works—keeping us from the grips of death, teaching us the things of God the Father, bringing us together on one accord—leaving with us the Holy Comforter to continue his ministry of reconciliation. So, whoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have eternal life.

Standing on the word of God requires discipline in Him to endure the race. It requires training, tarrying, and telling your testimonies of victories won. Prayer, supplication, humility and submitting to the authority of the Holy Spirit are other requirements necessary to function as a team (one body), all for the ultimate goal of winning souls for Christ, just as it happened for Peter in the beginning of Acts. The same emotional, reckless and violent Peter who said he would follow Jesus even if it meant death instead, denied him. But after the Holy Spirit came upon him, 3,000 people were added to the church after hearing his sermon. This is an example of what happens to a life touched by the Holy Spirit of God.

Father God in the name of Jesus let it be unto us as it is in your word. Transform our hearts and minds empowering us with your Holy Spirit for the next harvest of souls coming home. Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-22T05:00:00Z

Author and Finisher
Pastor Lewis Green

Hebrews 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...

The Bible says that JESUS is the author and finisher of our faith. The word finisher actually translates as ‘developer’. JESUS is the beginner and finisher of our faith. Therefore, since the conception and maturity of my faith in Him didn’t begin with me, neither then can it end with me. Hard as I try, I cannot grow myself up in the LORD, for I am not the author and developer of my faith. In time, we ‘developees’ learn that it is entirely up to the ‘Developer’ to complete the good work that He Himself began in us. Accepting this is key to learning to get out of His way that He might be free to have His way in our lives.

For when the faith of a person is developed, his whole person is perfected. A Person is not considered mature because he is good and never sins, but a person is considered mature, in GOD’s eyes, when as he learns to single-mindedly trust in the LORD’s sovereign decisions and directions for his life—keeping step with Him in all things, at all times...both good and bad alike. For faith is not always believing GOD for a thing; sometimes, it’s trusting Him in a thing. Therefore, test, trials, and tribulations are but divine tools fashioned of the LORD to build our faith—which is more precious to the LORD than gold is to a man.

This is why the Bible says that “without faith it is impossible to please GOD.” Your faith in Him is priceless to Him. And with each step of faith you take with Him, that which is so precious to Him grows and grows until it blossoms like a uniquely beautiful flower in the barren desert of the world. Therefore, your developing or blossoming faith in all areas of your life, although beneficial to you, is a pleasurable Bouquet of love to Him.

Father, Please teach me to trust you with the direction and the developments that you bring into my life. For just because things may sometimes seem to be out of my control, it doesn’t mean that it’s out of Your control. Teach me to keep step with you in the midst of whatever comes my way, that I might please you with my faith in you continually. In JESUS’ Name, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-21T05:00:00Z

BUILDING YOUR FAITH
Elder Angel Williams

Hebrews 11:1-2 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This is a familiar passage of scripture, but the whole chapter of Hebrews in important for believers because we should be constantly building our faith. Hebrews 1:3 says that “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of the things which are visible. How powerful is that? And it is so true. Most of the things of this world—the air we breathe, the stars above—were created, and we know that they exist, but we have never seen them formed.

From beginning to end, the Bible speaks of the importance of faith:

n Abel offering a more excellent sacrifice
n Noah building an ark
n Abraham moving to a strange land when God said go
n Sarah conceiving when she was too old to have a baby
n The woman with the issue of blood
n The man at the pool of Bethesda

The Bible speaks to the fact that all we need is faith of a mustard seed. A mustard seed! A mustard seed is tiny.

The point is that no matter what goes on in our lives, all we need to do is think about the last miracle God performed on our behalf because we said to him, “I Believe!” Our faith says that we believe and our belief causes us to act on what we believe. Stated faith without belief and action is simply an empty declaration that we have borrowed from the scriptures to look and sound the part.

In order to get what God has for you in this season, you must believe and act on what you can’t see, and then let God legitimize it.

Father, thank you for the opportunity to believe in your ability to manifest that which we cannot see. Give us the strength to know that you can and will do what is necessary on our behalf in order to receive the glory out of our lives. We believe, therefore, we speak. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-20T05:00:00Z

Through the Fire!
Evangelist José Cuesta

Daniel 3:21-23, 26-27 - So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

When I was a kid I would always do the opposite of what I was told, not so much for rebellion sake but because I have always been curious in the “why” as opposed to the “why not.” I remember that on several occasions my mom would tell me not to play around the stove in the kitchen, but to play in another part of the house. Having the normal child intelligence, I would play in the kitchen and sure enough, as I would get to being rambunctious, I would inevitably have a run-in with the stove and get burned. After a few run-ins with the stove I LEARNED MY LESSON and played elsewhere.

We tend to look at fire as just an element given by God, but I submit to you fire is a
God-spirit element that is used to change certain things in our lives. Just as a kid keeps having run-ins with the stove and getting burned, God has us in the oven to remove, solidify and readjust some things. We tend to try and run to get out of the fire, but when we do we have to end up there again because God has to have us in there for His timing to take place. You may be in the fire at your job, in your finances, your marriage, your household, your personal life. If you are…STAY THERE UNTIL GOD RELEASES YOU! Just like Shadrach, Meshach and ONE BAD NEGRO (lol), if you stay in the fire you will come out with not just a testimony, but you will also be stronger, braver and more resilient.

Lord I pray for those going through tough times. I pray for strength and valor in You! I pray that they would stay in the fire until you release them. I pray more for the testimony that will be built out of having to endure the heat and the flames...that through it, they would not be in fear but in total trust that all things work together for the good as we have been called to your purpose and will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-19T05:00:00Z

Seeking the Favor of God
Pastor Kevin Prue

Leviticus 23:10-12 - Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest into the priest: and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering.

If you had to go to court to defend yourself against the heaviest penalty possible (whether truly innocent or guilty), how much would the absolute best defender be worth to you? In the spirit of Pentecost, we must always see ourselves as approaching the altar of our God, Who has encouraged, healed, liberated, delivered, defended, protected, enlightened and justified (Isa. 61:1-3) us. Inasmuch, if we would seek out God to address our personal needs, then we should be even more apt to come to God with an abundance of praise and thanksgiving. There is nothing that you and I have that is too good to offer in reverence to the glory of our Lord, Adonai. When you first bring the best you have to the altar of God in the purposed purity of worship, His attention is turned toward you (II Chron. 19:9) to provide what you need to perpetuate your sacrifice of worship. This is the essence of being in the favor of the Lord God. While you go throughout the paces of your day, purpose to maintain a posture of worship before the altar of God, seizing every opportunity to present Him well before the on-looking world, through the life that you live.

Father, often I come to you with my personal needs leading the path to Your throne. Today, I desire to forge a new path, with Your pleasure being my highest desire. Guide me Lord Holy Spirit, for only through Your divine wisdom can I bring a perfected offering of service to wave before Your holy throne. This I pray in Jesus’ holy name.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-18T05:00:00Z

MANIFESTATION
Deacon Sidney Zollicoffer, Jr.

The meat (Bread) of the feast! What do you mean? To every believer this is the Bread, the hope, the core, the substance, the past, the now, the future, the Life and the very existence of our faith...that mystery of Christian religion preached and proclaimed throughout the world.

Jesus the Christ (GOD) entered the world in the flesh, He was a manifestation of the fulfillment of prophecies and laws of the Old Testament. He was the chosen one who gave up his life, hung on the cross, died for humanity, was buried in a tomb and the first of the Resurrection, who now sits on his rightful throne beside the Father with authority over both heaven and earth!

John 6:32-33 says, “ Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”

1 Timothy 3:16 - “And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Heavenly Father, Hallelujah! Thank you for what men call miracles! YOUR WORD is being manifested in our lives each and every day. Thank you, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-17T05:00:00Z

PERsevere
Deacon Phillip Reynolds

Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

What is ahead of us will always be greater than what is behind us, if nothing more than the fact that our future is built on the experiences of our past. A time of trial is just that—a time of trial. It is not permanent trail. You may be able to say that you have been “struggling with it for years.” Well…if you have been struggling, then that means that you have not lost!!! The race is won by he who perseveres to the end.

According to Dictionary.com, to persevere means to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly. The prefix per = THROUGH. That means you have to literally get through to the other side of the severe situation, because that is where the “prize for which God has called [YOU] heavenward in Christ” lays. Don’t let your struggle become your reward because God has promised you something far greater.

Heavenly Father, Help me to keep your prize in focus and a mindset that is stayed on Christ. I pray that you draw me close to you during times of trial so that I may be a mirror image of you for the rest of the world to see. Please hold my hand THROUGH so that I may continue steadfastly no matter what may come my way.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-16T05:00:00Z

STRENGTH
Deacon Lula Raynor

Hebrews 3:14 - For we are partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

At my first day of basic training in the military, I thought I was in pretty good shape, even though I never exercised with the purpose of building stamina (staying power, endurance). The standards to pass my first PT (physical training) test was to do 56 push-ups in 2 mins., 85 sit-ups in 2 mins., and to do a 2 mile run in 12 min. (no recovery between events). Needless to say, I failed. When I finished the test my arms felt like they weighed a ton, my stomach hurt and my legs felt like a wet noodle. I realized then that I had no sustaining power, I wasn’t in as good of shape as I thought. After 8 weeks of getting up at 0400 hrs., and doing PT, my body was being strengthened and conditioned to endure and pass the test with less difficulty. Staying fit made my life in the military a lot easier to stand.

We as Christians should build our stamina, our staying power, with exercising the Word of God, so we can endure the trials and tribulations to come, knowing that we already have the victory. Here are a few exercises to get you started.

Warm Up

Phil. 2:5 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report,
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Strengthening

Phil. 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

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

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

Cool (Calm) Down

Is. 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.

Is. 26:4 - Trust ye in the Lord forever: for the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

Father God, thank you for the comfort of the scriptures. Your word indeed is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I am grateful to know that no matter what happens, I have victory in Christ Jesus.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-15T05:00:00Z

Lift Up Your Eyes
Deacon Inga Robinson

Isaiah 40:26 26 - Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

One day, I was answering a questionnaire that asked this, “When you pass people walking down the street, do you look at people in the face, look down at the ground, or too busy to notice anyone?” The questions were designed to highlight our personality. Which one are you? If God was trying to get your attention as you walked down the street, would you be too busy to notice or to be inconvenienced by stopping? Would you be too occupied with your own troubles to listen? Would you be too scared, too nervous or too insecure to look up? Maybe, just maybe you are the one to look into the eyes of God. Whichever person you are, Isaiah said, “lift up your eyes and look to heaven.” No matter what you are going through, be encouraged. God has created all things. That is you, me and everything on earth and in heaven. He knows us! You mean he knows my name? Yes! If God knows every name of every star, He definitely knows our names. God calls the stars and us forth by name. Listen, do you hear Him? When God speaks, what’s invisible to us is visible to God. Therefore, when God calls us, stop and lift up your eyes and look to God in heaven. Psalm 121:1 says to lift up your eyes to where your help comes from.

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider, Your grace is sufficient for me. Lord I will be encouraged that when I feel down, look down, or fall down, I can lift up my eyes unto you and you will pick me up. Lord God you alone are all mighty and all powerful. Thank you for calling me by name, while I was yet still a sinner. Forgive me Lord, I haven’t always seen or understood the move of God, but Lord you are always showing favor over my life. I declare that I am encouraged and persuaded that nothing shall separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39) In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-14T05:00:00Z

The Connected (A Heart of Righteousness)
Evangelist LaJeune Farmer

Deuteronomy 32:4 - He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all his ways are justice; A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

The connected manifest a heart of righteousness. Putting on the mind of Christ (helmet of salvation) will allow you to see life through God’s perspective; anticipating, foreseeing and actually looking forward to magnificent changes in your life and in the lives of others. God is the only righteous one but Abraham is a prime example of a righteous man. He was God-fearing and obedient to His word. He had faith in the promises of God. Now God told Abram to leave his father’s house and go to a land he would show him. He would be a father of many nations, he would be blessed, his name would be great and God would cause him to be a blessing. God also promised Abram a son by his wife Sari in their old age. Imagine the things people may have thought and said that altered the instructions God gave Abram. Just as his wife did. Having Abram to sleep with their maidservant because of her unbelief.

We should also put on the breastplate of righteousness to guard our hearts from everything and everyone that will try and change or interrupt the insight God has given us. We walk in righteousness by faith so others can see God and draw nearer to him. What ever promises of God you anticipate coming to past, know that God will manifest them in their appropriate season.

Father God you are sovereign and worthy to be praised. Your word says obedience is better than sacrifice. In the name of Jesus I speak to the spirit of obedience to reign in the people of God from this day forward. Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-13T05:00:00Z

Discipline: Just Practice!
Pastor Reneé Turner

2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

In jesting with my son one afternoon, I asked, “When are you going to teach me to play the piano?” He retorted, “when you become disciplined enough to practice your scales.” Of course I was a little stunned, but the fact is we both knew I hadn’t learned to play because I never wanted to practice scales. Scales intimidated me, so my excuse became, “I’m uncoordinated, and that’s just the way I am.”

How often do we try to justify our lack of discipline by saying, “Well, you know, that’s just the way I am.”? God created us with space to grow and improve. Just because people may continue loving us after we “fly off the handle,” or become indignant with them when we feel like we’ve been victimized, it’s not okay. God expects us to practice self-discipline and He empowers us to do so through His Word.

Rick Warren writes, “people with self-discipline: watch their words, stick to their schedules, manage their money, maintain their health and restrain their actions” (“Purpose Driven Life”). Success comes with practice—and practice takes discipline. The Spirit of God gives us discipline. So we should be a body of disciplined believers…right?

Procrastinate no longer. Just Practice! The new, disciplined, “no excuses” you is waiting to be manifested in 2011.

Father, please forgive me for when I’ve been undisciplined or apathetic concerning any area of my life; for when I’ve felt threatened or victimized and behaved unseemly. Help me to draw on the power that abides in me because you abide in me. I commit to practicing self-discipline during this time of preparation for our Pentecost celebration. Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance that fresh and bitter water are not sent forth from the same fountain, so that I may practice walking in your power and love with self-discipline. In Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Manifest Devotional

2011-12-12T04:28:00Z

Boldness verses Pride
Prophet Andre Randall

Proverbs 28:1 (KJV) - The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Wow what a contrast, “fleeing verses being bold or taking you stance!” Have you ever wanted to escape, stage right? I am sure we all have wanted to avoid difficult, abrasive or unpopular situations, but God has not given us a spirit of this nature, but of one that in the mist of adversity will remain in the fight to the end, one of power and sound mindedness.

Let’s not become passive in the way we engage life, but enter a quest for wisdom from the Word of God to pursue the victory and the rewards of life in a Godly manner. The Bible is clear that we should not expect an easy ride. In fact, it states that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but He will deliver us in them all.

There are many miracles that can only be realized in the heat of adversity. If you ever want to see the Lord open up a Red Sea, you will be required to stand in adverse, confrontational circumstances. I am no different from you. I would prefer the beach on sunny-side Hawaii 24/7.

Pride is not the same as boldness. Pride is self-centered and will not allow you to be corrected or admit wrong. Pride will cause you to stand for wrong for the sake of pleasing others at the expense of right—forfeiting the adventure of our salvation that can only come through the diamond beatification process. It is a wicked person that accuses God wrongly. Wickedness is equivalent to faithlessness. To believe that God’s intention is to do you harm rather than prove your integrity and character is just ungodly. Let’s not be scared of our own shadow or our past. There is no need to flee when no one is pursuing.

God Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth I seek your face today and every day to become wiser and stronger. I desire to represent you well even in hard and difficult times that it might testify of your greatness. In my weakness, many they may be, your strength is seen perfect. It is at these times I receive your witty ideas and you always make me look intelligent and graceful. I come boldly for grace in a time of need because I know your heart is to help me and do me no harm.