Life is not easy, someone told me if it were then it would be boring. Life sucks sometimes it throws things at you that you never could see coming and if you could, you failed to dodge. So when you're beyond being lower than the lowest thing alive..what do you do? Who do you turn to? When things go wrong my first reflex isn't to get down on my knees and pray. No. I try fix it on my own, or tell a friend or drown our sorrows in earthly things.
What do you do when you have lost everything. When you are hurt beyond comprehension. When you feel like looking up and screaming “WHY GOD...WHY MEE!!!!”. Well if not you then who? Life is not easy at all. Awful things happen to the best of people. You read your bible everyday, you go to church and you say your prayers but still you seem to wind up with the short end of the stick. What do you do? Who do you turn to?
What can you do when your world is crashing down and your all alone and nobody understands or nobody seems to care. Where do you start, picking up the pieces. When the road you walk is paved with thorns. And the cross you carry just keeps getting heavier. What can you do when you feel like crying out “WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME LORD?”. You stumble, you fall, you make bad choices and the devil beacons you further into the dark. His offer seems more attractive than the pain you face. What do you do?
What happens when all your strength and will power is gone. When it seems like there is nothing to live for. You could just shout “here take your life back!”. What happens next. When your heart is broken and you feel like a fool. When you have lost so much and given just as much away. What in the world can you do!! How can you master the strength to rise again with your head held high. How? What is it that needs to be done. Who lied to us and said we were destined for greatness. Who lied to us and said we were the chosen people when all we do is struggle and fall flat on our faces. Why is it that the devil is always there. Why is it that we feel like God has turned away from us?
What do you do? Do you get up again, dust yourself off and keep going? I've been told the way to grow strong in Christ is to be weak in yourself. What does that mean? My bible tells me in Isaiah 40:29 “God gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.”. What do you do...you have faith and trust in your God. Let go of the steering wheel for a moment and let Him take over. Its hurts but trust and get down on your knees bare your soul to the one that truly deserves it and believe and know that help is on the way.
What can you do? Be patient and wait for the Lord. We do not serve a dormant God. Yes we are destined for something bigger than us, but it comes at a price. We have to fight to get it just as hard as the devil is to keep it away from us. It calls for patient endurance on our part and persistence in prayer. He will never forsake us. We are the chosen people,and because we were chosen we need to take courage “ be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord” Psalms 31:24.
“Jesus knows that we must come apart and rest a while, or else we may just plain fall apart.”
We need to take heart, and let God take over completely and not only when it suits us. The time to be Christians has come. We must use the little strength that we have even if it means hanging on His robes. Reach out and let Him do the rest. Keep the faith and love you have for him going. Keep praying, because the devil is always there always waiting and being watchful of every step you take.
Turn to our all mighty Father and He will be light at your feet.
by Nicola Manduna
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
When will you start being a Christian??
So I'm on this walk with Christ and we are getting really close. I mean the amount of love between us is amazing. Yet my heart is sore. My mind is troubled. As Shakespeare put it “oh full of scorpions is my mind”. I'm deeply troubled and for what?
The love I thought I had found with someone all gone. Just like all we had didn't matter.
Certain aspects of my life have changed though for the better. I've been called to step forward , yet I'm afraid I wont be able to keep up and do the right thing.
My family slowly falling to pieces.
My friends going through so much heartache and pain. Plagued by peer pressure as they wonder like the lost sheep they are.
Life on earth is not a pretty thing. Was walking the streets of Jo burg and I saw a “common” sight that broke my heart because there was nothing I could do. I saw a elderly woman sitting under the harsh sun on the the filth that we call the streets of jozi. A blind beggar, a woman that could've been my own mother. Sitting there dressed in rags like she had be stuffed into them. There she sat, trapped in her circumstances. She was eating as she sat, but what she ate...her meal for the day was a paper plate of chips generously covered in flies and mould. My heart sank. It became sore so sore. But I did nothing, I carried on walking.
My heart is sore, the tears keep coming, rolling down my cheeks filling my eyes till my vision gets so blurry I feel myself stumble as I walk. I walk. I walk. I continue on my daily walk with Christ. These are but a fraction of the things I face. What do you face or try to escape from. How can we say we walk with Christ when we do nothing in this world to help others?? That's all Christ did, that was His main objective, to help those in need. But what do we do, we keep walking thinking we're walking with Christ, while He's standing there next to the blind beggars in our lives. Waiting on us to be CHRISTIANS!
How many have you walked away from? For how long must it be this way. My bible tells me in Proverbs 19;17 “he who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord”. What will we lack by giving? Yes we have our own problems in life to face our “drama' to deal with. But “ the best exercise for strengthening the heart is reaching down and lifting people up.”. We have become so selfish and self absorbed in things we think matter most. But does the bible not say love thy neighbour as you love thy self.
What are we doing about the beggars in our lives? Literally the poor that need us to share just a bit of what we have. And the poor that are weak in their faith and need us to share our daily bread with them. My heart is sore.. but the love He has for me will make up for the love I lost. My mind is troubled but that call will keep coming, He'll hold my hand and as the light at my feet He will guide the way. But what of those that don't see and haven't learnt what it is that I have learnt on my daily walks with Christ. You can not walk with Him and not be affected by what He stands for.
Yes I do not understand His ways totally, but what would be the point if I did? The point is to grow, and with this growth in turn share it with others. Its time for us to start being Christians. Its time for us to start being active and help those around us that need it. Yes it may seem prayer is not effective but it is oh yes it is. Pray and be active be a vessel that wants to be used. It's time to pull each other up.
When I saw that woman it wasn't the first time I'd seen a beggar. But today I saw through different eyes. I felt, I was moved. Foolish of me to think nothing can be done. I'm reaching down, the beggars in my life are there for a reason and I will not be held accountable on judgment day for walking away. I've started, so I ask you now He wants to know after so long...When will you start being a Christian?
by Nicola Manduna
The love I thought I had found with someone all gone. Just like all we had didn't matter.
Certain aspects of my life have changed though for the better. I've been called to step forward , yet I'm afraid I wont be able to keep up and do the right thing.
My family slowly falling to pieces.
My friends going through so much heartache and pain. Plagued by peer pressure as they wonder like the lost sheep they are.
Life on earth is not a pretty thing. Was walking the streets of Jo burg and I saw a “common” sight that broke my heart because there was nothing I could do. I saw a elderly woman sitting under the harsh sun on the the filth that we call the streets of jozi. A blind beggar, a woman that could've been my own mother. Sitting there dressed in rags like she had be stuffed into them. There she sat, trapped in her circumstances. She was eating as she sat, but what she ate...her meal for the day was a paper plate of chips generously covered in flies and mould. My heart sank. It became sore so sore. But I did nothing, I carried on walking.
My heart is sore, the tears keep coming, rolling down my cheeks filling my eyes till my vision gets so blurry I feel myself stumble as I walk. I walk. I walk. I continue on my daily walk with Christ. These are but a fraction of the things I face. What do you face or try to escape from. How can we say we walk with Christ when we do nothing in this world to help others?? That's all Christ did, that was His main objective, to help those in need. But what do we do, we keep walking thinking we're walking with Christ, while He's standing there next to the blind beggars in our lives. Waiting on us to be CHRISTIANS!
How many have you walked away from? For how long must it be this way. My bible tells me in Proverbs 19;17 “he who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord”. What will we lack by giving? Yes we have our own problems in life to face our “drama' to deal with. But “ the best exercise for strengthening the heart is reaching down and lifting people up.”. We have become so selfish and self absorbed in things we think matter most. But does the bible not say love thy neighbour as you love thy self.
What are we doing about the beggars in our lives? Literally the poor that need us to share just a bit of what we have. And the poor that are weak in their faith and need us to share our daily bread with them. My heart is sore.. but the love He has for me will make up for the love I lost. My mind is troubled but that call will keep coming, He'll hold my hand and as the light at my feet He will guide the way. But what of those that don't see and haven't learnt what it is that I have learnt on my daily walks with Christ. You can not walk with Him and not be affected by what He stands for.
Yes I do not understand His ways totally, but what would be the point if I did? The point is to grow, and with this growth in turn share it with others. Its time for us to start being Christians. Its time for us to start being active and help those around us that need it. Yes it may seem prayer is not effective but it is oh yes it is. Pray and be active be a vessel that wants to be used. It's time to pull each other up.
When I saw that woman it wasn't the first time I'd seen a beggar. But today I saw through different eyes. I felt, I was moved. Foolish of me to think nothing can be done. I'm reaching down, the beggars in my life are there for a reason and I will not be held accountable on judgment day for walking away. I've started, so I ask you now He wants to know after so long...When will you start being a Christian?
by Nicola Manduna
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Inbox (1)
You hurt me but i still love you...I reached out to bring you closer, but you pushed my hand aside. "Not now" you said. Standing by me at that point in your life was not important to you. You hurt me but i still love you. I tried to get your attention, tried to make you see that the love i have for you is not the kind of love the world has blindly perverted. I tried to bring you to me. I still am...waiting for you. You hurt me but i still love you. YOU still mean everything to me..
Yes you there covered in sin and shame
yes you there choking on your lies
yes you there terrorizing your loved ones
yes you there with the broken heart
yes you there who is struggling with immoral temptations
yes you there fighting to get closer yet you feel your unworthy
yes you there with your head down
yes you there that feels so alone and unloved
Yes...You hurt me but i still love you....
Make the decision here and now....get on your knees where ever you are...and reach out; with your hand, with your heart, with your spirit. Reach out. He's right there doing the same...reaching out. We hurt Him but He still loves us, let Him fill the void. Reach out through prayer..and grab on to Him, once you do, your journey as a Christian and your journey to be more like Him begins.
let us pray....
by Nicola Manduna
Yes you there covered in sin and shame
yes you there choking on your lies
yes you there terrorizing your loved ones
yes you there with the broken heart
yes you there who is struggling with immoral temptations
yes you there fighting to get closer yet you feel your unworthy
yes you there with your head down
yes you there that feels so alone and unloved
Yes...You hurt me but i still love you....
Make the decision here and now....get on your knees where ever you are...and reach out; with your hand, with your heart, with your spirit. Reach out. He's right there doing the same...reaching out. We hurt Him but He still loves us, let Him fill the void. Reach out through prayer..and grab on to Him, once you do, your journey as a Christian and your journey to be more like Him begins.
let us pray....
by Nicola Manduna
Thank you
We all got to thank God for :
Who he is
What he does
Why he does it
When he will do what we ask
For friends
FAmily
HArd times
Good times
Happy times
Sad times
Tears & Laughter
Pain & Joy
Poverty & Riches
Nakedness or Clothing
Hunger & plenty
He still remains God, who does what he does to the Glory of His name!!!!
God bless you
Who he is
What he does
Why he does it
When he will do what we ask
For friends
FAmily
HArd times
Good times
Happy times
Sad times
Tears & Laughter
Pain & Joy
Poverty & Riches
Nakedness or Clothing
Hunger & plenty
He still remains God, who does what he does to the Glory of His name!!!!
God bless you
Monday, October 25, 2010
The day i got down on my knees..
The day i got down on my knees,
the troubles around me were put under a spotlight
my soul was broken, on my knees my eyes were filled with tears,
like a never ending stream flowing,
with all my pain and afflictions wearing me thin
the day i got down on my knees,
i was in the dark i was alone,
i was misunderstood, shunned and judged
On my knees all was revealed
my heart in pieces, all my desires out in the open
all my fears towering above me
with sin stains on my being
the day i got on my knees;
i found myself at the feet of a merciful Saviour
the one who comforts you as a mother would her child
The day i got on my knees....I PRAYED
by Nicola Manduna
the troubles around me were put under a spotlight
my soul was broken, on my knees my eyes were filled with tears,
like a never ending stream flowing,
with all my pain and afflictions wearing me thin
the day i got down on my knees,
i was in the dark i was alone,
i was misunderstood, shunned and judged
On my knees all was revealed
my heart in pieces, all my desires out in the open
all my fears towering above me
with sin stains on my being
the day i got on my knees;
i found myself at the feet of a merciful Saviour
the one who comforts you as a mother would her child
The day i got on my knees....I PRAYED
by Nicola Manduna
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A dose of tough LOVE...
As Christians we love to romanticize things , I suppose it's human nature. We love to hear things like, “We are destined for great things' or “ My sister your husband is on his way”. We seem to overlook the fact that the devil hates us. He wont let us 2 step into heaven . He's going to fight tooth and nail to get what he wants. Trust me the battle will be scary and gruesome. It's time for us to face reality. I ain't a pastor or anyone with a degree to back me up. I may be uncultured in my speech but my Lord God has given me His stamp of approval. And I tell you now He is coming soon. Now is the time to ready ourselves, He may not be here tomorrow but I will sing this tune till the end of my days.
In 2 Peter 3:9 my bible tells me , “ The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” In the same way we do not view time the way He does. He may be arriving next week, next year or maybe in century or so, but the point I'm stressing is that the time is NOW for us to ready ourselves as the chosen people. Job 6:25 “ how painful are honest words” we make God sound like some hippie at times, who will not step up and get tough when the time comes. We view the devil as some guy that will consider your situation or your feelings before he strikes. That is not the case. He's the type of guy that will kick you when your down, spit in your face, push you so low and so far into the dark, you'll find yourself in a slump you will fail to rise from. Yes the battle is already won but it still needs to be fought!!
There is so much that has to be done we need to prepare ourselves and not stick to this comfort zone of following Christ. We need to break free from this cycle, the longer we stay the further we stray from a our true potential and purpose for which we were intended. There is nothing good about life on earth when God has prepared rooms for us up in heaven. We are simply passing through embarking on a journey that, yes, seems so never ending, but, here comes a cliché....there is light at the end of the tunnel. We say seek He 1st , but we don't really get the seriousness and intensity of such a statement. It took years of wading through sin, but when I finally surfaced I understood. Feeling anew. I was nothing and God gave me chance. What right do I have to give up on Him now?? Seek He 1st and everything else shall fall into place. I don't know about you but I do not serve a dormant God...Isaiah 66: 9 “ Do I bring the moment of birth and not give delivery?”
Like the lost coin in Luke 15:8 God will look high and low for us. It now becomes a personal choice as to whether you want to be found. And when you are found will you live by the spirit, will you “Endure hardship with us like the good solider of Christ Jesus. No-one serving as a solider gets involved in domestic affairs-he wants to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4. Someone once said and I quote “ we are married to too many things here on earth” how can can we embrace Him if our fists are already tightly clenched with our fingers, lips and hearts stained with immorality. Which has now become part of our day-to-day life. Look deep within yourself and you will realize I'm talking about you, about your life. About the lives of those close to you and you do nothing but watch them slowly self-destruct.
Yes we are sinners but if we let go and let God, our sins though like scarlet shall be white as snow. Revelations 14:12 says it best “this calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints..”. Patience with others is Love. Patience with self is Hope. Patience with God is Faith. And that's what we need to cover ourselves with; love for one another that 1st Corinthians kinda love. Hope which in itself is such a powerful thing how can the devil win when there is still hope within us, we are more than conquerors because of the hope factor rooted within. Faith that link between us and our Saviour that needs to be nurtured daily through prayer and interaction with others in fellowship.
Lets not restrict ourselves by giving the devil free reign in our lives. We need to challenge ourselves more in our faith, we need to WAKE UP from this slumber and get to know God and get to experience Him fully. Because He loves us so much, giving up is not an option and if tough Love is required then so be it...
by Nicola Manduna
In 2 Peter 3:9 my bible tells me , “ The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” In the same way we do not view time the way He does. He may be arriving next week, next year or maybe in century or so, but the point I'm stressing is that the time is NOW for us to ready ourselves as the chosen people. Job 6:25 “ how painful are honest words” we make God sound like some hippie at times, who will not step up and get tough when the time comes. We view the devil as some guy that will consider your situation or your feelings before he strikes. That is not the case. He's the type of guy that will kick you when your down, spit in your face, push you so low and so far into the dark, you'll find yourself in a slump you will fail to rise from. Yes the battle is already won but it still needs to be fought!!
There is so much that has to be done we need to prepare ourselves and not stick to this comfort zone of following Christ. We need to break free from this cycle, the longer we stay the further we stray from a our true potential and purpose for which we were intended. There is nothing good about life on earth when God has prepared rooms for us up in heaven. We are simply passing through embarking on a journey that, yes, seems so never ending, but, here comes a cliché....there is light at the end of the tunnel. We say seek He 1st , but we don't really get the seriousness and intensity of such a statement. It took years of wading through sin, but when I finally surfaced I understood. Feeling anew. I was nothing and God gave me chance. What right do I have to give up on Him now?? Seek He 1st and everything else shall fall into place. I don't know about you but I do not serve a dormant God...Isaiah 66: 9 “ Do I bring the moment of birth and not give delivery?”
Like the lost coin in Luke 15:8 God will look high and low for us. It now becomes a personal choice as to whether you want to be found. And when you are found will you live by the spirit, will you “Endure hardship with us like the good solider of Christ Jesus. No-one serving as a solider gets involved in domestic affairs-he wants to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4. Someone once said and I quote “ we are married to too many things here on earth” how can can we embrace Him if our fists are already tightly clenched with our fingers, lips and hearts stained with immorality. Which has now become part of our day-to-day life. Look deep within yourself and you will realize I'm talking about you, about your life. About the lives of those close to you and you do nothing but watch them slowly self-destruct.
Yes we are sinners but if we let go and let God, our sins though like scarlet shall be white as snow. Revelations 14:12 says it best “this calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints..”. Patience with others is Love. Patience with self is Hope. Patience with God is Faith. And that's what we need to cover ourselves with; love for one another that 1st Corinthians kinda love. Hope which in itself is such a powerful thing how can the devil win when there is still hope within us, we are more than conquerors because of the hope factor rooted within. Faith that link between us and our Saviour that needs to be nurtured daily through prayer and interaction with others in fellowship.
Lets not restrict ourselves by giving the devil free reign in our lives. We need to challenge ourselves more in our faith, we need to WAKE UP from this slumber and get to know God and get to experience Him fully. Because He loves us so much, giving up is not an option and if tough Love is required then so be it...
by Nicola Manduna
Saturday, October 16, 2010
**Spiritual Ark**
The destination is Heaven....but....THE JOURNEY is very important. He said He is coming and He sounded very close. He didn't go into detail about the exact time or location but He said He is coming. Thus the crucial stages of my journey began. You've heard the saying each man for himself and God for us all..but who really wants to go to Heaven alone?? He said the the journey is very important meaning that He's giving us a chance to ensure that we make it to our final destination. It would be sooo easy for Him to determine who deserves to make it there, but yet He gives us a chance to make it back home. I say home because this is not home. We are merely visitors who will soon have over stayed their welcome.
The time has come to sort out our spiritual households. The time to be honest with ourselves, who knows you better than you?? The time to let go of the things that weigh us down. A time to be rooted in our belief in Christ. A time to get soo much closer to Him. A time to grow in our faith. I mean we don't seem to realise how powerful faith actually is, it doesn't have to be huge it can be the size of a mustard seed and it will be efficient. A time to let God take the wheel and steer us in the right direction, but we tend to be "backseat drivers" we don't did give Him full control and now as the vehicle spins out of control that's when we realise that we cannot do it alone. I hope and pray that when we do it wont be too late. My Bible tells me in psalms 118 :8 "it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man".
The journey is important as it prepares us for whats ahead. But being the "backseat drivers" we are we think we know best. Jeremiah 18 : 5-6 speaks of being in the potter's house. He says "like the clay in the hand of the potter so are you in my hand". The time has come for us to look deep within ourselves and let God take control. Like the clay we must be moulded for His intended purpose for us. We become vessels in which He fills with His word so that we may share it with others. Once moulded we will be put in to the furnace to make us steadfast in what God has intended. The furnace with it's blazing flames represents the afflictions we will face, they will burn, but according to your faith you will either harden and be rooted in your faith. And emerge being the vessel you were intended to be or you will merely be consumed by the flames.
We must seek God and follow His laws with the passion and determination expressed in psalms 119. To pray that the Lord forgives and over looks what it is we had become and to uplift what it is we are becoming. Moving forward with the Lord God being the light at our feet. Turning to Him when it seems our world is coming to end. Sharing with others the good and the bad things we go through and letting them know that having Christ in our lives makes life on earth a whole lot better. On this journey we will not emerge the same as when we entered.
This is our chance to grow.
There is a spiritual ark that's being built....and no-one should be left behind this time.
by Nicola Manduna
The time has come to sort out our spiritual households. The time to be honest with ourselves, who knows you better than you?? The time to let go of the things that weigh us down. A time to be rooted in our belief in Christ. A time to get soo much closer to Him. A time to grow in our faith. I mean we don't seem to realise how powerful faith actually is, it doesn't have to be huge it can be the size of a mustard seed and it will be efficient. A time to let God take the wheel and steer us in the right direction, but we tend to be "backseat drivers" we don't did give Him full control and now as the vehicle spins out of control that's when we realise that we cannot do it alone. I hope and pray that when we do it wont be too late. My Bible tells me in psalms 118 :8 "it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man".
The journey is important as it prepares us for whats ahead. But being the "backseat drivers" we are we think we know best. Jeremiah 18 : 5-6 speaks of being in the potter's house. He says "like the clay in the hand of the potter so are you in my hand". The time has come for us to look deep within ourselves and let God take control. Like the clay we must be moulded for His intended purpose for us. We become vessels in which He fills with His word so that we may share it with others. Once moulded we will be put in to the furnace to make us steadfast in what God has intended. The furnace with it's blazing flames represents the afflictions we will face, they will burn, but according to your faith you will either harden and be rooted in your faith. And emerge being the vessel you were intended to be or you will merely be consumed by the flames.
We must seek God and follow His laws with the passion and determination expressed in psalms 119. To pray that the Lord forgives and over looks what it is we had become and to uplift what it is we are becoming. Moving forward with the Lord God being the light at our feet. Turning to Him when it seems our world is coming to end. Sharing with others the good and the bad things we go through and letting them know that having Christ in our lives makes life on earth a whole lot better. On this journey we will not emerge the same as when we entered.
This is our chance to grow.
There is a spiritual ark that's being built....and no-one should be left behind this time.
by Nicola Manduna
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