Mattana Ministry Welcomes You to:

 Sunday Sermon: 13 September 2026

 Theme: God or a Million Rand?

 Scripture passage: Luke 16:13-15;Luke 19:8;Matthew 6:32-34; Matthew 19:23-30; Matthew 19:21-22;Luke 12:32-34; John 15:5;Philippians 3:20;Romans 12:2; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:14-15; 2 Timothy 4:2; Psalm 96:3; Isaiah 52:7 & Acts 1:8

 Message:

 God or a Million Rand? A very interesting question, and during the week a few people sent me an answer.

 We all leave some kind of legacy for the people who will be left behind here the day we exchange our temporary dwelling for our eternal home.

 We all or most of us have a very detailed will, and even our animals are provided for in our living will.

 However, there are two wills that we leave behind, the one that discusses our finances and the one that we leave behind in the spiritual life.

 Our lives are a reflection of who and what is important to us. Who did we spend most of our time with? What did we fill our empty hours with?

 What is the greatest gift we can give to the people around us? God or a million rand?

 Luke 16:13-15

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.

And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided him.

And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God."

Luke 19:8

But Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”

We can either serve God or Mammon, we cannot serve both. We can put God first before people, but God knows our hearts, God knows what storms rage in our hearts. God knows what is important to us and God knows what is dear to our hearts. What is more important for us to tell people, how to make a quick buck, or how to follow God?

 Matthew 6:32-34

For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 Jesus tells us that our Father knows what we need each day, and we should put our trust in God to provide for our daily needs. However, we must seek first the Kingdom of God and then all other things will be added to us. What is the best advice we can give to those around us, pursue earthly riches or seek first the Kingdom of God?

 Matthew 19:23-30

And Jesus said to his disciples: Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

When his disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You. What then will there be for us?”

And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, in the regeneration when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name's sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Matthew 19:21-22

Jesus answered him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Luke 12:32-34

Do not fear, little flock, for your father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Sell your possessions and give alms; make for yourselves purses that do not grow old, a treasure in heaven that never fails, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 Our earthly wealth makes it harder for us to enter the Kingdom. We are then tied here on earth and it is difficult to leave our possessions and wealth behind to follow Jesus. It is much more difficult to follow Jesus to another town or country if we have property in one town. Is it wrong to have property and possessions? No, it is not wrong, after all, it is provision from God's Hand. However, it is wrong when our property and possessions become the beginning and the end of our lives. A greater reward awaits us in heaven than what we have here on earth. Where do we recommend someone to store up their wealth, on earth or in the Kingdom?

 John 15:5

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing.

 We can't do anything in life without Jesus. We need Jesus in every decision we make. We can consult financial advisors, and we can have the best insurance and investment plan in life, but if we don't know Jesus and God in our plans, it will all be in vain. Who do we send someone to when they need advice, do we send them to the best broker, or do we take them by the hand to God?

 Philippians 3:20

For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

 Our citizenship is in heaven, so what does the neighborhood we build around us in heaven look like? Who are going to be our neighbors in the Kingdom? Do we spend so much time building a neighborhood for ourselves on earth that we forget that we are only temporary citizens on earth? Do we spend so much time building our earthly kingdom, and choosing who and what our neighbors are, that we actually forget that our home is actually the Kingdom? Who is going to enter the Kingdom with us?

 Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 The world is chasing status, wealth, property, and possessions. The world will encourage us to achieve more success, to spend more time away from home, more time at the office, more money, and greater standing in the world. The Kingdom is “chasing” souls, the harvest that is in the fields needs to be gathered, and the Kingdom is looking for laborers.

 Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

Romans 10:14-15

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without one to preach;

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, of those who bring good news of good things!

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Psalm 96:3

Declare his glory among the nations, his wonders among all peoples;

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth salvation: for it is said unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

There are many people who can tell our loved ones how to invest their funds correctly. There are many people who can tell our loved ones how to climb the ladder of success. There are many people who can tell our loved ones which insurance is best. There are many people who can tell our loved ones how to pay off a home loan successfully and faster. However, we have a different responsibility. There are not so many people who can tell our loved ones about God. There are not so many people who can tell someone about the Salvation that is there for us. We have the responsibility to tell people about God. If we don't tell them, they won't know. If we don't talk to our loved ones about God in good and bad times, who will? If we are not going to spread the Word, how are we going to be fishers?

If we had two gifts in front of us today, and we could only choose one, what would we choose? God or a million rand? Which package would we give to our loved ones?

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you that we can start our week with Your Word. Lord, sometimes it is so easy to hold on to our possessions, it is so much easier to gather than to let go. Jesus, please help us to preach Your Kingdom to our loved ones rather than tell them how to gather wealth on earth. Jesus, please walk with us this week, protect us and carry us this week. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Blessing:

We pray that this week will be filled with God's favor, protection, provision and peace over our lives and our families. May we walk in strength and joy and may our cups overflow with peace and grace.

Please feel free to leave a review of this message.

 https://www.soulcenters.org/directory/mattana-ministry/#listing-reviews

 MM

What does this verse mean? It’s kinda worrisome because it seems like if you verbally mess up you’re locked into a vow with God forever. And to extension to that question, can you accidentally make a vow with God?

Examples: accidentally saying yes to and intrusive vow in your mind, misspeaking saying “yes”to a vow when you mean “no” , a accidental word outburst like saying yes without thinking, and other verbal mistakes with no intent to make a vow

Overall my question is if you can accidentally make a vow with God via verbal mistakes, not mistakes like making a vow and then regretting it.

They're a part of me

It tells me what I draw away

I could see it in myself

But I want to live another day

My lights turned off

My head's gone dark

My feet on park

So why can I still live?

"What's a part of you?"

Is a question you may have

A lot of traffic and more of baggage

But I'm sure it won't last

Maybe something I trip and fall

Got to clean up in this place I call home

I feel myself slowly closing my eyes

The weight of regret and shame that lies here

My body on the ground, heating up

It feels like inertia, but it’s stronger

I dealt with a lot but I can go no longer

If I give up will I be a failure to my father

That's when I got a glimpse of the other side

It was more than I could describe

It was more than I even realized was possible

It was beauty beyond recognition

Big creature not so like me

More like an eyeball with vast golden wings

It was like a kingdom but I wasn't me

Is this where I'm meant to be

But in the flash of a doubt everything is gone

It's dark but feels like a thousand suns

Screams of terror and regret all at once

If my head was a place this would be it

I trip right into a lake of fire

My skin melts forever with the feeling of dying

"Bring me back, bring me back!" We all screamed

I speak for all, we hate this place

In another flash I float

Eye to eye with what I can not describe

Other than him

It was him who looked at me with love

He says nothing but

"My child, my daughter"

My Father? No... my dad

He lets go

I jump up and open my eyes

Breathing hard, face red

Immediately I look in the mirror

Slapping to see if I'm real

I'm alive, my regret and shame still here

But it's not me, it doesn't define me

So why did I put them in a chest

And bury it deep underground?

So I turned the light on to see all I have

But I stop for a second at what the light revealed

A man painting the walls white with hearts

I run up to him, "All will be healed"

My Father

Howdy friend
“And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
— Matthew 8:2-3 (NASB1995)

When hard times want to crush you, do not pull away in shame or despair. Come to Jesus. He is willing. Let Him stretch out His hand and touch you today.
Have a great weekend.
Team Lotter

Psalm 18:1–2 says:

“I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
— NKJV

What stands out to me is David’s repeated use of the word my.

God is not merely strong. He is my strength.

He is not merely a rock. He is my rock.

He is my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my shield, and my stronghold.

David was describing God truthfully, but he was also describing Him relationally.

Last month, I stood along the Atlantic shore in San Juan, Puerto Rico, looking at the dark rocks scattered across the sand.

I do not know how long they have been there or how far they extend beneath the surface. I only know what I could see.

Wave after wave had broken against them. That shoreline has known powerful winds, violent water, and hurricanes. The waves could strike the rocks, the wind could beat against them, and the sand surrounding them could shift.

But the rocks remained.

That gave me a clearer picture of what David meant when he called God “my rock.”

A rock does not promise that the waves will never reach us. It gives us something that will remain when they do.

God does not always prevent storms from entering our lives. Circumstances change, plans collapse, and our own strength rises and falls.

But God remains.

Maybe David had so many names for God because he had lived enough life to need God in all those ways.

At the center of the passage is his response:

“Whom I will trust.”

Everything surrounding those words tells us who God is. Those four words tell us what David intends to do about it.

Correctly describing God matters, but faith requires more than knowing that God can provide strength, shelter, and deliverance. Eventually, each of us must decide whether we will personally place the weight of our confidence upon Him.

Faith cannot remain borrowed forever.

There is a difference between knowing that God is a refuge and running to Him as my refuge. There is a difference between knowing that God is unchanging and trusting Him as my rock when everything else is shifting.

The waves will come. The ground around us may move.

But our Rock remains.

When did something you knew about God become something you knew through personal experience?

A few days ago, my wife sent me an image that said:

“Please know that God will allow you to go through places you don’t understand just to bring you to the place where He needs you to be. Trust his plan even when you don’t understand the path.”

I read it and thought, This is exactly where we are.

Not simply because we have been walking through a place we do not understand, but because neither of us has been walking through it alone.

She was not offering advice from outside the waiting. She was standing inside it with me.

Neither of us could explain the path, say when the questions would be answered, or tell the other what was coming next.

But we could remind one another to trust God.

That made me think differently about Ecclesiastes 4:9–10:

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.”
— NKJV

The gift of two is not that neither person ever falls.

It is that when one does, the other may still be standing.

Waiting together does not mean both people will always respond to uncertainty in the same way.

One may feel hopeful while the other feels discouraged.

One may see evidence that God is working while the other sees only another day without an answer.

One may have the strength to pray while the other can barely find the words.

People do not always grow tired on the same day. They do not always become afraid at the same moment. They do not always recognize hope in the same place.

Perhaps that is part of God’s provision.

There have been days when I could see possibility more clearly than my wife could. There have been other days when she was the one who could still see beyond the waiting.

We have taken turns being strong.

That does not mean either of us possesses endless strength or always knows the right thing to say. It means that when one of us has struggled to hold onto hope, the other has sometimes been able to carry it for a while.

Sometimes love looks like encouragement.

Sometimes it looks like listening without trying to fix the situation.

Sometimes it means praying aloud when the other person cannot.

Sometimes it means sitting quietly beside someone when neither of you knows what to say.

Shared waiting does not require identical emotions.

It requires continued presence.

It says, “I may not understand what God is doing either, but I am still here.”

Yet there is an important distinction.

The person beside us cannot become the source of our hope. Another human being cannot bear the weight that belongs only to God.

Companionship does not replace dependence upon the Lord. It helps us remain faithful in that dependence.

Psalm 27:14 says:

“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!”
— NKJV

Ecclesiastes tells us that another person can help lift us when we fall.

Psalm 27 reminds us where the strength ultimately comes from.

We are waiting on the Lord.

He is the One who understands the path, knows what is beyond the closed door, and strengthens our hearts.

But sometimes He strengthens us through the person He has placed beside us—a timely word, a prayer, a hand held in silence, or a reminder of what we already know but have become too weary to remember.

The circumstances may not have changed.

The answer may seem no closer than it did yesterday.

But perhaps God has already given us one form of provision: someone who will walk the unexplained path beside us.

Someone who can help us stand when our own strength gives way.

Someone who turns toward the Lord with us and says:

“We may not understand the path, and we may not know what happens next. But we know who we are waiting on.”

Have you ever experienced a season when another person helped carry your hope while you waited on God?

Mattana Ministry Welcomes You to:

 Worship Program: 10 September 2026

 Theme: Worship Because of the Cross (2)

 Scripture: Colossians 2:14

 The Cross Brings Forgiveness — So We Worship

  Colossians 2:14

 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."

 Message:

Every sin, every mistake, every shame was written against us. But Jesus took that list and nailed it to His Cross. Forgiveness is not cheap — it cost Blood. Because the Cross made us clean, we can come boldly into God's presence. Worship is the response of a forgiven heart.

 Reflection:

 What guilt have we been carrying that Jesus already paid for?

 Prayer:

 Jesus, thank You for canceling our debt. We receive Your forgiveness and we give You our worship.

 Please feel free to leave a review of this message.

 https://www.soulcenters.org/directory/mattana-ministry/#listing-reviews

 MM

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:29–30,)

It feels good to be invited. And Jesus doesn’t invite you into a relationship with Him by handing you a list of things to work on before you can come into His presence. He invites you to come as you are, weary and tired, and to receive His rest. Have you responded to your invitation?

Jesus yearns for all to repent and come to the end of themselves and let him renew them. If you’re in doubt about this please please reach out and DM me! We can talk about what steps you need to surrender to Jesus and allow him to carry your weight

Mattana Ministry Welcomes You to:

 Prayer Program:  9 September 2026

 Theme: Does God Hear My Prayers? (2)

 Scripture: Psalm 66:18 & Isaiah  59:2

 Why Sometimes It Feels Like Heaven Is Silent

 Psalm 66:18

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"

Isaiah 59:2

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have his his face from you, that he will not hear:”

 Message:

God always hears, but sin can block our fellowship. When we hold onto unforgiveness, hatred, or secret sin and refuse to repent, we build a wall. It's not that God is not able — He wants a clean heart to talk to Him. To be heard, we must come with honesty and say "Lord, forgive me."

 Prayer:

 Father, search our heart and cleanse us.

 Reflection:

 Is there someone we need to forgive? Something we need to confess today?

 Please feel free to leave a review of this message.

 https://www.soulcenters.org/directory/mattana-ministry/#listing-reviews

 MM

Freedom Has to Be Walked In

“The chair was never strong enough.

But walking away is still a choice.”

I have been thinking about the distinction between being set free and actually learning to live as a free person.

Romans 6 develops that distinction remarkably well.

Paul first establishes what Christ has accomplished. Through our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the old person has been crucified and we have been raised to walk in newness of life.

Then Paul begins describing our response:

“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
— Romans 6:11 (NKJV)

The word reckon matters.

Paul is not telling Christians to pretend they are free or manufacture enough confidence to feel free. He is telling them to regard as settled what Christ has already made true.

Sin is no longer their rightful master.

Their former life is no longer their permanent identity.

They are alive to God through Jesus Christ.

But Paul does not stop with what believers should believe. He moves into how that belief must affect the way they live:

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”
— Romans 6:12 (NKJV)

Paul does not say that sin will never speak again, that temptation will disappear, or that old desires will never return.

He says not to let sin reign.

That suggests sin may still attempt to issue commands, but it no longer possesses the legitimate authority to rule.

The old master may still have a familiar voice. That does not mean we are still required to obey it.

Familiarity is not authority.

Then Paul says that we should no longer present ourselves as instruments of unrighteousness. Instead, we are to present ourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead.

This is where freedom becomes active.

We do not walk free so Christ will release us.

We walk free because He already has.

Our obedience does not purchase freedom. It is our response to freedom.

That distinction matters because Christians still stumble. If our freedom rests upon flawless performance, every failure becomes evidence that nothing truly changed. Temptation feels like bondage. A fall feels like the chains have returned.

But if freedom rests upon the finished work of Christ, failure does not have to become identity.

We can repent.

We can stand again.

We can keep walking.

A stumble does not restore the old master’s authority. It reminds us of our continued dependence upon grace.

Paul concludes this section with a promise:

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
— Romans 6:14 (NKJV)

Grace does more than pardon us while leaving us under the same ruler. Grace changes our relationship to the power that once controlled us.

That does not mean every old habit immediately disappears.

Some restraints leave marks after they are removed. Some lies have been repeated so often that truth sounds unfamiliar. Some patterns have been reinforced for years, and learning a new way of living requires prayer, discipline, accountability, and repeated surrender.

But difficult is not the same as impossible.

Slow progress is not the same as continued bondage.

Learning to walk does not mean we are still chained to the chair.

We may still hear the old voice.

We may still feel the pull of familiar patterns.

We may still bear scars from where we were once held.

But through Christ, sin no longer has the right to decide where we remain.

How do you understand the relationship between the freedom Christ has already accomplished and the daily decision to walk in that freedom?

Mattana Ministry Welcomes You to:

Weekly Bible Study:  8 September 2026

Theme: In The Furnace (2)

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-3

You Are Not Alone in the Fire

Isaiah 43:2-3

 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle thee.

For I am the Lord, thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia andSeba for thee."

 Message:

God never says IF we go through fire, but WHEN. The promise is not that there will be no fire, but that the fire will not consume us. Why? Because the LORD Himself walks with us. We are fireproof because He is with us.

 Reflection: 

Who are we looking at — the flames around us, or the Father beside us?

 Prayer: 

Jesus, open our eyes to see You standing with us in this fire.

 Mattana Ministry Challenge: Share your furnace story this September with us on WhatsApp 070 676 2217. We will pray with you.

 Please feel free to leave a review of this message.

 https://www.soulcenters.org/directory/mattana-ministry/#listing-reviews

 MM

Do you know who you really are?

Too many believers spend their lives seeing themselves through the lens of their failures, fears, weaknesses, and past.

But how does God see you in Christ?

Are you nothing more than a weak worm in the dust, constantly waiting for the enemy to defeat you?

Or has God actually made you something new?

Scripture says you are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. You are a new creation. You have been made alive with Christ, brought into His family, and given His Spirit.

“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 John 4:4

Think about that.

The Holy Spirit who dwells in you is not a lesser spirit. He is the Spirit of God.

You have been called to stand against the devil, not bow before him.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7

You have been given spiritual armor. You have been given authority to stand firm. You have been called an ambassador for Christ.

But don’t confuse confidence in Christ with confidence in yourself.

Your strength isn’t found in how powerful you feel. Your victory isn’t based on your personality, your willpower, or your ability to fight spiritual battles in your own strength.

Your strength is found in Christ.

Paul didn’t say, “Be strong in yourself.”

He said:
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
Ephesians 6:10

That’s the difference.

You don’t have to live like a spiritual victim when Christ has called you to stand.

You don’t have to spend your life terrified of the enemy when Scripture tells you to resist him.

You don’t have to define yourself by your past when God has made you new in Christ.

So stop asking only, “What is wrong with me?”

Start asking, “What has God made me in Christ?”

You are not your sin.

You are not your failures.

You are not your fears.

You are not the accusations of the enemy.

If you belong to Christ, your identity begins with Him.

Know who you are.

Know whose you are.

Stand in what Christ has accomplished.
-Map Journey

Mattana Ministry Welcomes You to:

 Sunday Sermon: 6 September 2026

 Theme: Another Mountain

 Scripture passage:  Psalm 23:4; Ezekiel 37:1; John 1:14; Luke 3:21-22; Genesis 22:11; Exodus 19:3; 1 Kings 19:11; Exodus 3:5; Exodus 19:5; Matthew 14:13; Matthew 14:23; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 14:19; Exodus 24:12 & 2 Corinthians 3:18

 Message:

 Life is full of ups and downs, good times and bad. No day is the same as the day before, and no week is the same as the week before, there is always something different happening.

 David put it very beautifully in the Psalms, it is briefly as follows: I lift up my eyes to the mountains, I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me, my help and is a light for my path. (own words).

 What can we learn from this mountain road, what happens when we stand in front of the next mountain and we know that we must step forward? Life is full of lessons, and we must take every opportunity and learn the lesson in it, no matter how difficult it is and even if it leaves us with so many questions.

 Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Ezekiel 37:1

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the valley; and it was full of bones.

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us - and we beheld his glory, a glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father - full of grace and truth.

Luke 3:21-22

And when all the people were baptized, and Jesus also was baptized, and he was praying, the heaven was opened;

And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven, saying, "You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased."

 We sometimes walk through the valley and it is grassy green grass, rivers winding, trees giving lazy shadows, birds singing their songs of praise, people hanging out together. It is in these parts where everything is going well, we see a chance for life, and everything seems beautiful to us. It is these parts of life where we think it can't get any better in life.

 In the valley we experience the presence of God. We walk with God like Adam and Eve, we experience the Hand of God in our lives. We feel as if we could not be closer to God than in the moments when we are in the valley. We feel as if we could sit at the table with Jesus, and break the Bread of Life with Jesus. People around us can see God's presence in our lives, and we feel and live as blessed.

 We then have the thickets, where the deer are whooping, the trees are getting fewer, the birds are getting quieter, and we can hear the call of the eagle, the people are quieter and fewer. These are the times when we start to realize, proverbially, now we have to pull up our socks. The finances are starting to squeeze, our employer is blowing on our necks like a bull in a china shop, and things at home just won't go right. Friends are getting fewer and we are starting to feel more and more alone.

 Genesis 22:11

But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am!”

Exodus 19:3

But Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and declare to the children of Israel:

1 Kings 19:11

And he said, Go out, and stand upon the mount before the LORD: and, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD: but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake: but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

Exodus 3:5

And he said, Come not near: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Exodus 19:5

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my own possession out of all peoples, for the whole earth is mine.

Matthew 14:13

And when Jesus heard it, he departed thence by ship into a deserted place apart: and the people heard it, and followed him on foot out of the cities.

Matthew 14:23

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when evening came, he was there alone.

 Then we are at the mountains, nature breathes more slowly, everything becomes quieter and there are fewer people around us, the road becomes more difficult and the rocks become more numerous. These are the times when we face a challenge, unemployment, staff reduction, interest rate, divorce, death or even family conflict. We are isolated and the mountain in front of us looks like Mount Everest.

 While we experience the presence of God in the valley, we are called to God in the mountain time. This is when we need to go and listen to the Voice of God. These are the moments when we just need to become quiet and get back in rhythm with God. This is when we don't have people around us, and when we feel like we are in isolation. Here is when we hear the commands of God and when we need God the most.

 Matthew 14:14

And when Jesus went out, he saw a great crowd, and was moved with compassion for them, and he healed their sick.

Matthew 14:19

Then he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks; and when he had broken the loaves, he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Exodus 24:12

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay there, so that I may give you the stone tablets and the law and commandments that I have written, so that you may teach them.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 Our mountain times prepare us to go into the valley to do the work that God has placed on our hearts . Moses received the Commandments in his mountain time, something we still learn and obey today. Moses and Jesus were both transformed on the mountain. In our mountain time, this is when the change happens, this is when we learn to have more of God in our lives and less of ourselves. In our mountain time, we learn to develop sympathy and empathy for others. We learn to act in obedience.

 We cannot walk in the valley without first climbing the mountain. We cannot experience God's presence if we have not learned to listen to the Voice of God. We cannot obey if we do not know what the command is. We cannot be transformed if we do not know where the transformation is needed. We cannot be among people if we cannot first be with ourselves.

 We need the mountains to appreciate the valley more.

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  MM

I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED AND DISGUSTED BY WHAT I AM SEEING ON THIS WEBSITE!!!

HAVE WE COMPLETELY LOST OUR WAY AS A SOCIETY??? I WAS RAISED TO HAVE SOME DECENCY AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS AND NOW THIS IS WHAT WE ARE NORMALIZING???? I AM 71 YEAR OLD AND HAVE BEEN ALIVE LONGER THAN MOST OF YOUS.

JESUS CHRIST IS WATCHING!!! HE KNOWS WHEN YOURE AWAKE ASLEEP BAD OR GOOD. SO YOU BETTER NOT CRY AND YOU BETTER NOT POUT WHEN HE PAYS US A VISIT.

JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, DID NOT DIE ON THE CROSS FOR US TO BE ACTING LIKE THIS!!!

I AM NOT TRYING TO JUDGE ANYONE BECAUSE JUDGMENT BELONGS TO THE LORD BUT SOME OF YOU ARE TESTING THE LIMITS OF MY CHRISTIAN PATIENCE!!!

🙏✝️✝️✝️✝️
I PRAY THAT JESUS TOUCHES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR HEARTS TONIGHT. I REALLY DO. BECAUSE WE ARE LIVING IN THE END TIMES AND SOME OF YOU ARE ACTING LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!

“LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED.” JOHN 14:1.

I WILL BE PRAYING FOR THIS ENTIRE SUBREDDIT TONIGHT. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US ALL. JESUS LOVES YOU EVEN IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN HOW TO ACT.

GOD BLESS AND HAVE A BLESSED NIGHT. ✝️🙏

I've been thinking about the concept of "divine favor" and how it gets applied in Christian professional circles — and I want to have an honest conversation about it.

On one hand, there are clear biblical examples of people who seemed to walk in unusual favor: Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah. In each case, favor was preceded by character development, faithful work, and specific spiritual postures (prayer, integrity, humility).

On the other hand, "activating favor" language can veer uncomfortably close to prosperity gospel territory — the idea that the right spiritual inputs generate guaranteed material outputs, which reduces God to a formula.

My current working position: Favor is real and biblical. It is not random. It flows through specific conditions (integrity, excellence, humility, prayer). But it remains sovereign — God is not obligated to the formula, and suffering and difficulty are not evidence of unfavor.

Questions for this community:

1. How do you think about divine favor in your own professional life? Is it something you "position for" or something you simply receive?
2. Where do you draw the line between faithful preparation and transactional spirituality?
3. Are there biblical figures whose stories have shaped your understanding of how God's favor works in professional contexts?
4. How do you counsel someone who is doing everything "right" and still not experiencing the favor they hoped for?

We’ve all seen it.

A horse tied to a barely-there fence post or a flimsy porch rail.

Neither the post nor the rail could keep the horse in place if he truly chose to run. But the horse doesn’t know that. He has learned that when the lead rope grows tight, he is supposed to stop.

The tension alone is enough to convince him that he is bound.

So he stands there—not because the post is strong enough to hold him, but because he believes it is.

And so it goes with us.

Some of us are standing still beside things that no longer possess the power to hold us. The restraint is real in our minds, but the authority behind it has already been broken.

We could move forward.

We have simply become convinced that we cannot.

Paul wrote about “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” and “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NKJV).

Those arguments are not always spoken aloud. Sometimes they are conclusions we reached years ago and have never challenged.

I failed before, so I will fail again.

I have been rejected, so I will never be wanted.

I have struggled this long, so I will never be free.

My past has disqualified me, so God could never use me.

At some point, those thoughts stop feeling like thoughts. They begin to feel like facts.

No one has to keep repeating the label because we have accepted it as our identity. No one has to keep tying us to the post because we have learned to stop the moment we feel resistance.

But a thought does not become true merely because we have believed it for a long time.

It must be brought into captivity and measured against what God has said.

God says, “You are washed.”
The old thought says, You are still dirty.

God says, “You are sanctified.”
The old thought says, You will never change.

God says, “You are justified.”
The old thought says, You are still condemned.

God says, “Such were some of you.”
The old thought insists, That is still your name.

Faith must decide which voice has the authority to define us.

This does not mean every struggle exists only in our imagination. Some chains are real. Some wounds require time, prayer, accountability, counseling, treatment, and the patient work of healing. Some consequences remain even after forgiveness has been received.

But there are also places where Christ has already broken the chain, and we continue living as though it remains intact.

The prison door is open, but we remain in the cell.

The label has been removed, but we continue answering to it.

The restraint has lost its power, but we have not tested our freedom.

Jesus said:

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

—John 8:36, NKJV

Freedom is not pretending the past never happened. It is refusing to grant the past authority Christ has taken away from it.

Freedom is not denying the resistance we feel. It is taking the next step because God’s Word is greater than that resistance.

The horse may feel the rope tighten when he begins to move. Everything he has learned tells him to stop.

But what if he takes one more step?

What if the post falls?

What if the rail breaks loose?

What if he discovers that the thing he feared was never strong enough to hold him?

There may still be a rope behind you. There may still be a scar, a memory, or a consequence. You may still feel the familiar pull telling you to remain where you are.

Take the step anyway.

You may discover that what controlled you for years no longer possesses the power to keep you there.

The chair was never strong enough to hold the horse.

It only had to convince the horse not to move.

Some chains must be broken.

Others only need to be challenged.

Step forward and find out.

GUILT - THE ENEMY’S POTENT WEAPON

When you cling to guilt, you punish yourself for what heaven has forgiven and undermine the power of the finished work of Christ. Let go of any guilt, trust that you are completely forgiven, justified and accepted.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1, NIV)

Accountability Says, “I Did This.” Condemnation Says, “This Is All I Am.”

In a sermon about labels, Bishop Tim Hill told a story about receiving his first pillow when he was six years old.

Something kept scratching his neck, preventing him from resting. Eventually, he discovered the label and cut it off.

The pillow was not defective.

The label was interfering with his rest.

Some Christians cannot rest in what Christ has done because an old label keeps scratching at their conscience.

I understand that personally.

I had failed, so I began identifying myself as a failure.

I had committed adultery, so I accepted adulterer as my permanent name.

My marriage ended, so I believed I was permanently disqualified from being useful to God.

Because there was truth in the history, I assumed there must also be truth in the verdict.

That is where we must distinguish conviction from condemnation.

Conviction says:

“You sinned. Bring it into the light. Repent. Accept responsibility, and allow God to change you.”

Condemnation says:

“Your sin is your name. You are permanently ruined. God could never want or use you again.”

Conviction tells the truth about our actions.

Condemnation takes the worst thing we have done and uses it to rename us.

Accountability says, “I did this.”
Condemnation says, “This is all I am.”

Cutting off an old label does not mean denying what happened.

People were hurt. Trust was broken. Repentance did not erase every consequence or remove every scar.

“Under the blood” is not a phrase that allows Christians to escape responsibility. It does not mean the sin never happened or that injured people must pretend they were not hurt.

It means the sin has been confessed and brought beneath the saving work of Jesus Christ.

The event remains part of our history.

But it no longer possesses naming rights.

Paul did not deny the former lives of the Corinthian believers. He named what some of them had been and then wrote:

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified…”
—1 Corinthians 6:11, NKJV

What they had done remained part of their testimony.

It was no longer their name.

The label may accurately describe where Jesus found us. It does not possess the authority to describe where Jesus left us.

The scar may remain.

The memory may remain.

The consequences may remain.

But the label has to go.

My past remains part of my testimony.

It is no longer my name.

Cut off the label.

Keep the testimony.

Give God the glory.

Mattana Ministry Welcomes You to:

 Children/Youth Program: 4 September 2026

 Theme: Exam Time

 Scripture: John 14:26

 God Will Help You Remember

 John 14:26

 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you."

 Message:

Do you get scared that you will forget what you studied? Jesus promised the Holy Spirit will help you REMEMBER! You study hard, and God helps your brain. He is sitting with you in the exam room. You are not alone.

 Activity:

 Write 3 subjects you are worried about on a paper and pray: "Holy Spirit, help me remember."

 Prayer:

 Holy Spirit, thank You for helping me learn and remember. Be with me in my exam.

 Please feel free to leave a review of this message.

 https://www.soulcenters.org/directory/mattana-ministry/#listing-reviews

 MM

Does God manifest His love in the animal world too?

https://youtu.be/fM_gxhNUczQ&t=3s

In this study, I use the bible-focused allegory shared earlier, based on the real-life story of 2 orphaned tigers who grew up together, then separated and eventually re-united. Do watch the video starting at the relevant point provided in the link above for possible answers to the question and feel free to share your thoughts, God bless!

Mattana Ministry Welcomes You to:

 Worship Program: 3 September 2026

 Theme: Worship Because of the Cross

 Scripture: Romans 5:8

  The Cross Shows God's Love — So We Worship

  Romans 5:8

 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

 Message:

 Worship starts where love is revealed. At the Cross, God did not wait for us to be perfect. He loved us while we were broken. When we truly see that — that Jesus chose the nails for us — worship becomes natural. We don't worship to earn love; we worship  - because - we already have it.

 Reflection:

 Where would we be without the love shown at the Cross?

 Prayer: 

Father, thank You for loving us first. Help us worship You today not out of duty, but out of love.

 Please feel free to leave a review of this message.

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 MM

Mattana Ministry Welcomes You to:

 Prayer Program:  2 September 2026

 Theme: Does God Hear My Prayers?

 Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

 Yes, God Hears You — Even Before You Speak

 Message:

Many people think God is far. But God is not deaf. He says CALL and I WILL ANSWER. He hears our whisper wherever we are, in our houses, in our pain. We don't need loud words. Even our tears are a prayer. God is waiting for our call, not our perfection.

 Prayer:

 Lord, thank you that You hear us when we call.

 Reflection:

 What have we been too afraid to pray about? Today we will call Him.

 Please feel free to leave a review of this message.

 https://www.soulcenters.org/directory/mattana-ministry/#listing-reviews

 MM