Multi 2021 Stellar Award winner, Pastor Mike Jnr has wrapped off his new project in Detroit.
He made the announcement while fielding questions on the “Live in the D” TV show. According to Pastor Mike his new project which was executed at The Village recording studio (where he records all his albums) includes work with Kierra Sheard and D Slate among others.
When asked why his style about his style of music of music appeals to people, Pastor Mike said gospel music is the only genre where the message, plus the melody, equals a miracle. He believes his song, “I Got You”, provides a positive lesson to a beat you can groove to.
Following last years Best new artist award, he won five Stellar Awards this year, including Artist of the Year. Although, humbled by the awards, he hopes his success will show that faith and focus will drive you to making your dreams happen.
His video “I Got It” currently has over 4.2 million views on YouTube. Check it out.
Have you ever wondered what makes you happy? I have been thinking a lot about “happiness” lately. Our society tells us happiness comes from success, money, a loving relationship/family, or even food or a place.
“If I could only make this much money…” “If I could find my perfect match to be with…” “If I just moved to that place everything will change…” “Man, If I just had some chocolate right now…”
And in truth, those things can make us happy. The thing is all those things are physical and earthly stuff. They come and go just like the seasons. They may satisfy for a time, but they in themselves can never truly make you happy.
In seasons where those things are not present and “happy” seems like a distant friend that’s when opportunity knocks. It’s a time for the Holy Spirit to teach you and show you about true joy and happiness. The kind that doesn’t change with the season, because God himself doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8).
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:11
I’m just gonna be point blank about it, if you need more “happiness” then I recommend more “Jesus.” There is something about Him…. getting into His presence, worshipping Him, spending time with Him that changes things in us. And Jesus doesn’t just offer happiness, but JOY! That’s a whole different level of happy.
The Merriam-Webster definition of happiness is “a state of well-being; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Sounds pretty good to me. I mean who wouldn’t want that! But did you notice that it has to do with an experience? Experiences come and go…
The definition of the word rejoice, related to the word joy, is “to feel great delight; to be glad.” And if you look into the Hebrew definition the definition has a couple meanings:
“To brighten up”
“To spin around”
“To leap”
Depending on the translation you use, the Bible uses the words happy or happiness around 30 times, while joy and rejoice appear over 300 times.
Joy is not based out of our experiences. In short….GREAT DELIGHT, TO BRIGHTEN UP, TO SPIN AROUND, TO LEAP all comes with remaining in Him (Galatians 5:22, John 15:5).
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” Galatians 5:22
That’s some serious level of happy. I can personally see a huge difference in my attitude and outlook on life when I spend more time with Him. My eyes get off of my stuff and onto Him.
In Psalm 73 we see this very thing painted out for us. Asaph the author seems to have a rough time understanding why the wicked flourish and he is definitely NOT happy or joyful.
“All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.” (vs. 14) Uhhh, that’s pretty bad. Asaph is being a major Debbie Downer. But I LOVE what happens to Asaph when he decided to spend some time with God. “till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” (vs. 17)
BAM… His outlook completely changed when He entered the sanctuary. That’s where the Presence of God resided. This is what Jesus wanted to teach us. When we spend time with Him everything changes! Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!
If things have been tough or you’re chasing after earthly happiness I challenge you to STOP and start chasing the One who can only give you true, lasting joy! Challenge yourself for a week, a month, a season to spend a consistant amount of time in God’s presence. You will become not just a happy Christian, but a JOYFUL ONE!
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” – Psalm 107:9
Melissa is a passionate minister, speaker and an ongoing learner of the Bible. She has been involved in church and vocational ministry for over 18 years. And is the founder of Think About Such Things. She has the heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus. She also enjoys family, cooking, and reading.
She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine.
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall (Malachi 4:2).
In the Scriptures, there’re several instances where people touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and received instant healing. For example, Luke 8 talks about the woman with the issue of blood, who suffered for twelve long years, spending all her earnings on physicians to no avail. But the Bible says she “… touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched” (Luke 8:44).
The word, “border” in this verse is “Kraspedon” (Greek), and it means fringes or tassels. Also, in Matthew 14, when Jesus came to the land of Gennesaret, the people of that region rushed to Him for healing, and the Bible says they “…besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole” (Matthew 14:36).
They brought so many sick people to Jesus, and He didn’t have to do anything; all they needed was to touch the fringes of His garment. Remarkable! Mark 6:56 says, “And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.”
What was special about the border of Jesus’ garment? Every Jew had the same fringes in their garments as Jesus (Read Numbers 15:37-38). So, it wasn’t about the fashion or style of His garment but the one wearing it. Those that touched Him to be healed believed He was the Messiah; therefore, everything about Him, including the fringes of His garment, would produce healing.
That’s what we read in our theme verse. It says: “…the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings….” The word, “wings” is “kanaph” in Hebrew, and it refers to the border or the fringes. Jesus had healing in His fringes, and they knew it! Glory to God! That power is still available today in His Name. So, if you’re sick in your body today, or you know someone who is, use the Name of Jesus against that sickness, disease or infirmity; healing is guaranteed. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, thank you for your boundless love. I pray for your children who may be sick in their bodies, that they rise from that place of limitation and bondage today, and be made heathy and strong, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Takie Ndou has emerged as this years most nominated gospel artist for the Crown Gospel Music Awards in South Africa.
The announcement was made by Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, Founder of World Gospel Powerhouse and Executive Producer of the Crown Gospel Music Awards through a Facebook live streaming session on Sunday, October 10 ahead of the upcoming 14th annual Crown Gospel Music Awards which is scheduled for November 12.
While Ayanda Ntanzi and Xolly Mncwango received five nominations each, Takie received six including nominations for Best Gospel Male Artist and Best Gospel Album.
Speaking about it, Zanele said “We are grateful for the number of entries received, to attest to the growth of the Crowns Gospel Music Awards,” said Mbokazi-Nkambule.
