It’s not over until it’s over

DUNAMIS with Bishop Dr B Manjoro
ONE of the things in life that have hindered the lives of many is giving up. Whatever reasons there may be, however strong they may be, giving up is not an option. In the walk of faith one great law, is to never, never, never, give up. A success secret I have treasured and kept over the years; is never to talk quitting or negative about myself. No. I fight.

You could have failed your O-Level or other key exams you sat for; you may have been kicked from your job; you may have had your company or business broke and shut down; you may have had a rough year in relationships and marriage-wise; you may have suffered from a terrible accident or disease; you may have been in misfortune after misfortune and lost beloved ones to death or to the world — I have a word for you from the Lord; don’t give up.

The fact that you failed, messed, or missed the mark all through-out this year backwards, does not mean you are a failure, nothing or a nobody, No, No, No.

It’s not over until it’s over. Read on and discover from the story of the two brothers how you can turn your failure, misery, pain and distress into success.

17 days to go before the year ends, your story can turn around; it’s not over until it’s over.
The story begins on Chapter 25 of the Book of Genesis in the Bible. Rebekah was pregnant and had twins in her womb, Esau and Jacob, of whom God said to her “two nations are in thy womb”.

Interestingly, when delivery time came there was a challenge among the boys. Whoever would come out first would be endowed with the blessing of the first born.

They fought their way out. Listen to me friend, life was never meant to be on a silver platter for you. If you think that things just have to happen and just work out for you without effort you are making a mistake.

You will live in misery and pain much of your days on earth. Your marriage, finances, health, spiritual life, family do not just move or work out on their own,

No. It’s a fight. Pressures will come but you will have to fight the good fight of faith and stand on the Word of God. If you just sit, relax and watch, you will lose your joy, success and what rightfully belongs to you.

You must fight; learn to fight through God’s Word and promises. So the boys fought and Esau won, Jacob seemingly lost but never let go. He came out holding the heel of Esau the first born.

For a moment it seemed Jacob had lost it all. Later on we see Esau crying for the blessing of the first born which he lost to Jacob who had been tipped by their mother and got the blessing.

Esau was distraught. The blessing was gone. He had nothing.
Friend, have you lost something in your life which meant so much to you and had the devil laugh at you day and night calling you a

failure and a loser? Hold on. O hallelujah, your story is about to change! Lift up your faith, shake yourself and say to yourself it’s not over until it’s over!

I remember years ago when the roof of our church fell down. It was a hard moment. It was on TV, press and all over that the roof of a church in town had fallen down. I became known as ‘the pastor whose roof fell down” in town. It was not an easy time to the point that one day I remember walking in the CBD and having passed two people I heard them immediately laugh.

Whatever they were laughing, I felt the enemy say to me, ‘See, it’s known everywhere, they are laughing at you, your roof fell down.’ For a moment I almost grew despair; then something happened. Soon after the people laughed and it had touched me, the Spirit of God spoke to me. O hallelujah. He said to me, ‘Why are you low, why are you worrying, what is wrong?’

I told him, pointing at the two people, that, “They are laughing at me; that the roof of the church fell down.” Then He said, “So what’s wrong? Don’t you have a mouth? Can’t you laugh also? Laugh also!” O glory.

I had never heard this before, laughing back at the enemy?
So with enthusiasm I turned and looked at the people who had laughed, and I said, ‘Hahahahaaa’, laughing out loud! They just turned, looked at me and wondered what it was! Immediately I knew I had won.

Right there, in the street I had won the fight. The enemy was wielding his attacks to wear me down and get to me feel low, anxious and worried. From that day, it never worked, and I never worry or get depressed.

Armed with the powerful revelation and joyful spirit, we managed to rebuild the roof — a better one with a curve-shape inside, one that astounded architectures and all that come into our church to this day. O glory to God.

What am I saying to you today? I am saying have you lost something and are about to despair?
Lost your business or job? Lost money in an idea that flopped and its haunting you? Have had several miscarriages and its crushing your heart and hope of ever holding a baby in your hands? Failed a very important exam and came out with terrible results?

Got demoted, or deported and lost a life-time opportunity? Lost in a match or competition? Friend God gave me a word for you, don’t give up, don’t despair, it’s not over until it’s over. Laugh your way into your breakthrough. Worry or stress will do you no good. It will not change anything.

If you stand on God’s Word there is light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not over until it’s over. Like Esau yes you lost it, but it’s not the end of the story. It’s what you do next after a set down that determines your destiny. Don’t give up. What did Esau do?

Esau grew restless. He did not get comfortable with his situation and loss. No. He fought. Yes he was crying and weeping over his loss but he kept persuading and holding on to his father for at least something to change his situation and life.

“And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? Bless me even so, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; And by thy sword shall thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have dominion, that thou shalt break from off thy neck” Genesis 27:38-40.

Finally there was hope and a gleam of light. Esau got a key to reverse his misfortune into a blessing, his loss into gain, his mourning into rejoicing! What is that key? O glory, hallelujah!

The failure could be reversed. Isaac told him that it would come to pass when Esau grew “restless” or “emotional” that he would then break the yoke of Jacob the one who took the blessing, from off his neck.

Yes he had missed it, he had failed, he had been defeated, BUT he could do something about it.
It’s what you do after a loss, or set back that determines your tomorrow.