Posts by Manny Rivera
Why Power Gatherings?
I’ve come to a sobering conclusion that the ONLY church growth strategy in Miami is signs, wonders and miracles. We’ve tried it all here! Unfortunately, Miami still sits as the most unchurched and unreached city in our country. Prayer, fasting and preaching with miracles following, is and will be the only strategy for creating waves…
Read MoreThrive! Don’t just Survive
Godly intimacy has enemies. Its greatest enemy is found in life itself. Life has needs and wants and they continually and incessantly cry out for our attention and affection. Ironically, life wants to create intimacy with whatever satiates its needs and wants. I call this the survival syndrome the Bible calls it idolatry. We weren’t…
Read MorePAIN! Your Friend.
Pain. “Pain is your friend,” I say this often to my leadership team when I teach on the processes of life and spiritual growth. Pain seems to be associated with the positive as well as the negative things of life. We experience the pain of loss and the pain of gain. There is growing pain…
Read MoreMy 28 Years of Pursuit
On a Saturday night on January 18th, 1986, I had a life-changing encounter with God that changed the trajectory of my life. He revealed Himself to me in a marvelous and powerful manner. He didn’t just touch me; He reached in me and pulled out my hatred by demonstrating His love for me. I saw…
Read MoreMaturity Defined
How is Christian maturity defined? In conversations with people throughout the years, I’ve come to realize that people have a tendency to equate knowledge with maturity and age with maturity. It’s a common mistake. We’re encouraged and driven to study and learn about God and His Word. And although knowledge brings about a certain level…
Read MoreWhat is Holiness?
Many people assume holiness is synonymous with conduct. This common mistake confuses the root with the fruit. And although holiness produces proper conduct (fruit), at its purest form (root), holiness is the act of separating and dedicating oneself for a certain purpose. Holiness begins with a decision. Holiness begins with a choice that’s based out of…
Read MoreLife is a Theme Park
In a couple of days, I think Victoria and I are going to experience the early signs of “Empty Nest Syndrome.” Currently all my children are home but at the end of the week, Calysta goes back to Los Angeles to finish her senior year at college, Zion goes to Boston for a five-week summer intensive and…
Read MoreThe Fight for the Inner Room
I’m in a season where I’m being challenged in creating a greater environment of intimacy with God. More than ever, I hear a call for me to separate myself to the inner room – some call it the secret place. I pray. I pray throughout the day…I pray continually…. But what I’m talking about is…
Read MoreThat “One Thing” Holding You Back
What’s holding you back from freedom? What’s holding you back from pursuing your purpose? We all usually have this “one thing” that we harbor. This “one thing” prevents us from ever entering what God has for us. This “one thing” is the culprit that’s blocking our healing, deliverance, marriage restoration, financial breakthrough, etc. We must learn to let it go. It must…
Read MoreWorry v/s Meditate
The only way we grow in our relationship with Christ is through prayer and meditating on His Word. And the only way we’ll know how to pray is by creating a daily habit of feeding on the Word. I’ve come to the conclusion that a believer who doesn’t read and study the Bible doesn’t really…
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