Rick Manis - Glory in the Glass

Glory in the Glass

By Rick Manis

Glory in the Glass

By Rick Manis

Empyrion Press

PO Box 140914

Broken Arrow OK 74014

Glory in the Glass

Copyright 2011 by Rick Manis

ISBN: 978-1468096057

Empyrion Press

PO Box 140914

Broken Arrow OK 74014

university@rickmanis.com

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Other translations are noted as follows:

AMP (Amplified Bible)

MSG (The Message)

Bold type is added by the author for emphasis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other, without permission in writing from the author.

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

This book is dedicated to those who dream, to those who feel that they are here for a reason.

Its especially dedicated to the dreamer who has had to face obstacle after obstacle in life, but continues to dream. You were on my mind while I wrote this book.

I thought about all of the evidence that testifies against you. How your circumstances look nothing like your dream. How you often feel like an eagle trapped in a turkey pen.

You are like the biblical Joseph, the dreamer. Though the world did all it could to make sure his dream never happened, God made it happen with a supernatural work and a wonder.

Your dream is alive! I have written this book to make your vision clear, and you are about to run with your dream into your destiny.

I honor you, respect you, and I believe in you.

Contents

1. On Earth As It Is In Heaven.................. 9
2. Why Are You Here?........................ 15
3. The Reign of Christ is Now.................. 21
4. Your Destiny The Reason Jesus Came......... 29
5. The Mirror Does Not Lie..................... 37
6. How Heaven Comes to Earth................. 47
7. Choose Life............................. 53
8. Predestination............................ 59
9. The Mystery of the Will of God............... 67
10. Hank Williams: His Secret Revealed........... 73
11. Created For Gods Pleasure................... 83
12. Embrace Your Heavenly Heritage!............ 89
13. When the Daystar Rises...................... 97
14. The Time of Jacobs Trouble................. 105
15. Your Secret Saboteur....................... 113
16. Simon Peter and Wile E. Coyote.............. 121
17. Can I Think Too Highly of Myself?........... 131
18. Look in the Mirror, Without the Mask......... 137
19. Finding Your Earthly Purpose................ 145
20. Some Final Words........................ 151

About the Author.......................... 155

CHAPTER 1

On Earth As It Is In Heaven

I was doing everything right, but I found it hard to keep my mind at peace. Someone I cared about had received a terrible report from the doctor, and I felt like I was fighting for this persons life. I was praying and standing on the Word, and every time that I did, I would feel encouraged and positive about the outcome. Then, thoughts of the worst would creep in, and I would start the prayer and encouragement cycle again. This went on for a couple of days.

I finally decided to take a different approach. I would get real with God. I told Him that I wanted to know the truth. I wanted to know how this situation was going to turn out. I didnt want to make forced confessions of faith. I wanted to know Gods thoughts on the matter. If He could convince me that things would be fine, then I could speak with confidence once and for all. If I knew that it wouldnt turn out well, then I wouldnt waste time and prayers and stress. I could simply prepare for the worst. I earnestly wanted the truth, whatever it was.

Little did I know, that I was about to have an encounter with God that will go down in my personal history as one of the grandest ever.

No More Curse

During the course of my prayer, I began to feel the presence of God in a glorious way. It seemed that I was caught up in Paradise. I became aware of absolute life, absolute love, absolute goodness and well being. I was also acutely aware of no death, no darkness, or anything painful.

there shall be no more death, nor sorrow nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

As I embraced and enjoyed the realness of absolute life, the Lord let me know that this is His will for all of humanity. I could see that His will was nowhere near any death or pain. I really had touched the heart of God, and all that was in it was nothing less than absolute life and well being and wholeness.

My prayer was being answered. I wanted to know for sure what His will was, and now I could see it so plainly. I was overwhelmed by it, and I knew that I knew that I knew what the Lords purpose was. I was convinced like never before. God wanted us all to live on Earth as it is in Heaven!

I had heard men say similar things many times. I often said it myself, but this time it was like I was being baptized in the ways of God. There was no hindrance to receiving. There was life all around. As I joyfully allowed it to flood my soul, the Lord said, You are now partaking of the tree of life.

It is found in the center of His wonderful, loving heart.

I saw clearly that The Lords plan on Earth was absolute life.

We all know that ultimately, there will be no more death in creation, but God is leading us to absolute life now! He wants to show that life to the whole world, just like He began to do in Jesus. Right now He wants testimonies. He wants examples of absolute life on Earth as it is in Heaven! He wants everyone to know this! It is important to His purpose that He has people whose lives can shout that purpose to the world around them.

Its important to God that you make it! You are alive on this Earth to partake of the absolute goodness of The Lord. God is so much better than this fallen, cursed world has reflected. Man has brought it to destruction, but our Father has prepared its restoration. Creation groans for this restoration, but the groaning is diminishing, because the sons of God are coming into absolute life! You are the proof of The Lords loving, good will toward all men. His purpose is you!

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. (James 1:18)

I became totally convinced that I could rest in the purpose of God. I knew that the situation I was praying for would turn out fine, and it did. It did because Gods will is life, not death. The Lord worked a miracle. His will was done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

My dear readers, I have good news! In this book are words given to convince you of the wonderful will of God. Not just a doctrine of Gods goodness and provision through the work of the cross, but a clear vision of absolute life. Its a conviction of your destiny that empowers you. Questions will be answered. You will know why you were created, and you will find the freedom to walk in that purpose.

Lets begin by answering the question, Why are you here?

CHAPTER 2

Why Are You Here?

When God made us in His image, The Lord put us in paradise (Heaven on Earth). He blessed us and gave us the command to be fruitful, multiply, subdue, and have dominion in the Earth.

God did NOT say, Be real good and youll get to go to Heaven someday.

The afterlife was not an issue, for there was no afterlife. There was only LIFE. The afterlife only became an issue after death entered the world.

But the original intent or eternal purpose of God was life. This creation came from the heart and mind of The Eternal One. Thats why all that was created was called good. Only good comes out of the Fathers heart. This cosmic creation was to be the recipient of all of Gods goodness. The Lord could bestow His kindness upon us. His love was so great that it could not be confined to the realms of Heaven. Love gave birth to the universe, and life came forth from that unending love.