Magnificent Life

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; also believe in me." John 14:1 The idea of trusting God might sound a bit far-fetched for some, but it is one of the best decisions one can make. Uprooting fear and replacing it with trust in God is essential to living a blessed life. It's not easy to let go of anxieties and worries, but if we take the plunge, we will discover how much more secure our lives can be when resting under the protective wings of God's love. In any situation, no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem, having faith in God and His promises assures us that He will never fail us. However, we must remember that our faith should never be without action; although there are times when we have to wait patiently on His timing, taking steps towards progression helps strengthen our trust in Him while bringing us closer to realizing His divine plan for our lives. We can remember Hannah as one of the people who enjoyed the unfailing power of God. She was so depressed because she didn't hav

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" Psalm 111:10 Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This scripture reinforces the idea that when it comes to worship, one should seek wisdom and apply it to gain knowledge and understanding from one's faith journey. Knowing who you are as a believer is key when embarking on this spiritual endeavor. It is essential to know your identity in Christ, for only then can you begin to have an accurate view of who God is and his will for your life. Applying or embracing wise methodology will allow you to develop a spiritual relationship with God through prayer, obedience, and submission, ultimately allowing him greater access into your life and allowing yourself greater access to his presence. Of course, worship can come in many forms, such as prayer, charity work, or simply celebrating the beauty of creation. However, the form of wise worship most people

But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!" Jonah 2:9 Thankfulness is a powerful spiritual tool that opens the door to mercy, sets God's goodness free to be good to us, and prepares us to receive blessings. This was demonstrated by Jonah in the Bible in Jonah 2, who called out for help from inside the belly of a giant fish. Desperate and broken-hearted, he cried out, "I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed..." (Jonah 2:9). His thankfulness resulted in his rescue from certain death and reminded him of God's mercy toward him. The lesson from this story is that when we feel overwhelmed and despairing, we must practice thankfulness even if it seems impossible. So, let's make a point of being more grateful towards the end of this 2022 and beyond; let's thank God for all of His blessings! I believe that one of the best ways to celebrate God's blessings is by being grateful for them. When

"Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God." 2 Corinthians 3:5 We all have something to be thankful for, whether the people we hold dear or the little things in life. Celebrating God's daily blessings helps keep us grounded and reminds us of how much we have been given. A deeper look at expressing thankfulness can help open our eyes to the true breadth of what we can be grateful for in our lives. We use today's Bible verse because it emphasizes the importance of recognizing that our sufficient is from God; no matter what gifts or abilities we possess, they ultimately come from God and should be appreciated with humility. I remember a story after 1588 when England claimed victory, and speaker Crooke was presented to Queen Elizabeth in the House of Lords on the occasion of his election. He said England had been defended against the Spaniards and their Armada by Her Majesty's mighty arm. He tried to refer to the Queen as a great warrior who

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they existed and were created." Revelation 4:11 Gratitude is an essential part of life that should be practiced each and every day. Expressing thankfulness to God for everything He has blessed us with can bring a deeper meaning to our lives. It also helps us recognize the power of His love in our lives, which can be a powerful source of strength and peace. But, unfortunately, every day when we are faced with challenges, obstacles, and trials that seem insurmountable. Or when we face our fears, doubts, and insecurities in this world of uncertainty, it can be easy to lose sight of God. Sometimes, we forget He is there for us when things don't go our way. But yet God never leaves us nor forsakes us. He sees us through many challenges without awareness and gives us the strength to overcome them. It does not matter what you face, Proverbs 3:6 says, "in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall d

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23 To be the best and stay there, sweat is necessary. The key is never giving up and pushing yourself to improve. This was the case for Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game, spending hours practicing day after day. The same is true in any field to succeed; you must put in the hard work. And it's not always easy - sometimes it requires long hours, early mornings, and sacrificing your free time. But it's worth it when you see the results of your efforts. As today's Bible says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." This verse reminds us that we should always give our best effort in everything we do. An old saying goes, "If you don't put your heart into it, it won't show in the results." And that's so true! If we want to succeed in anything we do, we must give it our all. That's not to say that we'll always b

"Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy." Psalm 126:5 There is no one answer to the question of how to become the best. However, sweat is common among those who have achieved great things. Achieving any sort of greatness requires an immense amount of hard work and dedication. There are no shortcuts to becoming the best. So if you're looking to achieve something great, be prepared to put in the work. Hard work is the key to success. It is one of the ways you can get ahead in life. You must be willing and able to work the necessary hours to succeed. The Blessing of God is Coming! Your time of Weeping will be over soon if you can keep up with the demand for your work, ministry, or business despite all the pain and suffering. Weeping may endure through the night, but joy comes with the morning (psalm 30:5). However, don't make the same mistake most people make about this verse, thinking it is all about "Sadness and crying..." all night, but forgetting that the nighttime stands for; Praying time, Hard

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind." Isaiah 65:17 When we live with an "if only" mindset, we constantly look back at what we could have done differently. We dwell on our past mistakes and allow them to control our present and future. This can be dangerous because it prevents us from living in the present moment and enjoying all life offers. It also keeps us from moving forward and learning from our mistakes. If we want to live a happy and fulfilling life, we must let go of the "if only" mindset and focus on the present moment. So how do we overcome an "if only" mindset? First, what if instead of saying "if only," we said, "I am grateful for"? It may not be what we want it to be, but we can not allow ourselves to be stuck in the past because if we're not careful, the "if only" mindset can become a permanent way of thinking. And doing so can prevent us from enjoying the present moment and make us feel like we're living in the past,

"In the morning, you will say, "If only it were evening!" and in the evening, "If only it were morning!"—because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see." Deuteronomy 28:67 If only I hadn't failed that test, if only I had gotten the job, if only I had been born into a wealthy family... The list of "if only" statements that we tell ourselves could go on forever- You know that of yours "if only." These statements create a fixed mindset- believing that factors outside our control determine our success. But what if we stopped? What if we stopped dwelling on the past, and what could have been? Because this mindset limits our ability to achieve our goals and reach our full potential. It's the middle of the night, and you can't sleep. So you start to think about all the things you wish you had done differently today and how your life would be better if only you had made different choices. This train of thought leads to more and more "if only" statements until you feel like you

"Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." Psalm 107:8-9 A little boy saw that everyone around him was giving thanks and wanted to join in. He didn't know what they were thanking God for, but he knew it must be good. So the boy bowed his head and thanked God with a grateful heart. When people asked him what He is joyful for? He replied, "I have God and am thankful for it." Because with Him, we live, eat, laugh, cry, wake up, poop, and love. The boy little statement might sound funny, but knowing that we have God that is bigger than any problem should always be our great source of Joy. As the boy replied, "I have God" The question is, do you have God that is bigger than any problem in your life? If so, you can thank Him with a grateful heart because He is always there for you, no matter your situation. He will never leave you nor forsake you. So give thanks to God with a grate

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly tells his people to give thanks. For example, in 1 Chronicles 16:34, David says, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." It's easy to give thanks when everything is going well, but what about when we're going through tough times? We may not feel thankful at all in those moments, but God tells us to give thanks anyway. When we thank God, we recognize all the good things he's done for us. We're thanking him for our salvation, for the love he's shown us, and for all the blessings he's given us. I read a story of a young woman who was extra grateful a few years ago because she had a new job, home, and sense of self. Her loving family and friends also surrounded her. She thanked God for all the blessings in her life, both big and small. From the bottom of her heart, she expressed gratitude for everything H

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4 When you start counting your blessings, you realize how much God has done for you. However, if you take a moment to truly think about all the benefits in your life now, you'll likely be overwhelmed by how much God has done for you. From the big things like your family and home to the smaller daily graces we often take for granted, it's easy to see how blessed we are. And when we start counting our blessings, it's easy to see how good God is. Seeing all He has done for us should fill us with hope and joy, knowing He is always at work in our lives even when we can't see it. When you take inventory of your life, count your blessings. See all the good that God has done. No matter what your religious beliefs are, giving thanks for what you have is always a good idea. Psalm 100:4 is a great reminder to enter God's gates with thanksgiving. Whether you believe that God is responsible for everything good

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise Him for the salvation of His presence." "Trusting God is like holding on to a tied balloon. You can either grip it tightly in your fist, or you can relax your grip and let it fly." There is always a passing-through; even Jesus passed through the wilderness and never grumbled nor murmured. It only takes a grateful heart that recognizes God's mercy and mighty capacity not to grumble while in the wilderness. So, irrespective of what you might be going through, endeavor not to complain or murmur; God is capable! Don't allow your temporary state of affairs to discourage you from God-given talent. In 1 Samuel 4, The wife of Phinehas's story covers just a few verses towards the end of 1 Samuel 4, where she is introduced as Eli's daughter-in-law. She was about to give birth when she heard that the Philistines had captured the Ark of God. She dies in childbirth and calls her son "Ichabod," saying, "The glory has departe

"Queen Esther replied, "If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request, I ask that my life and the lives of my people be spared." Esther 7:3 God is always at work, even in our darkest days. And He can reverse even the most irreversible circumstances. In Esther 7, we see God at work in two ways. First, Queen Esther was an amazing woman whom God used to save her people from destruction. She was born into a time of great danger for the Jewish people. Haman, a powerful man in the kingdom, planned to kill all the Jews. God chose Esther to stop Haman's plan. Second, Haman's intent was actually working until God reversed the irreversible circumstance. Haman was hung on the gallows he had built for Mordecai, the Jew he hated. Esther's life was in danger many times, but she always trusted that God would protect her. Even though Haman's plan was stopped, the threat was not over. The king could have still decided to kill all the Jews. But God again worked through Esther, and the king

"Even when we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved." Ephesians 2:5 In the Bible, there are many examples of God reversing circumstances that people thought were irreversible. For example, when God told Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child in their old age, they thought it was impossible. But God reversed the circumstance, and they had a son. Another example is when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The Egyptians chased after them, but God reversed the situation, and the Israelites were saved. So, if you're facing an irreversible circumstance, know that you're not alone. God is with you and can help you through any difficult time. Trust in Him and His power to change your situation for the better. With God by your side, anything is possible. You can always turn to God when you feel like all hope is lost or stuck in an irreversible situation. Remember, no matter how bad things seem, God has the power to reverse any circumstan

"When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream." Psalm 126:1 When life doesn't go as planned, it's easy to get discouraged. We may feel like God has forgotten us or that He is against us. But the truth is, He is always working for our good. In Psalm 126:1-2, we see a picture of God's actions when His people turn to Him. The Psalmist says, "When the Lord reversed the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream." In other words, when we finally surrender our lives to God and trust Him with our future, it's as if He has taken us captive and set us free simultaneously. What a beautiful picture of God's love for us! He takes our brokenness and uses it for His glory. He turns our sorrow into joy and gives us hope and a future. The turning around of which the Psalmist speaks is a change wrought by God in the lives of those who trust in him. This divine reversal results in the restoration of all that was lost and acquired even more than what was originally had. The circumstances surrou

"Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names." Philippians 2:9 Many people in the world look for stability in their lives. They search for something that they can control and rely on. For example, some people may find stability in their job, while others may find it in their relationships. However, stability cannot be found in the natural world. The natural world is full of change and chaos. This is why it is so important for believers to find their stability in God. God is unchanging and is always in control. In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul wrote, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Christ is in control of all things. This means that no matter what happens in this world, Christ is still in charge. This is a comforting thought for believe

"Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." Ephesians 1:21 When it comes to who is ultimately in control, there is no doubt that Christ is above all rule and authority. As the head of the church, He has been given all power and authority over His people (Ephesians 1:22). This means that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, Jesus is still in control. We may not always understand what He is doing, but we can trust that He knows what He is doing and will work everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). As God of the 11th hour, He is above all, and His timing is perfect. So while we may not always understand what He is doing or why things are happening the way they are, we can trust that He knows what He is doing and that everything will work out for His glory and our good. So even when things seem chaotic or out of control, we can rest assured that Christ is ultimately in control and everything will

"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee." Psalm 143:8 Jesus is the God of the eleventh hour. He is always available to help us, no matter what the hour. Therefore, may God of the eleventh hour appear in your situation and help you through that tough time. Your hope will not become hopeless, but God will show up and help you out of your difficult situation. Psalm 30:5 says, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." This is a reminder that no matter how bad things may seem right now, things will eventually get better. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. God is always there for us, even when we are struggling. He is a God of the eleventh hour who shows up when we need Him the most. He is a God of grace and mercy who never forsakes us. God knows your challenges, and I believe this is the moment for your breakthrough. I pray that you will have the courage to face y

"And about the eleventh hour, he went out, found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?" Matthew 20:6 As the year is coming to an end, I know someone needs God's intervention. They may have had a tough year and need a miracle. I want to remind them that God is still in control and can turn any situation around. Turn to Matthew Chapter 20, verses 6-7, and let it be a reminder that God is the God of the eleventh hour. The Bible says, "About the eleventh hour, he went out and found others standing around. 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' he asked. 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. So, he told them, 'You also go into my vineyard.' The Bible said that after a few conversations, the master hired them and got paid for the day. In other words, God is never too late to show up and turn things around. So, no matter how hopeless your situation may seem, remember that God is still in control. He can make a way where there seems to be no way.