Magnificent Life

"Resist the Devil, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering." 1 Peter 5:9 It is easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day minutiae of life and lose focus on what is truly important. We can become overwhelmed with the many demands on our time and energy, and before we know it, we've let our lives spin out of control. Instead, we must learn to build healthy boundaries and focus on what matters most. It's also important to remember that balance is key. In Matthew 22, when the Pharisees came to Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, Jesus responded by asking them to show him a coin. They produce a denarius, which features the portrait of Caesar. Jesus then says, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." This encounter has been used over the centuries to justify the separation of church and state. But there's more to it than that. Jesus didn't tell the Pharisees t

"Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." Matthew 4:10 Your time is valuable. You know what you need to do to be successful and reach your goals, but there are only so many hours in a day. So how do you say "no" without feeling guilty? Start by knowing your priorities and what's important to you. Turning down requests from friends, family, or co-workers can be tough, but if you cannot commit to something, it's best to say "no" upfront. This way, there won't be any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. You don't have to feel guilty for putting your needs first. Saying "no" can also be a way to assert yourself and your independence. It can show that you're capable of making decisions and standing up for what you believe in. In the Bible, in the book of Matthew, chapter 4, verses 1-11, Jesus said "no" to Satan's will. He turned down evil's invitations to sin, demonstrating His power over temptation and evil. In doing so,

"No, indeed,' the wise ones answered, 'there is not enough for you and for us. Go to the store and buy some for yourselves.' Matthew 25:9 When you're constantly saying "yes" to everyone and everything, you can quickly lose sight of what's important to you. Before you know it, your time and energy are being drained by others, leaving little for yourself. Therefore, you must learn to say 'NO' gracefully to things that do not matter to your life or align with God's will. You will have to learn how to say no without fear or hesitation. Learning to say "no" sometimes without feeling guilty is an important skill that can help you regain control of your life. The Bible passage in Matthew 25:9 speaks of the five wise virgins who identified their priority and said no to the unwise. They refused to let their lamps go out and missed the opportunity to enter the wedding feast. This is a powerful example of the importance of saying no. Therefore, start by identifying your priorities and then defend them as godly. When som

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 In the darkest of times, hope is a light that never fades. So, if you are hurting, God has a promise for you. If you are struggling, God has a promise for you. Look to God's promises if you don't know where to find hope. God's promises are unbreakable, and because of that, our hope can be unshakable. When we find ourselves amid hard times, it is easy to lose sight of the future and become discouraged. But we can find hope in the promises of God. He is always faithful and will never leave or forsake us. When we trust in the promises of God, we can be strengthened through whatever challenges come our way. No matter what life throws our way, we can have confidence knowing that God is with us and that he has a plan for our lives. When we are struck by difficult times, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. But even in the darkest moments, we can find hope in God's unbreakable promises. Isaiah 40:31 says, "

"My son, keep your father's commandment and forsake not your mother's teaching." Proverbs 6:20 A farmer's blessings depend on his obedience to the laws of nature. When a farmer follows the laws of nature, he is rewarded with a bountiful harvest. However, when a farmer disobeys the laws of nature, he is punished with a poor harvest. The farmer's blessings depend on his obedience to the laws of nature—the law of sowing and reaping. Likewise, a believer's obedience is one of the most important aspects of their lives. It is through obedience that they come into a closer relationship with God. Obedience is the key to a blessed life. In the Bible, there are many examples of obedience being rewarded. For example, when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, God provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. When Moses followed God's commands to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, God provided manna and water in the desert. And when David obeyed God's instruction as he led the Israelites, God provided victory in bat

"And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you obey the voice of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 28:2 The benefits conveyed by obedience give us boldness and courage to fellowship with God, providing us the sense of joy, peace, security, and assurance that God will provide for us. As we spend time with Him, we grow in our faith and understanding of who He is. We also learn to trust Him more each day. When we walk in obedience to Him, He promises to bless us abundantly (see Psalm 115:13-14). Obedience is the key to a blessed life. Deuteronomy 7 12-26 speaks to the conditional nature of God's blessings. God promises the Israelites that if they obey Him, He will bless them with fertility, abundant crops, victory in battle, and long life. If they disobey Him, they will experience poverty, famine, defeat in battle, and a shorter lifespan. Likewise, our blessings depend on our obedience to Him. This is seen throughout scripture, as God promises to bless those who obey Him and curses those who

"If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land" Isaiah 1:19 Your blessings depend on your obedience, just as the amount of water you get from a faucet depends on how much you turn the knob. Likewise, you can think of blessings as rewards God gives us for our obedience. Just as a parent might give their child a toy for doing well, God gives us blessings as a sign of His approval. God has always been interested in blessing His people. This is good news because it means we can actively participate in our blessings. Genesis 22 is a puzzling chapter where we can ask many questions about why, what, and how? However, while it's easy to read the story of Abraham and Isaac and think that God was asking for something ridiculous, that obedience to Him is more important than anything else, we must remember God's faithfulness and mercy. Ultimately, Abraham was blessed abundantly for his obedience, even though it didn't make logical sense at the time. We can trust that if we obey God, even when it doe

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2 I read a story about a well-known church that was robbed some time ago. A lot of money and church properties were taken away, but thankful to God, no one was injured, and all lives were saved. Apparently, many of those involved in the robbery were Christians among them. Not just Christians but church members certainly have hands in the incident. This was justified by their moves and the direct focus on where the church's treasure was kept. That was devilish and sinful, right? Of course! Everyone found it easy to comment and point at the robbers as criminals for not just stealing but for taking from God. This is a typical illustration of any Christian who fails to pay tithe. One of the dangerous acts of a man is to rob God. This is true whenever believers withhold what belongs to God. Some people ensured they gave something, but their giving was nothing to their local church. Malachi 3:8 says, "Will a man r

"Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong." Joel 3:10 In the second half of 2022, it is important to remember that God has a plan for you. He will help you through the challenges, your goals, and plans for 2022 and beyond. First, however, you must say to yourself, "I am strong, I am strong! Be strong and show yourself strong. Warm-up your cold blood with the blood of Jesus that refused to lay silent for the world's sins. Whatever you are, please continue moving forward. God is ready to give you the breakthrough in this season! No excuse or exemption would be allowed to give up on yourself. Do not allow yourself to be taken advantage of by others or life circumstances! And do not allow or take laziness as an excuse. God is willing to help you in time of need. He will show himself in your weakness and make things work for you in your favor. Do not allow yourself to be abused by others because they don't understand what God has called you to do. You are l

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13 Many people give up on their dreams and goals. They say to themselves, "I can't do this," or "I don't have the guts." But what if you didn't have to be strong? What if you could be courageous enough to take risks and allow something bigger and stronger than your fear, doubt, and obstacles to come into your life? That is having Christ in you. Christ in you is the best formula to create resilience from within. It is an unshakable hope that keeps you going when everything seems hopeless. Christ in you is the hope of glory. This means His love is eternal, which is why He is the source of our hope for eternal glory. We can be confident in Him because He is faithful and true. Colossians 1:27 tells us, "To them, God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." When we trust in Christ, w

"We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Being hopeful gives us the strength to keep going when things seem hopeless. It's a quality that separates the people who achieve great things from those who don't. When faced with a challenge, hope is what propels us forward. Hope is the air we breathe and the light that guides us in dark times. Unfortunately, hope can be fragile, easily extinguished by disappointment or misfortune. But it doesn't have to be that way if that hope was built on the rock of ages that God has given us. God has given us the ability to believe in him, and his plan for our lives cannot be denied if we are willing to do the work. Of course, all people experience hope at some point in their lives. Whether it is a hope for a better future or a solution to a current problem, hope is a necessary part of life. However, for Christians, hope is not just a feeling or a natural

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1. Life can be difficult. We face challenges and obstacles daily. Some of these challenges could be a way to overcome the temptations of the flesh. Sometimes we feel like we can't make it through. But what if living without condemnation was possible? What if we could let go of our worries and fears and live in the present moment? Romans 8:1-4 teaches us how to do just that. In these verses, Paul talks about how we should live our lives, saying we should live without condemnation because that leads to peace. Of course, most condemnation comes from sinful nature, fear of past failure, or what people said about us. However, if we can be reminded that God is on our side and that the role of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of our sin and help guide us to repentance, then we can live more confidently in His love and forgiveness. In as much we continue to allow the Holy Spirit to

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 As a believer, we believe in the power of forgiveness. Forgiveness frees you from the anger and resentment that can hold you back from achieving your goals. It allows you to move on and focus on what's important in life. When we forgive, we set ourselves free. Forgiving others doesn't mean that you condone their actions or pretend their behavior didn't hurt you. It means that instead of harboring resentment and bitterness, you try to understand why they did what they did and then let go. In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus Christ said the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents. Since the man could not pay, the master ordered him to be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. Then the servant fell to his knees before him. 'Have patience with me,' he

"For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body." James 3:2 As humans, we make mistakes. Sometimes the mistakes are small; sometimes, they're not. Sometimes the mistakes are big, sometimes they're not. Sometimes the mistakes are awful; sometimes, they're really not. Sometimes the mistakes are hilarious. However, the point is that we're all human, and we're all going to make mistakes because one of the most important things you learn in life is how to deal with making mistakes and learn how to own up to them, learn from them, and move on. One of the best ways to learn how to deal with mistakes is to talk to people who have dealt with them well. For example, you could talk to your parents, teachers, pastor, or other role models about how they've dealt with their own mistakes. They'll be able to share their wisdom and advice with you, which will help you learn how to move on from your mistakes. Remember, it's okay to be hum

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name. Psalm 100:4 Give thanks to God for the many blessings he has bestowed on us. Let us enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Let us thank God for the new month and praise him for the days ahead of us. God is good all the time. He is our source of strength and our refuge in times of trouble. We praise him for his loving-kindness and His faithfulness to us. We thank him for the many blessings he has bestowed on us, including our families, health, and food. Gratitude is a powerful force that can change our attitude and help us live more fulfilling lives. When we take the time to be grateful for the good things that happen to us, it puts us in a better frame of mind and helps us focus on the positive aspects of our lives. It is important to be grateful for all the good things God has in store for us this month and in the days ahead. We should thank Him for His blessings and love, which sustains

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips." Psalm 34:1 The benefits of thankfulness are like the benefits of a good night's sleep. They are both refreshing and help us to feel better mentally and physically. In a world where tragedy and hurt seem to be the norm, one little girl has found solace in gratitude. Born with a congenital heart defect that required multiple surgeries as a child, Nancy was given only a 25% chance of surviving past her first year. But despite her challenges, Nancy has made it her mission to live a positive and grateful life. She expresses her gratitude through writing, speaking engagements, and sharing her story with others. When asked why she is thankful for the gift of life, Nancy said, "I am grateful because God has used her family to support her in many ways and has provided her with so much more than she could ever imagine." She went on to say that no matter what life throws her way, she knows that God is always with her and will help her through an

"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20 In every way and everywhere, I accept the gift of life with all gratitude. What about you? When I was younger, I never imagined that I would be saying, "All I have to say is thank you, God." Likewise, I would never have guessed that one day I would be thanking God for all the good in my life. However, over the years, things have made me realize how much I need and depend on Him. He has been there for me through everything, and I cannot thank Him enough. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I am so grateful for your love and support. I am so thankful for your patience and kindness. Thank you for giving me a chance to see this day from a new perspective. Thank you for allowing me to learn something new. I am so grateful for your guidance and encouragement. God, I thank you that you are my strength and comfort. I thank you

"May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children." Psalm 115:14 The Bible is full of stories of people who were blessed because they put their trust in God. Abraham, for example, was promised that he would be a father of many nations and was greatly blessed throughout his life. David was also promised a great blessing, and he became one of the most successful kings in Israel's history. I believe you are next for breakthrough, uplifting, prosperity, and peace in Christ Jesus. Do you believe in this? If yes, pay attention or read the following Scripture while you shout AMEN. "The Lord will open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. The Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them" (Deuteronomy 28:12-13). "

Genesis 22:17, God said, "I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your seed like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies." The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and bless all the work of your hands. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. (Deuteronomy 28:12). Psalm 126:1-2 says, "When the LORD turned the captivity of Zion again, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: they said among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them." So, brethren, as you declare the word of God in faith through your mouth, it shall come into manifestation in every aspect of your life. Remember, every day is a new day, and every moment is an opportunity to grow. Every word of God will become a blessing, holiness, obedience, submission, trust, unselfishness, and love for you in Jesus' name. Ever

"He will give eternal life to everyone who has patiently done what is good in the hope of receiving glory, honor, and life that lasts forever." Romans 2:7 The seed in good soil is vital to the growth of a plant. Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." We can learn much about what God wants from the plants or seeds that grow on good soil. Remember, the seed in the good soil has excellent potential to grow into a fruitful harvest. However, only if you are willing to be faithful, ready to work hard, and willing to do your part in the plan of God's will. James 1:4 says, "Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." The seed (the word of God) in our hearts that is well-rooted will never be taken away from us. Instead, it will become more powerful. This is because the seed will always find good soil to grow and never experience failure or disappointment. Instead, as we read and obey God's commandment, the seed in our hearts will grow and blossom,