Magnificent Life

"But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." John 4:23 True worship is more than just attending church on Sundays. True worship involves a lifestyle that pleases God with all we do. True worship is coming to church and living a life that reflects our faith. It is a lifestyle - something we do every day. We have to thank God for all the good things He has done for us and ask Him to help us do away with the bad things. We can also talk to Him about anything that is on our minds. Worship is not just a one-time thing; it is something we need to do every day. True worship is the fruit of living a life of faith. True worship is not something that we get to just once in a while. True worship is a lifestyle, and it must be lived out every day. When we go to church, that is worship. But worship is not just what we do on Sundays. For example, let us look at worship as brushing our teeth. We can't just

"By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14 Sin is an instrument used to destroy lives. It's important to remember that sin doesn't just hurt the person committing the act; it also hurts everyone around them. Sin separates us from God's promises and leaves us feeling hopeless, lost, and without hope. Sin can rob us of our joy in life, robbing us of the peace that comes from knowing God is good. Sin can also lead to bitterness and anger, which takes away from our love for others. However, forgiveness is available through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. We can be forgiven and experience the peace that comes from knowing that God accepts us through Him. When Jesus died on the cross, he demonstrated God's grace in a way that no other deed could. He showed us that even though we are sinners, God still loves us and desires to forgive us. This was an incredibly powerful demonstration of love, and it is a reminder th

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6-8 The apostle Paul wrote, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). This means that sin has a deadly consequence: separation from God. If someone chooses to do things that God doesn't want them to do, they are like a person with a dead battery. They can't experience the life that God has planned for them because they are spiritually dead. Just like a car can't start if it has a dead battery, people can't experience God's life if they are spiritually dead. As a result, they are alienated from God and cut off from the promise of eternal life. But the good news is that God has provided a way for sinners to be reconciled to Him. Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal li

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3. We cannot know what God's new thing will be, but we can trust that He will do something wonderful. Whatever it is, let us be open to it and let us rejoice in its possibilities. When we look at the blood of Jesus, the cross and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ go beyond forgiveness of sin. They are symbols of God's power over sin and His desire to transform us into His image. The blood redeems us from our sins, bringing us new life in Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross surpasses forgiveness and redemption. These three events have the power to transform us from the inside out. The New Testament teaches that when we come to faith in Christ, His blood saves us from our sins (1 John 1:7), and His death sets us free from our bondage to corruption (Romans 6:23). But His resurrection also changes us f

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 God is always doing new things. Unfortunately, we often despair when we look at the world around us. Jobs disappear, wars rage, and natural disasters occur. Yet, even in the face of these seemingly insurmountable challenges, some people find hope in faith as prophet Jeremiah reminded himself in Lamentation 3:21 that all is not lost. In light of this, it is refreshing to have hope that God does new things. Those who know their God understand that He is never bound by our circumstances, challenges, or way of thinking. Whenever we pray and ask for His help, we can be assured that He will do something new in response, something that we could never have imagined. We may pray for a specific need, and God will answer that prayer in a way that is beyond our expectations. Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mo

"Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!" Psalm 150:2 The Bible tells us that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17). This means that everything good in our lives comes from Him. Therefore, one of the ways we can show our appreciation to God is by striving for excellence in all that we do and never taking anything for granted. Whether we are working on a project or simply going about our day-to-day routine, we should never overlook any small thing that God has done for us. In Luke 17, we are given a glimpse into the life of Jesus. We see ten lepers who came to Jesus seeking relief from their disease in this passage. However, only one of the lepers - a foreigner - returned to thank Jesus. The other nine lepers went back to their lives as they had before. What struck me most about this story was how brief and important the gratitude of the foreigner (one lepe

"Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song." Psalm 95:2 Though we may not always feel it, we are surrounded by God's greatness. This greatness is seen in the beauty of a sunset, the laughter of a child, and the love of a friend. It is also seen in the power of the storm and the mystery of the universe. We can find something to praise God for no matter where we look. His greatness is all around us, and it fills us with a sense of awe and excellence. When we take the time to appreciate all that God has done, we can't help but be filled with a sense of awe. His power and love are amazing, and we are blessed to have them in our lives. Praising God also fills us with a sense of excellence. We are honoring the One who created us, recognizing the greatness of His love and power. When we take the time to praise God, we show that we value Him and everything He has done for us. Psalm 100:5 says, "For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness

"Oh Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful, and sure." Isaiah 25:1 There is a Sense of Excellence when we give praise to God. There is something so beautiful and intangible about praising God. It breathes life into our beings and fills us with a sense of excellence. When we take the time to acknowledge all that God has done for us publicly, it is like a refreshing rain on a hot day. It invigorates us and reminds us of why we are here. Praising God is a chance for us to step back and take in the big picture. It is an opportunity to reflect on all of the wonderful things He has done for us – both big and small. In those moments, we can see His handprint all around us. Psalm 34:1-3 says, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." Praising God is like a breath of fre

"Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13 What does it mean to have a sense of excellence? Many people would say that it's about having high standards and doing your best. Many people in this world have a sense of excellence control their temper. They are not the type to lash out at someone for a wrong they didn't do. Rather, they earn respect by overlooking wrongs doing and forgiving easily. They also tend to be proactive rather than reactive, which can help them take control of situations. In John 8:1-12, Jesus demonstrated having a sense of excellence when the Sadducees and Pharisees came with an offensive accusation to tempt Him to anger and misjudge. Although, of course, all the accusers knew the sin of adultery is punishable by the law of Moses, yet brought her to Jesus to see how he would make decisions and hold him responsible for his judgment. However, Jesus is a man of discretion and slow to anger was able to

"Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs." Proverbs 19:11 Sekhel is a Hebrew term that means "excellent sense" or "discretion," one of the Wise's distinguishing features. A sensible personality is calm and capable of resolving conflicts. A patient or self-controlled person is regarded as better than the powerful. They can think quickly on their feet and make sound decisions. This makes them highly effective leaders and problem-solvers. A sense of excellence is a golden treasure and the hallmark of a truly successful person. It is something that can be cultivated through learning, hard work, and determination, and it is what separates the greats from the rest. Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. This quality allows them to succeed in any situation because others will view them as reliable and trustworthy. By having this mindset, individuals can build relationships of trust, which are essential in any business or professional sett

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27 Our willingness to lend to God is a sign of our faith in Him. Lending to God may seem like a strange concept, but it's actually a very biblical one. Numerous Bible verses talk about how God cares for the poor and needy. One example is from today's bible verse. When lending to God, we invest in something far greater than ourselves. We are investing in the kingdom of God, and we can trust Him to use our money for His purposes. He will provide for us according to His promises, and we can be confident that He will bless us for our faithfulness. There is no question that humans were created to be kind and compassionate. Unfortunately, in our society today, we seem to be forgetting how to be loving and helpful towards others. One of the most important ways to show kindness and compassion toward others is by giving back. We should not be pointing o

"Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will give a reward to the lender." Proverbs 19: 17 Let's take a quick look at lending before diving into the texts. When most people think about lending and giving, they imagine two different things. However, when you break it down, the two are very similar. Lending is defined as giving something with the expectation of getting it back, while giving is voluntarily transferring assets to another person or group without expecting anything in return. So, in a sense, you can think of lending as a more formal type of giving. If lending to God entails caring for the less fortunate and demonstrating compassion for the poor, it is a worthwhile investment. Why lending to God is a good investment? It is because it helps us to grow in our faith. When we help those who are less fortunate, it allows us to see the love and mercy of God firsthand. This can help us grow in our faith and become closer to Him. Therefore, let's withdraw the attitude of looking down on the poor

"Do two walk together unless they have agreed to meet? Amos 3:3 It's no secret that friendships are important because a friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. In addition, they provide us with social support, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for fun and intimacy. Unfortunately, however, some people believe that friendships should be effortless. According to Amos 3:3, "Do two walks together, unless they have agreed to meet?" This verse suggests that friends need to be intentional about their relationships to thrive. Maintaining healthy relationships takes work. It requires compromise, communication, and mutual respect. Friends don't always have to agree on everything, but they should be able to communicate openly and honestly with each other. If you're feeling frustrated or ignored by your friend, talk to them about it but don't shift every blame on your friends. 1 Peter 4:8-9 says, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly s

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he has his fill of you and hate you." Proverbs 25:17 Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all humanity together, but if we don't know how to maintain it, it will loosen and fall apart in no time. Remember, It is easy to feel down and out when going through a tough time. And when you are feeling down, it is natural to want to talk to your friends about it. However, there is a limit to how much your friends can take. You do not want to wear them out with your problems. Though you can talk to them as much as you need, be mindful of how much they can handle. When it comes to interacting with our friends, we should be cognizant of how much we invade their personal space. If we cross the line and become too demanding or nosy, they may start to view us as a nuisance rather than a friend. That is why today's bible verse in Proverbs 25:17 encourages us to respect our friends' boundaries and not overstep our bounds out of curiosity or boredom. Pro

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he sells all that he has and buys that field." Matthew 13:44 Are you looking for treasure? The kind of treasure that will make you wealthy beyond your wildest dreams? Treasure is something that we all search for in our lives. It can be something as simple as a new car or as complicated as the meaning of life. We all want to find that one thing that will make us happy, and we'll do whatever it takes to get it. But unfortunately, what we're looking for is often right in front of us, and we don't even know it because many people overlook it. So the key to finding treasure is to look inside yourself. Once you find what's inside, you'll be able to unlock the door to untold riches. God is the source of wisdom. I'm talking about the treasure that lies within every one of us -- our connection to God. A lot has been said about the human connection to God and what that might mean for us. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus

Where Treasures Truly Lies! "The intentions of a human's heart are deep waters, but those who have understanding draws them out." Proverbs 20:5 The greatest treasure is not in gold or jewels but finding God who makes you and becomes what you are called to do. So, in His eternal and infinite wisdom, God has decided to share some facts about his identity, character, purpose, and intentions for the redemption of humankind with the fallen race of finite humanity. He created us in his image, with a mind to think and a choice to choose. And while God has revealed many things to us through nature, our inner conscience, and His God-breathed word, many secrets remain concealed from us. Proverbs 25:2 says, " It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter." When King Solomon was preparing to take his father David's kingdom, he recognized that the only way he could be sure of it as if he had wisdom. Therefore, he opted to seek God's knowledge above longevity since he was a man

"This Jesus is the stone you rejected, the builders, which has become the cornerstone." Acts 4:11 Jesus is the solid foundation we stand on. He is the unchanging one who never fails. So we can cling to Him for strength and hope in times of trouble. His love never fails, and He is always there for us. The world will tell you to run from the storms and seek money, power, and fame. But Jesus is the only one who can give you what you need to face life's struggles. He loves you so much that He gave His life for you on a cross of shame, suffering, and sorrow. In the fourth chapter of the book of Acts, we are introduced to a man named Jesus. He is described as "the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone." This scripture is significant because it speaks to the power and purpose of Jesus. Even though He was rejected by those who should have known better, He still fulfilled His destiny and became the cornerstone of our faith. As believers, we can take comfort in knowing that no m

Zurushiddai "There is no one holy like the LORD. There is no one besides You! And there is no rock like our God." 1 Samuel 2:2 "There is no rock like our God" was a popular simile among Israel's inspired songwriters, depicting the image of a rock from a layman's perspective. Let us consider who dares to smash a rock with ease; there is no other stone that compares. Hannah was familiar with this song, as evidenced by the term "rock" applied to God. The same word frequently appears in the Psalms, and it simply means, "Thou alone art a secure protection and sanctuary to those who fled to thee, and trust in thee," as I have discovered from my own experience. For there is none like you is a suffix telling us that there may be other gods who can be referred to as Rock, but I tell you that our Rock is different and unique. Deuteronomy 32:31; But their "rock" is not like our Rock; even our enemies concede" and our Rock cannot flee like the gods of the Amorites or the Jebusites, giving us the confidence that we will n

"But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 When we think of God, we often think of Him as being complicated, looking down on us. However, this verse from Psalm 138:6 tells us that even though God is on high, He still regards the lowly. This means that no matter who we are or what we have done, God loves and respects us. However, while God loves and respects us, He also resists pride. This means that He won't let them get away with their prideful attitude and actions; and will judge them accordingly. It is required of everyone in a race of the kingdom to do so with wisdom and understanding. Everyone must have an understanding of what qualifies and what can disqualify them from finishing the race. Our knowledge of God, who He is, and whom He represents in our life is very important to our walk with Him and our Christian race. It is surprising to know that the dimension of the Lord captures the topic for today's devotion. He respects yet re

"The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon." Psalm 92:12 Welcome to today's daily devotional. The past six days' devotionals have been about the importance of standing out in a sea of conformity from different stories. I am sure you have learned about the importance of integrity, self-respect, honesty, and trustworthiness from these devotionals. These are essential characteristics to have if you want to succeed in life. Jude 1:2 says, "Mercy, peace, and love, be multiplied unto you in Jesus name. Amen. One of the most important things you can do to develop these characteristics is reading your Bible and praying every day. "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it, you may grow up into salvation." (1 Peter 2:2). And as you spend time with God, He will help you grow in these areas. Another thing you can do is find good role models who exhibit these qualities and look up to them—especially learning from Christ Jesus, our Lord, and savior. Amen. Matthew 1