Magnificent Life

Increase Your Faith! "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." Proverbs 24:10 Behind every successful dream, goal, and mission is a person who has persevered through hardship. They increased their faith in every level they might find themselves in. They persevered through adversity, pain, and suffering to achieve their goal and accomplish it. When we strive in our faith, we can achieve great things. We can overcome obstacles, setbacks, and failures if we persevere in faith. 1 John 5:4 says, "Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." To win in life, we must fight the good fight of faith, run to finish the race and embrace what we believe with confidence to the end. We must not be afraid of what lies ahead because some traces of failure or rejection that are not real will always come knocking at the door or mind when we least expect it. I believe that this is true in life, especially for those that have the

God's Mercy for You! "But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:16 The mercy we received at the throne of grace shamed the Devil and made him a liar. Mercy is beyond the laws of this world. It is beyond the rules and regulations or policies imposed by others. It is beyond what we can do when our hearts refuse to obey them and our minds refuse to believe in them. So, likewise, it is beyond the boundaries of reason and our capacity to know God's will. That's why Psalm 145:9 says, "The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." From this week henceforth, I prayed that God would grant you a new covenant of mercy over your business, careers, family, marital issue, ministries, and other important matters in Jesus' name, Amen. God's mercy alone shall make your case differ in any way that will make you stand out from the crowd. His mercy will

Do You Have Faith? 2 "For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved." Romans 10:10 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it, the people of old received their commendation. By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith, Abel offered God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found because God had taken him. Now before he was taken, he was commended as having pleased God." Hebrews 11:1-5 Dear brethren, faith has its conviction that when you have a strong belief in something, it makes you leap out of your comfort zone. Faith is the ability to trust in God, even if you don't know what lies ahea

Do You Have Faith? "And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." Matthew 8:13 Having faith in God is to believe that He exists and knows everything about us. We are not just to know him but also to believe that he is there with us because there are differences between knowledge and faith. When we have strong faith in God, our lives will please Him more and more. When we have strong faith in him, our lives will glorify him more and more. This is why Hebrews 11:6 say, "Without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Faith in God is a powerful tool to help us live a better life. Therefore, we must nurture a seed of faith in our lives every day to become stronger and stronger. It is fascinating that Jesus Christ said that if you have faith like a mustard seed, you will grow up strong to move a mountain by touching

You are Chosen! "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you." John 15:16. Living a fruitful life is a great achievement that feels great. That's why the vinedresser does not joke around with the tree that bears fruit. Instead, they prune it to bear more fruit. It feels good to be picked, right! We feel special when chosen, from children on the playground to teenagers trying out for a sports team to adults in the workplace. We want to be the best; we want to be seen. If you are in Christ, then Jesus has chosen you. He has picked you. Not only does He call you His friend (who doesn't feel warm inside when someone we look up to introduces us as their friend?), He has given you an assignment. Just as chosen players on a team have assignments, those chosen by Christ are assigned the responsibility to bear fruit. Not just any fruit, mind you; i

Your Hope will Not be Cut Off! "For the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the oppressed forever dashed." Psalm 9:18 The reality is that there are negative Hope and positive Hope in life. However, we must remember that God's hope is better than any hope we may have and can never be cut off. Hope in God's word is how we find the strength to stand up against all the odds and make the best out of every situation. Hope is how we find peace and joy in life because God has given us this gift of hope. He gave us the ability to see through our troubles and make a difference in the world. When there are multitudes of challenges, and things seem difficult, believe there is hope. There is hope for every living man or woman who trusts in God even though they fail or make mistakes. Challenges and life issues are inevitable; no man is born to live a problem-free life. We are all going to face one or two difficulties, but only the ones who trust in the Lord will overcome them. I have been through many troub

God's Providential Care! "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." 2 Timothy 4:17 As John Donne said, "No man is an island entire unto himself." It doesn't matter who you are, what your background is, or how much money someone has; if you have a good heart and soul, loneliness can never be your companion, how much more if you are a child of God. Of course, friends and family may forsake you despite your good heart, but God cannot forsake you. As 1 Thessalonians 5:9 said, "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." God's love is the only thing that will save us from this darkness of loneliness. If you have been sad or angry about a situation when you think you were alone without God, remember this: he was near to your heart, and the angel surrounded you. Being a part of the family of God certainly has

Jehovah Jireh! "And he cried unto the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them." Exodus 15:25. One of God's unique names is Jehovah Jireh, which means God will provide. Do you believe in God's provision for every area of your life, or do you still think maybe? When Philippians 4:19 says, "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Paul was not trying to say 'the Lord might provide, or the Lord could provide' but rather that God would provide for us. Therefore, I want you to strengthen the faith in your heart with Ephesians 3:20 saying, "God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." In Jesus' name. Amen. Brethren, Jehovah Jireh, does things superabundantly more than all we ask or think in our prayers, hopes, dreams, or desires. It's a matter of faith, trust, an

Hold on, Hold on, and Trust God! "And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you." Isaiah 46:4 In society, things are often not what they seem. We have embraced 'reality' television programming that is far from the truth. We allow ourselves to be deceived for the sake of entertainment. As a result of hidden agendas, greedy motives, and manipulative tactics, we make it hard to trust each other for the rest of life. Proverbs 28:25 says, "The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper." I am thankful we serve a God who is entirely trustworthy. He never changes. He is more than a stone or wooden idol. Not only that, but he is more significant than a worshiped ideal. He is personal, and we can talk to Him. He is real; we can see Him working in our lives and the lives of others. Likewise, he is relevant because the principles He established long ago still apply to our lives today. He is a Mig

Interior Knowledge of God! "I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes." Job 42:5 What we need as a believer to go beyond the hearsay knowledge of God is the interior knowledge of God. In other words, we must experience him personally, which goes beyond listening to sermons or reading devotions. Because most often, the true depth knowledge of God comes through our personal experiences and not through the outside world. You will understand that God exists through this, and He is real in your life. When you can experience God's presence, you will be able to see his love for you and how much he loves you. Recently, I heard a young university graduate share an emotional testimony of his life-altering experience. During his college years, the student participated in a lifestyle of selfish indulgence involving drugs, alcohol, and wild living. However, his conversion resulted in a miraculous change in attitude, desires, and values when he moved closer to God without deception. He no

Draw Nearer to God! "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8 Draw nearer and closer to God because He is taking record. Draw near to him. Do not be afraid of him, for he is with you; He will not abandon your soul in his presence. Draw near to him, and He will give you rest. He will show you the secret place where the source of abundant life is found. He will teach and encourage you in the way you should go. I remember going to church when I was young and receiving a list of things we couldn't do. It seemed as if everything I enjoyed doing was on that list. It took me years to submit my entire life to God. However, there were some things on that list I still wanted to do. I was a regular active churchgoer, but I never fully dedicated my life and will to God. In Psalm 32:8-10, the Lord said, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the ho

Doers, not Hearers Only! "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your selves." James 1:22 'Hearing God' is an act every believer should continuously experience, but acting by what is being heard is more significant. It is effortless to pay attention and hear from God, but it is more difficult for an average believer to take everyday actions towards God's leading. Therefore, a crucial corollary part of hearing God is a quick and total adherence to whatever God gives as an instruction. Romans 2:13 says, "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous." So it does look somehow because the things of the spirit are different from the belief system of this world. One of the proofs of a direct walk in the will of God is sacrifice and obedience to God's voice. So, when certain things seem pleasing to the flesh, quickly give a check; it might be against the will of God. James 2:14 says, "What good is it, my brothers

Courage- Antidote of Fear! "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 Courage in the face of adversity is one thing that many people lack. And If you are among those who are afraid of what they may encounter, God said, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6). So in your darkest hour or moment, never be afraid because the Lord's presence is always with you. Fear does great harm to the person's inner being to receive peace, but faith gives us the ability to focus and think clearly. Fear is a powerful tool for controlling our thoughts and actions. The more we use fear, the stronger it becomes. Fear can be used as a weapon against us or an excuse to avoid doing great things. Every individual has experienced fear in one way or the other. I'm not talking about the fe

How Are Prayers Answered? "On the day I called, you answered me; you increased strength within me." Psalm 138:3 How does God answer prayers? The answer starts from how God helps us through the Holy Spirit. From today's bible, we see that the psalmist offers thanks to God for His help and a strong sense of personal gratitude to show how God has helped him through persecutions and oppositions from the enemy. In other words, he is saying that he had an assurance that his prayer was answered even when he had not received it, but believed he would have a gracious return in due time is granted unto him. Today's bible verse enlightens us on one of how God quickly answers prayers, not by giving us the very thing we desired at that moment, but by giving us inward support and patience to wait for God's time and to bear all his troubles cheerfully in the meantime. Beloved, if God gives us strength in our souls, to bear the burdens, resist temptations, and to do the duties of an afflicted state; if he strengthens us to r

The only True Worshipers! 2 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25 There is no misleading through the Holy Spirit; that's why the true worshiper gives to the LORD the glory He deserves! They bring their offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in his holy splendor in which God delights and is glorified. The Holy Spirit influences their Spirit or soul at all times to worship and have communion with God. Through this communion, their body becomes the living embodiment of God's Spirit, to experience the divine presence of God. The Bible said, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. When you allow God to involve in your life wildly, it will be a blessing that will change you forever in ways you never knew possible. The true worshipers believe in the Holy Spirit and know him intimately. They show their spiritual affection for the things of God through his word, fervent prayers, sup

The only True Worshipers! "But the time is coming; indeed, it's here now when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way." John 4:23 True worshipers have every reason to praise God. It does not matter what circumstance they find themselves in; they will still have the thirst and hunger to worship God in truth and Spirit. The true worshipers are those who have raised their voices and connect with God in the Spirit. True worshipers know how to give praises to God through prayer and meditation. They hold on to their faith and obey God for every written and spoken word without questioning or doubting. John 4:23 says, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in Spirit and truth." A true worshiper has a profound sense of humility and calmness. True worshiper does not have to see it before they believe God's promises through His word like brother Thomas did when he heard about Jesus' resurrection. The true worshiper holds on t

Melody, the Weapon of Warfare! 2 "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" Psalm 95:6 The earthquake popped open the prison door and broke the chain off Paul and Silas' hand and leg while praying and singing praise to God. The other prisoners were shocked and could not believe the power in their prayer and melody. The prison officers woke up, confused about what had happened. Some thought it was a dream; others knew it was not, but a real-life event from the HOLY GHOST. (Act 16:16-24). Praise, worship, and prayer are not only about praising God; they are also a weapon of warfare that can be used against enemies beyond all doubt. When you worship with the pure and uncorrupted mind, heaven responds to your prayers, and you will never forget the peace of God's presence in your heart. So instead of Paul and Silas complaining about their situation, the Bible said they pray and sing praises to God. Psalm 50:15 says, "call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and

Melody, the Weapon of Warfare! "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3 Melody is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. It's not just about music, but also about life itself. You can use it to make decisions, create new things, and even change the world around you. You can use it to find peace, happiness, and joy. It is an antidote for all the negative emotions we carry inside us. It is a way to release the tension and stress that has held us back from living our fullest potential. Melody is one of the powerful weapons to frustrate the enemy's plan and make their proposal useless. In 1 Samuel 4:6-8, when the children of Israelite make a joyful noise, the Philistine said to themselves in verse 8, "Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness." It is a way to let go of the past and move forward with confidence, hop

From the Hand of God! 2 "A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God." Ecclesiastes 2:24 When God created the earth, He gave humankind dominion over the works of His hands; He put all things under their authority. He didn't take anything out of the earth; instead, He said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. So they will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground." In other words, He gave human beings dominion over everything. God gave us everything to find pleasure, not pressure or fear in every situation. However, humankind has been caught up with greediness in every aspect of life. They want to turn everything into a selfish advantage for themselves. They want to have more money, power, and prestige than anyone else in the world. So, from this greediness's perspective, humankind turns good he

From the Hand of God! There is nothing better for a person than eating and drinking and finding enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 2:24. The preacher of all time admonishes us in this passage to appreciate and enjoy the good in our effort. Everyone who works hard should be able to experience goodness and enjoyment from their effort since living merely for the sake of acquiring riches is foolishness. If you have enough in life to make it worth your while, then don't waste your time to enjoy life and pass the time in a leisurely manner without concern. Let the truth be told; the work should not be our preoccupation. We should always strive to live with purpose and passion. However, that passion and purpose come through only when we are willing to balance the demands of our lives with work and enjoy our effort as much as possible. We must realize that contentment brings enjoyment without pressure because it does not come from having more money but from being content