Magnificent Life

"Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments. He also assigned her seven maids chosen from the king's palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem." Esther 2:9 God is always ready to show us mercy if we accept it. However, it is important to note that God's mercy is not received by mistake; instead, it comes when we are willing to change our attitude and desire Him above all else. This message can be seen in the Bible in Esther 2:9, which states, "And the young woman pleased him and won his favor…." Here Esther embodies a true attitude of humility and respect for authority, allowing her access to God's remarkable grace and favor. The mercy of God is for everybody; the sure mercies of David, like we say, are for everybody, but they can only be provoked by something. It is triggered by the receiver, which means there is a condition attached to it at times. So don't get it twisted and think t

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, also do to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12 "Empathy is like a spring of understanding that flows from one heart to another." Though If asked to describe empathy, most people would say it is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Because empathy is a fundamental human characteristic that allows us to connect with others, understand their thoughts and experiences, and respond in a supportive and compassionate way. It is an example of a Golden Rule-style moral imperative, a formulation expressing the notion of treating others in the same way that one would want to be treated. I understand there is an empathy deficit in society. In our increasingly complex and technological world, many people find it difficult to muster the empathy required to understand and relate to others truly. There is a widespread empathy deficit in our society, and this is contributing to a host of social ills. Remember, when we can't empathi

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." 1 Peter 4:10 Empathy has the power to transform hearts and create a compassionate world. Have you cultivated it? We are called to be sensitive and aware of the needs of others, as the bible states in 1 Peter 4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (NIV). With empathy, we can gain insight into another person's experience and understand their feelings from their perspective. This ability helps us build bridges between people and create deeper connections. Empathy allows us to put ourselves in someone else's shoes and recognize their feelings without judgment or criticism. It is a skill that can be developed through practice and patience, but it can also be strengthened by understanding our inner feelings first. We can all learn from Job. He was such a blessed man, and as much as he was blessed, he kept giving to the poor.

"Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves." James 1:22 Faith is believing in what cannot be seen; it's the courage to journey beyond the limits of our understanding. However, faith can be defined anyhow because different people have different definitions of faith due to their personal beliefs and experiences. Nevertheless, a common thread between most definitions is the trust and belief in something bigger than themselves, often including God. People have had to redefine what faith means to them without believing and trusting in God. Because Webster defines faith as "belief and trust in God." Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." And things that are invisible yet still undeniably real. For example, From the concept of our almighty father (God) to something as intangible as a human soul. So, that alone should redefine our faith in God because faith is not just a mental assent to a set of doctrines or a state

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1 The power of faith is often seen as a force for good in the world, enabling people to go beyond themselves and achieve the impossible. Miracles of faith in action represent those moments when belief seems to triumph over adversity and a seemingly insurmountable difficulty is overcome. The stories of these miracles are inspiring, offering hope to all who feel they cannot cope with their challenges. From small acts of kindness to powerful healing, divine intervention has been witnessed for thousands of years. The impossible can be made possible through faith, and hope can be restored to individuals and communities. I read a story of a young lady Evangelist who strongly believed faith could move mountains. As she stood in front of the large crowd ministering, the night was almost over; the Evangelist had reached her climax of giving a rousing speech about faith and healing. She looked into the eager eyes of four peop

"And Jesus said to him, "If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23 Faith has been a source of strength for countless individuals and groups throughout history. It is no surprise, then those miraculous acts have been attributed to the power of faith. Likewise, miracles of faith in action are accounts of powerful moments where the power of faith has led to amazing outcomes. These inspiring stories demonstrate the immense potential that lies within those who practice their faith with conviction and dedication. The story of the miraculous fall of Jericho recorded in Joshua 6 is one of the most powerful examples of faith in action. As Joshua and his people prepared to march around the walls for seven days, the Lord gave them a clear command: "Shout, for the Lord has given you this city." The Israelites obeyed without hesitation, and their faith was rewarded with a miracle - as they shouted, God caused the walls to collapse. This act stands as an example of how trusting and following God

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 Too often, we allow fear to take root in our lives and dictate our actions. Fear can keep us from following our dreams, from being our authentic selves, and from trusting others. In Psalm 37, the writer encourages us to trust in God instead of fear because God wants the best for us and will always be there for us. When we trust in Him, we can overcome our fears and be free to live our lives to the fullest. We don't need to be afraid of the future because God is in control. In this year, 2022, many have experienced an unexpected faith journey. Some have praised God through the hard times and have seen His hand in their life, while others have cried out in frustration, wondering why He has not answered their prayers. Whether you're questioning your faith or standing firm on what you believe, it is important to remember that God always remains faithful despite what we experience. A relationship with Him starts with a small seed of trust planted

"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