Magnificent Life

Why God's way takes longer? 2 "He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way." Psalm 25:9 God's way is always the best, even if it does take longer. Though we may not understand why things happen the way they do, we can trust that God has a plan and is working in our lives for our ultimate good. Let us be patient and allow God to do His work in our lives, knowing that He is always faithful even though the world is always in a hurry. We are constantly looking for the easy way out. We want things to happen quickly and don't want to wait. We are so impatient that we are often willing to take shortcuts that can ruin our lives. Let's look at Psalm 92:7, which says, "That when the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forever." And Psalm 92:12 says, "The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon." There are a few interesting points about the psalms 92:12 and 92:7. The first is that

Why Does God's Way Take Longer? "All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and testimonies." Psalm 25:10 We often look for the quickest and easiest way to do things in our fast-paced society. We want instant gratification. This mentality often spills over into our spiritual lives. We want to see God work quickly and easily, with no delays or complications. However, God's way is often different than what we expect. It may take longer, involves some groundwork, and seems like a slow process. But it is always worth waiting for because God's way is always right. Psalm 18:30 says, "This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." God's way is always right. He will never leave you nor forsake you; he will not abandon you. There's a popular saying that goes, "God works in mysterious ways." In many ways, this is true. God's ways are often beyond our understanding. But while we may not always unders

Pursue Consistency in the Spirit to Experience His Power! "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 The key to success is consistency. If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up. Wake up from your sleeping repugnancy dream because Consistency breeds habits and habits breed success. If you want to succeed in life, you must be determined to be consistent as well as intelligent. In other words, stay focused and be wise. Remember nothing is impossible if you put your mind into it and your trust in God. That’s why Hebrew 10:23 says, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” The only way to get better at something is by consistently practicing it. The success of our spiritual work is dependent on consistency. No amount of lag in the prayers we pray and the results should ever make us faint or have a broken spirit. Reading the bi

Power is Deceptive; Wisdom Brings Salvation! 2 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Proverbs 9:10 Power is deceptive. It can make you think you're invincible when in reality, it's just a tool. Likewise, it can make people do things they would never consider doing otherwise. In the hands of the wrong person, it can be deadly. But wisdom brings salvation. With wisdom, people can use their power for good instead of evil. Wisdom allows them to see the real consequences of their actions and make the right decisions. That's why Proverbs 14:8 says, "The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them." It is the wisdom of God that allows us to overcome the power of sin and death. The wisdom of God is greater than the wisdom of humankind. In the beginning, God created man and woman. He created them in His image (Genesis 1:26). However, when He realized that man and woman He created can abuse each other, God gave us the Ten C

Power is Deceptive; Wisdom Brings Salvation! Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and to insight, "You are my relative." That they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words."` Proverbs 7:5 In life, power is often seen as a desirable thing. It can make people appear strong, important, and in control. However, this is a false sense of power. True power comes from wisdom, which brings salvation. Wisdom allows people to see the world for what it truly is and makes them understand the consequences of their actions. With wisdom, people can make decisions that will benefit themselves and others. Remember, "Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding comes with long life." Job 12:12 From today's Bible verse, the Holy Spirit led the author of this chapter to give us advice, especially to the young men who might be at risk of being enticed by the allure of a promiscuous woman amid moral decay. However, when the heart is filled with the love of God, the word of God, and what is good, it will

What are Your Desires? 3 "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but the world." 1 John 2:16 A life without desires is like a garden without flowers because it is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to achieve anything. However, since desire is all about the mind and motivation, we must also be aware of our emotions because what we desire can build a foundation of greatness or establish the root of all evil. That's why 1 Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." Of course, numerous studies show that fulfilling a desire is a major factor in attaining happiness. For example, in one study, smokers who could quit smoking after discovering that their spouse was pregnant were much hap

What are Your Desires? 2 "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6 Desires are the process of mind that differentiates us from each other. It is the flames that light up our lives. However, we must be careful not to burn ourselves out with these passions because desire can be the starting point of all achievements or a downfall source toward unhappiness. Desire can be different for each person. It might be the desire for a new car or a bigger house for some. It might be the desire for more knowledge or travel to new places for others. No matter what our desires are, they are important, and they need to evaluate for our benefit and the benefit of others. Remember, desires can define us! When we desire something, our mind starts churning out possible ways to get it. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the object of our desire. If we desire something good for us, such as getting in shape or learning a new skill, then the process

What are Your Desires? "The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil." Proverbs 13:19 Desire is one of the keys to happiness. But what exactly is desire? And how can you go about fulfilling yours? Desire is often thought of as a strong craving or urge. It can be something you want very badly or simply something you really want. Therefore, fulfilling a desire is a major factor in attaining happiness or unleashing foolishness in humankind. That's why Proverbs 10:24 says, "What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted." Desire is one of the universe's darkest, most hidden, selfish, conscious, and unconscious forces. It is a force that makes us go through very difficult times and trials to achieve what we want. Desire can be positive or negative. And it can be associated with good and evil. So, today's bible verse is simply about rejecting wickedness and pursuing goodness; those who do good will be vindicated in th

If it were to be Possible! "When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation." Proverbs 11:10 Today's Bible verse described people's reactions toward the wicked and the righteous. People rejoice when things go well with the righteous; when things go well with them in spiritual matters, they grow in gifts and grace; the humble hear of it and rejoice; the church of God, the communion of saints, rejoice because things went well with them. So when paganism was destroyed and persecution ended during Constantine's reign, and when the pure gospels were resurrected during the reformation, the city rejoiced. Can we have that day again, please? When the church rises to its feet and assumes legislative roles. When the kingdom is given to the saints of the highest order, the world's kingdom becomes the Lord. When the church used to stand for truth, morality, and justice, they used to be a voice for the voiceless and a refuge for the broken-hearted. When the church u

There is No Friend Like Jesus! 2 "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor." Ephesians 5:2 Friendship is a special relationship that is built on trust and mutual understanding. It is a relationship that is cherished and valued by many people. And, of course, you might find someone that you cherish and want to keep forever. I will say that's okay! However, there is no friend like Jesus. Jesus is the conduit of grace, mercy, and love. He is the perfect friend who understands and loves us unconditionally. When we are down, Jesus is there to pick us up. When we are lost, Jesus is there to guide us. When we are hurt, Jesus is there to heal our wounds. No matter what life throws your way, there's no friend like Jesus. He understands what you're going through and is always there for you. Jesus is the perfect friend to talk to when you're feeling down. He'll comfort you and give you the strength to keep going. Jesus is

There is No Friend Like Jesus! "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 Friends can make complaints to each other and be there to receive support. Some studies found that people who have faithful and trustworthy friends to complain or share their problems are happier than those who don't. Complaining to others releases pent-up negative emotions and allows the complainer to unburden themselves. This can be very healing, both mentally and emotionally. However, the issue is that not everyone you call friends is truly faithful or loyal to handle the secret of your life. It's important to have friends you can rely on to be a listening ear and offer support. Of course, friends can also provide helpful advice and suggestions on dealing with the concern. But it's often helpful to talk over your problems with someone who is impartial and can offer a fresh perspective without holding nothing or being scared to tell you the whole truth. That's why Proverbs 27:9 says

Friends Can Make Complaints to Each Other! I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles." Psalm 142:2 In today's bible verse, the Psalmist finds himself in great distress, which leads him into a desperate situation where he poured out his heart to God to vindicate him by bringing vengeance on his enemies; the repeated words throughout this verse highlight the psalmist anguish. The status of David in the cave of Adullam was a state of utter destitution. He was persecuted by his fellow citizens, dismissed by Achish, and yet not joined by his relations or any other attendants, he took refuge in the cave and was there alone. But in that desperate situation, he was never filled with sorrow. He had a friend in heaven into whose bosom he poured out his heart cry, which is always willing to listen to His distress and trouble. When danger looms, and fear is on every side, let us follow the example of David. And most importantly, let us follow the footsteps of our Lord Jesus; remember when the Jews

Anger is a Set-Up! 2 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:19-20 How many times have you been told that anger is a bad thing? How many sermons have you heard on the dangers of anger? Even though anger is a natural emotion, and, like all emotions, it has its place. The problem arises when anger is not dealt with constructively. The Bible tells us that anger is a set-up tool for the devil to use. Therefore, "Do not be quickly provoked in your anger, for anger resides in the lap of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:9). The devil loves to get us angry because it opens the door for him to work his destruction. As we continue our discussion on this topic, we see that anger is not the problem because it is part of emotion. The problem is when we allow anger to control us. Therefore, we need to learn how to deal with our anger healthily. When we know how to manage our anger healthily, we can avoid

Anger is a Set-Up! "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil." Psalm 37:8 There's a proverb that goes, "Anger is a setup!" and it couldn't be more true. When we get angry, we often say and do things that we regret. And, more often than not, the thing we're angry about usually isn't worth getting worked up about in the first place. The Bible has a lot to say about anger. Psalm 4:4 says, "Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still." In other words, when we get angry, we need to make sure that we're in control, not our anger. Remember, it's easy to get caught up in our own emotions and forget what God wants us to do. In Las Vegas, Nevada, a woman was sentenced to prison for the death of an older man whom she pushed off a bus in the act of extreme anger. The incident took place in March 2019 when the woman became enraged with the man for standing too close to her. Despite the old man's advice to her "to be nicer to passengers," the woman didn't yie

Being Filled with Hope! "There we sat down by the rivers of Babylon, yea, and we wept When we remembered Zion." Psalm 137:1 There are times when we feel down, lost, and without hope in all of our lives. We may be going through a tough time or experiencing a great loss. It can be hard to find any light in the darkness. But even amid our lowest moments, we can find hope in God. When we are filled with hope in Him, He will bring us back to life; He will turn our mourning into joy. That's why Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." The book of Psalms is full of songs of hope and praise to God. Psalm 137 is a song of lament written by the Israelites after being captured and taken to Babylon. Despite their difficult circumstances, the Israelites found hope in God. They reminded themselves that God was still with them even though they were in a foreign land. They could still find joy in Him, even amid their so

The Rage of the Enemies! "They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips." Psalm 140:3 Today's bible verse is a request from the Psalmist for God's judgment to be unleashed on those who persecuted the faithful; it was written while under the threats of those who were his enemies; these were arrogant people who had plotted to cause him to stumble. They had schemed traps into which they supposed the psalmist would fall to accomplish their task. As emphasized by scholars, these traps are explained as life-threatening ones because the tongue of a serpent with poison under its lips is dangerous. Prayer such as "My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked" is evidence that some wicked people are after his life and endeavoring to injure him. And these are the personal enemy who knows much about him that they can choose to strike at him anytime. Blessed Jesus that He survived and overcome! Who else can deliver in such a situation but God? Are you experiencing such a range fr

The Power of Your Mind! 4 "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6 The mind governed by the natural thing is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law nor please God because the flesh controls it. On the other hand, the spiritual mind is the part of the mind focused on the spiritual thing, especially the mind concerned with intuition, inspiration, and revelation from God. The spiritual is concerned with the soul, the spiritual environment, and spiritual possessions from the realm of the Spirit. This is where our minds align with the things of God. That's why John 4:24 says, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:6 that "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" In other words, we cannot continue to embrace the things of the flesh and expect God to give us life. Because for an individual to have a genuinely fulfilling life, the mind must be governed by the s

Stop and Smell the Roses! 2 "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat, for God gives rest to his loved ones." Psalm 127:2 Life is beautiful and fleeting. And that's a good thing. Time goes by fast, so don't waste it on anything that doesn't make you happy. Instead, try to show yourself some love by appreciating what you have and spreading the same passion to someone you care about. Whether you love it or hate it, there's no denying that taking time off from the busy world is a big deal. I'm sure you've heard of the saying from Isaiah 30:15 when he says, "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling." There's something incredibly soothing about taking the time to smell a rose. It's a simple pleasure that can help you relax and de-stress. Plus, it's a great way to reconnect with nature and get some fresh air. So if you're

Season of Love: Stop and Smell the Roses! "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18 When I was growing up, I always heard the saying "stop and smelled the roses." But, I never really understood what it meant until I experienced it for myself. For me, it means to take a step back from the busy world and appreciate the little things. And to appreciate that little thing of yours, means you are showing some love for it. In our fast-paced society, it's easy to get caught up in the chaos and lose sight of the truly important things. We're so focused on our to-do lists and meeting deadlines that we forget to take a moment to enjoy life. The fast-paced society mind is a state of mind that is full of stress and anxiety. But when you fully appreciate this season of love, you will realize that It's a place where you can relax and let go of all your worries. When you're in this state, you're able to connec

The Power of Your Mind! 3 "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2 Have you discovered the power of your mind? Or have you found a way to maximize the use of your mind? Because the power of the mind cannot be overestimated. The mind defines you, makes you, and molds you. Therefore, your mind needs to be well-nourished with the right ingredients for you to enjoy its great power. As we discussed in the other part of the devotion, your mind is one of your most powerful tools. It can help you achieve your goals and dreams if you take care of it and feed it the right things. The mind is like a muscle; it needs to be exercised and nurtured to achieve great things. There are basically two types of minds: the Natural and Spiritual mind (Romans 8:6-7), and we will consider them in detail later in our devotional. Great power lies in an individual's mind and can be seen in the form of creativity, discernment, perception, critical thinking and reasoning, supernatural know