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The Heart of Service

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We live in a world where many pursue titles, applause, and recognition, Jesus models a radically different path: the path of humble service. One of the most powerful examples of this is when Jesus, the Son of God, stoops to wash the feet of His disciples, an act typically reserved for the lowest servant in a household. This wasn’t just a random gesture; it was a masterclass on leadership, love, and the profound power of serving others.

Let’s explore the benefits of having a heart of service, inspired by this remarkable act of humility.

1. Service Cultivates Humility

When Jesus knelt to wash His disciples’ feet, He shattered every cultural expectation. Here was the Master serving His followers. Humility is the soil where greatness grows. A heart of service trains us to think less of ourselves and more about the needs of others. It keeps pride in check and helps us reflect Christ’s character in a self-centered world.

2. Service Fosters Deep Relationships

In that quiet moment of washing feet, Jesus shared something deeply personal with His disciples. Service has a way of connecting hearts, it breaks down walls, builds trust, and deepens love. Whether you’re helping a stranger or supporting a loved one, acts of service say: “I see you. I value you. You matter.”

3. Service Leads to Inner Fulfillment

Ironically, when we focus on others, we often find what we’ve been missing ourselves. A heart of service brings a kind of joy and peace that material possessions or status cannot offer. It aligns us with our true purpose, to love God and love people.

4. Service Trains Us for Leadership

Jesus was not only teaching a lesson in humility; He was defining kingdom leadership. True leaders don’t just give orders; they roll up their sleeves and serve. If you want to grow in influence, start by growing in service. A heart that serves is a heart that leads by example. It says, “I’m not above you, I’m with you.”

5. Service Reflects the Heart of God

Ultimately, service is godly because it mirrors the nature of God Himself. Jesus came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). When we serve, we reflect the very image of Christ to the world.

Will You Take Up the Towel?

In John 13, Jesus takes off His outer garment, wraps a towel around His waist, and kneels to serve. This is the image we are called to live out daily, not just in church, but in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

The invitation today is simple but profound: Take up the towel.

Serve with joy. Love without pride. Give without expecting return.

Let’s live like Jesus, not just with our words, but with our hands and hearts.

You were MADE FOR MORE.
Iamhenrylong

Generosity, Honor, and Abundance

Generosity, Honor, and Abundance

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In a world where scarcity often breeds selfishness, the story of the Widow of Zarephath stands as a radiant reminder that generosity, even in lack can unlock divine abundance and lasting honor. This account, recorded in 1 Kings 17:8-16, is more than a miracle tale, it’s also a blueprint for how giving, especially in difficult seasons, positions us for supernatural provision and respect.

When Elijah arrived in Zarephath, he encountered a widow gathering sticks. She was preparing a final meal for herself and her son, expecting to die afterward due to the severity of famine in the land. She had only a handful of flour and a little oil left. This was not a woman with excess. She was scraping the bottom of her resources. Yet, God sent Elijah not to a wealthy household, but to this widow.

Why?

Because God wasn’t just trying to meet Elijah’s need. He was also positioning the widow for an overflow.

Elijah’s request was bold: “Make me a small cake first.” He wasn’t being selfish, he was speaking prophetically. He followed up with a promise: “For this is what the Lord says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” (1 Kings 17:14)

The widow gave, not out of abundance, but out of faith.

She gave what she couldn’t afford to lose. And the result?

“She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.” (1 Kings 17:15)

Her jar of flour and jug of oil never ran out.

Her act of generosity opened a portal of provision.

The widow could have chosen to hoard her last meal, but instead, she gave. In doing so, she became a central figure in prophetic history.

Thousands of years later, Jesus referenced her in Luke 4:25-26, pointing out that in a time of great need, God didn’t send Elijah to any other person but to her. Her story became a symbol of honor and divine selection. That’s the power of sacrificial generosity.

She didn’t just receive daily provision, she became a vessel of divine significance.

The Connection Between Giving and Abundance

Generosity is a seed. When sown in faith, it reaps a harvest of honor, provision, and abundance.

The world teaches us to accumulate, protect, and self-preserve. But Kingdom economics runs on a different engine, give, and it shall be given to you (Luke 6:38). It’s not just about money. It’s about living with an open hand, trusting that what leaves your hand never leaves your life when given in obedience to God.

Bringing It Home

You may feel like the widow at the end of your rope, managing the “little” that remains. But God may be positioning you for a miracle. Generosity doesn’t require wealth, just willingness.

  • That smile you offer someone discouraged.
  • That time to pray for someone in trouble.
  • That hug you give that grieving woman.
  • That time you give to support a struggling friend.
  • That financial help you provide when it’s inconvenient.
  • That sacrificial gift you sowed into someone else’s purpose.

Each act is a seed. And like the widow, your giving can change your story.

You don’t have to wait until you have more to be generous. You become more by choosing to give now.

The widow of Zarephath gave her last—and found her name etched in divine history.

May her story inspire us to give boldly, trust deeply, and expect God’s abundance to meet us in unexpected places.

You were MADE FOR MORE.

Iamhenrylong

Diligence is the Bridge to Relevance

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We live in a world where trends shift overnight and the noise of competition grows louder each day, many people are asking: How do I stay relevant? Whether in your career, relationships, spiritual walk, or personal development, the answer often lies in a simple yet powerful virtue – diligence. The Bible, in its timeless wisdom, draws our attention to one of the most industrious creatures on earth, the ant. Proverbs 6:6-8 (NLT) says:

“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
Learn from their ways and become wise!
Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work,
they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”

There’s something incredibly inspiring about the ant. It doesn’t need supervision. It doesn’t wait for applause. It doesn’t put off today’s work for tomorrow. It simply gets to work – consistently, quietly, and wisely. And because of its diligence, the ant has what it needs before the need arises.

Now ask yourself: if something as small as an ant can prepare for the future through steady, diligent work, what excuse do we have?

Diligence Sustains, Relevance Rewards

Relevance doesn’t come from being flashy or lucky, it comes from being faithful. Diligence is what keeps your skills sharp when nobody is watching. It’s what makes your voice valuable in a meeting, your product worth buying, your words worth listening to, and your presence worth remembering.

In business, the diligent person becomes a trusted expert. In ministry, they become a consistent light. In relationships, they become dependable and respected. And in life, they are the ones whose names keep showing up, not because they sought the spotlight, but because they showed up even when there was none.

3 Simple Truths About Diligence and Relevance

  1. Diligence builds capacity before opportunity shows up.
    Many people want platforms without preparation. The ant teaches us to prepare in summer, not wait until winter hits. Start working on your craft, your mindset, your habits now.
  2. Diligence creates trust and dependability.
    The consistent worker becomes the go-to person. People trust the diligent, not just for what they do, but for who they are.
  3. Diligence makes you relevant even in hard times.
    Just like the ant has food in winter, the diligent person has value when others are scrambling. Diligence stores up wisdom, skill, and influence that speaks loudly in moments of scarcity.

You don’t need to be loud to be relevant. You need to be faithful. You don’t need a crowd to validate your efforts, you need consistency. When you choose diligence, you’re not just working for today’s applause; you’re laying a foundation for tomorrow’s impact.

So, don’t despise the slow days. Don’t wait for motivation. Don’t get weary in well-doing. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep building.

Just like the ant, your summer of diligence will prepare you for the winter of relevance.

Stay diligent. Stay relevant.

You were MADE FOR MORE

Iamhenrylong

Multiply What’s in Your Hands – Lessons from the 5 Loaves and 2 Fish

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We often find ourselves looking at what we don’t have: the big capital, the influential connections, the perfect opportunity. In today’s fast-paced world of business and career development, it’s easy to feel small, insignificant, and under-equipped. Let’s revisit one of the most powerful illustrations of resource multiplication ever recorded: the story of Jesus feeding over 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish.

It’s a story not just of divine power but of divine principle. It carries rich lessons for entrepreneurs, career professionals, and anyone feeling limited by what’s currently in their hands.

1. Recognize What You Have – No Matter How Small

When Jesus asked what food was available, the disciples initially dismissed the idea: “There’s nothing here.” But then, a boy was found with a simple lunch, just five loaves and two fish. Too often, we dismiss our “little” gifts. You may have only a few clients, limited experience, or a small budget. But God never starts with abundance; He starts with availability.

Your 5 loaves and 2 fish could be:

  • A skill you’ve underappreciated.
  • A small network that believes in you.
  • A single product that solves a real problem.
  • A talent that just needs a little refining.

Don’t despise your small beginnings. Recognize and honor what’s in your hand.

2. Offer It Up – Commit It to a Higher Purpose

Before the miracle happened, Jesus blessed the loaves and fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. Here’s the key: When you offer what you have to a higher purpose, when you dedicate your business, your skills, and your goals to something bigger than yourself, you invite the divine into your process.

Don’t just use your talents for survival.

Use them for service.

Offer your work as worship.

When you put what’s in your hand into God’s hands, it multiplies.

3. Take Action – Start Distributing

Jesus didn’t multiply the food and then call the people. He had them sit down in expectation. Then He broke the bread and began to distribute it. Multiplication didn’t happen all at once; it happened as they acted.

In business and career growth, your resources multiply as you use them. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Start distributing your value:

  • Start with the one client.
  • Publish that first blog post.
  • Offer your service, even if your platform is small.
  • Apply for that job, even if you feel underqualified.

Action reveals capacity. As you use what you have, more will be given.

4. Gather the Leftovers – There’s More Than Enough

After feeding the crowd, the disciples gathered twelve baskets full of leftovers. What started as barely enough for a child became more than enough for thousands – with plenty to spare. This is a kingdom principle: Multiplication always leaves abundance. If you commit your little to the process of growth, you won’t just survive, you’ll thrive. You’ll move from managing lack to managing overflow.

What’s in Your Hands?

Stop waiting for the “big break” and start valuing your “small bread.” That idea, that contact, that skill, that opportunity, it may seem insignificant now, but it’s a seed. And seeds don’t look like the harvest.

Nurture it. Use it. Offer it. Watch it multiply.

Don’t neglect your five loaves and two fish. Focus on them, invest in them, and give them purpose. Soon enough, you’ll be feeding nations with baskets of abundance left over.

You were MADE FOR MORE.

Iamhenrylong

From Little to Limitless: Turning Limited Resources into Major Success

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In a world where success often seems reserved for the wealthy, the privileged, or the overly connected, it’s easy to look at what we have — or don’t have — and feel like we’re already disqualified from greatness. But what if I told you that your little is not a limitation, but an invitation for a miracle?

The story of the widow and her small jar of oil in 2 Kings 4 is one of the most powerful reminders that success isn’t about what’s in your hands, it’s about how you use it, who you trust, and how far you’re willing to pour. This woman wasn’t just poor, she was in crisis.

  • Her husband, a prophet, had died.
  • Her creditors were threatening to take her two sons as slaves to pay off debt.
  • She was out of options and on the edge.

Maybe you’re not in her exact shoes, but many of us know what it feels like to be stretched thin, emotionally, financially, spiritually. You may be trying to make ends meet, a recent graduate with no job, or a dreamer stuck in a job that barely pays the bills, and like the widow, you might be thinking – “I have nothing left… except this small jar of oil.”

When the prophet Elisha asked her what she had in her house, her first instinct was to say she had nothing…..

……………..except a little oil.

That “except” didn’t seem like much. It was ordinary. Small. Insignificant.

But it was enough.

Elisha gave her a simple but faith-filled instruction – “Go and borrow empty vessels — not a few. Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and start pouring.”

That tiny bit of oil kept flowing until every single borrowed vessel was full.

The only limit? The number of jars she brought.

Lessons from the Miracle

  1. Start with what you have. You may not have everything, but you have something. A skill. A dream. A contact. A passion. A jar of oil. That’s your seed. Don’t despise it.
  2. Obey even when it doesn’t make sense. Pouring oil when you only have a little seems foolish, until God blesses the faith behind it.
  3. Borrow vessels, not excuses. She didn’t stay stuck in her house with her small jar. She went out, asked for help, and made room for increase.
  4. The miracle happens as you pour. The oil didn’t multiply before she started, it multiplied as she acted in faith.

Maybe you feel like the widow, at the end of your rope, counting coins, running out of strength. But let her story remind you:

  • Your current situation is not your final chapter.
  • God can take your little and do a lot with it.
  • Your miracle may be waiting for you to start pouring.
    • That small business idea? Pour.
    • That ability to teach, write, create, encourage? Pour.
    • That mentorship you can offer? Pour.
    • That community need you’ve seen? Start filling it.

From little oil to a house full of jars — That’s the power of faith, obedience, and resourcefulness.

So go ahead…
Pour.

Believe.

And expect increase.

You were MADE FOR MORE

Iamhenrylong

Is Living Worth It?

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“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV) These were the words of Elijah. Have you ever felt like Elijah? Tired. Overwhelmed. Done….done….done. Maybe you’re not a prophet running from a death threat like Elijah was, but life has cornered you all the same. You might be worn down by bills that keep piling up, a diagnosis you didn’t see coming, the pain of a broken relationship, or just the heavy emptiness that won’t let you breathe. And in those quiet moments, you ask the hardest question:

“Is living even worth it?”

Elijah, the great prophet who called down fire from heaven asked that question too. After a stunning victory against 450 prophets of Baal, he found himself running for his life, afraid, discouraged, and utterly alone. He collapsed under a broom tree and wished for death. A man who had seen miracles with his own eyes thought his life wasn’t worth continuing.

But God didn’t condemn Elijah for his despair. He didn’t give him a sermon. Instead, He sent an angel to provide food, water, and rest. God cared for Elijah’s body before speaking to his soul. And when Elijah was stronger, God gently reminded him that he was not alone and that there were still 7,000 others who hadn’t bowed to Baal.

Even more, God recharged Elijah’s sense of purpose. He gave him new instructions, new people to mentor, and reminded him that his story wasn’t over. Elijah went on to anoint kings, train Elisha, and shape the destiny of nations.

So what changed?

Elijah’s circumstances didn’t immediately shift, his perspective did.

Your Life is Bigger Than This Moment

Friend, maybe you’re in a moment like Elijah’s right now. Life feels unbearable. You’re tired of pretending. You don’t see a way forward. But hear this, your feelings are real, but they are not the end of your story.

Elijah thought his best days were behind him, but his most impactful work was still ahead. He believed he was alone, but he wasn’t. He thought death was better, but God showed him that life still had meaning. And the same is true for you.

Whether you’re a parent trying to put things together, a student crushed under pressure, a grieving soul trying to smile through pain, or someone simply tired of the quiet battles no one sees, here is the truth — you are not forgotten. Just like Elijah, you might not need a lecture right now. Maybe you just need a moment to breathe, to eat, to sleep, to cry. And then to hear God’s gentle whisper – “You still have a future. I’m not done with you.”

There are people you haven’t met yet who will be impacted by your story. Lives that will be touched by your courage. Victories waiting just beyond today’s pain. You don’t have to know how the next chapter unfolds, you just need to turn the page.

Don’t give up. Not now. Not like this. You may feel like it’s the end, but with God, it’s often just the beginning.

If Elijah could make it — so can you.
Life is still worth living.
Your story still matters.
And your best days are not behind you — they’re ahead.

You were MADE FOR MORE.

Iamhenrylong