Death as a Lifting Process

How can the death of a person lead to their lifting?

Time and again, as believers, we encounter the paradoxical and seemingly ironic nature of the Christian faith. To the one who has, more will be given; and from the one who has little, even what they have will be taken and given to the one who has more.

God often hides the truths of His Kingdom within such paradoxes.

As I studied the book of John, chapter twelve—the days leading to the death and crucifixion of our Saviour—I came across this:

John 12:23 (GNB)

“Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has now come for the Son of Man to receive great glory.’”

John 12:24 (GNB)

“I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains.”

Here, Jesus boldly declared that the hour had come for Him to receive great glory. If I did not know the story of His death and resurrection that followed, I might have assumed—through human reasoning—that this “glory” meant immediate victory: perhaps the punishment of the Jews and Pharisees for their disbelief, or even His crowning as king before them, wearing an “I told you so” expression as the true Son of God.

But Jesus, as the perfect example of who God has called us to be, took a different path. He walked the road to Golgotha, endured humiliation, suffering, and death. Yet, through that obedience and His profound love, He received the glory that the Father had prepared for Him.

I desire to live a beautiful life. After all, Christ has taken away my shame, reproach, and guilt. We are free because He completed the finished work. However, even within that finished work, our journey will still lead us through moments of persecution. There are times when we may wonder, “Have I sinned?”or “Is the enemy attacking me again?”

Yet, in every moment, God is declaring that the glory of the Father will be revealed. Through these experiences, He desires to use our stories to reveal His nature to the world.

This season is not only about what Jesus did; it is also about what His sacrifice is accomplishing in our lives. While the Jews may have longed for a powerful Saviour who would destroy their enemies, Jesus came to restore the broken relationship between God and mankind.

Accepting Jesus is not a guarantee of a trouble-free life; rather, it is the assurance that “I am your Shepherd, and you shall not want.”

Our resurrection story is found in our death. Just as we now enjoy the goodness of God because Jesus accepted death, we too may walk through “death-like” situations. Yet, Jesus is our example—these moments will ultimately lead to our glorification.

If Jesus rose, then we acknowledge His resurrection—and we call our own lives into that same resurrected power.

Stay revived!

Law of the Spirit brings Freedom

Romans 8:2-3

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh on account of sin; He condemned sin in the flesh.

For our sake, Jesus came to earth in the likeness of sinful flesh and condemned sin in the flesh. Jesus did not just condemn sin—He also brought us salvation and taught us how to live.

Taking the form of man, Jesus lived triumphantly over the flesh. The day of His death was profound; on this day there was a manifestation of the words He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” People thought He was speaking of a physical temple, so they responded, “Do you know how long it took us to build this temple, and you say you will destroy it?” But they did not understand that Jesus did not come to build a physical temple. Rather, He came to make us the temple where His Spirit dwells.

Therefore, we now live as living temple unto Him. As it is written, the law of the Spirit of life which He brings has set us free from the law of sin and death. When you reflect on this, you realize that what is being described is both the path and the outcome: if you choose sin, the outcome is death; but the law of the Spirit of life brings freedom. This means His presence is freedom.

So in this season, when you come to Christ, you must come laying hold of the freedom He brings—by faith—and war it out in the place of prayer. Remember, there would be no need for God to call us conquerors if there were no battles to fight.

So arise, you who are free, and take your place.

Stay Revived!

Resurrection + Elevation + New Beginnings

After having a discussion with a church friend, I got home and reached out to her again about having a night of prayer, emphasizing the victories in the Blood. One of the scriptures on resurrection that stood out was Philippians 3:10–11.

As we have stepped into the Holy Week, it is not just a new month, but a strategic move in the Spirit—ushering us into a season of resurrection. God is speaking in a coded way to those who understand: “I want my people to come out alive.”

In April, God does not want His people to walk as dead men. Even if we must die, it should be Christ living through us. And so, here is God’s word for us today:

Philippians 3:10 (GNB)

“All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of His resurrection, to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death.”

What is it you desire to know in April?

God is saying today, if you truly know Me, that is complete knowledge for everything.

This resurrection season is our time of elevation and new beginnings.

Let us make the prayer of Apostle Paul our desire:

“All I want is to know You and to encounter the same power that brought You out of the grave.”

Stay revived in April!

Examine Yourselves

 

It was just a few months ago that we celebrated the remembrance of the birth of Jesus, and here we are again in the Holy Week. I want you to know that it is no mistake that God has kept you to see this season, this year, and this week.

This is a time when we are meant to examine ourselves and see if truly we are in the faith. When you read about the betrayal, the embarrassment, and the crucifixion, you begin to realize that this is not something any man can do for you. But God came in the form of a man—Jesus—to do this for you and me, for our salvation, freedom, and deliverance.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

However, you will not be able to fully enjoy these benefits if you do not truly understand them. To do this, you must first believe in His death and resurrection. Jesus is no longer in the grave—He has risen! And because He has risen, you must arise.

You must arise from the dunghill where the enemy has kept you. You must arise from the bonds with which he has bound you and claim your victory in the name of Jesus. It is time for you to arise from the miry waters, for He has come to set the prisoner free from the pit where there is no water, and to place you upon the rock.

Beloved, in this period, I want you to examine yourself. Look into your heart and see if you truly belong to the Lord. Come into right standing with Him and truly know and understand the power of the resurrection. 

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10)

He has risen from the grave—so now, you must arise.

Stay revived!