Unfolding into Your Fullness in Christ

Last Christmas, I stumbled upon an old laptop from my university days. As I browsed through the music playlist, I noticed something interesting: most of the songs that I once enjoyed now seemed too loud, even overwhelming. I found myself struggling to listen to them, almost getting a headache from the noise. It made me laugh to think about how much my preferences had changed over time. How did I ever manage to listen to such music?

It’s fascinating how our likes and dislikes evolve over the years. We may find ourselves drawn to something one season, only to completely outgrow it in the next. Growing up is a process of self-discovery—a journey of fitting together the pieces of who we are. We begin to better understand what suits us, what we enjoy, and what no longer resonates with our hearts. It’s like piecing together a puzzle until we come to a fuller understanding of ourselves and our purpose.

But when we ask, Who are we? the answer cannot be separated from God’s plan. So, who do we define ourselves as? What shapes our self-image?

It’s interesting how many people tie their identities to material things—things that are temporary and can fade away. But the truth is, we are not defined by what we own, how we look, or even by the number of followers we have. We are spirits, created by God and placed in flesh, which is transient. Our true identity and purpose are found in Him. As Ephesians 1:4 reminds us:

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world..." (NIV)

Our true identity is revealed when we come to Jesus.

How Do You See Yourself?

The lens through which you view yourself can significantly impact your life. Do you define yourself by your accomplishments, your past experiences, or your appearance? A few days ago, I had a conversation with my sister about what she calls the "Creation Room"—the place where God has already invested everything we need to live triumphantly. This investment, however, is not external. It’s like a letter placed deep within us.

When we stir ourselves spiritually, we begin to uncover parts of ourselves that we never knew existed. As we allow the Lord to work in our hearts, He begins to remove what is unnecessary and refine us into the people He designed us to be. The more we stir and engage with God, the more He unfolds our purpose, like a letter slowly revealing its contents.

In time, we become the person God has always intended us to be. We begin living in the fullness of His plan for us, just as Psalm 40:7 says:

"Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me." (KJV)

This verse speaks to the idea that our lives are written in God's book—His divine plan for us—before the world even began. As we align ourselves with God’s Word, He works on our hearts, leading us to the fullness of who we were always meant to be.

Unfolding Into Your Fullness in Christ

Do you desire to unfold into your fullness in Christ? If you seek to know your true self, come to Jesus. In Him alone will you discover the depths of your identity and the purpose for which you were created.

As you grow and evolve, remember that you are not defined by the fleeting things of this world. You are created by God, and your true identity is found in Him. Allow Him to work in you, and watch as He unfolds the incredible purpose He has placed within you.

Stay revived.

Things You Should Never Think about

Are There Things You Should Never Think About?

Are there things in your life that you find difficult to move on from? Perhaps a past event that lingers in your mind, or decisions you've made that seem to keep you trapped in a cycle? These memories can become deeply ingrained in your thoughts, making it hard to move forward.

So, what are the things you should never think about?

Oftentimes, we find ourselves dwelling on situations we’ve been through. However, thinking about these events doesn’t change them—it only holds us back, leading to feelings of depression and preventing us from stepping into the future God has prepared for us.

Focusing on negative situations, on things that have kept us stuck, or on depressing thoughts only prevents us from embracing the fullness of what God wants to do in our lives. It's essential to shift our mindset away from these burdens.

The Story of Jabez: A Lesson in Moving Forward

In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we encounter the story of Jabez, a man who, despite his painful beginnings, found strength in calling on God. The passage reads:

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV): 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”

10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Jabez was born into sorrow, and his name—a constant reminder of his mother's pain—could have been a source of ongoing emotional burden. Yet, despite this, Jabez chose not to dwell on his past. Instead, he cried out to God for a change. His name, though marked by pain, did not define his future. Jabez's story reminds us that even when circumstances seem to hold us back, we can cry out to God for transformation, and He will answer.

Choosing to Let Go of the Past

Yes, you may have made wrong decisions or taken steps that you regret. But God doesn’t want you to stay trapped in those thoughts. The apostle Paul encourages us in...

 

Philippians 4:8 (NIV):

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

It’s time to stop dwelling on past mistakes and regrets. It’s time to forgive yourself and focus on the future that God has for you. Your current situation doesn’t define where God is taking you. The best is yet to come, and as you fix your thoughts on God’s promises, you will begin to see His light guiding you forward.

Don’t let the weight of past experiences hold you down. Like Jabez, take your pain to God, and trust that He can turn it into something greater. Embrace the truth that you have a bright future ahead.

Stay revived.

Delight Yourself in the Lord: A Reminder of His Intentionality

Last Sunday, my pastor shared a story that really resonated with me. He talked about seeing a camera that he desired to own. However, because it was quite expensive, he decided to let it go. Over time, he completely forgot about it. Then, the week before, his cousin returned from Germany and said, "I got something for you." When his cousin brought it out, it was the exact camera my pastor had admired and forgotten about.

This story beautifully illustrates the truth of Psalm 37:4:
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4, NIV)

This was a clear reminder of God’s intentionality in giving us the desires of our hearts—even when we don’t specifically pray for them. As we dedicate ourselves to God and serve Him, He rewards us. We come to God with a desire to know Him more and grow in our relationship with Him. And when we pray, He doesn’t just answer our requests; He blesses us in ways we may not expect. These blessings can even include things we’ve desired but haven’t asked for, perhaps because we feel that our prayers need to be more serious or specific.

The truth is, God is concerned about every detail of our lives—even the small things, like the amount of water we drink each day. When we allow Him to shape and mold us according to His will, He works in ways we can’t always see, but always for our good. This process of transformation happens when we delight ourselves in the Lord.

What does it mean to delight in the Lord? It means we take pleasure in His presence, we desire to know Him more through His Word, and we align our desires with His will. We trust Him to lead us, knowing He won’t leave us stranded. We live a life of total surrender, cultivating an attitude of gratitude for His constant faithfulness.

God is intentional about us. He provides everything we need, at just the right time—even when we don’t specifically pray for it. One of the ways I pass time is by window shopping for electronics. I often find myself admiring various items. Last week, I was looking at a particular electronic I liked and thought to myself, "It would be nice if I had that." I didn’t make a serious request or prayer about it, but I simply said it in passing. Because it was expensive, I convinced myself that I didn’t need it.

Then, just yesterday, I was asked to pick a paper from a raffle draw. As I reached in and pulled out a slip, it turned out to be the exact item I had desired only a few days before. I was overjoyed! It was a clear reminder that God is intentional about fulfilling the desires of our hearts.

Isaiah 59:1 says, "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear." (Isaiah 59:1, NIV)

God hears us, even when we don’t articulate our desires in prayer. And when we delight ourselves in Him, we experience His goodness and faithfulness in ways we may not expect but always appreciate.

A Judge for God's People

 

The book of Judges is a collection of adventures and activities of men and women who did one thing: refocused the children of Israel back to God. It was not about their legitimacy status, wisdom, strength, sight, grace, or courage, but about God's ability. They stood as a constant reminder to the children of Israel that it is God who has always kept them.

Whenever the judges were alive, they served God, but whenever they weren't, the Israelites went back to worshiping other gods and neglected the God who had kept them.

Judges 2:16 (AMP) states, "But the Lord raised up judges, who delivered them out of the hands of those who robbed them." Was this God's original intention - to have people who only come to Him for rescue? No! People who only contemplate God as an option in times of battle and war? No! But it was the option the Israelites constantly chose each day.

The judges symbolized and represented God's strength and ability, displayed in simple people to achieve greatness.

While growing up, and even until recently, I struggled with the fear of the unknown. When I kept praying to God about it, I began reading the book of Judges. I desired the courage that each of these individuals had. When their past or the hours before their victory are examined, we notice that it was not their courage or victory that the Bible depicted, but entirely their dependence on God's ability to give them victory.

You too can live a victorious life. God took every kind of man and woman and made them into judges for His people, and He still does so for His people.

I desire the courage and fearlessness the judges had. What about you? What do you think about when you hear the story of the judges? There are still many battles and victories to be won, and God's people are still in need of judges to point them to Jesus.

Would you take up that mantle and say yes to the call? God still chooses His judges from willing vessels.

Stay Revived!