Trusting the Process.

As I reflect on the events of the past few days, I find myself contemplating God’s thoughts toward humanity. His Word reminds us, "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9). It is humbling to consider that God's plans for us exceed anything we could ever imagine.

Just last week, I meticulously planned my schedule, leaving no room for extracurricular. However, when I arrived at work, I was unexpectedly informed that I would be attending a forum. Initially caught off guard, I went ahead and participated, trusting that there was a purpose behind this sudden change of plans.

This experience made me reflect on how often we, as individuals, feel disappointed when life doesn’t go according to our plans. Many times, we rely on our education, organization, and careful planning, believing that these factors should ensure everything unfolds exactly as we expect. However, what we often fail to realize is that when the Lord begins to work in our hearts, He often moves beyond our routines and expectations to fulfill His divine agenda.

There's a saying that "the Lord works in mysterious ways." But what this really means is that God works in ways we do not anticipate. His timing is not our timing, and His methods are not our methods.

God doesn’t operate according to the schedules and plans we set for ourselves. Instead, He calls us to a place of total surrender, where we trust the process, follow His guidance, and rest assured that He will not lead us astray.

As Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV) tells us:
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

When we trust in the Lord, we are anchored—like that tree by the water. Even in uncertain times, we can remain confident that He will sustain us.

As we strive to keep our focus on the Lord, let us learn to trust Him in the journey called life. Believe that when we follow His direction, He will take us exactly where we need to be—into the fullness of the plans He has prepared for us.

Stay revived!

Whatever He Says To You, Do It.

I found myself singing Lauren Daigle's song "Look Up Child" this evening. Despite struggling to recall some of the lyrics, when I reached the solo, "Where are you now when all I feel is down?" and sang the chorus, "Ah, ah, I hear you say, look up child," it became deeply personal and emotional as if God was speaking directly to me.

When I sang those lyrics boldly, they resonated with my current situation. I've been asking the Lord, "Where are you now?" and seeking a word from Him to confirm that He hears me. It's as if I'm checking to see if our "connection" is still intact.

This experience felt connected to the words I had read earlier that morning while studying the book of John: "Whatever He says to you, do it?" (John 2:2-5). 

2 AMP:Jesus also was invited with His disciples to the wedding.

3 AMP:And when the wine was all gone, the mother of Jesus said to Him, They have no more wine!

4 AMP:Jesus said to her, [Dear] woman, what is that to you and Me? [What do we have in common? Leave it to Me.] My time (hour to act) has not yet come.

5 AMP:His mother said to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it.

Jesus was at a wedding, and when the wine ran out, His mother, Mary, told the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."

Mary spoke with confidence in Jesus' ability and assignment. Although she may not have seen a physical manifestation of His power yet, she trusted that Jesus could meet their needs exactly where they were. Her instruction to the servants was a declaration of faith, saying, "I don't know what needs refilling, but Jesus can satisfy you."

If I were one of the servants, I might have questioned or tasted the water before serving it. However, there are moments when we don't need to see the bigger picture or understand how everything fits together. We simply need to obey and do the last thing He asked us to do.

What about when we wonder how something can be possible? As long as we offer Jesus what we have; it could be just our life or maybe the moments – even if it seems insignificant – He can transform it into something extraordinary. As you go about your day today, Look up to Jesus and present Him with the "water" you have in your hands. There is a wine to go around. 

Stay Revived!

Jesus, My Light and Salvation

I learned from an early stage in life to always seek God's face before choosing a romantic partner. At first, this habit formed as a result of my phobia of relationships; I didn't want to dive into a wrong relationship. Then, it became about not wanting to take the blame when things went wrong. Eventually, I simply didn't want to make mistakes at all.

Even after seeking God's counsel for most of these choices, there were moments I stubbornly jumped into situations that felt appealing but ultimately proved harmful. As I grew older, I approached decision-making with more caution. When I became conscious of God's desire to guide my choices, I was relieved.

For someone with a phobia of making choices, this realization was a saving grace. It has led me to cast all my cares, choices, and worries on God, trusting that He knows the right path for me.

While meditating on David's conversation in Psalm 27:1, which says: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (KJV), I gained insight. David, despite his doubts and fears, saw God in every detail of his life. Because he had God, and his confidence was deeply rooted in God's ability, he could navigate a world consumed by darkness.

There are moments when our only desire is a bit of strength to get through the next day or challenge. I often find myself at this crossroads, and I know I'm not alone. Like David, we can choose God as our strength.

David's words remind us that there is a light that will never fail. This light wants to be responsible for us and every aspect of our lives. 

Today, we declare: that Jesus is our light and salvation, and we fear nothing. He wants to be the light that makes your face shine bright. 

Stay Revived!

Jesus, My Light

The light was created to dispel darkness, but what happens when we switch it on in bright places? This question made me ponder: can light ever be enough? While praying this morning, these scriptures stood out in my mind: 1 John 5:19, which says:

"And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." (KJV)" and  

John 1:5, which says:

"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (KJV)

The reality is that light can never be enough.

I've never comfortable walking or staying in a dark place alone. Whenever I had to be in a dark environment, I'd insist on holding onto a light source. To me, light carves out a safe space and provides a sense of security. In those moments, I gain a deeper understanding of Jesus' words about light.

When we choose the safety of Jesus' light, we realize that we're laying our worries at His feet. To survive in a world filled with uncertainty, we need a reliable guide. Have you ever felt overwhelmed, waking up each day unsure of what to make of certain situations? But God has spoken His word to us, assuring us that He is the light that darkness cannot comprehend.

Christ wants to be our light in every situation and circumstance. He desires to show up for us, to guide us through life's challenges. It takes a great light to defeat the darkness that seeks to overwhelm us. Christ is our light, and getting to know Him in this way is a journey I've recently embarked on.

As we invite Jesus to shine His light in our lives, He unfolds Himself to us. If light represents safety to you, He brings comfort. If light symbolizes understanding, He shows you the way. When faced with decisions or uncertainty, Jesus takes the lead, shining His light to guide us.

I've started this journey of knowing Christ as my light, and I believe He wants to do the same for you. He's eager to show up, to brighten our world, and bring us joy. So, friend, ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you today as your light. There's more to discover about the light of God. 

Stay Revived!

By Guest Writer.