The Miracle Is In His Presence.

 

"If I stick around the place of worship for long maybe someday my miracle might come", while reading the story of the crippled man who had sat by the pool for 38 years, the above lines dropped in my heart.

The Bible doesn't explicitly state whether the crippled man exercised faith, but his perseverance is undeniable. He consistently returned to the pool, believing that if he could just get in at the right time, he would be healed. His response to Jesus didn't indicate a strong show of faith, but rather a deep-seated conviction that getting into the pool was his only hope. He persisted for 38 years, never giving up.

Jesus asked him in the book of John

John 5:6 -7 (AMP)

When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?]

7 The invalid answered, Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me.

What strikes me about this story is the man's determination to stay by the pool, even when it seems like a futile effort. He didn't let his failures discourage him; instead, he adopted an "I'll try again next time" attitude. 

Just like this man, God wants us to build strength and capacity not to give in or give up. To stay in the place of his presence. The miracle might not have occurred, but staying in God's presence gives us a reassuring hope and strength that our miracle will occur. 

While expecting God to work my miracle, there are moments I just give up hope and just wonder if God could still work for my good, but you know cultivating a posture of his presence nudges me and reminds me of God's love and mercy. 

The testimony is not just his wholeness, but that he encountered Jesus while he waited, so just like this man even as we wait on the Lord for our miracle, may we encounter Jesus. 

As long as we keep staying in the presence of God our miracle is right there. 

Stay Revived!

By Guest Writer.

GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

Recently, the blog host made a profound revelation about what it means for the Lord to work in mysterious ways. When I was younger, the song "God Works in Mysterious Ways" was a common anthem during our devotion periods at school, home, and church. I never really took the time to think deeply about the meaning of this phrase, but God worked in my mind through this song.

The mystery of God is that He often does things we don't expect, anticipate, or think of. He simply does His work, and there are moments when we're amazed and moments when we're lost in deep thought. Working in God's plan and understanding His works each season is wonderful. However, there are moments when we seek His face, ask Him questions, and consecrate ourselves, but He still doesn't give us a clear answer.

How do you feel in those moments? For me, those are the most difficult moments, and I often wonder if I'm not doing my part with God correctly. Do you experience similar anxiety and thoughts?

This reminds me of the story of David after Bathsheba gave birth to their child. David sought God's face, asking for the child's healing, but God didn't respond. God didn't need to reply to confirm His forgiveness or love for David. Although God had already given His verdict concerning the child, His mercy, love, and presence remained with David, even if David didn't feel it at that moment.

After waiting on God for 21 days, I wondered why He didn't give me a specific word. Did I fast correctly? Did I seek His face enough? Was it just a futile exercise? The next day, after my 21-day fast, God instructed me to go on a 3-day fast. My initial thought was to dismiss the idea, but God works in mysterious ways. I began to watch my life take shape during these days. 

The bigger picture, which we often desire to see, is something that only God can see. God wants to unveil us to the world and to ourselves. We might hear what He's doing in most moments, and we might not in other moments, but the promise remains: "And nothing shall by any means harm you" (Luke 10:19). 

God works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Stay revived!

By Guest Writer.

The Dangers of Rushing: Trusting God's Timing Over Our Own

 

Recently, I was having a conversation with my sister, and she asked me about why people often rush to achieve everything all at once, not fully trusting in the timing of life. She mentioned a guy who, feeling desperate for cash, couldn't wait any longer for the right opportunity. He decided to seek out someone who he believed could give him the wealth he desired, he got the wealth but died in a very short time. This situation got me thinking about how, at times, we are tempted to take shortcuts, believing that quick solutions will bring us happiness.

It's fascinating how, when we seek things outside of God's will, we fail to realize that anything the enemy offers is only a counterfeit of the original blessings God has in store for us. What the enemy gives is temporary, meant to satisfy only for a moment, while God's provision is eternal and abundant.

During this conversation, I was reminded of a classmate from some years ago. She was the first in our group to complete her degree, land a job at a radio station, get married, and have a child—all before the age of 27. Tragically, after a few months, she passed away. As I reflect on her life, I can't help but feel that she lived in a hurry, packing so many significant milestones into such a brief period. It was as though her life was compressed into a short line, rushing from one achievement to the next, without the opportunity for much rest or reflection.

This brings me to a broader point: There are times when we compare ourselves to others, thinking we need to reach certain milestones by a specific age or stage in life. But as the Bible clearly states, such comparisons are unwise.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV) reminds us:
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

We are often tempted to look at others’ achievements and feel that we must measure up or follow a similar timeline. But when we measure our lives by someone else’s, we miss out on the unique journey that God has planned for us As the Regulator his timing is perfect, he directs our life to the place and how he wants when we surrender and His plans for us are filled with purpose, even if they don't always align with the timeline we envision.

Rather than rushing through life, let us learn to trust in God's timing and recognize that the things He has in store for us are far better than any quick fix the world can offer, you might not be there yet or get everything you want yet but He sees, he hears and is walking in the shadows to set things right in his time.

Stay revived!

The Ultimate Regulator

As the school regulator, I used to feel a sense of satisfaction whenever I rang the bell and watched as teachers changed classes and students prepared to welcome the next instructor. It gave me a sense of control, as I believed I was managing the flow of activities between teachers and students.

 At times, when a teacher who wasn’t particularly liked by my classmates walked into the classroom, I’d hear whispers like, “Isn’t it time yet? Please ring the bell and let this man go.” It’s funny to think back on, but it also makes me reflect on life in a deeper way.

Our entire existence is regulated by God. He is our life’s ultimate Regulator. A regulator is someone who controls, manages, or oversees a process, system, or event. As the Regulator, God sets the direction, timing, and purpose for everything that happens. He directs the course of events, guiding us in ways we may not always understand, but ultimately leading us toward His greater plan.

The important thing to recognize about God as our Regulator is that He requires our surrender for things to move steadily but not always smoothly. As the Regulator, He might decide to withhold certain things from us, even things we may desperately need at the time. But because it is not the right moment according to His plan, no matter how hard we try, we cannot force it to happen. It’s not that God doesn’t care—it’s just that based on his calendar its not yet time. He knows the right time for everything. What we are asking for may not align with His perfect timing.

When we try to align ourselves with God's plans, seeking to understand His timing, He gives us the ability to discern through the Holy Spirit what He is preparing for us. This allows us to sense the right moments for specific parts of His agenda in our lives.

Its the first Saturday of February and I'm sure we are hopeful about what the Lord has in store for us but never forget that the regulator sets things right in times and seasons.

Stay revived!