Full Reflection

As we enter the Lenten season, we are invited to pause and reflect on the profound significance of why Jesus came, why He died, and why He rose again. This sacred time encourages us to meditate on the journey of Christ and its transformative impact on our lives.

Jesus, the only begotten Son of Jehovah, left His divine nature to take on human form. By becoming fully human, He experienced everything we face in our own lives—pain, temptation, and suffering—demonstrating that we too can live as triumphant beings. His incarnation wasn’t just about identifying with us but also about showing us the way to victory through faith.

In this season of reflection, let us contemplate Jesus walking through His deepest pains, the bitterness, the sorrow, and the tears. He bore our burdens on the cross, so that we might be set free from the weight of sin and death. This is a time for us to acknowledge that He did not come for His own benefit but for ours. The Scriptures reveal that Jesus even asked God to let the cup pass from Him, yet He chose to endure it for our sake.

Imagine the depth of God’s love, as He watched His Son make this agonizing plea, but chose not to intervene. In that moment, the enemy believed he had triumphed. The devil thought that by taking Jesus away from the world, the spread of the Gospel would cease. But if only he knew, this moment marked the beginning of the dispensation of grace—the unmerited favor that continues to sustain us today.

The death and resurrection of Jesus are central to our Christian faith. They symbolize our victory over death, sickness, pain, and failure. Jesus took all of these upon Himself and nailed them to the cross, ensuring that we could experience freedom and restoration. This season also calls us to stand firm in our faith, rejecting the schemes of the enemy and declaring that his plans will not take root in our lives or in the lives of our loved ones.

Jesus, the second Adam, triumphed over death and secured our victory. If only the enemy had known that the plan wasn’t merely about Jesus’ death but about something far greater—the resurrection that would bring new life to us all. Through Christ’s triumph, God not only received His Son back but also claimed us as His own.

As we reflect on these profound truths, let us take time to examine our own faith. Are we standing firm in Christ’s victory? Are we truly part of God’s army, called to advance His Kingdom and live out the power of His resurrection?

This is a season to reflect, to renew our commitment, and to stay revived in the knowledge that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.

Stay revived in His grace and continue walking in victory. 

Navigating Relationships with the Holy Spirit’s Guidance

 

Friends, it’s a beautiful day, and I’d like to share my personal hack with you. Honestly, I’m not a “people person.” I’ve always found it difficult to deal with crowds or engage with people for long periods. I feel they talk too much, and I often feel drained. I simply prefer to be in my own space. However, as I grow in the knowledge of God, I’ve realized that He gives me the ability to cope and appreciate the presence of others. I’ve learned to enjoy seeing and hearing people speak, even if I don’t speak much myself. I love watching people express themselves and do what they love.

I’m sure some of you reading this may feel the same way at times. But as children of God, we trust that the Lord places the right people in our lives. He guides us in building a healthy circle of friends and a supportive community. Navigating relationships can be a challenging aspect of our lives, especially when it comes to friendships. These relationships play a huge role in our spiritual lives and mental well-being.

As children of God, we are never left to navigate this journey alone. We have the help of the Holy Spirit. God created us with limitations and abilities, knowing that we would need His guidance to navigate this. The Holy Ghost is always present to offer insight, wisdom, and direction in every area of our lives, including relationships.

 I believe that the Holy Spirit plays an essential role in guiding us to discern who should stay in our lives and who may not be a good fit for our journey.

No matter how friendly or kind someone might be, sometimes we encounter people who aren't meant to stay in our lives. If we don’t invite God into the process, we might find ourselves struggling with relationships that don’t align with His will. The Holy Spirit offers us the wisdom to recognize when someone’s presence in our life might be pulling us away from God’s purpose.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” – Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

When we trust in God’s direction, we avoid rushing into relationships that may not be beneficial spiritually, emotionally, or mentally. This patience is key in avoiding unnecessary burdens and helps us stay aligned with God’s plan for our lives.

When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we are reminded that we have the power to choose who stays in our lives. God desires that we love everyone, but that doesn’t mean we should be friends with everyone. By listening to the Holy Spirit and inviting Him into our relationships, we can navigate our connections with others in a way that honors God and promotes our spiritual growth.

So, the next time you’re considering bringing someone into your circle, ask God for guidance. Let Him know about it, and trust that He will lead you in making the right decision. In doing so, you will find peace and direction, knowing that your relationships align with God’s will for your life.

Stay Revived!

THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT

To the woman who desperately needed a miracle after years of suffering from an ailment that defied medical diagnosis and treatment, the hem of Jesus' garment was her last hope for healing. Her sole thought was, "If only...".

Matthew 9:20-22 (NIV)

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Some nights ago, as I worshiped God, I heard the voices of various African church denominations praising Him in their own unique and also dramatic way. Then, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Despite genuine and holy-looking faith, not everyone can touch the hem of His garment." Many worship God, seek miracles and follow Jesus, but few are determined to touch the hem of His garment.

The crowd surrounding Jesus represents the factors that resist us from touching Him, including:

- People pretending to honor and worship Him but seeking personal gain or miracles

- False prophets feigning devotion, but with hearts far from Him

And this hem of His garment is a symbol of the person of Jesus. Beyond being so close to godly nature we are under Godly. We are more confident in our ability to touch the core of Jesus and commune or worship him.

This is not determined by our proximity to his physical person but our desperation to seek Him daily and see Him manifest. 

Just like this woman each day our desire should be to touch the master's garment hem, it doesn't really get easier because as the age closes the barriers increases but as long as our focus is on Jesus, victory is sure. 

Do you desire to touch the hem of His garment? Do you yearn to connect with the Master beyond your needs or superficial desires? Do you want to behold His face and experience His presence?

Like the woman with the issue of blood, you must press through crowds of:

- Doubt

- Unbelief

- Fear

- Rejection

- Past hurt

- Childhood trauma

Your faith can reach the whole of God, and He wants to give you the entirety of Himself, not just a part. Today, desire to touch the hem of His garment, and may that encounter bring wholeness to your life.

Stay Revived!

TO BEHOLD WONDROUS THINGS (Psalm 119:18)

Have you ever read a scripture once and had it resonated deeply with you, only to struggle to understand it at another time? At face value, God's Word may seem like historical stories, instructions, or tales. We keep hearing that God has given us his manual for us to stand out, if a manual is given to a person who is unable to fathom the truth in it, the purpose of that manual will not be achieved. But when we sit with these words, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate them, we can behold wondrous truths and realities.

As the Psalmist declared in Psalm 119:18, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." We can experience the light and life of God's Word, revealing new insights and understanding.

Recently, I listened to a minister describe the death of Jesus, highlighting the battered and shattered nature of His body during the beating. The minister emphasized how Jesus' face was intentionally disfigured, losing its form and shape. Reflecting on this, I realized that Jesus' face was marred for my sake. This truth awakened a new reality within me.

I prayed these words, and today the Holy Spirit whispered them back to me. As intellectuals, we may have a deep understanding of scripture, but we can ask God to open our eyes to behold wondrous things from His Word. We get to meditate on the life of a great king and his kingdom, and his intention is to make his reality our reality. 

Dear partner in this revival journey, can you desire today that Gods word will come alive within you? Not just achieve your reading plan for the month but also hunger for the truth that this word can bring out. That's exactly what God wants to do with his words in our lives. 

As we study scripture, let's ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the life and light within the words. May we walk in the reality of God's kingdom, seeing His Word as more than just instructions – but as a living, breathing guide for our lives.

Stay Revived!