Gratitude: For We Still Have Joy

What happens when you lift up the weights but still face the problem? I've noticed this as I commit to visiting the spiritual gym; the devil doesn't give up easily and isn't planning on giving up on you. But here's the thing: it's a double intensity. The devil might be committed to marking an "X" on you, but God is also committed to helping you grow healthy muscles.

We've talked about praying for everything, every little detail, but today, we're approaching the gym with a different approach: the way of gratitude. We're flipping the pages of the year's first quarter, in our hearts and entering His presence with joy and praise.

Lately, the enemy has been trying to lay siege on my joy. But we can choose to approach God not from the depth of our feelings but from a place of honor. We can declare that the Lord is good, and His mercies endure forever. So, we say, "Lord, we are grateful."

Beloved, the rain you might have waited out for might have become a season of hardship. But you know what should still be intact? Your joy, my joy. You can say this loudly to yourself: "My joy is still intact."

It's difficult to speak of having joy when you look at your physical circumstances and hear the mocking laughter saying, "I thought you said your God watches your back." Most times, our replies aren't automatic because we're still processing our pain. I get stuck in those moments too, but I've learned that nothing is responsible for my joy except God.

You can declare solely that "Lord, I am grateful that my joy is still intact. I have joy in my heart, and for this, I am so grateful." This gratitude we feel and express today isn't for anything except joy, even if we don't feel it. Because you don't need to feel it to declare it. You can boldly say, "Lord, I am grateful that You hear my prayers, and I am thankful that joy isn't far from me."

So, when we lift up the weights daily and search for evidence, see your joy as the best gift for diligently seeking Him.

Stay Revived!

By Guest writer.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LIFTED WEIGHTS?

I'm not an athletic person, but whenever I notice the food I eat getting stored as fat in my belly, that's when I decide to go to the gym or engage in a workout session, which sometimes doesn't last more than a week.

I woke up yesterday feeling quite sad and exhausted. This feeling lasted until the evening when I spoke to a loved one about it. She recommended, "Why don't you pray in tongues for a while?" I did, and immediately I started engaging my spirit. I felt lighter and more joyful. She called it "weights." I had called it a "heaviness," and as I thought about it, I realized that it was indeed a weight that lay heavy on my chest and wouldn't go away until I exercised my spiritual self.

Just like not being committed to physical exercise, we also display a lack of commitment in our spiritual lives. The enemy sneaks in and replaces our anticipation of forthcoming events, like interviews or doctor's appointments, with weights.

Instead of feeling heavy-hearted throughout the day, we can lift these weights. Just as exercising burns excess fat, leaving us with what we need, we can spiritually exercise to lift our burdens.

As God says, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). We can choose to arm ourselves with scripture and go to God to take away the burdens that threaten our peace of mind.

Are you anxious? Pray in the Holy Ghost. Is your marriage troubled? Pray in the Holy Ghost. Do you have a major decision to make? Engage with the Holy Ghost.

The world is filled with weights, and as long as we live, we'll constantly face heavy burdens. But the truth is, we have a God who is a champion in lifting weights and burdens.

I felt relieved after praying, and even if I had stopped immediately, I felt okay. God wants us to know that a healthy emotional lifestyle can be achieved not just once, but by constantly submitting our feelings to Him. Just as we maintain a physical lifestyle by regularly exercising, we can maintain a healthy emotional lifestyle by regularly seeking God.

Do you desire to enroll in this session of weight lifters? You won't just be lifting your weights; you'll be lifting those of your family as well. In God's words, "Come! 

Stay Revived!

By Guest writer.

IT'S TIME TO TAKE A REDEFINED POSTURE: THE PRAYING POLICY

When Christ said we should pray without ceasing, He did not create room for exceptions - whether we feel like it or not, or whether we're happy or not. Although I love words, I could easily be torn down by the wrong words, especially in moments when I'm thin-skinned. In those moments, it feels as if I'm visited by the spirit of heaviness. Not even food, activities, or confronting the person who hurt me can alleviate the pain.

Recently, as I prayed in the Spirit, I realized that my emotions are always under attack. With an unstable and unhappy feeling, I gave up praying. But God had already given us the instruction: "Men ought always to pray and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). So, it's in those moments of feeling heavy that God wants us to press into Him.

I've discovered that if I can stay and pray, even if it's just a little at a time, God's presence eventually overtakes my feelings, and I'm filled with joy. Not the kind of joy that comes from resolved arguments or changed circumstances, but the joy that comes from God, replacing the spirit of heaviness with the spirit of laughter.

Praying always is an instruction we should take seriously. The devil knows that when we start seeing God's face, we become a terror to him. That's why he gives us countless reasons to discourage us from praying.

When God spoke about "dwelling in the secret place" (Psalm 91:1), this scripture became our key verse for protection. But it means more than that. It means finding our identity in God. We might have been trying to prove our worth or identity, but God says, "I can give it to you. You can find it in Me."

The world doesn't need to define us with a name or role. We can choose to be like Jesus, allowing Him to transform our lives. As we pray and seek out the deep things of God, we don't just get answered prayers; we get transformed. We discover who we are meant to be and align ourselves with that identity.

We can use prayer to liberate the identity Christ has formed for us. The devil's strategy is to make us question our worth. He can use the words of our loved ones or respectable people to discourage us. But we can arm ourselves with the Word of God and the lamp of the Holy Spirit, finding strength and meaning in Him.

There is provision for all our needs, but the question is, are we ready to find it?

Stay Revived!

Be Still and Know That I Am God

 

Amid life's chaos and uncertainty, when the tides seem high and the road feels rough, God invites us to pause and reflect. In Psalm 46:10, we hear a powerful command:

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations and exalted in the earth."

This verse reminds us of God's sovereignty and His promise that He will be exalted, even amidst the trials and upheaval of life. No matter how difficult the circumstances may seem, God’s power and presence remain supreme.

In a world that is constantly on the move, being still can feel like an impossible task. The busyness of life, the constant noise, and the pressure of responsibilities make it difficult to quiet our minds and spirits. Yet, God's invitation to "be still" goes beyond physical silence. It is a call to quiet our hearts, surrender our anxieties, and trust in His control.

Being still is an intentional act of trust—a moment to step away from the distractions of the world and create space to seek God’s guidance for the next phase of our lives. It’s about allowing His voice to rise above the noise around us.

While being still may be challenging in such a fast-paced world, it is precisely in those moments of stillness that we encounter God's peace. God is not asking us to be passive; He is calling us to actively surrender, trusting that He is in control. "Be still, and know that I am God" is not just a reminder of God’s presence—it is an invitation to experience His love, power, and guidance in our lives.

In the Bible, Job expresses his unwavering trust in God despite immense suffering. In Job 13:15, he says:

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." (KJV)

Job's words serve as a testament to his deep trust in God's will, no matter the circumstances. Even when life seems unfair or overwhelming, we can still place our trust in God, knowing He holds our future in His hands.

God's love for us is unconditional and profound. In a world filled with noise and chaos, we can find peace when we are still before Him, listening for His voice. Psalm 46:10 reminds us that in stillness, we are not simply waiting in silence; we are experiencing God's presence, love, and promises.

When we quiet our minds and spirits, we make room for God's peace to fill us. We stop trying to control everything and instead trust that God is in charge. He is bigger than any worry or challenge we face. In those moments of stillness, we can reflect, seek guidance, and engage in open, honest conversation with God.

As we navigate the noise of life, let us remember that God is always with us, offering peace and guidance. Take time each day to be still, trust Him, and know that He is in control. In those moments of quiet, we can find the strength to move forward with confidence, knowing that God’s will is perfect.

Stay revived!