Trusting God's Refinement.

Life is full of unpredictable situations, shifting economies, and unexpected challenges. But none of these determine the dimension to which God intends to take us. The economy is not a determinant of our destiny, and our circumstances do not define the experiences we encounter when we truly surrender and let God have His way.

Our future is certain—not because of our strength or plans, but because of His promise. God has assured us of a place of peace, but what He hasn’t revealed is the full process it will take to get there. Often, that journey involves refining, testing, and transformation.

God is brewing something in His children. Yes, it takes time for the final product to emerge, but the furnace of affliction is shaping us into a better version of ourselves—the version He desires to reveal to the world. He is testing our hearts and assigning us to new designations, positioning us for purpose.

Friends, God can be trusted. He is faithful in every detail of our lives, even in the things we don’t understand. There is a guarantee we hold in Him, and it's found in:

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV): “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

The journey may be tiring. At times, it may feel overwhelming. But those who wait upon the Lord will be like Mount Zion—unshakable and immovable. Just because God has promised something doesn’t mean it will happen without resistance. Challenges will arise to test whether we’re truly ready for the blessings we seek.

But surely, there is an end. And the expectation of the righteous will not be cut short.

We will receive what we desire—in due time.

Stay revived!

The power of alignment: Lessons from Hannah's story.

The story of Hannah is one many woman can deeply relate to. It’s the story of a woman in her waiting season—dearly loved by her husband yet burdened with a deep longing for a child she could call her own. Though her husband cherished her, there were moments when the ache in her heart overshadowed his love. At one point, he even said to her, “Am I not worth more to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8). Still, Hannah's heart ached in silence.

I can only imagine how she felt whenever she saw Peninnah and her children. They served the same God. They went to Shiloh every year. But for Hannah, there was a kind of dryness in her womb—a waiting, an emptiness. And despite the mockery from her co-wife, she still could not conceive.

But this wasn’t just a coincidence. It was God’s plan all along—a divine setup meant to push Hannah into a deeper, more intimate, faith-filled deal with the Lord. Though she had been going to Shiloh year after year, this time was different. This time, she discovered a cue. She made a deal, a vow with God and said, “If You give me a child, I will give him back to You.” That was what God had been waiting to hear.

In Hannah’s due time, the Lord allowed this thought to creep into her heart. And She spoke it, and heaven stamped it.

The Bible says when she went up to the mountain to pray, Prophet Eli saw her and assumed she was drunk. He said, “How long will you be intoxicated? Put away your wine!” (1 Samuel 1:14). This showed that even the prophet wasn’t aware of her pain—God hadn’t revealed it to him.

There are seasons in life when God intentionally does not reveal our struggle to others—not even to those who seem spiritually in tune. Why? Because He wants to see if we will stand on faith alone—crazy faith—even when no one else understands what we’re trusting God for.

Sometimes, God brings us into a fallow season—not because He won’t fulfill His promise, but because the timing isn’t right yet. And no matter how we push, we cannot force His hand. He moves in His own perfect time. Often, He’s waiting for us to align—not just with our desires, but with His purpose.

God desires that we return to Him and say, “Lord, this thing I desire—how will it serve Your Kingdom?” Because He doesn’t just place His stamp on anything. He is intentional.

In 1 Samuel 1:17, Eli said to Hannah, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” After that, her countenance changed. She went away with a new spirit—unlike the many other times she had gone to Shiloh heavy-hearted.

When it’s time for God to move, He looks for our alignment and willingness. Yes, God is willing to help man, but He desires a willing vessel. The delay wasn’t because Hannah wasn’t worthy, but because God needed Samuel for His divine agenda. Hannah wanted a child to silence her mocker, but God needed a prophet. Would she have released Samuel if her desire was rooted only in personal relief?

That’s the question.

So friends, I ask you today—what are you asking the Lord for? Does it feel like He’s silent or delaying?

Maybe it’s time to go back and ask Him, “Lord, what is Your say concerning this matter?”

Maybe He’s waiting for your yes—your full surrender.

Heaven is set. God is ready.

But are you willing to come into alignment?

That’s the question I want to leave us with today.

God bless you.

Stay revived!

What Do You Do When the Holy Spirit Feels Grieved?

As I grow in the place of prayer, I've noticed moments when I get into arguments, discussions, or conversations, and afterward—once I’m alone—I feel a certain heaviness within me. At first, I didn’t understand it. One time, I shared a particular message with a lady, and she misinterpreted it. Later, the Holy Spirit asked me, “Did I send you to say that?”

Just as the Holy Spirit ministers to us through the language of our thoughts, He also expresses His emotions within us—whether joy, sadness, or grief—concerning various matters.

Those conversations were considered “feedback,” but after a while, the Holy Spirit responded, “The fact that you were given a platform to speak doesn’t mean I gave you the liberty to speak.” That rebuke hit me hard. I felt weak and lost the zeal to carry out any other activity. Yet, the goal of the Holy Spirit is always to align us with God’s will and ensure we remain sensitive to His direction.

We often talk about receiving instructions from the Holy Spirit as being the best place to be. But there's another side—bearing the burdens of the Spirit and quickly aligning with His desires in each season. That is what fuels the joy of God within us.

I desire to always be joyful. But that means I can't ignore the Holy Spirit’s rebuke, even when it's hard. Listening when He says, “Don’t speak,” or, “Yes, speak,” can be challenging. I’m the kind of person who likes to speak my mind about situations, issues, and personal matters, but above all, I want to be led by God.

Only sons are led by the Spirit, according to God’s Word. Romans 8:14, which says:

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. At times, His instructions may seem unreasonable, but we serve an all-seeing Father. We only know what He reveals to us, but He sees and knows all.

You may find it hard to discern His voice, especially if you’re still learning how He speaks. But the more you seek Him daily in prayer and study of the Word, the clearer His voice becomes to you.

Whenever I felt I had grieved the Holy Spirit, I used to justify my actions. But now, I’ve learned to seek His mercy instead. The Holy Spirit is the kind of teacher who helps us understand all things—patiently and lovingly.

When was the last time you felt the emotions of the Holy Spirit? Or perhaps you just discovered that He, too, has feelings? Can the Holy Spirit be allowed to tame your tongue and your actions, without neglecting your thoughts?

Stay revived!

Can God's Yes Change in Certain Situations?

As I reflect on God's guidance, I've been wondering if His "yes" can change to fit certain situations. What does it mean to work in times and seasons? Can God's yes change over time?

I recently saw a movie where a lady was stuck in a relationship crisis. She claimed to have sought God's counsel before proceeding, and God seemed to have backed up the relationship. However, when advised to seek God's guidance again, she chose to stick with what God had initially said, rather than what He was saying at the present time.

I've grown to love the scripture in Isaiah 30:21 that says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it."' I want to be led by God, and this promise gives me assurance and confidence. However, I've come to realize that the beauty of seeking God's guidance isn't just asking once and for all, but constantly seeking His counsel concerning the same matter.

God's Words Don't Change, But Circumstances Do. I've often thought, "But God doesn't change, and He sees all, so why would He say 'go ahead' and then 'stop'?" However, the story of Samuel anointing Saul and later rejecting him (1 Samuel 15:10-23) shows that God's words don't change concerning a matter, but people and situations can change.

The core of it all is creating an environment where God's word stays relevant. God wants us to stay in His presence to always tell us when to choose a path and if we should go into that path.

I'm currently working on a path where trusting God in each moment is more profitable than just hearing a word and ending the conversation. Yes, God said "yes," but we can always go back to ask if it's still a "yes." The "no" verdict God has given can become a "yes" at a later time. The "go ahead" might become a "pause," and the "stop" might change to a "start."

My sister asked me, "How do you convince the world that God said 'yes' and then 'no'?" But that's not the goal. The goal is aligning ourselves with God's choices and decisions for our lives. Our walk with God is a daily commitment, and God is concerned about how we show up each time.

Do you feel stuck?

If you're stuck due to a choice or decision, you can always go back to God. There is a wide open arms ready to accept us.

Stay Revived!