Following God's Instructions

1 Samuel 15:22 (MSG)

Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices—empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to Him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said no to God’s command, He says no to your kingship.

Many times, we assume that what God desires most are our lavish religious activities and how we present ourselves publicly. While those outward expressions have their place, what matters even more is obedience—simply following instructions.

The world itself was created through divine instruction. God spoke, and creation came into being. This shows us the power and importance of responding to God's voice. When He commands, He’s not just looking for compliance—He’s calling us into alignment with His will and purpose.

God chooses people for different assignments on the earth, but it's our obedience that sustains us in the positions He places us. The Lord chose Saul to be king, yet He was also the one who rejected Saul—not because Saul wasn’t gifted, but because he disobeyed.

It’s not enough to be chosen; we must also be faithful to His instructions.

“Follow Me as I lead you”—this is God’s constant call to His people. The Message translation of 1 Samuel 15 tells us that not doing what God tells us is worse than fooling around in the occult. It’s a sobering reminder: going our own way is a fool's errand. And even when we return to God, He often brings us back to the last instruction He gave us.

John 10:27 (NIV)

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

If we truly call ourselves God’s children, we must make it our mission to follow His voice and obey His leading. Even if you’ve gone astray—even if you’ve missed a step or ignored a command—He is calling you back. The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”

God is patient and merciful. He’s ready to take you back just as you are.

Come, follow Me, and I will show you everything I have in store for you.

This is His invitation—not just to a task or a title, but to a relationship built on trust, obedience, and love.

Stay Revived! 

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!