Tradition or Scripture? What Is Shaping Your Life?

 

A few days ago, I came across a post about tradition as a standard of living. It got me thinking: Is the tradition of a place meant to shape how we live, or should it be the Scriptures that mold our behavior?

The truth is, some traditions are the very source of most demonic patterns we see in families today. As children of God, the Word of God—not culture or tradition—should be our living standard. It is the Scriptures that mold us into better individuals.

Most of these doctrines people live by were created from human experiences and emotions. But the Bible warns us: "Out of the heart come the issues of life." Many of these traditions are just a reflection of human thinking, not God’s truth. And Scripture says, “the heart of man is desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). So, when men build doctrines based on what feels right to them and wrong to someone else, it becomes an issue; most times, this goes against the will of God.

Jesus put it plainly in Mark 7:7:

“And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

Many so-called laws have been tailored to look like Scripture, but they are not.

Christianity has been replaced by hypocrisy. In the beginning, it was not so. Jesus is calling us back, back to a life that is based on the Scriptures, not on appearances or demonic traditions.

Doctrines were supposed to help shape our character. But when we start preaching doctrines instead of the Word, where exactly is our foundation? Where is our anchor? It's called the Body of Christ for a reason—every part (the eye, the ear, the hand) represents a unique expression of God’s nature, but all must be grounded in Scripture.

Jesus also said in Mark 7:6 (MSG):

"Isaiah was right about frauds like you... These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it. They act like they are worshiping me, but they don't mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy—ditching God's command and taking up the latest fads."

It's time we return to the truth of God’s Word. Trends and appearances may look good on the outside, but they often paint a false picture of the Gospel of Christ.

Friends, for our own good, the Scriptures were given to build us, to edify us, to guide us. We must stop teaching as doctrine the commandments of men. It only leads to empty, vain worship.

If, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we now have the honor to cry Abba, Father, then let His Word be our standard for living.

So today, I challenge us all:
Are we truly living by the Word, or by man-made doctrines?
Are we being guided by God—or by the heart of man (which Scripture says is desperately wicked)?

Let the Word of God be your foundation.

Stay revived!

When Was the Last Time You Checked In On Your Friends?

 

Who’s in Your Boat? A Reflection on Friendship and Discernment

When was the last time you paused to ask the people around you how they truly feel?

When was the last time you made the effort to check on your friends, just to make sure they’re okay?

Too often, we get so caught up in the busyness and demands of life that we forget to look around, to notice the hearts of those close to us. Yet Scripture reminds us: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This isn’t a command to obey only when it’s convenient. It challenges us to love even when it requires sacrifice, discomfort, or intentional effort.

Jesus’ friendship with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus offers us a profound example of genuine, sacrificial love. The Bible tells us that the Jews had previously sought to kill Jesus in Judea, so He left that region. But when He later received word that “Lord, the one you love is sick,” He didn’t rush back immediately. Instead, He waited two more days. Then He told His disciples He was going back.

The disciples were concerned and reminded Him, “But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” (John 11:8). But Jesus knew that this moment was destined to bring glory to God—and it wasn’t just anyone who was sick. It was someone close.

In John 11:11, Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” they didn't understand that He was speaking about Lazarus being dead, that's the sleep he meant. He was going to awaken a beloved friend.

Scripture also tells us that when Jesus visited their home, He would often speak with them about the Kingdom of God. Martha would be busy with so many things, choosing a different path from Mary. Their relationship was one where Jesus would come to their home

So, when Jesus finally arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, we witness one of the most emotional moments in the Gospels: Jesus wept (John 11:35). This is one of the few times Scripture records Jesus crying. Even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, the sorrow and grief in that moment—the weight of love and loss—moved Him to tears.

True friends are a gift, especially when they are God-sent.

That’s why we must be intentional about who we allow into the inner places of our lives. Not everyone is meant to stay. Don’t give a permanent position to someone who was only meant to be passing through. Don’t give a front-row seat to someone who belongs in the background.

Friendships have power. The people we surround ourselves with can influence our lives positively or negatively. Lazarus’ relationship with Jesus became a doorway through which he and his sisters experienced resurrection power and the glory of God.

We must be discerning. Some people come into our lives for a reason, others for a season, and a few for a liaison. The friends you keep can either open heaven over your life or shut it. They can either push you forward or cause your boat to sink.

As we walk through the different phases of our purpose and destiny, let us make it a norm to always ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in choosing the right people. Because sometimes, the very presence of the wrong person in your boat may be the reason you're struggling to stay afloat.

Stay Revived!

How Do You Deal with Your Issues?

When reading the story of the woman with the issues of blood, have you ever thought you could have those same "issues"?

This "issues" that might have been our burdens and reason for heaviness.

The beautiful thing about the story of the woman who battled with the issue of blood is that she recognized her problem. 

Matthew 9:21, she thinks to herself:

"...If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."

She tirelessly sought healing, going from place to place in search of a potent source of healing for her affliction. Often, the very act of seeking help—from hospitals, counselors, or various places—demonstrates that, deep down, we possess enough faith to believe that one day we might receive our miracle.

It is far better to seek solutions than to resign ourselves to the belief that our issues define us, concluding that there is nothing that can be done about them.

I have often struggled with how to deal with my own issues. In an effort to avoid mockery or to seem weak, I would hide my problems away. It’s not that we should constantly display our struggles, but we must acknowledge that healing is available to us. We may not have found it yet, but there is still hope that something might work out. The greatest lie of the enemy is to make us normalize our issues, convincing us to accept them as the norm. "Oh, it isn’t a problem; it’s just a lifestyle," we might say. After all, the woman lived with her affliction for over thirty years, which is three decades. 

However, the truth is that God offers us freedom—freedom sufficient to bring us wholeness. We don’t need to get used to our bad attitudes, childhood traumas, or marital crises. We can draw closer to God, believing that if only we could touch the hem of the Master’s garment, we could be saved. This is what Jesus offers us: hope, even when the constant message from culture suggests that there isn’t any hope. Christ is our hope—not a hope limited by time, but one that transcends our present circumstances and reaches into eternity.

So, if we are unsure of how to manage our heavy burdens and issues, we can lift them up to the One who specializes in healing and wants to help us restore our brokenness. 

The enemy’s first strategy is to keep us in a state of brokenness, for he knows that when we are broken, we cannot see what God is offering us. The reality is that God heals the broken-hearted—those with shattered dreams, broken marriages, ruined businesses, broken bodies, and any other form of brokenness the enemy has inflicted. He walks with us through this journey of healing.

This process doesn’t happen in a moment; it unfolds as a journey, with God guiding us every step of the way.

What do you do with the issues?

Just like the woman, you can touch the helm of His garment today.

Stay Revived!

God Sustains What He Says

When was the last time you heard a word from God?  

When was the last time you received a word from Him?  

A respected minister once said, "God sustains what He says," and these words resonated with me. They can be timely reminders because, in moments of waiting, we expect God to speak to us. He often delivers personal words through dreams and revelations, and He has also given us His written Word. In His Word, He affirms that we should put Him in remembrance of His promises.

Psalm 119:49 clearly says:

"Put me in remembrance according to thy word unto thy servant, wherein thou hast caused me to hope." (YLT)

 The God we serve honors His Word even above His name; in His Word is His honor. So, when He gives us a promise, He is committed to fulfilling it.

To you reading this, beloved, I don’t mean to sound cliché, but have you discovered what God has said concerning your situation? Did God give you a word, and now it seems as if He is absent from your story? In every moment, even during downtime, God is there, prompting and beckoning us, saying, "I want to carry you through." 

As I type these words, it feels like what my heart truly needs. I wish God would stretch out His arms and carry me through this moment. When I got into my room, all I could think was, "God, help me. Dear God, You really have to help me." I know there are times when we want to express more, but there are no words to convey our feelings. Yet, we can choose to search the Scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to articulate our pleas to God.

If you happen to come across these words in the midst of your day, I want you to know that God sustains what He says. In colloquial terms, "He won't lead you astray." You can join me in saying, "Lord, I need You to carry me through these moments."

Stay revived!