You Can’t Manipulate God with your tears — But You Can Trust Him

 

A friend once asked me, “Why is it that when we are in most situations, God doesn't seem to respond?”

I responded by saying: The silence of God is still a response.

If you feel God hasn’t answered you, perhaps it’s because you didn’t like the answer He gave.

God is sovereign. You cannot force His hand or manipulate Him with tears into doing what you want. Often, we have already received an answer, but because it’s not the one we hoped for, we assume it wasn’t from God. So we continue praying, not out of faith, but in an attempt to pressure Him into changing His mind.

We see a powerful example of this in the story of Balaam and Balak in the book of Numbers.

Balak, the king of Moab, wanted Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. When Balaam inquired of God, God clearly said no — he was not to go with them. Balaam sent this message back to the king. But Balak was persistent and sent more messengers. Again, Balaam sought the Lord, and again, the answer was no.

Eventually, Balak sent more prestigious officials and promised rewards. Balaam said he would pray again, and this time, God told him, “Go with them, but only say what I tell you to say.” (Numbers 22:20) This was not God changing His mind — it was what we call God’s permissive will. God allowed Balaam to go because Balaam’s heart was set on it. But permission does not equal approval.

God doesn’t force us to obey. But when we persist in our own desires, He may permit us to walk a path, even one that leads to hardship, to expose what’s really in our hearts.

As Balaam journeyed, an angel stood in his way to oppose him. Balaam couldn’t see the danger ahead, but his donkey did. When the donkey refused to move forward, Balaam grew angry, unaware that God was trying to stop him. Eventually, God opened the donkey’s mouth, and even then, Balaam kept insisting on continuing, believing he could still change God’s mind.

Even after all of this — after seeing an angel, after hearing a donkey speak — Balaam went ahead. He offered sacrifices, hoping to influence God. But no matter what he did, he could only speak the words God put in his mouth. You can’t fast enough, sacrifice enough, or cry hard enough to change what God has sovereignly determined.

You cannot blackmail God.

You can only align with His will.

Balaam’s story ends tragically — not because God failed him, but because he refused to submit. He continued in rebellion and eventually died in judgment.

So if you're fasting or praying during a difficult season, let it be from a place of intimacy and surrender, not manipulation. Sometimes, during your fasting, God will speak through His Word or through a gentle whisper, but the whisper is always loud enough for you to hear him.

So friends, Rest. Be still. Trust him.

Stay Revived!

When God Feels Silent: An Invitation to the Table.

 

Have you ever found yourself wondering why God seems to delay? Why doesn’t He step in and deal with the enemy swiftly? Why, if He has prepared a table before us (Psalm 23:5), do we still face pain, disappointment, shame, or defeat?

These are honest questions, and many believers wrestle with them.

But here’s a truth we must hold on to: God is sovereign. He does all things according to His will and divine timing. What feels like a delay to us is often preparation in His eyes. He is not slow; He is purposeful and on time.

Too often, we are consumed by the demands of daily life — work, relationships, responsibilities — that we miss the gentle, consistent invitation God extends to us each day: the invitation to fellowship, In fellowship God strengthen us to deal with Life challenges, suddenly most of the challenges we face seem small because we rely on him to sort it out, Most times The Lord does take away the pain immediately He strengthen in the process then deal with it. .

Jesus illustrates this in the parable of the great banquet in Luke 14:16–19:

“A certain man gave a great supper and invited many. At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go see it.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out.’”

This parable mirrors our response to God today. We long for His blessings — the "supper" — but often make excuses when He calls us to the table of communion. We desire power without presence, breakthrough without intimacy, results without relationship.

Yet even with our excuses, God continues to call. He knows the jobs we’re juggling and the responsibilities we carry. Still, His desire remains the same: that we come and dine with Him.

He has prepared a table — rich with wisdom, peace, strength, and spiritual nourishment. I come as a messenger today, reminding you that. The invitation still stands.

The question is not whether God has prepared the table. He has.

The question is: Will we come?

Let us be a people who say “yes” to God’s invitation. 

Let us not be too busy to fellowship with the One who holds the answers we seek. 

For in His presence, we find not only the meal, but the miracle.

Stay revived!

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!