Grateful heart

Psalm 136:1 — “Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

As the year gradually comes to an end, it is important that we come to God with a grateful heart—one that worships and honors Him for all He has done. All we desire may not have been fulfilled, but notice that David didn’t say “give thanks” because everything felt good. He spoke the peace he desired to see.

David thanked God even when many things in his life did not look good. From childhood, he faced warfare. When he was anointed—warfare. When he wanted to marry—warfare. Even when he had children, there was still warfare among them. Yet he declared, “Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

When we thank God—even before seeing what we desire—we align ourselves for miracles and the manifestation of God’s promises.

Thanksgiving is appreciating God and moving Him for the release of signs and wonders. So as this year comes to an end, do not forget to thank God for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will yet do.

Stay Revived!

Do You Desire a Shield Too?

 

Today, as I reflect on the words the Lord spoke to me at the beginning of the year and the constant affirmations of His promises, I couldn't help but take a moment to consider the reality of my own existence. Could it be that the Lord didn't truly speak, or maybe I just didn't hear His voice clearly enough before stepping out? I also thought of you, and how, just like me—and maybe like David too—we keep running from our adversaries. But the truth remains: the Lord has anointed us. He has indeed given us His word that we are anointed to rule.

My heart goes out to David as I try to understand how he must have felt, being chased from pillar to post. Yet, the Lord gave him a word. God took the time to allow the scribes to pen down these words because David's journey is not just his own. It’s a journey we all take as we step into God’s promises for our lives. It becomes our reality the moment we say yes to God. He gives us His promises, and while we may be fleeing from our enemies, we must not let His words slip away from our hearts.

Just like David, we can declare:

"Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.'

But You, O Lord, are a shield around me,

my glory, the One who lifts my head."

Psalm 3:2-3

For David, this wasn't just a psalm or a song; it was a prayer, an earnest plea from his heart. "Dear God, You just have to help me. I think I've got my act together, but You, O God, shield me from the choices I think are wise but in reality, are foolish."

I want a shield too.

Do you desire a shield for your journey?

Then, like David, you can declare these same words—words he may have whispered in his sleep, said upon waking, or uttered while riding his horse and fleeing from Saul:

God, shield me.

Stay revived!

Show up before the need

Most times, we look for the answers to our prayers just a few minutes after we pray. We go to God in the very moment we desire solutions, breakthroughs, or strategy, but we fail to understand that the power you draw on in the day of trouble is a result of the prayers you prayed before the trouble showed up.

Luke 18:1 The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

In a war, you don’t see soldiers learning how to fight on the battlefield. Their training happens before the battle—diligently, consistently—because they don’t know when those skills will be required.

That is how it should be for us as children of God. We must commune with Him and seek the face of Jesus not only in times of trouble but before trouble appears. We are to build a relationship with God because He responds to those who walk closely with Him.

Yes, even if you do not have a relationship with God and you run to Him in trouble, He will still help you. But there is a far better way to live: a life led and directed by the Spirit. A life where God is the driver and you are the passenger. A life where He guides you so you can remain in His purpose.

To live this way, you must align with His words, His instructions, and His guidance—because truly, God cannot lead you astray.

Scripture says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

You must first be righteous—and righteousness alone is not enough. You must also be fervent in communing with the Father. You cannot claim to love the Lord and refuse to follow Him.

“Choose ye this day whom you will serve.”

Friends, I invite you today: choose life. Choose God—the One who has the power to define and stabilize your life. I am not promising a trouble-free life, but a life where victory becomes your daily reality.

The Lord is saying, “Come as you are.”

Stay revived!

The Adullam Moments

That closure you seek, that strength and the people you need to fulfill destiny is often found in your Adullam moments.

These are moments when we take refuge in the presence of God, waiting until He speaks; a word, a sentence or a conversation.

God is not only interested in giving us refuge; He’s interested in calling out the warrior within us and setting us apart for destiny.

 1 Samuel 22:1 (NKJV)

"David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.”

When King Saul determined to kill David, David escaped to a cave. Unknown to him, God had already chosen 400 men — distressed, in debt, and discontented — to meet him there.

This encounter with David in that cave changed the trajectory of their lives. They were no longer remembered for their pain or poverty, but as David’s mighty men — men of valor and victory.

That cave moment you are facing is not just for you. God is calling you to more. Until you withdraw seeking Him, you may not see what He is forming in you.

Saul thought David could be easily caught without an army, but he didn’t know he was pushing David into his destiny, awakening the mighty man inside him.

Your Adullam is not a place of hiding — it’s a place of shaping.

It’s where the builder in you, the warrior in you, and the man or woman God destined you to be begins to emerge.

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV)

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” 

So if you are in that moment now, know that God has already made provision for your becoming.

Do not mistake your place of refuge for a place of rest — it’s a place of preparation for the next season. The glory of God does not leave you; it seeks you out in your Adullam.

So, friends, examine yourself.

What might you be missing in this season?

Seek God out — for there, purpose is refined and destiny is born.

Stay Revived!