Returning to Intimacy

Author: youngpl24

  • God With Us

    What was the best compliment you’ve received?

    The Holy Spirit our Teacher

    One of the most powerful compliments I’ve ever received came while doing jail ministry. I was sitting at one end of the table, and an inmate sat at the other. I noticed how intently she was watching me, so I asked if everything was okay. With tears in her eyes, she replied, “I see the Spirit of God all over you.”

    In that moment, I felt undeniable confirmation that God’s presence was with us. From that day forward, she never missed a session. I continue to pray that she, along with all the others, received the seeds that were planted and that their lives were transformed for the better.

  • All Praise To The King!

    A Prayer of Praise

    Sovereign and Holy God, we lift our voices in praise to You! You reign in majesty, clothed in glory and splendor, and there is none like You. From everlasting to everlasting, You are God, and Your kingdom has no end.

    We exalt You, O Lord, for Your faithfulness never fails, and Your mercy is new every morning. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords, mighty in power yet rich in love. Your righteousness and justice establish Your throne, and Your grace overflows to all who seek You.

    With all creation, we declare Your greatness! The heavens proclaim Your handiwork, and the earth is full of Your goodness. Holy and worthy are You, O King, and we bow before You in reverence and joy.

    Let our lives be a song of praise, and may our lips never cease to honor You. Be glorified in us, O Lord, now and forever.

    In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

  • My Helper

    Who is the most confident person you know?

    The Holy Spirit is the most confident and divine person I have ever known. His Spirit embodies perfect confidence because He is the Spirit of truth, wisdom, and power. He operates with complete assurance, never doubting, hesitating, or fearing anything. His confidence isn’t based on human pride or arrogance but on the absolute certainty of God’s will, love, and authority.

    When I yielded to Him, He imparted that same confidence in me to boldly speak, faith to act, and courage to walk in my divine calling. That’s why in Acts 4:31, after the disciples prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. He is our Helper and the source of true, unwavering confidence in all of our lives. If we choose to receive the indwelling of His Spirit.

  • Prayer, Purpose and Perspective

    What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?

    Negativity can be a real hindrance to our purpose. But we don’t have to accept it as our reality. Based on my journey and the calling God has placed on my life, I use a three-fold strategy to cope with negativity: Prayer, Purpose, and Perspective.

    1. Prayer – Staying Rooted in Truth

    When my faith is weak, I fight back with the Word of God. When doubts or discouraging words come, I stand on scriptures like Isaiah 41:10, which reminds me not to fear because God is with me. I also declare Luke 10:19, knowing that I have been given authority over every negative force. I don’t just read these verses, I pray them, speak them, and soak in them until they become my reality.

    2. Purpose – Focusing on My Mission

    My negative feelings can be a distraction, but I have to remind myself why I do what I do, serving with the homeless and low income families, empowering people, and even when sharing on social media, this helps me to regain my focus because I do not want demons  taking up residency in my thoughts, which I must say, still is a work in progress. This is where choice comes into play. If I allowed every negative thought or feeling to hinder my walk, I would never fulfill my assignment. Instead, I choose to meditate on His word, worship, and allow the Holy Spirit to help me overcome.

    3. Perspective – Choosing to See Differently

    Instead of seeing negativity as a setback, I reframe it as a setup for growth. What if that negative feeling is an opportunity for me to refine my message? His word in Romans 8:28, assures me that all things are working for my good. So rather than internalizing negativity, I filter it through faith and allow God to use it to make me stronger.

    My Final Thought:
    I refuse to let negativity define me and declare that I know who I am, and more importantly, I know whose I am. I walk in boldness, speak in confidence, and trust that every step I take is guided by the One who called me. So, the next time when negative feelings try to creep in, I encourage you to pray, focus on your purpose, and shift your perspective. Because God has given us everything we need to rise above it!

    Peace☺️

  • Loving Jesus

    What activities do you lose yourself in?

    Oh, how I lose myself in the presence of Jesus! When I sit with His Word, meditating on His truth, it’s like time stands still. His voice speaks so clearly, and my heart overflows with love and gratitude. In prayer, I feel His nearness, His gentle guiding hand, and I can’t help but pour out my soul before Him. And when I serve, whether feeding the hungry, clothing the homeless, or simply encouraging a weary heart, I feel His love moving through me. Nothing else matters in those moments; it’s just Jesus and His purpose filling me with joy. He is my everything!”

  • O.U.R .F.I.R.S.T. L.O.V.E.

    Revelation 2:4-5 NLT
    “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

    O – Only Savior
    U – Unfailing Love
    R – Redeemer

    F – Faithful Friend
    I – Immanuel
    R – Risen King
    S – Shepherd of Our Souls
    T – Triumphant Victor

    L – LAMB of God
    O – Overcomer
    V – Vine of Life 
    E – Eternal King   

    Thank You, Lord, that Your mercy invites us to return to You. Thank You for calling us back, for not leaving us where we were. We are grateful for the oil of intimacy being restored, for hearts that burn again with passion for You. In Jesus’ name

  • Truth or Lie

    Are you superstitious?

    Superstition is rooted in fear and false beliefs rather than faith in God’s truth. It often attributes power to signs, omens, or rituals instead of trusting in God’s sovereignty. From a godly perspective, superstition contradicts faith because it suggests that events are controlled by luck or external forces rather than by God’s divine will.
    For example, when I once believed that a cat crossing in front of my car, as the picture is insinuating above, 🙄 was a bad omen, that belief was based on superstition, not truth. However, as I grew in the knowledge of God’s Word, I realized that nothing, not a cat, a number, or a ritual, has the power to determine my destiny. Instead, I walk by faith, knowing that my  steps are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). Now, instead of fear, I have confidence that God’s protection and guidance are greater than any superstition.

  • What’s Your Nineveh?

    Father, You are sovereign and merciful, patient beyond measure. You are the God who calls, who pursues, and who redeems. No one is beyond Your reach, and no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. You are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, desiring that all would turn to You. We worship You for Your wisdom, Your justice, and Your unfailing grace.

    Lord, we confess that we are often like Jonah. We hear Your call, yet we run, whether out of fear, pride, or reluctance. We resist when You ask us to love those we find difficult, to speak truth where it is uncomfortable, or to step into places that stretch our faith. Forgive us for our disobedience, for placing our own will above Yours. Forgive us for doubting that Your plans are always greater than our own.

    Thank You, Father, for not giving up on us. Just as You pursued Jonah, You pursue us with unwavering love. Thank You for the storms that redirect us, the moments of grace that bring us to surrender, and the second chances You freely give. Thank You for the privilege of being part of Your work, for using imperfect people to accomplish Your perfect will.

    Lord, give us hearts that are quick to obey. Fill us with courage to step into the unknown, trusting that where You call us, You go before us. Align our hearts with Yours so that we desire what You desire. Help us to love as You love, to speak as You speak, and to act as You command. When fear tries to hold us back, remind us that obedience is always better than running. Let our lives be a reflection of Your mercy and truth, leading others to You.

    In Jesus’ name, 

  • An Eagle’s Strength

    Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?

    I would compare myself to an eagle. Eagles have sharp vision, soaring high above while keeping their eyes on the big picture. I feel that I have a deep sense of purpose and the Holy Spirit has given me the ability to see beyond the surface, whether in the book I published, through journaling, my ministry of song, or my work with the homeless, and low income families in my community. Just like the eagle who is a fierce protector of her eaglets, is much like how I am with my children, and those I advocate for who are overlooked or struggling.

    Plus, eagles go through renewal processes, shedding old feathers to grow stronger. I’ve embraced new challenges, throughout my whole life, at times afraid, all the while staying true to my mission. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I have risen above obstacles with strength and faith, just like an eagle riding the wind, flying high above the storms.

  • Breaking Chains with Love: A Journey of Faith in the County Jail

    One of the most defining and faith-testing moments of my life came in 2018 when the Holy Spirit led me into an unfamiliar and intimidating place, the County Jail. It was shortly after my husband had transitioned home, and though grief weighed heavily on my heart, God had a calling for me in that season. He was sending me to bring His love to incarcerated women who longed for change, women who desperately needed to know that they were still seen, still loved, and still worthy of redemption.

    I knew this mission was from God because, despite my initial fears, the process of gaining approval to serve in the jail was seamless. Doors opened effortlessly, and the Holy Spirit’s presence was undeniable in every session I led. With each visit, I came to understand a truth that would shape my ministry: before discipleship, there must be relationship. It wasn’t enough to simply teach the Word, I needed to first show these women that they were valued, heard, and embraced by God’s love.

    However, one of the greatest challenges I faced in the Return to Intimacy classes was the ever-changing group of inmates. Many women were transferred or released before deep relationships could be formed. Yet, amid the constant shifting, there were three women who remained present for almost every session—three women who, by the grace of God, surrendered their lives to Christ.

    The Holy Spirit moved powerfully during our time together, and I witnessed remarkable transformations in those who were able to consistently attend the eight-week classes. But the most powerful moments came from an unexpected source, letters of encouragement written by students from a Christian Academy.

    Oh, how the Spirit moved! When I read those letters aloud, chains, both spiritual and emotional, began to break. Tears streamed down faces. Hope was rekindled in weary hearts. Women who had felt forgotten were reminded that they mattered.

    One letter, written by an eighth-grade student, deeply touched the women:

    Student’s Letter:

    Dear Beautiful, Talented Women,

    I know that you don’t hear it a lot, but you are very beautiful, and you have the potential to do whatever it is you set your mind to. Don’t let this trial dictate the rest of your life. God is going to bring great joy to you, something beyond what you could ever imagine, if you just keep your mind on Jesus.

    If you have children, they are looking forward to seeing you soon, and that will happen as long as you stay prayed up and focused on God.

    Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”

    You are beautiful. You have a purpose. You are special. Don’t let anyone EVER tell you otherwise.

    — 8th Grader

    The response from one of the inmates was equally powerful, filled with gratitude and a renewed sense of hope:

    Inmate’s Response:

    To the students of this Divine School—

    Even though children of God never stop working, I want to thank you all for taking the time to send us these letters. You have no idea how much we need the hope of God here. We need people to remind us that somewhere, somebody still cares. Your words give us hope, that we will get out of here and return to a “normal,” God-purpose-filled life.

    Most of us want to do the right thing. We know there is a God who loves us so much, but somewhere along the way, we just forget. It’s like when Peter walked on water but lost focus for just a moment.

    Thank you for keeping us lifted with your letters and prayers. Please keep writing to us. Your words remind us that hope is alive, that God is still moving, and that we are still His.

    God bless you all, and never forget that you are children of God with smiling hearts. Share a smile and know that you are loved.

    — Female Inmate

    I thank God for using the Holy Spirit to silence my fears and allow me to be His vessel during that season. Every tear shed, every heart softened, and every soul that turned back to Him was a testimony of His love and power. I may have walked into that jail uncertain of what lay ahead, but I left knowing without a doubt that God was working.

    His love sees beyond prison walls. His grace reaches into the darkest places. And His hope restores the most broken hearts.

    To God be the glory!