Returning to Intimacy

Author: youngpl24

  • Take The Mask Off

    Abba Father,

    You created me to be known and to be loved, fashioned in Your image from the very beginning. Yet, sometimes shame wraps around my heart and holds me back from being fully vulnerable before You. Your Word reminds me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and that nothing can separate me from Your love.

    Lord, I ask for the courage to lay aside my masks and to let You see the deepest parts of who I am. Help me to embrace vulnerability, knowing that in being fully known by You, I am also fully loved. Free me from the burden of shame and grant me the grace to live authentically, reflecting the love and compassion that You extend to all Your children.

    Pursue me, O Lord, and let Your truth dissolve my fears. May I find strength in Your promise that when I am open and honest with You, Your perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Teach me to trust in Your unconditional love and to mirror that love to others, knowing that our true worth is found in being known by You.

    In Your precious name I pray,
    Amen.

  • Wisdom

    What advice would you give to your teenage self?

    Listen to the wisdom of your elders who have walked your path, especially if they are directed by the Holy Spirit.

  • Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

    Heavenly Father,
    We come before You with grateful hearts, thankful that You created each of us in Your image, as declared in Genesis 1:27. In Your loving wisdom, You have made us uniquely, and we acknowledge that every person bears Your divine imprint.

    Lord, we also remember Your guidance in Your Word as revealed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Help us understand and embrace the call to live lives that honor You. Grant us the strength and wisdom to walk in obedience to Your truth, even as we seek to love one another as You love us.

    May Your Holy Spirit fill our hearts with compassion, mercy, and understanding. Teach us to extend grace to others and to live out the righteousness You desire. In our daily actions and choices, let Your love shine through us, guiding us to a deeper commitment to Your word and to the community You have so lovingly created.

    In Jesus’ name we pray,
    Amen.

  • Are You Ready?

    The Son of Man: The Bridge Between Heaven and Earth

    From the beginning, God revealed His plan of redemption through the Son of Man, a title Jesus frequently used to describe Himself (Matthew 8:20, Mark 2:10, Luke 19:10). This title carries both divine and human significance, pointing to His mission as the Messiah, the Savior, and the King of Glory.

    Jesus, the Son of Man, came in fulfillment of prophecy, as declared by Daniel:

    “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him” (Daniel 7:13-14, ESV).

    He was sent from the Father, God in flesh (John 1:14), to walk among us, to heal, to teach, and to call the lost back to God. His miracles testified of His authority. He forgave sins (Mark 2:10), healed the sick (Matthew 9:35), commanded the winds and the waves (Mark 4:39), and raised the dead (John 11:43-44).

    Yet, the greatest work of the Son of Man was His sacrifice on the cross. He declared:

    “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, ESV).

    Through His death and resurrection, Jesus bridged the gap between heaven and earth, making a way for sinners to be reconciled to God. He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

    Jesus did not come in worldly splendor but in divine authority. He humbled Himself (Philippians 2:6-8), yet He holds all power in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). His return will be glorious:

    “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27, ESV).

    The Son of Man is both the suffering servant and the reigning King, the One who intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25) and will one day judge the nations (Matthew 25:31-32).

    Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Son of Man, our Redeemer, the One who holds the keys to life and eternity. He alone is worthy of our faith, our trust, and our worship.

    Prayer

    O Lord, Son of Man, the Holy One of God,

    We come before You in awe of Your majesty, in reverence of Your power, and in gratitude for Your mercy. You, who left the glory of heaven to walk among us, clothed in flesh, yet full of divine authority—how marvelous is Your love! How unsearchable is Your wisdom!

    You are the bridge between heaven and earth, the only Way to the Father. You have torn the veil that separated us, making a path for sinners to be redeemed, for the lost to be found, for the blind to see. Through Your sacrifice, the chasm between holiness and sin has been overcome, and now we stand in the light of Your righteousness.

    Lord Jesus, Son of Man, You warned us that many would come in Your name, claiming to be the Christ, seeking to deceive even the elect. But You have given us Your voice, Your Spirit, and Your truth—let us not be led astray! Keep our hearts steadfast, our minds discerning, and our spirits aligned with Your Word.

    The world is filled with noise, with false promises and counterfeit lights, but You alone are the Truth, the Life, and the only Door to eternal peace. Teach us to listen only to You, to follow only Your footsteps, and to be unwavering in our devotion.

    We long for Your return, Son of Man, as You promised: coming on the clouds in power and great glory. Let our hearts remain watchful, our lamps burning with faith, that we may not be found asleep when You come. Strengthen us to stand firm in the trials, to resist the lies of the enemy, and to boldly proclaim the testimony of who You are.

    May we never trade Your eternal truth for temporary comfort. May we never seek another savior, for there is none like You. May our lives reflect the beauty of Your holiness and the power of Your love until the day we see You face to face.

    Come, Lord Jesus. Until that day, keep us faithful.

    Amen.

  • Be Still And Know

    The phrase “Be still, and know that I am God” comes from Psalm 46:10, where God calls His people to quiet their hearts, trust in Him, and recognize His sovereignty. This verse is often used as a reminder to step away from the noise, worry, and chaos of life to find peace in God’s presence.

    What It Means to Be Still and Know That He Is God:

    Trust in His Sovereignty – God is in control, even when life feels uncertain. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

    Rest in His Presence – True peace comes when we lay our burdens at His feet. (Matthew 11:28-30)

    Stop Striving – We don’t have to fix everything on our own; God fights for us. (Exodus 14:14)

    Listen for His Voice – Being still allows us to hear God’s guidance. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

    Surrender in Worship – Acknowledge His greatness and draw closer to Him. (Psalm 95:6-7)

    How This Brings Peace:

    Calms Anxiety – When we stop trying to control everything and trust God, our hearts find peace.

    Strengthens Faith – Knowing God is faithful helps us rest, even in difficult times.

    Brings Clarity – Silence before God allows us to see His plans more clearly.

    Reminds Us of His Power – No matter what happens, He is still God, still good, and still in control.

    Being still doesn’t mean doing nothing; it means surrendering, trusting, and resting in the assurance that God is at work. This deep awareness of His presence fills us with unshakable peace.

  • Return to the Ark of Safety

    Hebrews 11:7 speaks about Noah’s faith. It tells us that Noah, warned by God about unseen events (the coming flood), acted in reverent obedience by building an ark to save his family. His faith condemned the unbelieving world and made him an heir of righteousness through faith. This verse highlights how true faith moves us to obedience, even when we don’t see immediate evidence of God’s plans.

    Heavenly Father,

    Thank You for calling us back to intimacy with You. Just as Noah trusted You without seeing, help us walk by faith, not by sight. When distractions and doubts try to pull us away, remind us that true relationship with You is built on trust, obedience, and love.

    Lord, increase our faith to seek You with our whole hearts, to listen when You speak, and to move in obedience even when we don’t fully understand. Remove any barriers of fear, past failures, or unworthiness that keep us from drawing close to You. Help us embrace Your grace and open our hearts to the deep, personal relationship You desire with us.

    Father, revive our spirits, rekindle our love for You, and let our lives reflect the righteousness that comes by faith. May we, like Noah, act on Your word with unwavering confidence, knowing that You are always faithful.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • My Best Gift

    Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

    Salvation! Thank you Lord!

  • Loving others as Yourself

    Daily writing prompt
    Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
    View all responses

    To me, being patriotic means having a deep love and respect for one’s country, but it goes beyond just waving a flag or singing the national anthem. True patriotism is about being committed to the well-being of the nation and its people—standing up for justice, helping those in need, and striving to make the country a better place for everyone. It means honoring those who have sacrificed for our freedoms while also holding the nation accountable to its highest ideals.

    How about you? What does patriotism mean to you?

  • Our Sovereign God

    Abba Father,

    We come before You with heavy hearts, seeing the division, injustice, and moral decline in our nation. Lord, we acknowledge that no human leader, policy, or system can truly heal what is broken, only You can restore righteousness and justice.

    Forgive us, Lord, for turning away from Your truth. We have allowed greed, pride, and selfish ambition to lead us astray. But Your Word reminds us that if we humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, You will hear from heaven and heal our land.

    Father, we ask for Your mercy. Raise up leaders who fear You and seek wisdom, not power. Soften hardened hearts and bring unity where there is division. Protect the innocent, defend the oppressed, and let Your justice prevail. Stir a revival in this nation, let Your church be a beacon of hope, love, and truth.

    Lord, we trust in You, not in worldly systems. We declare that despite the chaos, You are still sovereign. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in America as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray.

    Amen.

  • The Greatest Love of All

    On Valentine’s Day, love is celebrated with gifts, words of affirmation, and acts of kindness. But beyond human expressions of love, there is a greater, unfailing love that surpasses all, the love of Jesus Christ.

    John 3:16 reminds us:
    “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

    This verse reveals the heart of God, the ultimate act of love was not flowers or chocolates but the sacrifice of His Son so that we might have eternal life. While the world seeks love in fleeting moments, Jesus offers a love that is eternal, sacrificial, and pure.

    Romans 5:8 declares:
    “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

    The cross is the greatest love letter ever written was written in Jesus’ blood, sealed with His resurrection, and delivered to the hearts of all who believe. His love is patient, kind, forgiving, and without condition (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). It is a love that never fades, never fails, and never forsakes.

    So today, whether surrounded by loved ones or feeling alone, remember this: You are deeply loved by Jesus. His love is not just for a day, but for eternity. He is the true Valentine, the One who pursues your heart relentlessly, who calls you His own, and who has prepared a place for you in His everlasting embrace.

    “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

    May this Valentine’s Day be a reminder that in Christ, you are cherished beyond measure!

    Happy Valentine’s Day to the Lover of soul, my First Love, and all of you! ❤️