Returning to Intimacy

Author: youngpl24

  • 10 things you are absolutely certain about:

    List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

    1. God’s Love is Unchanging and Personal
    You are convinced that God’s love is unwavering and deeply personal. You’ve experienced it through loss, restoration, and calling, and you rest in the truth that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

    2. Your Identity is Rooted in Christ Alone
    Through rejection, silence, and misunderstanding, you have learned that your worth is not based on people’s opinions but on who God says you are. You no longer live to please others but to honor the Spirit who leads you.

    3. You Are Called to Minister Through Testimony
    Whether to the homeless, the hurting, or your own family, you know that you are called to testify about God’s goodness and share the Gospel, both through your words and the way you live your life.

    4. The Holy Spirit is Your Guide and Teacher
    You trust the leading of the Holy Spirit. You’ve experienced His nudges during prayer, obedience, fasting, and worship. He is the one who trains, corrects, and refreshes you.

    5. Prayer is Your Lifeline and Weapon
    You believe in the power of prayer, not just as a routine, but as a place of warfare, intimacy, intercession, and breakthrough. You’ve seen it shift atmospheres and bring healing and restoration.

    6. Family Restoration is in God’s Hands
    Even in the face of brokenness or silence, you trust God’s ability to bring healing to family relationships. You are standing in faith, with patience and compassion, for full reconciliation according to His timing.

    7. You Are Chosen for a Bold Kingdom Assignment
    Though fear and inadequacy tried to hold you back, you now walk in the truth that you are chosen, called to speak, sing, and lead with boldness, and to help others step into their God-given identity too.

    8. Your Trials Have Produced Purpose
    You don’t resent your suffering. You see it as training ground. What you’ve been through has shaped your compassion, sharpened your discernment, and anchored you in God’s faithfulness.

    9. The Word of God is Your Anchor
    You don’t just quote Scripture, you live it, breathe it, and teach it. You are confident that every promise in His Word is yes and amen, and you draw strength daily from its truth.

    10. Jesus is Coming Soon, and the Bride Must Be Ready
    You carry a deep urgency for the Church to awaken and prepare for the return of Christ. You long for purity, repentance, and revival, and you speak with the weight of eternity in view.


  • Wisdom That Grows With Time

    What do you think gets better with age?

    Some people fear getting older, but I’ve come to embrace it because with age, wisdom deepens. Not just the kind that comes from experience, but the kind shaped by walking with God through the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

    There were things I used to react to quickly in my younger years, now I pause, I pray, and I wait. Life has taught me that not everything requires my response, but everything does require my dependence on God. That’s wisdom. That’s grace seasoned with time.

    Job 12:12 says, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” Yes, it does, but only when those years are lived in reverence to the Lord.

    The world may glorify youth, but God honors a heart that has been refined in the fire of His presence. With every gray hair, there’s a testimony. With every wrinkle, a story of God’s faithfulness. Wisdom grows best in soil that has been broken and watered with tears, yet still chooses to bloom in trust.

  • Total Surrender!

    Jeremiah 2:8 KJV
    The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

    Out of all the powerful, prophetic words released today, this one struck me the most. At Mantle 2025, Apostle Jennifer Weaver delivered a sobering cry rooted in Jeremiah 2:8, a cry calling the Church to return to her first love, to cast down every idol, and to run back to the altar where God’s presence dwells.

    She said it plainly and prophetically: “We’ve made room for mixture in the church. We’ve tried to hold the Ark in one hand and the Asherah pole in the other.”

    This piercing truth revealed the heart of the matter, we’ve allowed compromise to take the place of consecration. We’ve wanted the presence of God while entertaining the idols of culture. We’ve wanted the glory without the groaning. But revival and idolatry cannot coexist.

    We want the mantle of power without the tears of surrender. But the Lord is showing us, before you wear the mantle, you must tear your garments.

    Just like Elisha in 2 Kings 2:12, who cried out as Elijah was taken into heaven and “tore his clothes in two pieces,” we too must tear away everything familiar, everything fleshly, and everything former before we can take up the mantle God is releasing in this hour.

    Apostle Weaver declared, “If you have a leader drawing you to themselves and not to Jesus, run! If you’re in a church where man is honored more than God, run!” Run to the Ark of Safety. The hour is late, and the urgency is great. The Church must arise, not in popularity, but in purity.

    Lord, give us back prayer. Give us back fasting. Give us back the altar. Give us God again, holy, unfiltered, and unmatched.

    This isn’t a season for shallow sermons or spiritual performance.
    This is a time to cry aloud and spare not. To deny ourselves. To take up our cross. To follow Him fully.
    Let every celebrity idol fall. Let every Asherah pole be torn down. Let every heart be made ready for the fire of God to fall again.

    It’s time for the Church to Wake Up and Rise! You cannot wear what you have not first torn in surrender. The old must die so the new can rise. The altar must burn before the mantle can rest.

    Run to the Ark of Safety before it’s too late. Tear your garments, rend your hearts, and return to the Lord.

  • Entertaining Angels Unaware

    Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

    One day, I pulled into a gas station to put air in my tires. While waiting in line, I noticed a man who appeared to be homeless, joyfully chatting with another man who was filling his tire. What struck me immediately was that he wasn’t asking for anything, not money, not food. Instead, he was radiating joy, talking about the Lord with such passion that it began to stir something in me. His words were like light breaking through the clouds.

    When it was finally my turn, I stepped out unsure of how to use the air pump. To my surprise, the same man who had been encouraging others with the joy of the Lord came over to help me, just as cheerful, just as kind. As we worked together, our conversation naturally flowed toward Jesus. We didn’t talk about the weather or the day’s news, we talked about God’s goodness.

    After he finished helping me, he looked at me and said something I will never forget: “I see the joy of the Lord in you. May I give you a hug?” I smiled and said, “Most assuredly.”

    He didn’t want money. He just wanted to share the love of Christ.

    But just as I was about to drive away, another man walked up and handed him $5. It felt like confirmation that God was watching over this moment. I felt stirred to bless him as well. I ran into the store to use the ATM, but when I came back out, he was gone. I drove around looking for him, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. It was as if he vanished.

    Before he disappeared, I had told him about The Sock Ministry, which helps feed and care for the homeless. His face lit up. “Oh, I know Jasper well,” he said. That sealed it for me. This wasn’t just a coincidence. This was divine.

    In that brief moment, I knew, I had encountered one of God’s messengers.

    Jesus Himself said in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” Our Savior knew what it was to be without a home. He walked among the poor and broken, and He calls us to do the same, not just with money, but with love, compassion, and dignity.

    Let us never forget: the homeless man or woman we pass by may be more than what we see. They might just be heaven-sent.

  • Rest For The Weary

    Yoked with Jesus

    In a world weighed down by sorrow, fear, and unrest, our souls often feel worn thin. We carry burdens that were never ours to bear alone, grief, confusion, division, uncertainty about the days to come. Yet Jesus lovingly calls to us in the stillness of our weariness:

    “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
    Matthew 11:28–29 (NKJV)

    He doesn’t offer temporary relief or shallow comfort. He offers Himself. When we yoke ourselves to Jesus, we find a rhythm of grace, a steady, sacred pace of walking with the One who carries the weight of the world. His yoke is not a burden, but a bond. He invites us to lay down what exhausts us and take up what restores us.

    In this sacred exchange, we receive His rest. Even when chaos surrounds us, natural disasters or man-made, war, grief, and injustice, we are anchored in the One who is Peace Himself.

    “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
    Isaiah 26:3

    Let us trust Him not only with our personal struggles, but with the deep cries of this world: the pain in Texas where families grieve their children, the unrest in nations torn by war and oppression, and the ongoing prayers for Jerusalem, the city close to God’s heart.

    “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
    Psalm 122:6

    In all these things, our only lasting hope is in Christ alone. He is the anchor of our souls and the Shepherd of nations. Let us come to Him, yoked to His love, resting in His sovereignty.

    Jesus, we come, tired, heavy, and sometimes unsure of how to carry the weight of what we feel. We yoke ourselves to You, our Rest and our Refuge. Thank You for inviting us to come close, not to perform but to simply be with You.

    We lift up our weary hearts and also the groaning of the nations. We pray for the families in Texas who are mourning deep losses, wrap them in Your arms, Holy Spirit, and give them rest that only You can give. Comfort them in ways no words could reach.

    We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We speak Your blessing over her walls and call for protection, restoration, and divine peace to settle over the land.

    We intercede for every nation in turmoil, where children are afraid, where bombs fall, where food is scarce, and where governments have turned cold. King Jesus, reveal Yourself as the Prince of Peace. Pour out Your Spirit on all flesh and draw the brokenhearted near.

    Teach us to walk daily yoked with You, learning Your rhythm of grace and truth. Anchor us in Your rest. Help us to fix our minds on You, trust You deeper, and cling to You through every storm.

    You are our only Hope. You are our steady place. We find peace in You.

    In Your holy name, Jesus,
    Amen.

  • Letting Go For Harmony

    What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?

    Harmony is not the absence of differences, but the presence of God’s peace in the midst of them. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). True peace often requires us to lay down what our flesh wants to hold tightly, unforgiveness, pride, control, or unrealistic expectations, and trust God with our hearts and relationships.

    Ephesians 4:2-3 reminds us, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” When we let go of offenses and surrender our desire to prove ourselves right, we create room for the Holy Spirit to move freely, restoring relationships and aligning hearts.

    Choosing harmony doesn’t mean compromising truth or enabling sin. It means releasing what weighs us down so we can walk in love, patience, and trust that God is the ultimate restorer.

    As you surrender these burdens, may His perfect peace guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7), and may your life be a testimony of God’s reconciling power.

    Prayer for Letting Go and Harmony

    Father God,
    I come before You with a humble heart, desiring harmony in my life and relationships. Lord, show me what I need to let go of so Your peace can reign. Help me release unforgiveness, pride, bitterness, and the need to control outcomes. Give me strength to trust You with the hearts of those around me and to walk in humility and love.

    Holy Spirit, fill me with patience and compassion. Teach me to bear with others in love, to speak words that build up, and to pursue peace even when it costs me my comfort. Remind me that harmony is found not in winning arguments, but in surrendering to Your will and reflecting Your grace.

    May my life be marked by a gentle spirit and a heart quick to forgive, so that I may be called a child of God and a peacemaker in this world. Thank You for Your perfect peace that surpasses understanding and guards my heart as I trust in You.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • God’s Love Never Fails

    Yesterday’s message from Pastor Mike was a timely word straight from the heart of God. Preaching from Malachi 1, Pastor Mike reminded us that love is the first word God speaks over His people. Before anything else, before obedience, before service, God declares, “I have loved you,” says the Lord (Malachi 1:2).

    Pastor Mike taught that God proves His love not by instantly changing our circumstances, but by giving Himself to us in the middle of them. This love is not just a feeling; it’s a choice, a covenant choice that God made with us long before we chose Him (1 John 4:19; Romans 5:8).

    Jacob wanted God, and even with his flaws, he was chosen because of God’s love and promise, not his perfection. Religion says, “If I obey God, He will love me,” but the truth of the gospel declares, “God chose me and loves me first, and that love stirs my heart to obey.”

    Pastor Mike also reminded us that what may feel like rejection could actually be God’s protection, as Psalm 37 encourages. Rather than letting our circumstances dictate our faith, we are called to look to Christ, who is unchanging and steadfast (Romans 8:38-39). If we ever find ourselves doubting God, we must return to His word and remember that nothing, no trial, no exile, can separate us from His love.

    Prayer:

    Father, thank You for Your unchanging love. Thank You for the word You spoke through Pastor Mike that reminded us of Your faithfulness and covenant love even in seasons of exile. Help us remember that Your love is not dependent on our circumstances but is proven through the gift of Yourself. Teach us to choose faithfulness even when we don’t understand what You’re doing.

    Lord, keep our eyes fixed on Christ and not our problems. When we feel rejected, remind us it may be Your protection. When we doubt, flood our hearts with the truth of Your word. Thank You for loving us first, and for choosing us despite our weaknesses. Let Your love flow through us so we can love others well. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • For Such A Time As This

    “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” — John 20:29

    When God hides you, He is not rejecting you, He is honoring you. He is hiding you in His quiver until the right moment to reveal you.The hidden place is holy ground where our flesh is crucified and our character is forged. It’s where God prepares us for what He intends to reveal. Just as Esther was hidden before she was crowned, God conceals His chosen vessels until they are ready to walk in divine favor.

    Favor isn’t about impressing others; it’s about being appointed by God at the right moment. Esther stepped into favor because she aligned with God’s perfect timing, not her own agenda. What looked like delay was divine positioning.

    Remember:
    Darkness is not your burial ground; it is the soil of your becoming. Seeds don’t make noise when they rise, they simply break through.
    Our delays are not denials; they are the seasons where God grows us in faith, patience, and trust.

    So believe without seeing, for the One who hides you plans to reveal you. Trust His process, knowing that your quiet obedience today will yield a harvest of favor tomorrow.

    Father, thank You for the hidden seasons where You prepare us for greater things. Help us trust Your timing, even when we feel unseen or overlooked. Remind us that in the darkness, You are nurturing us to rise in faith and favor. May we believe without seeing, knowing You are faithful to complete the work You’ve begun in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • He Is My Refuge And Strength

    He Is My Refuge

    “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

    There are moments in life when fear, grief, rejection, or uncertainty seem overwhelming, yet these are the very moments God reveals Himself most tenderly as our refuge and strength.

    I remember when fear gripped my heart at the thought of stepping into my calling, when He sent me into jail ministry, especially when speaking to others about the hope I found in Jesus. My voice trembled, my heart raced, but every time I cried out, He answered me. His peace would wrap around me like a warm blanket, reminding me that perfect love casts out all fear.

    I remember the deep valley of grief after my beloved husband went home to be with the Lord. Loneliness tried to swallow me whole, but God became my shelter. He turned my mourning into a new mission, giving me courage to reach out online, transforming my pain into a platform of healing and hope for others.

    I remember times of financial need that felt like standing before a giant I could never defeat. Yet, again and again, Jehovah Jireh provided, through unexpected donations, acts of kindness, and divine appointments. He proved that those who seek the Lord lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10).

    I remember the hardest battles of forgiveness, when bitterness threatened to take root. God’s Spirit gently whispered, showing me how much I had been forgiven. His strength helped me release the past, freeing me to walk in peace and love.

    These moments are not just memories, they are testimonies of a God who “is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

    Reflection Challenge
    Take time today to write down three moments when God delivered you from fear, provided when you were in need, or healed your heart. Let them be stones of remembrance you can return to when life feels heavy.

    Father, thank You for being my refuge and strength. Thank You for hearing my cries and delivering me time and again. Help me never forget the countless ways You have rescued, restored, and renewed me. May my life continue to testify of Your goodness and draw others to the hope found in You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    Remember:
    “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

  • A Teachers Heart

    What makes a teacher great?

    1. Deep Love for God and His Word

    A good teacher must first love the Lord with all their heart (Deuteronomy 6:5) and be devoted to His Word (Psalm 119:105). They can only teach truthfully if they are themselves rooted in the truth.

    2. A Humble, Teachable Spirit

    Pride has no place in a biblical teacher. James 3:1 reminds us that teachers are held to a stricter judgment, so humility recognizing we always have more to learn, is essential (Proverbs 11:2).

    3. A Life of Integrity and Godly Example

    Paul exhorted Timothy to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). A good teacher doesn’t just speak truth, they live it.

    4.Sound Doctrine and Discernment

    A faithful teacher rightly handles the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), guarding against false teaching (Titus 1:9) and helping others grow in sound doctrine.

    5. Patience and Gentleness

    Teaching often requires correcting misunderstandings or sin gently (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Godly teachers don’t browbeat; they patiently nurture.

    6. Genuine Love for People

    Jesus, the ultimate Teacher, was moved with compassion (Mark 6:34). A good teacher sees their students as people to love, not projects to complete.

    7. Reliance on the Holy Spirit

    We can’t teach spiritual truths in human strength. A good teacher depends on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, guidance, and the power to touch hearts (John 14:26). Declaration:

    Declaration:

    “Lord, make me a teacher who loves You deeply, lives with integrity, teaches Your truth boldly, and loves others patiently, always relying on Your Holy Spirit.”