Returning to Intimacy

Author: youngpl24

  • Stewardship Over Ownership

    “It’s Not Mine , But It’s In My Hands”

    Pastor Mike gave us a powerful reflection on stewardship and obedience on Sunday. His message struck a deep chord in me, especially as he unpacked what it truly means to be a steward and not an owner. I had to learn this lesson, many years ago, particularly in the area of giving.

    He shared three key truths:

    1. Hold loosely what God has entrusted to you.
    2. Be honest about what you really control.
    3. Look for opportunities to invest in God’s Kingdom.

    That resonated deeply with me. There was a time I robbed God in tithes and offerings, not out of rebellion, but out of ignorance and fear. But when I came to understand the truth about tithing, that “it all belongs to God,” my heart began to shift. I realized then: I’m not giving to be seen or feel important, but because I love Him. Obedience became my worship.

    Whether it’s tithing to my church, sowing into various ministries, none of it is really mine. God just placed it in my hands.

    We live in a culture obsessed with more, driven by the idol of Mammon. But in the Book of Acts (Acts 4:34–37), we see a church that lived differently. They understood the difference, as Pastor calls it, between BO—Body Odor (when it belongs to man) and DO—Divine Odor (when it belongs to God). Everything they had, they laid at the apostles’ feet, not because they were forced, but because they were free.

    He also gave the analogy of the boy with the two fish and five loaves of bread. It wasn’t much. But it was in his hand, and when he released it to Jesus, it became more than enough.That’s the power of stewardship: We don’t use God to get what we want.
    We use what He gives to glorify Him. We stop being stingy with what already belongs to God. Stewardship over ownership. Worship over materialism. Obedience over self-glory.

    My heart cry today is: “God, how do You want me to use what You gave me?”
    Because I know now, it’s not mine, but it’s in my hand. And when I place it in His hands, it becomes much.

    Sovereign Lord,

    Thank You for entrusting us with what is Yours. We come with open hands and humble hearts, recognizing that everything we have, our time, talents, resources, relationships, even our very breath, belongs to You. It’s not ours, but You’ve placed it in our hands to manage with care, faithfulness, and love.

    Forgive us, Lord, for the times we’ve held too tightly to what was never ours to begin with. Teach us to hold loosely, to give freely, and to live generously. Help us to be honest about what we truly control and to release the illusion of ownership.

    Lord, we want to be faithful stewards, willing vessels used for Your glory. Lead us to invest in Your Kingdom: in people, in truth, in compassion, and in eternal things. Remind us daily that only what’s done for Christ will last.

    Let us not be consumed by the pull of materialism or the idol of more. Deliver us from the love of money and the fear of lack. Teach us to trust You as our Source, our Provider, our Shepherd, our King.

    Use what’s in our hands, Lord, no matter how small it may seem. Multiply it for Your purposes. May our obedience release miracles like the loaves and fish, and may our giving carry the fragrance of heaven, not the scent of self.

    We surrender again today, our hearts, our gifts, our lives.

    In Jesus’ name,
    Amen.

  • Exposing The Deceiver

    Key Scripture:
    “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8

    Satan doesn’t always show up with fury and flames. Sometimes, he comes quietly, through distraction, compromise, or indifference. His goal? To steal your focus, kill your passion, and destroy your purpose.

    The Bible reveals four strategic ways the enemy tries to deceive God’s people:

    1. Indifference – The devil numbs our hunger for God, making spiritual things feel unnecessary or irrelevant. This is spiritual apathy, and it’s dangerous (1 John 5:19).
    2. Ignorance – Where God’s truth is lacking, deception runs wild. Satan loves to operate in darkness. That’s why staying rooted in the Word is vital (Hosea 4:6).
    3. Infiltration – The enemy slips in through small compromises: secret sins, anger left unchecked, or unguarded thoughts (Eph. 4:27; Prov. 6:27). He doesn’t need a big door, just a crack.
    4. Intervention through BUSYness – Satan keeps us Bound Under Satan’s Yoke by crowding our lives with debt, distractions, and an endless pursuit of “more.” It’s not always evil, sometimes it’s just everything else but God.

    But here’s the truth:
    Satan is not God’s equal. He is a defeated enemy, a created being on a divine leash. He is not omnipresent, omnipotent, or omniscient. He is not the opposite of God, at best, he’s the opposite of Michael the archangel.

    And YOU, dear child of God, are on Team Jesus. “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

    Ask yourself this question: How can I stay vigilant and walk daily in the victory Jesus already won?

    Father,
    Thank You for giving me discernment and authority through Christ. Help me to remain sober and vigilant, not falling into the traps of indifference, ignorance, or distraction. Expose every lie and help me to walk in truth. Thank You that Satan is defeated and that the One in me is greater than the one in the world.
    I choose today to stand firm, as a warrior on Team Jesus. In Jesus’ name,
    Amen.

  • A Leader or Follower?

    I don’t carry the title of “Founder” of Lazarus Restoration Ministries, but I’ve had the honor of serving alongside it for over 20 years, planting seeds of compassion, helping build structure, and pouring into people with a heart to see lives restored. Through this and other experiences, I’ve come to understand that leadership isn’t always about titles. It’s about presence, obedience, and faithfulness.

    I’ve often questioned whether I was more of a follower than a leader, especially in seasons where I felt hidden, afraid, or inadequate. But looking back, I see how God has been shaping me all along. He’s called me to rise, not just to follow others, but to follow Him boldly, and in doing so, lead others into freedom, healing, and truth.

    I lead by example. I lead through service. I lead when I teach, when I write, when I intercede, and when I show up for one soul at a time. I may not always be in front, but I carry the mantle of a leader, because I carry the heart of Christ.

    Leadership for me is not about position; it’s about posture. And my posture is surrendered.

  • A Kingdom Response to Cancel Culture

    When Love Grows Cold — And the Culture That Cancels Sin, Not People

    Dear Beloved Readers,

    The world we’re living in seems louder, harsher, and colder. Matthew 24:12 tells us, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

    You’ve likely seen it, or maybe felt it:
    Cancel culture. Online takedowns. Harsh judgments. And the most heartbreaking part? The silence where love should have spoken.

    A Personal Encounter with Cancel Culture

    God led me to mission work, not overseas, but through a Facebook platform. I said “yes” with trembling faith, trusting that each word He gave me would find a heart in need.

    But as I obeyed, I faced backlash.
    Rejection.
    Cruelty.
    People I thought would support me… didn’t.

    It hurt.

    Yet, in that fiery place, God revealed something deeper: I wasn’t being canceled, I was being called.
    I was being refined, not rejected. He was teaching me how to overcome offense and anchor my identity in Christ alone.

    To this day, over 866,394 souls have encountered those messages not because of popularity, but because of obedience.

    The Real Cancel Culture

    Dr. David Jeremiah said it best: “Get into the Jesus Cancel Culture—when Jesus cancels our sin.”

    That’s the cancel culture I want to be part of. One where shame is erased. Where brokenness is healed. Where the love of Jesus runs hotter than the coldness of this world.

    Colossians 4:6 reminds us, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt…” We don’t compromise truth, but we carry it gracefully. With kindness. With mercy. With the heart of a Redeemer.

    A Prayer from My Heart to Yours

    Father,
    Thank You for canceling our sin, not our story. When I felt silenced, You gave me a new sound. When rejection knocked, You reminded me of my calling. Let our words be seasoned with grace and our love never grow cold.
    Use every wound for Your glory. Let us be voices of hope in a world that desperately needs it.
    In Jesus’ name,
    Amen.

  • There Is No Greater Love

    Scripture:
    “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13 (KJV)

    The cross of Christ stands as the greatest love letter ever written. Not penned with ink, but with blood. Not delivered through parchment, but through a body broken for us. Jesus didn’t just say He loved us, He proved it. He laid down His life, knowing that many would turn away, ignore, or even mock His sacrifice. Still, He loved without restraint.

    This kind of love, sacrificial, eternal, and unconditional, is not found in any human relationship. It is divine, stretching beyond time, touching every soul with the invitation: Come, I have made a way. Jesus didn’t die just to forgive you, He died to bring you close, to restore what was broken, and to give you life abundantly.

    If you’ve ever questioned your worth, remember the cross. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re loved, look at the empty tomb. Jesus conquered death so we could walk in the freedom of a love that never lets go. There is truly no greater love.

    Reflection Challenge:
    Take a few moments today and imagine Jesus standing in front of you, not with condemnation, but with compassion in His eyes. Hear Him say, “I did this for you.” Let His love soak into every dry place in your soul. Write a short letter of thanks to Him for His sacrifice.

  • A Vessel or Vault?

    Living a Life of Generosity

    “What do you have?”
    This was the question posed by the prophet Elisha to a desperate widow in 2 Kings 4:2–7. Her answer, a small jar of oil, did not seem like much. But what followed was a miracle rooted not in how much she had, but in her willingness to pour out what she did have.

    This same question echoes to us today: What do you have? And are you willing to give it to the Lord?

    As Pastor Matt shared these truths, he reminded us that generosity isn’t just about money or things, it’s about identity. It’s not simply something we do; it’s who we are. Generosity is the outward expression of a heart surrendered to God.

    Scripture is clear:
    “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty… for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11

    “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me,’ but remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” – Deuteronomy 8:17-18

    “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty.” – Haggai 2:8

    God owns it all, yet He chooses to work through us. The question is, how are we stewarding what He’s placed in our hands?

    We can live life as a vault, locked up, storing for ourselves, hoarding our time, talent, and treasure. Or we can live as a vessel, open, yielded, and ready to pour.

    Elisha didn’t ask the widow to store the oil. He told her to pour it. And as long as she poured, the oil kept flowing. That’s the kingdom principle: the key to ongoing provision is pouring, not preserving.

    Are you a storer or a pourer?

    Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) If our heart is truly set on the kingdom, generosity becomes our natural response. We’re not called to keep the oil, but to spread it, across generations, across communities, across nations.

    We are agents of hope and transformation. When we live with open hands and surrendered hearts, God uses us to fill empty jars all around us, broken people, hurting families, weary souls.

    So ask yourself today:
    Am I living as a vessel or a vault? Am I storing or pouring?

    May our answer be: “Lord, all I have is Yours. Use me as a vessel, let the oil flow.”

  • Courage

    What does freedom mean to you?

    Freedom is the unshackled ability to live in truth, unhindered by fear, guilt, or the opinions of others. It is the power to choose what is right over what is easy, to walk in purpose without apology, and to love and serve from a place of wholeness.

    For me, true freedom is knowing Jesus with all my heart and living a life according to His standard. It’s not just an external liberty, but an inward release from everything that binds, shame, lies, sin, and fear. In Christ, my identity is secure, my path is clear, and my heart is at rest.

    Freedom flows from obedience, not restriction. When I live surrendered to Him, I’m not confined, I’m set free. His love becomes my foundation, His truth my compass, and His Spirit my strength. That’s the kind of freedom that changes lives, starting with mine.

  • Beautiful Creations

    To all the beautiful mothers who carry a Mother’s Love in their hearts, today, we celebrate you.

    To every mother rising early and staying up late, giving, praying, nurturing, and believing through it all, you are seen. Motherhood is not always a bed of roses. There are days of joy and laughter, but there are also thorns, hard moments, deep concerns, and tears that only God knows. Still, you press on with grace, courage, and unwavering love. That is strength. That is beauty. That is the heart of a mother.

    God, our faithful Father, walks with you through every high and low. “He gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11). Whether you’re raising little ones, guiding teens, praying for adult children, or grieving prodigals, you are not alone. He sees, He knows, and He sustains.

    To those whose mothers are no longer here, our hearts are with you. Today may carry a mixture of emotions: love, gratitude, longing, even pain. May you feel God’s tender nearness. As it is written, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). The legacy of your mother’s love lives on through you, and her memory is a treasure Heaven holds close.

    And to those who mother others without having children of their own, your nurturing spirit is a gift to this world. The way you love, mentor, and care is no less powerful. You, too, are worthy of honor and celebration.

    So to every heart that has mothered, been mothered, or is missing a mother today, this blessing is for you:

    May God continue to strengthen, comfort, and reward you. May the seeds you’ve sown in faith blossom into lasting fruit. And may you know today and always, you are deeply loved.❤️💐✝️

  • Working with Hurting People

    What do you do to be involved in the community?

    For over 20 years, I’ve had the honor of serving in my community through Lazarus Restoration Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit outreach dedicated to helping those often overlooked, our homeless and indigent neighbors. With no salary, just a heart full of compassion, I’ve continued to volunteer my time, energy, and love to provide food, clothing, resources and guidance to those looking to rebuild their lives.

    This isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am. I believe that when we show up for others in their hardest moments, we reflect the very heart of God. My deepest joy comes from seeing someone rise from hopelessness to healing, from wandering to walking in purpose again.

    If you feel a tug on your heart and want to sow into this mission of restoration, would you consider giving? No amount is too small when it’s given in love. You can support directly through Cash App at  $LRMinc or http://www.lazarusrmi.org.

    Your gift helps us keep the mission going, and maybe, just maybe, it will help someone believe in love again.💕🙏🏿

  • Stay Connected to the Vine

    Jesus said, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

    To stay connected to the Vine is not a passive suggestion, it’s a covenant call. A divine invitation to live in alignment, authority, and abundant grace. When we abide in Him, we step into a rhythm not driven by striving but by divine partnership.

    Grace is not only what saves us, it reveals what faith retrieves. In other words, grace opens the door, but faith is what walks through it. When we are intimately connected to Christ, our faith becomes alive, strong, and active. We no longer live reactionary lives. We live responsive ones, sensitive to the Spirit and bold in obedience.

    The place where you meet God is sacred. But it is also limitless. Expand your expectations. Invite Him everywhere, into the car ride, the boardroom, the kitchen, the prison, the hospital room. Like the psalmist said, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). The answer? Nowhere. He is always present. And He wants to be invited into everything.

    To stay connected is to stay in covenant. Not just when it feels good, but when it’s hard. Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us that the race is not given to the swift. In other words, this walk isn’t about being the fastest or most talented, it’s about being faithful.

    “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” (2 Timothy 2:12). Passion for Christ will cause us to suffer. But suffering in Christ isn’t a setback, it’s a setup for authority. Through suffering, we gain spiritual weight. Heaven recognizes those who’ve stayed when others left, who pressed in when others gave up.

    Beloved, don’t let go.
    Be persistent. Be rooted. Be relentless. God is not after perfection, He’s after connection. To stay connected to the Vine is to remain nourished when the world is dry, focused when distractions scream, and fruitful even in famine.

    Stay in divine alignment. Stand for what God stands for. You were born to bear much fruit, but only in Him.