Returning to Intimacy

Category: Spiritual Category

  • Power Over Politics

    A Call To Wake Up!

    In these perilous times, many in the body of Christ are trading spiritual discernment for positions of power and political gain. The Church is called to be the pillar and ground of truth (1 Timothy 3:15), not a place where worldly agendas are masked in religious garments.

    But the Word warns us:

    “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires… they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
    — 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NKJV)

    Instead of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3), some have grown comfortable in lukewarmness, idolizing leaders, titles, and traditions more than Christ Himself. Political alliances and power plays have replaced repentance, holiness, and the urgency of the hour.

    But let this be a call to the remnant, those whose hearts still burn for the truth.

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

    You cannot afford to be spiritually asleep. Jesus is coming, and He’s not returning for a politically correct church, but a pure and watchful Bride.

    “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”
    — Matthew 24:42 (NKJV)

    🚨 What Should We Do?

    1. Return to Sound Doctrine
      Stand firm on the Word. Measure everything, not by popularity or politics, but by Scripture.
    2. Stay Spiritually Awake
      Refuse to be lulled by smooth talk and church politics. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth (John 16:13).
    3. Guard Your Heart
      Power can corrupt. Keep your motives pure and your eyes on Jesus.
    4. Stand in Boldness
      Don’t bow to man-made systems. Be like the prophets of old who declared the truth no matter the cost.

    “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”
    — 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

    🙏🏾 Prayer of Clarity and Courage

    Father,
    We repent for the times we’ve allowed pride, politics, or power to cloud our spiritual vision. Open our eyes again to Your truth. Cleanse Your house, Lord, and awaken Your people. Let every false agenda be exposed, and may Your remnant rise with holy boldness. Help us to be vigilant, standing on the wall, declaring Your soon return. We look not to man, but to You, our coming King.
    In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • God’s Justice For All!

    Compassion and Righteousness

    In a world filled with injustice, where corruption often silences truth and the cries of the poor echo unanswered in the streets, we are reminded that God is not blind, nor is He silent. The God of heaven is a God of justice, mercy, and truth. His heart burns with compassion for those who are overlooked, and He will not ignore the suffering of the downtrodden.

    “For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”
    — Isaiah 30:18

    God’s justice is not like man’s. Where human systems may fail and leaders may abuse power, God’s justice is perfect, pure, and impartial. He defends the poor, uplifts the broken, and holds the corrupt accountable.

    “He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.”
    — Psalm 72:4

    Confronting Corruption and Indifference

    Too many have grown cold-hearted in a world that idolizes self over service. Corruption festers where truth is buried, and injustice grows when love is absent. God’s Word speaks firmly about this:

    “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people…”
    — Isaiah 10:1-2

    When we see homelessness and suffering on the streets, our response should not be judgment or indifference, but compassion, fueled by the Spirit of Christ. Jesus Himself identified with the poor:

    “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat… I was a stranger and you invited me in… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
    — Matthew 25:35, 40

    The Church’s Mandate: Love in Action

    We, as His people, are called to reflect His justice and mercy. This means standing against corruption, not just in high places, but in the small choices of our daily lives, and choosing love over apathy.

    “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
    — Isaiah 1:17

    The gospel is not only for the pulpit, it is for the pavement, where broken hearts lie, where addiction has robbed people of dignity, and where the homeless are not statistics, but souls loved by God.

    A Prayer for Justice and Compassion

    Lord, awaken our hearts to the cries of those in need. Forgive us for the times we’ve turned away from the suffering. Raise up people of justice who won’t bow to corruption, who won’t ignore the poor, and who will love as You love. Help us to not just pray for change but to be the change, through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • My Journey of Overcoming Fear

    What fears have you overcome and how?

    For years, I found comfort in writing. Sharing devotionals, prayers, and testimonies came naturally behind a screen or on paper. But when it came to speaking out loud, standing in front of people, opening my mouth, and letting my voice carry, I would freeze. Fear had a grip on me, especially when it came to public speaking. When singing, however, I would close my eyes and sing to an audience of One.

    I used to write out everything, not just for clarity, but to protect myself from the fear of messing up. Speaking off the cuff? That felt terrifying. I felt safer teaching in smaller settings, like jail ministry, The Chrysalis Ministry for  women dealing with domestic violence, where my audience couldn’t see how nervous I was. But deep down, I knew God was calling me out of the shadows, not just to write or teach quietly, but to speak boldly and publicly.

    This fear ran deep, fear of judgment, fear of rejection, and fear of not being “enough.” Yet, the Holy Spirit wouldn’t let me settle. He kept nudging me, reminding me that my voice wasn’t mine, it was His tool. He didn’t ask me to be perfect; He asked me to be willing.

    I’ve also faced rejection in online ministry. After my husband went home to be with the Lord, God led me to speak through Facebook posts. At first, even typing out what He gave me came with hesitation. What if people misunderstood me? What if they criticized me? And some did. But obedience taught me to trust God with the outcome. That journey built my confidence and reminded me that my calling isn’t about popularity, it’s about purpose.

    Now, I’m intentionally stepping into verbal public speaking very slowly before I sing. Not just through written words, but with my actual voice, face-to-face, microphone in hand, heart wide open. I still feel the nerves. But I’m learning that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s saying yes in spite of it.

    Each time I speak, I feel God strengthening me. I’m no longer letting fear dictate my calling. I’m stepping out, trembling if I must, but trusting God will meet me there.

    If you’ve ever struggled with fear of public speaking or stepping fully into your voice, let this be an encouragement: you’re not alone, and you’re not disqualified. God prepares whom He calls, and He’s still preparing me, one brave word at a time.

  • Knowing When to Unplug

    How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?

    1. Lack of Peace.
    “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” – Colossians 3:15
    When peace is absent and replaced by unrest or confusion, it may be God’s signal that a shift is needed.

    2. Spiritual Stagnation or Decline. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away…” – John 15:2
    If something consistently takes you away from time with God, it may be pruning time.

    3. Conviction from the Holy Spirit. “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…” – John 16:13
    The Holy Spirit gently convicts, not to shame, but to realign your steps with God’s will.

    4. Repeated Red Flags. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23 Don’t ignore warning signs that keep resurfacing. God is protecting your heart.

    5. God Has Already Spoken.
    “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” – John 10:27
    When peace follows obedience, trust the voice that calls you higher.

    Steps to Unplug (with Love and Wisdom):

    1. Pray First
    Seek divine guidance. Ask God to show you if it’s time to let go and how to do so gracefully.

    2. Set Boundaries with Clarity. “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’…” – Matthew 5:37 Boundaries protect your obedience to God without requiring harsh explanations.

    3. Release in the Spirit. “Be kind to one another… forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31–32
    Forgiveness and release break spiritual entanglements and open space for healing.

    4. Stay Rooted in the Word.
    Replace what you unplug from with intentional time in God’s presence and truth.

    5. Speak the Truth in Love
    “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way…” – Ephesians 4:15
    Let your words be seasoned with grace and directed by the Spirit.

    Walking in Love While Letting Go: Love does not mean enabling. True love sometimes steps away for the greater healing of all involved.

    Love may look like silence.
    “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” – Luke 5:16
    Withdrawing to hear from God is an act of love, for yourself and others.

    Bless as you go.
    You may not be someone’s answer, but you can entrust them to the One who is.

    Father, thank You for Your wisdom and patience. Help me to let go of what is no longer aligned with Your will for me. Give me discernment to recognize distractions, courage to make Spirit-led decisions, and grace to walk in love through it all. Let everything I do be done in obedience and covered in peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • The Fragrance of Love

    Love Well

    Loving Well Until the Day of Jesus Christ

    In a world that often feels cold and divided, it’s easy to become disheartened or offended by what we see around us. But as children of the Most High God, we are not called to react like the world, we are called to respond like Christ.

    “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.”
    — Philippians 1:9-10 (NKJV)

    God’s Word calls us to abound in love, not just to love, but to overflow in it. Why? Because love has a way of cutting through the chaos. Love clears our vision. Love helps us rise above offense and see people the way God sees them.

    “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
    — 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

    When the enemy tries to use offense to distract or divide, we must remember: we are ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Our love may be the bridge someone needs to experience Jesus.

    So today, and every day until Christ returns:

    Choose forgiveness over frustration.

    Choose compassion over criticism.

    Choose purpose over pettiness.

    Choose love over offense.

    “Let all that you do be done in love.”
    — 1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)

    Let’s commit to loving well, not because it’s always easy, but because it’s who we are as His own. And when He returns, may He find our hearts still burning bright with love.

    Lord, help us to love as You love, fiercely, faithfully, and without condition, until the day You return. Amen.

  • Not Religion – Relationship

    Do you practice religion?

    “I don’t just practice a religion, I live in a relationship with Jesus Christ. My faith isn’t about rituals or rules, but about daily surrender, love, and obedience to God. He’s the reason I’m still standing, and everything I do flows from that relationship.”

  • Being A Vessel of His Heart

    What are you good at?

    I am no stranger to broken roads, but grace has lit each step I’ve known.

    Not for applause, nor to be seen, but to reflect what Christ redeems.

    I’ve held the weight of others’ pain,
    Whispered prayers in Jesus’ name.

    I’ve learned to listen, not just speak, to serve in strength and still be meek.

    My hands are His, my voice His tool, each moment shaped in heaven’s school.

    Not perfect, no, but made to be, a vessel of His love, set free.

    So if you see a light in me,
    It’s not my own, it’s Him you see.

    For every good that flows from this, Is simply grace, I’m only His.

  • OnlyJesus

    Jesus said, “Follow Me.”
    That wasn’t a suggestion, it was a call to reorient everything. And it changed my life.

    I wasn’t always bold. I didn’t always feel qualified. In fact, there was a time I was hiding, behind fear, behind pain, behind shame. But Jesus… Jesus came right into that place and called me by name. He didn’t ask me to be perfect. He didn’t ask me to fix myself. He just said, “Follow Me.”

    And I did. That simple yes led to the most beautiful undoing and becoming. My Pastor reminded me of these three key nuggets:

    1. Jesus Helps Ordinary People

    I’m proof of this. I’m not here because I figured life out. I’m here because Jesus met me as I was, ordinary, overwhelmed, unsure, and loved me anyway. His grace didn’t demand performance; it invited me to rest.

    “When they saw the courage of Peter and John… they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
    Acts 4:13

    Peter and John were fishermen. Rough around the edges. But being with Jesus made them bold. It still does.

    There’s something sacred about helping others find what we’ve found, grace that rewrites your story. Eulogy virtue isn’t about what we achieve. It’s about who we become. Jesus is still using ordinary people to do eternal work.

    1. Jesus Helps Us Become

    I used to strive to “get it right” before I believed I could belong. But Jesus flipped that.

    With Him, you belong before you believe, and you believe before you behave. That truth shattered my shame. The way Jesus loves is deeper than any sin that tried to stain me. I didn’t have to earn it. I just had to receive it.

    “In Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17

    Even me. Especially me.
    Being with Jesus changes you. His grace is greater than your guilt. His love digs deeper than your brokenness. He doesn’t shame you into holiness, He loves you into wholeness.

    1. Jesus Makes Us Passionate Followers

    Somewhere along the way, I stopped trying to just survive and started burning with purpose. The same Jesus who called me out of hiding, now sends me out to help others find Him. I’m not here to impress people, I’m here to point them to Jesus, the Preeminent One.

    “That in everything He might be preeminent.”
    Colossians 1:18

    He’s not just first in my day, He’s first in my desires, in my calling, in my voice. Jesus is not just someone I talk about, He is my life.

    So Today, I Reorient

    I reorient my thoughts, my steps, my heart, around Jesus. Not religion. Not rules. Just Jesus. He found me. He changed me. He sent me. And now I burn to help others come and follow Him too.

    Let me leave you with this:

    Only Jesus can take ordinary people and make them bold. Only Jesus can turn shame into strength. Only Jesus is worthy of your whole life.

  • J E S U S

    Daily writing prompt
    Who would you like to talk to soon?
    View all responses

    If I could speak to anyone, it would be Jesus.

    Not because I haven’t already spoken to Him, but because every conversation with Him brings me closer to the truth of who I am and why I’m here. Jesus has been my anchor through deep sorrow, my strength in weakness, and my guide through every transition, from heartbreak to healing, from rejection to purpose.

    After the loss of my husband, Jesus met me in the quiet places and called me into mission work I never imagined. Even when I faced ridicule, rejection, and fear, He reminded me that obedience matters more than applause. Through the tears, He taught me forgiveness. Through the wilderness, He revealed identity. And through the work, He birthed ministry.

    I would speak with Him face to face not to ask for more, but to simply say, “Thank You.” Thank You for seeing me when I wanted to hide. Thank You for assigning me to love, even when it hurt. Thank You for using my brokenness to encourage others. And thank You for making me whole in You.

    He is not just someone I’d like to speak to, He is the One I live to listen to.

  • Honoring the Silent Battles

    This Memorial Day Weekend, as we remember the fallen on the battlefield, may we also pause to honor those who died after the war, those who lost their lives to the invisible wounds of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

    Some never knew what they were truly battling. Some carried their pain in silence.
    And too many died by suicide, not from weakness, but from a war that followed them home.

    Their stories deserve remembrance. Their lives mattered. They were not forsaken by God, even when hope felt far away.

    “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18. Yes, even in the darkest places, God was with them.

    To the families left behind, our hearts mourn with you.
    To the ones still fighting this battle, you are not alone. You are seen, loved, and needed.

    And to the Church, the community, and every heart willing to listen, we must do more.

    No veteran should ever feel forgotten or be on the streets of our communities. No veteran should go without help, healing, or hope. This is our call: to honor not just with words, but with action.

    Let us stand in the gap with prayer and compassion.
    Let us become safe places for healing. Let us fight with our veterans in faith, until every mind finds peace and every heart finds rest.

    “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” —Galatians 6:2

    This Memorial Day Weekend, we remember every warrior, those who died in war, and those who died from war within. We honor your lives. We will not forget.