Returning to Intimacy

Category: Spiritual Category

  • Power In His Name

    Abba Father,
    We come before You today with hearts bowed low and hands lifted high, giving You total honor and adoration. There is none like You, holy, righteous, and true. You are the Great I AM, self-existent, eternal, and unchanging.

    Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Who Provides
    We worship You, our Provider. You see every need before we speak it, and Your faithfulness surrounds us like a shield. You provided the Lamb, Jesus Christ, our ultimate sacrifice and salvation.

    Jehovah Rapha – The Lord Who Heals
    You are our Healer, not only of our bodies but of our hearts, our minds, and our souls. You mend the broken and restore the weary. In You, wholeness is found.

    Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Is Peace
    You are our Peace in every storm. Your presence stills our anxieties and anchors us in perfect rest. We worship You for the calm You bring in chaos.

    Jehovah Nissi – The Lord Our Banner
    You go before us in battle, waving the banner of victory. You are our identity and covering. We lift Your name high over every circumstance and give You glory.

    El Shaddai – God Almighty
    You are more than enough. You are all-powerful, all-sufficient, and ever-present. We bow before Your might and rest in Your sovereignty.

    El Roi – The God Who Sees
    Thank You that nothing escapes Your watchful eye. You see our pain, our prayers, and our purpose. You are near to the brokenhearted and attentive to the cries of Your children.

    Yahweh – I AM WHO I AM
    You are holy, set apart, and beyond all comprehension. Yet You choose to dwell with us. We are in awe of Your majesty and Your mercy.

    Jesus – Yeshua, Savior
    The Name above all names! In You we have redemption, grace, and eternal life. You are the Good Shepherd, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

    Holy Spirit,
    You are our Comforter, Counselor, and Convictor of truth. We honor Your presence and ask You to continue shaping us into the image of Christ.

    To You alone be all honor, glory, and praise, forever and ever.
    Amen.

  • Breaking The Barriers

    A Journey from Prejudice to Love”

    The message from Pastor Mike on Sunday out of the Book of Acts, inspired me to be transparent about another moment on this journey, one the Holy Spirit walked me through with grace, conviction, and love. It came from Acts 10:28.

    There was a time when I believed I was doing just fine spiritually. I was in the church, faithfully serving, loving God, and trying my best to walk upright. But sometimes, it takes one unexpected moment for the Holy Spirit to reveal what’s still hidden deep in the heart.

    That moment came when my eldest son, still a senior in high school at the time, brought home the young lady he was dating. I wasn’t ready. She was white, and my heart instantly recoiled. I masked it with politeness, but inside, I was filled with fear, discomfort, and silent judgment. I didn’t want him dating someone from another race, not because I hated her, but because I feared for him. I feared what her family might think, what society might do, how the world might treat a young Black man in love with someone outside his race.

    But I can’t call it anything less than what it was: prejudice. And though I loved God, I wasn’t loving like God. She felt my distance, and I felt the weight of conviction. That encounter unsettled me for days. The Lord began peeling back the layers of my heart and showing me that what I thought was protection was actually a wall I had built, a wall He never asked me to put up.

    The Lord was confronting me gently, just as He confronted Peter in Acts 10. Peter, a devout man of God, was still holding onto cultural divisions until God gave him a vision that broke down his pride. When Peter said, “God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean,” he was admitting that even a godly man can have blind spots. So could I.

    A few days later, I agreed to go with my son to dinner at her family’s home. I walked in, guarded, still unsure of what to expect. But what I experienced brought tears to my soul. Her parents welcomed me, not with shallow tolerance but with genuine kindness. They loved my son, truly loved him, and I saw it in their eyes and actions. It stunned me. And it humbled me.

    In that moment, I realized they had shown more love and acceptance toward my son than I had shown their daughter. The Holy Spirit gripped my heart. That was the turning point. It was the start of God dismantling old fears and outdated beliefs and replacing them with His divine perspective.

    I want to pause here and say this from my heart: I grew up in a traditional Black church surrounded by devoted pastors, powerful worship, and rich teaching that grounded me in the Word of God. That environment shaped me, trained me, and helped develop the foundation I stand on today. I carry deep respect for the people and the place that first taught me to love Jesus. So when the Lord later planted me in a multicultural church, it wasn’t because something was wrong with where I had been, it was because He was expanding my heart and my reach. He wasn’t erasing my roots; He was building on them.

    Later, as I worshiped among believers from different backgrounds, I saw the body of Christ the way it was meant to be, diverse, unified, worshiping in one Spirit. And my heart began to heal. Not just from prejudice, but from fear. From pride. From the lie that God’s love is bound by human preference.

    Pastor Mike reminded us that we are called to long for Jesus more than we long for comfort. That’s what it took for me to grow. It took humility. The kind that admits, “I was wrong.” The kind that says, “Lord, search me and know me,” even when it hurts. The kind that breaks barriers and builds bridges.

    When I look at Acts 2 and see believers from every nation gathered, I realize how intentional God is. He speaks every language. He sees every heart. He knows how to reach each one of us, right where we are, because His love doesn’t have a color, just a name: Jesus.

    The church in Acts wasn’t built in a bubble. It was forged in the fire of persecution and spread across cultures through people who were willing to grow. That’s how the church in Antioch was born, a church so united that people couldn’t label it by race or class. They just called them “Christians.”

    And isn’t that what we want to be known as?

    Heaven is going to sound like a choir, every tribe, every tongue, every people and nation. And if we’re going to live in that harmony for eternity, we need to start practicing it now.

    God is still breaking down walls. Not just in systems and institutions, but in hearts. He broke one in mine. And because of that, I can say today: I’m free to love. I’m free to embrace. I’m free to be a reflection of the Kingdom.

    Prayer:

    Father, thank You for loving me even when I couldn’t see clearly. Thank You for showing me that Your heart beats for all people, not just the ones I’m comfortable with. Forgive me for the times I let fear speak louder than love. I don’t want to live with hidden walls in my spirit. Teach me humility. Show me how to listen, how to grow, and how to walk in the unity You died to give us. Let my life reflect Your heavenly choir, right here on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • Kingdom Success

    Eyes on Eternity: Freedom From Worry

    “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life…” — Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)

    In these uncertain times, many hearts are weighed down by fear. The news is heavy. The future seems fragile. Questions about survival, What will we eat? What will we wear? Will my family be safe?, echo in homes across the world. But even in the midst of chaos, Jesus speaks to us with a voice that calms storms:
    “Do not worry about your life.”

    This isn’t just a command, it’s a compassionate invitation.

    The Lord is not distant from your concerns. He is your Provider, your Protector, and your ever-present Father. When He says not to worry, He’s not ignoring the realities of life, He’s reminding you of His sovereignty over them.

    He feeds the birds. He clothes the lilies. And He values you far more. The cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him (Psalm 50:10), and every need you have is known before you speak it. If He has already given us His Son, why would He withhold anything we truly need?

    Worry thrives when our eyes are fixed on the world. But peace floods in when we fix our eyes on Jesus.

    If you’re a parent or grandparent, you might feel a heavy burden about the generation coming after you. Will they stand strong? Will they endure? The Lord says: Yes. If they keep their eyes on Me, they will not just endure, they will overcome.

    Your legacy of faith is a foundation they can stand on. Your prayers today are their covering tomorrow.

    Anchor Your Heart With Truth

    Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
    “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
    Truth: When God is first, He takes care of the rest.

    Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
    “So do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
    Truth: You are not alone, God holds you up.

    2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)
    “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long… we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.”
    Truth: What’s coming is far greater than what we’re going through.

    Prayer of Trust

    Father,
    I surrender every anxious thought to You. When fear rises, draw my eyes back to Jesus. Let me walk by faith, not by sight. Teach me to value the eternal above the temporary. Cover my children and grandchildren in Your grace and truth. May they rise up as a bold generation who trust in You. Use my life to reveal Your peace and provision to a world in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    If this devotional encouraged your heart, consider sharing it with someone who needs a reminder that God is still in control. Keep your eyes on eternity, your peace, purpose, and promise are already secured.

  • Not What – But Who Gives Me Direction

    He Directs Me—And That’s Enough

    I don’t move unless the Holy Spirit leads.
    Through loss, through healing, through hidden places and public platforms, I’ve learned to follow His voice above every other. People may question, doubt, or walk away, but my direction doesn’t come from their approval. It comes from the One who knows the end from the beginning.

    He is my compass when the path is unclear, my confidence when fear knocks at the door, and my peace when rejection tries to silence me. I don’t have to figure it all out, I just have to stay yielded. Obedience isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it, because I’ve seen what happens when I let God write the story.

    I’ve wept in secret and rejoiced in the unseen victories. I’ve been trained in silence and strengthened through surrender. And in every twist and turn, it was God who led me through.

    “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” – Psalm 37:23 (NLT)

    “Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21 (NASB)

    So today, I walk with joy, not because the road is always smooth, but because I trust the One who directs my steps. His Spirit is my guide, His Word is my map, and His love is my anchor.

    And wherever He leads me, I will follow the Lord who is my Shepherd.💗

  • What Church Are You?

    Revelation 3:14 – The Church of Laodicea

    Last night at Evening Prayer, we looked into the sobering words of Jesus to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22. This is a message to a church in the last days, our time. And it’s a message we can’t afford to ignore.

    Jesus says, “I know your works…” (v15). That was the first point Pastor Byron made. God sees everything we do, not just what’s on the outside, but the true condition of our hearts. He said this church was neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and because of that, He was ready to spit them out of His mouth. That’s strong language, but it shows us how serious this is. Lukewarm means complacent, self-satisfied, religious but not surrendered.

    Pastor Byron compared this to the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes. You remember the story, the emperor thought he was wearing beautiful garments, but he was actually naked. He was blind to his true condition, and everyone around him just played along. That’s what the Laodicean church was like. They said, “I am rich, I have prospered, I need nothing,” but Jesus said, “You are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” They were unaware of their spiritual poverty, and that’s the second key point. We must know the true condition of our souls.

    Then Jesus tells them, and us, what to do: “Buy from Me gold refined by fire.” (v.18) At first, I wasn’t sure what this meant, but then we were directed to Isaiah 55:1, where it says:
    “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

    That scripture helps us understand, Jesus is not talking about literal gold. He’s inviting us to come to Him with empty hands, to receive pure faith, tested character, and true riches of the Spirit that cannot be bought with money. This gold, refined by fire, represents a faith that has gone through the fire and comes out pure. It’s the kind of life that pleases God.

    And then Jesus ends with a promise: “To the one who overcomes…” (v21). That’s our goal, to overcome lukewarmness, compromise, and spiritual blindness. And we do that by being filled with the Holy Spirit. Not just once, but continually seeking Him, checking the condition of our hearts, and living a life surrendered to Jesus.

    So I ask myself, and I ask you: What can I do so I’m not lukewarm?

    I must ask for the infilling of the Holy Spirit daily. I must let God refine me by fire, burning away everything that’s not like Him. I must stay honest about my spiritual condition, and not pretend I’m “okay” when I’m not.

    This is not about perfection, it’s about hunger, honesty, and obedience.

    Let us not be like the emperor, walking around naked but thinking we’re clothed. Let’s ask the Lord to clothe us in white garments, open our eyes with His eye salve, and fill us with fire from above. Let us be hot for God, and never lukewarm.

  • Christmas Time

    What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

    My Favorite Time of the Year

    Christmas is my favorite holiday, not just because of the lights and music, but because it celebrates the heart of my faith. It marks the miraculous birth of our King, born of the Virgin Mary, to become the Savior of the world. In my culture, this is a sacred time, and you can feel something shift in the atmosphere. Hearts grow softer, kindness becomes contagious, and even strangers extend love with open hands. It’s a season where giving comes naturally, spirits are lifted, and joy fills the air.
    What makes it even more special is how families come together, sharing meals, laughter, memories, and love that seems to shine brighter during this time. It’s a glimpse of Heaven on Earth, a reflection of God’s heart.

    And though the season eventually ends, its spirit lingers. The world clings to its warmth, replaying Hallmark movies and holiday songs all year long, because deep down, we all know that it’s the Spirit of Jesus that brings true life, unity, and joy that never fades.

  • God Rules Here

    ONLY GOD CAN GOVERN THE NATIONS RIGHTEOUSLY

    No man or woman, no matter how powerful, can carry the weight of a nation without God. All authority is established by Him (Romans 13:1), and every ruler will give an account to Him (Hebrews 4:13).

    To those in positions of authority, remember this truth: “It is God who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those whohave understanding.” (Daniel 2:21)

    We call on leaders to rule with the fear of the Lord, guided by justice, mercy, and truth, not self-interest.
    “The government shall be upon His shoulders, and of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

    To the people of God, this is the hour to pray and war in the Spirit. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority…” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

    We declare Isaiah 11:2 over our leaders: “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon them, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

    Lord, raise up righteous leaders. Bring down corruption. Guard our gates. And let Your Kingdom come.

    Godruleshere

    Heavenly Father,
    We come before You with reverence, acknowledging that all authority comes from You. You raise up leaders, and You bring them down. You alone are Sovereign over the nations.

    Today, we lift up every person in a position of power, presidents, governors, judges, legislators, military leaders, and world rulers. We pray for those leading in truth, and we intercede for those leading in darkness.

    We ask, Lord, that You would give wisdom to those who seek You and soften the hearts of those who do not. Surround them with righteous counselors and silence the voices of deception and greed.

    Expose every hidden agenda that is not aligned with Your justice and truth.
    Let integrity, humility, and servant-hearted leadership rise in the land. Protect the innocent, uphold the righteous, and bring justice where there has been corruption.

    We pray especially for our nation, that it would turn back to You, and that our leaders would lead with the fear of the Lord. Let revival and awakening come to government, to the Church, and to every gate of influence.

    We declare Your Word over our leaders: “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2)

    Let this Spirit rest upon every leader You appoint. Let Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

  • Camping

    Daily writing prompt
    Have you ever been camping?
    View all responses

    No I have not, and have no desire to.☺️😁

  • Pressure Is Never Wasted

    Pressure, though painful, is a divine tool in the hand of God. It may feel like it’s breaking you, but in truth, God is using it to build you, shape you, and strengthen your spirit. As Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:17, our light afflictions are producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond comparison. God never wastes a tear, a trial, or a test, everything is working together for your good when you are surrendered to Him.

    Just as coal under pressure becomes a diamond, your trials are birthing a refined version of you, one prepared for purpose.

    Yet it’s often in these moments of pressure that the enemy intensifies his attack. He doesn’t fight where there’s no threat; he fights hardest when he’s losing ground in your life, when you’re drawing closer to God, stepping into your identity, or approaching breakthrough.

    David’s life shows us this vividly. In 1 Samuel 30, just before stepping into kingship, David faced one of his darkest moments. Ziklag was burned, his family taken, and his own men turned against him. The enemy launched a final blow, hoping to crush him. But David encouraged himself in the Lord, rose up in strength, pursued, and recovered all. Not long after, Saul fell, and David’s elevation began.

    So, when the pressure mounts and resistance feels unbearable, don’t give up, you’re likely standing at the edge of breakthrough. Pressure is preparation, and resistance is often a sign of impending victory. In God’s hands, every moment of pain is purposeful. And when the enemy fights hardest, it’s because he knows what God is about to do next.

  • Love is Serving Others

    When do you feel most productive?

    When I feel the most productive, it’s usually when I’m operating in a few key areas of my life.

    I feel most alive and productive when I’m helping others, especially through outreach and ministry work like Lazarus Restoration Ministries. Serving others by providing food, clothing, transitional housing, and support toward self-sufficiency gives me a deep sense of fulfillment.

    I’m also at my most productive when I’m spiritually focused. Times of fasting, daily Communion, devotionals, and simply being intentional about my relationship with God help anchor everything else I do. My work flows best when it’s rooted in spiritual growth and obedience to what God is calling me to.

    Another place where I feel especially productive is when I’m encouraging and teaching my family and others. Whether it’s writing prayers, creating challenges to build boldness, or ministering to women, even in challenging places like jails, I come alive when I’m helping others step into their God-given identity.

    Finally, I’m learning that even when it’s uncomfortable, I feel productive when I’m moving forward with personal callings. Embracing my assignment as a Psalmist and overcoming the fear of public speaking have been stretching, but I know that pushing past those fears is tied to fulfilling my purpose.

    In short, I am most productive when I am serving, growing spiritually, encouraging others, and faithfully stepping into what God has assigned to me, even when it requires courage.