Returning to Intimacy

Tag: god

  • What’s Your Nineveh?

    Father, You are sovereign and merciful, patient beyond measure. You are the God who calls, who pursues, and who redeems. No one is beyond Your reach, and no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. You are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, desiring that all would turn to You. We worship You for Your wisdom, Your justice, and Your unfailing grace.

    Lord, we confess that we are often like Jonah. We hear Your call, yet we run, whether out of fear, pride, or reluctance. We resist when You ask us to love those we find difficult, to speak truth where it is uncomfortable, or to step into places that stretch our faith. Forgive us for our disobedience, for placing our own will above Yours. Forgive us for doubting that Your plans are always greater than our own.

    Thank You, Father, for not giving up on us. Just as You pursued Jonah, You pursue us with unwavering love. Thank You for the storms that redirect us, the moments of grace that bring us to surrender, and the second chances You freely give. Thank You for the privilege of being part of Your work, for using imperfect people to accomplish Your perfect will.

    Lord, give us hearts that are quick to obey. Fill us with courage to step into the unknown, trusting that where You call us, You go before us. Align our hearts with Yours so that we desire what You desire. Help us to love as You love, to speak as You speak, and to act as You command. When fear tries to hold us back, remind us that obedience is always better than running. Let our lives be a reflection of Your mercy and truth, leading others to You.

    In Jesus’ name, 

  • Reorienting Your Life Around God’s Word and Fellowship

    Sunday’s message was a powerful reminder that our lives are best anchored in the Word of God and enriched through true fellowship. Drawing from Acts 2:42-47, the call is twofold:

    Anchor in Apostolic Doctrine:
    When we align our lives with the apostolic teachings, we create a solid foundation much like the Temple and the Table. Jeremiah 23:29 urges us to reorient our entire lives around the Word of God, emphasizing that Scripture is our tether to God. Just as the Bereans in Acts 17 diligently searched the Scriptures, we too are encouraged to seek truth and ensure our doctrine is firmly rooted in God’s revealed truth.

    Center on Fellowship:
    The early church demonstrated that genuine fellowship isn’t just a social activity; it’s integral to living out our faith.  Our Microchurch Pastor testified that reorienting our lives around authentic community means coming together to share life, support one another, and worship collectively. This communal bond reinforces our spiritual journey, ensuring that our personal growth and collective worship go hand in hand.

    In essence, Sunday’s message challenges us to examine our lives: Are we truly rooted in God’s word? And are we nurturing meaningful fellowship? The answer lies in a life reoriented around both the unchanging truth of Scripture and the warmth of a community that lives it out daily.

    Heavenly Father,
    We come before You with grateful hearts, seeking to reorient our lives around Your everlasting Word and the fellowship You so graciously provide. Just as the early believers gathered as a living temple and broke bread together at the table, we ask that You mold us into vessels of Your presence and instruments of Your love.

    Lord, help us to be ever mindful that Your Word is our foundation. May it dwell richly within us, guiding our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Transform our hearts into sanctuaries where Your truth and compassion abound, so that we may reflect Your holiness in every aspect of our lives.

    We also pray for the spirit of true fellowship, that we may embrace one another with warmth and understanding. As we share meals and moments of genuine connection, let our gatherings become a testimony to Your grace and a beacon of hope in our community. May our bonds strengthen as we support one another in both joy and sorrow, always mindful of Your tender care.

    In times of challenge, remind us of the safe haven we have in You, a temple where Your Spirit dwells and a table where we share in the sustenance of Your love. Empower us to seek Your truth with the same diligence as the Bereans, and to extend compassion and hospitality to all around us.

    We thank You for the gift of Your Word and the blessing of fellowship. Guide us daily to live in a way that honors Your presence, drawing us ever closer to You and to one another. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

  • The God Who Sees

    El Roi, the God who sees all things, the God who is our refuge and strength, we come before You today knowing that nothing escapes Your gaze. You see the brokenhearted, the oppressed, and the weary. You see the injustice that grips our world, the suffering of the innocent, the cries of the silenced, and the burdens placed on the vulnerable.

    Father, as your word says in Psalms 91:2, “Youare our refuge and our fortress; and in you Father God, we will trust.”Lord, just as You saw Hagar in the wilderness, see those who feel forgotten today. Strengthen the weary, defend the defenseless, and bring justice where wrong has prevailed. Open the eyes of those in power to act with righteousness and truth. Stir the hearts of Your people to be instruments of Your justice, mercy, and love.

    Father, we trust that in due time, You will right every wrong. Until then, give us boldness to stand for truth, wisdom to act with compassion, and faith to believe that You are working, even when we cannot see.

    We rest in the promise that You are El Roi, the God who sees, who knows, and who cares. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • Pray Without Ceasing!

    Heavenly Father,

    We come before You in this urgent hour, standing watchful and sober-minded as Your Word instructs. You are the Sovereign God, who rules over the nations, and nothing escapes Your sight. Your Word declares in Isaiah 2:4 that You shall judge between the nations and rebuke many people. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

    Lord, we see the signs of the times, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms. Famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and sorrows fill the earth just as Your Son, Jesus, forewarned. The spirit of antichrist seeks to deceive many, and the spirit of delusion moves across the land. But You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

    We pray for discernment to recognize the hour in which we live. Keep us sober and vigilant, watching and praying without ceasing. Let our hearts not be weighed down by the cares of this life, but fixed on You the Author and Finisher of our faith.

    Father, we declare that we want what You want, nothing more, nothing less. Align our hearts with Your will. Let Your kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Cover us under the shadow of Your wings. Strengthen Your Church to stand as a light in the darkness, proclaiming the gospel with boldness and unwavering faith.

    We plead the blood of Jesus over our families, our communities, our nation, and the nations of the world. Preserve the minds of Your people from deception. Release a spirit of repentance and revival across the land. May we endure to the end, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the hope of glory.

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

  • Our Source Is God!

    We are living in a world that is getting darker with each passing day. When someone holds so much power and influence, especially in areas that directly impact people’s livelihoods, it’s crucial that they lead with wisdom, fairness, and compassion. Unfortunately, many leaders in our world prioritize efficiency, control, and personal ambition over the well-being of others.

    Firing people without notice, disrupting industries, and making drastic changes without concern for how it affects everyday workers can feel heartless and unjust. It reminds me of how the Bible warns against the love of money and power over people. Proverbs 22:16 says, “Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.” True leadership, as God shows us, is about serving others, not just making profits or advancing technology at the expense of human dignity.

    At the same time, it’s a reminder that we can’t put our trust in human leaders. No matter how much power someone has, they are still just a person, flawed, limited, and ultimately accountable to God. As Psalm 146:3-5 says, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save… Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”

    Even as we see these things unfold, we can pray that God will soften the hearts of leaders, that those affected by these decisions find new opportunities, and that we as believers stay focused on our true source of provision and justice.

  • Come Lord Jesus!

    Prayer of Longing, Surrender, and Preparation

    Abba Father, our soon coming King,

    We come before You with hearts open, desiring to know You more. You are the God who sees and knows our beginning and our end. (Revelation 22:13). Thank You for revealing the mystery of Your will that through Jesus, You are reconciling all things to Yourself (Ephesians 1:9-10).

    Lord, we acknowledge You as Judge, because You are righteous and just. As King, because You reign with power and authority, and as Bridegroom, because Your heart is full of love, longing for intimacy with Your people. Help us not to fear Your coming, but to embrace You with expectation and hope (Zechariah 12:10).

    Jesus, You are the King who was born to die, the Lamb who was slain, and yet You live forevermore. You are our blessed hope. Ignite in us a longing for Your return, not out of fear, but from a deep desire to be with You.

    Holy Spirit, teach us how to cultivate oil in our lamps like the wise virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13). Draw us into daily communion with You. Help us to prioritize intimacy over performance, presence over busyness, and trust over fear. Let our hearts burn with love for You.

    In moments where fear tries to grip our hearts, remind us of Jesus’ prayer in John 17, that we are one with You, even as You and the Father are One. Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18), and Your love is perfect toward us.

    We choose today to embrace You, not as a distant God, but as the Bridegroom who is coming for His Bride. As we wait, may we be found faithful, filled with oil, and shining brightly in this dark world.

    Even so, Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)
    Our hearts are Yours now and forever. In Jesus’ name.

    Amen.

  • The Urgency of Living for God Now!

    “While there is still time.”

    In 1 Peter 4:1-11, the Apostle Peter calls believers to embrace a life fully dedicated to God, emphasizing the urgency of living righteously in the face of fleeting time and impending judgment.

    Peter begins by urging believers to arm themselves with the same mindset as Christ, who suffered in the flesh for the sake of righteousness. This means we must die to sin and no longer live for our own desires but for the will of God (v.1-2). The time for indulging in the world’s empty pleasures is over. There is no room for compromise, no time to waste in patterns of sin that only lead to destruction (v.3).

    The world may not understand our transformation, and we may face ridicule and rejection for choosing righteousness (v.4), but Peter reminds us that judgment is coming both for the wicked and the righteous. Those who live in disobedience will give an account to God, while those who have heard and accepted the gospel will live forever in His presence (v.5-6).

    The urgency intensifies as Peter declares,The end of all things is near” (v.7). This is not a call to fear but to take action. Believers must be clear-minded and self-controlled so they can pray effectively, staying in tune with God’s will. Love must be the foundation of our lives, as it “covers a multitude of sins” (v.8). Instead of living selfishly, we must serve one another, using our gifts to glorify God and minister to His people (v.9-10).

    Finally, Peter reminds us that everything we do should be for God’s glory (v.11). Whether in speech or service, we must operate in His strength so that through us, Christ is magnified. We don’t have forever to get it right. The time is now to abandon sin, love deeply, serve faithfully, and live every moment as if standing before God Himself.

    This passage is an urgent wake-up call: the world is fading, our days are numbered, and eternity is at stake. Will we waste our time on fleeting pleasures, or will we live with purpose, fully surrendered to God? The choice is ours, but the time to choose is now.

  • A Prayer for Re-orientation

    God of all creation,

    We come before You in awe and gratitude.  We praise You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, poured out upon all people, guiding us in truth, wisdom, and power. You alone are worthy of our worship, for You have called us out of darkness and into Your marvelous light.

    Lord, just as You reoriented the hearts of the early believers at Pentecost, we ask that You do the same in our generation. Your Word declares: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
    Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.” 
    (Acts 2:17-18)

    Father, we long to see this promise fulfilled in our time.Pour out Your Spirit upon us anew, revive us, awaken us, and redirect our hearts toward You. In a world full of distractions, false hopes, and fading ambitions, reorient our vision to see Your kingdom at work. Help us to prophesy with boldness, to dream the dreams You have for us, and to see with spiritual clarity the path You have laid before us.

    Reorient our hearts, Lord, from fear to faith, from division to unity, from complacency to passion. Break down the walls that separate us; race, age, gender, status, and remind us that Your Spirit is for all people. May we be vessels of Your love and truth, carrying Your message of hope into a world in desperate need of You.

    In these times of uncertainty, when signs in the heavens and distress on the earth remind us of Your coming kingdom, let us not be shaken but instead stand firm in the power of Your Spirit. Reorient our priorities so that we seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, knowing that everything else will be added in Your perfect time.

    Father, let Your wonders be seen in our day. Let Your Spirit move mightily in our churches, our communities, and our homes. May the fire of Pentecost burn again in our hearts, compelling us to live with urgency, love with sincerity, and walk in obedience to Your call.

    We give You all the glory, for You alone are God. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And may we, Your people, be ever reoriented toward Your purpose, reflecting Your light in these last days.

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

  • The Time Is Now!

    God’s Grace is Sufficient: Calling Laborers into His Vineyard

    In our walk with God, we often face challenges, trials, and seasons of uncertainty. Yet, in every season, one truth remains constant — God’s grace is sufficient. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV):

    “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

    Even when we feel inadequate or unworthy, God’s grace empowers us to fulfill His divine purpose. It is not by our own strength, but by His grace that we are able to stand, serve, and press forward.

    While God’s grace sustains us, He is also calling for laborers in His vineyard. The harvest is ready, but the laborers are few. Jesus declared in Matthew 9:37-38 (KJV):

    “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

    God is seeking those who will answer the call — those who will surrender to His will and be vessels to reach the lost, encourage the broken, and restore the fallen.

    Many hesitate to step into God’s vineyard because they feel unqualified, but God does not call the qualified — He qualifies the called. Isaiah 6:8 (KJV) says:

    “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

    If your heart is willing, God will provide the grace, wisdom, and strength you need to labor in His kingdom.

    This is the time to say yes,
    now more than ever. God is seeking those who will stand in the gap, serve with compassion, and labor in love. Whether through prayer, outreach, teaching, or simply showing kindness, your “YES” matters.

    Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for Galatians 6:9 (KJV) reminds us:
    “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

    Beloved, God’s grace is more than enough for whatever He has called you to do. The time is now to rise, to serve, and to labor in the vineyard for the harvest is ripe. Trust His grace, yield to His call, and watch how He will use you for His glory.

    Will you answer the call and say, “Here am I, Lord send me”?

    May the grace of God strengthen you as you step forward to labor in His vineyard. In Jesus name!

    Amen.

  • Faith over Fear

    Last night, during evening prayer, one of the Assistant Pastors was teaching from Revelation 1, 2, and 3. As I read Revelation 2:2-7, the words came alive as if the Lord Himself was speaking directly to me. It was as if He was exposing the very struggle I had been wrestling with for so long:

    “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.  Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

    As I read those words, my heart became heavy, and I could not hold back my tears. I realized that I had allowed fear to hold me captive to the fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear that I was never good enough for what God first called me to do. I have spent years measuring myself by what others thought of me instead of standing firm in what the Father has declared over my life.

    Pastor Oscar spoke about two kinds of fear, the reverential fear of the Lord and the fear that comes from the world. I saw so clearly how much of my life has been shaped by worldly fear. I have hesitated, questioned, and even self-sabotaged the very things God has placed before me. Instead of embracing my calling with confidence, I allowed doubt to creep in and hinder the fullness of what God has for me.

    But last night and all of last week, something shifted. I knew I could not stay in that place any longer. The Lord was calling me back to Him, reminding me of His promises. Deuteronomy 31:8 reassured me:

    “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before me. He will be with me; He will not leave me nor forsake me. Do not fear nor be dismayed.” And in 1 John 4:18, He reminded me:

    “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

    I don’t want to stay stuck in old patterns of fear and doubt. I don’t want to just go through the motions of faith, knowing deep inside that I am holding back. I desire the newness of what God has for me. I long to walk in the freedom of His perfect love, no longer chained by fear but fully surrendered to His plan.

    So today, I am making a choice. I am choosing to let go of fear and step boldly into the calling God has placed on my life. I will no longer let the opinions of man define me, because my identity is secure in Christ. I want to return to my first love, to that place of pure devotion where my heart burns only for Him.

    God is doing a new thing, and I refuse to miss it!

    Dear Father,

    I come before You with a heart that is both humbled and grateful. As I reflect on Revelation 2:2-7, I hear Your voice calling me back, not because I have abandoned the faith, but because I have allowed fear and the opinions of man to distance me from the fullness of what You have for me.

    Lord, I recognize that just like the church in Ephesus, I have labored for Your name. I have persevered, endured trials, and desired to walk in obedience. Yet, in the midst of it all, I allowed fear to creep in. I let the weight of rejection and doubt overshadow the truth of who I am in You. I have held back, second-guessed my calling, and measured myself by the flawed standards of the world instead of standing firm in Your perfect love.

    But today, Lord, I surrender. I choose to return to my first love—to the place where my passion for You is unhindered, where my trust is unshaken, and where I am not bound by fear, but liberated by Your grace. I long for the newness of what You have for me. I refuse to stay in the cycle of self-doubt, hesitation, and insecurity. Instead, I am stepping forward in faith, knowing that You go before me, just as Your Word promises in Deuteronomy 31:8. Today, I want to be perfected in Your love. I choose to walk boldly in what You have spoken over my life, rather than allowing the voices of doubt to dictate my steps.

    Father, You have promised in Revelation 2:7 that “To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” I want to be counted among those who overcome, not by my own strength, but by Your Spirit within me. Help me to overcome fear, to silence the lies of the enemy, and to walk in the confidence of my divine purpose.

    Thank You, Lord, for never giving up on me. Thank You for calling me back to You, for reminding me that my worth is found in You alone. I receive the newness You are bringing into my life, and I walk forward in faith, knowing that You have already gone before me.

    In Jesus’ Name, Amen.