Returning to Intimacy

Tag: Hope

  • My Passion

    Daily writing prompt
    What are you passionate about?
    View all responses

    I am a woman shaped by the fire of trials and the faithfulness of God. Life didn’t hand me an easy path, it gave me an assignment. And through loss, rejection, fear, and pain, I found purpose.

    When my husband went home to be with the Lord, I could have shut down. But the Holy Spirit whispered, “There’s still work to be done.” I listened, and I rose. What once felt like breaking became the very place where God birthed something bold in me.

    I’m passionate about healing, about helping the forgotten rise again. That’s why I have poured into Lazarus Restoration Ministries, not just as a mission, but as a heartbeat. I see the overlooked, the homeless, the broken, not as burdens but as stories waiting for resurrection. Because I, too, have been there, in need of a Word, a hand, a miracle.

    God also called me to write and speak, though fear once held my voice hostage. I would write out prayers and teach quietly in jails, not realizing He was preparing me for more. Now I know: I am a Psalmist, a messenger, a vessel called to sing hope into dry bones and declare freedom to captives.

    My journey online began with trembling fingers and a broken heart. But through obedience, not performance, I shared, and to my amazement, God used it. Thousands began to read, to listen, to be touched by the love of a Father they may never have known. That’s when I realized: this isn’t about me, it’s about the One who gets glory from our “yes.”

    I don’t chase numbers, I follow the cloud. I’m passionate about awakening boldness in others, especially women who feel like their voice doesn’t matter. I’m here to remind them it does. I’ve lived in hiding, but no more. I am walking out of the shadows because people are waiting on what God placed inside me.

    I’m passionate about family, faith, and legacy. About leaving behind more than just words, leaving a trail of transformation. I want to see communities rebuilt, lives restored, and hearts returned to the Father. That’s why I show up, even when it’s hard, because I know someone’s deliverance might be waiting on my obedience.

    I’m not perfect. I still walk with a limp. But I walk, with boldness, with compassion, with the Holy Spirit as my guide.

    This is my passion. This is my “yes.”

  • When Night Is No More

    “No More Night” truly captures the heart-cry of every believer who longs for the eternal promise found in Revelation 21:4:

    “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

    Let’s take a moment to beautifully elaborate on this glorious day…

    Imagine a world where sorrow is swallowed up by joy, where every tear that has ever fallen is gently wiped away by the hand of God Himself. No more disease, no more death, no more mental torment or heartache. This is not a fairy tale, it is a forever truth for those whose hope is in Christ.

    This glorious day is when the King of Kings will dwell among His people. Heaven will not be a distant dream, it will come to earth, just as Jesus promised. The New Jerusalem, radiant like a bride, will descend, and God will make His dwelling place with man.

    On that day:

    No more night will mean no more fear, darkness, or evil. Christ Himself will be our everlasting Light (Revelation 21:23).

    No more pain speaks to every burden, every physical affliction, every broken memory, gone in an instant.

    No more crying again means the grief of lost loved ones, the weariness of long nights, and the silent tears we’ve cried in prayer will all be remembered no more.

    This is the hope that anchors our soul, not in this temporary world, but in the eternal one that is to come.

    As we sing songs like “No More Night,” we are prophetically declaring what is soon to be. We are reminding every heart within earshot that this life is not the end. A trumpet will sound, the sky will split, and our Soon Coming King will return for His Bride, clothed in righteousness, made ready by His grace.

  • The Idol of Busyness

    Rest In His Presence

    The Idols of Busyness

    These are some key points Pastor Brooke shared today that truly spoke to my heart. The message was on the idols of busyness, drawn from Luke 5:15–16, and it reminded me how easy it is to get caught up doing things for God instead of spending time in His presence.

    She shared how busyness can become an idol, not because we stop believing in God, but because we start adding things to Him. We start measuring our worth by how much we do, how productive we are, or how full our calendars look. But God didn’t call us to hustle for Him, He called us to rest with Him.

    When my husband transitioned, I didn’t know how to handle the silence that followed. So I filled the silence with service, singing in the choir, joining the Praise Team, ushering, doing community work, and caring for my mom. All of it felt like I was doing something good, even godly. But, in all honesty, I was running on empty. Deep down, I think I was afraid to slow down… afraid that if I did, I’d have to face my pain. So I stayed busy, thinking I was pleasing God, yet missing His presence in the process.

    That’s why this message hit home for me.

    Pastor Brooke reminded us that Jesus had a rhythm, a pace that included stepping away from the crowds to be with the Father. Luke 5:16 says, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” He wasn’t moved by demand, but by intimacy. His power flowed from presence, not productivity.

    We were created to live in sync with Heaven’s rhythm. But when we get out of step, when the noise gets too loud, and the weight gets too heavy, we need to return to the stillness. Return to the table. Return to Him.

    With the Holy Spirit’s help, I had to learn to slow down. To be still. To abide in Him. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m learning that rest is not laziness, it’s obedience. And presence will always be more powerful than performance.

    Jesus is not calling us to busyness, He’s calling us to the table. To sit. To rest. To simply be with Him.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Be Intentional

    Heavenly Father,
    I come before You tonight with a heart open and yielded. Thank You for the gift of this day, for every breath, every opportunity, and every moment You allowed me to walk in Your grace. Lord, I desire not just to exist but to live intentionally, to make every word, every step, and every act a reflection of Your love and purpose.

    Your Word declares in Colossians 3:23-24:
    “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

    Father, help me live this truth. Let my service to others be done from a place of deep love and obedience to You.
    Let me not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season I shall reap if I do not give up (Galatians 6:9).
    Make me sensitive to the needs of others and quick to act with compassion.
    Purge my motives, purify my heart, and align my intentions with Heaven.

    Let me remember that I am Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which You prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10) May I walk boldly in those works, not for recognition, but to glorify You. When I serve, let it not be out of obligation, but out of gratitude and joy, knowing that I am a vessel of Your Kingdom.

    Tonight, I lay down any selfish ambition, comparison, or striving.
    I ask You to reset my heart, renew my mind, and revive my spirit. Tomorrow, help me rise with new focus , led by Your Spirit, anchored in Your truth, and fueled by Your love.

    In all I do, may I live for the Audience of One.
    In Jesus’ name,
    Amen.

  • A Living Testimony

    Living Testimony for Jesus

    We are not just called to speak about Jesus, we are called to live Him. Every trial we’ve overcome, every tear we’ve shed, and every victory we’ve won by faith tells a story. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work through our lives, we become living epistles, letters written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the Living God (2 Corinthians 3:3).

    Being a living testimony means loving when it’s hard, forgiving when it’s undeserved, and standing firm in truth when the world sways. It’s in how we respond to hardship, how we extend grace, and how we choose obedience over convenience.

    Our lives preach louder than our lips ever could.

    Lord Jesus, let our lives reflect Your glory. Let our walk match our words. May every part of us testify to Your goodness, mercy, and power. Use our life to draw others to You. In Jesus name. Amen.

    Take one moment today to share your story, big or small, with someone who needs hope. Your scars might just be the roadmap to someone else’s healing.

  • 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.