Returning to Intimacy

Tag: Hope

  • 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.

  • 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.”

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Trinity

    Daily writing prompt
    What topics do you like to discuss?
    View all responses

    If you know me, you know I love to talk about the Holy Spirit, His power, His gentleness, His presence that refreshes, purifies, leads, heals, and brings peace. But my heart doesn’t stop there, I love talking about the fullness of who God is: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    The Father, who created us in love and calls us His own.

    The Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life so we could be redeemed and walk in freedom.

    And the Holy Spirit, who lives within us to guide, empower, and comfort us every day.

    They are not three gods, but One, perfectly united, perfectly loving, perfectly working together for our salvation and joy.

    I know not everyone will believe. And that’s okay, because God, in His perfect love, gives every person a choice. Love never forces itself. The Holy Spirit comes where He is welcomed. And even when He is rejected, the Father’s arms remain open, the Son’s sacrifice still stands, and the Spirit’s invitation remains.

    God will continue to love every heart, no matter what, longing for each one to turn and experience His fullness.

    That’s the beauty of His love: it never gives up, it never fails, and it always waits with open arms.

    And so I keep talking.
    I keep sharing.

    Because once you’ve encountered the Father’s love, the Son’s grace, and the Spirit’s power, you can never be the same.

  • Heart to Heart Intimacy

    Find a quiet space and imagine with me a moment. Take a deep breath and slowly let it out. Gently close your eyes. Imagine Jesus standing before you, radiant, loving, holding a key in His hand. He looks into your eyes with deep affection. Then He speaks…

    “I know you. I see every moment you’ve chosen to stay faithful, even when your strength felt small. I’ve watched you hold on, press through, and not deny My name. I’ve placed before you an open door, custom fit for your life, your calling, your healing, and no one, not even the enemy, can shut it.”

    Feel His presence near you now…

    “You are Mine. I am your Keeper, your Defender, your Peace. And I’m coming soon. Until then, hold on to what I’ve given you, your crown of endurance, your hope, your promise. You are not forgotten. You are marked by My love.”

    Jesus,
    You see me. You know every battle, every tear, every moment I’ve wanted to give up, but didn’t.
    Thank You for opening a door in my life that no one can shut. Thank You for calling me Yours. I receive Your words as truth and life. Write Your name upon me, on my heart, my identity, my future.

    Make me a pillar in Your presence, strong, steady, unmoved by the storms around me. Help me stay ready. Keep my heart awake and my spirit anchored in hope.
    I wait for You, my King, my Bridegroom, my Friend.
    And until You come, I will remain faithful with all my love for You and my neighbor, in Your precious name. Amen.

    Our strength, our endurance, and our future rest not in us, but entirely in the power and faithfulness of God.

  • Keep Your Eyes On Jesus!

    Keep Your Eyes on the Finish Line

    Life is a race we each must run, and Hebrews 12:1 reminds us to “lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and run with endurance the race that is set before us.” There are moments when we feel like we’re running full speed ahead, focused, strong, and steady. But then, distractions come. We look down on our own limitations, to the side of others’ opinions, or behind us at past failures. Our pace slows. Doubt creeps in. Fatigue settles on our shoulders like a heavy cloak.

    But then, oh, then, we lift our eyes and see the finish line. We see Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, standing there with arms wide open. That sight alone gives us new strength. A second wind. Hope restored! Because our endurance doesn’t come from within us, but from the One who already overcame.

    So, dear friends, never give up. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Don’t let fear, comparison, or regret distract you. Don’t look down. Don’t look around. Look up. The goal is ahead. Heaven is ahead. Victory is ahead. And with each step, you are not alone! Because He is running with us!!! You were made to finish. You were made to win. Keep going.

    Gracious God,
    We thank You for the unique race You’ve set before each of us. Some of us are running strong, others are barely holding on, but no matter our pace, You are with us. You have called us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who began this good work in us and who promises to finish it.

    Lord, help us not to be distracted by the struggles beneath our feet, or the noise around us, or the past behind us. Help us to look up, to keep our eyes on You. When the road gets long and our strength begins to fade, renew us. Remind us that we are not running alone. You are our strength, our guide, and our prize.

    May we encourage one another along the way. May we carry those who stumble. And may we each press forward toward the finish line, knowing that a crown of life and the joy of Your presence await.

    We will not quit. We will not be moved. With You before us, we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not faint.

    In Jesus’ name,
    Amen.

  • A Heart of Worship

    Heavenly Father,
    I come before You with a heart that longs to rest in Your perfect peace. You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Yet Lord, there are moments when fear whispers louder than faith, when uncertainty clouds my vision, and when doubt seeks to settle in my soul. In those moments, remind me of who You are.

    You are faithful in all Your ways. You are good, even when life feels hard. You hold tomorrow in Your hands, and not a single moment escapes Your care. So today, I surrender my worries, my plans, and my fears to You. Teach me to trust You not just with my words, but with my whole heart.

    Help me to lean not on my own understanding but to acknowledge You in all I do, knowing You will direct my path. Let my trust in You grow deeper with every trial, stronger with every delay, and more secure with every promise fulfilled.

    Lord, anchor my soul in Your truth. Breathe Your peace over my anxious thoughts. And when I don’t understand the “why,” help me hold onto the “Who”—You, my faithful God.

    In Jesus’ name I pray,
    Amen.