Returning to Intimacy

Tag: Love

  • Where Majesty Meets Mercy

    “Heaven is not reacting. Heaven is ruling.” — Revelation 4:5

    This week at Evening Prayer, Pastor Oscar stirred our hearts with some powerful reminders, paraphrased in parts: God is not in panic over the state of the world. He is firmly enthroned, reigning with unmatched power, perfect justice, and eternal glory. From His throne comes lightning and thunder, echoing His majesty, and all of heaven responds in reverent awe. Choosing Jesus wasn’t just a step toward peace, it was taking a stand in an ongoing war between kingdoms. But take heart, the outcome has already been settled. The verdict is in. Dominion belongs to our King, and we belong to Him.

    Jesus told us in Matthew 24 and 25 that the gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to all nations. Yes, we’re feeling the pains of this earth, but they are only signs pointing to the return of the King. Pastor Oscar, who has such a passionate heart for God, reminded us that God is not surprised by any of this. He’s sovereign. He’s ruling. And He’s calling us to reorient our thinking to that reality.

    Worship, as Jesus shared in John 4, is not confined to a place, it’s a response to who He is. And when we truly behold Him, we become like Him. Pastor Oscar reminded us that awe must never leave our hearts. Psalm 104 and Ezekiel 1 paint a picture of a God so beautiful, so powerful, so holy, that the creatures around His throne cry “Holy!” without ever getting tired. We must never lose our wonder.

    And in these days of deception and spiritual pressure, Daniel 11 assures us: “The people who know their God will be strong and do great exploits.” This is our time, not to shrink back, but to rise in boldness and intimacy with our King.

    Let the eyes of your heart be opened. Step through the open door of heaven and fix your eyes on the One who defines all reality. God is not reacting, He is reigning. And you are on the winning side.

    Lord, open our eyes to see You as You truly are, majestic, ruling, and holy. Let us not be swayed by the noise of the world. Fill us with wonder. Let heaven’s reality anchor our hearts and shape our worship. Reign in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • 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.”

  • The Clarion Call

    A Call To Watch And Pray

    A Cry for the Church to Arise

    Heavenly Father,

    We come before You today burdened for our nation and this world. The darkness has grown thick, deception has spread like wildfire, and many have been blinded by the lies of the enemy. But You, O God, are still on the throne. Your Word is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), and it cuts through confusion, division, and despair.

    Lord, awaken Your Church. Stir up a holy fire in the hearts of pastors, intercessors, and believers everywhere. Let us no longer sleep while the enemy sows seeds of destruction. Call us out of complacency and into the secret place of prayer. Raise up watchmen on the wall, those who will stand in the gap, who will cry out day and night, who will not rest until Your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Father, take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Silence the lies of the enemy with the truth of Your Word. Forgive us for entertaining falsehoods, for allowing fear, pride, and compromise to take root in our hearts. Teach us, like Jesus, to stand firm and speak back to the devil, not with opinion, but with Scripture. For it is written, and what is written cannot be undone.

    Lord, help us to know the truth, not just read it or quote it, but to walk in it. For only the truth we live will set us free. Let the Church rise in boldness, not in pride but in power. Let us love deeply, pray fervently, and speak Your Word fearlessly.

    We are not fighting flesh and blood, but principalities and powers of darkness. Help us to see with spiritual eyes, to battle in the spirit, and to never forget that the victory is already ours through Christ Jesus.

    Have mercy on those who are still blinded, Father. Remove the veil. Open their eyes. Soften their hearts. Let the light of Your truth shine into every hidden place. And let revival begin, not just in our buildings, but in our homes, our cities, and our hearts.

    In Jesus’ mighty name,
    Amen.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.