Returning to Intimacy

Tag: Praise

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Bold Request Kingdom Purpose

    The times we live in are marked by uncertainty, confusion, and spiritual distraction. Yet in the midst of it all, God calls His people to rise with clarity, confidence, and boldness, not in our strength, but in the assurance that when we align with His will, heaven responds.

    We’re not left to guess God’s will. It’s clear in His Word: souls saved, truth proclaimed, the Church purified, the Bride made ready. Our prayers are not meant to be timid wishes but bold declarations of what God already desires.

    When we pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,” we are inviting Heaven’s agenda to invade the earth through our faith and obedience. We are also surrendering our own ideas and timelines to the perfect strategy of our King.

    Now is the time to ask boldly, for revival, for workers in the harvest, for clarity of purpose, and for hearts to be turned back to the Father.

    Prayer
    Heavenly Father,
    Thank You that we, as Your children, can approach You with boldness and confidence. Today, we come together in agreement, aligning our hearts with Your will. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in us, among us, and through us.

    Strengthen us as one Body to stand firm in faith and united in purpose. Give us clarity of vision and courage to walk in obedience. Stir Your Church to awaken, pray, and speak truth in love. Fill us with compassion for those still wandering, and grant us opportunities to share Your Gospel with power and humility.

    Use our voices, our gifts, and our testimonies to shine the light of Christ in this dark world. Let hearts be drawn to You before Your return. And may we, together, be faithful in carrying the message of salvation to every soul You place in our path.

    We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and King.
    Amen.

  • Jesus Lives!

    Risen King Jesus, we exalt You! You are the Lamb who was slain, yet You live forevermore, crowned with glory and honor. You willingly bore the cross, despised its shame, and conquered death with unmatched power.
    You are the Holy One, the spotless sacrifice, our Great High Priest, and our Eternal Intercessor.

    Worthy are You, Lord, to receive all worship, for in You mercy and truth have met, righteousness and peace have kissed.
    We adore You for tearing the veil and opening the way for us to dwell with the Father, not as strangers, but as beloved children.

    O Lord, renew a right spirit within us. Let us never forget the weight of the cross and the depth of Your love.

    Thank You that the veil was torn from top to bottom, not by man, but by God Himself, declaring that we are welcome in Your presence forever. Thank You for direct access to the Father, for the gift of intimacy, for the power of resurrection life that now dwells in us.
    We praise You for Your finished work, and we rest in it with grateful hearts.

    Let the reality of the torn veil awaken fresh fire within us to seek Your face, know Your voice, and carry Your glory to a hurting world.
    We ask that the power of the resurrection rise in every dry and weary place within us. Use our lives as living testimonies of the victory You won our Risen King, our Coming Bridegroom, our Savior forever.

    In Your glorious name, Jesus — Amen.

  • When Sunday Comes!

    The Silence and the Victory in the Shadows

    Scripture:
    1 Peter 3:18-19 (NIV)
    “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits…”

    Revelation 1:18 (NKJV)
    “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

    Holy Saturday, the space between the crucifixion and the resurrection, is marked by silence. The tomb is sealed. The sky is still. To the natural eye, hope seems lost. But in the Spirit, Jesus was not inactive, He was victorious!

    The Bible gives us glimpses of a divine mystery: Jesus descended into the lower parts of the earth (Ephesians 4:9), proclaimed His victory to the imprisoned spirits (1 Peter 3:19), and triumphed over every force of darkness. He took back the keys of Death and Hades, not as a victim, but as a victorious King.

    Though the world was silent, the realm of the Spirit shook with holy power. Hell was plundered. Captivity was led captive. Jesus was claiming authority over sin, death, and the grave. Hallelujah!🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

    Holy Saturday reminds us: even when Heaven seems quiet, God is still working. Silence doesn’t mean absence, it can be the sound of victory being secured in secret.

    Prayer:
    Jesus, when we face silent seasons, help us remember that You are never idle. Thank You for descending into the depths to rescue, redeem, and restore. Thank You for holding the keys of death and the grave. We wait in faith, knowing Sunday is coming. In Jesus name! Amen.

    Today, reflect on the “in-between” moments in your own life, times when it felt like nothing was happening. Ask God to show you how He was working in the silence. Write down one area where you need to trust Him even when you can’t see movement.

  • Love Poured Out At Calvary 🩸

    Scripture:
    Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
    “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”

    Reflection:
    Good Friday marks the most sacred, heart-wrenching act of love the world has ever known. On this day, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly gave His life as a ransom for many. He was betrayed, beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross, bearing the full weight of our sin, shame, and judgment.

    It was not the nails that held Him there, it was love. Love for you. Love for the ones who would believe. The Lamb of God was offered as the final and perfect sacrifice. The veil in the temple was torn, signifying that access to God was now made available through the blood of Jesus.

    While it’s called “Good” Friday, the goodness lies not in the pain, but in the purpose. The Cross was not the end, it was the doorway to redemption, reconciliation, and victory.

    Prayer:
    Lord Jesus, thank You for enduring the cross for me. Thank You for staying when You could have walked away. You took my place, bore my punishment, and offered me eternal life. Let the power of Your sacrifice never become familiar to me. Teach me to live in a way that honors what You paid for. Amen.

    Reflection Challenge:
    Spend time quietly before the Lord today. Read the account of Jesus’ crucifixion in John 19. Reflect on each moment—His silence, His suffering, His surrender. Then, take Communion in remembrance of His body broken and blood shed. Worship Him for the love that held Him there.

  • One Bread One Table One Meal

    The phrase, “one bread, one table, one meal that lasts forever” speaks deeply to the spiritual unity, communion, and eternal fellowship we have through Christ. Here’s what it means in a biblical and symbolic sense:

    1. One Bread

    This refers to Jesus Himself, the Bread of Life.
    John 6:35 – “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”
    When we partake of the bread in Communion, we are sharing in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who sustains us spiritually.

    1. One Table

    This symbolizes the unity of all believers in Christ. We come to one spiritual table, regardless of background, race, or denomination, to fellowship with the Lord and with one another.
    1 Corinthians 10:17 – “Because there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one bread.”

    1. One Meal That Lasts Forever

    This reflects the eternal covenant through Christ. Communion is not just a ritual; it’s a foretaste of the eternal feast with God.
    Revelation 19:9 – “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” It reminds us that this meal, begun now through faith, continues into eternity when we will dine with Jesus in heaven.

    So in essence, this phrase captures the eternal bond we share through Christ, sustained by His body (bread), united at His table, and looking forward to the everlasting feast in His Kingdom.