Returning to Intimacy

Tag: Praise

  • God of All Creation

    The Greatness and Unfailing Love of Our God

    Heavenly Creator,

    We stand in awe of Your greatness! You are the source of all life, the One who spoke the universe into existence. Your wisdom is beyond measure, and Your love is deeper than the oceans. There is none like You, constant, unchanging, and full of mercy.

    Today, we declare that Your love knows no bounds. Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love You have poured out. No mistake, no weakness, no circumstance can diminish the love that surrounds us. From the beginning of time, You have loved us with an everlasting love, drawing us close with kindness and grace.

    Thank You for loving us beyond our flaws, beyond our doubts, beyond what we can comprehend. Your love is not earned, yet You freely give it. It covers us in times of joy and carries us in times of struggle. In Your love, we find belonging, peace, and hope.

    May we reflect this love to the world, embracing others as You embrace us, seeing with eyes of compassion, and walking in the truth that all people are cherished by You.

    We receive Your love today, rest in it, and share it freely. You are great and greatly to be praised!

    Amen.

  • All Praise To The King!

    A Prayer of Praise

    Sovereign and Holy God, we lift our voices in praise to You! You reign in majesty, clothed in glory and splendor, and there is none like You. From everlasting to everlasting, You are God, and Your kingdom has no end.

    We exalt You, O Lord, for Your faithfulness never fails, and Your mercy is new every morning. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords, mighty in power yet rich in love. Your righteousness and justice establish Your throne, and Your grace overflows to all who seek You.

    With all creation, we declare Your greatness! The heavens proclaim Your handiwork, and the earth is full of Your goodness. Holy and worthy are You, O King, and we bow before You in reverence and joy.

    Let our lives be a song of praise, and may our lips never cease to honor You. Be glorified in us, O Lord, now and forever.

    In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Are You Ready?

    The Son of Man: The Bridge Between Heaven and Earth

    From the beginning, God revealed His plan of redemption through the Son of Man, a title Jesus frequently used to describe Himself (Matthew 8:20, Mark 2:10, Luke 19:10). This title carries both divine and human significance, pointing to His mission as the Messiah, the Savior, and the King of Glory.

    Jesus, the Son of Man, came in fulfillment of prophecy, as declared by Daniel:

    “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him” (Daniel 7:13-14, ESV).

    He was sent from the Father, God in flesh (John 1:14), to walk among us, to heal, to teach, and to call the lost back to God. His miracles testified of His authority. He forgave sins (Mark 2:10), healed the sick (Matthew 9:35), commanded the winds and the waves (Mark 4:39), and raised the dead (John 11:43-44).

    Yet, the greatest work of the Son of Man was His sacrifice on the cross. He declared:

    “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, ESV).

    Through His death and resurrection, Jesus bridged the gap between heaven and earth, making a way for sinners to be reconciled to God. He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

    Jesus did not come in worldly splendor but in divine authority. He humbled Himself (Philippians 2:6-8), yet He holds all power in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). His return will be glorious:

    “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27, ESV).

    The Son of Man is both the suffering servant and the reigning King, the One who intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25) and will one day judge the nations (Matthew 25:31-32).

    Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Son of Man, our Redeemer, the One who holds the keys to life and eternity. He alone is worthy of our faith, our trust, and our worship.

    Prayer

    O Lord, Son of Man, the Holy One of God,

    We come before You in awe of Your majesty, in reverence of Your power, and in gratitude for Your mercy. You, who left the glory of heaven to walk among us, clothed in flesh, yet full of divine authority—how marvelous is Your love! How unsearchable is Your wisdom!

    You are the bridge between heaven and earth, the only Way to the Father. You have torn the veil that separated us, making a path for sinners to be redeemed, for the lost to be found, for the blind to see. Through Your sacrifice, the chasm between holiness and sin has been overcome, and now we stand in the light of Your righteousness.

    Lord Jesus, Son of Man, You warned us that many would come in Your name, claiming to be the Christ, seeking to deceive even the elect. But You have given us Your voice, Your Spirit, and Your truth—let us not be led astray! Keep our hearts steadfast, our minds discerning, and our spirits aligned with Your Word.

    The world is filled with noise, with false promises and counterfeit lights, but You alone are the Truth, the Life, and the only Door to eternal peace. Teach us to listen only to You, to follow only Your footsteps, and to be unwavering in our devotion.

    We long for Your return, Son of Man, as You promised: coming on the clouds in power and great glory. Let our hearts remain watchful, our lamps burning with faith, that we may not be found asleep when You come. Strengthen us to stand firm in the trials, to resist the lies of the enemy, and to boldly proclaim the testimony of who You are.

    May we never trade Your eternal truth for temporary comfort. May we never seek another savior, for there is none like You. May our lives reflect the beauty of Your holiness and the power of Your love until the day we see You face to face.

    Come, Lord Jesus. Until that day, keep us faithful.

    Amen.

  • Don’t Wager with Eternity!

    We owe Jesus Christ everything, for He is the hope of the nations, and one day, every eye will behold Him.

    Merciful Father,

    We come before You in awe and gratitude, for You are Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. You are the fulfillment of every promise, the faithful and true witness, the One who has revealed Yourself to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We are beholden to You, for You have called us out of darkness and into Your marvelous light.

    Jesus, our King, our Redeemer, You are the Firstborn from the Dead, the Victor over death, and because You live, we live also! You have made us a part of Your royal priesthood, a child of the King, and we will forever declare Your greatness. You rule over the kings of the earth, and no power, no authority, no force can stand against You! Your blood has redeemed us, and in You, we find our true identity.

    Lord, with unveiled faces, we long to behold Your glory. Let Your Word shape our hearts, our minds, and our souls. Build in us unshakable confidence, stir in us a deeper love for You, give us divine perspective, strengthen our identity in Christ, and align our desires with Yours.

    May our life reflect the truth that You alone are our hope, our purpose, and our King.Jesus, You are the hope of the nations. The world groans in longing for Your return, and one day every eye will see Your majesty. Until that day, let us be a faithful witness, testifying of Your love, power, and redemption.

    Let our prayer life be strengthened by this truth, that we may walk in constant communion with You, knowing that we are Yours and You are our soon coming King.We surrender all to You, our Alpha and Omega, our Risen King. We love You, we honor You, and we behold You in all Your glory.In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen