Category Archives: The Pursuit

Seek the Lord, The Pursuit

Life in the Father’s House

There Is No Place Better

“See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are!”
—1 John 3:1 (NASB)

Come home, beloved. There is no place better than Life in the Father’s House. The ache in your heart, the weariness in your bones, the battle in your mind—all of it finds peace in the Father’s house. You were not made for the far country. You were not designed to dwell among the swine of shame and regret. You were made for communion, for sonship, for joy. And that joy is not a fleeting feeling. It is the presence of the Father Himself.

There is healing, there is grace, there is joy, but there is the presence of the Father.

When the prodigal son arose and returned, he did not find a cold reception. He found a Father who ran. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20, NASB). That is the image of the Father—watching, waiting, running to meet you before you even finish your apology.

When the Father sees you coming home, He doesn’t wait on the porch—He runs to embrace you. There is no place better. 🕊️

In the Father’s house, nothing is missing. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I will not be in need” (Psalm 23:1, NASB). You are not tolerated in His courts—you are treasured. Life in the Father’s House means the voices of condemnation cannot follow you into His presence. The accuser is silenced. “There is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, NASB).

And yet, the greatest gift of the Father’s house is not peace, or provision, or even pardon. It is presence. “Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10, NASB). There is no place better, because there is no Person greater. He is the prize. His nearness is the treasure. In His presence, “is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11, NASB).

You may feel unworthy. But your worth was never the price. The blood of Yeshua is. He gave Himself not only to rescue you from sin, but to bring you into the house again—to dwell, not visit. “For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18, NASB). It is Life in the Father’s House that offers this belonging.

Don’t let shame keep you from the doorway. Don’t let failure chain you to the porch. The Father is not inside waiting for a cleaned-up version of you. He steps out to meet you, robe in hand, ring in reach. You do not need to earn your place—you need only to come. “The one who comes to Me I certainly will not cast out” (John 6:37, NASB).

In the Father’s house, every room holds redemption. Every corner echoes with songs of mercy. Every meal is a feast of restoration. And at the center of it all is the Father Himself—rejoicing over His children, dwelling among them. “I will be their God, and they will be My people, and I will dwell among them” (Revelation 21:3, NASB).

So stop running. Stop performing. Stop hiding. You were never created to live apart from Him. Come to the place where the lights never go out, where the door never closes, where love never leaves. Come to the Father’s house and experience the true essence of Life in the Father’s House.

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O house of my Father, Your gates call me near,
Where mercy flows freely and love casts out fear.
Your voice I will follow, Your presence my song—
In the home of my God, forever I belong.

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Prayer

Father, I hear You calling. I know the world cannot give me what You already have prepared for me. I let go of my shame, my striving, my sorrow. Wash me in Your mercy. Cover me in Your love. Let me live not as a wanderer, but as Your child—resting, rejoicing, and returning to You daily. Let my heart stay anchored in Your presence. There is no place better. In Yeshua’s holy name, Amen.

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See Also

La Vida en la Casa del Padre: No Hay Lugar Mejor

“¡Mirad cuán gran amor nos ha otorgado el Padre, para que seamos llamados hijos de Dios; y eso somos!”

—1 Juan 3:1 (NBLA)

Vuelve a casa, amado. No hay lugar mejor. El vacío en tu corazón, el cansancio en tus huesos, la batalla en tu mente—todo encuentra paz en la casa del Padre. No fuiste creado para el país lejano. No fuiste diseñado para habitar entre los cerdos de la vergüenza y el remordimiento. Fuiste hecho para la comunión, para la filiación, para el gozo. Y ese gozo no es una emoción pasajera. Es la presencia del Padre mismo.

Hay sanidad, hay gracia, hay gozo, pero está la presencia del Padre.

Cuando el hijo pródigo se levantó y regresó, no encontró una recepción fría. Encontró a un Padre que corrió a su encuentro. “Y cuando todavía estaba lejos, su padre lo vio y sintió compasión por él; y corrió, se echó sobre su cuello y lo besó” (Lucas 15:20, NBLA). Esa es la imagen del Padre—vigilando, esperando, corriendo a encontrarte antes de que termines tu disculpa.

En la casa del Padre, no falta nada. “El Señor es mi pastor, nada me faltará” (Salmo 23:1, NBLA). No eres tolerado en Sus atrios—eres atesorado. Las voces de condenación no pueden seguirte hasta Su presencia. El acusador es silenciado. “Por tanto, ahora no hay condenación para los que están en Cristo Jesús” (Romanos 8:1, NBLA).

Y sin embargo, el mayor regalo de la casa del Padre no es la paz, ni la provisión, ni siquiera el perdón. Es Su presencia. “Mejor es un día en Tus atrios que mil fuera de ellos” (Salmo 84:10, NBLA). No hay lugar mejor, porque no hay Persona mayor. Él es el premio. Su cercanía es el tesoro. En Su presencia, “hay plenitud de gozo; en Tu diestra, deleites para siempre” (Salmo 16:11, NBLA).

Puede que te sientas indigno. Pero tu valor nunca fue el precio. La sangre de Yeshúa lo es. Él se entregó no solo para rescatarte del pecado, sino para traerte de vuelta a la casa—para habitar, no solo visitar. “Porque por medio de Él los unos y los otros tenemos nuestra entrada al Padre en un mismo Espíritu” (Efesios 2:18, NBLA).

No dejes que la vergüenza te detenga en la puerta. No dejes que el fracaso te encadene al umbral. El Padre no está adentro esperando una versión pulida de ti. Él sale a tu encuentro, túnica en mano, anillo al alcance. No necesitas ganarte tu lugar—solo necesitas venir. “Al que viene a Mí, de ningún modo lo echaré fuera” (Juan 6:37, NBLA).

En la casa del Padre, cada habitación guarda redención. Cada rincón resuena con cánticos de misericordia. Cada comida es un banquete de restauración. Y en el centro de todo está el Padre mismo—regocijándose por Sus hijos, habitando entre ellos. “Y oí una gran voz que decía desde el trono: ‘El tabernáculo de Dios está entre los hombres, y Él habitará entre ellos; y ellos serán Su pueblo, y Dios mismo estará entre ellos’” (Apocalipsis 21:3, NBLA).

Así que deja de huir. Deja de actuar. Deja de esconderte. Nunca fuiste creado para vivir lejos de Él. Ven al lugar donde las luces nunca se apagan, donde la puerta nunca se cierra, donde el amor nunca se va. Ven a la casa del Padre.

The Pursuit

Yearning for the Living God

Beloved, do you feel the ache? The deep, holy longing that stirs your soul when the world grows silent? That yearning is not your own—it is the Spirit of the Living God within you crying out for fellowship, for fire, for fullness. “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2, AMP). This is not poetic language; this is the cry of the true child of God. And yet, how often do we plead for His presence while ignoring the One who is already here?

He is already here.

Yeshua, our Messiah, has torn the veil. The way into the Holy of Holies is open. The Spirit was not given sparingly but poured out like fire at Pentecost. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, AMP). Why, then, do we beg Him to come? Why do we cry for a visitation when we were promised habitation? “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support]” (Hebrews 13:5, AMP). God is not absent—we are unaware.

Here is the truth: Our yearning for the living God is often blocked by our disobedience. Not because God withholds Himself, but because sin blinds us and unbelief hardens us. We ask Him to move while we resist His commandments. We seek His power but ignore His voice. Tozer said it rightly: “Of course the Christian can hope for no manifestation of God while he lives in a state of disobedience.” This is not cruelty; it is holy order. God will not anoint rebellion. “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22, AMP).

Let the yearning lead you to surrender.

We do not need to strive to be filled—we need only to yield. The Holy Spirit is not a distant flame; He is near, waiting for room. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17, NASB). The potter does not mold hard clay. If you would be shaped for glory, you must be soft in His hands. You must lay down your plans, your preferences, your pride.

He is speaking. Even now, the Spirit whispers. He convicts. He draws. He does not shout over our noise, but waits for stillness. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15, NASB). Your resistance is the only blockade. God is not waiting for better music, more eloquent sermons, or another revival meeting—He is waiting for your yes.

What if this Sunday, you stopped asking Him to come and instead came to Him?

What if you entered the sanctuary expecting nothing but to worship, to obey, to listen? The obedient heart will never leave empty. The believing Christian will not sit through worship bored and numb. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be [completely] satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, AMP). This is the way: recognize His presence, obey His voice, and receive His fullness.

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O Lord, I come with heart undone,
Not seeking signs or sound or sun.
I bow beneath Your burning gaze,
And yield to You my silent praise.

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Let us pray.

Father, awaken in us the holy yearning to see You rightly. Break the pride that resists Your shaping hand. We confess our distractions, our empty repetitions, our delay in obedience. Fill us anew—not because we beg, but because we believe. Make us soft clay in Your hands. Open our ears to Your whisper and our hearts to Your fire. Let Your presence not be a passing moment, but a daily reality. We long not for more of this world, but more of You. May we walk yielded and awakened—for Your glory everlasting. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

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See Also

The Pursuit

Gratitude in Every Season

Thank God in All Circumstances

As the sun sets and you prepare to rest, pause and set your heart on this truth: God is worthy of thanksgiving in every circumstance. Not only in times of joy and comfort, but also in moments of uncertainty, disappointment, and trial. This kind of gratitude isn’t rooted in your feelings—it’s anchored in your faith.

The Apostle Paul commands us plainly: “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, AMP). To thank God in everything means choosing to see Him as sovereign and trustworthy even when the road is steep and the way forward unclear.

Look at Job. After losing everything—his children, wealth, and health—he fell to the ground in worship and declared, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21, NASB). Job didn’t thank God for evil, but he thanked God in the midst of it, refusing to charge Him with wrongdoing. This is the posture of the mature believer: eyes fixed on El Shaddai, the all-sufficient One, even through tears.

Paul and Silas, chained in a prison cell after being beaten for their faith, chose to pray and sing hymns to God (Acts 16:25). That night, their praise broke prison doors. Not only were they set free, but a jailer and his entire household were saved. When we thank God in all circumstances, we not only experience peace, but we often release power and breakthrough into places of captivity.

Charles Finney, revivalist and reformer, found strength in trials—believing every obstacle was an invitation to see God’s glory more clearly.

This truth echoed through the life of revivalist Charles Finney, a man used by God to awaken hearts across America. In the face of fierce opposition and deep spiritual darkness, he gave thanks continually, believing that every obstacle was an opportunity for God’s glory. He once said, “A state of mind that sees God in everything is evidence of growth in grace.” Finney learned that gratitude in trials fuels revival, both personal and communal.

You too may be walking through fire tonight. A financial strain. A broken relationship. A heavy grief. And yet, God invites you to offer a sacrifice of praise. The psalmist declares, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1, NASB). Not sometimes. Not when it’s easy. At all times.

Why? Because God is always good, even when life is not. He uses trials to refine us, prune us, and draw us closer to His heart. Romans 5 reminds us that “tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4, NASB). So yes—give thanks in all circumstances, because God is doing something deeper in you than what you can see.

Gratitude in every season is more than a mindset—it’s the spiritual habit of seeing God’s hand in both sunshine and storm. When you choose to thank God in all circumstances, you declare that His goodness doesn’t change with your situation. This kind of unwavering praise builds strength, hope, and intimacy with the One who never fails.

This evening, lift your eyes. Refuse to let your heart grow bitter or cold. Keep your spirit tender in worship. Don’t quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)—He is still speaking. He is still moving. Thank Him that He is sanctifying you completely and preserving you blameless (v. 23). And thank Him most of all for the promise that He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it (v. 24).

Prayer:

Abba Father, tonight I thank You not only for the blessings, but for the burdens. I thank You for every trial that has shaped me, every storm that has brought me to my knees, and every delay that has taught me to trust. Teach me to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things. I surrender my circumstances to You, believing that You are working all things for good. Strengthen me, sanctify me, and preserve me by Your Spirit. In the name of Yeshua, my Redeemer and King, Amen.

See Also

The Pursuit

No Guilt in Life, No Fear in Death

Living in the Power of Christ

Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. — Romans 8:1, NASB

Beloved, hear what the Spirit speaks: There is no guilt in life and no fear in death for those who are in Christ Jesus. This truth is not a feeling—it is a foundation. This is the promise purchased by the blood of Yeshua, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and written forever in the Word of God. No guilt in life, no fear in death—this is the inheritance of every believer who abides in Him.

In Christ alone, your past no longer holds power over your present. “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Every sin, every shameful memory, every accusation has been nailed to the cross and buried in the tomb. You are free. The voice of guilt may try to echo in your mind, but the blood of Christ speaks louder. This is the power of Christ in you—to silence condemnation and declare you righteous before the throne.

Do not reach into the grave of yesterday. God has hurled your iniquities into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). No guilt in life means no chains from the past, no lingering stain He has not already cleansed. In Christ, your slate is not just wiped clean—it has been made new. This is the heart of the Gospel.

And no fear in death—this, too, is your confidence in Christ. “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). What once was a prison is now a passage. For the child of God, to die is not to end—it is to enter into glory. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law—but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.

Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). And that perfect love lives in you, not as an idea but as a Person. The Holy Spirit bears witness: you are a child of God. No fear in death means that when your final breath comes, you will not fall into judgment—you will rise into joy. You do not face a fearful unknown; you run into the arms of the Savior who has gone ahead to prepare a place for you (John 14:2-3).

Romans 8:38-39 is your assurance: “Neither death, nor life… nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You are held by the unbreakable hands of grace. This is the power of Christ in you.

So live boldly. Worship freely. Testify with joy. Let your life shout the truth: No guilt in life, no fear in death. You are a new creation, filled with the Spirit, destined for eternity with Him. Let every breath praise the One who has redeemed you. This is not wishful thinking—this is the unshakable reality for all who are in Christ alone.

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Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I praise You for the freedom You have given me through Yeshua. Thank You that there is no guilt in my life and no fear in my death because I am in Him. Let Your truth take root in me. Let me walk in the joy of forgiveness and the strength of resurrection life. Fill me with boldness to proclaim that nothing can separate me from Your love. May I live each day by the power of Christ in me.

In His mighty name, Amen.

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See Also

The Pursuit

Walk Hand in Hand with God

Beloved, you have set your heart to seek the Face of God, and I tell you now, He sees you. He who is from the beginning, who holds the stars in His hand, bends low to meet the one who longs for Him. The Holy One is not far from you. He is near, nearer than your own breath.

Do not be troubled by the pace of men. Do not measure yourself by the steps of the crowd. For the Lord of Glory calls you to walk with Him, not behind Him, not ahead of Him, but hand in hand, heart to heart.

The frustration you feel is not your failure; it is the stirring of His Spirit within you, pulling you closer to the fullness of life in Him. You are not forsaken. You are not cast off. You are being drawn into the secret place where the Lamb walks with His own.

The world may race ahead to build kingdoms of dust. The churches may lag behind in sluggishness and doubt. But you, beloved, fix your eyes upon His Face. Set your heart to know Him as Moses did, who cried out, “Show me Your glory!” and was hidden in the cleft of the rock. So now you are hidden in Yeshua, sheltered by the blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Be still, and do not fear the aching within you. It is a holy yearning. It is the mark of His hand upon your soul.

The God who called you is faithful. He will not leave you longing. He will reveal Himself to the pure in heart.

Therefore, walk hand in hand with God.
When He moves, move with Him.
When He waits, wait with Him.
When He weeps, weep with Him.
When He rejoices, dance before Him.

Do not turn aside to the right or the left. Stay close. Stay low. Stay hungry.

“You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, NASB).

This is the promise of the Everlasting God. This is your inheritance.

Let nothing steal it from you.

Walk hand in hand with God, beloved. Walk hand in hand with God.

Prayer

Father,

I long to walk hand in hand with You. Not ahead, not behind — but close, steady, faithful. Teach me to match my steps with Yours. Tune my heart to Your heartbeat. Make me sensitive to Your movements and stillness alike.

When I grow restless, anchor me in Your peace. When I grow weary, lift me with Your strength. When I am tempted to run or lag behind, draw me back by the whisper of Your love.

I seek not the works of Your hand, but the light of Your Face. Let Your nearness be my portion, and Your presence my delight.

Lead me on the ancient path where Your footsteps still echo, and cause me to walk it with joy and trembling.

I am Yours, Lord.

Hand in hand with You, forever.

In the name of Yeshua, Amen.

See Also

Prayers, The Pursuit

The Spirit of Expectation

When We Believe, He Comes

Beloved, something eternal stirs in the heart that waits on God. Not with arms folded, but with arms lifted. Not in sleepy ritual, but with trembling faith. This is the Spirit of Expectation—the holy fire that has always preceded the movement of the Holy Spirit. And it is this fire that God is kindling once again. This Spirit of Expectation must be embraced.

I have seen many things over the years—church services filled with passion, others heavy with routine. But one recent moment marked me deeply. I was at a Friday evening worship service, simple and quiet. A husband and wife led us in just one song. After it ended, they declared over the congregation, “The Lord is here.” And He was. Not in theory, not in concept—He was tangibly present. Glory broke in like the sun through storm clouds. Why? Because someone believed. Someone proclaimed with faith. Expectation opened the door, and the King walked through.

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” (Luke 1:45, NASB). This blessing, spoken over Mary, is a beacon to us all. She didn’t wait to see the promise before believing—she believed first. And so must we. When we sing our songs without faith, we offer noise. But when we worship in expectation, heaven listens, and God responds.

The early Church understood this. They waited in the upper room, not bored but burning. They had heard the words of Yeshua—“You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5, NASB)—and they believed. So they waited. Not passively, but “continually devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14, NASB). And then, “suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven” (Acts 2:2, NASB). The fire didn’t come to the curious; it came to the convinced. Their Spirit of Expectation brought divine results.

Expectation is the forerunner of glory. Before the Red Sea parted, Moses lifted his staff in obedience, expecting God to act. “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord”(Exodus 14:13, NASB). Before the fire consumed the altar, Elijah soaked the sacrifice, expecting God to respond with fire (1 Kings 18:36–38). And He did. Why? Because they expected Him to move.

Moses on the Mountain — a lone prophet stands with staff in hand, watching the light of God break through the valley, expectant for the fire to fall.

The tragedy today is not that God is silent—it’s that we no longer expect Him to speak. We host services without watching for Him. We pray without believing for answers. We gather without hunger. And yet, the Lord waits to be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18). He desires to be welcomed, not as a guest, but as the rightful King. This Spirit of Expectation must be rekindled.

You must rise, dear one. Awake from slumber. Shake off the dust of disappointment and the cloak of unbelief. “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1, NASB). Don’t just go through the motions—press in with belief. Expect God to break in when you pray. Expect Him to heal when you ask. Expect Him to speak when you listen. The Spirit still moves where He is wanted. Embrace the Spirit of Expectation in every aspect of your life.

That night at worship reminded me: it doesn’t take a stadium or a crowd. It takes faith. It takes someone who will say with confidence, “The Lord is here,” and mean it. When that word was spoken, it wasn’t a suggestion—it was a declaration. And He answered faith with presence.

The Church must recover this. Revival will not come to the disinterested. It will come to those who cry out, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and I wait for His word. My soul waits in hope for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning” (Psalm 130:5–6, NASB).

Are you watching? Are you waiting? Or are you merely going through the motions? Yeshua is ready to visit His people, but we must prepare Him room. Let your heart become an upper room again—filled with prayer, filled with worship, filled with expectation. Let the Spirit of Expectation guide your every step.

When we believe, He comes. When we proclaim in faith, He is faithful to answer. This is the Spirit of Expectation. And it is time for the Church to awaken.

I watched the sky, I watched the flame,
I waited long with lifted head.
He came, not late, nor wrapped in shame—
He came just as the prophets said.

Prayer

Lord Yeshua, awaken in me a Spirit of Expectation. Forgive me for every time I sang without belief, prayed without hope, and gathered without hunger. Stir my soul to long for You again. I do not want empty religion—I want Your presence. Let my heart believe that You will do what You have said. I lift my eyes to You. Come, Lord—come into my worship, my home, my life. I wait for You. I believe You. I expect You. Amen.

See Also

The Pursuit

Face to Face with God

The Friendship You Were Made For

“So the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.” — Exodus 33:11, NASB

There is no higher calling than this: to walk in deep friendship with God. Not as a servant fearful of punishment, but as a friend who knows the heart of his King. In this sacred place, the soul awakens. The noise of the world fades. And the heart begins to burn—not for answers, but for the presence of El Shaddai Himself.

Talking with God face to face is not a poetic phrase. It is the invitation extended to every son and daughter of the Kingdom. Moses stood on holy ground not because of his greatness, but because of his desire. He longed to know God’s ways, not just His works. He dared to ask, “Show me Your glory,” and God drew near.

Beloved, God has not changed. He still meets face to face with those who seek Him, just as Moses experienced talking with God face to face.

In the age of noise and distraction, the Lord is calling His people back to the tent of meeting—back to the quiet place where friendship is kindled in the fire of His presence. The veil has been torn. The Spirit has come. Through the blood of Yeshua, we have been given access to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16, NASB).

But we must come.

The Spirit says, “Come closer. Linger. Don’t rush away. Don’t settle for shallow prayers or rehearsed devotion. Come to Me, and I will give you rest—not just rest from labor, but rest in communion.” Talking with God face to face truly begins when we stop performing and start beholding.

Let your prayers become conversations. Let your worship become wonder. As John the Apostle laid his head upon the chest of the Master, so must we lean in. God desires nearness. Not a moment. Not a meeting. A dwelling. He wants to make His home in you (John 14:23, NASB).

And when you do draw near, everything changes. You will hear His whisper in the chaos. You will sense His leading in the silence. You will carry His presence into your workplace, your home, your church. You will no longer live as one chasing God—but as one walking with Him.

This experience of talking face to face with God is not reserved for the elite. It is the birthright of the redeemed.

He calls you friend. Not from afar. Not with conditions. But with love that burns like fire and welcomes you into the holy.

So draw near. Turn aside from every lesser thing. Close the door. Still your heart. And speak—speak to the One who already knows you, and longs to be known by you.

Come. He is waiting.

Prayer

Abba, I want to walk with You like Moses did. I want to know You—not just Your words, but Your heart. Strip away every distraction and draw me into the quiet where I can hear Your voice. I choose to enter the secret place and stay until I am changed. Let me speak with You face to face, as Your friend. In Yeshua’s name, amen. And let me experience the joy of talking with God face to face.

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See Also

The Pursuit

Come Closer, Beloved

Walk in the Spirit

He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

You who have tasted the goodness of God, do not linger at the edge of His presence. Draw near. The life of God in you is not dependent upon your name, your culture, or your status—but upon your surrender. As it is written, “Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8, NASB). If Yeshua, though perfect, submitted through suffering, shall we not also walk this narrow way with Him?

A closer walk with the Lord demands more than a confession of faith—it demands Spirit-led obedience. From the first cry of your rebirth, the Holy Spirit has taken residence in your soul, not merely as Comforter, but as Commander. You were not merely saved to escape wrath—you were called to walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8, NASB). This path is not optional. It is the only path of the Kingdom.

In the early Church, the fire of the Spirit leapt over the dividing walls of Jew and Gentile, slave and free, learned and ignorant. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body”(1 Corinthians 12:13, NASB). The Spirit does not dwell in structures made by men or align Himself with national borders. He forms a new humanity, united under the Headship of Christ, calling all who believe to one standard—obedience to the teachings of Yeshua.

Yet many falter, not for lack of instruction, but because they refuse to suffer the cost of discipleship. The words of the New Testament are clear, but hearts dimmed by compromise obscure their brightness. The Spirit does not yield to culture—He calls culture to repentance. The Gospel does not bow to man’s traditions—it calls all men to die to themselves.

Let not your walk be shaped by your surroundings, but by the indwelling Spirit. Have you not read? “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, NASB). A closer walk with the Lord means saying “yes” when the flesh screams “no.” It means obeying when it is inconvenient, loving when it is undeserved, and surrendering when pride rises up.

The teachings of Christ are not suggestions. They are commands—holy, eternal, and binding upon the soul of every blood-bought saint.

So come, dear reader. Do not settle for surface faith. Press in. Abide. Let His Spirit shape your thoughts, your speech, your footsteps. Let the fire of God consume what is carnal and breathe life into what is eternal. The closer walk with the Lord is a walk of obedience, unity, and continual transformation.

As John wrote, “The one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6, NASB). The time is short. The hour is late. Cast aside every weight and draw near to your King.

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Prayer:

Holy Father, draw me into a closer walk with You. Baptize every part of my life in Your Spirit. Teach me to obey, not reluctantly, but with joy. Let my heart beat with Yours. Break the pride of my culture, my comfort, and my self-will, and make me wholly Yours. May my life proclaim that Yeshua is Lord, to the glory of El Shaddai. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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See Also

The Pursuit

Relationship with God vs. Religion

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NASB)

Beloved,

I write to you with urgency and love, for your soul is at stake. There is a subtle yet deadly deception that lingers in the shadows—a deception that whispers to you that ritual is enough, that tradition is sufficient, that outward appearance satisfies the heart of God. But it is a lie. It is a counterfeit that steals intimacy and leaves you empty, all the while convincing you that you are full.

Religion is safe. It asks for your attendance but not your heart. It demands your time but not your tears. It invites you to sing, to listen, to participate, but it never compels you to change. It is an illusion, a shadow of faith that keeps you comfortably numb, satisfied with mere routine while your heart remains distant from God.

But do you not know? God desires all of you. He does not want your performance. He does not need your religious vocabulary or your memorized prayers. He wants you—your heart, your mind, your soul, and your strength. He wants every hidden corner, every scar, every doubt, every fear. He wants your honesty, your vulnerability, your raw and broken self.

The Living God is not interested in your rituals. He despises pretense. He is not moved by your songs if your heart is not in them. He is not impressed by your tithes if your soul is not surrendered. Hear the word of the Lord:

“These people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me” (Isaiah 29:13, NASB).

Where is your heart, beloved?

You come to church, you sing the songs, you raise your hands, but where is your heart? Have you grown comfortable playing the part, saying the right words, performing the right actions, all while keeping God at a safe distance? Have you hidden behind religion to avoid the cost of relationship?

The pursuit of Christ is costly. It demands everything. It requires surrender, humility, and repentance. It calls you to lay down your pride, your comfort, your control. It requires you to leave behind the masks, the games, the routines that keep you safe but stagnant.

Religion is easy, but relationship is hard. Religion lets you stay as you are, but relationship changes you. It exposes you. It strips away your defenses and leaves you undone before a holy God. It demands that you be real, raw, and honest. It challenges you to confront your sin, to confess your fears, to admit your weaknesses. It breaks you, but it also heals you.

The Fear of True Intimacy

Why do you hide behind rituals? Why do you cling to the safety of routine? Because true intimacy is terrifying. To truly know God, you must allow yourself to be fully known by Him. This means no pretense, no masks, no hiding. It means standing exposed before His holiness, vulnerable and broken, with nothing to offer but yourself.

Are you afraid of what He will see? Are you afraid of what He will require? He sees it all already. Every hidden thought, every buried wound, every secret sin—He sees it, and He loves you still. But He will not leave you as you are. He loves you too much for that. He wants to transform you, to refine you, to make you holy as He is holy.

But this cannot happen through ritual. It cannot happen through routine or religion. It can only happen through relationship—through an encounter with the Living God. This requires you to go beyond tradition, beyond comfort, beyond what is safe and familiar. It requires you to seek Him in spirit and in truth.

Laying Down Idols and Playing Church

You cannot pursue Christ and keep your idols. You cannot serve two masters. You cannot play church and expect transformation. If you truly want to know God, you must lay down every false god that competes for your heart. This includes the idol of religion.

Yes, religion can be an idol. When you find security in routine rather than in Christ, you have made routine your god. When you cling to tradition instead of clinging to the Cross, you have made tradition your idol. When you seek approval from men rather than the presence of God, you are worshiping the god of appearance.

Lay down your idols. Tear them from the altars of your heart. Leave behind the safety of playing church. Do not be content with emotional experiences that move you for a moment but leave you unchanged. Do not be satisfied with checking the box and calling it worship. God is calling you to more.

The Desperate Pursuit of the Real and Living God

Where is your hunger for God? Where is the desperation that drives you to your knees? Where is the cry of your heart for more of Him and less of you?

You cannot manufacture this hunger through routine. You cannot experience God’s presence by merely performing religious duties. You must seek Him. You must pursue Him with everything within you. You must long for Him more than comfort, more than tradition, more than the approval of men.

Are you willing to go deeper? Are you willing to lay down your rituals, your comfort, and your pride? Are you willing to be undone before a holy God?

Hear the call of the Lord:

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8, NASB). But drawing near requires repentance. It requires humility. It requires surrender. It requires the courage to be vulnerable, to be real, to be broken before Him.

This is the cost of relationship. It is the cost of knowing the Living God. Are you willing to pay it? Or will you remain in the safety of religion, satisfied with appearances but empty within?

Beloved, God is calling you to more. He is calling you to Himself. Do not settle for less. Pursue Him. Seek Him. Know Him. For He alone is life, He alone is truth, He alone is holy.

Lay down your religion. Lay down your pride. Lay down your very life.

Seek the face of God and live.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

I repent of hiding behind religion, of seeking routine over relationship, of playing church instead of pursuing You. Break every idol that competes for my heart. Expose every mask,every pretense, every ritual that keeps me from knowing You.

I lay it all down. My comfort, my pride, my control—I surrender it all to You. I want You, Lord. Not religion, not routine, but You. I long to know You and be known by You. I want to worship You in spirit and in truth.

Take me deeper. Break me, heal me, transform me. I am Yours.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See Also

Love, The Pursuit

Love the Lord with Your Whole Being

What Does It Mean to Love God with Your Whole Heart? Loving the Lord with your whole being is a profound and transformative experience.

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one [the only God]! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being].” – Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (AMP)

God is not divided, nor is He one among many. He alone is the true and living God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and He calls for your complete devotion. The greatest commandment is not a suggestion—it is a call to love the Lord with every part of your being.

But do you truly love Him with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength? Or have you offered Him only a portion while keeping the rest for yourself? God does not want lukewarm love; He calls for an all-consuming devotion. Jesus reaffirmed this in the New Testament, saying:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37 (NASB)

Nothing less than everything belongs to Him.

God Held Nothing Back—Will You?

God gave everything for you. The proof is in Jesus Christ:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NASB)

God did not hold back His only Son. He gave everything so that you might live. Will you now hesitate to give Him your whole life?

The Holy Spirit is still calling, still convicting, still transforming lives.

“Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” – Hebrews 3:15 (NASB)

Yet the world tempts you to hold back—to divide your heart, to love God when it is convenient. But God demands your whole being. He is worthy of nothing less than your full surrender.

Jesus said:

“If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23 (NASB)

This is the love God desires—a love that lays everything down, seeks Him above all else, and forsakes sin to follow Christ completely.

Do Not Hesitate—Respond to His Call

Do not be one who hears and refuses to respond! If hell is real, if sin is death, if the blood of Jesus was the price of salvation—will you hesitate?

Tear down every idol. Forsake every distraction. Let your love for Him be total, consuming, and undivided. This is the only love worthy of the Lord your God.

Understanding the Command: A Word Study on Loving God

A deeper look into the original Hebrew words in Deuteronomy 6:5 reveals the full depth of God’s command:

1. “Love” (אָהַב – ahav)

  • Ahav is more than an emotional feeling—it is a devoted, covenantal love that includes loyalty and action.
  • It is the same kind of love God commands in Deuteronomy 6:5, which Jesus later reaffirms in Matthew 22:37.
  • Loving God is not passive—it is a wholehearted commitment that shapes every thought, decision, and action.

2. “Heart” (לֵבָב – levav)

  • In Hebrew, the heart is not just emotions—it includes the mind, will, and intellect.
  • Loving God with all your heart means surrendering every thought and desire to Him.
  • Scripture commands us: “Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)

3. “Soul” (נֶפֶשׁ – nephesh)

  • Nephesh means “life” or “whole being.” It includes emotions, personality, and the very breath of life.
  • Loving God with all your soul means giving Him everything that makes you who you are.
  • “Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” – Psalm 103:1 (NASB)

4. “Strength” (מְאֹד – me’od)

  • Me’od doesn’t just mean physical strength—it means “muchness,” intensity, and everything that you are.
  • It is a call to love God with all your energy, resources, time, and ability.
  • This is the kind of devotion seen in Luke 9:23, where Jesus says: “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Bringing It All Together: A Call to Total Devotion

Loving God with all your heart, soul, and strength is not optional—it is a command. It is a love that consumes everything in you.

This is the love Jesus demonstrated when He laid down His life for you. This is the love the Holy Spirit ignites when you surrender to Him.

God has given everything for you. Will you hold anything back?

A Prayer of Total Surrender

Holy Spirit, search me and expose every place where my love is divided. Let me not be deaf to Your voice or resistant to Your transforming power. Fill me, consume me, and make me wholly devoted to the One who alone is worthy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See Also