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Holy Spirit

Hold Fast to the Lord

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Walking in Spirit-Revealed Obedience

“It is the LORD your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him.”
—Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB)*

Beloved, we who have tasted the goodness of the Lord are not called to casual devotion, but to Spirit-revealed obedience. When El Shaddai breathes life into our dead spirits and awakens us by regeneration, He begins a holy preparation that lasts a lifetime. This journey is not fueled by fear but by reverent love—a response to the One who made us new.

Yeshua told Nicodemus that no one could enter the Kingdom unless they were born from above. And once born of the Spirit, we must no longer walk according to the flesh. The call is clear: Follow the LORD, revere Him, obey Him, serve Him, and hold fast to Him. Each phrase in Deuteronomy 13:4 is a step along the ancient path. But this path is hidden from the proud and self-sufficient. It is only visible to those whose eyes have been opened by the Spirit of God.

“To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.’”
—John 3:27 (NASB)*

This is the humility that opens the door to divine encounter. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Messiah, knew his place. He did not grasp at position or power. He received what was given. So must we. The mysteries of God are not unlocked by cleverness or seminary degrees but by Spirit-revealed insight. Many stand before a wall of theology—doctrine stacked high like bricks—yet never find the gate. Without the Spirit, knowledge becomes cold and heavy. With the Spirit, truth becomes living fire.

Return to the Lord in brokenness
Return to the Lord in brokenness

God’s Kingdom is not a showcase of mediocrity, nor a democracy of lukewarm hearts. It is a throne room filled with glory, where only the holy dare tread. And we are made holy—not by our effort—but by the blood of the Lamb and the fire of His Spirit. This is why we must hold fast. Not to our plans. Not to tradition. Not to mere form. But to God Himself. His commands are not burdensome when His Spirit writes them on our hearts. His service becomes our joy when love compels us.

Why, then, would we resist such a path? Why would we lower the high call of God to fit our comfort? God’s intentions for us are always rooted in His eternal love and creative power. He sees potential in us that sin buried. But the Spirit awakens it. We were not made for the shallow waters of religion. We were made to walk in the deep, where God speaks, moves, and dwells with His people.

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the human heart,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
—1 Corinthians 2:9 (NASB)

This is our inheritance: Spirit-revealed truth, Spirit-empowered obedience, Spirit-filled life. Let us not settle for surface knowledge. Let us seek the fire that reveals the face of Yeshua. Let us cling to the LORD—not casually, but with the grip of holy desperation. Hold fast. Follow. Revere. Obey. Serve.

The Spirit is still speaking. Will you listen?

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
— Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, and 3:22 (NASB)

Prayer

Loving Lord, thank You for making me new by the power of Your Spirit. Awaken every buried promise and every slumbering gift within me. I want to walk in Spirit-revealed obedience. I long to know You not only in mind but in truth. Keep me close, Lord. Let me not wander or grow numb. Instead, draw me deeper, that I may hold fast to You in every season. In the name of Yeshua, I pray. Amen.

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See Also

Holiness and Revival

Testimonies that Glorify God

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Let God Be Glorified

Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul (Psalm 66:16, NASB).

This is the voice of one who has tasted the mercy of El Elyon and cannot remain silent. He does not draw attention to himself, but to the power of God. Every true testimony flows from this fountain—it glorifies God alone, not the one who speaks.

The Apostle John, who leaned against Yeshua’s chest and saw the glory of the Word made flesh, heard these words from Heaven: They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11, NASB). Notice where the victory rests. Not in strategy, eloquence, or charisma—but in the Lamb and what He has done. The testimony is not a platform for self—it is a declaration of God’s faithfulness and mercy.

Even our Savior warned, Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them (Matthew 6:1, NASB). The danger is not just in falsehood, but in misdirected truth—when we say the right things for the wrong reasons, and shift the spotlight onto ourselves.

Let Boasting Die at the Cross

The Apostle Paul could have boasted. His résumé was unmatched—zealous, learned, bold. Yet he said, Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14, NASB). The cross is where all pride dies. It is where we remember that we were nothing, and He gave us everything. Any story that begins with “I did” must be reexamined. Let every true testimony begin with “God moved.”

Paul reminded the Corinthians, So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:7, NASB). We are nothing more than vessels—fragile, breakable, and utterly dependent on El Shaddai to fill us. Testimonies should cause awe, not applause. They should humble, not elevate. If we speak of answered prayers or miracles, let us speak as those trembling in the presence of a holy God.

Break you jar before the Lord
Before the healing comes, the jar must break. This is where revival begins—on our faces, with nothing held back.

Where Is the Power We Preach?

We have the Word. We memorize the verses. We know what to say. But where is the power? Where is the Presence? We talk about revival, but do we carry it? Yeshua said:

I assure you and most solemnly declare to you that anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also perform the same actions as I do. Moreover, they will accomplish even greater feats in scope and reach, for I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it (John 14:12–14, AMP).

We love to quote verse 15—If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments—but are we living verses 12 through 14? We say we follow Him, but where is the fruit? Where is the unmistakable evidence of His power and Presence moving through us?

If we are honest, we must ask: Have we crafted denominations, doctrinal statements, and creeds to soothe our lack of faith? Are we building altars of reason because we have forgotten the fire of God? When Peter was in the Upper Room before Pentecost, he probably cried out, “Lord, we have nothing left but You.” Have we reached that place? Have we truly died to self?

Truly Dying to Self: A Forgotten Cry

What does it mean to truly die to self? We speak of it often, but do we live it? Picking up our crosses daily sounds poetic until obedience costs us something. Listening to His voice is inspiring until He asks us to release our comfort, our pride, or our reputation. Is there anyone alive today who can say, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20, NASB)?

If our hearts were truly right with God, these things would happen. Miracles would follow our prayers. Deliverance would spring from our declarations. Revival would not be a hope—it would be a holy eruption. The reason it doesn’t happen is not that God has changed. He is being true to His Word. He tests hearts. He purifies motives. He waits for a people who will make Him the center of their testimony, not themselves.

We need to keep pressing into Him, asking Him to search us and refine us. We must return to the altar, not to tell God what we’ve done, but to ask Him to reveal our motives so that we may be pure vessels. Our testimonies should reflect the cry of John the Baptist: He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30, NASB).

She broke her jar—and with it, her pride, her plans, her past. Only in surrender can the fragrance rise. This is where healing begins.

Let Testimonies Burn with His Glory

Even our best obedience is not a trophy—it is a response. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10, NASB). We are not the authors of greatness. We are the canvas upon which the Master Artist paints His glory.

Let every testimony burn with the truth: It was God. All of it. The mercy. The healing. The change. If He used us, it was not because we were worthy—it was because He is good.

Do not share to impress. Share to exalt. Let your testimony be a trembling offering that points upward, not inward. Speak not of how much faith you had, but how faithful El Olam was to you. Let the story glorify the Name above all names—Yeshua, the Lamb who was slain.

Let Us Pray

O El Shaddai, Mighty and All-Sufficient One,

We come before You with broken hearts, confessing how often we have spoken to be seen, shared to be praised, and testified to exalt ourselves. Forgive us, Lord. Purify our hearts, cleanse our lips, and strip away every hidden motive that does not glorify You.

Teach us what it means to truly die daily—to applause, to recognition, to the craving for man’s approval. Let our testimonies rise like holy incense—fragrant only because You have been faithful. Let them carry the weight of Your glory, not the weight of our names.

We lay our words at Your feet. Sanctify them. Let every syllable exalt the Name above all names—Yeshua, our Redeemer. Let our stories become songs of Your mercy, drawing hearts not to us, but to Your throne.

Burn away pride, expose every imitation, and silence the flesh. Let the fire of Your Spirit purify our witness until only Your power remains. And when we speak, let the world see not us, but You living through us.

We join with the saints, with the seraphim, and with all creation in one cry:

You alone are worthy.

Amen.

Made meek by the spirit
A weathered wooden cross stands silhouetted against a glowing sunset, marking the place where pride ends and surrender begins.

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See Also

Faithful Living

Walking Faithfully with God

A Call to You, Beloved

“Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].” — Genesis 5:24 AMP

Beloved, hear the Word and do not harden your heart. In the beginning, before the flood, when darkness had spread like a veil over the earth, there was one who chose to walk another way. Enoch did not follow the crowd. He did not bow to the idols of ease or pride. He did not walk in his own strength. He chose, instead, the narrow road—a road lit only by faith. And because he walked faithfully with God, he pleased God. He vanished from this world because God took him. Enoch did not taste death.

You must understand this: you cannot walk with God and walk with the world. The path of the righteous has always been lonely, yet it is filled with the presence of the Lord. Enoch’s testimony still speaks—he lived close enough to Heaven that God brought him home. He lived as one who knew God, not as an idea, but as a Person. Not a doctrine, but a daily companion. His life exposes the shallow living of his generation—and ours.

Oh child of God, are you walking with Him, or are you drifting? Do not be deceived: this world will never honor the Spirit-led. It will mock your holiness and call it bondage. It will seduce your soul with busyness, pleasure, and endless distractions. But hear me—this world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever (1 John 2:17 NASB).

A quiet river winds through a lush, untouched garden where fruit trees flourish and golden light streams from Heaven—a glimpse of Eden, where God still walks with man.

The Secret Place of the Faithful Walk

You were not made to walk alone. You were not made to carry your burdens without help. The breath in your lungs, the beat of your heart, the thoughts in your mind—all are sustained by God. You depend on Him for everything. Every. Single. Thing. And yet how often do you live as though you are sufficient?

Enoch knew better. He knew what you must know now: our strength fails, but God never does. The devil whispers to your soul, “You’re doing fine. You can take care of yourself.” But you cannot. You were created to walk hand-in-hand with El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One. You were never meant to lead your own life.

Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. The Spirit is calling you out of mediocrity and into intimacy. Not to religious routine, but to fellowship. To the secret place. To the stillness where God speaks and strengthens.

The Voice Still Calls: Walk With Me

The Lord is calling. He’s not calling the crowd—He’s calling you. He wants your attention. He wants your obedience. He wants your heart, wholly surrendered. Not once, but daily. Moment by moment. He wants your walk.

To walk faithfully with God is not merely to believe that He exists—it is to believe Him, trust Him, follow Him. “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3). No, beloved. You cannot walk with God while holding hands with sin. You cannot walk in the Spirit while dragging the chains of compromise.

Lay them down. Lay down your pride. Lay down your fear. Lay down your timeline. Choose Him now. Say with your heart what Enoch said with his life: “I will walk with You, even if I must walk alone.”

When shadows press near and voices grow loud,
I follow You, Shepherd, apart from the crowd.
Your whispers are clearer than thunder or flame,
And I walk in Your shadow, upheld by Your name.

Prayer of the Heart

Holy Father, I need You more than breath, more than rest, more than anything this world offers. I have tried to walk in my own strength, and I have failed. But now I come. I return to the narrow road. Take my hand, Lord. Lead me like You led Enoch. Let me walk faithfully with You until the very end. May Your Spirit fill me, guide me, and keep me. Let me not stray. In the name of Yeshua, my Redeemer, amen.

See Also

For the Worshiper (Go Deeper)

Footsteps wind through a misty forest toward the light, symbolizing the soul’s desperate journey—walking faithfully with God, step by step, breath by breath.

The Song of Enoch
“And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him.” — Genesis 5:24 AMP

Verse 1
I was a man among many, born of dust,
Yet my soul found no peace in the ways of the earth.
Their laughter was hollow, their idols were rust,
So I turned my face to the One of true worth.
In the silence of dawn, I heard Him call—
Not in thunder, but in the hush of my fall.
“Walk with Me, son, and trust My way,”
And I bowed low—I could not delay.

Chorus
For I cannot breathe without Your breath,
I cannot stand but by Your strength.
Each step, each heartbeat, each fragile day—
I walk because You make a way.
Desperate I am, and desperate I stay,
Forever dependent—O God, be my stay.

Verse 2
The world mocked softly, with velvet chains,
Whispered, “Why strive for a God you can’t see?”
But I saw His glory beyond the plains,
And His voice thundered in secret to me.
The stars could not guide me, the moon did not know,
But the flame in my bones began to grow.
Not by sight, but by holy fire,
I walked with God, my one desire.

Chorus
For I cannot breathe without Your breath,
I cannot stand but by Your strength.
Each step, each heartbeat, each fragile day—
I walk because You make a way.
Desperate I am, and desperate I stay,
Forever dependent—O God, be my stay.

Bridge
I did not seek reward or crown,
I only sought to hear Your sound—
The footsteps of the Living One,
The whisper of El Elyon.
When all around me turned to dust,
Still, I held Your Word in trust.
“Abide in Me,” You gently said,
And You became my daily bread.

Verse 3
Now the path grew narrow, the crowd grew thin,
But I would not trade this walk for sin.
For I have seen the Holy Flame,
I have heard Yeshua call my name.
And when the earth could hold me no more,
You opened wide the unseen door.
You took me in—not by death or rod,
But by the hand of the Living God.

Final Chorus
I cannot breathe without Your breath,
I cannot rise but by Your strength.
Eternal steps on Heaven’s way—
I walk because You make a way.
Desperate I was, and desperate I’ll be,
Forever held in Your eternity.

Tag
So teach me, Lord, to walk like this,
In holy fear and Heaven’s kiss.
Let every breath, each footstep trod,
Cry out—I’m desperate for my God.

Personal Holiness

Set Apart to Burn

Beloved, God is holy, and those who dwell in His presence must be holy also. You were not redeemed to blend with this world but to be set apart for El Shaddai, radiant in righteousness, clothed in purity, and burning with longing for the One who is altogether lovely. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6, AMP). This hunger is not of the mind—it is of the spirit. It is not theory—it is fire.

Do you not know, dear one, that the Lord your God is a consuming fire? (Deuteronomy 4:24). He burns away all that is unclean. But He also warms the heart of the one who seeks Him in truth. If you would walk in intimacy with the Spirit of God, then let there be a great returning—a forsaking of compromise, a renouncing of secret sin, a full surrender to Yeshua HaMashiach. For these reasons, you are set apart, called into His embrace to burn with passion for holiness. “Everyone who has this hope [in Him] continually purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3, AMP).

The world mocks purity, but the Spirit exalts it. Weep if you must, tear down the altars of pride and entertainment and comfort. There is no path to glory that bypasses the cross. And the cross still calls you to die daily—to die to flesh, to sin, to vanity—and live unto God. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1, AMP).

Hold on in Faith
Rebuilding the altar of the Lord

Tozer was right: you cannot feel what is not rooted in the soil of repentance. Many want the wind of the Spirit, but they will not build the altar. Yet God visits the altar, not the stage. He comes where there is brokenness and obedience, where hearts lie prostrate and spirits cry out for the living God, set apart to burn in His presence.

Come out, dear reader. Be separate. Be clean. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8). Not for shame, but for glory. Not for legalism, but for love. The Bridegroom is holy. His Bride must be made ready, set apart for His divine calling. And the beauty He sees in you is not your gifting—it is your holiness. It is Christ formed in you.

“Without holiness, no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NASB). These are not words of wrath, but of invitation. For He longs to be seen. He yearns to be known. But He will not reveal Himself where idols still reign.

So, lay the groundwork—repentance, obedience, separation, holy living—and then watch. You will be filled. Set apart, you will burn with His holiness. The Holy One will draw near. And the joy of His presence will become wonderfully, wonderfully real.

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Prayer

O God who is holy and enthroned in glory, we repent of every impurity we’ve harbored. Cleanse us, refine us, draw us into the furnace of Your presence. Plant within us a new hunger, a deeper thirst, a passion for purity. Let us walk blameless before You, not by our strength but by the blood of the Lamb. We are set apart to burn in Your holy fire. Make us holy as You are holy. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

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See Also

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

Apostolic Prophetic

Sound the Shofar

Beloved, listen.

This is not just another message—this is a cry from the Spirit of the Living God. Open your heart. Don’t scroll past. Don’t silence the stirring. The time is too late and the hour too urgent. These words are not ink—they are fire. They are bread for the starving soul, water for the parched spirit. Eat. Listen. Engage. Heaven is calling, not with suggestion but with summons. The Lord is seeking those who will not harden their hearts but will tremble at His Word. Beloved, return. Return before the door shuts. Return before the harvest ends. Return while there is still breath in your lungs. This is for you. This is for now.

Lay it down.

All of it—the noise, the endless scrolling, the fear-soaked headlines, the idols of comfort and control. Lay down the false peace of passivity. Tear from your hands the chains of distraction. The world is loud, relentless, and poisoned with deception. But the voice of the Lord still thunders above it all. The Shepherd calls. The Spirit groans. And the Father waits.

Sound the mighty spiritual shofar! Not the trumpets of man, not the hollow horns of politics or media spin—but the true shofar of Heaven, the sound that shakes foundations and splits the sky. And today, let everyone hear the call to sound the shofar. Let it echo across the nations, from mountain to valley, from city to wilderness. Let the angels ready their ranks. Let the demons flee in terror. Let it be declared boldly to every principality in the air:

This world belongs to the Lord—and your time is short.

The throne of God is not up for debate. It cannot be silenced or censored. His kingdom does not rise and fall with human empires. The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it (Psalm 24:1, NASB). And yet, so many have forgotten. We have traded His glory for entertainment. His truth for tolerance. His presence for convenience. The enemy has numbed the Church, lulled her into slumber with comforts, busyness, and fear. But the alarm is sounding—and it’s time to wake up.

You powers of the air—hear the sound!

Yeshua reigns. His cross crushed your authority. His resurrection sealed your defeat. And His Spirit now lives in us, the blood-bought, fire-baptized, uncompromising remnant. We are not afraid. We are not backing down. The King is coming, and His Bride is rising.

Today is the day.

Not next week. Not when it’s convenient. Not when the calendar clears or the kids are older or the crisis passes. Now. If you hear His voice today, do not harden your heart. You know the tug in your spirit—that’s God. You feel the ache in your chest—that’s your soul remembering its true home. You feel the heat in your bones—that’s the fire He wants to fan into flame.

The world is choosing. You must choose.

Will you serve the gods of the age—convenience, self, popularity—or will you stand in the fire and declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, NASB)? The days of playing Church are over. We need consecrated hearts, holy lips, and knees that bend only to the King of Kings. We need altars, not stages. Repentance, not performance. Fire, not fog machines. Sound the shofar today to declare this transformation.

The spiritual shofar is not just a call to arms—it’s a call to surrender. To throw down your idols and come trembling to the mercy seat. To rend your heart and cry, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, NASB). You were not made for survival—you were made for glory. You were not saved to be silent—you were redeemed to roar.

So rise up, Church. Sound the shofar. Fall on your face. Cry out for mercy. Let the tears fall. Let the fire come.

Let your worship shake the heavens. Let your life echo with eternity.

Yeshua reigns. The King is coming. And we belong to Him.

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Prayer

El Shaddai, sound the shofar of Heaven over our lives today. Tear through every layer of apathy and burn away what doesn’t belong. We lay down every idol, every distraction, every allegiance that isn’t to You. Let the kingdoms of this world tremble and the powers of darkness flee. Awaken Your Bride. Awaken me. Clothe us in righteousness, anoint us with boldness, and mark us with Your fire. We declare today: You reign, Yeshua. You alone.This is Your world. We are Your people. And this is the hour of Your glory.

In Your holy, powerful name—Amen.

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Our Response

We respond by seeking…

  • Holiness instead of compromise
  • Truth instead of convenience
  • Prayer instead of performance
  • Repentance instead of reputation
  • Worship instead of worry
  • Consecration instead of comfort
  • Obedience instead of opinion
  • Scripture instead of screens
  • Revival instead of routine
  • The fear of the Lord instead of the approval of man
  • More of God instead of more of the world

Let this be the cry of our hearts: “Lord, we seek You first.”

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See Also

Revival, The Pursuit

The Lord Is Near—Do Not Turn Away

Beloved, hear the voice of the Lord—do not harden your heart, for The Lord Nears.

{Day Five}

God’s Unchanging Call to You

God never changes. He is I AM (Exodus 3:14), the eternal foundation against which all things are measured. Though the world shifts and people falter, God remains faithful, merciful, and ready to forgive (Psalm 86:5). The Lord nears, His love is abundant, His mercy overflows, and He calls to all who will listen.

Yet, He does not leave us as we are. He desires a transformation—not just an outward confession but a deep, lasting renewal in our souls. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), not to condemn but to bring true, lasting life. Indeed, the Lord nears to bring transformation.

If you hear His voice today, do not resist (Hebrews 3:15). The hardened heart shuts out the voice of God, but the heart that is tender before Him will be filled with His presence as the Lord nears.

The Spirit Moves in Power

When the Word of God is spoken, the Spirit moves. As Peter preached, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard (Acts 10:44). This is not a distant event—it is the reality of God at work today. The Lord nears through His Word.

God’s Word is not empty—it is living, active, and powerful. Those who receive it become living letters, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, inscribed upon human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3). Your life becomes a testimony, a witness of the transforming power of God.

But transformation requires surrender. The Spirit does not merely declare us righteous—He makes righteousness our desire. The atonement in Christ’s blood has made this change possible, and the Holy Spirit makes it a reality.

What Must You Do?

If the Spirit is speaking to you, do not ignore Him. The enemy wants to keep you indifferent, distracted, or convinced that you can wait. But now is the time to seek the Lord.

Here’s how you can respond:

1. Call upon Him in prayer. Open your heart to Him and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that needs to change. Remember, the Lord nears those who seek Him.

2. Repent and surrender. If there is sin in your life, confess it and ask God to cleanse you. He is ready to forgive (Psalm 86:5).

3. Read His Word with expectation. The Spirit speaks through Scripture—let it shape you.

4. Act on what you hear. Obedience is the key to spiritual growth. The more you follow His leading, the more His presence will be evident in your life.

5. Stay in community. Surround yourself with believers who encourage and challenge you to walk in faith.

A Final Warning and a Promise

The Lord is near—do not turn Him away. Indifference is dangerous. When we reject the voice of the Spirit, our hearts grow cold, and the conviction we once felt fades. But for those who seek Him, He will answer.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

God is calling—will you answer?

See Also

Faithful Living

Labor for God with All Your Might

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, AMP)

Beloved, as evening settles and the weight of the day lingers, let the Word of God stir your heart to action. This life is but a vapor, and the opportunities to serve our Lord are fleeting. The wisdom of Solomon cries out to us: Do not delay, do not withhold, but pour out your life for the glory of God today! For the moments God has given us are sacred; they are not ours to waste but His to redeem.

Do the Work Before You

The Spirit reminds us to begin with what is already in our reach: “whatever your hand finds to do.” This is not a call to dreams of far-off tasks but to faithfulness in the here and now. God’s work begins with today, not tomorrow. We honor Christ not by imagining what we might do, but by faithfully doing what is before us.

Jesus spoke plainly, “He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10, AMP). Let not pride despise the small works—whether serving a child, offering kindness to a stranger, or laboring in your daily calling. These humble deeds carry the fragrance of Christ when done in obedience to Him. Matthew Henry reflects, “Let us do with all our might what lies before us, for life is short and eternity is near.” The moments of today are not to be squandered but used for His glory.

Serve with All Your Heart and Strength

Do not give God half-measures, for He is worthy of your whole being. The apostle Paul exhorts us, “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23, AMP). Let this truth resound: God is glorified when we serve Him with zeal, passion, and excellence.

Beloved, do not fall into the trap of delay. Spurgeon warns, “No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow. The present is the only time we possess.” Now is the moment for action. Now is the moment to honor the One who gave His all for you. Bring Him your best, for He gave you His life.

Draw Strength from God Alone

Where does the strength for such wholehearted labor come from? Not from us, for we are but dust. Our might flows from the Lord of Hosts. As the psalmist declares, “The Lord is the strength of His people [their fortress, their refuge, their stronghold]” (Psalm 28:8, AMP). And Isaiah reassures us: “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power” (Isaiah 40:31, AMP).

Begin each labor with prayer, trusting the Spirit to empower you. Do not strive in the weakness of your own flesh, but lean on the eternal strength of God. For it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit that we fulfill His work (Zechariah 4:6).

Redeem the Time

Paul’s words echo the urgency of Solomon’s: “Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately… making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence]” (Ephesians 5:15-16, AMP). The days are evil, and the enemy delights in stealing time from God’s children. But the Spirit of God stirs us to redeem the moments and labor for the eternal.

John Wesley’s call rings true: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” Beloved, let every breath, every action, and every moment of your life resound with the glory of God.

A Call to Faithful Action

Hear this, dear one: The work God has given you today is sacred. Do not despise it. Do not delay it. Give yourself wholly to it. The moments of today are pregnant with eternal purpose. Whether you labor in the field, tend to a family, or minister to the brokenhearted, let it all be done for Christ. And know this: “Your labor in the Lord is not futile [nor wasted—it is never without purpose]” (1 Corinthians 15:58, AMP).

Let the evening find you faithful. Let the setting sun see the fruit of hands and hearts given fully to God.

Lord, we surrender this day and all its labors to You. Forgive us for delay and for giving You less than our best. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to serve You with all our might. Teach us to redeem the time and labor for Your glory. May every work of our hands reflect the love and grace You have poured into us. Amen.

See Also

Faith, Love

Loving Obedience

Beloved, let us draw near to the Lord, not simply as followers of rules, but as those who love Him deeply. The call to be doers of His Word is woven throughout Scripture—not as a burden, but as the natural response of a heart devoted to God. We do this because we love the Lord. This love compels us to obey, to seek His face, and to live a life of faith and obedience that honors Him above all else.

In 1 John 2:15-17, we are told not to love the world or the things of the world, for they are passing away. Our love is to be set on God alone. To love Him is to place His commandments above the fleeting pleasures and empty promises of this world. Jesus Himself said, “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments” (John 14:15). This obedience flows from love—a love rooted in our gratitude for His grace and our desire to please Him.

From Deuteronomy to the New Testament, we see this theme repeated. God calls us to be doers, not merely hearers, of His Word (James 1:22). Our faith finds its true expression in action, in the living out of His commands. Moses reminded Israel to listen carefully and obey that it might go well with them (Deuteronomy 6:3), and Jesus echoed this call, saying, “Whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50). When we love God, we are compelled to act, to live out His teachings in every aspect of our lives.

This love is not born from obligation but from a heart that delights in God. Like the psalmist, we say, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1). This is the essence of our relationship with Him: we long for Him, we cherish His presence, and we find joy in walking in His ways. Our obedience, therefore, is the fruit of our love, a testimony to the world that we belong to Him.

In this life, the world may dazzle and tempt, but it is fading. Only the one who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17). When we anchor ourselves in God’s Word and live as doers, we are building on a foundation that cannot be shaken. Our hearts are set on things eternal, and our reward is with Him.

So, let us love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. Let us live as those who are devoted to Him, allowing our love for God to shape our actions, guide our steps, and fill our lives with His presence. In loving Him, we find our purpose, our joy, and our eternal home. May our lives be a constant offering of love and obedience, a reflection of His grace and truth, so that we may dwell in His house forever.

What does the Word expect from us?

The New Testament offers clear guidance on what God asks of believers. This calling encompasses faith, love, holiness, and a transformed life that reflects God’s character. Here are twelve key areas that summarize what God asks of us:

  1. Believe in Jesus Christ: Faith in Jesus is essential for salvation and relationship with God. Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29). Through faith, we receive grace and are made righteous (Ephesians 2:8-9).
  2. Love God Completely: We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Jesus declared, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). This love for God is the foundation of our faith and obedience.
  3. Love Others as Yourself: Love for others is a natural outflow of love for God. Jesus teaches, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). This love is sacrificial and humble, embodying Christ’s love for us (1 John 4:7-8).
  4. Obey God’s Commands: Obedience to God demonstrates our love and commitment to Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Faith is shown through action, living according to His teachings (James 1:22).
  5. Repent and Live a Holy Life: God calls us to turn from sin and pursue holiness. “Be holy, for I am holy,” says the Lord (1 Peter 1:16). Repentance involves turning away from sin and seeking purity in every area of life (Romans 12:2).
  6. Serve Others Humbly: Jesus modeled servant leadership, saying, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). As His followers, we are called to serve one another with humility and love (Galatians 5:13).
  7. Forgive as We Have Been Forgiven: Forgiveness reflects God’s mercy toward us. Jesus taught, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). We are to forgive freely, just as we have been forgiven.
  8. Be Generous and Care for Those in Need: Generosity is a mark of God’s people. Jesus said, “Give to everyone who asks of you” (Luke 6:30), and the early church cared for each other sacrificially. We are to show compassion and provide for those in need (James 1:27).
  9. Share the Gospel and Make Disciples: Jesus commanded His followers to spread the gospel. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). Every believer is called to witness, testifying to God’s salvation and grace.
  10. Pray Without Ceasing: Prayer is essential to our relationship with God, connecting us to His presence and guidance. Paul encourages us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer keeps our hearts aligned with God’s will and opens us to His Spirit’s work.
  11. Be Faithful and Persevere: God calls us to remain faithful in trials, enduring with hope. Jesus promised, “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Perseverance in faith, even in hardships, is a mark of true discipleship (Hebrews 12:1-2).
  12. Walk in the Spirit and Bear Fruit: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live godly lives. Paul teaches, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). As we walk in the Spirit, we bear fruit that glorifies God—love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness (Galatians 5:22-23). (God takes care of the fruiting!)

In these ways, God calls us to a life that reflects His love and holiness, grounded in faith and overflowing with good works. These twelve areas form a path of growth and obedience, drawing us closer to Him and allowing His light to shine through us to the world.

Grace & Mercy

God’s grace and mercy are our daily hope, sustaining us when we fall short. His grace gives us what we do not deserve—salvation, forgiveness, and the strength to live for Him—while His mercy withholds the judgment we do deserve. Each day, we recognize that we are imperfect, frail vessels, prone to sin and weakness, yet God’s mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23), restoring us and drawing us back to Him. Daily repentance becomes our way of humbly returning to the Father, acknowledging our need for His forgiveness and cleansing. As we confess our sins, we trust that “He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). In this process, we are reminded that only God is perfect, yet His loving-kindness invites us to keep pressing on, renewed by His grace to live in a way that pleases Him, even as we stumble and grow.

Our attitude toward grace must be one of reverence and gratitude, not an excuse to sin. Paul reminds us, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” (Romans 6:1-2). Grace is a gift, not a license to indulge in disobedience, and our response to it should be a sincere desire to live righteously. We are called to press on, striving to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1) and aiming for the prize of our high calling in Christ (Philippians 3:14). This does not mean we will be flawless, for we are still human and prone to failure. But when we do fall, grace is there to lift us back up—not as a reason to take sin lightly, but as a reminder of God’s love that motivates us to keep pressing forward in faithfulness. Grace is the safety net that catches us when we stumble, yet it is also the encouragement to rise again and pursue holiness with renewed strength.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our journey as believers is one of faith, love, obedience, and humility, grounded in a deep and reverent love for the Lord. God calls us to live as doers of His Word, to love Him with all that we are, and to love others as ourselves. We strive to honor Him, to pursue holiness, and to serve others, all while relying on His grace to sustain us. Our lives are marked by both effort and dependence, as we press on toward the goal, knowing that we will fall short but that His grace is always there to lift us up. We do not use grace as an excuse to live loosely but as the strength that empowers us to keep walking faithfully, even as we grow and learn each day. In all things, we seek to reflect His character, trusting that He will complete the good work He has begun in us until the day of Christ Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging Your grace and mercy that sustain us every day. Thank You for calling us to Yourself, for loving us unconditionally, and for giving us the strength to live in a way that honors You. Help us, Lord, to be doers of Your Word, to love You with all our heart, and to walk humbly in Your ways. Forgive us when we fall short, and renew our spirits as we turn to You in repentance. Let Your Spirit guide us and empower us to pursue holiness, pressing on toward the goal You have set before us. May our lives bring glory to Your name, and may we find our joy in living as Your faithful children. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

See Also