Tales from the Tangled Trail

Tag: christianity

  • Jesus, kiss me with the kisses of Your mouth….

    From the first words of the Song of Solomon, an ancient wedding song sung softly through the ages, the Bride’s cry of the heart resounds: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is better than wine” (Song of Solomon 1:2, NKJV). It is more than poetic yearning; it is the expression of the fervent desire of every redeemed heart for sacred intimacy. Here in these passionate words, the Spirit opens up prophetic invitation—to pass beyond duty, beyond ritual, and into the arms of the Bridegroom King, Jesus. It’s a prayer journey into the spiritual riches of that longing, unveiling the veil to what it’s like to be kissed by the King and how to cultivate a life of deepening intimacy with Him.

    1. The Kiss:
    More than affection, a prophetic symbol

    The kiss imagery in Scripture is varied and multifaceted. In the ancient Near East, kissing was an icon of covenant, welcome, acceptance, and deep affection. To desire the kisses of His mouth is to desire something proximate, intimate, and redemptive. It is more than a request for knowledge of Jesus—it is a request to know Him, to be marked by His nearness. All through the Bible, the mouth is spoken of as the place from which words come, where Spirit and breath flow. When the Bride asks, “Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth,” she is not petitioning for feeling; she is asking to be touched by the very breath, Word, and Spirit of her Lover. Jesus explained, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). His “kisses” are His living words, His Spirit-breathed truths, the sweetness of His personal presence. To be kissed by Him is to receive His love directly, to have His truth written not only on our minds, but on our hearts.

    2. The Prophetic Meaning:
    The Bride and the Bridegroom

    Song of Solomon is both a love song and prophetic drama. The Song of Solomon, within the Jewish faith, is an allegory of God’s affection for the nation Israel. Within the New Covenant, it is charged with the fuller sense: Jesus and the Bride, the bride of believers. The Bride’s first outcry is not one of passivity. It is a holy boldness—a longing to be one, close, face-to-face. The desire for the “kisses of His mouth” longs for the very cause of redemption. Jesus did not simply come to forgive sin, but to reclaim what was lost in Eden: undisturbed fellowship. Adam and Eve walked in close communion with God before the fall, and now the Bride wants to return to that place of closeness. The desire for a kiss is the craving of the heart for that which Adam lost—God’s nearness and happiness, not abstractly, but as felt reality. In Psalm 85:10, it is written, “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.” The cross is where the justice of God and His love kiss. With the death of Jesus, the veil was torn, the distance eliminated. Now the Bride may come boldly, invited into the King’s presence.

    3. Divine Intimacy: The Invitation of the Spirit

    To long for the kisses of the Bridegroom is to hunger for intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 13:14 of “the communion of the Holy Spirit,” a co-partnership, a day-by-day sharing of love, revelation, and comfort. Intimacy is not reserved for a select number of individuals—it is the heritage of everyone who believes. Jesus Himself prayed, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me maybe with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory…” (John 17:24). Intimacy with Jesus changes us. It is where wounds are healed, shame is silenced, and destiny is revealed. Like Mary of Bethany, who sat at Jesus’s feet, the desire for the kisses of His mouth drives us to abandon distractions and seek what is truly best—His presence. The world has much to please, but only His love is “better than wine”—more satisfying, more lasting, more intoxicating to the soul.

    4. Living out Intimacy in Practice:
    Encountering the Bride’s Cry

    How do you pursue the genuineness of this intimacy? How do the devotional words, “Kiss me with the kisses of Your mouth,” become the rhythm of ordinary life?

    A. Make Room for Encounter

    Cut out time to be alone with Jesus. Pray, read His Word, and worship Him not ritually, but as a love affair rendezvous. Be ready for Him to draw near. James 4:8 promises, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” The kisses of His mouth have a tendency to show up in the secret place—holy moments where His love and presence become tangible.

    B. Treasure His Word

    His words are Spirit and life. When you’re meditating on Scripture, invite the Holy Spirit to bring new understanding. The “kisses” may be in the way of a sudden insight, a reassuring pat on the back by way of encouragement, a verse that leaps off the page and into your heart. Sweeten His Word to you, like honey from the comb (Psalm119:103).

    C. Respond with Love

    Intimacy is a two-way street. Show love back to Jesus. Explain to Him how important He is to you. Like the Bride in the Song, don’t hesitate to spill out your adoration, your honesty, your longing. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

    D. Guard the Garden

    As the Shulamite of Song of Solomon refers to herself as a “garden enclosed,” watch your heart from distraction and compromise. The enemy rejoices to sow seeds of busyness, guilt, or apathy to get you out of the King’s arms. Monitor your heart. Cherish intimacy above everything.

    E. Walk in Obedience

    His kisses are not for pleasure, but for power. Jesus taught, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…” (John 14:23). As you keep His word, His presence stays and grows. Keeping His word keeps the heart tender and open to continued encounter.

    5. The Fruit of His Kisses:
    Transformation and Overflow

    Intimacy with Jesus is different. With you are kissed by the King, shame leaves. Fear loses its grip. You, being His Beloved, is revived and made firm. You begin to see yourself in His eyes—pure, precious, loved. As with Peter after Jesus’s resurrection, whose heart burned within him as Jesus talked to him, so you are kindled with love and calling. It is from here that ministry overflows. You love people, not because you have to, but because you have much. The fragrance of the King clings to your life and draws others to His goodness. Song of Solomon 1:3 says, “Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is ointment poured forth… “ As you overflow with His affection, of course, you are a channel of healing, hope, and encouragement to a world starved for genuine affection.

    6. Prophetic Hope: The Coming Embrace

    Jesus’s kisses are not of this world only. They are the bridegroom’s kiss yet to come. Paul wrote, “Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face” (1 Corinthians13:12). There will be a day when every heart’s longing will be fulfilled, when we shall see the Bridegroom in His likeness, and our joy shall be perfect. The wedding procession, chuppah, and reception of the Hebrew wedding all anticipate the Bridegroom’s Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). There, all walls of partition will fall, all longing will be fulfilled, and Bride will be wedded in unending union with her Beloved. Until then, the “Kiss me with the kisses of Your mouth” is both an already-realized experience AND prophetic cry—Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!

    7. The Heart’s Cry

    Abba Father, Thank You for the gift of intimacy with Jesus. I admit my thirsting for something more than information or routine—I hunger for Your kisses, the touch of Your Spirit, the honey of Your voice. Draw me into Your inner chambers; let me encounter You in fresh ways. Blow on my heart by Your Word. Remove all distraction and kindle within me desire for You above all. Let my life be filled with the perfume of Your love. Surround me in a garden, for You alone. I speak as the Bride, “Kiss me with the kisses of Your mouth—for Your love is better than wine.” Let my life be filled with the joy of Your arms, until that day when I see You face to face. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

    Never Settle for Less

    You are summoned into the richest intimacy with the King of Kings. Don’t settle for a distant relationship. Don’t let busyness or hurt of this life appropriate His closeness from you. Have your heart pour out the old request: “Kiss me with the kisses of Your mouth.” Seek Him. Treasure His presence. Open your heart freely. For His love is better than wine, and He delights to answer the longing of His Bride.

    “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth—for Your love is better than wine.”(Song of Solomon 1:2 NKJV)

  • Your Best Days Are Still Ahead of You (Part 2)

    We live in a world with the most advanced technology humanity has ever known, yet the statistics tell us something sobering. People are lonelier, more anxious, and more depressed than ever before. We are more connected digitally, but more disconnected emotionally and spiritually.

    Yes, modern medicine has made incredible progress. There are medications that help suppress symptoms and stabilize emotions, and thank God for help where it’s needed. But suppression is not the same as freedom. True freedom only comes in one form, and that is found in the name of Jesus.

    Scripture is clear about the authority carried in that name:

    “God exalted him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
    that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth”
    (Philippians 2:9–10)

    Everything bows to the name of Jesus. Not just demons, but fear, despair, depression, sickness, and hopelessness. Which means renewing your youth, your strength, and your joy doesn’t start with external fixes. It starts with a decision.

    Choosing Joy Is Not Naive, It’s Powerful

    Quite simply, it starts with deciding to be happy.

    That might sound almost too simple, but happiness is far more intentional than people realize. It’s choosing to guard joy. Choosing to laugh. Choosing to notice the things that lift your spirit instead of constantly rehearsing what drains it.

    And no, this has nothing to do with booking the latest luxury overseas holiday or spending an entire day in the shopping mall buying things you don’t need. Those things may distract you for a moment, but they don’t renew you. Joy is found in small, soul-feeding things. A good laugh. A meaningful conversation. Time with God. Gratitude. Rest.

    A powerful example of this is Norman Cousins.

    In 1964, Cousins, who was already a successful author and professor, was diagnosed with a crippling connective tissue disease. Doctors gave him a one-in-five-hundred chance of survival. Rather than submitting fully to despair, Norman made a bold and unconventional choice. He checked himself into a place where he could watch funny movies and comedy shows for hours each day. He also took high doses of Vitamin C.

    Most importantly, he laughed.

    He later said that ten minutes of genuine laughter gave him two hours of pain-free sleep. Over time, he laughed his way back into health. Against all odds, he recovered.

    That’s Norman’s story.

    But as believers, we actually have an inside edge.

    Philippians 3:1 (TPT) says:
    “Delight yourselves in the Lord! Yes, I am telling you again to rejoice, for joy is your continual safeguard.”

    Joy isn’t optional. It’s protective. It safeguards your heart, your mind, and yes, even your body. And unlike the world’s version of happiness, this joy isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s rooted in Christ.

    So what can we actually glean from everything we’ve talked about so far?

    First, God never designed strength to decrease simply because days increase. The promise in Deuteronomy is clear: as your days are, so shall your strength be. Weakness, decline, and mental dullness are not automatic outcomes of aging. They are often the result of what we believe, what we agree with, and what we allow to live unchecked in our hearts and minds.

    Second, joy is not a personality trait. It’s a spiritual condition. Scripture repeatedly links joy, a merry heart, and rejoicing to life, health, and renewal. Conversely, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, and ongoing sorrow dry up the spirit and eventually affect the body. The Bible is remarkably honest about that connection.

    Third, we’ve seen that worldly sorrow ages us. It drains joy, dulls hope, and slowly steals life. Godly sorrow, on the other hand, leads to repentance, freedom, and restoration. One produces death. The other produces life. We don’t get to avoid sorrow entirely, but we do get to choose which kind we live in.

    We also saw through Norman Cousins’ story that joy is not trivial. Laughter, gladness, and hope have measurable effects on the body. If joy could help bring healing even outside of faith, how much more powerful is joy when it is rooted in Christ?

    That brings us to a crucial question:
    If joy renews strength, protects the spirit, and safeguards the heart, then where does that joy actually come from on a daily basis?

    Scripture gives us a very clear answer, and it’s found in a verse many believers know, but often underestimate.

    The scripture is Luke 10:19:

    “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

    First, this verse speaks clearly about the authority given to us as believers. We are not powerless victims, hoping life treats us kindly. We have been given authority to come against things that harm us, including the very forces that wear us down emotionally, mentally, and physically and cause us to age before our time. Fear, oppression, despair, bitterness, and hopelessness are not meant to dominate the believer’s life.

    Second, there’s an important implication here that often gets missed. You don’t trample on snakes and scorpions by standing still. Trampling requires movement. Forward motion. If we quit, stagnate, or settle spiritually, we don’t end up trampling anything. Instead, those same snakes and scorpions eventually make their way to us and start doing the trampling.

    We have to keep moving forward in God.

    And let’s be honest, this might also be the Lord’s subtle way of saying, “Keep walking” – like literally! After all, you can’t trample much from the couch. Walking keeps you moving spiritually and physically, and research backs up what Scripture has been hinting at all along: walking (or exercising) is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay youthful, strong, and mentally sharp. So, as your days increase, increase the walking. Kingdom living apparently includes cardio.

    The good news is this: the promise that our best days are still ahead of us isn’t wishful thinking or blind optimism. It’s rooted in Scripture, and we now have solid biblical backing to stand on. God has made His intentions clear. Strength is meant to increase with our days, joy is meant to guard our hearts, and renewal is meant to be ongoing. Now the invitation is simple. Believe what God has said, stop agreeing with the lies of decline, and walk it out daily in obedience and humility. Forward motion, grounded faith, and a joyful heart will always lead to life.

  • Your Best Days Are Still Ahead Of You (Part 1)

    I’ve just turned 58, and I’m still trying to process the fact that 60 is no longer a distant concept but something waving at me from the driveway. It doesn’t quite compute. I’ve lived a full, interesting, and occasionally chaotic life, yet inside I still feel like that 18-year-old about to leave school, standing on the edge of everything and wondering what I’m going to be when I grow up. Meanwhile, my body has developed a habit of exaggeration, informing me loudly that my knees should protest every time I sit down or stand up. My mind tries its own version of drama too, suggesting that a misplaced set of keys must mean I’m on the fast track to the family “curse” of dementia. Funny how both my body and my mind seem to have very strong opinions lately. BUT! I’m choosing to believe God’s Word instead, which says my best days are still ahead of me. Most people think I’m nuts for thinking this way, but I’m being deliberately dogmatic about believing what God says, and here’s why…

    As Your Days, So Shall Your Strength Be

    The world and science tells us that weakness, sickness, and decline are just part of getting older. We’re told to expect less strength, less clarity, and less joy as the years go on.

    But Scripture says something very different.

    “As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deut. 33:25).

    That promise doesn’t line up with the world’s thinking, which means something has to change. Not God’s word, but our thinking. Repentance isn’t about turning from bad behavior. It’s about changing the way we believe and speak. If we keep agreeing with the world’s expectation of decline, we’ll never fully step into what God promises.

    Your best days are not behind you. According to God, they’re still ahead.

    Recently, a Japanese Methodist pastor passed away at the age of 105. When the media interviewed people about his long life, they highlighted two things he often said: use olive oil in the morning and take the stairs instead of the elevator.

    That’s good advice. No argument there.

    But what the media didn’t emphasize was this: the man was strong, mentally sharp, and spiritually alive until the very end because he lived by faith and read God’s Word every single day. The world doesn’t want to acknowledge that part. It never does.

    Still, we can learn from both. Yes, olive oil and stairs are wise. But faith, joy, and daily time in God’s Word are the deeper source of life and strength.

    God’s desire is not just spiritual strength, but physical and moral strength too. They’re connected. And here’s something we often overlook: everything the Bible tells us not to do, when we continue doing it, will age us.

    Anger. Bitterness. Unforgiveness. Etcetera…..

    These are not harmless emotions. They are spiritual conditions that people often refuse to bring under self-control. And Scripture is clear about their effect.

    Proverbs 17:22 says,
    “A merry heart does good like a medicine,
    But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

    The Hebrew word translated “medicine” is marpe, which means healing, restoration, and health to the flesh. In other words, joy doesn’t just feel good. It produces life.

    Then the verse continues: a broken spirit dries the bones. You won’t find that phrased quite like that in a medical textbook. But God’s wisdom goes deeper than surface science.

    Proverbs 15:13 says,
    “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

    Put those together and the picture is clear. Sorrow that is held onto, nurtured, and allowed to settle in will break the spirit. And a broken spirit affects the body. It drains strength. It accelerates aging.

    You might say, “But Proverbs is Old Testament.” Fair enough. So let’s confirm this truth under the New Covenant.

    2 Corinthians 7:10 (The Passion Translation) says:
    “For godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret. But worldly sorrow leads to death.”

    Paul makes an important distinction here. Godly sorrow is the sadness we feel when we realize we’ve been wrong and need correction. That’s not pleasant, but it’s healthy. It leads us back to God, and we never regret that kind of sorrow.

    Worldly sorrow is different. It doesn’t lead to repentance or restoration. It leads to death. Not always physical death right away, but death to joy, to hope, to motivation, and even to the body’s ability to renew itself. It wears people down. It ages them.

    That’s why the enemy works so hard to keep people sad, discouraged, and depressed.

    Look at the man Jesus delivered after crossing the Sea of Galilee. Scripture describes him as crying out, screaming, cutting himself, living among the tombs. He was in constant torment, aware of his condition, overwhelmed by sorrow and pain.

    Does that really look unfamiliar today?

    Many people live in that same internal state now. Different setting, same anguish. The answer then was Jesus. The answer now is still Jesus.

    If we want strength as our days increase, we have to return to the things of the Spirit. God’s Word. God’s joy. God’s way of thinking. There is no substitute.

    And there is no better promise than this: as your days are, so shall your strength be.

    Part 2 will build on how to practically guard joy and renew strength daily.

    #AsYourDaysSoShallYourStrengthBe #FaithOverFear #GodsPromises #BibleTruth #LivingByTheWord #ChristianFaith #DailyFaith #BestDaysAhead #AgingWithGrace #RenewedStrength #HealthyMindHealthyBody #FaithAndHealth #StrongerEveryDayMorningWithGod #BibleAndCoffee #SimpleFaith #WalkingWithJesus #FaithInEverydayLife #NotBuyingTheLie #KingdomMindset #FaithNotFear #BelievingGod

  • 🌿 The Power of Eve and Rediscovering God’s Original Design for “the Helper”

    For most of my life, I lived with what I now recognize as a Cinderella Complex—the belief that I was the helpless princess waiting for a handsome prince to rescue me. That mindset led me through a series of painful relationships, a disastrous marriage, and eventually a heartbreaking divorce. In an attempt to escape the pain of living near my ex-husband and the woman he left me for, I rushed into another marriage—this time to a Christian man—hoping he would be the one to finally make me whole. But in reality, it felt like I had jumped from the frying pan into the fire.

    In the midst of my confusion and heartache, I’ve had many honest conversations with God. I’ve told Him I don’t ever want to miss His will again. And through different confirmations, He’s shown me that He is interested in this marriage—that there are deep, precious lessons He wants to teach me through it, lessons that will ultimately bring glory to His name. The very first one He began to reveal was the true role of a wife.

    She wasn’t created as an assistant. She was created as an answer.

    Somewhere along the way, the word “helper” was watered down — turned into something quiet, background, optional. But in God’s eyes, the woman was never a backup plan. She was a divine solution.

    🌧 A World Half Covered

    Imagine a battlefield. A soldier stands alone, armor on, sword shaking in his hand. The enemy surrounds him. He’s called by God to stand, to lead — but every arrow coming at him is finding its mark. He wasn’t built to do this alone.

    Then someone steps onto the battlefield. Not behind him — beside him. Shield raised. Eyes sharp. Praying under her breath. Covering his back.

    This is ēzer.

    1. “Helper” — The Word That Describes God

    “I will make a helper suitable for him.” – Genesis 2:18

    The Hebrew word for helper is ʿēzer. And most of the time this word appears in the Bible, it’s referring to God Himself.

    • “The Lord is my help (ʿēzer) and my shield.” – Psalm 33:20
    • “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (ʿēzer) in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1

    So when God said Eve would be Adam’s “helper”, He wasn’t talking about an assistant or a housekeeper.
    He was describing someone who would reflect His own nature — His strength, His support, His presence in the battle.

    Eve was created to:

    • Stand beside Adam as an equal and strong ally
    • Protect him in prayer and purpose
    • Strengthen him when he is weary
    • Carry God’s presence and wisdom into the home
    • War spiritually on his behalf, like God wars for us

    This is not a weak design. It is a warrior’s design.

    2. A Helper Who Covers — Not Controls

    Being an ēzer does not mean:

    • Controlling your husband
    • Criticizing him when he fails
    • Acting superior or self-righteous

    It means:

    • Praying when he is under attack
    • Encouraging when he feels inadequate
    • Speaking life when he hears only failure
    • Standing firm in faith when he can’t
    • Covering him — like God covers us

    Submission is not silence, and helping is not weakness.
    It’s choosing to fight — but fighting for him, not against him.

    3. Why Your Role Matters More Than You Know

    Men carry a weight from God — the call to lead, protect, provide, and carry responsibility. But God never intended for him to do it alone. Eve was the answer to “It is not good for man to be alone.”

    Without an ēzer:

    • His faith can grow tired
    • His vision can become blurred
    • His heart can grow isolated

    With an ēzer:

    • His faith is strengthened
    • His purpose is sharpened
    • His heart is covered in prayer

    Satan hates marriages like this — because a praying wife is dangerous.

    4. Scriptures to Stand On

    Here are key verses that reveal the power of a woman’s role:

    ScriptureWhat It Shows About a Wife’s Role
    Genesis 2:18God created her as an ēzer — a strong ally.
    Proverbs 31:12She brings her husband good, not harm, all her days.
    Proverbs 31:23Her husband is respected — because of her influence.
    1 Peter 3:7She is a co-heir of grace — equal before God.
    Ephesians 5:21–25Marriage is mutual submission and sacrificial love.
    Proverbs 31:25“She is clothed with strength and dignity.”

    5. A Prayer for Wives to Pray Over Their Husbands

    Lord, thank You for the gift of my husband.
    Thank You for calling me to be his ēzer — his God-given ally, intercessor, and encourager.
    Today, I stand in prayer over his life.
    Cover his heart with Your peace.
    Strengthen his mind with Your truth.
    Protect him from the lies of the enemy and the weight of this world.
    Give me wisdom to speak life and love, not criticism.
    Teach me to fight for him on my knees — not with my words.
    Let our marriage reflect Your heart: unity, honor, strength, and grace.
    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    💛 Final Thought

    You were never called to be silent or small — you were called to be essential.
    To stand beside, not behind.
    To cover, not control.
    To help — with the strength of the One who helps you.

    This is the power of Eve. This is the calling of every woman who chooses to walk in God’s original design.

  • I Fall Forward because Mercy Triumphs

    There’s a verse in the book of James that says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). Every time I read it, I’m reminded of the incredible mercy Jesus showed to us — the mercy that changed everything. He didn’t just forgive our sins in a moment; He forgave them for all time. His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of mercy — not only covering our past, but securing our future in His grace. Because of that mercy, even when I fall, I know His forgiveness is already waiting for me. It doesn’t push me away in shame; it pulls me closer. His mercy gives me the confidence to run to Him, not from Him.

    And that changes the way I see others too. If Jesus could show that kind of mercy toward me — complete, undeserved, and unconditional — how can I withhold mercy from someone else? It’s so easy to judge, to measure people by their mistakes or by what we think they deserve. But mercy reminds us that none of us stand where we do because we earned it. We are here because grace met us where judgment should have fallen.

    When Jesus walked this earth, He never turned away the broken, the outcast, or the sinner. Instead of condemning, He restored. Instead of shaming, He lifted up. His mercy was not passive — it was powerful. It transformed lives. Every act of compassion Jesus showed was a reflection of the Father’s heart: mercy triumphing over judgment.

    This verse also reminds me of another one: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Proverbs 24:16). That’s what grace looks like — not a license to fall, but the strength to rise. God’s grace doesn’t erase our humanity; it redeems it. It allows us to fall forward, not backward. Each stumble becomes an opportunity to encounter His mercy again.

    And the truth is, even those of us who boldly declare, “God is good,” have only tasted a fraction of that goodness. His mercy is deeper, His grace is wider, and His love is far greater than we can ever comprehend. His goodness doesn’t just meet us at our best moments — it meets us right in the middle of our mess.

    So today, let’s allow this truth to change how we see both God and others.
    If mercy triumphs over judgment in His heart, let it triumph in ours too.
    If His grace keeps lifting us every time we fall, then may we also be the kind of people who help others rise again.

    Because the more we understand His mercy, the less room there is for judgment.
    And the more we see His goodness, the more we realize — we’ve barely begun to grasp just how good He really is.

  • Contentment Vs Prosperity Explained

    Have you ever wondered why the Word seems to sometimes contradict itself? One moment we read Hebrews 13:5 telling us not to be obsessed with money and to be content with what we have, and then in 3 John 2 we’re told that God’s desire is that we prosper in all things and be in health. But instead of opposing ideas, these verses create a beautiful harmony that reveals God’s heart: He doesn’t want money to have us, yet He absolutely delights in pouring out His goodness and provision into our lives.

    Picture Scripture as a grand symphony rather than a single note. When it speaks about money, prosperity, gratitude, and health, it isn’t contradicting itself. Instead, it plays a rich harmony that points our hearts to a Person: Jesus, the lavishly generous King who also frees us from the tyranny of chasing things that can never satisfy.

    Here’s a perspective in a few melodic movements:

    1. God is our source, not money

    Scriptures like Hebrews 13:5 say,

    “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have”

    because the love and obsession with money is like trying to drink sand: no matter how much you gulp, the thirst remains. The Word reminds us that our needs are met not by our anxieties or striving, but by a Father who says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” His way means money becomes a tool rather than a master.

    2. Contentment is rooted in relationship, not circumstances.

    Contentment in the kingdom isn’t settling for less. It’s living from the revelation of WHO we already have. When you realize the King of the cosmos is your Abba, you can relax your shoulders and sigh with relief. Gratitude grows naturally when we see all things as gifts of grace, not achievements we must sustain by fear.

    3. Prosperity is not greed; it’s overflow with purpose

    Paul writes, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2). Grace-based teaching understands this as prosperity from the inside out.
    Where your soul is well-watered in God’s love, your life begins to bloom in every direction: emotional wellness, healthy relationships, joyful generosity, and yes, the practical means to bless others. Prosperity becomes a garden God cultivates, not a trophy we chase.

    4. Grace invites us to receive, not strive

    Jesus said in Matthew 6:33,

    “Seek first the kingdom… and all these things will be added.”

    He didn’t say “sweat and scramble.” God enjoys blessing His kids. But He doesn’t want the gift to replace the Giver. Grace (the Person of Jesus) removes fear and frees us to enjoy provision without being enslaved by it.

    5. Overflow leads to generosity

    Like a cup under a waterfall, God’s prosperity isn’t meant to be hoarded but shared. When Paul speaks of abundance, it often comes with the purpose of good works, generosity, and supporting the gospel (2 Corinthians 9:8). Heaven’s economy flows, it never clogs.

    So the exquisite harmony found in God’s Word sounds something like this:

    Be grateful for what you already have,
    know that your Father delights to care for you,
    and expect His goodness to overflow from your life,
    not as a god you pursue
    but as a blessing that follows you like a loyal puppy.

    Contentment says you are already rich in Christ.
    Prosperity is merely your experience catching up to that truth.

    Thank you for reading this. I would love to hear your thoughts. Let’s talk about it.

  • Breaking Free from the Cycle of Shame

    I just had a young lady confess that she has been stuck in a cycle of guilt and condemnation because she was abused at a young age. After that trauma, she was “taught” behaviors that led her down a painful road of addiction and lustful thinking. Her story broke my heart — not because of her sin, but because of the heavy shame she has carried for so long.

    You see, she took the first step toward freedom from this bondage the moment she became vulnerable enough to speak it out loud. That moment of honesty is sacred — it’s where healing begins.

    As Brené Brown teaches, “Shame needs three things to grow exponentially in our lives: secrecy, silence, and judgment.” When we hide in shame, it festers. When we speak out in truth, light floods in and darkness flees. But the enemy knows this — and he loves nothing more than to keep us trapped in cycles of guilt, self-condemnation, and mental torment.

    The Bible gives us a clear strategy for breaking these cycles:

    “We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”
    — 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (The Passion Translation)

    This is where my personal struggle has always been — taking control of my thoughts. I allowed lies about my worth and my failures to rule my mind. I lived trapped in condemnation, rehearsing the same thoughts over and over, believing I was unworthy, unholy, and unloved.

    But here’s the real truth that sets us free:
    You are not a sinner trying to become righteous. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

    “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with Him.”
    — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (TPT)

    You have a perfect spirit — born of God — living in an imperfect body. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. You’ve been given authority through Christ to take every thought captive, to silence the lies, and to walk in freedom.

    So if you’re struggling in an area of shame — whether from something that happened to you or from something you’ve done — remind yourself who you truly are. You’re not defined by your mistakes, temptations, or struggles. You are defined by Jesus — His righteousness, His victory, and His love.

    Let His truth speak louder than the enemy’s accusations. Freedom begins with vulnerability, but it’s sustained through renewed thinking — through seeing yourself as God already sees you: whole, righteous, and free.

    And now, what you have to do is declare this over yourself — out loud. The Word says that our minds are renewed through the hearing of the Word, and your mind will hear it all the better when you’re the one saying it.

    “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
    — Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

    Speak This Over Yourself:

    “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
    I have been set free from the power of sin and shame.
    I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
    My mind is renewed by the Word of God.
    I walk in freedom, in peace, and in the authority Jesus has given me.
    The enemy has no hold over my mind, my body, or my life.
    I am loved. I am chosen. I am whole. I am free — in Jesus’ name.”

  • Loved Like Mary: A Moment in the Garden at St. Dominic’s

    This morning, I find myself sitting quietly in the garden at St. Dominic’s Home for the Aged in Houston, Texas. It’s a sacred little oasis—a place where time seems to slow just enough for the soul to catch its breath. The paths are lined with statues of Mary, her expression soft and maternal, and there are kneeling benches scattered among the flowers, inviting passersby to pause and pray. It’s a garden made for reflection—built for hearts seeking comfort, clarity, and connection with the divine.

    As I sat on one of those benches with my Bible open and the soft rustle of leaves above me, I felt a tender whisper in my heart—one I believe came from the Lord Himself.

    “I love you as much as I love My mother.”

    The words stopped me.

    They were too weighty to rush past, too beautiful to disregard. I sat in stillness, letting them wash over me, and found myself contemplating the mystery and mercy of such a love.

    Mary—blessed, chosen, revered—was entrusted with the sacred role of bringing Jesus into the world. She was obedient, humble, and full of grace. And yet, she was also fully human. Not divine. Not a part of the Godhead. But a willing vessel.

    It occurred to me: if God could use her humanity—her ordinary earthly existence—for such an extraordinary purpose, how much more might He desire to use mine now that I carry the Holy Spirit within me?

    It’s a thought that might raise eyebrows in some circles, particularly among those who deeply venerate Mary, and I mean no disrespect. In fact, sitting among the statues and symbols honoring her here in the garden, I feel only peace. I understand why people pray to her—it’s not unlike talking to our own mothers. A gesture of affection, familiarity, and trust.

    But the deeper revelation that settled in my soul today is this: Jesus doesn’t love me less than He loves Mary. He loves me just as much. And the plans He has for me—even in this later season of life—are not lesser than the plan He had for her. They are simply different. Still sacred. Still meaningful. Still full of eternal weight.

    In the stillness of this garden, surrounded by symbols of Mary’s faithfulness and the echoes of prayers whispered through decades, I feel more aware than ever of how much I am seen, known, and loved by the Lord.

    And if you’re reading this today, I hope you remember that too.

    He loves you just as much as He loves her.

    Let that truth sink deep.