Can you say “YES”!?


Dear Beloved Readers,

I want to take a moment to share something deeply personal with youโ€”something that has been stirring within my heart. It’s about the kind of relationship that changes everything. A relationship that transcends human understanding and brings us into the fullness of who we are meant to be. It’s about intimacy with God.

Imagine a love so profound, so unconditional, that it knows every part of youโ€”the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the brokenโ€”and still says, “You are mine, and I choose you.” This is the love God offers to each of us. It’s not a love that demands perfection but one that invites us into a journey of trust, surrender, and transformation.

I think of Mary, who, when faced with a divine calling, asked but one question: “How?” Her swift and willing “yes” to God inspires me to reflect on the depths of her trust and the intimacy she must have shared with Him. Her faith was not just a fleeting belief; it was a profound knowingโ€”a relationship so close that saying “yes” to the impossible felt like the most natural response.

And so, I ask you: What would it look like for you to say “yes” to God in your own life? To lay down the distractions of the world, the fleeting connections, and the contradictory priorities that so often pull us awayโ€”and instead, to choose Him wholeheartedly? What if you truly leaned into His invitation to walk in step with Him, not just as a distant deity, but as the very core of your being?

God doesnโ€™t desire mere rituals or surface-level interactions. He longs for youโ€”for your heart, your trust, your vulnerability. He wants to hold your worries, your questions, and your dreams. He wants to walk with you through the highs and the lows, weaving His purpose into every part of your story.

Heโ€™s whispering to you, even now: “Why not choose Me? Why not trust Me with every part of who you are? Let us walk togetherโ€”not as strangers, not as acquaintances, but as one. I will never leave you, never forsake you. I am hereโ€”always.”

This is the beauty of intimacy with God. Itโ€™s not just a practice; itโ€™s a partnership. Itโ€™s letting Him be the first, the center, and the anchor of all you are and all you do. Itโ€™s stepping into a love so boundless that it fills every gap, every ache, and every longing.

So, my dear readers, I encourage you to take that step. To open your heart and say, “Yes, God, I choose You.” For in that choice lies the fullness of lifeโ€”a life not free from challenges, but one where you are never alone. A life where Godโ€™s love and purpose envelop you, guiding you to a deeper understanding of who you are and who you are meant to be.

With love and hope,
Scarlett


ASK YOURSELF. LET’S REFLECT


The Power and Beauty of an Intimate Relationship with God

Just as Mary (Luke 1:38) said โ€œyesโ€ to God with complete trust, her relationship with Him serves as an inspiring example of what intimacy with God looks likeโ€”an unwavering confidence, a profound connection, and a readiness to surrender to His divine purpose. This intimacy wasnโ€™t born overnight; it stemmed from trust, dependence, and an openness to His spirit.

As humans, we often prioritize relationships with friends, family, and the world around us. While these connections are meaningful, there is one relationship that transcends all othersโ€”our relationship with God. Unlike worldly relationships, God’s love is unconditional, unwavering, and deeply personal.

What Does an Intimate Relationship with God Mean?

An intimate relationship with God is not merely about religious rituals or occasional prayers; itโ€™s about daily communion, complete dependence, and a deep trust in His plans. It is choosing to let Him into the very core of your beingโ€”to share your fears, joys, struggles, and hopes with Himโ€”just as you would in a close human relationship. Itโ€™s allowing Him to guide you, shape you, and walk alongside you through lifeโ€™s triumphs and trials.

How Do We Achieve It?

Many of us, like Mary, ask โ€œHow?โ€ How can we strengthen our bond with God? It begins with a willingness to shift priorities. Here are steps to nurture this relationship:

  1. Dependence and Trust: Surrender your worries and challenges to God, trusting that He can and will handle them with grace and wisdom.
  2. Daily Connection: Spend time in prayer, reflection, and reading scriptureโ€”letting His word fill your soul.
  3. Authentic Vulnerability: Be honest and open with God, sharing your inner thoughts and emotions. Thereโ€™s no need for pretenseโ€”He knows your heart.
  4. Shared Journey: Recognize that intimacy with God is a partnershipโ€”itโ€™s about becoming one with Him, walking in agreement, and aligning your will to His.

Why Is This Vital?

Without a strong relationship with God, itโ€™s easy to become consumed by the distractions of this world. While family, friends, and worldly endeavors may bring temporary fulfillment, the joy of knowing and walking closely with God is eternal. When we place Him first, every other aspect of life falls into place. He becomes the wellspring of wisdom, love, and strength that empowers all other relationships and pursuits.


Let this message inspire you to read to seek God as you’re first and most important relationshipโ€”not just as someone to call on during hardship, but as the ultimate source of hope, peace, and purpose. Just as He reached out to you with the invitation to “date Him” and truly choose Him, Heโ€™s extending the invitation to you. Itโ€™s a journey of transformation, abundance, and becoming one with the divine.

-Scars Gift-

The Climb


Journey to the Sherman Tree: Trusting God in the Climb

This past Saturday, I walked out a dream and vision that unfolded as a testament to Godโ€™s majesty, guidance, and purpose. What began as a journey toward what seemed like an island turned into an ascent up a mountainโ€”a climb that mirrored lifeโ€™s challenges and triumphs. This mountain was not just physical; it was a spiritual symbol of the process of trusting God through uncertain terrain, steep inclines, and moments of doubt.

We were driving toward the oldest tree on earthโ€”the Sherman Tree. The journey felt daunting, just as my dream had revealed. In the dream, the climb took us to an elevation of 7,000 feet, mirroring the steep hills we faced in reality. At every turn, there was the question: Would we make it? My brother appeared in the dream as an 8-year-oldโ€”his age representing new beginnings, as the number 8 does in biblical significance. He was fearful of the climb, as was my nephew, whose age (6, soon to be 7) represented completion leading to spiritual perfection. Yet, despite the fear, we pressed onward.

The challenges grew as we ascended higher. Just as the road grew steeper, so did the uncertainty. Donโ€™t look downโ€”itโ€™s a long way down. This echoed through both the dream and our waking experience. On the other side of the mountain, we found a desolate, dry placeโ€”a reminder that sometimes what lies beyond the climb may not be what we expect. But the lesson was clear: Thereโ€™s no going back. The climb demands we move forward, trusting the process even when the outcome is unseen.

When we reached the snow-covered summit and faced slippery ground, the real challenge began. We fellโ€”but not in defeat. My nephew fell once, my sister three times, and I once. Yet I positioned myself on the ice, knowing that sliding down would take me closer to the goal. No one was hurt, either in the dream or in reality, because the skills learned in the climbโ€”the wisdom God providesโ€”carried us through.

Coming off the mountain was more than a physical descent; it was a mental and spiritual experience. As I sat in the passenger seat, reflecting on the dreamโ€™s meaning, I was struck by the profound truth that trusting God expands our understanding of faith and strengthens our resolve. The destinationโ€”the Sherman Treeโ€”was worth every challenge. Hugging this tree revealed how vast God is in comparison to our limitations. What feels impossible to us is nothing for Him.

This journey reminded me that God can handle all that we are. He goes before us, preparing the places we will go (John 14:2). Yet, He also provides us a place in Himโ€”a refuge, a guide, and a source of strength. The climb may be steep, the journey uncertain, but the purpose is divine. We just have to walk it out with faith.

In this season of new beginnings, I am reminded of Philippians 4:13: โ€œI can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.โ€ This is not just a verseโ€”it is a truth to live by. The climb, the falls, the uncertaintyโ€”all of it works together for Godโ€™s plan. His power is beyond comprehension, and His love is greater than we can imagine.

ScarGifts exists to encourage you in your journeyโ€”to remind you that you are not alone. Just as Jesus goes before us, preparing the way, He also walks alongside us, ensuring we are equipped for the climb. Trust the process. Go forward boldly. Know that the God who created the Sherman Tree, the mountains, and the storms is the same God who created you and is guiding you every step of the way.


The Overflowing Jar of Oil and The Faithful Stewardship of Talents


The Overflowing Jar of Oil and The Faithful Stewardship of Talents

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we encounter the widow whose desperation met the miraculous. The man of God asks her a simple yet deeply probing question: “What do you have in your house?” Her response reveals not just the material lack but also the revelation of faithโ€”she has nothing but a jar of oil. To the natural eye, this might seem insignificant, a mere drop of hope in an ocean of need. Yet, in the Kingdom of God, even the smallest offering can overflow into abundance.

The widow is instructed to borrow vessels and pour what she has. This actโ€”pouringโ€”transcends the physical realm. It is a reminder for us today that pouring into someoneโ€™s life carries eternal value. We live in a generation that often equates help with monetary gifts, but the deeper truth is this: God, the ultimate sower, has called us to pour out His supernatural wisdom, strength, and love into others. The jar of oil teaches us to trust that even the smallest resource, when placed in Godโ€™s hands, becomes more than enough.

In Matthew 25:16, Jesus speaks of talents. The revelation here is both striking and sobering: the talents He has placed within us are divine investments meant to multiply for His glory. But how often do we fail to ask, fail to recognize, and fail to work the talents that He has entrusted to us? As a witness to this truth, I can testify to the struggle of identifying and cultivating the talents God has given me. The world tells us to pursue passions, but God invites us to seek His Kingdom first, as Matthew 6:33 teaches.

My journey has been marked by small beginnings. Yet, Iโ€™ve come to realize that God calls us not to despise those beginnings but to trust Him to grow them into something greater. Itโ€™s said that mastery takes 10,000 hoursโ€”but with God, the timeline shrinks. What could take decades can happen in moments. Iโ€™ve seen it in my own life as I transitioned from uncertainty to purpose, leaving California in August of 2013 with nothing but a prayer, a hope, and the determination not to look back. Philippians 3:13 reminds us to forget what is behind and press onward toward the upward call in Christ Jesus. This theme has anchored me, pushing me forward even when the path was unclear.

Recently, Iโ€™ve entered a season of receivingโ€”a time of harvest where the seeds sown in faith are coming to fruition. The Holy Spirit has personally revealed to me that I need not worry about what has already been determined for my good. As I move forward, Godโ€™s plans continue to unfold, proving that He indeed works all things together for those who love Him.

The widowโ€™s jar of oil was enough. Jesus prepares a place for us (John 14:2), and though we may journey to places weโ€™re not meant to stay, every step works for our good. As I step into new rolesโ€”managing investment properties, supervising teams, and discovering fresh talentsโ€”I see His purpose in the training and preparation.

Be encouraged. As Joshua 1 reminds us, we are commanded to be strong and courageous. Godโ€™s plans are unfolding, His provision is overflowing, and His call is upward. Let us not limit Him, but instead, pour out what little we have into vessels, trusting that He will fill them to overflowing.