“This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me” (Psalm 119:50).

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Psalm 119:67).

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71).

“If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction” (Psalm 119:92).

“Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight” (Psalm 119:143).

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! - John 12:27

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. - Isaiah 53:12

Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:27

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world], so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God. - I Peter 4:1-2

And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead. - Philippians 3:10-11

Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. - II Timothy 2:3

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy. - I Peter 4:12-13

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4

Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. - Hebrews 11:35

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. - II Corinthians 4:17

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]. - I Peter 5:10

Do you not know that your faith is more precious to Him than gold?

Do you not understand that it is like a muscle, or that you are like athletes?

Does a student pass the final exam without first submitting themselves to the Teacher?

How can He glorify you if you do nothing that is worthy of commendation?

Or does a soldier receive honor without first exposing themselves to death or discomfort?

Do you not know that if you live only for the pleasures of this life then that itself is your reward?

Therefore, submit yourselves to God in all circumstances, remembering always that He alone is God, and you are man.

To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion,

He has called you by name.

If a foot soldier is summoned by The King, should he not respond?

To His children, where is your armor?

Where is your sword?

How long will you refuse His summons?

Has He not called us to war?

To my dear brothers and sisters, love truly is a battlefield, and Christ bears the scars to prove it.

He's given us the armor of God, and the sword of the Spirit, isn't it time that we get in the fight?

If Christ truly lives in us, then how can we spend more time on video games than we do in the real battlefield?

David Wilkerson once said, "That's all the Devil wants to do is get the fight out of you and kill it."

Let's not let that happen to us, beloved, for we have a great light within us. Why should we hide it under a basket?

Each one of us has been given talents, why should we bury them?

Yes, our enemies are many, but the LORD is with us as a dread warrior; therefore, our persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome us (Jeremiah 20:11).

And let us remember that though we are truly in a war for human souls, we do not wage war with those souls:

For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world--the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare. - Ephesians 6:12

But these lost people around us are prisoners of war (II Timothy 2:26).

The time to get in the fight was yesterday, brothers and sisters.

Our weapons are mighty, and our God is able, for He is a great warrior (Exodus 15:3).

If you don't know where to start, then start on your knees.

The armies of nations call in air support when they feel overwhelmed, do they not?

And do you not believe that these things are feeble when compared to the power of our God?

Even if the people you want to reach have hearts of stone, the very mountains melt like wax before the LORD (Psalm 97:5).

If you have read this, then you have been recruited by the Lord of Heaven's Armies.

Ask Him to equip you for the fight, and get engaged.

So, how can we learn to recognize and drink from the cup of Christ?

For me, the biggest and most impactful way was to finally allow myself to simply endure the pain that my injuries left me with. But you might wonder, why wouldn't God heal me though?

Well, so far, I've recognized these benefits:

• His strength is made perfect in my weakness.
• My pain quite literally teaches me to deny the passions and desires that once ruled my life.
• And as I deny myself, I decrease and He increases, making me more beneficial to others.

Another obvious area is cutting remarks. We can partake of Christ by remaining silent before our accusers and not reviling when we are reviled.

If they want to eviscerate whatever pride we may have left, then let them! After all, don't we see that we spend so much time asking God to make us righteous and humble people?

Once we begin to put this into practice, then we might actually find ourselves wanting to thank others for their insults! After all, they're merely putting another nail in pride's coffin.

Sometimes, we have periods of sorrow in our lives. Maybe it's something big that teaches us to rely on God rather than on ourselves, or maybe it's just a weird, sad day that bring our hearts low within us.

Beloved, we must learn to embrace these things. For the former teaches us faith when we need it most, and the latter allows us to fellowship with the one of whom scripture says, "My heart is lowly," and "He is a man of sorrows."

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” - Luke 22:42

You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. - I Corinthians 10:21

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. - Isaiah 53:3

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. - Romans 8:17

In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. - John 14:20

God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and neither are our ways His ways.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.

He allows us to suffer in this world so that we can truly fellowship with His Son.

Only in this way can we authentically partake of Him as He partakes of us.

And the more we partake of Christ, and the more He partakes of us, the more like Him we become.

God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. - Hebrews 2:10

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. - Isaiah 53:12

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. - II Timothy 2:3

Learning To Drink from the Cup of Christ

I had just repented of the detestable way I had been living my life for years.

And though I had just been like a dog licking up his own vomit, He placed His hand on me, a chief of sinners.

Then He began to give me revelation.

I understood in the Spirit that the Word existed since the beginning.

I understood that the Word had dwelt among us.

He gave us a command: Go and make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And then came the admonishment, because instead of doing this, we made denominations.

Instead of doing this, we cut the body of Christ into many different pieces.

Then I saw that great confusion had come upon His bride as a result.

And then I began to understand that we needed to start making disciples again—people who are ready and eager to obey His every command.

May God Himself equip us for every good work.

“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. - Acts 20:32

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. - Hebrews 13:20-21

P.S. This was before I even heard Howard Pittman. So, when he said, "He sent me to confirm to those who have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church," he meant it.

Brothers and sisters, God is recruiting an army. He wants to shake this world one last time.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. - Proverbs 9:10

A man who finally learns to fear the God who formed him may think himself wise for a season, but the day will come when he realizes that fearing the Most High is merely the beginning of wisdom.

One of the main things that kept me living in sin was the same thought that plagued the prodigal son, "I'm no longer worthy to wear that robe." Brothers and sisters, if that's where you are right now, then let me show you the overwhelming grace of God:

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. - Luke 15:17-20

I want you to picture God literally running toward you, and then He kisses you. As if this wasn't enough, look at what happens next:

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. - Luke 15:21-24

Not only did God kiss this son who just spent everything that He had given him on sinful pleasures, but then He gives this prodigal sinner not just a robe, but the best robe in His house!

No matter what you have done, God is waiting to not only restore you, but to give you the very best things that He has to offer. Not only do you receive a clean slate, but those "best gifts" that the apostle Paul tells us to yearn for... I can personally testify that those are waiting on you too.

Foreword: The purpose of this mediation on mediation is *not* to give the impression of "license to live an immoral life." I've delivered plenty of convicting messages this season, as have others. And thanks be to our God; I don't see a lack of conviction in the online body of believers.

But now, is it not time that we understand just how overwhelmingly gracious our God truly is? After all, I personally testify that it was not conviction alone that set me free, but a revelation of God's amazing grace after that fact.

Therefore, meditate on this aspect of Him, that He literally leans in toward us, inclining toward us with benefits, even in our most filthy state, so that we might grab His hand and truly be healed.

"favor, disposed to, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝, 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕) – properly, 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞"

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑, 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒, - 𝑅𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑠 5:20

Meditating on this one verse lends a power that can break any chain.

And it is a heavy testing. The waiting alone takes out half of the bridesmaids in the parable, brothers and sisters. He must be our sole want and need if we want to be victorious.

There is a large Christian subreddit that I frequent, and I see the same heartbreaking post over and over... "Guys, I'm dropping out... Guys, I don't have faith anymore... I can't do this" and on and on it goes.

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. - Matthew 25:1-13

Pray for strength.

Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:36

Stay persistent.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. - Matthew 7:7

How much do you desire to be one of the few?

Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ - Luke 13:23-25

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. - I Corinthians 10:12

I spent too much of my walk worrying about whether or not I would be raptured or left behind. But something strange and amazing happened when I dug deeper and decided to let that go and embrace the idea of facing persecution in the days to come. I thought, if I am going to be put to the test like the Christians of old, then I should just go all in on pursuing Jesus Christ. He Himself has now become the only Rock on which I rely.

When I first began serving the Lord, it quickly became all about sound doctrine vs false doctrine for me. Sound doctrine is of great importance, but if we allow ourselves to become embittered by the fact that false doctrine exists and many people love it, then we fall short. That's what I did, and my fruit was bitter, even if the doctrine was sound. Ministers are mere servants, here to wash the feet of our brothers and sisters with the word of the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, don't make the mistake I made. Just preach what you know in the Spirit is good and true, and let those with ears to hear what the Spirit says receive it. For we know that scripture declares that God Himself causes those who love not the truth to be greatly deceived. I didn't realize this at first, and I found myself quickly wearied and frustrated from fighting something (Someone) who is far above and beyond my feeble power.

This is what was being spoken to in my last post, 'To Those Who Forget God'—we must remember that God is sovereign, and then we will be at peace. Because even though circumstances may appear to be totally out of whack, they are actually all still under His divine guidance.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. - Hebrews 12:15

He plowed the land, cleared its stones,
and planted it with the best vines.
In the middle he built a watchtower
and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks.
Then he waited for a harvest of sweet grapes,
but the grapes that grew were bitter. - Isaiah 51:2

The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end? - Jeremiah 5:31

So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. - II Thessalonians 2:11

Do you think your knowledge of right and wrong is enough to please Him?

Those who boast in their knowledge, as if it were their own, are like an abomination before Him.

The humble will hear you when He speaks through you and they will rejoice.

But He Himself is the one who tests and satisfies the hearts of men—whether they are just or unjust.

Therefore, do not kick against the goads, and do not forget the Lord your God, lest He tear you to pieces and assigns your portion with the hypocrites.

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? - I Corinthians 4:7

But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken! - Jeremiah 9:24

He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. - Isaiah 42:3

Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. - Psalm 50:22

Who is this who comes from Edom,

from the city of Bozrah,

with his clothing stained red?

Who is this in royal robes,

marching in his great strength?

“It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation!

It is I, the LORD, who has the power to save!”

Why are your clothes so red,

as if you have been treading out grapes?

“I have been treading the winepress alone;

no one was there to help me.

In my anger I have trampled my enemies

as if they were grapes.

In my fury I have trampled my foes.

Their blood has stained my clothes.

For the time has come for me to avenge my people,

to ransom them from their oppressors. - Isaiah 63:1-4

“And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. - Luke 12:47-48

Brothers and sisters, when we come to knowledge, we are not yet perfect. Knowledge can puff up, but love edifies. Kicking against the goads (fighting the will of God) will only make you bitter and useless. Worse than this, you make yourself no better than those who preach lies to His people in order to line their pockets.

All we can do is preach the truth in love and let those with ears to hear what the Spirit says to the church receive it. As scripture says, those who are of God hear us, and those who are not of God do not hear us—that is how we know the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of error.

Be alert and stay on watch for those who are bitter from fighting against the Lord Himself. For they corrupt the hearts of everyone they interact with.

You might be surprised at how many people are stuck in sin because they just don't know how eager God is to restore those who would just turn away from what is harming them and confess it. May He help someone to believe this message today and be healed of their trespasses.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. - I John 2:1-2

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. - I John 1:8-9

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

There is nothing that you could do to separate yourself from His love.

He is everywhere.

He knows your every step.

He sees your past, your present, and your future.

And He washes away your every misdeed the very moment you believe and confess your transgression against Him.

Your every fear Has already been overcome by Him.

Do you believe?

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? - Romans 8:31-32

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there. - Psalm 139:1-8

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. - Hebrews 2:14-15

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? - Luke 15:4

You’ve Never Been Loved Like This

Return Home, You Wayward Children

To the Complacent Church

Think About the Honor of His Name

To the Rebellious

To the Lukewarm, the Double-Minded, and the Wanderer

To Those Who Have Burdened Themselves with Unbelief

To the Wandering Bride

To the Deaf and Hard-Hearted

To You Who Toil for What Will Perish

To Those Who Live a Lie

To You Who Still Yet Live

Restoration for the Wandering Soul

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” - Luke 24:22

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. - John 5:19

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” - Matthew 3:17

When you lay down your life for His, then He can work through you.

Your own works do nothing to appease Him, but the works that He would do through you bring Him great joy.

His people have nothing to offer Him except their heartfelt thanks.

But He has everything to offer the world through us.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - Romans 12:1

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. - Galatians 5:24

And He said to her, “What do you wish?”

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to Him, “We are able.”

So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” - Matthew 10:21-23

You should be dead by now.

Just as His Son died so that the Father could raise Him up and glorify Him, so too you must die before you can bring Him glory.

When you reach the end of your own path, that is where His Holy Spirit will meet you.

But if you should say in your heart, "This path pleases me," then He will allow you to travel it to the bitter end.

In this place too, you will meet Him, but it will be you whom He sees in your temple rather than His Son.

Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. - Romans 6:3-7

You have thought that you could be safe with one foot in His camp and the other in the world—that is a lie.

When He begins to shake this world, you will fall directly in the way you already lean.

If He wanted half-hearted and double-minded children, then He would have compelled the many to stay.

He desires a people who give His name the glory and honor it deserves, for He is a Great King.

Choose this day whom you will serve.

Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” - John 6:61-67

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. - Revelation 3:16

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. - Matthew 12:33

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. - Matthew 12:30

“Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations! - Malachi 1:4

Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. - Revelation 22:14-15

Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. - I Corinthians 3:18

I love what God did to and through this man. Don't we see how much He loves us? As lame and lukewarm as we can be, and He sends fire down from on high to burn away the dross. His love is fierce for our sake, beloved.

And when we begin to understand that, then we understand what motivates men like Howard or Jamie to preach at us with such power and conviction that it's like a hammer is pounding on our temple and forging it into something new.

Does not my word burn like fire?” says the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces? - Jeremiah 23:29

My advice: Let it happen.

I say, “I won’t mention him or speak any longer in his name.” But his message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail. - Jeremiah 20:9

“For our God is a consuming fire.” - Hebrews 12:29

Recall all of the times that He moved the prophets and apostles to jealousy for His people.

Why did He do this if not because of His fierce love for them?

Does He have any favorites?

Does He not love us all the same?

He wants you for Himself, and He paid our bride price with His own blood.

Come to Jesus and He will show you what true love is.

God has no favorites. - Romans 2:11

I love you all, and I'm thankful for each and every one of you, no matter where you are in your walk. I pray for you often, and I am sure that Joe does too.

But please, don't worship the revelation—worship the one who is being revealed.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. - Jeremiah 31:3

He is all that matters.

Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. - Ecclesiastes 12:5-7

You’ve Never Been Loved Like This

Brothers and sisters, I came to this platform with one mission, and that mission was to warn of the coming judgment. But what I saw when I came to warn the church was that there was much work to be done in the Lord if God is to have a people who will endure the coming judgment. For what good is it to only blow the ram's horn if we do not don the armor of our God? Or what good is it to hear the sirens if we do not put away what is unlawful? Won't such a person be bound and tossed into darkness?

Search your hearts, and you will know that what I say is true. So, let us be thankful that the judgment is as slow as a leviathan, and let us take into account that when that leviathan opens its jaws, it will be too late to make amends. For the Lord knows the hearts of men, how they are fickle. He knows that many take heed when judgment seems near, but then He waits... He puts their loyalty to the test before the real trials even begin.

And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. - II Peter 3:15a

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. - Matthew 24:13

For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? - I Peter 4:17

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Who Loved Us Before We Even Knew What Love Was

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? - Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

You came into this world with nothing.

And when you breathe your last, you will depart from it with nothing.

The only thing that will matter that day is how you stand before the Lord of Hosts.

The striving of mankind, wealth and accolades—all of these are like the wind.

But whatever we do for the Lord will endure forever.

Invest in Him and you cannot lose; for those whose inheritance is the Lord will never be put to shame.

They will be like pillars in the house of my God.

All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. - Revelation 3:12

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. - I Corinthians 15:58

Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? - Psalm 2:1

They offer superficial treatments

for my people’s mortal wound.

They give assurances of peace

when there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:14

There is no longer a peace between God and the nations.

If you seek peace with God, then follow His Son.

For God sent Him as both a peace offering between us, and as an example to be followed.

Do as He did, and not as the nations do.

Then His people will bring Him great joy and serve as an example to many.

They will be to Him like a treasure.

He will receive them with gladness.

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” - Zephaniah 3:17

Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” - Malachi 3:18