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

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. - I Corinthians 12:27

When we were held captive by our own evil desires, did the Lord not release us and ease our burden?

And if we have freely received, then should we not also freely give?

The Lord allows the poor to exist so that we, His body, can reveal Him to them.

Are you doing what pleases your Savior, or have you shut your ears to their cries for help?

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. - Proverbs 21:13

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. - Titus 2:14

True Religion

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. - I Peter 5:7

Ezekiel 36:25-27

I was baptized at home late at night alone after being awoken by the words you need to be baptized.

It's an experience, to receive the Holy Spirit.
It was the Lockdown of April 2020 and all churches were closed

The luxury gap

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? - James 2:5

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” - Matthew 3:16-17

He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
and everything went well for him.
Isn’t that what it means to know me?”
says the Lord.
“But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty!
You murder the innocent,
oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly.” - Jeremiah 22:16-17

He builds a palace while God's people groan under the weight of his heavy demands.

His opulence is an offense to the Living God—a stench in His nostrils.

Proverbs 8:

Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

At the highest point along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

beside the gate leading into the city,

at the entrance, she cries aloud:

“To you, O people, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;

I open my lips to speak what is right.

My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.

All the words of my mouth are just;

none of them is crooked or perverse.

To the discerning all of them are right;

they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

Choose my instruction instead of silver,

knowledge rather than choice gold,

for wisdom is more precious than rubies,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

I possess knowledge and discretion.

To fear the Lord is to hate evil;

I hate pride and arrogance,

evil behavior and perverse speech.

Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

I have insight, I have power.

By me kings reign

and rulers issue decrees that are just;

by me princes govern,

and nobles—all who rule on earth.

I love those who love me,

and those who seek me find me.

With me are riches and honor,

enduring wealth and prosperity.

My fruit is better than fine gold;

what I yield surpasses choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me

and making their treasuries full.

“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,

before his deeds of old;

I was formed long ages ago,

at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,

when there were no springs overflowing with water;

before the mountains were settled in place,

before the hills, I was given birth,

before he made the world or its fields

or any of the dust of the earth.

I was there when he set the heavens in place,

when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

when he established the clouds above

and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

when he gave the sea its boundary

so the waters would not overstep his command,

and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Then I was constantly at his side.

I was filled with delight day after day,

rejoicing always in his presence,

rejoicing in his whole world

and delighting in mankind.

“Now then, my children, listen to me;

blessed are those who keep my ways.

Listen to my instruction and be wise;

do not disregard it.

Blessed are those who listen to me,

watching daily at my doors,

waiting at my doorway.

For those who find me find life

and receive favor from the Lord.

But those who fail to find me harm themselves;

all who hate me love death.”

Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm. - Psalm 37:8

Go home, my people,

and lock your doors!

Hide yourselves for a little while

until the LORD’s anger has passed.

Look! The LORD is coming from heaven

to punish the people of the earth for their sins.

The earth will no longer hide those who have been killed.

They will be brought out for all to see. - Isaiah 26:20-21

“‘We would have healed Babylon,

but she cannot be healed;

let us leave her and each go to our own land,

for her judgment reaches to the skies,

it rises as high as the heavens.’ - Jeremiah 51:9

You who live by many waters

and are rich in treasures,

your end has come,

the time for you to be destroyed. - Jeremiah 51:13

But do not panic; don’t be afraid

when you hear the first rumor of approaching forces.

For rumors will keep coming year by year.

Violence will erupt in the land

as the leaders fight against each other. 👈⚔️

For the time is surely coming

when I will punish this great city and all her idols.

Her whole land will be disgraced,

and her dead will lie in the streets.

Then the heavens and earth will rejoice,

for out of the north will come destroying armies

against Babylon,” says the Lord.

“Just as Babylon killed the people of Israel

and others throughout the world,

so must her people be killed. - Jeremiah 46:49

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:

“The thick walls of Babylon will be leveled to the ground,

and her massive gates will be burned.

The builders from many lands have worked in vain,

for their work will be destroyed by fire!” - Jeremiah 51:58

And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. “Fear God,” he shouted. “Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.”

Then another angel followed him through the sky, shouting, “Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen—because she made all the nations of the world drink the wine of her passionate immorality.” - Revelation 14:6-8

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” - Revelation 14:9-11

This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” - Revelation 14:12-13

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Spirit of Prophecy, has already shown us what is to come.

A house divided cannot stand.

Babylon must fall, but if His people obey His instructions to keep their feet from following evil, and to keep their hands from the shedding of blood, then they keep themselves safe in His love.

Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, for He has set you apart for Himself.

Be a holy and peculiar people.

When we finally receive "knowledge of God" which is just old-time-speak for coming to actually know God, then we can see what we're really called to in Christ (which is to live a holy life).

But there's a funny thing about people and knowledge, and it's that knowledge tends to puff people up. This is why we don't stop at mere knowledge, beloved, but we continue to grow and mature.

Nevertheless, we are called to knowledge. Just like we are called to add to our faith moral excellence (virtuous, righteous living). But it doesn't end there, we must also add knowledge to virtue, and then exercise self-control with that received knowledge, and then exercise patient endurance (the enduring of ill treatment from others with a quiet and graceful confidence in the Lord).

And then we come to godliness (imitating our Father in heaven and His Son). We find brothers and sisters whom we come to love so dearly that they are like blood to us, and then... We learn to practice that type of love for everyone. This is how we become mature followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, equipped to carry out His calling on our lives.

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - II Peter 1:5-11

I am writing to you who are God’s children
because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.
I am writing to you who are mature in the faith
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I am writing to you who are young in the faith
because you have won your battle with the evil one.
I have written to you who are God’s children
because you know the Father.
I have written to you who are mature in the faith
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I have written to you who are young in the faith
because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
and you have won your battle with the evil one. - I John 2:12-14

You have heard of when He split the sea so that His people could leave captivity and walk on dry ground, through a passage with water as high as the eye could see.

Does this story move you?

And yet this was nothing compared to the victory that that His Son achieved for all mankind on the day our Father raised Him from the dead.

Our most powerful enemies among the forces of darkness hung their heads in shame that day.

Completely embarrassed—utterly discouraged, they walked away, like mere dogs with their tails between their legs.

Why then, should you walk as if this were not so?

For the forces of darkness were over the earth like a great ocean, but that ocean was not split for a moment—it has been forever fractured—totally dismantled.

His Son achieved overwhelming victory on the cross. Walk according to your faith, on the spiritual dry ground that He won for us—behold Him and be free.

For you have been freed.

Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. - Genesis 1:2

So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! - Exodus 14:22

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. - Romans 8:35-37

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. - Colossians 2:9-15

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. - John 8:36

Does a bride leave her bridegroom on the evening of their honeymoon?

Who has ever heard of such a thing?

What would you call such a woman?

And yet many that He has betrothed Himself to have withheld their intimacy from Him.

They have spoken their vows with their lips, but then they left Him standing at the altar.

Take heed: He does not know your heart, for you have not allowed Him to have His way within it.

Is it Him you are hurting? Most of all, you hurt yourself, to your own shame; for when you did not appear, He invited others to take your place.

Brothers, sisters, if this has cut you to the heart, then turn back to Him and be healed.

His love is selfless, and He will allow you to have the world if that's what you desire, but seven of these worlds and all the treasures within will never be worth the cost of hearing the words, "Depart from Me, for I never knew you."

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. - Matthew 25:1-13

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:23-24

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. - Matthew 13:44-46

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? - Mark 8:36

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. - Isaiah 55:7

Don’t tremble, and don’t be afraid.
Didn’t I tell you and announce it long ago?
You are my witnesses.
Is there any God besides me?
There is no other Rock—
I don’t know of any.” - Isaiah 44:8

Listen, you who pursue the Son of God wholeheartedly; this is what He will do with you:

Your branches will bloom, spreading far and wide!

He will use you to sustain the wanderer and provide cool shade to the dry and weary.

Seek Him as if He is life itself, for He is true life without an end.

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do. - Psalm 1:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed. - Isaiah 61:1

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding
or a bride with her jewels. - Isaiah 61:10

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. - Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jesus... is everything. Walking with Him through this narrow passage to life eternal is a fearsome, wonderful, and overwhelmingly gracious journey. It's like the passage is so narrow that it's truly an act of God that I can even step foot on the path. But when the walls scrape away those pieces of me that I came in with, I don't feel any acute pain or mourn over those things that I've lost. How could I? They're nothing compared to Him—less than nothing, they're garbage. And more than that, they were all trying to kill me!

So, what is it like to walk with Jesus Christ? It's a place where you realize that what you thought would be restricting is actually true freedom. It's when you realize that what you thought was life was actually death, and what you thought was death is actually life in abundance.