The disciples became acquainted with Jesus. He came their way, and they found him quite interesting. They placed their faith in him. They recognized him as their Lord and Savior and confessed him to be the Messianic Son of God. It was then that the disciples left their fathers, mothers, occupations, and homes to be … More Jesus, Wake Up ..read more

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the ..read more

I am writing this devotional blog from Germany, and in this region of God’s planet, there is a long history of bishops, princes, and lords. Lords have city palaces and country castles. They have pomp, circumstance, swagger, and bling. They are shown priority and preference. They expect privilege and praise. They have power — commanding soldiers, servants, and subjects, and they expect to be obeyed and honored. From what I am learning, not all lords are equal. Some are hedonistic asses, narcissistic pigs, and/or ravenous dogs. They are oppressive wolves fleecing the flock to worship themselves ..read more

“But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” 2 Samuel 11:23 There are some people who know me as Pastor Franks. There are some people, those who know me better, who call me Joe. Then, throughout Greenville County, there are some who have known me a long time. For decades, they have known me as JoJo. Jimmy Knight is one such person. (And yes, I did mean to use the present tense “is.”) Throughout the 70’s and 80’s, he watched me, dressed like a saint, devilishly running through the halls of Mitchell Road Presbyterian Ch ..read more

In the past, God promised and provided salvation for those who placed their faith in the coming Messiah. His name was Jesus Christ. In the present, God still promises and provided salvation for those who place their faith in the Messiah who came. His name was Jesus Christ. In the past, God instructed his believing saints to profess and prove their faith by engaging in his religious ceremonies. There were sacrifices, offerings, fasts, and feast in abundance. In addition, male believers were to be circumcised. Also, male and female believers were to be ceremonially washed, wetted, or baptized w ..read more

Today, I want to be like God. He casts our sins into the sea of forgetfulness. I want to do the same. Micah 7:19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Today, I want to be like God. He remembers our sins no more. Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Today, I think of one of the verses in the famous hymn, “All for Jesus.” “Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside. So enchained my spirit’s vision, looking at the ..read more

God is perfectly holy, and there is no fluctuation in his ethical posture. Every day, he loves righteousness with all his being. Every day, he hates wickedness. Tragically, I fall into the category of “Wicked Sinner.” Every single day, without fail, I think, desire, say, and do that which is abominable in God’s sight. Consequently, as I read his rules, commandments, instructions, precepts, principles, ordinances, or imperatives, I consistently hear the Law saying, “Failure, Failure, Failure!” In addition, I hear the Holy Judge saying, “Guilty, Guilty, Guilty!” Often I hear the voice of Satan s ..read more

See the hesed of the Heavenly Father towards Jesus: Psalm 89:1-28 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations … You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one … My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him … I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers. He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will sta ..read more

Proverbs 2:1–10 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God … Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path … wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Can we hear the tenderness of our Heavenly Father ..read more

Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is building and expanding his multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, international church, and he is doing so through obedient disciples. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Then, after five days of forming and filling the earth, he created man and woman in his image and likeness. Then came his royal decree. Adam and Eve were to recreate, procreate, and fill the entire earth with godly disciples. Planet Earth was to be covered with worshiping sons and daughters. (Genesis 1:28) Sadly, Adam and Eve fell, and with them fell all humanity. Ultimate ..read more