The enemy works overtime to keep us in shame. He knows if he can keep us in shame, he can minimize our intimacy with God.

The foolish took their lamps, but took no oil (pursued ministry as their priority over getting oil). The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps (pursued oil as their priority before ministry). At the dark midnight hour of history, the Spirit will raise up forerunners who cry out that Jesus is coming as a Bridegroom God and that we must go out to meet Him (make the necessary effort to encounter Him). They all slept which speaks of living in context to the natural processes of life.

The revelation of His glory includes seeing One so high (transcendence) who went so low (condescension) to bring us so near (redemption) because we are so dear (Bride). The Most High God went so low because of such great desire to partner with us... We are awestruck by His power, overwhelmed by His humility, and made confident by His love.

Your capacity to receive is based on your hunger to pursue.

I don't want to be the biggest or the best, I want to be faithful.

We will never have more affection or passion for God than we understand He has for us. We will never be more committed to God than our understanding of His commitment to us.

The reason people burn out is not because people are going hard [after God]; it's because they are working and perusing with the wrong spirit-trying to do it in the eyes of men with the wrong reasons; trying to get into a room you are already in.