Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

(Songwriters: Wade Joye / Christopher Brown / Mack Brock / Steven Furtick; O Come to the Altar lyrics © Be Essential Songs)

Randy and I live in a house that was built 25 years ago.  It is now that the original workings of this house are needing to be renewed.  Repairs can no longer fix what is old and broken.  We must buy new or move.  We are choosing to stay in our faithful home that suits our needs.  We look forward to the day when all that is breaking down is made new.  What a glorious day that will be!

We are also getting older.  Our bodies in need of repair.  Imagine our temples (our bodies) created in the image of God, in need of much repair, being made new with bodies that last forever by the our Faithful, All-powerful, All-knowing God who loved us so much He sent His Son, Jesus to save us for eternity.  There will be a Day when it will all come together for His glory. Yes, there are better days ahead!

God will provide the New that will replace the old forever.  Imagine; no more repairs, no more funerals, no more pain, no more war, no more tears, no more of the disappointing circumstances, no more lies and disillusionments from the enemy who taunts us here in a world in need of constant upkeep and repair. And most of all—no more sin for sin is not permitted in the newly created that God has prepared for all who have asked for forgiveness from sin and have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.  This a new place that has no place for the Deceiver, Tempter, Distractor, and Destroyer.  He has been defeated!  Oh, what a Savior!  Isn’t He wonderful?  Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today, there’s no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood

Oh, what a Savior
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen

The final war has been fought.  God wins—just as He and His Son said they would.  Jesus, His Son, will reign forever as the Victor over death and evil.  Hallelujah!

Revelation 21 2024

Everything New

I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.

² I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.

^3-5 I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”

^6-8 Then he said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I’ll be God to them, they’ll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the feckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it’s Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!”

The City of Light

^9-12 One of the Seven Angels who had carried the bowls filled with the seven final disasters spoke to me: “Come here. I’ll show you the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb.” He took me away in the Spirit to an enormous, high mountain and showed me Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God, resplendent in the bright glory of God.

^12-14 The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light. She had a wall majestic and high with twelve gates. At each gate stood an Angel, and on the gates were inscribed the names of the Twelve Tribes of the sons of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, three gates on the west. The wall was set on twelve foundations, the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb inscribed on them.

^15-21 The Angel speaking with me had a gold measuring stick to measure the City, its gates, and its wall. The City was laid out in a perfect square. He measured the City with the measuring stick: fifteen hundred miles, its length, width, and height all equal. Using the standard measure, the Angel measured the thickness of its wall: seventy-two yards. The wall was jasper, the color of Glory, and the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. The foundations of the City walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate a single pearl.

^21-27 The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth’s kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won’t be any night. They’ll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will get in.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Redeemed inhabitants of the newly created heaven and earth are children of God, brothers and sisters with Christ, whose names are written the Lamb’s Book of Life!  Let respond to God and to each other as the redeemed daily!  We have learned for Jesus that how we respond to each other is the same as responding to Him. 

I pray that as we wait for the newly created that we treat each other as if Jesus were standing in front of us, reading the texts we send, listening to words that come out of our mouths, and the actions we take would please God.  This is living humbly and gratefully as the Redeemed.

O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

The Father’s arms are open wide…

Lord,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done, all you are doing currently, and all you will faithfully do as we live in response to your redeeming love, mercy, and grace.  Thank you for forgiveness when we falter.  Thank you for your faithfulness when we are sometimes not as faithful as we should be. Thank you for the revelation of what is to come that keeps us focused on you now.

In Jesus Name, Amen—TO YOU BE THE GLORY, HONOR, AND PRAISE NOW AND FORE

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”           —Jesus, Matthew 25:31-46, NIV

Revelation 20, the Message

A Thousand Years

20 ^1-3 I saw an Angel descending out of Heaven. He carried the key to the Abyss and a chain—a huge chain. He grabbed the Dragon, that old Snake—the very Devil, Satan himself!—chained him up for a thousand years, dumped him into the Abyss, slammed it shut and sealed it tight. No more trouble out of him, deceiving the nations—until the thousand years are up. After that he has to be let loose briefly.

^4-6 I saw thrones. Those put in charge of judgment sat on the thrones. I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God, who refused to worship either the Beast or his image, refused to take his mark on forehead or hand—they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years! The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were up. This is the first resurrection—and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They’re priests of God and Christ; they’ll reign with him a thousand years.

^7-10 When the thousand years are up, Satan will be let loose from his cell, and will launch again his old work of deceiving the nations, searching out victims in every nook and cranny of earth, even Gog and Magog! He’ll talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. They’ll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of God’s holy people, the Beloved City. They’ll no sooner get there than fire will pour out of Heaven and burn them up. The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end.

Judgment

^11-15 I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God seeks those whose hearts are completely devoted and committed to Him.  Jesus taught and demonstrated obedience motivated by our love for God and for others.  We are made “right” only by the love, mercy, and grace of God through Jesus, who came to seek and to save the lost and to teach us how to love and serve each other as He served the world. If we say yes to Jesus, our Name is in the Book!  Our name is also written on the palm of God’s hand!  (Isaiah 49:16)

The Word of God made flesh with the message of salvation was not that complicated; but it requires a change of heart and a transformed mind.  It requires yielding, submitting (which goes against our sinful nature), with simple obedience to God Holy Spirit’s leading in every detail of our lives.  Those who do this are gifted with wisdom when we ask for it, inner eternal joy in all circumstances, with peace the overcomes anxiousness in the middle of raging storms—but we must keep our eyes on the Master. 

Yes, true believers who love and serve their Master, Jesus Christ, long for the day when Jesus comes back to claim his own.  Hearts, minds, and souls centered on Jesus say; “Come, dear Jesus, come.”  In the meantime, we love and help each other know Him more.

True believers who trust and obey long for the day when Jesus welcomes us home and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant, well done!” 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” –Jesus, the promise of God to all who believe and call on His Name. John 3;16

Lord,

You forgave me and set me free to love and serve in the wide open spaces of your love, mercy, and grace!  I live in gratitude for saving my soul.  I love how you lead us.  Your amazing love and the glory of Your Presence is seen in everyday life when I stop to realize how you are always at work within us and around us.  I am one of your “whoever’s” who believe in you.  May your will be done in my life today and always.  I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul.  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen

I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!

(Songwriters: Jake Stevens / Jonathan David Helser / Melissa Helser / Molly Skaggs; Raise a Hallelujah lyrics © Bethel Music Publishing)

THIS is the stuff believers were, are, and forever created to be—worshippers!  We worship God with our brothers and sisters amassed in the unity of praise to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, the Three in One as one choir in perfect harmony for eternity!

Imagine the church of Jesus Christ devoted solely to God. Imagine the church forever grateful to Jesus who died and rose again to defeat death forever!  Imagine the sound of the choirs singing in tune to the purest of all melodies. All the words are known by the worshipers because the Song was given to them by the Singer, Himself!  What a beautiful sound it is to worship His Name, Jesus—King of kings and Lord of lords! 

What a beautiful Name it is, what a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ, my King
What a beautiful Name it is, nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

You didn’t want Heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought Heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now?

Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The Heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, God, You reign
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the Glory
Yours is the Name above all names

What a powerful Name it is, what a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ, my King
What a powerful Name it is, nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

(Songwriters: Ben Fielding / Brooke Ligertwood; What A Beautiful Name lyrics © Hillsong Publishing, Hillsong Music Publishing Australia)

Imagine singing in a place where there is no sin of division, envy, pride, jealousy, arrogance, comparisons, or anxious thoughts!  ALL fear is gone because He lives, indeed!  Pain, tears, gossip, agony of wars, betrayals, sicknesses, along with all our sins– banished. They do not exist in God’s Kingdom of Heaven—only peace, joy unspeakable and full of glory.  Those who know God and love like God so loved us, who have stood the tests of faith and still believe in Him are filled with glorious Hallelujahs!

Revelation 19, The Message

The Sound of Hallelujahs

19 ^1-3 I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing,

Hallelujah!
The salvation and glory and power are God’s—
    his judgments true, his judgments just.
He judged the great Whore
    who corrupted the earth with her lust.
He avenged on her the blood of his servants.

Then, more singing:

Hallelujah!
The smoke from her burning billows up
    to high Heaven forever and ever and ever.

⁴ The Twenty-four Elders and the Four Animals fell to their knees and worshiped God on his Throne, praising,

Amen! Yes! Hallelujah!

⁵ From the Throne came a shout, a command:

Praise our God, all you his servants,
All you who fear him, small and great!

^6-8 Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of mighty rapids, the sound of strong thunder:

Hallelujah!
The Master reigns,
    our God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,
    let us give him the glory!
The Marriage of the Lamb has come;
    his Wife has made herself ready.
She was given a bridal gown
    of bright and shining linen.
The linen is the righteousness of the saints.

⁹ The Angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’” He added, “These are the true words of God!”

¹⁰ I fell at his feet to worship him, but he wouldn’t let me. “Don’t do that,” he said. “I’m a servant just like you, and like your brothers and sisters who hold to the witness of Jesus. The witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

A White Horse and Its Rider

^11-16 Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.

^17-18 I saw an Angel standing in the sun, shouting to all flying birds in Middle-Heaven, “Come to the Great Supper of God! Feast on the flesh of kings and captains and champions, horses and their riders. Eat your fill of them all—free and slave, small and great!”

^19-21 I saw the Beast and, assembled with him, earth’s kings and their armies, ready to make war against the One on the horse and his army. The Beast was taken, and with him, his puppet, the False Prophet, who used signs to dazzle and deceive those who had taken the mark of the Beast and worshiped his image. They were thrown alive, those two, into Lake Fire and Brimstone. The rest were killed by the sword of the One on the horse, the sword that comes from his mouth. All the birds held a feast on their flesh.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Sing a little louder (in the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (my weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder (in the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (my weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder!

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!

Lord,

For now, the enemy seems to be winning but I know in my heart that this is not true.  I believe what your Word says and I believe that you came to seek the lost and save us from our sins.  I was lost but now I’m found.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I’m singing your Hallelujahs now and look forward to raising our hallelujahs in grateful praise forever.  May praise become my lifestyle of choice and habit.  May your love guide and sustain me.  May your forgiveness of me cause me to readily forgive others who sin against me.  May your will be done, Your Kingdom come!

In Jesus Name, Amen

God convicts our hearts daily of what is most important to us.  John’s next passage reveals the heart of the matter; turning symbolism into clarifying judgment of what we have chosen in life that motivates our behavior. 

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:1-6

Seriously, what or who do we place all our hope, now and for future days?  Do we count on our accumulated wealth, small or large, to save us?  Are we relying on our kids and maybe our grandkids to save us and take care of all our needs—as we see them?  Do we rely on people in authority in our government to watch over us and keep us happy in the “manner to which we are accustomed”?  Do we make demands in business that hurt others in their business to get ahead and win the prize of more business?  What an illusion of self-interest and self-preservation!  It’s like running beside a merry-go-round that gets faster and faster.  You jump on and hang on for dear life—but you end up going nowhere!  When it comes to a stop, everyone who joined you is still hanging on with you and suddenly you realize; we are all still in the same place.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.” Psalm 139:7-12

The most riveting question above all is; Do we really believe all that God says really real—or not? 

What is our final answer?  Is what we believe about God and His Son, Jesus who  saved us demonstrated with passionate humble gratitude in our daily lives?  God knows our hearts. Are we falling for the lie, “fake it ‘til you make it”? We cannot hide what is within us from God. We are God’s masterpiece.  We are made in the image of God.  We were created to praise our Creator!

“For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.” Psalm 139:13-18

John pointed out that although society was built around the economy, only what was built on God would last forever. Greed and materialism will be judged and crushed. Believers committed to following Jesus’s ways seek security from their faith in Him.  Do not put your “hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,” Paul teaches Timothy.  Money is an untrustworthy foundation. 

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1Timothy 6:17-19, NIV)

Revelation 18, The Message

Doom to the City of Darkness

18 ^1-8 Following this I saw another Angel descend from Heaven. His authority was immense, his glory flooded earth with brightness, his voice thunderous:

Ruined, ruined, Great Babylon, ruined!
    A ghost town for demons is all that’s left!
A garrison of carrion spirits,
    garrison of loathsome, carrion birds.
All nations drank the wild wine of her whoring;
    kings of the earth went whoring with her;
    entrepreneurs made millions exploiting her.

Just then I heard another shout out of Heaven:

Get out, my people, as fast as you can,
    so you don’t get mixed up in her sins,
    so you don’t get caught in her doom.
Her sins stink to high Heaven;
    God has remembered every evil she’s done.
Give her back what she’s given,
    double what she’s doubled in her works,
    double the recipe in the cup she mixed;
Bring her flaunting and wild ways
    to torment and tears.
Because she gloated, “I’m queen over all,
    and no widow, never a tear on my face,”
In one day, disasters will crush her—
    death, heartbreak, and famine—
Then she’ll be burned by fire, because God,
    the Strong God who judges her,
    has had enough.

^9-10 “The kings of the earth will see the smoke of her burning, and they’ll cry and carry on, the kings who went night after night to her brothel. They’ll keep their distance for fear they’ll get burned, and they’ll cry their lament:

Doom, doom, the great city doomed!
    City of Babylon, strong city!
In one hour it’s over, your judgment come!

^11-17 “The traders will cry and carry on because the bottom dropped out of business, no more market for their goods: gold, silver, precious gems, pearls; fabrics of fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet; perfumed wood and vessels of ivory, precious woods, bronze, iron, and marble; cinnamon and spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine and oil, flour and wheat; cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots. And slaves—their terrible traffic in human lives.

Everything you’ve lived for, gone!
    All delicate and delectable luxury, lost!
    Not a scrap, not a thread to be found!

“The traders who made millions off her kept their distance for fear of getting burned, and cried and carried on all the more:

Doom, doom, the great city doomed!
    Dressed in the latest fashions,
    adorned with the finest jewels,
    in one hour such wealth wiped out!

^17-19 “All the ship captains and travelers by sea, sailors and toilers of the sea, stood off at a distance and cried their lament when they saw the smoke from her burning: ‘Oh, what a city! There was never a city like her!’ They threw dust on their heads and cried as if the world had come to an end:

Doom, doom, the great city doomed!
    All who owned ships or did business by sea
Got rich on her getting and spending.
    And now it’s over—wiped out in one hour!

²⁰ “O Heaven, celebrate! And join in, saints, apostles, and prophets! God has judged her; every wrong you suffered from her has been judged.”

^21-24 A strong Angel reached for a boulder—huge, like a millstone—and heaved it into the sea, saying,

Heaved and sunk, the great city Babylon,
    sunk in the sea, not a sign of her ever again.
Silent the music of harpists and singers—
    you’ll never hear flutes and trumpets again.
Artisans of every kind—gone;
    you’ll never see their likes again.
The voice of a millstone grinding falls dumb;
    you’ll never hear that sound again.
The light from lamps, never again;
    never again laughter of bride and groom.
Her traders robbed the whole earth blind,
    and by black-magic arts deceived the nations.
The only thing left of Babylon is blood—
    the blood of saints and prophets,
    the murdered and the martyred.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We learn to put all our hope, faith, and trust in Jesus! 

Max Lucado writes;

“Those who trust money are foolish. They are setting themselves up to be duped and dumped into a dystopia of unhappiness. Have you ever noticed that the word miser is just one letter short of the word misery?

God owns everything and gives us all things to enjoy. He is a good shepherd to us, his little flock. Trust him, not stuff. Move from the fear of scarcity to the comfort of provision. Less hoarding, more sharing. “Do good . . . be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1Timothy 6:18).

And, most of all, replace fear of the coming winter with faith in the living God. After all, it’s just Monopoly money. It all goes back in the box when the game is over.

Try listening with greater discernment to commercials on all forms of media. Note how their values differ from God’s.” –Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
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 139:19-24

Lord,

Cleanse my heart.  Remove all that is not You.  Renew my mind, transform my behaviors. Refresh my soul with your tender mercies.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit of love that drives out fear and anxious thoughts.  Restore the joy of your salvation at work with me daily.  You are my confidence.  You are my life!

In Jesus Name, Amen

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11

“On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS 

Revelation 19:16

Revelation 17, The Message

Great Babylon, Mother of Whores

17 ^1-2 One of the Seven Angels who carried the seven bowls came and invited me, “Come, I’ll show you the judgment of the great Whore who sits enthroned over many waters, the Whore with whom the kings of the earth have gone whoring, show you the judgment on earth dwellers drunk on her whorish lust.”

^3-6 In the Spirit he carried me out in the desert. I saw a woman mounted on a Scarlet Beast. Stuffed with blasphemies, the Beast had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, festooned with gold and gems and pearls. She held a gold chalice in her hand, brimming with defiling obscenities, her foul fornications. A riddle-name was branded on her forehead: great babylon, mother of whores and abominations of the earth. I could see that the woman was drunk, drunk on the blood of God’s holy people, drunk on the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

^6-8 Astonished, I rubbed my eyes. I shook my head in wonder. The Angel said, “Does this surprise you? Let me tell you the riddle of the woman and the Beast she rides, the Beast with seven heads and ten horns. The Beast you saw once was, is no longer, and is about to ascend from the Abyss and head straight for Hell. Earth dwellers whose names weren’t written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be dazzled when they see the Beast that once was, is no longer, and is to come.

^9-11 “But don’t drop your guard. Use your head. The seven heads are seven hills; they are where the woman sits. They are also seven kings: five dead, one living, the other not yet here—and when he does come his time will be brief. The Beast that once was and is no longer is both an eighth and one of the seven—and headed for Hell.

^12-14 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings, but they’re not yet in power. They will come to power with the Scarlet Beast, but won’t last long—a very brief reign. These kings will agree to turn over their power and authority to the Beast. They will go to war against the Lamb but the Lamb will defeat them, proof that he is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, and those with him will be the called, chosen, and faithful.”

^15-18 The Angel continued, “The waters you saw on which the Whore was enthroned are peoples and crowds, nations and languages. And the ten horns you saw, together with the Beast, will turn on the Whore—they’ll hate her, violate her, strip her naked, rip her apart with their teeth, then set fire to her. It was God who put the idea in their heads to turn over their rule to the Beast until the words of God are completed. The woman you saw is the great city, tyrannizing the kings of the earth.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”  Matthew 16:21

Just as He said would happen—happened:

• Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, IS proven to be who He said He was, is and is to come:  KING of kings and LORD of lords.  –God said.
• Jesus defeated death.  –Just as He said He would.
• When Jesus returns, He will defeat evil and all who follow evil.  –Just as He promised.
• But, “those with him will be the called, chosen, and faithful.” –Just as we hope He will because He said!

Our relationship with God has been reconciled by Jesus, His Son who saved us from our sins by willingly laying down His life for ours. 

The “great prostitute” referred to Babylon. John’s readers probably equated it with the Roman Empire, but it also symbolized any system hostile to God.  Using symbolic language, John described the destruction of evil and systems energized by Satan. God triumphs over evil.

How do we respond?  Paul’s charge to Timothy perfectly describes our walk with God:

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you we’re called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Lord,

You are King of kings, LORD of lords, you always were and will be the King of my life.  You are God and I am not.  You love me with unfailing love even when I fail you.  I am redeemed.  I am your child, joint heirs with you, dear Jesus, who saved us and set us free from our sins forever. Thank you, thank you, thank you!  To you be the glory, honor, and praise forever and ever, Amen!

In Jesus Name, Amen, I believe.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” –Jesus, John 14:1-3

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –Jesus, John 14:6

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” –Jesus, John 14:15-17

“I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me…” –Jesus, John 14:30

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”   –Jesus, John 15:1-13

Revelation 16, The Message

Pouring Out the Seven Disasters

16 I heard a shout of command from the Temple to the Seven Angels: “Begin! Pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on earth!”

² The first Angel stepped up and poured his bowl out on earth: Loathsome, stinking sores erupted on all who had taken the mark of the Beast and worshiped its image.

³ The second Angel poured his bowl on the sea: The sea coagulated into blood, and everything in it died.

^4-7 The third Angel poured his bowl on rivers and springs: The waters turned to blood. I heard the Angel of Waters say,

Righteous you are, and your judgments are righteous,
    The Is, The Was, The Holy.
They poured out the blood of saints and prophets
    so you’ve given them blood to drink—
    they’ve gotten what they deserve!

Just then I heard the Altar chime in,

Yes, O God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Your judgments are true and just!

^8-9 The fourth Angel poured his bowl on the sun: Fire blazed from the sun and scorched men and women. Burned and blistered, they cursed God’s Name, the God behind these disasters. They refused to repent, refused to honor God.

^10-11 The fifth Angel poured his bowl on the throne of the Beast: Its kingdom fell into sudden eclipse. Mad with pain, men and women bit and chewed their tongues, cursed the God-of-Heaven for their torment and sores, and refused to repent and change their ways.

^12-14 The sixth Angel poured his bowl on the great Euphrates River: It dried up to nothing. The dry riverbed became a fine roadbed for the kings from the East. From the mouths of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet I saw three foul demons crawl out—they looked like frogs. These are demon spirits performing signs. They’re after the kings of the whole world to get them gathered for battle on the Great Day of God, the Sovereign-Strong.

¹⁵ “Keep watch! I come unannounced, like a thief. You’re blessed if, awake and dressed, you’re ready for me. Too bad if you’re found running through the streets, naked and ashamed.”

¹⁶ The frog-demons gathered the kings together at the place called in Hebrew Armageddon.

^17-21 The seventh Angel poured his bowl into the air: From the Throne in the Temple came a shout, “Done!” followed by lightning flashes and shouts, thunder crashes and a colossal earthquake—a huge and devastating earthquake, never an earthquake like it since time began. The Great City split three ways, the cities of the nations toppled to ruin. Great Babylon had to drink the wine of God’s raging anger—God remembered to give her the cup! Every island fled and not a mountain was to be found. Hailstones weighing close to a hundred pounds plummeted, crushing and smashing men and women as they cursed God for the hail, the epic disaster of hail.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  John 3:16-17

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

To “perish” is defined as suffering a torturous death. 

We learn that those who do not believe Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us the gift eternal life—will perish.  Those who do not believe and repent of their sins in Jesus Name will forever be in bondage to evil—and will perish.   To those who mock and curse God will be put through the flames—and will perish. 

Those who refuse to believe in Jesus will never be reconciled to God—even though created in his image—and will perish.   

However, if we believe Jesus, repent of our sins to Jesus, build our faith on Jesus as the rock of our salvation who provided the way to reconcile with God who was, is and is to come, we will “be blessed” with His protection through it all.  It is up to us to, “Keep watch! I come unannounced, like a thief. You’re blessed if, awake and dressed, you’re ready for me.”

Satan’s entire system of manipulation, distraction, deceiving, destruction, with efforts to destroy God’s created from having a relationship with Him is about to be judged by God in the final “Day of the Lord”.  Are we ready for the “pouring”?

Respond by believing and following Jesus, the One who demonstrated God’s love perfectly.  Revel in Jesus who has prepared a place for us with Him in heaven!  Believe and be saved for eternity.  Stand firm on the promises of God.  Remain attached to the Vine that nourishes our souls.  Keep the Light burning brightly within us so others be drawn to the Light and  find the Way through the darkness of the Deceiver to the Truth who gives Eternal Life!

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –Jesus, John 14:6

There is no one like our God!  Why trust anyone else?  Why live unattached to Jesus, the Vine who gives life to the branches now and forever? 

Lord,

After all you have done for me, how could it believe in anyone or anything else?  I do not know.  But I do know whom I’ve believed and I will follow you all the days of my life. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins.  Continue to restore the joy of your salvation within me daily.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.  I believe!

“For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 1 Timothy 1:12

There are some days that are harder than others. On those hard days when we think we are doing what God wants us to be and do but are slandered unmercifully by loved ones and/or by those within our church family for not doing enough; it breaks our hearts.   Some days we are even blamed for why they are having troubles in their lives.  It’s on these days, that we pray all the harder as we ask God to change our hearts and transform our thinking.  We seek to know God and His love more as others seek to judge us more critically. 

Troublesome relationships can lead us to God or to retribution of seeking others to listen to our “side” of things.  Can we figure out now the best path to take but is often not taken?  Are we beginning to understand why Jesus came to save us from ourselves?  As fallen humans, we can be so immature when offended or misunderstood.  If we don’t love like God loves us, all relationships will suffer because of our own selfishness.

Selfish love expects and sometimes demands that love be returned in even greater ways and quantities than it was given.  When it is not, we stop loving.  Selfish love is only for those who admire us and want to be like us.  We really love those who do what we say with high expectations of their loving performance to us without question.  Immature love serves others expecting others pay it back or pay it forward while feeling superior to those we serve. 

Worse yet, we arrogantly love God with a love that has conditions; expecting life to be without trouble or pain.  When troubles arise to be dealt with, our love for God begins to fade, doubts creep in, and we wonder where God is?  We then bargain with God with I do this and love you more if you, God, will fix our problem—or else!  Or else, what?  It doesn’t often occur to selfish love that God, our Father who loves us deeply might be using our current troubles to build our faith in Him as He pours His wisdom over us as the best way to teach us. In this teaching, we in turn can give glory to God in ways that point others to his loving care and compassion!

Do we really think God doesn’t know what is going on around us?  Do we realize that God knows exactly what’s on the inside and is more concerned about the spiritual health of our hearts, minds, and souls?  Is it any wonder, that God’s wrath against evil that plagues all of us must be finally wrapped up for eternity?

As we read the next passage, take notice of what the “saved ones” do.  They worship.  They worship God for who He is and what He does.  Their song lyrics give the Lamb of God, Jesus, all the glory, honor, and praise as the King of kings, LORD of lords.  Only the Lamb can be the judge—the One without sin—who is filled with the love of God—the love God wants us to know, have and act upon by loving Him and each other like He loves us—without conditions.  We are saved from sin and self to love like He loves us.  We need to remove ourselves from the judgement temptation.

Revelation 15, The Message

The Song of Moses, the Song of the Lamb

15 I saw another Sign in Heaven, huge and breathtaking: seven Angels with seven disasters. These are the final disasters, the wrap-up of God’s wrath.

^2-4 I saw something like a sea made of glass, the glass all shot through with fire. Carrying harps of God, triumphant over the Beast, its image, and the number of its name, the saved ones stood on the sea of glass. They sang the Song of Moses, servant of God; they sang the Song of the Lamb:

Mighty your acts and marvelous,
    O God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Righteous your ways and true,
    King of the nations!
Who can fail to fear you, God,
    give glory to your Name?
Because you and you only are holy,
    all nations will come and worship you,
    because they see your judgments are right.

^5-8 Then I saw the doors of the Temple, the Tent of Witness in Heaven, open wide. The Seven Angels carrying the seven disasters came out of the Temple. They were dressed in clean, bright linen and wore gold vests. One of the Four Animals handed the Seven Angels seven gold bowls, brimming with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. Smoke from God’s glory and power poured out of the Temple. No one was permitted to enter the Temple until the seven disasters of the Seven Angels were finished.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:7-12, NIV

The most common question asked by those who don’t yet know God—

How could a loving God send sinners to hell?

He doesn’t. They volunteer. Hell is reserved, not for those souls who seek God yet struggle, but for those who defy God and rebel.  Max Lucado writes; “Hell is not a correctional facility or reform school. Its members hear no admonishing parents, candid sermons, or Spirit of God, no voice of God, no voice of God’s people. Spend a lifetime telling God to be quiet, and he’ll do just that. God honors our request for silence.”

Hell is the chosen home of those who defy God and want nothing to do with His love, care, correction, or comfort.  God honors their decision. It is not God’s will or desire that any should perish, but the fact that some do highlights God’s justice. God must punish sin.

In later passages, God reveals His truth once more; “Nothing impure will ever enter [heaven], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). God, inherently holy, must exclude evil from his new heaven.  God, eternally gracious, never forces his will. He urges all to stand firm but never forces them to stay with Him. God’s will is given when we yield our will to Him and trust Him. “May your will be done…”—Jesus taught us to pray.

Once the rebellious defiers reside in hell; they don’t want to leave. Hearts never soften nor do their minds change at this point.  “They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him” (Revelation 16:9). Contrary to the idea that hell prompts remorse, it doesn’t. It intensifies blasphemy and hate against God.

So, to wrap up, we are given two choices.  God or Evil?  Perfectly Holy or Intensely Hateful?  The choices are in direct opposition of each other.  Choose this day between real love or hate; help through troubles or resentment for troubles; protection against evil or the promotion of evil; spiritual provision to nurture a healthy spiritual heart, mind, and soul or no provision—only bondage that destroys all relationships. 

Lord,

Thank you for convicting me of selfish love expecting others to be who I wish them to be instead of simply loving like you love us.  Thank you from comforting me from the slander that breaks my heart. Thank you for correcting me with Christ like behaviors that transform me to be more like you.  Thank you for compelling me to stand firm in my faith of what you say is the Truth.  I trust you, dear Jesus.  I trust you to teach me, show me the path to take that leads to you, and to be with me always as I pursue You.  I love you, Lord.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen  

The beans and corn are ready to be harvested here in Indiana.  As we drove through the countryside on our way to our grandson’s tennis match, Randy and I noticed how dry and brittle the bean and corn stalks are becoming—signs of harvest!  We noticed some of the farmers opening the barn doors to begin pulling out all the equipment necessary to sweep over the fields—ripe for harvest.

Because Randy pastored a church with many farmers in the congregation, we learned their habits and moods during each season.  Harvest was like Christmas for farmers!  This was the time to finally reap what they eagerly sowed last spring with anticipation and promise.  Yes, it is fascinating to observe the work of farmers who tirelessly care for their crops through spring and summer; making sure the weeds do not overtake what was planted so that the harvest is greater still.  Those who are in it for life do not grow weary of the work.  They will grow tired in the work; but most do not give up. This is their life.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  Galatians 6:7-10

Revelation 14, The Message

A Perfect Offering

14 ^1-2 I saw—it took my breath away!—the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, 144,000 standing there with him, his Name and the Name of his Father inscribed on their foreheads. And I heard a voice out of Heaven, the sound like rapids, like the crash of thunder.

^2-5 And then I heard music, harp music and the harpists singing a new song before the Throne and the Four Animals and the Elders. Only the 144,000 could learn to sing the song. They were bought from earth, lived without compromise, virgin-fresh before God. Wherever the Lamb went, they followed. They were bought from humankind, firstfruits of the harvest for God and the Lamb. Not a false word in their mouths. A perfect offering.

Voices from Heaven

^6-7 I saw another Angel soaring in Middle-Heaven. He had an Eternal Message to preach to all who were still on earth, every nation and tribe, every tongue and people. He preached in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory! His hour of judgment has come! Worship the Maker of Heaven and earth, salt sea and fresh water!”

⁸ A second Angel followed, calling out, “Ruined, ruined, Great Babylon ruined! She made all the nations drunk on the wine of her whoring!”

^9-11 A third Angel followed, shouting, warning, “If anyone worships the Beast and its image and takes the mark on forehead or hand, that person will drink the wine of God’s wrath, prepared unmixed in his chalice of anger, and suffer torment from fire and brimstone in the presence of Holy Angels, in the presence of the Lamb. Smoke from their torment will rise age after age. No respite for those who worship the Beast and its image, who take the mark of its name.”

¹² Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God’s commands, staying faithful to Jesus.

¹³ I heard a voice out of Heaven, “Write this: Blessed are those who die in the Master from now on; how blessed to die that way!”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “and blessed rest from their hard, hard work. None of what they’ve done is wasted; God blesses them for it all in the end.”

Harvest Time

^14-16 I looked up, I caught my breath!—a white cloud and one like the Son of Man sitting on it. He wore a gold crown and held a sharp sickle. Another Angel came out of the Temple, shouting to the Cloud-Enthroned, “Swing your sickle and reap. It’s harvest time. Earth’s harvest is ripe for reaping.” The Cloud-Enthroned gave a mighty sweep of his sickle, began harvesting earth in a stroke.

^17-18 Then another Angel came out of the Temple in Heaven. He also had a sharp sickle. Yet another Angel, the one in charge of tending the fire, came from the Altar. He thundered to the Angel who held the sharp sickle, “Swing your sharp sickle. Harvest earth’s vineyard. The grapes are bursting with ripeness.”

^19-20 The Angel swung his sickle, harvested earth’s vintage, and heaved it into the winepress, the giant winepress of God’s wrath. The winepress was outside the City. As the vintage was trodden, blood poured from the winepress as high as a horse’s bridle, a river of blood for two hundred miles.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is revealed in full, majestic view before John, His beloved disciple.  When we pause to take it all in, doesn’t this image take our breath away, too?  Imagine Jesus with His beloved who never gave up in doing good, standing with Him!  The 144,000 who never compromised their faith in God for anyone or anything else became an offering unto God.  Their worship was reserved only for God. “Wherever the Lamb went, they followed. They were bought from humankind, firstfruits of the harvest for God and the Lamb. Not a false word in their mouths. A perfect offering,” John writes.

I am reminded of what God told his prophet, Micah and later to Paul, a committed, compelling, uncompromising convert of Christ. Paul, daily gave himself as an offering to God as his new way of life with God. 

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”—Micah 6:8, NIV

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2, NIV

Walking humble with God is key to knowing God’s will for us.

Though beaten by officials in the towns he preached; Paul worked tirelessly to tell others of Jesus’ saving grace. Being imprisoned for spreading the salvation message didn’t stop him.  He used his jail time to tell the message of Jesus to all who would listen among those who guarded him.  He wrote letters of encouragement and sent them to all the churches in the “field” for the purpose to keep out the “weeds” of evil behaviors among the people.  He encouraged all to “make the most of every opportunity” to freely spread the message of Jesus who freely gave Himself to us so we could be saved and set free!  (See Colossians 4)

The Message:  Jesus, Son of God, suffered and died so our sins could be forgiven, removed, and forgotten by almighty God. With resurrection power, God brought His Son back to life in full view of his followers on earth.  Do not forget, this same power is available to us!  This is Hope that we, too, will be resurrected has been given to us by Jesus.

Redemption is possible by humbly repenting our sins to Jesus His Son. As soon as we repent to Jesus believing He has set us free from our sins; our new life begins.  We sing a new song!  We are daily being changed and transformed from the inside out!  We revel in our new intimate, growing, loving relationship with God knowing that it will last forever—all because of His great love planted in the fertile soil of our yielded hearts, minds, and souls.  We love Him with all that is within us because He first loved us.  His love is unchanging and unfailing.  His love will outlast all our changing moods and the troubles of this world.  His love never quits and never gives up on us.  Wow.

We learn that we will become more and more like Jesus if we do not grow weary and give up, offer ourselves daily to Him, and keep a close watch on the weeds. When weeds of evil appear, we will call on the Name of Jesus who, by the power of His Holy Spirit living in us, will eradicate what does not belong in our field of grace that will soon be harvested.  This is the blessed assurance that give us confidence to keep walking humbly with our God!

Lord,

Wow, how you love it when we really believe what you say as the whole Truth.  Thank you for saving us as we call on your Name to forgive us and help us live this new life.  Continue to weed out what is not of you.  Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  Fill us with all you know we need to produce your goodness in our lives.  I’m yours. I’m listening.  I’m waiting for your return.

In Jesus Name, Amen

“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. –Jesus, Matthew 24:4-14

The war between God who is good and Satan the fallen angel who is evil still rages on.  Who do we choose daily and stand beside when pressed for an answer?  Our decision is a matter of life or death.  Our behaviors will reflect our belief and commitment to our decision in every day life.  Our decision affects others who are confused and looking for answers for life, too. Who do we obviously worship?  Who is paramount in all we think, say, and do—even if our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, husbands or wives, mothers and fathers do not agree?  Do we worship the beast of gossip, assumptions and preconceived judgements?  Are we fooled into living a life that craves the applause of others so much that we will say and do nothing to get it?  Will we allow the beast of self-worship fill us with arrogance, envy, pride, and jealousy for what others have while believing the lies told to us?  Will we be led by the beast who is the author of hate and confusion who teaches us to spew false teachings about God that destroy relationships with our loved ones?  It can and will happen if we do not stand firm in complete devotion and worship of Jesus Christ, our Savior AND our Lord.

Jesus knows what we are going through now and what we will face later and He promises to be with us “unto the end of the age.”  Do we really believe Him—or not?  Our faith is tested in trials each day to make us strong, says James.  James and the other disciples went through trials that seem unthinkable to us today as most of us hide out in the “comfort zones” of our homes, churches, and community.  In the days now and in the days to come we must take an honest, sincere stand for who we really believe because our behaviors are already being critically judged by our loved ones, friends, and our enemies.  (Nation against nation, brother against brother, etc.)

Who will that be? What will we say?  How will our lives be lived?

Revelation 13, The Message

The Beast from the Sea

13 ^1-2 And the Dragon stood on the shore of the sea. I saw a Beast rising from the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads—on each horn a crown, and each head inscribed with a blasphemous name. The Beast I saw looked like a leopard with bear paws and a lion’s mouth. The Dragon turned over its power to it, its throne and great authority.

^3-4 One of the Beast’s heads looked as if it had been struck a deathblow, and then healed. The whole earth was agog, gaping at the Beast. They worshiped the Dragon who gave the Beast authority, and they worshiped the Beast, exclaiming, “There’s never been anything like the Beast! No one would dare go to war with the Beast!”

^5-8 The Beast had a loud mouth, boastful and blasphemous. It could do anything it wanted for forty-two months. It yelled blasphemies against God, blasphemed his Name, blasphemed his Church, especially those already dwelling with God in Heaven. It was permitted to make war on God’s holy people and conquer them. It held absolute sway over all tribes and peoples, tongues and races. Everyone on earth whose name was not written from the world’s foundation in the slaughtered Lamb’s Book of Life will worship the Beast.

^9-10 Are you listening to this? They’ve made their bed; now they must lie in it. Anyone marked for prison goes straight to prison; anyone pulling a sword goes down by the sword. Meanwhile, God’s holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground.

The Beast from Under the Ground

^11-12 I saw another Beast rising out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb but sounded like a dragon when it spoke. It was a puppet of the first Beast, made earth and everyone in it worship the first Beast, which had been healed of its deathblow.

^13-17 This second Beast worked magical signs, dazzling people by making fire come down from Heaven. It used the magic it got from the Beast to dupe earth dwellers, getting them to make an image of the Beast that received the deathblow and lived. It was able to animate the image of the Beast so that it talked, and then arrange that anyone not worshiping the Beast would be killed. It forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark on the right hand or forehead. Without the mark of the name of the Beast or the number of its name, it was impossible to buy or sell anything.

Solve a riddle: Put your heads together and figure out the meaning of the number of the Beast. It’s a human number: 666.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus warned his disciples who left everything behind to follow Him, “Beware of false teachers.”  Before the final battle, Believers of Jesus will be challenged. God promised, though, that no spiritual harm will come to believers, although they might have to endure persecution and pain.  We must discern false prophets who claim to perform miracles and exercise authority from God.  God’s Holy Spirit was sent to help us by leading us to all Truth.  Listen to Him!

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13

If we are amazed, distracted, and influenced by the “beast;” signs of beastly behaviors will begin to appear in our lives such as slander, gossip, envy, pride, arrogance, sarcasm, self-edification, and pride while comparing ourselves to each other—all traits of the beast who worships the Dragon, namely Satan, the fallen angel.  In the end, it won’t go well for us.  We must evaluate and ask ourselves; Is it really going well for us now to carry these traits?

These questions of resolve must be asked daily;

Have I been claimed and tattooed by the beast as being on his team OR have I offered by whole “created in God’s image” being back to God as an offering of holy worship to Him? 

Is my name written in the palm of God’s hand as His child?  Is Jesus my Savior and Lord—or not? 

Without looking inside my heart, will others know to Whom I belong?

Lord,

Thank you for revealing the “end of the age” to John so that we may evaluate our lives lived for you now in preparation to see you face to face. We are not perfect but we are, without a doubt, perfectly forgiven when we repent of all our sins to you.  Thank you for teaching us your ways. Thank you for helping us know you more each day as the Holy Spirit reveals Truth to us.  Thank you for clearly showing us the traits to acquire and those to avoid. Help us to accept your discipline as a Loving Father to a precious child would be—all for our good and Your glory.

In Jesus Name, Amen

We imagine heaven to be the place of peace and tranquility, beauty and perfection.  It is now, but there was a time of rebellion that rose up, led by an arrogant, powerfully pride filled angel who wanted to be God.  He wanted to be in charge.  He wanted all that God had created to be his own so he could control all.  He wanted all of God’s heavenly realm so badly that he decided to gather other angels, deceive them into thinking they needed to overcome God with him so they could share in the bounty!  He wanted the worship meant for God to be given to him.  He still wants that. 

Imagine forming an army in heaven to rise up and go to war against God!  It seems ludicrous to us, right?  Would we be a part of that?  Would we join the rebellion and fight with the Destroyer?  Or would we remain firmly planted in our faith in God who ultimately wins over evil?  Do we stand firm, in awe of God, with assurance of deliverance, knowing we have protection from God as we call on His Name? Will we choose unending, relentless love or the hate and anger of evil? Mindblowning.

No, we cannot imagine falling for the hate filled deceit that spews from this angel who was so full of himself that he thought he could replace God—but sometimes we do.  We all fall for him when we take our eyes off Jesus and rely only on self and “follow our hearts” which is yet another lie of Satan.

John’s vision reveals the whole story of the “Fallen Angel” who went to war against God and the Son of God, Jesus—and was thrown out of the Kingdom and banished to earth.    

Revelation 12, The Message

The Woman, Her Son, and the Dragon

^1-2 A great Sign appeared in Heaven: a Woman dressed all in sunlight, standing on the moon, and crowned with Twelve Stars. She was giving birth to a Child and cried out in the pain of childbirth.

^3-4 And then another Sign alongside the first: a huge and fiery Dragon! It had seven heads and ten horns, a crown on each of the seven heads. With one flick of its tail it knocked a third of the Stars from the sky and dumped them on earth. The Dragon crouched before the Woman in childbirth, poised to eat up the Child when it came.

^5-6 The Woman gave birth to a Son who will shepherd all nations with an iron rod. Her Son was seized and placed safely before God on his Throne. The Woman herself escaped to the desert to a place of safety prepared by God, all comforts provided her for 1,260 days.

^7-12 War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying,

Salvation and power are established!
    Kingdom of our God, authority of his Messiah!
The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out,
    who accused them day and night before God.
They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb
    and the bold word of their witness.
They weren’t in love with themselves;
    they were willing to die for Christ.
So rejoice, O Heavens, and all who live there,
    but doom to earth and sea,
For the Devil’s come down on you with both feet;
    he’s had a great fall;
He’s wild and raging with anger;
    he hasn’t much time and he knows it.

^13-17 When the Dragon saw he’d been thrown to earth, he went after the Woman who had given birth to the Man-Child. The Woman was given wings of a great eagle to fly to a place in the desert to be kept in safety and comfort for a time and times and half a time, safe and sound from the Serpent. The Serpent vomited a river of water to swamp and drown her, but earth came to her help, swallowing the water the Dragon spewed from its mouth. Helpless with rage, the Dragon raged at the Woman, then went off to make war with the rest of her children, the children who keep God’s commands and hold firm to the witness of Jesus.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We are given real, specific reasons why Satan hates believers of God and His Son, Jesus.  Satan hates God so much he will do anything and everything to distract people from God.  He will deceive us with lies that tell us we “deserve” more than God.  He does all things opposite of God’s character. 

Satan and his demons hover over our beings with temptations as consistent as those incessant commercials that interrupt our programming or browsing!  We are programed to worship our Creator God—and only God.  Worship of anyone or anything else is giving in to the Destroyer who wants to end our relationship with God and with His people.  Take note:  Our real enemy is not each other, it is this fallen angel who is furious with God.

In this revelation of Truth, we begin to understand why Satan becomes so enraged when believers call on the Name of Jesus because they know Jesus hears and will answer.  His fury all began with Jesus.  Satan hates Jesus who he could not tempt to follow him on earth—the place where he was exiled. 

Satan had a plan for Jesus that failed miserably.  Satan thought he had gotten rid of God’s Son, who pleased His Father, God.  He stirred the minds of those who were full of pride like himself which led to having Jesus killed on a cross.  How Satan and his demons must have reveled when their rival was brought low, mocked, tortured, and then crucified to die forever.  But Jesus didn’t stay dead.

Was Satan so full of pride that he forgot his power is limited?  Did he really think his power could match the power of God who can raise His Son from death to life in victory forever?  If Satan didn’t realize it then, he knows it now and is determined to bring us down with daily attacks on all believers—especially those firmly committed to Jesus who trust and obey the will of God with resolute hearts for God. 

“Helpless with rage, the Dragon raged at the Woman, then went off to make war with the rest of her children, the children who keep God’s commands and hold firm to the witness of Jesus.” 

Does this not send chills down our spines?

God’s Word, coupled with His Holy Spirit who lives in us to lead us to Truth, gives us all we need to combat the real enemy of our hearts, minds, and souls with confidence and assurance.  Here are a few:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:1-4 Satan power is limited.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Jesus, Matthew 28:20 As we join God in His salvation work, telling others about Jesus, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is with us.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  Ephesians 6:10-18

Satan knows he doesn’t have much time left. 

Believers in Jesus know we have forever! 

Who do you choose?

 Lord,

Thank you for a daily cleansing of our hearts, a renewing of our minds that transform our behaviors, a refreshing of our souls with your tender mercies, and a continual restoration of the joy of your salvation at work within us as we battle your enemy and ours.  Thank you for snatching us out of the fire when we are tempted and deceived by him. Thank you for Your Word that clarifies the difference between you and all that is not you.  We need you every hour and every hour you deliver truth. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen