Month: December 2016

 

Revelation 22: 7, 12 “Behold, I am coming quickly!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.  And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Dear God,

For this past year You have led me and blest me as I have read Your inspired words of scripture, and I am very grateful.  Each year my understanding has been opened afresh to new truths and lessons in the scriptures that make many words grow more precious and personally meaningful.  Please, by the Holy Spirit equip me to remember some of these passages, so that I can repeat them to myself, as I go about the activates of the day and in times of special need.

The climax of scripture is that the Lamb of Revelation 22 is coming again soon.   In comparison to the longevity of the human race prior to the flood, our relatively short human life span, does not give us a very long to wait or time to prepare for the coming of Jesus, but all is relative, for really it is a more than enough time, to prepare and anticipate.  To decide to be Your child takes only a moment, and to love and serve You fills the rest of the space however long that may be.  Whilst actively loving Jesus, will be the best time of our life anyway, with all to gain at the end of life (as known).  V 13, the Lamb, Jesus Christ, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Jesus, our Saviour has always been, and will always be, therefore we can trust what He says will be done on earth, in the saving of the faithful and true people. We can also trust in the enduring, surety of His love for us and His profound and limitless abilities.  V 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches, I am the Root and the Off-spring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”  If I previously had any doubt or reserve, I know that I have no cause to hold back on giving Jesus my heart, for He certainly has proved His love for mankind and ability to deliver on what He promises and prophesies He can and will do; for much has occurred as predicted already.

Our anticipation will become reality, V 14 “Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”  It is such good news, that all of we sinners, who have chosen Jesus as our Saviour and King of Kings, have been forgiven our sins, and will be totally welcome in heaven!  V 17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’  And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’  And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely.”  In fact every person who has ever lived would be welcome in heaven, if they desired to partake of the ‘water of life’ from Jesus that He so freely offers.

Today, I choose You, Jesus as my Saviour and King and I thirst for the ‘water of life’ that is offered to me.  Thank You for this past year of life and its attendant blessings and for the New Year with You that stretches ahead.

Amen

 

Revelation 21: 4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Dear God,

Thank You for another new day, please keep us safe upon this day.  The birds sing and chortle, ever trusting in the life granted them and the provision of their Creator, even though it could be argued they know no better.  In the power of the seed, birds, plant life and all creation, I see the love and care of Jesus our Creator.

The Bible prophets through Your inspiration reveal the plan of redemption available to all people on earth down through history.  The triumphant end of events upon earth is foretold through the prophetic writing of the apostle, John in Revelation.  Therefore we know that this wicked world which is reeling under the effects of Satan and sin will be judged by You, and the final end of this world as it is now will come.

It is a great thought, that all of those people who have and do love You best, are soon to go to a place beyond compare, in which we are told there is perpetual joy such as we have not known; a place with no death, sorrow, crying or pain and certainly no regrets for opportunities that have passed by.

Now is the time, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, for me to prepare my heart and mind, so that to love You best and do what You ask, will give me the greatest pleasure.   I will then automatically seek to be Your blessing to my family and all my other contacts.

I cannot take any of my earthly belongings with me, for our homes and possessions will be all burned up one day, but I have no cause for worry for You provide new homes and all we need in heaven.  To fully assimilate these thoughts, will change the conception on accumulating wealth and possessions here on earth; and to do so, should have lost appeal, for there are much better days coming at Your heavenly address and in the universe.

Thank You for blessing me with all my needs on this earth.  Please fill me with contentment and not a spirit of ‘I must have this or that nice thing,’ when to do so, is really above a need.

In the power of the Holy Spirit I will focus upon You my Saviour, for I am filled with longing for heaven and to live with You, Revelation 21: 1”…a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  Also there was no more sea.”  It is an awesome thought that the regeneration of earth will be such that the redeemed and the heavenly city will come down to be on earth, V 2, 3 “Then I, John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  ……Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

How could You want to do this for sinful mankind and a mutilated earthly landscape, I do not know?  But I accept that this is so, and Your ways are above ours and founded on love and goodness.

I dedicate myself to You again today.

Amen

 

Revelation 22: 1 “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal proceeding from the throne of the Lamb.”

Dear God,

Thank You for Your words of life and hope throughout the Bible and in my focus book at present, Revelation.  To be able to have the hope of eternal life whilst living upon this earth, with its difficulties and torments, is a real comfort, even though many on earth have pleasant and happy experiences most of the time; no one has them all the time, and many people, almost never.  Yet it does appear from my reading of Your Holy Bible, that nothing else on this earth gives the deep soul contentment that comes from reading about and contemplating Jesus and eternal heavenly themes.  For me it is a precious reality to know that I am loved at all times, by You, God, and that Your ultimate implemented plans, have always been directed toward, as many people on earth being turned from sin, and death and instead rescued into heavenly righteousness.

Unlike that devil, Satan, You never force Your will upon us, and therefore no one is ever forced to choose You or go on Your way.  Instead we are provided with all the knowledge we need, along with every provision needed for us, if we so choose and live Your way: despite all the interference and open warfare from Satan, which is levelled against anyone choosing You. Thereafter a true Christian is Satan’s special target.  I give thanks, that after we have chosen You, we can by prayer and reading Your Holy word, avail ourselves of Your protection against Satan and his evil angel band.  I am so glad that You have given each individual person born on earth, their own guardian angel.  Some references by Bible authors, write of certain instances, when there were 1000’s of angels of great strength present.  They all love to do Your will, in heaven and on earth, which means that there are more than enough angels to deal with Satan’s band, and provide protection and aide to any human person/,s when You so direct.  Only in heaven, will we be told and comprehend how many times angels were involved with individual/s and large events on the world.

I love to think of ‘the pure water of life, clear as crystal proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb”, as well as picture in my mind the ‘tree of life’.  Revelation 22:2 “In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month.  The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”  The tree of life is no longer in the Garden of Eden, on earth.  It was withdrawn to heaven, because of sin on the earth.

It is Christ, who gives all who listen, believe and accept the hope and promise of immortality at His second coming.  In heaven, it is You Father, God and Jesus, the Lamb who will preserve our lives, as Your gift in the ‘tree of Life’ did for Adam and Eve, before sin.

Amen

Revelation 22: 6 “Then he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true.’  And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.”

Dear God,

I give You thanks for another day of life and strength to give You praise.  With the desire to live in a way that brings You honour.  This is especially so as I read the word pictures of heaven, that John wrote under inspiration.  I am so happy that many of these word pictures include Your own victorious followers from earth.  There will be no sin in heaven and all these redeemed followers will have transformed bodies.  It will be Jesus Christ who will forever bear His crucifixion scars, which forever testify of His sacrifice on our behalf, whilst on earth.

Your throne, Father God and the throne of Jesus the Lamb will be there, and we His transformed servants, will delight to serve Him, Revelation 22:3.  These privileges I look forward to, even though I believe, as yet I do not fully understand Your purity and other attributes; and cannot whilst I am here on earth, because I am limited by my sinful finite mind.  But I do believe John’s account of heaven, as given to him, at Your instruction, by the angel.

Now at this present time in our bodies of sin from this place of sin darkness; no man could see Your face of purity and extreme brightness and live, but this will not be so in heaven, V4 and 5 “They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.  There shall be no night there:  they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.  And they shall reign forever and ever.”

To be pure of mind and body, and to see You face to face, and join the angels in song and worship, is way more attractive and to be desired, than the most enticing thing on earth.  I am sad that my actions are not always in line with my hope and desire, to be thus privileged.  But I am heartened by the knowledge, that Your ‘still small voice’ has not given me up, and at any time I can in repentance come to You, and be welcomed and redirected as Your child.

I am reassured that my hope for an eternal life in heaven is well founded, for my opening text, John not only relates what he saw, but that the angel said, all his words were ‘faithful and true’ and that the author of his words, was ‘the Lord God of the holy prophets.’  Jesus also gives a message, in V7 “Behold, I am coming quickly!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

How could I or any one on earth ignore the words of Jesus the All-Conquering One?  Revelation of what is to come and prophecy in general, are  given special importance in this book, please dear God, guide my understanding of these words and teach me to be truly faithful and reverent to You, the One who inspired these words for mankind; as Your time for the end for this earth seems to be upon us

Amen

Malachi 4: 2 “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.”

Dear God,

What a blessing You and the scriptures are?  I am grateful for all they teach me and the hope and joy they bring to my life, at various and needed times over the past year.  I appreciate the good news and warning that there is judgement coming upon the world, along with the end to all wickedness; when Jesus, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, comes back to earth and redeems the righteous and takes them back to heaven to live with Him.

By Your grace I plan to be among the righteous, even though at this time, I have no inherent righteousness to commend me.  It is so wonderful and amazing; the scriptures teach me, that You Father God, view me as righteous, when I confess all my sins, and receive cleansing by the blood of Jesus, followed by being covered by His righteousness.  But my rescue from sin does not end there, for in the strength and righteousness of the Holy Spirit, I will treasure Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me, and never view it lightly or unthinkingly.

I can see that I have no hope apart from You dear God, and that You are the answer to my every soul need, as well as my every physical, mental and emotional need.  Today I give You  all my praise, and please give me extra insight, into all that I can give You praise for, and then fill my mind and mouth with songs and praises to You.

I think today of the admonition to the people of Israel given through Malachi 4: 4”Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.” They were being bought back to Your code of living, before Your predicted judgements were to come upon them.  This is our need in these days also, and it is good for us to think again upon Your 10 Commandments, for they reveal Your character of love and how we should love and reverence You our God, as well as hallow Your appointed special day, the Sabbath on the seventh day, all the while loving and treating our fellow man with fairness and honesty.

I am glad that we are not left to wonder how we should live out Your code for living, because Jesus our Saviour lived and demonstrated all the given principles, perfectly whilst on earth; for they are based on love and reverence for You with  love for our fellow man: and that was His life and ministry.

Throughout the time of man on earth, we have never been left by You our God, without sufficient warning and instruction on how we are to live, and so avert for us, the predicted retribution for wrong doing.  We have warning, such as Elijah gave, calling the people back to You, so we can prepare to choose You first in our hearts, for it is not yet too late.

I choose You first again today, and am encouraged by the promise of Malachi 4: 6 “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”  For me I take courage that this is surely for mothers also!

Amen

Revelation 20: 6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.  Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

Dear God,

Here we are; Christmas day, when some people this season, have not given any thought to the baby Jesus, who came so long ago to earth, as a Your gift to sinful man.  Both You and Your Son knew what was ahead for Him, and were prepared for Jesus to give His life as the sacrifice for our sins, for all time.  For all of us who would ever live on earth, it was of the greatest importance for all of us, that Jesus came as a babe to earth.

All evidence points to the fact that He did not come on December 25, which originally was a date of significance in pagan worship.  I and many others find it profitable to honour the birth of Your Son, Christ at this time, and enhance the sense of unaccustomed good will that pervades much of the earth.  Please bless us as we do so, and bring many minds to look to Jesus at this time; when they would not normally do so.

The further good news of Christmas is that Jesus will one day take up His role as our King, and all events on this earth as they are now will end.  After Jesus comes as King for His own, these righteous living and righteous dead are revealed by John to be in heaven.  Revelation 20:4 “And I saw thrones and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.  Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands.  And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

I pray dear Father that each day I live, before these promises are fulfilled, I will be kept faithful to Yourself and Jesus, and so be counted worthy to be in the first resurrection, which will be of the righteous dead or with the righteous living if I am still alive, when Jesus comes again.    It is not my hope or plan to be resurrected twice or die twice, for John writes I would not be able worship my King Jesus and learn about Him eternally, along with all the other promised blessings of heaven.

Revelation 20: 5 “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.”

After that Satan and all his associates, will live and die again; Revelation 21 : 8”but the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

I give my heart, mind and life to You again today, and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, for all that is required.

Amen

Matthew 1: 21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Dear God,

The day is already warm, and I am glad it is the Sabbath day.  A day of rest and gladness, for today we have our special Christmas church Service,  to celebrate the coming to earth of Your Son, Jesus as a baby born of Mary, on earth.  The Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and reassured him that Mary was a virgin, though pregnant – V 20“…..for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”  And followed up the first amazing news, with a second prediction that the Son, she would birth was to be called Jesus and that, V21 “…. He will save the people from their sins.”

You have given us of Your precious best, in that You allowed this only Son, to come to earth and face all the hardship and atrocities of this sinful hostile world, the dwelling place of Satan and his followers, all because You wanted us to be saved from our sins, by accepting Jesus above all else.

Today, I again choose You, Jesus and ask that You have my heart, so we can abide together, and I can be saved from my sins.

Amen

 

Romans 1: 16, 17 “for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written. ‘The just shall live by faith.’”

Dear God,

Thank You for the ‘gospel of Christ’, which brings the salvation news to all who believe.  I believe and therefore I have salvation as I keep faith in God, and the hope of eternal life, with God, the Father, and Son of God, the Holy Spirit, the angels and all who have been redeemed from sin, woe and destruction of this earth.  The contrast between our earth that has become a place of death and every type of unimaginable woe under the management of Satan and his agents; with the purity, happiness and joy of heaven, is so great, that I as a sinful person on earth cannot fully comprehend the enormity of it all.

As I read about the lives of the faithful, mighty people in the past two to five centuries and then many in the Bible record, all seem prone to give thanks and praises to You God, from the gratitude they felt for the ‘richness’ of Your love and the hope of salvation; even though they may have endured much privation and sometimes even given in to bemoaning about how they were being treated by ungodly associates, they had ongoing joy in serving You.

In our scriptural record of Jesus, never from Him was there a moaning word about ill treatment or privation; for His joy was founded in love for You, His Father and the inner peace that came as He reached out to bring the light from heaven into people’s lives and heal the blight of sickness.  People loved to be in His company for the uplift it gave them, from the joy on His countenance and the words of peace that directed them to His heavenly Father.

Please fill me today with the light and joy of heaven anticipated, and the irresistible desire to share this good news in word and praises to You.

By the knowledge I have gained from Your word and the influence of the Holy Spirit, I am learning more and more about You and Your heavenly home.  When reflected upon in the light of heaven, this earthly place of living becomes less and less attractive.  Because of my belief in the gospel of Christ and in His promised grace and strength delivered, I have a real hope to be in heaven with Him; able to give my worship praises and glory to Jesus, the Lamb of God.  For words of praise and worship spontaneously rise from the redeemed in heaven, and so it will be throughout eternity, Revelation 19: 1”After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Alleluia!  Salvation and glory and honour and power belong to the Lord our God!’”

All in heaven (including the redeemed) will not be able to resist from praising Jesus, V5 “Then a voice came from the throne, saying, ‘Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!’”  The ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords ‘who  makes ready to bring His ‘bride’ (faithful followers) who are clothed in His garment of righteousness to heaven for the marriage supper of the Lamb; is none other than our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  This account given in verses 7-9, gives me an over whelming desire to be each day Your true child, covered by Christs’, Robe of Righteousness and doing Your righteous deeds by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that I will be ‘called to the marriage supper of the Lamb’.

Please my Saviour dwell within again today.

Amen

 

Luke 18: 9 “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.”

Dear God,

On this new day, there is much bird life making their raucous, joyous greetings toward the new day.  I of the human race however have been quiet of such greetings.  Please fill my mind and heart with songs and praise to You, for I am thankful for much, but above all, that I was created and that You continue to give me life, and a knowledge of You that is wrapped around and full all through with tender love and mercy.

As I contemplate the words of Jesus in Luke 18: 9 – 14, I desire to have an open and willing heart to change my attitudes and mindset, as needed to be Your true humble, believing , fully receptive child.  In addressing our selfishness and self-occupation, Jesus gives the example of two men praying, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee had an exalted opinion of himself as God’s man and prayed, V11, 12 “………’God I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all I possess.’”

While the Pharisee was in such a prideful opinion of himself and thought he could earn points with You by listing them, he could not be reached by You speaking to his heart and mind, about the needs in his spiritual life.  The tax collector that he had judged as not being nearly as worthy as himself, in fact felt his sinful need before You his God, to such a degree, V 13 “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!’”  His humble attitude in prayer about his need, allowed You to speak to his mind, because of his humility and recognition of his need, and he was ready to listen and receive.  Jesus then told His listeners, about how the two different types of prayers are received in heaven, v 14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

How easy it is for us sinful humans to think we are better than others, judging ourselves upon performance, whilst all the while forgetting that You look upon the heart.  Please bring me to Yourself, and reveal to me my heart need, so that I really can pray to You in a humble teachable spirit.

Amen

Malachi 3: 10 “’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’”

Dear God,

I testify that the above promise is true, and I have blessings of every type.  Though I am by no means counted wealthy in this world; as a retired person, I have sufficient for all my needs and some fruit and produce in my garden.  It is good that I am in a place in which I can garden, even though sometimes I know that I cannot manage it all, but I still get pleasure from seeing things grow.  Over the years, I have found that it is always good to return to You an honest tithe.  I never forget the example of my father after he became an active member of a church that believed in paying tithe.  You provided more from that dedicated paddock of wheat than was expected, which proved for we children and to him, that You do indeed bless the honest tithe payer.

Malachi had many words given to him by You for the Israelite s, who had not been honest with their offerings to You, their dealings with others, their marriage vows or in with the payment of their tithes.  They had departed so far, that they did not see their great transgression and departure from You and from the guidelines for worship and living that had been given to Moses by You.  Such behaviour is also possible in these days and known to be amongst many who believe they love You first, and that they are faithful in doing as You have asked of them.

God it is to You that I flee and with the insight that only comes through the Holy Spirit in a willing heart, I ask that I will stay close to You and believe all the scriptures and obey them.  Not in my understanding and strength, but by the blessing and strength of the Holy Spirit.  For I know I have no spiritual wisdom or strength of my own.  I am encouraged that because of love toward each of us, which is beyond measure, and because You are God; all Your loving and obedient children are remembered.  Malachi 3: 16”…… so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.”  I am very thankful, that You want those who are obedient, with You in heaven.  V 17 “’They shall be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘on the day that I make them My jewels,’ and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’”

It is such an honour to anticipate being made one of Your jewels, and for being able to ask for Your assistance to be in heaven.

Amen