Category: Revelation

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Dinner’s Over…

But the joy remains!

Do you remember that sound of laughter, the fun and contentment from yesterday? Everyone around the table enjoying one another’s company?

Isn’t it great to know that we can have that for all eternity? Our heavenly Father is waiting for us all to come to His dinner table – to laugh, to sing, just to be together and enjoy His presence!

Now that will be a wonderful dinner of Thanksgiving. All of us have been invited to that wonderful supper.

“Then I heard what seemed to be a large crowd that sounded like a roaring flood and loud thunder all mixed together. They were saying,

‘Praise the Lord! Our Lord God All-Powerful now rules as king. 7 So we will be glad and happy and give him praise. The wedding day of the Lamb is here, and his bride is ready. 8 She will be given a wedding dress made of pure and shining linen. This linen stands for the good things God’s people have done.’

9 Then the angel told me, ‘Put this in writing. God will bless everyone who is invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.‘ The angel also said, ‘These things that God has said are true.'” Revelation 19:6-9 CEV

We have all been invited to that feast. The invitation is open-ended.

“ It says this because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all people. And he richly blesses everyone who looks to him for help. 13 Yes, ‘everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved.‘” Romans 10:12-13 ERV

Everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved. Everyone. I hope and pray that you have placed your trust in Him.

Accept the invitation and join in the heavenly dinner that God is preparing for us.

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Music in the Silence

I sit quietly. The only sounds to be heard is the low drone of the air conditioner and the cycle of the coffee maker.

And then I open my Bible and begin to read. From my reading my mind and my spirit are filled with music.

“Shout praises to the Lord! Praise God in his temple. Praise him in heaven, his mighty fortress. 2 Praise our God! His deeds are wonderful, too marvelous to describe.3 Praise God with trumpets and all kinds of harps. 4 Praise him with tambourines and dancing, with stringed instruments and woodwinds. 5 Praise God with cymbals, with clashing cymbals.
6 Let every living creature praise the Lord.  Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 150 CEV

There is a symphony of praise in the heavens – the orchestra is finely tuned. There are no squeaks or squawks like I made learning to play the clarinet. There is only praise – praise to the Lord God Almighty.

“Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, 3  as they shouted, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord All-Powerful! The earth is filled with your glory.’” Isaiah 6:2-3 CEV

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:11-13 KJV

We are part of a marvelous concert – a concert of praise. Psalms tells us that the Lord inhabits, dwells in, the praise of His people. Come into the Lord’s presence – enter His courts with praise!

Let the music of heaven fill the silence and praise His holy name!

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What’s On Your Mind?

I’ll tell you what’s on my mind. This morning, I was continuing to think about the confidence we can have when we pray.

I gave you a number of verses yesterday for you to think on – verses that lead us to confidently trust the Lord, so, it was no surprise to me this morning when my reading dealt with our thoughts.

“Our God, be kind and bless us! Be pleased and smile. 2 Then everyone on earth will learn to follow you, and all nations will see your power to save us.” Psalm 67:1-2 CEV

David was reminding the people of Israel of God’s kindness, protection and provisions. I smiled when I read the words be pleased and smile. The thought of God looking at me and smiling definitely put a smile on my face.

So, think on God’s kindness and His smiling face.

Then, I read Paul’s instruction to us from Colossians and Philippians.

“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. 3 You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. 4 Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory.

5 Don’t be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex. Don’t be immoral or indecent or have evil thoughts. Don’t be greedy, which is the same as worshiping idols.” Colossians 3:1-3 CEV

“Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 CEV

Thinking about heaven and what life is like there gives us wonderful insight on how God wants our life to be here. When our thinking is in line with God’s character – truthful, pure, right, and worthwhile we will have God’s peace. Knowing He is kind and that He sent Christ to be our example gives us an understanding of what pleases the Father.

Knowing what pleases the Father and praying for it to come to pass here on earth gives us confidence when we pray. Isn’t that the instruction Jesus gave us in what we call the Lord’s prayer?

“We pray that your kingdom will come— that what you want will be done here on earth, the same as in heaven.”. Matthew 6:10 ERV

That begs the question: What’s it like in heaven?

“I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, ‘Now God’s home is with people. He will live with them. They will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain. All the old ways are gone.” Revelation 21:3-4 ERV

That’s how heaven will be!

Let me close by going back to what Paul said in Colossians 3.

“Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there” and remember God is smiling at you!

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His Name is Jesus

Who occupies my waking thoughts? His name is Jesus!

This morning I’ve been sitting here trying to remember the lyrics for the melody that is running through my head, and I am at a loss. I have done every possible goggle search of combinations of words and still haven’t found the lyrics.

However – that has not stopped me from worshipping the precious name of Jesus. Magnify the matchless name of Jesus!

“Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is coming; and from the seven spirits before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the faithful witness. He is first among all who will be raised from death. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. Jesus is the one who loves us and has made us free from our sins with his blood sacrifice. 6 He made us his kingdom and priests who serve God his Father. To Jesus be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:4-6 ERV

King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Praise the matchless name of Jesus. Forever He shall reign; His name is Jesus! Magnify the precious name of Jesus!

“ She will give birth to a son. You will name him Jesus. Give him that name because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 ERV

“On his robe and on his leg was written this name: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” Revelation 19:16 ERV

Heaven and earth honor and stand silent at the name of Jesus.

“So God raised him up to the most important place and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. 10 God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus. Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow.” Philippians 2:9-10 ERV

This wonderful King, this wonderful Savior and Lord, His name is Jesus!

“ People insulted him, but he did not insult them back. He suffered, but he did not threaten anyone. No, he let God take care of him. God is the one who judges rightly. 24 Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed. 25 You were like sheep that went the wrong way. But now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your lives.” I Peter 2:23-25 ERV

I will forever praise the name of Jesus!

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No Limit

As I was reading this morning, I came across these verses in Psalms, Genesis and Revelation.

“Who is this glorious king? He is our Lord, a strong and mighty warrior. 9 Open the ancient gates, so that the glorious king may come in. 10 Who is this glorious king? He is our Lord,  the All-Powerful!” Psalms 24:8-10 CEV

“ When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” Genesis 17:1-2 NLT

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8 NLT

After reading those verses I had to ask myself, “do I limit God”? Honestly and truthfully, yes I do on many occasions. By my own understanding and doubt, I do.

Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and he asked the Lord to let him do it too. Jesus said “Come”. He did. Then…

“But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 At once, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?”

32 When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down.” Matthew 14:30-32 CEV

Fear of anything causes us to doubt. Doubt ourselves and doubt God.

It’s when we keep our eyes fastened on the Lord, seeing Him as God Almighty, who loves us and desires to be in relationship with us, who came to earth as Immanuel (God with us) that we remove doubt and fear. We gain a confidence that only God can give.

It’s hard to put into words.

Our heavenly Father wants us to know Him as the Almighty One, the beginning and the end. The first, the last and everything in between. He is limitless, there is no one greater, He has no equal.

“Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others. 10 So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11 And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, “Jesus Christ is Lord!” Philippians 2:9-11 CEV

I encourage you, and myself, to meditate on who God says He is – El Shaddai, God Almighty. There is none greater and He has placed Himself in relationship with us!

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Keep Life Spicy

Yesterday I was making homemade pizza for our dinner. I really enjoy cooking with fresh vegetables. As I was slicing and dicing, my mind began to wander. How many kinds of peppers are there?

I had just chopped jalapenos, green bell peppers, used diced green chili peppers and sprinkled on some fresh ground black pepper. When the pizza was done, we would sprinkle on some red pepper flakes. There are ghost peppers, habanero, poblano, serrano, and those are just the ones that I am familiar with. How many other kinds of peppers are there around the world?

Why didn’t God just stop after he had created three or four varieties? Wouldn’t that have been enough to add spice to our lives?

As I was pondering that I began humming a children’s chorus from Sunday School days: Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.

God did with people what He had done with peppers. He created variety.

“The Scriptures say no one who has faith will be disappointed, 12 no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13  All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13 CEV

Jew or Gentile (all of us who aren’t Jews), the Lord is generous to us ALL. ALL who call on Him will have salvation. No one is excluded from God’s plan of reconciliation. No one has been set outside of His grace. No one will be rejected. All people have infinite value to our God and heavenly Father.

The family of God is an all-inclusive melting pot from the nations. Jesus told the disciples to go into ALL the world and preach the gospel.

John wrote this in the book of Revelation.

“After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than could be counted. They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands, 10 as they shouted

‘Our God, who sits upon the throne, has the power to save his people, and so does the Lamb.’” Revelation 7:9-10 CEV

Heaven will be filled with those from every tribe and nation. The message of God’s love reaches to the whole of humanity. If it could be bought, it would only be available to the wealthy. We receive salvation by grace so that no one would be excluded.

We have so much we can learn from all who are in the body of Christ.

My meals would be bland and boring without the use of peppers. I’m glad God saw fit to make so many varieties to spice things up. But I am even more thankful that He has included ALL who come to Him with sincere hearts into the family of God.

Together we have a way of spicing things up for His glory!

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No Room

Have you had those moments when a simple conversation has become a profound lesson?

We had moved back to Arizona from Montana, and we lived close to a small artisans’ community called Tubac. It became my favorite place to shop. We were decorating our home, and I found so many unique pieces there.

For years, I have collected angels and nativities. The shops had a myriad of those two items, but I found one thing very strange. In one particular shop there were nativities from around the world but there were no baby Jesus’.

Then I saw a small handwritten sign. “Please ask for the baby Jesus.” So, I did. I asked Max, the shop keeper, where’s the baby Jesus? He told me they had to keep them under the counter and in the back area of the store because people would steal the baby Jesus.

Steal the baby Jesus! Yes. Who would steal the baby Jesus? I couldn’t imagine that.

“ While they were there in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth to her baby. 7 Her first son was born. She put cloth around Him and laid Him in a place where cattle are fed. There was no room for them in the place where people stay for the night.” Luke 2:6-7 NLV

I was taken back by the thought of someone stealing Jesus but I shouldn’t have been. Remember, that first Christmas when Jesus was born? There was no room for them except in a stable.

If the Innkeeper had known that Mary was carrying the Messiah would he have evicted one of the other guests and given her a room? But there was nothing about this young expecting couple that set them apart as holy and God-chosen. They were just weary travelers.

No room.

A stolen baby Jesus.

People have been taking Jesus out of the picture for years. He’s been replaced by Santa, stolen from society by the Grinch and an Elf. Yet, He still comes to each heart looking for a place to stay.

“See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and we will eat together.” Revelation 3:20 NLV

Don’t let Jesus be stolen from your Christmas celebration. May we always have room for Jesus!

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Happy Thanksgiving

Today let us join the saints of old and the heavenly choir and give thanks to the Lord God Almighty who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly place and who gives us every good and perfect gift. As we sit around our dinner tables let’s give thanks with hearts filled with gratitude.

“And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:11-12

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:29 NIV

We have so much to be thankful for.

“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3-4 CEV

Father, thank You for choosing us, making us Your children. Thank You for being our good Father, someone we can trust. Someone who will never abandon us or leave us frightened, but Who is the giver and supplier of our peace. We love You, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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The Beginning, Middle & End

Our lives are like a book. Different chapters, different characters, different locations, but God has a definite story to fill each page. Here we are starting a new month and it won’t be long until we welcome a new year.

So, let’s start at the beginning.

“In the beginning God…” Genesis 1:1a

In the beginning of creation – In the beginning of my life – In the beginning of my current situation – In the beginning GOD!

God was there at the very beginning and He’s still here halfway through and He will be there at the end! He has chosen to invest Himself in my life, in my world, in my total existence. As the King David said in the Psalms, “Selah”. Stop and think, meditate, ponder deeply these words.

He hasn’t pulled back yet and He won’t. He will continue to be involved in all He has created for all eternity – He is the eternal, the everlasting God and Father. And He’s here for us because He loves us!

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV

Jesus spoke these words. He had referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd who leads us, His sheep. He leads us to green pastures; He protects us from our enemies; He gave His life to save ours.

I grew up singing this hymn, He Lives, and the older I get the more I realize the message in the words.

“I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives, he lives Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!”

Amen! He lives and, in His living, He provides for all that we need.

“Jesus is the one who says that all of this is true. Now he says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all people.” Revelation 22:20-21 ERV

It should give us great joy to know that He is coming soon.

Yes, with all the uncertainty in the world one thing is certain, He is coming soon. And He was and is and will continue to be kind to all. That’s the reason He came, out of love, He became our substitute, the sacrifice for our sins so that we can be reconciled to the Father. Forgiveness is ours; new life is ours; restoration is ours – we simply need to receive it as the free gift that it is.

When we focus on our beginning, we’ll find God and as we look to the end, we will see that He’s coming. And in the middle, He is reaching out to us in kindness, wanting to be involved in our daily lives in a powerful way.

Beginning, middle and end, Lord, we place it all in your hands.

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Jesus Wept

As Christians we aren’t immune from heartache and grief. No, but we do have the Promised Holy Spirit to comfort and to console.

The last few days I have experienced a personal grief that I have only shared with my family and a close friend. What do we do when the tears flow and our hearts ache? How to deal with loss?

Jesus wept!

His friend had died and now Jesus was with the sisters and friends who were in mourning, and He wept. This wasn’t the only occasion that we see Jesus weeping. He wept over the residents of Jerusalem and their rejection of Him. He wept in the garden knowing His life would be given as a sacrifice for sins and He would experience a temporary separation from the Father.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 KJV

Jesus wept.

When His disciples were facing their greatest time of sorrow, He promised them a Comforter.

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 AMPC

Jesus says another Comforter. He had been the One to comfort and encourage them for the past three years. He had calmed their fears, healed their family members, showed them how to face adversity and verbal persecution.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 NLV

Now, He would be leaving but He would not orphan them. He sent them, and us, a Comforter who would live with them constantly, individually and collectively. The Holy Spirit is our constant companion.

God doesn’t ignore or discount our heartache and grief. He carries it and He heals it.

“You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them.” Psalm 56:8 CEV

One of the things that will make heaven, heaven, is that there will be no more tears, no more sorrow and no more pain.

“Yes, God will make his home among his people. 4  He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever. 5 Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted.” Revelation 21:3b-5 CEV

Until then, remember Jesus wept. He knows our sorrow and grief and He has sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter.

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