Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:

Revelation 16:7 “And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

Scripture:

Revelation 15:1
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

Observation:

This chapter describes two seemingly separate actions that are actually connected.

-Praise for God.
-God’s wrath being poured out.

Application:

In the majority of western Christianity there is no room for worship of a wrathful God. Unless God “behaves” in kindness and grace we don’t worship Him. However this passage stretches our understanding of the character of God. When a Holy God pours out wrath from heaven He is still worthy of worship. A few things.

-God is God. We worship Him for that, even if we don’t fully understand His actions.

-If I “worship” only when God behaves the way I want, I’m not worshipping Him. I am only showing my approval/disapproval of His actions. That is not worship. That is being a fair weather fan.

-I need to take a lesson from the angels. When they worship, I should worship. What they celebrate, I should celebrate. Whether it is opening scrolls or pouring out bowls, God is still worthy to be worshipped.

Prayer:

Father forgive me for choosing when I worship you. May I learn unconditional worship from the angels.

Scripture:

V7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Observation:

Angels are preaching and warning people of impending judgement. Even up to the last minute, the angels are preaching the simple truth and giving people and opportunity to worship our God. God provides a “last call” to those on earth to worship Him and give Him glory. Our God is a God of judgement but also of love and second chances.

People living during the tribulation will find life difficult. Believers even more so.  But people will still be faced with making a clear choice; Persevere through faith, even if it means loss of money, home, family or life, or receive the mark of the beast. I am not sure many of today’s Christians realize the difficulty that some believers will endure. No food, job, home, torture, etc. It will be a real test of one’s faith. They will need to persevere.  

Applications:

I may not be tested in the same way but I still have the same choices. I can choose God or I can choose the world. I need to persevere and continue to choose God. Do my decisions worship God or worship the world? What am I willing to give up to give in to God’s desires? Easy to say but it is harder to do. It can range from the small (do I call it a Holiday party or Christmas party?) to the tough (say no to a promotion or job that may keep me from attending or serving at a local church).

As a Christian, I cannot be afraid nor can I be silent. I still have the opportunity to spread the Gospel. I have freedom of speech and freedom of worship and need to take advantage of those freedoms to pronounce the simple truth. The angels were spreading it up to the last minute. What is stopping me from spreading the good news today? Am I ready and prepared to take advantage of opportunities to spread the Gospel? That requires regular reading, journaling, worshipping and living according to his word.

Prayer:

Help me to be a bold disciple. Give me the courage to speak, live and spread your Gospel no matter what the circumstances or consequences. Allow me to seize the opportunities to share the word to non believers and to strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ.   

Scripture:

Revelation 13

1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea …

3 … the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.

4 … and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God …

10 … Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth …

12 It … makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast …

13 It performs great signs …

14 … and … it deceives those who dwell on earth …

18 This calls for wisdom …

Observation:

 John is seeing multiple beasts now, one rising from the sea and one rising from the earth.

The first beast captures the attention of everyone, “the whole earth marvels”.

But even worse, it also capture the people’s allegiance, “they followed the beast”.

The beast will seem unsurmountable. Things will seem desperate, “Who can fight against it?”

The beast will then tell lies against the one true God.

The second beast conspires with the first beast to “make the earth worship the first beast”.

It does this with great signs and deception.

Application:

The world often seems like a desperate and even foolhardy place.

Our ability to see events around the world all at once now can exacerbate these thoughts.

Filtered memories can create nostalgic thoughts for “the good ol’ days”.

But the reality is, evil has always been here.

And John, in his vision, is saying there will be a time when it’s even worse than today.

It will be so bad that the “whole earth” will seemingly “marvel” and “follow” and “worship” what is evil.

How does evil do this? … Like it always has … LIES … uttering blasphemies against God.

When it seems as if the “whole earth” has gone astray and no one can “fight against it”, John gives me the answer to what I am to do.

I am “called” to “endurance” and “faith”.

I can not fight the beast. But I can have endurance and faith in the One who can.

We live in a time of increasingly amazing feats of man’s ability to do what seemed impossible not long ago.

There are “signs” and “wonders” that could easily distract and deceive me from the need for reliance on God.

When it seems as if the “whole earth” is “deceived” by “great signs”, John gives me the answer to what I am to do.

I am “called” to “wisdom”.

And wisdom, like faith, is not from me. It is from God.

John gives me two callings: “Enduring Faith” and “Wisdom”

May I have Faith in God to close my ears the lies of the beast.

May I have Wisdom from God to close my eyes to the great signs of the beast.       

Prayer:

Thank you again God for your Word.

Help me recognize the Truth of it when contrasted to the lies of the world.

Help me to not be distracted by the deceptions of the world.

Help me Holy Spirit to be Wise and to have Enduring Faith.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Scripture:

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
Revelation 12:10-12

Observation:

After a battle with the angels, the devil and his demons are thrown from heaven. The devil is revealed for what he is, a fraud and an accuser of man. His presence on earth is felt by people and the earth is warned that the presence of the devil on earth will have consequences.

Application:

A few things…

The enemy will never have the power to overthrow the reign of God. I must embrace this and live in the awareness of the authority and reign of God.

The enemy is an accuser. That is his ministry. He accuses men. His tools are guilt and shame. However, since he has been thrown down, he has no audience before God. His accusations have no power. I can’t allow the accusations of the enemy to define me. I must instead trust in what Jesus says about me. I am loved, valued and forgiven.

The blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony has power to destroy the claims of the enemy. I must continue to claim the blood of Christ and tell my story of forgiveness and salvation everyday of my life.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for your authority and power over the enemy. May I trust your love and the story you have been given me. We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.

Scripture:

And at that hour there was a great earthquake and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. And the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of Heaven. (Rev 11:13)

Observation:

Action, reaction. How do I measure my action and responses considering the Light of the Word of God?

Application:

Reading Revelation my eyes get immediately drawn to the Story. I want to know about the Horns and the 2 Prophets and the resurrection of the dead—trumpets, thunder, sounds of all kinds. Elders dropping at His feet in worship saying “Glory to Him who lives evermore!” I want to add my two cents to all the folks who came before me in the interpretation of whatever is the “meaning.” I guess that since “Late, Great, Planet Earth” (Hal Lindsey-I had a first copy!), I have read and spent time thinking about the End Times and Revelation extensively.

But now I want to read the message in between the “Big” things. Verse 13 caught my eye-an earthquake; pretty big one at that. One tenth of the city flattened. 5,000 people killed. And the scriptures testified of the inhabitant’s response: the rest of the city terrified! And in their terror they “…gave glory to the God of Heaven.”

Not the response I thought would happen. What is the response I normally see concerning calamities? On television I see more and more testimony of the Goodness of God in saving lives. But around my office I hear a subtly worded difference really asking “why did God let this happen?” I am not pure concerning the question-I think this too sometimes. But look at these guys in v13: Calamity and Terror-result? Glory to God (however it came). If honoring God doesn’t come as a result of my surrender, then it will come as a result of His Righteous Wrath upon the wicked.

“The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Prov 1:7) I want to humble myself under the Hand of God all my days. Continual surrender.

Prayer:

Father: that is how I must read Revelation I think. It is a Story of Your Coming and of the actions and reactions of the people of Earth-some Redeemed, many not. It is a Story to be read with Awe and Wonder and not a little bit of Fear. I must battle that tendency in me to be arrogant in your Presence, assuming on Your Love for me (which you lavish on me-how’s that for a dichotomy?) but remembering in worship that You are Creator of the universe, I am created. You are Potter, I am clay. While You love me and have redeemed me with an Everlasting Love, anything I am, all my achievements and crowns, I throw at Your feet because only You are Worthy. Doesn’t take an earthquake for me to see that. AMEN

Scripture:

Revelation 10:10 – 11 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”

Observation:

John, like Ezekiel, is a prophet after consuming the scroll. The message of the scroll is sweet for those who are God’s children but harsh for those who still are unrepentant. The message on the scroll that John must give is for everyone.

Application:

The message of the gospel is for all peoples, nations and even earthly kings. There is a coming day of judgement which can’t be avoided where God will bring destruction to the earth and those that do not believe. The Good News is that God sent Jesus to redeem us from our sins and wants all who believe to be saved. This creates a sense of urgency for me to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all as there are coming eternal consequences. Jesus last words are the “Great Commission” where we are to go and make disciples of all the nations teaching them to obey the commands he has given us. This is my/our responsibility not a mere suggestion. Eternity is too long to get it wrong.

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you for the truth in your word. Help me to share your love with a sense of urgency as we learn from Revelation the coming day of judgement.

Scripture:

Revelation 8:3-4
And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Observation:

The angel takes the prayers of the saints along with incense and burns it on the altar before the throne of God. The prayers and the smoke rose up before God.

Application:

Prayer is a crazy thing. Sometimes it feels like a waste of time. We pray and sometimes we don’t ever see them answered. However what we see in this passage is that no prayer is wasted. The saints prayers are placed on a altar and the fragrance of the prayers reaches the nostrils of God.

A few things…

-Pray. Even if it doesn’t seem like they are being answered there will be a time when God will hear and “smell” them.
-The saints might have gone their whole lives thinking no one heard or cared about their prayers, until this moment.
-What do my prayers “smell” like? Are they a sweet aroma to God or are they selfish and whiny? Are my prayers pleasing to God?

Prayers:

Father may my prayers be pleasing to you. May you not only hear them but smell them and may they be a fragrant offering to you.

Scripture:

4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.

Observation:

Trumpets, plagues, and confusing visions of tormenting that will happen to Ones that have not been sealed with the seal of God.

Application:

There is a word that stuck out to me here…..”allowed” even though these things are of the enemy God is still in control and aware of all that is going on. God is still watching, allowing, and desiring the ones that are not his own. The plagues are terrible yet they are desired to produce repentance. The end of this chapter it says for the ones who have not repented….God desires all to repent 1 Thess 5:8.

For me this morning my heart is encouraged that God does no give up but will go to extreme measure to get me to and lead me to repent.
God is always giving more time….but there will be a time where it is too late.
I must pray for the world and the people of the world who don’t know him as I never want anyone to experience these things.

Prayer:

Father give me eyes to see what you see and see what you saved me from. These are painful and terrible things that God you know are the root of evil and sin. Help me be reminded daily.

Scripture:

7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

Observation:

This chapter starts with John describing four angels that are holding back wind at the four corners of the earth. These winds have the power to destroy. In Florida, we have seen what kind of damage strong winds can do. They can destroy property, knock down trees, take out power and take lives.

When the four winds are let go on earth, it is going to be really, really bad. At that time, pursuits of riches, power, happiness, status, etc. don’t matter. Earthly interests don’t matter. What matters is being one of God’s servants; worshiping and honoring God.

Applications:

If the pursuits of earthly and worldly matters don’t matter at the end times, they don’t matter now either. There is no difference between what our focus should be now versus believers focus during the “end times”. I should be living my life with a single purpose and that is to bring people to Christ that don’t know Him. I need to live my life as an example to others and to remain focused on God’s will for my life. By doing so, I will be one of the people who have the opportunity to worship and serve our God in His temple.

Prayer:

Father, help me examine my heart and my priorities. Help me to keep my focus on you and the people that don’t know you and what you did for us. Help me to remember to act as your light in a dark world all the time and not just when it is convenient for me.

Scripture:

Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Observation:

No one in heaven was worthy to open the scrolls except Jesus. What made Jesus worthy? His completed work on the cross and His resurrection.

Application:

Jesus is worthy. If He is worthy to open the scrolls in heaven, He is worthy to be the master of my life.

-Submit to Jesus because He is worthy.
-Worship Jesus because He died for me and rose again.
-Trust in Him for everything that will happen in the last days. If Jesus is the one opening the scrolls, I don’t have to be afraid.

Prayer:

Jesus, you are worthy! Worthy to open the scrolls and worthy to be the master of my life.

Scripture:

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne (who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne saying: “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things and by your will they existed and were created.” Rev 4:9-11

Observation:

Significant. Out of all of redeemed humanity, there will be 24 “elders” who are in a place of direct contact (or close physical proximity) with our Lord God, Jesus. There is a singular significant action that they take—casting their crowns at His feet. Why?

Application:

“Casting crowns” jogs my brain cells this morning. Not only is there a Christian music group of that name, but many songs float up in my memory talking about the act.

 I remember there are scriptures that reference my receiving of various “crowns”:

2 Tim 4:8-“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on That Day…

James 1:12-“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life…

 1 Peter 5:4-“And when the Chief Shepard appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Righteousness, Life, and Glory: these are extraordinary achievements deserving of a little recognition. But maybe not: I have to really look at these 24 elders to understand what they are thinking and acting upon with knowledge.

There is this little phrase I see repeated often in my readings: “In the light of (my) Redemption…” The fact is that any and all “achievements” (or crowns) I must put them in the frame of Redemption. The elders get it: Awarded crowns and the recognition that accompanies achievements (even their own thoughts), what do they do? Rip them off their heads and throw them at the Feet of their Redeemer crying with a loud voice (not whispering, not murmuring, but saying loudly) “Worthy are You, O Lord!!”

So this is the reaction from the 2 dozen Elders. What reaction should I imitate and put in place? Candidly I like pats on the back, acknowledgement, specific encouragement, and recognition. There is a certain pleasure that I get from these things. Is it sinful to like pats on the back? Nope, except that if I get into it too much, it can become (and does) turn into Idolatry. Idolatry of what? Why, me-I make an idol of me.

How do I combat this tendency in me? Transparently: with difficulty. I struggle with this probably on a daily basis and am envious of folks who don’t seem to. The writer of Hebrews indicates that daily encouragement is an activity individually we can engage in to keep someone from the “deceitfulness of sin.” Still, whether I am receiving accolades from the outside or breaking my arm patting myself on the back-my actions are to be: Note it; express thanks for receiving it, and; immediately transfer Glory to God-for in the light of our Redemption He alone deserves it.

 Prayer:

Father-You see how often I want to put my shoulder out of socket trying to reach my back. Sometimes I get so discouraged because I cry “Doesn’t anybody see?” I know You say You see but I lack faith in being satisfied with You. It’s true-and I hang my head in shame in writing this. But You have seen my frailty in Hebrews 3:12-13 and addressed it. Doesn’t mean it is fixed, just addressed. More than ever, though, I want to excel in the Elder’s practice: casting my “crowns” at Your feet. All things are done by You, made possible through You, sustained through You-redeemed through You and You alone. Yours, O Lord, be the Glory forevermore. AMEN.

Scripture:

Revelation 3:16-17, 19 – “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”

Observation:

Jesus is telling the church in Laodicea, that they are just “playing church” and going through the motions. The church fails to recognize their own desperate condition. Jesus has and is everything we need to be right with God. This is the Good News, that he loves us and wants us to repent to be on fire for Him.

Application:

Strong words of warning from Jesus for the church at Laodicea that are equally applicable to the church in America and myself today. We live in a culture where, for the most part, our needs are pretty much met. Therefore we need to be on alert and not put our faith on cruise control and think we’ve got this deal figured on our own. The second we lose focus of the Gospel we are in danger of forgetting our sin and what Jesus did to save us. All good things come from God who provides us with a wealth far more valuable than anything of earthly measure. I must repent from thinking I am driving and Jesus is my passenger to submit that I owe everything to Him.

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you for the truth in your word. Let me not just go through the motions and be lukewarm about my faith. Help me to have a passion and love that others can see points to you.

Scripture:

Revelation 2: 3-4

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

Observation:

Revelation chapter 2 begins a series of seven letters written in Revelation to seven churches. John records the words of the risen Christ to the churches. The first of this series of letters is written to the church in Ephesus. The church at Ephesus is commended for their endurance and their doctrine. The letter includes that the church has even endured many hardships for the name of Jesus yet has not grown weary. However, there is one flaw in Ephesus and that is that they have forsaken the love that they first had. They have forgotten love. This fault is considered so important that they are threatened with being counted apostate if they do not repent.

Application:

Ephesus was a church who was getting it right. They checked the boxes of what we would want in a healthy church. Their doctrine was sound, they were a holy people, they even persevere through persecution. Yet, they had forgotten love. How can I be similar in my faith? If my doctrine and my life are of my own striving and not of the overflow of love for Jesus and others then I have badly missed the mark. The call of the church in Ephesus is the same call that Jesus has for me today. Love.

Prayer:

Jesus thank you for your love that changes everything. Thank you that you speak to me and give your people chance for repentance. God I ask for your forgiveness in areas of my life where I have failed to love and I ask that you would renew my desire to love deeply yourself and those around me. Amen.