Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:

Revelation 11:17,18 – And they said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from least to greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”

Observation:

After the seventh angel blew his trumpet to announce the reign of Christ, the twenty-four elders’ response was to worship and give thanks to God. As the pray, they refer to God Almighty as the one who is and who always was because His reign has begun. The nations opposed God and aligned themselves with evil gloating over the death of His prophets. There will be a judgement where all who fear the name of God and are His servants will be rewarded. Those who have chosen to reject God will be punished for their destruction on earth and be separated from God for eternity. God is patient and wants all to repent and have a relationship with Him

Application:

John tells us what happens when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet. The clock has wound down to double zero for those who never placed their faith and trust in the Almighty God and they will be thusly punished. My response needs to be worship and praise for the one true God, who by his grace we are saved and able to be called His children. God’s judgement is real and is coming at a time that we do not know. This provides a sense of urgency to share the Gospel in love and help save the lost. We may not have as much time as we think and “eternity is too long to get it wrong.”

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for your love and grace in sending Jesus to the cross to pay for our sins so we can be redeemed and have a relationship with you. Let your Spirit guide me to have a sense of urgency to share your Gospel with those you are patiently waiting to know.

Scripture:

Revelation 10:10 – 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.

Observation:

This chapter is pretty confusing and odd. I also like to use the word mysterious as even in the chapter there is mystery within the voice of the angel. Job can’t even speak some of the things the angel is saying. But what he does do is eat the scroll that has the things he is supposed to say. What is even more interesting is they scroll or message he ate was sweet to him yet made bitter and not sweet once it passed through him. I think I know what the Lord is trying to teach me here.

Application:

The word of God should be sweet to his servants…..yet at times when proclaiming those words and truths it isn’t to the people whom receive them. The scroll turned bitter in his stomach which is a little interesting being that what was sweet to him is now bitter to him…if the words of God are not sweet as honey as even the psalms says I must come to a place of humility and ask why? If it is only just God words and just facts and historical truths rather than words of Life and hope, sweet as honey, I have a heart check due.

Prayer:

Father, check and search my heart. Do I see your word as sweet as honey and a joy to my heart? Do I have life because of your word? Search me Lord and change me and shape me to your image.

Scripture:

Revelation 9:4 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.

Observation:

As the judgement unravels it is obvious that every detail has been prepared. When we see the wrath of God so specific we must understand that nothing happens outside of His plan. Those who are not sealed will experience great pain as a result of their sin and unfaithfulness.

Application:

Journaling though revelation is tough. It is filled with wrath and loss. Somehow it is all for the glory of God, but it can be difficult to understand and connect how the God of grace is also the God of wrath. It is when I read these passages that I am reminded that without the sacrifice and grace of God, judgement would be my future. It is only because of Christ I can stand in the midst of the unraveling of his wrath.
1. Be thankful for grace.
2. Pray for those who don’t know Christ.
3. Believe that the wrath is justified and that sin not covered under the blood of Christ must be punished.

Prayer:

God thank you for your grace that allows me to read revelation without fear for me personally. However I am reminded to lift up my lost friends, neighbors, etc. Use me to share your story of Grace through the cross today.

Scripture:

Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Observation:

John describes for us what worship is like in heaven. In response to the four beings ceaselessly praising God Almighty, the twenty four elders fall down before the throne of God to worship and lay their crowns there. The elders worship by saying God is worthy to receive honor, glory and power. God is deserving of our praise as He created all things purposefully. This confirms that from creation forward, God is in sovereign control of the world.

Application:

We should worship God as the beings and elders do in heaven! Our worship should be continual and in response to His authority over our lives not as a result of our situation. I need to fall down and praise God for who He is and what He done daily! God created us to be in a relationship with Him and through our faith in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus we will spend eternity in heaven. God is deserving of all of our honor, glory and praise as he is Almighty. God created all the heavens and earth along with each of us to worship Him.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you creating us and sending Jesus so we can worship you. Let me praise you never ending as in heaven because you are worthy of all our honor and praise.

Scripture:

v20 – As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Observation:

Revelation is not a chapter that is full of happy rainbows. It is a chapter that describes much suffering, destruction and death. But John is directed to write these things down because they must take place.

When the Bible is addressing a church, it is usually addressing the believers in that city. The collective body. A church is defined by people. Therefore, I am part of a church. If the church is represented by a lamp stand, I am supposed to be part of the lamp stand.

The purpose of a lamp stand is to be seen. Lamp stands are meant as a vessel to shine light. Lamp stands are for guidance. Lamp stands help people navigate the darkness that is around them so they won’t stumble. Lamp stands are meant to be set in a place that can be seen. They are not hidden. You can see the light of a lamp stand from far away.

People are attracted to the light. Even a small light can be seen in darkness

Even if someone is not going to the light, they are given direction by the light. The closer they are to the light, the more influence or direction the light can provide.

The lampstands in Revelation are pointing to Jesus. They are surrounding Him as He is the center of the church.

Application:

First, I should put Jesus as the center of my life. Everything I do should revolve around the way He wants me to live my life and reflect His light.

Second, I should be living my life as an example to others. As a Christian, I am to be a light among the world’s darkness. I am to stand out and stand up as a proud Christian. How much light I reflect is in direct proportion to how I live my life according to Gods will. How much light I reflect determines how much guidance and direction I provide to others or. In essence, how effective I am as a lamp stand.

To be an effective provider of His light, my actions must match my words. I must continually study the word and learn from other Christians. I must examine my heart and recognize areas that cause me to stumble and not reflect His light. I must turn away from sin and the temptation that causes me to sin.

Prayer:

Father help me to examine my life and understand the areas of my life that prevent me from reflecting your life and shining your light as bright as I am able. Give me the wisdom and guidance and strength to be a Christian lamp stand in this world.

Scripture:

Vs. 10 “But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all they understand instinctively.”
Vs. 11 “For they … abandoned themselves for the sake of gain.”
Vs. 16 “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.”
Vs. 18 “In the last time there will be scoffers following their own ungodly passions.”
Vs. 20 “But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Vs. 21 “keep yourselves in the love of God.”

Observation:

Jude has a series of very harsh warnings here.
These are warnings of being “destroyed”, “abandoned”, and ultimately condemned.
There is a common theme about these warnings: Selfishness …. living for and from Me!
Living for what I “understand instinctively”, “for the sake of gain”, for my “own sinful desires”, and “to gain advantage”, and for my “own sinful passions”,
Jude then draws a beautiful distinction with the simple phrase … “But you, beloved ….”
The whole rest of the world is described and then Jude shifts to those “in faith” and “in God’s love”.
These receive the opposite of destruction and abandonment.
They are built up, receiving mercy and eternal life.

Application:

Jude’s description of so many is fascinating, because he is simply describing people. Normal people living as they normally live. He even uses the word “instinctively”.
How many of my actions are directed by what I want to “gain”?
How many of my decisions are determined by “my desire”?
What a great reminder that “normal” is “sinful”.
What I want to do “instinctively” will lead me to live sinfully!
The easiest response, of course, is “But everybody does it!”
Yes, and this is the excuse of children.
Jude’s response to this excuse is, “But you, beloved …”
I don’t have to live as everyone else lives.
How? Living in faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.
Why? Because Love Changes Everything.
I am “kept in the love of God” and the “mercy of Jesus” that “leads to eternal life”.

Prayer:

God thank you again for your warnings and your hope.
Help me see what is destructive and what builds up.
Open my eyes to see in a way that didn’t lead to selfish decision making.
Give me your desires to live in faith and love.
In Jesus name.
Amen.

Scripture:

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:51-54 ESV)

Observation:

There were a number of extraordinary things happening surrounding Jesus’ death. I have learned many of these things over the years and yet I struggle to be constantly and habitually amazed by them. Why is that?

Application:

This could have been a scene from any Marvel movie; or any action fantasy…even a highly detailed video game. The scene changes from the Temple where the curtain to the Holy of Holy’s is torn from the TOP to the BOTTOM (not from the bottom up)…to the surrounding city where earthquakes are happening to rocks splitting…to the cemetery where dead folks are jumping up alive again (not zombies)…back to Jerusalem proper where these “alive again” folks are being seen by many…back to Golgotha—where all the executioners could respond with was awe—“This truly was the Son of God!!” I can’t tell anybody when I last experienced an earthquake, saw dead folks walking around, saw rocks crack in two, etc. But, knowing that I have experienced the Grace of God in making me a new man with a new heart, should I be any less in awe? Any less in wonder? Any less in amazement? I just don’t think and meditate about these things enough. I don’t study the Gospel. I do things. I work. I like activity more than study, thinking, conversing with one another (a different activity than witnessing). I talk about the last game more than I talk about whatever new and neat thing I found in the Scriptures or side reading to my buds. Gotta change that habit….

Prayer:

Father—Your word is like honey, sweeter than the honey comb. Please help me to treasure Your Word more and more. Help me to talk about You and Your deeds to my children, grandchildren, and to the next generations to come. Am I a guy who is considered in love with Your Word? May I be found so by the community around me…Amen.

Scripture:

42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.

Observation:

In this Chapter of Matthew we read three parables that all have similar themes. On a high level, the first parable of the virgins teaches us we need to be ready. The second parable, The Parable of the Talents, teaches us we need to use the gifts God has given us. The third parable is a picture of the final judgement. This story teaches us that we are to love one another and take care of those in need.

Application:

In this story of the final judgment Jesus teaches us that God loves everyone but He is particularly concerned with how we love and show care for others. Jesus is instructing us that if we call ourselves Christians we are expected to live a particular way an act a specific. If we say we love one another, then our actions should reflect that view.

God loves everyone, I should love everyone. God is concerned with believer’s immediate needs. I should be ready to act.

Read again God’s description of the less fortunate believers who have immediate needs. They are hungry, thirsty, have no clothes, sick and imprisoned. They all have immediate life concerning needs. This is a description of poor and less powerful people in a society. God’s concerns is for everyone. I cannot just concern myself with taking care of my needs, my family’s needs and the needs of my friends around me. I must be concerned with needs of others and show my love by my actions.

During a time of the year that the nation shows it is thankful for its abundance, it is easy to throw an extra bit of money to a charity to help those who are less fortunate. But, let me not forget those who are in genuine need not just now but throughout the year. Let my actions match my words and let those actions be a reflection of your light.

Prayer:

Father, it is easy to be grateful when you are blessed. It is difficult to be grateful when things are not going well. Let me always be grateful for everything you have done for me and let that gratefulness overflow to others. Help me to remember that there are true needs in our community and let me have my head up and eyes and ears open to be able to see where I can assist at all times.

Scripture:

“Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him…”(Matthew 22:41-42 ESV)

Observation:

In Matt 22 I see three separate instances where the Pharisees and Sadducees conspired together to ask Jesus questions trying to trap him into saying something so controversial that Jesus would be caught and entangled and He could be repudiated before the public. What is recorded, however, are the teachings of Jesus that were called “astonishing” (Matt 22:33b) and “marvelous” (Matt 22:22a). With that reaction of the Pharisees and Sadducees in hand, Jesus asks them to commit: “What do you think about the Christ?”

Application:

I have found something like this before in other parts of the Bible. Sometimes there is a little phrase or statement that I regularly overlook and gloss over that, if I stop and really pay attention, is like finding a diamond in the sands at the beach. This is one that grabbed me by the scruff of my neck today: “What do (I) think about the Christ?” This is interesting to consider. This has to be presented to the man in the mirror: What do you think about Jesus? I mean—really think? Do I think at all about Jesus? Do I meditate, contemplate, and “wonder” about Jesus? When I read the Scriptures do I see the Words that I read as “astonishing” and do I “marvel” at them? Do I read the Word with the attitude of finding the “do’s and don’ts”—to find the action words (verbs)—to get so pragmatic about how to so implement the Christian walk or think about the benefits to me that I forget that these Words are at their core “living and active”, “sweeter than honey”, and the Voice that spoke the cosmos into being are behind these Words. Perhaps I should be in Awe—really in Awe—when I read? You think this is something that should be cultivated as an objective in my discipleship plan?

Prayer:

Father, I wonder if this attitude of mine is describing being “dull of hearing?” I have previously thought that maybe that dull of hearing thing was for someone else; for the guy who isn’t paying attention to Your Word? Because of what I wrote above, maybe I have to start thinking that perhaps it is describing the man who isn’t moved by Your Word; that if I am not being moved to astonishment and marvel (at least sometimes) maybe I need to pray for that? In my flesh I will never be moved because I am so selfish. I need you to take me to Astonishment and Marvel; to be in Awe of You; to drive my soul and my mouth to declare You are the Christ of God! You, O Lord, have Atoned for the World and risen from the dead. Please make Your Word pop in my heart, create Wonder where none previously existed, make my eyes gleam with the Vision of Your presence in every part of what I see. Amen.

Scripture:

Matthew 21:21-22– Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea and it will happen. You can pray for anything and if you have faith you will receive it.”

Observation:

After cursing the fig tree, Jesus is answering the disciples question as to how the tree withered so quickly. Jesus is telling the disciples they need to have complete faith without any question or doubt. Disciples of Christ need to have total trust in God and to pray that way. Jesus is not telling the disciples that God will answer prayer for all their desires. 1 John 5:14 says this, “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.”

Application:

I need to have all my faith and trust in God and pray accordingly. James 1:6 tell us, “But when you ask him, be sure that you faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. When we are completely committed to God and ask Him, it is so powerful what we can do through the Spirit for His Kingdom. Paul reminds us in 1st Corinthians 13 that in addition to total faith, Love must be present or our efforts are void. My prayers must be in unwavering faith for things that are concerning to God not desires of this world.

Prayer:

Father, Please help me to have complete trust in you and recognize the power of prayer for things that burden you. Let your Spirit of love guide me as I reach out to others to share your Gospel.

Scripture:

Matthew 20: 29-34 – 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Observation:

Jesus is put in the situation of two men whom desperately need help. They had heard of this Jesus and knew that he was the only hope. They scream at him, even after being told to be quiet that yell even louder. There healing is a beautiful part of the story but that isn’t the heart I’m being taught this morning.

Application:

These men screamed and yelled at their only hope. Even when they were told to be quiet they KNEW this is their shot to be saved and healed. They were desperate and Jesus being who he is had pity on them. Pity is compassion for these men. How much do I yell out to Jesus? Even when people tell me it’s ridiculous or when I am told to quiet my issues I usually stop. These men did not let people around them stop them for calling out for help. I pray that when I need help I am not afraid to call out to Jesus. He is there and he has compassion. These men did get healed, and their healing made them followers. Jesus doing things in our lives should result in obedience. I pray that is the case for me and others I invest in to.

Prayer:

Father, may your moving in my life create obedience. Forgive me when it doesn’t. I love you Lord

Scripture:

Vs 5 – “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

Observation:

Jesus takes Peter and James and John to the top of a high mountain where they witness the Transfiguration of Jesus. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus. God the Father says He is pleased with Jesus and tells the disciples to listen to Him.

Application:

This is an easy scene to get caught up in the spectacle of it all. There’s a glowing Jesus having a conversation with a visible Moses and Elijah! Seriously! I can understand being mesmerized by it all the way Peter was and wanting to basically camp out for awhile.
And God describes His Son Jesus the same way He did at His baptism. But what catches me today is the simple phrase of instruction God adds: “Listen to Him.” God could have stated any instruction in the whole world here to mark what was vitally important.
He says, “Listen to Jesus.” Such plain instruction from God, Himself, that is so often shunned. I like the holy spectacles. I like digging into the mysteries. I want to camp out in the spaces of wonder. But plain old listening? Yes. The Father gives the most basic of instructions. Listen to Jesus. I don’t have a problem listening. I listen all day, every day.
But to what? A whole lot of what eventually becomes the teacher on Charlie Brown: “Whaa! Whaa! Whaa!” Listen to Jesus. His Word is a seed that produces growth and a well that never runs dry. How much of what I listen to produces maturity and flourishing? Yes, I need to listen to Jesus.

Prayer:

God thank you for your Word.
Thank you for putting in my heart and my mind.
Keep me thirsty for you.
Keep my ears open to listen when you speak.
Give me courage to respond in your will.
In Jesus name.
Amen.

Scripture:

Matthew 19:13-15 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Observation:

The apostles assumed the little children were a nuisance to the ministry of Jesus. However Jesus takes this moment to highlight the faith he is seeking is the faith of a child. Their innocence and faith is what the kingdom of heaven is built on.

Application:

Sometimes it is easy to make the Christian faith an exercise in academics. Things like, knowing more, getting deeper, increasing disciplines, etc. can take over our understanding of what Christian growth is. However, Jesus takes this moment to correct the disciples and furthermore correct us. The Christian faith is about the innocence of childhood (Eden) restored. It’s about total dependence on Jesus for our hope and our future. It’s about positioning ourselves to be held by him, just like the parent handed their kids to Jesus. This isn’t to say that growth is a bad thing, just that growth should not be measured in knowledge but in the expressions of childlike faith. The depth of our Christian faith should result in more childlike faith steps, not more calculated and educational decisions that can be explained.

A few things…

1. I don’t want to grow up. In other words I don’t want to get to the point when my relationship with Jesus graduates to associate or accomplice. I want to stay a dependent child who needs his blessing and his presence for my future. Therefore I must commit to crawl up in his lap daily. Get in his word and listen to him. Allow his truth to touch me and impact my life.
2. I can’t create a Christian growth track that celebrates growth that does not lead to childlike faith. Any discipleship process that leads simply to more info is no discipleship process at all.
3. I must lead a life and ministry that reaches the overlooked in our society. I must lead a church that cares about kids and doesn’t marginalize them.

Prayer:

Father thank you for loving me and for inviting me into a relationship with you. Thank you for not letting me graduate to a place in which I am not dependent on you. Help me stay a child in regards to our relationship, even though I am a functioning adult in society. Convict me if I ever marginalize people because I don’t think they are important or might be wasting your time.

Scripture:

Matthew 18:8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.

Observation:

Jason sent a journal entry to me recently that spoke to this very thing and once I read this passage today it is all I could think about. Jesus is saying that sin is so serious and bad that is would be better to cut off your hand or foot or gouge out your eye if it causes you to sin. It is better to be lame and have eternal life than to be whole and live in sin.

Application:

I need to take sin very seriously.

When Jesus talks about sin, he uses examples that speak the seriousness of sin. As a culture, as a church and as an individual, I don’t think we take sin as serious as Jesus did. We categorize sin. We think some sins, like murder, are worse than others. We use phrases like a “little white lie” which is supposedly better than a different kind of lie. But Jesus takes sin serious. Earlier in Matthew he demonstrates this by discussing the meaning of adultery when he state that if anyone looks at a woman lustfully they have already committed adultery with her in his heart.

All sin is bad. All sin is serious. I need to examine my heart, my thoughts and my actions so I take sin as serious as Jesus.

Prayer:

Father, help me to understand the importance of living a pure, holy life. Help me to examine my heart and remove the sin from my life.

Scripture:

Matthew 13:9 – “He who has ears, let him hear.”

Observation:

Jesus is teaching a teaching that is not simple yet pretty complex at first listen. Yet as he will explain becomes clear. But what Jesus says in this complex parable he gives clear direction that is honestly really clear and expectant. If you have ears, let him hear. This for me gives me no excuse not to hear what he has said.

Application:

So many times I hear something but I really don’t hear it. When it comes to Jesus, this can’t be the case. I think about being infront of Jesus in the flesh, I feel like he wouldn’t have to say that to me. But the truth is, he is saying this to me today. I feel like he is saying, hey you, so you have ears?!? To my response is, well yes Jesus. He the. Responds, then HEAR this…..don’t let this go in one ear and out the other. I am so guilty of letting the words of Jesus just be good advice, (in one ear and out the other) rather than the Word of God and the living water of my life…..HEY YOU….HEAR THIS is what I’m hearing today!!!

Prayer:

Thankful for these stern words God. Thank you for never leaving me and always being honest and upfront with me when I am honestly the opposite with you. Forgive me