Category: Good Life Journal

Scipture:

Revelation 9:20-21- The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshipping demons and idols and gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.    

Observation:

Even after facing plagues and death, many did not repent and worshipped what was created rather than the Creator.  What people worship is parallel to their lifestyle and many did not turn from their evil ways to seek God. Verse 6 tells us people would prefer death over repentance to God.  There is a day of judgement coming for both believers and nonbelievers.

Application:

I must realize I am dead in my own sin without the love of God sending Jesus to rescue me into fellowship with Him.  God has told us through His word that judgement is coming for everyone. The only way to the Father is through Jesus.  God is patient and wants everyone through His grace to repent and know Him. I need to use this truth to have a sense of urgency to share the love of the gospel with those who are lost.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy.  Let your coming judgement instill in me a sense of urgency to share the love and truth of the gospel with those who don’t know you.

Scipture:

Revelation 8

Observation:

I think in this chapter, it is less about a specific passage and more about the entire theme of the chapter. 

God, through the angels, is doing a mighty work, a scary work even, a work like we have never seen. Destruction comes through God in the end, before there is a full redemption.

Application:

Man, what a weighty chapter. We see horrible things happening by the hands of the angels. They aren’t acting out of line with God, they doing what he has decreed, what he has commanded. 

But, isn’t God a God of love? What happened to the Jesus I know?

See, the grace of God through Jesus, is for TODAY. It isn’t promised for tomorrow. One day it will end, one day the judgement will come, and this is what John is seeing in Revelation.

Prayer:

God be gracious with us. We don’t always see or get chapters like this, but I pray that we wouldn’t hesitate in repenting, in turning to you and trusting you. That we would see you as a God of more than just love, of a God of holiness and justice. Help us to get it, grasp it, and love you for it. 

Scripture:   John: “After this I looked and behold a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, (and) crying out with a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.  And they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God saying: “AMEN!  Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!  AMEN!”

Observation:   If I can stop being distracted by the strange but wonderful magnificence of the Vision given to John, I am able to see the depth and intensity of worship of the inhabitants of Heaven.  How can I reflect this?  What spurs me upward and onward?  What are the speed bumps that affect me?

Application:   Up to this point so far in Revelation of John we have angelic creatures of all sorts flying around, in proclamation, chanting, singing, etc.  We also have elders who are usually on their face a lot before God and the Lamb, also proclaiming and singing.  They are giving up (throwing) their awards (crowns) at the foot of the throne.   They are spontaneously composing songs, new songs, to sing to the Lord their God.

John is looking around and seeing a ton of folks, more than the eye could see, every tribe, nation, tongue raising their voice loudly: “Salvation belongs to God and the Lamb!!”

When this kind of picture is given over and over, I have been told that the consistency of testimony is, in police work, a clue.  So, I want to write to the face in the mirror.  What do I write about here?

I notice that what and who John writes about isn’t exactly modeled by me.  In fact, I am far from being able to slide into the group described by John and take up the same exclamations of worship without feeling like I am lacking somehow or even belong. 

I check off on myself: Falling on my face?  No for me: I am too old, fat and my knees hurt.  Loud voice?  Ok, maybe.  But my throat gets sore and I run out of breath.  Besides, somebody might look at me cross-eyed and I would be embarrassed.  Spontaneous singing of a new song?  Hard: I don’t even remember old songs well—besides, what rises up way too often in my mind is Elvis, Ray or Aretha.  Beach Boys, TDK, and if feeling mischievous: Ray Stevens. 

The thing is: how I pursue and immerse myself in worship here may be indicative of how I worship there.  Since I don’t want to be found lacking what can I do? 

Whatever I do, there are three things to pay attention to:

1. Resist fear of man.  Boy, I get caught up with this one a lot.  “What does so and so think of me?”

2. Look to the Word of God for a guide on what to do.  Tradition and what is done locally is one thing; looking to do well for the Audience of One has eternal pay back.

3. Go slow but be persistent to grow.  Let the Holy Spirit’s encouragement come through.
4. Don’t look for variety in godly songs; look for good doctrine, something to sing to my soul about and hopefully sustaining it. 

Prayer:    Father—Thank You for letting me write.  Thank you for revealing Your testimony through Your word just what and when I need it.  Thank You for speaking to me and comforting me.  What would I do without You, O God?  AMEN.

Scripture:

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains… For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand? v15 & 17

Observation:

When the end comes, as John sees it in Revelation, no matter what your standing in the world, slave, free, rich, poor, all hide. And they, “Who can stand?”

Application:

When those hiding from the wrath to come ask, “Who can stand?” they are feeling and experiencing the great weight of God’s worth. When we come face to face with Jesus we will feel the weight of his love, his grace, his perfection, his holiness and even without him saying anything, without him condemning us we will feel the how wholly different and unworthy we are. 

Just a look from Jesus and we will think, “Who can stand? Who is worthy to stand in his presence?”

But glory to God, there has been made a way for us through the blood shed. Because someone stood in our place, Jesus, we can stand. 

Prayer:

Thank you for giving us a way to the Father. We don’t deserve it, and we feel that. We will stand before you and feel the weight of your worth and the weight of our unworthiness but still you welcome us in. Unworthy, yet you welcome us because you enjoy saving those who aren’t worth it! Thank you lord. 

Scripture

Vs 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy …?”
Vs 4 … and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy …
Vs 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more ….”
Vs 8 … and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb … 
Vs 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You … “
Vs 11 … and the voice of many angels …
Vs 12 … saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain …” 
vs 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
Vs 14 … and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Observation 

Weeping … Worthy … and Worship … the repeated themes of Revelation 5
John weeps that no one is worthy to open the scroll.

The weeping can stop when he is told One is Worthy … the Lion who has conquered.

When the weeping stops, the worship starts. John joins in the chorus of all creatures in worshipping the worthy Lamb who was slain. 

Application 

As a Christian, I don’t have to ride an emotional roller coaster.

John went from weeping at the impossible to worshipping the One who made it possible.

No so for me … I can worship always, because I worship what has already been done and revealed.

What’s more, I can encourage others not to weep. The elders said to John, “Weep no more!”

John thought things were hopeless. Hopelessness is a tragic and despairing place to live.

Unfortunately, many today see a world that is hopeless.

Perhaps, what’s more surprising is that even more don’t seem hopeless.

Because everyone who is not a Christian should feel the weight of hopelessness.

But I get to be the bringer of Good News … “There is One who is Worthy!  Weep no more!”

So why don’t I do this more often? … How can my days not be filled with the bringing of Good News?

The answer, I’m afraid, is in what I worship?

Every living creature ultimately worship the slain Lamb.

The tougher question for me …. What am I worshipping immediately, not ultimately?

I will neglect the bringing of hope to others, when I neglect the worship of the One who is worthy today.

Am I worshipping my day … my agenda … my goals?

I will be blind to the hopelessness all around me when I do that.   

Prayer 

God, thank you again for your Word
Help it to drive me to worship today
Help me see the hopelessness around me
Help me bring the Good News of Your Worthiness

In Jesus Name

Amen

Scripture:

Rev. 3:15-16
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Observation:

As Jesus challenges the churches he addresses the church in Laodicea. They have grown comfortable and casual in their relationship with God. The riches, comforts and lack of persecution have created a stagnate stance towards God. Jesus challenges them to move from that stance. Cold is even better than lukewarm.

Application:

The coldest I have been in my relationship with Jesus has always led me back to a place of repentance. It is in the darkness and despair that I am reminded of the grace and warmth of Jesus’ love. However the most precarious position I have ever been in is when I am lukewarm. Trapped somewhere in the middle of on fire for Jesus and running 100mph in the opposite direction. I am going to church, reading my Bible, meeting with people, even doing ministry, but I am going through the motions. This is the worst place to be. A few things…

-The default for me is this. I don’t run too far away, I just hangout close enough to be around Jesus but not with him. I must recognize this and be disturbed greatly by it. The gospel is the answer. Not more church, more Bible, more serving. The answer for me is more gospel. (Meditate on the gospel everyday. I am loved, forgiven and given access to God though Christ)

-Lukewarm happens when there is no challenge or persecution. This is still true today. I like comfort but comfort long term in this world will cause a lack of growth. May I always be willing to step into a challenge and be challenged by other people. (Don’t run from challenges)

-Hot should be the goal. The heat of my relationship with God is a result of stoking the fire. I know what makes this happen. Committing to prayer, personal worship, studying His word, meditating on the gospel, loving others, biblical fellowship, etc. I struggle when I am in isolation. May I seek to be sharpened and encouraged by a band of brothers that will keep the temperature of my faith high. (Stay committed to the things that keep my faith white hot)

Prayer:

Father thank you for this reminder this morning. I don’t want to get lukewarm. Thank you for revealing to me what keeps my faith hot.

Scripture:

Revelation 2: 3- “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.  If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Observation:

Jesus is speaking to the angel of the church at Ephesus.  Through His power to overcome death, Jesus is warning the church of discipline to come or reward.  The church has to endure for the glory of Jesus. Jesus calls them to remember the love of the gospel that they first experienced as a body of believers.  Twice in verse 4 Jesus call the church to repent, embrace the love of the gospel and serve out of a response or the lampstand (church) will be removed.

Application:

Jesus’ words to the church at Ephesus are so applicable to our congregation and each and every believer including me, today.  Jesus is most concerned with our heart and our Love for God and our neighbors as ourselves. We have to be careful that we don’t stray from the love of the gospel.  Every day I must remember that God loved me so much that He sent Jesus to pay full price for my soul so I could, repent, be reconciled and have a relationship with Him!  The love of the gospel is the most powerful thing in the world and it has the power to change lives! I have to repent, embrace that, focus on the love and respond in works accordingly.   

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy.  Let me remember the love of the gospel and never forget what you have done for me.  May I repent when I make it about anything else and live a live in response to glorify you.

Scripture

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, ¹⁸ and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore

Observation

Even though John fell at Jesus’ feet as though he was dead, Jesus laid his hand on him and told him to fear not. 

Application

Similar to John, when Isaiah sees a vision of God in heaven, he says, “Woe is me!” He is undone. He is aware of his unworthiness.

John sees Jesus and all he can do is fall to pieces. Jesus is that beautiful, overwhelming, worthy. 

But the crazy thing is that Jesus lays his hand on him, touches him and tells him to fear not.

It makes sense that Jesus would do this on earth but in heaven one could imagine that Jesus would be regal and not stoop down to touch John or us, but rather revel in his glory. But no, Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is a leader who condescends, stoops down to us & tell us to fear not. 

Even though our natural response is to fear. He tells us not to. He tell us we have nothing to fear because he has overcome it all. He welcomes us. 

Prayer

Thank you for being this gracious with us. I long for this day. I long to see you face to face, when faith is no more, but rather we simply see you & rejoice. Amen

Scripture:  “Beloved: Although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints…But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”  Jude 3 and 20-21

Observation:  Remembering that Jude is included in the Canon as the Word of God doesn’t make it less puzzling and sometimes weird.  Unpacking (deconstructing) the verses of Jude takes care and not a little time.  With diligence, we can find the Jewels of God’s hand within the text…

Application:   Jude was not written by Paul McCarthy or John Lennon although I can’t help singing in my mind “Hey Jude, don’t let me down…”

When I read Jude I can (and have) been taken in by what seems to be very combative and contentious rhetoric.  “Contend for the faith…”  Later on, “…snatch them out of the fire…”  And then there are the references to angelic and demonic forces, creeping wolves seeking to devour the flock, etc.

I get the hard-nosed but kind and gentle attitude of Paul and the underlying love of God gracefully communicated through his Letters.  Jude?  He takes some time and I have to be aware of some theological rabbit holes that are possible.  The thing I must remember is that Jude cannot be taken out of context of the entire New Testament.   The message from Jude must fit the entire narrative of the Bible. 

So, I read the text of Jude and I focus on the following:

• Stay true (contend) for the Faith;
• Persevere to the End.

These two points can be gleaned from the text of Jude, without any doubt.  But they are not the only pearls to be sifted.  Personally I see warnings for the man in the mirror: I don’t want to be anything like a “waterless cloud”, “fruitless tree”, “twice dead”, a wave casing up my own shame, or a “wandering star.” (v 12-13).  I don’t want to be a “grumbler”, “malcontent”, loud mouth boasters or more?  For sure I can pick out the warnings quickly and post them up on my personal “watch out on my thoughts and behavior” board.

There was a time where I wore the “Contend for the faith” on the front of my shirt, shamelessly and combatively addressing men who didn’t measure up in my estimation.  I can’t do that anymore although I know in my heart I am a little shuffle away from that superior but condemning attitude. 

To counter this I remember the Gospel: Jesus died so that I could be redeemed.  In talking to my wife last night, my review of the Gospel as it applies for me is “why did He die for me?”   Thinking this keeps me true to the Gospel, my head on straight, avoiding stinking thinking, and directs me to persevere to the End.

Prayer:   Lord God: I praise Your Name for the book of Jude.  Thank you for the grace and wisdom given to the guys deciding whether or not to put this into the Canon.  I appreciate Your grace in helping my wife and I talk through this Book, unpacking, deconstructing, and being able to talk through Jude.  Some of the questions we couldn’t get through adequately but we learned how to set them aside without anxiousness for another day, hoping in faith for more clarity from the Holy Spirit.  Unfolding Your Word is a joy, O God.  Thank you.  AMEN.

Scripture

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore…

Observation

We go because Jesus has authority. Not us. 

Application

For us, our church family, we hear about this verse often. Jesus tell us to go right before he goes. We need to go into the world & tell them about him and all that he is. But the fuel of our going is this:

Jesus is King of the universe. He has authority over everything.

Death
Disease
Money
Hurricanes
Wasps
Wars

Jesus is king over everything. He owns it all. He decides it all. He decrees it all. Nothing stands in his way. 

Therefore, go. 

We go with that fueling us, with that backing us, with that security deposit. We don’t have anything to fear because God is in charge. 

That doesn’t mean everything will be comfortable.
It doesn’t mean everything will be easy. It will probably be pretty hard. 

But Jesus is in charge. Jesus is king over the comfortable situations & the uncomfortable and costly. 

Prayer

Lord give me the strength to see that you are King. That you are in charge even when things feel terrible and hard and out of control. You are king and you are good. Remind me that because you are King I should go & take risks for your kingdom because you are the King who has sent me. Fuel my going with that. 

Scripture:  

“Jesus said to him (Judas), “Friend, do what you came to do.”  Then they (the accompanying soldiers) came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.  And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear…” (Matt 26:50-51)  Jesus said “No more of this!” and touched (the servant’s ear) and healed him. (Luke 22:51)  “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear…” (John 18:10)

Observation:   

All three of these references are about the same situation: Jesus in the Garden, Judas betrayal, Soldiers grabbing Jesus, Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant.  I am looking at this imagining me being in the place of Peter.

Application:   

This morning I was feeling frustrated; the kind of frustration that is deep in the chest and doesn’t want to be addressed.

It was the kind of frustration that binds me up on the inside.  Outside, the signs are: Frowning up to scowling; crossing my arms tightly, grinding my teeth, rocking-staring at nothing in particular, and I am sure other telltales.

I was going to write something about Jesus triumphing in the Garden or something related.  But my thoughts wandered back to Peter.

What was Peter exposed to in such a short period of time at the Garden?  “Come pray with me” says Jesus.  Then it was “You three come pray with me separate from your fellows.” And then what was so embarrassing:  “Wake up!! Can’t you stay awake and be with Me in My hour?”

All of these thoughts roiling around in Peter’s mind: Concern, embarrassment, not knowing what to do next, mentally wringing his hands until they are about to fall off and then-the soldiers appear with Judas (Judas!!  Our companion!) leading them to seize Jesus.

Peter: “I have to do something…” and out comes the sword.  The rest of the story is above.  Only John names Peter; the other writers just say “…one of those that were with Jesus…”

My point for me today: I can tussle with overcoming frustration often.  Many times I hold it in and try to control it.  There are other times I inappropriately express myself although not with a sword.  Peter was with the Master continuously for three years and at a particular point of trouble, failed.  That could be me right now-when I am needed I forget all that I have learned at the feet of the Master.

The point for the man in the mirror is this: Jesus never abandons me.  Not even disappointed.  I may get a rebuke, a correction, or some such; but always “Get back on the path, son.  We’ll get through this.  Follow Me in my love for you.  I have a work to complete in you.”  Even at my worse, He reattaches the ear and says “Come on, catch up.  We have a Way to go together…”

Prayer:  

Lord God: Even now I feel that same frustration in my soul, right now, writing this.  But, through Your Word that You led me in, I remember hope.  I am not forsaken, I am not left behind, and I am just not anything but loved and cared for by You.  I confess my frustration as the sin that it is (unbelief and self-reliance), repent, and I get back on the path, following after You.  I can tell today I am going to struggle with this all the day long-but I will, by Your Graciousness and Mercy, keep my eye upon You.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Matthew 25:45-46
Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Observation:

Jesus teaches that He will return and judge the living and the dead. Those whose genuine faith in Christ led to caring for those in need are considered righteous and enjoy eternity with Jesus. Those whose empty faith did not lead to caring for those in need are cast into hell forever.

Application:

A few things…

-Genuine faith leads to caring for people with needs. Empty faith does not. The best indicator of genuine faith is not how much I know, how much I go to church or how many christian friends I have. The best indicator is how I care for those in need.

-Care”less” faith is no faith at all. Jesus’ intention for saving me was for me to care for others. His blessing me was intended for my generosity to others not my abundance personally.

-Hell is real. As a believer I don’t have to fear hell. However it should motivate me to share genuine faith with those who are faithless or who have care”less” faith.

Prayer:

Father thank you for the clarity of the teachings of Jesus. May I love out a genuine faith and not allow my life to become self-absorbed.