Woe to those that receive the wrath of chapters 8, 9, and 10. This is wrath/punishment/judgment/destruction like the earth has never seen. This is worse than the flood because it is dragged out. People are wishing they could die but they cannot.
This is written to bring us to repentance now so that we don't have to face it later. Amazingly enough, it says that these people still did not repent even though they were living through it. It just shows how hardened a heart can become.
If you have not repented and submitted to the lamb who is worthy of all obedience and worship, please do so now. If you have repented, you'll be one of the ones mentioned in chapter 7. The Jews are listed at the beginning of chapter 7 and all other people groups are mentioned in the latter half of chapter 7. All people though, listed in Chapter 7, are ones who have repented and put their faith in Jesus to save them. I hope to see you there.
““Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered--
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
Revelations 5:12
As we read in these scriptures, when the “strong angel” (Rev 5:2) shouted with a loud voice “who was worthy to break the seals of the scroll and open it”, no one in heaven or earth was able to open the scroll and read it. No one, that is, until the Lion of the tribe of Judah and heir to David’s throne had come forward. (vs. 5).
As Revelations 5:12 points out, our Lord is worthy to receive POWER – over all things; RICHES – bestowing upon him the most precious treasures every imagined; WISDOM – all of mankind’s scholarly intellect; STRENGTH – all of my physical strength in service to Him; HONOR – Him freely with all my heart, mind, soul and strength; GLORY – giving Him the glory in all that I do; BLESSING – I freely acknowledge myself a bondservant in worship to Him.
May we be united just a little bit more this Christmas season, acknowledging and professing our faith as Christians. Telling others that He is “still the one” in our hearts, that “He’s still the one” that makes me strong. That “He is still the one” that makes me shout, and “He’s still the one” I want to dream about, we’re still having fun, and He’s still the ONE!
It has been a pleasure sharing my thoughts with you this year, and reading my fellow bloggers comments as well (what great fun and insight). May we all continue to commit to reading His word on a daily basis (and don’t forget to read a chapter of Proverbs daily – 31 chapters – 1 for each day of the month). I would like to end this year’s blog with my favorite verse from Galatians 2:20.
I have been crucified in Christ
and I no longer live,
but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Have a blessed day and wonderful weekend………………Larry
But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not
dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
(This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) Jude 9
Today's Scriptures:
JUDE 1:1-25
REVELATION 1:1-2:29
Jude 9, to me is one of the most humbling verses in all the bible,
"But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
The Archangel Michael, one of God's warriors, was capable of destroying cities like Sodom and Gomorah. I know that I would be no match for him, (let's face it, I would be no match for even the Least powerful angels). Yet, if Michael did not draw on his own strength to defeat the devil, what makes me believe that I could defeat the devil on my own strength. We all need Jesus to overcome evil, which makes the celebration of Christmas even more special as God provided the power by becoming man, Emmanuel, "God with us."
I will be honest with you. The Christmas season has always been a time of ups and downs. A lot of laughs, some tears, spending my share of Christmas Eve's and Days behind the wheel of a patrol car takes the wonder out of what people can do to one another during the season. But this year found me becoming angry. Reading news articles of private industry wanting to remove Christ out of Christmas has been going on for years, but when I read that Christmas cards sent from a Christian school to veterans in a V.A. Hospital were not delivered because they had the phrases, "Merry Christmas" and "God Bless You" in the body of the letter, I nearly lost it. What has this country become other than unrecognizable?
As I tried to wrap my head around what was happening I remembered I wasn't in charge. I was not going to battle the devil on my own power, God was, God is, and God will always be in charge of this earth and all that goes on in it, and with that I was humbled and released from the anxiety. We are called overcomers, but to be an overcomer there must be something to overcome. We will face adversity but as a child of God we will never face it alone
As we now enter the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation I would like to say that In the past twelve months it has been my pleasure to share what God has laid upon my heart as we have read the pages of the most powerful book ever written.. It is my prayer that you have been blessed, and that blessing will be added as you continue to read these pages everyday, remembering the words of Lamentations 3:22-23
The faithful love of the Lord never ends
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each
morning.
May God forever keep you safe and secure,
In His Grip,
Art
The thing most striking to me in today’s reading is John’s discourse on
Love. 1 John 4:16b says “God is Love”. We should find security in knowing that fear and love cannot coexist. 1 John 4:18 says “There is no fear in love; but
perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” [NKJV]. So the challenge is to be made perfect in love by allowing God into our hearts.
One perplexing thought that John introduces is sin that does not lead to death. He writes in chapter 5 verses 16-17 that “If you see a Christian brother or sister
sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.”
So, what sin leads to death? If all wicked actions are sins, and not every
sin leads to death, to which sin is he referring? Based on 1 John 5:21, I think he is referring to anything that might take God’s place in our heart; Idolatry. If something…anything usurps God in our heart, it smothers the perfect love that casts out all fear and leads to death.
have a Joyous and Merry Christmas . . . Ric
There are a lot of great things in the beginning of Hebrews chapter 13. I will bring attention to one of those, which is HEBREWS 13:2. "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (ESV) As we think about Christmas time, some have showed hospitality to the Savior as well without knowing it. I think Pastor might be preaching on this tomorrow. Then in HEBREWS 13:15 it says, "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (ESV) What is the sacrifice of praise to God? Acknowledging his name. May we continually acknowledge Him, and what he has done for us, to all that we meet. I thought 1PETER 1:6-9 was interesting. It says, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (ESV) How many of you have been "grieved by various trials" lately? I know I have been. But ask yourself these questions. Will your faith through all this "result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ?" Are you able to "rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" because you have obtained salvation? If not, I think v. 13 gives us help. "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober- minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Has your hope been set on a lot of other things? I know mine has. May we set our hope completely on the fact that we will see Jesus face-to-face and all the grace and blessings that come with that.
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord Disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
Hebrews 12:5,6
I have been reveling in the Christmas music as of late. I have many favorite tunes, but when Bing comes on and sings “I’ll be home for Christmas”, it just makes this time of year even more special. I think of the WWII warriors and their families as they anticipated their return from Europe and the South Pacific, and how our Lord has shown the world His power and might through our GI’s.
This and all seasons please remember – our Lord has a favorite – YOU! As quoted in Hebrews above, He will discipline you, He will correct you, and He may punish you. But please remember – He has accepted you as one of His own. You are very special to Him.
So……if you are moved by and enjoy a “Silent Night", just remember that we can proclaim “Joy to the World”, because the 25th is such an “O Holy Night."
So “Come All Ye Faithful”, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”………….Larry, Terry, Carol and Eric.
The righteous man leads a blameless
life,
Blessed are his children after him.
Proverbs 20:7
And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. Hebrews 8:3
Today's Scripture Reading: HEBREWS 8:1-10:39
As you read today's scripture many of you may be in the final stages of your Christmas shopping, others may have some presents wrapped under the tree already, while still others might have the not so whispers of children expressing their wants with every television commercial. Then again, maybe the holidays bring on the painful reminders of a separation from family and friends, a loss of income, or the death of a loved one. Maybe you are one of the many that hold back tears while others laugh and play during this season.
Whatever your station in life's journey there is reason for JOY!
We can rejoice in today's message as the writer of Hebrews explains thegift of Jesus as he came to fulfill the Old Testament's obligation blood sacrifices for the repentance of sin; to the one time sacrifice of the perfect lamb, that is Jesus Christ, who's sacrifice began a New Covenant with God.
This new covenant began with the crying of a child, born in a lowly manger in the town of Bethlehem. A cry which brought the hosts of angels to explain to a group of terrified shepherds, "
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11.
The good news of great joy was the greatest gift God could give his people, in fact Louie Giglio coined the "Twelve Words of Christmas"as "a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."
In the midst of this season's business, chaos, or struggle, look to the One who is the cause for celebration. Remember in the midst of the business of Bethlehem, in the chaos of seeking out a room, and the struggle of childbirth it was the shepherds who were lying quietly in the fields who first received the message of good news. Perhaps we should follow their example and slow down during this busy season and take in the joy of the Savior. Isn't it relaxing lying......
In His Grip,
Art
For a look at Louie Giglio's Twelve Words of Christmas copy and paste, or follow the link,
http://vimeo.com/31963351
Priest are appointed. Even Christ had to be appointed as our high Priest by God the Father. Since the Father and Son are
part of the Trinity – God actually is doing it all. Because he was human Jesus faced the same temptations and test were that we face. The difference is he did it without sin. When taking an oath we are held to it by someone greater that ourselves so we call on God to hold us accountable. When God takes an oath or makes a promise it is by his name on his word. Why because none is greater. So, when God says “I AM” he truly is totally self-sufficient.
As I read through chapter 3, I was encouraged by the fact that we have leaders in our church that meet these requirements. Even verse 10, which says that they should be tested, is carried out. We always say that instead of placing a title on someone and making them step up to that title, put a title on someone that is already living out that title.
Then Paul interjects verse 16 of chapter 3:
“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” (ESV)
Notice that the mystery of godliness is a “He,” meaning Jesus Christ himself. Do you desire godliness? Embrace Jesus, not a strict religion of “does” and “don’ts.”
Next, it’s interesting how Paul ties teaching that forbids marriage and not eating certain foods (1Timothy 4:3) to teaching of demons (1Timothy 4:1). I won’t bash another denomination or religion but I’m sure we can all think of some denominations and religions that actually forbid marriage says that you can’t eat certain foods. “Teaching of demons,” that’s scary.
In 1Timothy 4:12, we have the famous verse that says just because you are young, doesn’t mean you can’t be a godly example to others. It says, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (ESV)
Then in 1 Timothy 5:17-19, he gives great encouragement to honor the elders of a church and not entertain bad things you may hear about them unless you have 2-3 witnesses. However, if they have been found guilty, they need to be rebuked in front of the church (v.20). This is because their influence is great and the people need to be protected from bad influence.
Lastly, we end with difficult but great words (1 Timothy 6:6-10):
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (ESV)
May we strive to rejoice in the fact that we have Jesus and if we have him, all other things are of immeasurably less value. (See Colossians 2:2-3 and Matthew 13:45-46.)
A lot of good teachings in our reading today, from judging others, self-confidence, warning to the rich, patience in suffering, power of prayer……….just pick one and run with it today. James and Paul give some very good insight into the teachings and proper life style that our Lord had been communicating to others during His time on earth.
Today, I was especially drawn to James 5:16 which says: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” A touch of humility backed by the awesome power of our Lord accomplishes great things through prayer.
Take some time today and pray for someone. We all have need for prayer, and Paul explains our needs pretty well in 1 Timothy 1:15-16: “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners”---and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of the great patience with even the worst sinners.” Do you think we need some prayer? I know that I do.
Have a blessed weekend…………..Larry
The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are
fully satisfied.
Proverbs 13:4
Enjoy this song I found by an artist I am sure you will recognize. Never knew he had sung it.
http://www.songlyrics.com/elvis-presley/an-evening-prayer-lyrics/
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