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12.20.24. He who has ears, better listen!

The words of Jesus

Revelation 14 Lies vs Truth 

How does the Lord see you today? Does He see you as these 144,000 blameless? What does it mean to be blameless? In the Bible it means means someone who cannot be accused of wrongdoing before God or people. It can also mean someone who has integrity and exhibits good character. Note believers stand innocent of any wrong doing, yet we know that the Accuser of the Brethren stands ready to hurl accusations. However, his words fall on fallow ground because these are protected by the Lamb. 

Fast forward to see the angels as town criers. First is the angel with the gospel message; the second angel announces the fall of Babylon, the third angel announces a warning to all mankind to not take the mark of the beast. Yet, for all of God’s mercy to these on the earth, their words fall on deaf ears. The hardness of men’s hearts is beyond belief and yet look around you and listen to those who are alive now and their responses. There will be time, I am busy. God sends everyone to heaven, a blasphemous lie from the pit of hell. Open the Book and read! It is ok for you but not for me is a delaying exercise. 

Do not be conformed to this world for it is a world of death and decay. 

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12.19.24. This is NO Fairy Tale~

Revelation 13 Be discerning! Evil is just around the corner! 

Fairy tales are full of wonder as we walk through the lives of each character. Grimm wrote several and one of the most famous is Little Red Riding Hood with the big, bad wolf. In fact, most of Grimm’s fairy tales include the hero and the villain and the hero wins in the end. Revelation 13 has both the villain as the beast and the dragon. But, unlike Grimm, this is not a fairy tale but the real thing that will happen all over the earth.  

Let’s dig in and learn the lesson from John’s vision. Dr. Constable writes: “. He recorded this to enable his readers to identify these individuals and to respond properly.” Both the beast and the dragon have mighty powers, so much so that the entire world is deceived through lies and deception. John wrote about this to the early church: “2Jo 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!” Precious believer, be discerning so you can detect error from truth.  

John used the imagery of the sea which in other places refers to the sea of humanity. The beast who arises has no power until the dragon gives him power, a throne, and great authority to rule. We wonder why the whole world chooses to follow him, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.” Instead, he uses deception and blasphemy to deny the One True God. The saints must be discerning so they do not fall prey to him and his power. John tells us the truth behind him: the beast’s number is 666 which is the number of man.  

Remember this will truly happen and we must be aware of lest we fall victim to his advances. Are you ready to be discerning?  

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12.18.24.Vigilance

Be on guard
how to face the enemy

Revelation12:Throughout the entire Word of God, signs are pictures given to remind us of the scope of history both past, present and future as well as teaching points about God and Jesus Christ. In this chapter we find signs about the birth of the nation of Israel as well as the continuing struggle between the Jews and the non-Jews who hate anyone who belongs to Christ. 

The Jews who are God’s favored nation, are pictured as a woman in labor for they struggled since the Garden of Eden to bring forth Christ, the Son of God. Those who hate the Jews are seen as the offspring of Satan in the image of a dragon, a most fearsome creation. As we read this chapter, we must stop and ask what is the lesson God wants us to see through the eyes of John, the Apostle? It is this; until Christ comes and conquers there will be war between believers and non-believers. Peter said it well: Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. Be ready for when you begin to see this happening, know that Christ is at the door knocking for entrance so He can come in and sup with us. Are you listening for His knock? 

God has given us these pictures to alert us to His eternal plan of redemption for His people.

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12.17.24. Humility Check

My heart reveals who I am
Keep me humble Lord!

Proverbs 30: Humility is a gift from the Lord and Agur seems demonstrate it. Listen carefully to what he says: I have not learned wisdom. Does that mean he has not been taught or is he saying my wisdom is lacking in depth? We could say the same as we read, study and meditate on God’s word. One thing he knows is that there is a God whose character is seen in his demonstrable attributes. 

He also knows that God is like that which protects as we take refuge under His everlasting arms. Agur reminds those who are listening just as the Apostle John did: do not add to the word of God lest he reprove you and prove you and you are found to be a liar! 

The rest of this chapter is Agur’s prayer which proves his humility. He asks for two, not more answers to how he faces life along with the reasons why he only asks for two not more answers.

The lesson from Agur is remain humble so that God can bless you.

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12.16.24.Praising God

Praising God
Are we praising God?

Psalm 146 Praising God

The wonderful thing about the Psalms is that they are so relevant to our day as it was in the day they were composed. “I will praise the Lord as long as I live.I will sing praises to my God as long as I exist.” These are not words that are spoken or written carelessly but thoughtfully. The psalmist reminds us that God is sovereign and in control of all we see, feel, experience. He is there before us, behind us, beside us. He knows each hair on our heads, He knows the end from the beginning. He holds the stars in their places and showers us with blessings and with trials. No matter what we are experiencing today, know that God loves us and will provide all we need at just the right time and in the right place. 

Praise the Lord! 

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12.15.24.God’s Mercy

God's mercy
His mercy is new every day!

Revelation 11 Antisemitism & Repentance

Step into this chapter with eyes wide open to see the mercy and judgment of God. John is told to measure the temple but not to measure outside the temple for it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will trample on the holy city for forty-two months. 

Step into the scene and observe the temple closely for now we are given the ability to see a new event, the two witnesses who come with the message for all of mankind to repent.  Who are these two witnesses? God has given us ideas but no definitive answer. These have the power to turn all water to blood and thus the refreshment of a cool drink is removed from all mankind. Is this God’s reminder of His power to do the same as He did in the Egyptian plagues? How did Pharaoh handle that when it happened centuries ago? Just as then, the power of antisemitism is alive and well. For three and a half years men will hear the words: repent.  The witnesses are protected from evil but then are killed. But, God again is merciful as He allows a miracle. Just as the world looks on and rejoices over the death of these two, they see them resurrected after three days. Over and over God has demonstrated both His mercy and His judgment for He is not willing any to perish but come to repentance. 

Just as now, so it will be then. In His mercy He has given men time to repent but also time to recognize that without repentance they will be lost. Have you repented so you will be saved? 

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12.14.24. Today and Tomorrow

Revelation 10 Just another day…

How is your walk today?
Is Jesus walking with you today?

We have watched the Apostle John as he has experienced the heavens opened and the crowd of believers and martyrs, but now John has an experience that only he and the angelic forces know about for he was told to seal the contents.

The newspapers of today write about what has happened and forecasts what they presume will happen tomorrow and beyond. As our biblical editor, John has now viewed something out of the ordinary and it is not ‘just another day” in paradise. It is frightening to behold the angel and hear the seven thunders and finally a voice saying seal this up, just as Daniel was told. We wonder if the scroll he was told to eat was the same scroll that others had seen and tasted. 

The angel is majestic and mighty. He has a rainbow around his head and his legs are like fire. Imagine seeing this in real time. It isn’t “just another day.” It is a day that God wants us to see and to wonder about. 

What has your day been like? Have you had a vision like John? Probably not, but we are to observe and ponder. Are we ready for the contents to be revealed or is it “just another day” to you? 

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l2.13.24.Resting

Hebrews 1-4 Rest

How does one offer sympathy to those who have loved ones who have departed this world? The author of Hebrews offers this promise: “For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.” The Psalmist also encourages us to remember this: “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones.” 

Today there may be someone who will be in this situation. Memorize these verses and have them ready to offer your condolences and words of sympathy to the remaining ones. Your loved one may no longer be here in their present form but God has graciously taken them into His throne room where they can rest and be refreshed. No more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow. They are lovingly cared for by the Father. 

Two choices
God face to face
What will you hear?
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12.11.24. Guard your mouth!

Proverbs 29 Wisdom vs Foolishness

Listen to this wise counsel: A fool lets fly with all his temper. Did you ever stop to consider that when you let your temper take over that you are acting like a fool? The definition of a fool from Webster: In scripture, fool is often used for a wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral deportment; one who follows his own inclinations, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness. OUCH!

Fools do not demonstrate wisdom and reveal it through their actions. When I was asleep last night a dream came to me when I allowed my temper to speak. Why did I remember this after many years? God knew i was going to read this chapter and He wanted me to be reminded of what He sees and thinks. 

Today as you go about your work and interact with others take time to meditate on this verse so you don’t join the company of the fools. Instead meditate on what a wise person would do such as holding their tongue and acting righteously. 

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12.10.24.Focus

God is God
He knows everything from the hairs on your head to what you are facing

We read about his splendor in Revelation 1. He is clothed with the garments of the celestial heavens. He walks among the clouds and the angels.  He was dressed in a robe extending down to his feet, and he wore a wide golden belt around his chest.  His head and hairwere as white as wool, even as white as snow, and his eyeswere like a fiery flame.  His feet were like polished bronzerefined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of manywaters. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharpdouble-edged sword extended out of his mouth. His faceshone like the sun shining at full strength.

Psalm 145 Today’s Focus

The psalmist gives himself direction for his life: I will focus on your honor and majestic splendor and your amazing deeds. What is my focus today? 

Do I focus on honoring God, His majestic splendor and His amazing deeds? What do I focus on? 

When I / we read this and meditate on it, how does it change my/our focus this day the 10th of December, 2024?

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