The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day two) “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” 5:12

Who or what in our lives is worthy (to receive honor and glory)? I mean someone or something that is so deserving of honor and respect that there can be no dispute of their worthiness. The more pluralistic our society comes, and the more man-centric we are it seems there can be no consensus. No matter the figure it seems some group can’t reconcile some part of their story, and therefore refuses to bestow respect.

While this is sad, there are some great people throughout history who have done great things, it is also accurate. In its truest sense the only one truly WORTHY is Jesus. Even those who condemned him found no fault in him. He laid down his life to be lifted up and exalted.

Next time you find yourself disappointed in another flawed creature, consider looking higher. This Jesus never sought power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, or glory, yet by his obedient nature that submitted his will totally to the father is faultless and truly WORTHY of all honor we can give.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day one) 

What does Heaven look like?  What will we hear?  John knows.

It looks like COLORS.  Jasper (rich, brownish-yellow–some scholars think a diamond is meant).  Carnelian (red)  Emerald (a rainbow of green, probably multiple shades and tints of it).  White robes.   Gold crowns.  Crystal sea.  Blazing lamps.

It looks like people/beings.  Like life.  The One on the throne is never described.  The ACTIVITY around Him is.  Living creatures (very similar to those Ezekiel saw) Elders casting crowns down in show and symbol of humility.

It sounds like SINGING!  Songs of praise to the Lamb slain and to the One who sits on the throne. People and angels and creatures and creation. “Worthy is the Lamb” they sing in great, majestic chorus.

It sounds like THUNDER, the rumbling judgement of God ready to be revealed to a world of unrepentant men.

Before we can understand John’s vision, we must see and hear it.  It is going to be a great week of RE Verse reading!

 

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day seven)

I believe the seven stars in Revelation 1-3 represent seven pastors.  Seven men (we never know their names) who were called by God for a certain period of time to feed and lead a congregation of His people.  Seven men to whom the Risen Savior communicated His concerns and commands, with the expectation that they would faithfully and courageously pass them to His people.

In the vision, they are symbolized as stars.  Tiny spots of light in a dark sky.  None of them noteworthy “in and of themselves”.  Taken together,however, and over the long history of the earth, a beautiful display of faithful testimony and service.

Modern churches sometimes make “stars” of their Pastors.  Celebrities.  “On stage” personalities.  God has a different vision.  He values them as men to whom He has given responsibility–for His word and His flock.

He holds them in His hand.  A sweet reminder of this calling and privilege.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day five) 

Revelation2:5 “Therefore remember”, Revelation 3:3 “So remember”

One of the biggest blessings from working with teenagers is watching and hearing their moments of conversion, and spiritual clarity. It is SO beautiful and inspiring when the Lord comes near and clearly speaks to their hearts. Priorities change. Perspective shifts. Devotion grows. Joy fills. It is always a reminder of the power and strength of God.

So today, will you remember? Maybe these questions will help…Who led you to Christ? When and where were you? Who did you tell? How did you tell? Have there been moments when God was clearly drawing near to you in order to draw you to Himself? How did your heart change? How did you look at life and circumstances differently? Have there been times in church, camp, revival meetings, or personal devotional times when God overwhelmed you?  Remember!! Rejoice!!

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day four) 

Seven churches…Christ had something for them all.  Most had things they were doing right as a church, but there was, in every case, sin that needed to be corrected.  Just like us…we may be doing some things right in our lives before God, but there is always something that needs to be repented of and corrected.  The church at Ephesus had a lot of commendation, but without correcting their one error of losing their first love, their lampstand would be removed.  Approval was not on a majority basis…sin would not be tolerated in any form.

Have you ever said, “That is my one vice!”…as if, since you only had one, it was OK?  God is a holy God and we should not be content with anything less than His holiness.  No…we will never attain perfection, but it should be our goal.  Only perfection will allow our names to be written in the book of Life.  “He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.”  Since we are unable…we have need of a Savior.  We need one who has overcome to stand for us!  (Hebrews 4:15)

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day three) 

“He who has an ear, let him hear.”  Hearing is hard, so we often use our ears for purposes other than that.  We use our ears as early warning systems: We hear a voice we don’t want to encounter, so we walk the other way.  We use our ears as filters: We don’t give attention to difficult or complicated communication.  We use our ears as instruments of revision: We let them convince us we heard what we wanted to hear.  And that’s really why we find something like Revelation difficult.  It’s not the weird imagery; it’s the repurposed ears.  But the Lord says if we’ll do the hard work of listening, we’ll hear what we need to hear in order to live.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day two) 

“Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.” 3:2

You’ve lost your first love, you’ve fallen, you’re neither hot nor cold. These declarations to the churches contain some very direct and often harsh criticism. No one is without blame, they all are broken in some way. But there is hope. Look at how the letters end:

2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.”

2:11b “He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.”

The other letters end similarly. The point? God is not giving final condemnation here. He is giving the churches a wake up call, a state of the Union. We need to hear where we are strong, but also where we are weak so that we may better serve. If you feel that word of reproach, take it for what it is. Wake up, change course, serve well.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day one)

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write. . .I know your deeds and your toil and your perseverance. . . But I have this against you, that you have left you first love.”–2:1-4

“There are no perfect churches.  Stop looking!  If you did find one, it would stop being perfect the day you joined it.”–Dan Yeary

“Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”–Matthew 5:48

Seven churches.  Seven Pastors.  Stories mixed with success and failure, things Jesus commended, things he challenged.  None of the churches were perfect.  All of them were called to be–at least in the sense of being perfectly faithful to the purposes of God. (Functional perfection, not moral or categorical).

It has been a mistake to “market” the American church to the whims and preferences of the culture.  “I want this kind of childcare”.  “I like this style of worship”.  The approval every church needs comes from the Lord.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 1 (day seven) 

“Having turned, I saw. . . one like the son of man. . .and his face was like the sun shining in its strength”–v 12, 13, 16.

There were moments for the disciples, but only moments, when they saw the glory of Christ.  The Transfiguration is one example.  Jesus praying, and His glory began to shine out in brilliant white light.  (Matthew 17)  The day He calmed the storm, His resurrection appearances and ascension–all were momentary glimpses of the truth.

Most days weren’t like that.   Their physical eyes saw only physical reality.  Like us, they were vision impaired, seeing problems and dangers, but not the All-Sufficient Christ!

“Blessed are you, Simon, God has REVEALED it to you” said Jesus after Peter confessed Him as the Christ. (Matthew 16).  When we study REVELATION, we are seeking the same grace.  Lord, open our eyes to your glory and purpose.  Help us to see eternal and invisible things.  We need spiritual eyes.