Friday, December 29, 2006

Revelation 20-22

Insight Into the Scriptures
In chapter 20 we start with the 1,000 year reign where satan is chained deep in the abyss, where after the 1,000 years he will be released, just to be defeated forever. This 1,000 year reign, no one except Christ knows, but what my human mind can understand is that it will be here on earth with Christ. My guess is that, Christ will take the form of after the resurrection and just before He left earth. How he was able to appear where ever He wanted. It will be a time where sin is subdued, righteous reigns. It will be a time of peace, harmony, health, worship, and thanksgiving. The earth will be at peace, no more devastating storms.

Chapter 21 describes the new universe God will create. Chapter 22 everyone should read.

View January's Reading Schedule

As we end Revelation, it is not a book of doom and death. It is a book of promise and unspeakable joy for every believer. If you read chapter 21 Christ says "I am making everything new!" Read the chapter and try and imagine what a new universe will be like; no more tears, no more death, no more mourning, crying or pain! And it is ours~

Revelation 22:7, 10-12 - NIV
"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."
"Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."

Thought for the Day
Is your relationship with Christ what you want it to be?
As I said before it is the new year, it is a wonderful time to start new, to make new commitments, a fresh start to a new year. I am not going to spend alot of time "Preaching" to you. I pray that the Holy Spirit will do that.
After reading the news tonight, with the death of Suddam, who knows what events will spin off that? Jesus tells us the time is near, and He will reward everyone according to what he has done, are you satisfied with your relationship with Christ?

Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank you for your wonderful promises of a new universe. I can not wait to fall down at Your feet and worship You in person.
Lord, I want to draw closer to You, whatever that means. Please speak to me and guide me where You want to take me.
Jesus, I want to pray for the event that took place yesterday. I know that you are in control of everything and that good or evil all works out according to Your plan. It saddens me if Saddam was not a believer, to see satan use him, then get him in the end, I want to see satan lose. Please be with the people over there. I love you Jesus. Holy Spirit please fill me up with Your love and goodness today.
In Your Powerful Name,
Amen

Bible Trivia
Which two apostles raised people from the dead?

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Revelation 17-19

Insight Into the Scriptures
As we wind down with the judgements on the Earth and mankind, we start to look forward to Christ's return in chapter 19. The woman on the beast described in Chapter 17 is most likely a religious system or organization. Chapter 18 describes the fall of
Babylon, and along with the fall will be a catastrophic economic fall.

View January's Reading Schedule

I have posted the readings for January. I have thought and prayed about where to go this next year. I really believe that everyone should be in the Bible as a minimum. If you have extra time and you feel that you should do another study that is wonderful. But, I believe that you need to spend one on one time with Christ reading His word, and letting the Holy Spirit speak to you.
I know that I am excited to start back into Genesis again, I have grown and matured and I am excited to know Christ will reveal new, amazing things to me.

Revelation 17:17 - NIV
"For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled."

Sometimes I look at the world, or better yet, I look at my life and I have to say, I have questioned how God could be in control?
Our family went through a life changing disease. It was something so rare, medically, I should not have this disease. During the storm of the disease I can't tell you how many times I yelled at God, and asked Him "Who is in control?" satan is having a hayday seeing me depressed to the point of suicide, my family torn apart, me losing my job, and that was just the tip of the iceburg.
God is in control always, during the good times and bad times. No matter what happens we must trust that God is in charge, and everything evil or bad that happens, God overrules it and uses it for His glory.

Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, I look at what is happening around the world and some of the events in my life and I do not understand it all. Please forgive me for my weak human fallings. Lord, I do believe that You are in control of everything and I ask that You will give the strength to give it to You so that I can focus on our relationship.
I love You Jesus, I ask that Your spirit would be with me today, teach me, and guide me. I am Yours, Jesus!
In Your Amazing Name,
Amen

Bible Trivia
What was Jesus doing in a boat immediately before calming a storm that terrified His disciples?

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas!


Blessings!
I thought that today being Christmas we could focus on something a little more brighter than Revelation and the end of the world. So I hope that this devotional will bless you.
Kim, Tyler and I wish you a peaceful and blessed Christmas. I know that this time of year brings families together, sometimes we do not get along with all of our family members, but I pray that Christ's love cuts through all the feelings. There is nothing more important than the relationships that you will sow here on earth.
If your family is away this Christmas, I pray that they would feel your spirit and Christ's love. As we move out of Christmas and into another year, I would also encourage you to keep the Christmas spirit alive; the spirit of Christ.

Luke 1:26-30, 4:4-7, John 19:25-27, Matthew 27:60-61, 28:1-2 - NIV
"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
"Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God."
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
"...and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb."
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.""There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it."

Thought for the Day
Have you ever really thought about Mary? Sometimes it is hard for me, when I read the Bible I know the beginning, and the end. I know how the story ends, and it is good. But, just as you may be in a trial or painful situation right now, you do not know the end of your story, but, Christ has read your story and He knows how it ends. So, let's take a better look at Mary's life, and try to live the moment she was living, put yourself in her shoes.
Mary was approached by an angel and told that she was "Highly favored", the "Lord is with you", and "You have favor with God" you are going to be THE MOTHER of JESUS, the Savior of the World!!! Now, if an angel told me that, I would think, I am in good with the Big Guy, I have found favor and I am HAVING HIS SON. Life is going to be goooooood. Right?
When Mary was nine months pregnant, she had to get on a donkey, travel 70 miles on a rocky, rough road, then when she and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room..... only a stable with animals. At this point I might question God, "Ahhhhh Lord, where was the royal travel, you know the angel that came before, where is he now and the royal chariots? Oh and Lord you do know that I am nine months pregnant? And one more thing Lord, no nice hotel room for your Son??
Now, fast forward with Mary at the foot of the Cross, her Son, the Savior of the World, God's Son, dying this incredibly painful death, just imagine the feelings she felt as her Son looked down upon her and acknowledged His beloved mother, then to follow His lifeless body to the tomb and to see Him placed in there. I think at this point I would loose it. I would scream to God, "What are you doing? You told me that I was "Highly favored and You are with me?" "Where are you now?" "You let Your Son die, the Savior of the World."
But, Mary did not know the end of her story, or the empty tomb with a risen Son. In reading the story, I believe there was one thing that Mary said to Elizabeth that allowed her to "keep it together"
"And Mary said:
My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has been mindful
of the humble state of His servant.
So, whether you are in a trial, or the next one you face, remember Mary, remember you do not know the end of your story, but however it ends, there will be an empty tomb with a risen savior waiting for you! - Merry Christmas~

Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for this day, a time when we remember the amazing journey You started, to save us from eternal death, Happy Birthday Jesus!
Jesus, I want to take a moment to remember Your men and women who are serving Your country, please be with them and let them feel You and Your intoxicating love. We love You!
In Your Name,
Amen

Bible Trivia
What was the sign that the Angels gave to the shepherds, so that they would recognize Jesus?

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

3 John

Insight Into the Scriptures
3 John is a short, personal letter written by John to Gaius. Gaius was a prominent Christian in one of the home churches that John visited.

Missionaries and church leaders like John, traveled from city to city preaching, and helped establish churches. They depended on people opening their homes and providing for their needs. Gaius must have made an impression on John.

View December's Reading Schedule

Today we finish with the 3rd letter from John. I got a chuckle as I finished 3 John. In his last two letters John states that "He has much to say, but he does not want to use pen and ink." I wonder if he had alot going on in his life and he did not want to spend the time to write a long letter?

Good job on the Bible triva question. Kim and I just love trivia, it is also a wonderful way to get to know the scriptures.

3 John 1:5-8 niv
"Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth."

Thought for the Day
We just had a "100 year storm" come through Washington. The winds knocked out the power for over 1 million homes. Our city, North Bend, was one of the worse hit. We lost power on 12/14/06 and it will not be restored until after Christmas sometime.

Something very neat happened because of the storm, it brought the best out in people. The entire community helped each other. People opened up their homes, shared food and supplies, drove around to neighbor's houses to make sure they were OK. In fact, our neighbor, who tries to avoid us, saw us sitting in our car trying to get warm and listen to the radio, she asked us if we needed any candles for the night. Why does it take a natural disaster to bring out the best in us???

I believe that we need to practice authentic community more. It seems like we have become such a closed, personal, "Don't invade my space" culture. In fact, I was watching a TV show called "Cars of the future". They had a new car that did just that, it was constructed like a little amoured car, it was made to shut the evil world out. Our homes need to be open for all our brothers and sisters who are in need, and it does not matter if everything is perfect. What matters is that our hearts and homes are open.

Now, maybe you are not the type of person to open up your home to other people. There are still people in need everyday. I bet we pass a handful of brothers and sisters that could really use our help, but we are too busy, that we usually miss a Divine appointment. Think about how many "God Moments" and Divine Appointments you have missed because you did not have time? I know that I have missed plenty! I would encourage you the rest of this week to see the people that God is putting in your path. Make it a point to stop and help that person.

Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, I know that I have missed many people that You have placed in my path. Please forgive me for letting those moments pass by.

Lord, my day becomes so busy with so many things that I need to get done. Please help me to keep my spiritual eyes and ears open, please give me peace and patience when I see another in need. Help me to focus on their needs and not mine.

I am asking you Jesus to put someone in my path today that needs Your help, help me see that person, and may You shine through me. Thank you Jesus for loving me, I want to know more and more of you each day. I love you.In Your amazing name,Amen

Bible Trivia
Who replaced Judas after he hung himself, and then became the 13th apostle?

Friday, December 1, 2006

Several years ago I turned my back on Christ. With tears in His eyes, He let me go the path I had choosen at the time. My path lead me to destruction..... terrible ugly sin. After several years of living with this person I had become, I could not take it anymore. I fell on my knees and cried to Jesus to save me. He rushed over and picked me up, and wiped my tears away.

Some times I still feel dirty and stained, but, I know Christ rain has washed me clean. This song captures how I felt. If you are stuck in sin, there is life after the worse sin. All you need to do is ask.........


I cannot believe I'm this dirty
I'm ashamed to even ask to be clean
I can't think of anyone less worthy
I have nothing to offer or to bring

I throw myself on Your mercy
I throw myself at Your feet
I throw my filth on the grace of One whose beauty is beyond me

And I wait
And I wait

I'm not even sure how I got here
Wandering to this darkness from Your light
I still remember walking in the garden with you
Now I'm just stumbling through this night

I wait for Your rain to fall
The waves of Your grace to wash over me
I wait for Your rain to fall
strange how forgiveness comes so easily
When I call your name
And wait for Your rain

Lord, this desert is killing me
My throat's dry from screaming Your name
I want to come home but the sands of time surround me
The dirt's finally covered my shame

Todd Agnew
Wait For Your Rain

To my King~

I searched the world for a song that I could sing
Praise to my King, a gift that I could bring
But no music I found could compare to You
Not one could do justice to Your glory
What are my songs compared to Yours?

You speak with Thunder and lightning
Your voice shakes the mountains
The foundations of the earth
All I can offer is the fragile breath
With each one I'll praise YOU
With each one I'll praise YOU more

I search the world for a poem I could read
A rhyme that would bring glory to my King
But no writing I found was worthy of
This God high above all others gods
What are my words compared to your?

Todd Agnew
This Fragile Breath
Blessings~
Wow, it is already December 1st. I better start thinking about Christmas.

This is the first time that I have read all of Paul's letters in a row. By reading like this you really get to know the writer and his style. In some letters you can tell that Paul is upset and very direct, but in some you can tell he really cares about the believers he is writing too. I Thessalonians is a clear letter that is full of emotion.

Be sure to read 4:16-18. It is always good to remind ourselves of this and like Paul says, encourage each other.
View December's

1 Thessalonians 4:3-7It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

Thought for the DayWhen I read the above verses I automatically think this is written for unmarried people not to have pre- marital sex. But, I believe that this goes deeper and applies to more than just "singles."

As I was reading this passage, I picked up that the Thessalonians struggled with this, so, I did some reading and they did have problems with this issue.

If you are married, you and your spouse need to make a commitment to stay mentally and physically pure to each other. It is something that is such a problem in our world today. There are so many marriages that fail and hearts that are broken because we do not take this serious. Non-believers and believers alike.

In our marriage we need to talk about this to each other and hold each other accountable. I would also suggest that you have a friend also, to hold you accountable.

If your marriage is awesome and you both are on the same page of staying pure to each other, we need to set an example and encourage our single brothers and sisters. Remember, the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Do not be his prey!

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