Posts Tagged ‘Jesus is coming.’

Scripture reading for December 9th: Revelation 1:1-20

John was imprisoned on Patmos for preaching the Gospel.  Patmos was a rocky island in the Mediterranean Sea that served as a penal colony for Roman prisoners.  John was probably in his 80’s or 90’s when he was sent there and maintained a strong personal devotional life and worship time.  He serves as an example of a true disciple for every generation and was commanded to write this letter by Christ Himself.

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show servants what must soon take place.  He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw–that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:1-3)  All who read and heed this letter’s truth will receive a blessing.  This blessing is promised to all who by faith will receive it!

“Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him.  So shall it be!  Amen!” (Revelation 1:7)  John was immersed in a vision of the coming of Jesus Christ and wrote urgently to the church concerning the need to be prepared.  All the earth would see Jesus Christ but many would mourn because of Him because His return would bring judgment.  Those who by faith had taken to heart the words of Jesus would be ready and joyfully meet Him!

“On the Lord’s day, I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches:  to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:9-11)  As John worshiped, he heard a voice speaking to him.  He then looked and saw Jesus Christ in all His glory.  John was so overcome that he fell down as a dead man.  Jesus placed his hand on him and encouraged him not to fear, but to write about the past, present and future.  This amazing ‘revelation’ of Jesus Christ is what John saw!  We are blessed to read it for the time is near!

Scripture reading for December 20th: 1st John 1-5

I find it interesting that so many of the Apostles who walked with Jesus wrote so often about Jesus’ return.  They evidently heard something from the heart of Jesus that made a deep impression.  They were willing to suffer and die, many of them martyred for preaching the Gospel.  John the Apostle is another of Jesus’ inner circle who wrote about Jesus’ return and encouraged the church to be ready!

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1st John 3:1-3)

John is the apostle of love.  He is always talking about the love of God and how God has lavished His love on us as human beings.  Through Jesus Christ, we are now adopted into God’s family and have the privilege of being called His children.  To the world, we look no different than anyone else.  The people of the world don’t recognize us as children of God because they do not know Jesus.

But when Jesus returns, things will change in an instant.  We will be instantly made to be like Him in His glorified body.  We will see Him in all His glory and be transformed.  Those who have faith in Christ, have this hope in their hearts and it causes a change in behavior and attitude.  We separate ourselves from the sins of the world and the flesh and live a pure life by faith in Christ.  We prepare for Christ’s sudden return and our transformation!

John stresses that those born of God will not continue to sin because God’s seed (sperm–the living word of God) dwells in him.  (1st John 3:9-10)  We who are born again love others and choose to do what is right according to God’s word. There are only two types of people in the world: those born of God and those who are children of the devil.  Are you ready for His coming?

Scripture reading for December 5th: 1st Thessalonians 1-5

Dear Friends,

Another day of rest is here!  We are all waiting for Jesus Christ to return and celebrate His resurrection with each Sunday!  In order to finish our journey on the last day of December, we must again read on Sunday.  Please  join with a body of believers today and worship!  Don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves, as you see the end approaching! (No pun intended!)

The letter to Thessalonians is unique in that each chapter contains a reference to the second coming of Christ!  The believers in Thessalonica were really excited about this event.  Paul had to write to them to help them out of some wrong thinking concerning how to prepare and wait for Christ’s return.  As we read this, let’s check our thinking to be sure we are on the right track!

Paul greeted this church, thanking God for their work produced by their faith in Jesus Christ.   This church worked to help others know the Lord.  They had great hope in Jesus Christ’s return which inspired endurance.  (1st Thessalonians 1:2-3)  Paul knew their background of idolatry and how they responded to the Gospel by truly turning to the living and  to God and to wait for Jesus Christ from heaven.  (1st Thessalonians 1:9-10)

Paul recounted how he and the other brothers had worked among them sharing the gospel.  They had been very gentle and shared their lives as well as the message because of the love they had for these dear people.  They also set a holy and pure example of what being a Christian looked like and worked hard so as not to be a burden on these new believers.  The Thessalonians had received the word and had become imitators of God’s churches.  (1st Thessalonians 2:7-12, 19-20)  These believers would be the apostles joy, hope and crown when Christ appeared!

Paul encouraged these believers to wait for Christ actively.  They must live holy lives by avoiding sexual immorality.  They must love each other and respect each person.  They must also work and mind their own business.  Christ is coming back suddenly for those who are waiting actively.  (1st Thessalonians 4:1-12)  Jesus will come Himself, with a trumpet call and loud command.  The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those who are alive and ready to meet Jesus in the clouds!  Take care of any unfinished business today!

In His Love,  Pastor John

Scripture reading for December 23rd: Revelation 1-3

Today we come to the last book of the Bible on our journey through Scripture.  Our goal has been to encounter Jesus in each book or letter and gain an understanding of Him that equips us to live out our faith in an authentic manner.  The opening words “The revelation of Jesus Christ” give us an immediate understanding that this last book is all about Jesus Christ!  It was written by one of the twelve disciples, John the beloved, while he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9)  He was worshiping the Lord on a Sunday when he heard a voice speaking to him.  Upon looking, he saw Jesus and heard Him speak to him a message that was to be written down for the churches that John served.

John describes the vision of Jesus in this first chapter of Revelation.  Jesus appeared in such glory and power that John fell down as a dead man.  (Revelation 1:17)  We who are pentecostal might say that John was slain in the Spirit!  Jesus touched John and spoke again. “Then He placed His right hand on me and said:  “do not be afraid.  I am the First and the Last.  I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!  And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17b-18)

John was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel.  He and probably many others were suffering for their faith in Jesus.  Some had already died, quite probably all the other disciples who walked with Jesus as John did.  During this special worship time, Jesus came in visible form and then spoke words of faith and encouragement to this special apostle.

Jesus is the keeper of the keys of death and Hades!  Satan was not in control and neither was Rome!  Human authorities and governments have no power except that granted by our Lord for His purposes.  Even though death looks permanent to us, Jesus conquered death and Hades and rose from the dead.  He took the keys from Satan and holds the key for our deliverance from there as well!  By faith in Jesus Christ, we are freed from our sins and their power to hold us in Satan’s abode.  Jesus was dead and now lives forever as the first fruits of them that will live forever!  What encouragement this truth gives to us!

Christians rejoice in this truth!  Death has no power over us and the grave is not to be feared!  Faith is the victory and we can rest assured without fear of what is to come!  We know the one who is alive forever and has the keys!

September 27th, 2009

Dear friends,

Greetings on this another day of rest and reflection concerning all God has done.  Last Sunday night was marked by a deluge of rain that brought some trouble to our church building.  We were replacing the roof and doing needed repairs, when about 5 inches of rain fell in a short time.  We had felt roofing material on the roof, but it did not protect it from the heavy rain and we ended up with water inside the building.  Many came to help with the clean-up.  I am thankful that our church family pulls together in times of difficulty and redirects their priorities to help with our church building.

As I reflect on what God is saying through this time, I feel that He is gently reminding us of our priorities.  Haggai, the last minor prophet we looked at this week, delivered a message from God about priorities. (Haggai 1:7-8)   People are God’s priority, and He wants us to seek the lost.  (Luke 19:10) Building His temple brings Him honor and He delights in each new ‘living stone’ that is added.  We must be careful to assess our own lives and even our own church priorities.  Are we spending more time on ourselves than on God’s priorities?  Does it seem like we have a purse with holes in it?  Are our crops ’short’ because God is wanting to get our attention? Could it be that He is hindering our efforts because our priorities are misplaced?

God’s  people listened and obeyed Haggai.  (Haggai 1:12)  The people feared the Lord and heeded the word from Him.  God then stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the governor, and he and the people of God began to work again on the house of the Lord!  God declared that He would be with them and would bless them as they again worked. This looks like the standard ‘formula’ for revival in action!

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no  rain, or command the locusts to devour the land or send a plague among My people, if My people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2nd Chronicles 7:13-14

As God’s people, let’s be about the Lord’s business.  Let’s seek to humble ourselves and pray and seek His face.  He promises forgiveness and blessing!  Have a great week of right priorities!  Jesus is coming soon!  The Glory of this temple will be greater than the former!

In His Love, Pastor John

Dear Friends,   Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the only wise God!  What a day to be alive and learning to know and love God!  The signs are everywhere of the last days and God’s Word tells us to live wisely and make the most of our time as we see the Day of Christ approaching. (Ephesians 5:15-16)  Those who are righteous will become more righteous and live by the Spirit, following Christ more closely.  Those who are wicked will become more wicked, following their own flesh and the evil spirits of this world more closely.  (Revelation 22:10-11)

As we begin a study of Proverbs in our daily reading, we are exposed to wisdom for successful daily living in this world.  The proverbs were wise sayings and nuggets of God’s truth that would help to discern the right path.  These truths were particularly helpful to youth and children who were beginning their walk through life.  Parents were to teach their children wise living.  They taught by impressing truth on the hearts of the young during daily meals, Sabbath day church gatherings, work, and sharing at bedtime around the fire.

Wise living always centered on loving God and obeying His commandments.  This wisdom has it’s beginning in a deep respect for God as Creator and giver of life!  The term used in Scripture is the ‘fear of the Lord’.  Parents teach the ‘fear of the Lord’ by their attitude towards God and God’s house.  Regular church attendance and worship is a good indication of a desire to live wisely.  Daily study of the Word of God and prayer are spiritual disciplines that indicate a desire to know God’s will in order to submit to it and obey it.  Wise living honors God’s Word as the rule of faith and practice.  We treat it with respect and believe it is truth–all of it!  When we cut out parts of the Bible because it doesn’t line up with what ’science’ teaches or with what we want to believe, then we have lost our fear of the Lord and our ability to know truth.  This is a dangerous place to be!

In the last days, men will refuse a love of the truth, believe a lie, and end up in damnation.  (2nd Thessalonians 2:9-12)  When we have no fear of God or His Word, a delusion of deception blinds us even further.  We lose our ability to discern right from wrong.  We end up delighting in wickedness and going to our destruction.    Now is the time to press on to know the Lord and live wisely in obedience and faith.  Jesus is coming soon!  (Revelation 22:20)

Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, our coming king and eternal savior!  “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)   It is a choice to rejoice in the Lord each and every day!  Each day is a new day with new understanding of how great our God is!  As we begin another week, set aside time to reflect on God Himself.  Take time to commune with Him!  Take time to be with others of like-precious faith who gather to worship, study, and thank Him in community!  We especially need this as we see the day of the Lord approaching!  (Hebrews 10:25)

We have been reading this past week about Ezra and Nehemiah, two great men in the history of Israel who relied on God and lived lives of prayer and obedience.  Ezra offered praise and thanks to the Lord for granting him favor to rebuild the temple.  (Ezra 7:27-28)  Ezra prayed for traveling mercies for his party with all the gold and silver articles for the temple. (Ezra 8:21-23)  After God brought them safely to Jerusalem, they met with others and offered sacrifices and thanked the Lord.  Ezra heard about the unfaithfulness of those who had married outside of the faith and he again humbled himself to pray and fast and confess the sins of his countrymen.  (Ezra 9:5l-15)  Others gathered with him and they sought the Lord.  God brought repentance and cleansing as they prayed together.

Nehemiah carried a burden for Jerusalem and it’s broken walls.  He began to pray to the Lord about his burden.  (Nehemiah 1:5-11)  He had opportunity to speak with the Persian king, Artaxeres, and prayed again.  (Nehemiah 2:4) God granted him favor and he was sent by this pagan king to rebuild the walls.  He was given materials and money as well as willing workers.  As he arrived, God gave him a vision and plan to put the people to work by families, assigning them personal responsibility near their own homes.  He shared his vision and God granted favor!  Prayer was offered to combat discouragement and stop opposing forces. (Nehemiah 4:4-5)   Nehemiah armed the workers and encouraged them to work and fight for their own children, homes and families!  (Nehemiah 4:14)  He had a trumpeter near him at all times to sound a call to fight (or pray) when an attack might come.  (Nehemiah 4:20)  Prayer was important for Nehemiah and those who worked together to rebuild the walls.  It brought a focus on God as the source of all help and a vision of God’s plan and purpose!

Take time today to praise the Lord, thank him for who He is, and enjoy sweet communion with Him.  Do this for yourself and for your family!  Meet with God’s people and pray and praise Him in community!  He is coming soon!

Another year is almost history!  This has been a year of many changes in our own family and its members.  My wife is no longer homeschooling and can now spend more time doing things she wants to do.  The oldest of our two daughters still at home graduated from high school and is now a freshman at college.  She is adapting to being away from home and in a Bible college dorm environment.  Our other daughter still at home is a Senior and will graduate  in 5 months and prepare for college next fall.  Wow!  Time flies!

My own life has had changes too!  I have met a large number of people in our city who are believers and some who are new to walking with the Lord.  I have had the privilege of praying with over 50 to receive the Lord this past year!  Our church family has grown with about 30 new members and lots more attending recently.  I am blessed by each one and pray that the Lord connects them to our family.  I have also seen a  number of friends and fellow travelers arrive at their destination of eternity with the Lord.  We miss them but must go on here with a permanent change.  I am also aging and the effects of time and gravity make changes on us all.  Some changes are welcomed and others must be accepted and adapted to.

On thing for certain:  2009 will bring change too!  Some will experience new birth, marriage, love, friendship, and job promotion and financial blessing in 2009.   Some will experience losses of job, loved ones, friendships, or health and strength.  As we evaluate our past year and begin a new year, it is good to reaffirm our faith in God’s goodness and ability to work everything for our good.  He promises to always be “God with us”!  He has plans that are for good and blessing, to give us a future and a hope!  This may be the year of the ultimate change for all believers–Jesus Christ returning for His Bride, the Church!  I want to be ready and working when He comes! I want you to be too!  In His Love, Pastor John

“For the grace of God has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live godly and upright lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”  Titus 2:11-14