Envision now our Worship Central: The Lion! Worthy is the Name of the Lamb who was slain for us all. Revelation 5

Today followers of Jesus will gather to worship the Savior who was slain.

Some will gather in churches or cathedrals, others will meet in homes and huts, and still others will worship from prisons.

Some will worship traditionally, and others will do so with a more modern bent.

Many will meet publicly, and some will gather in secret.

But all will worship the Savior who laid down his life for them.

At the center of Revelation 5 is a surprising, beautiful vision of Jesus.

On the one hand, Jesus is described as a lion.

He’s strong and is able to open the scroll that contains God’s redemptive plan.

He alone is able to carry it out.

On the other hand, he looks like a lamb that was slain.

Humble and gentle, he gave himself, utterly and completely, over to death.

How could Jesus be both a lion and a lamb?

The two images don’t seem to fit.

The answer is that he is the King because he was willing to die.

Jesus has received a crown because he carried the cross.

Only by having died for us is he now able to bring history to a victorious end for God and his people.

This devotional message is summed up in verse 9 -“Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation”

As we gather to worship today, wherever you are, why ever you are, whenever you are, glorify Jesus for the gift of salvation.

Join with fellow Christians and with the angels in heaven in shouting out,

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain!”

Revelation 5Amplified Bible

The Scroll with Seven Seals

5 I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, closed and sealed with seven seals. ²And I saw a strong angel announcing with a loud voice, “Who is worthy [having the authority and virtue] to open the scroll and to ^[a]break its seals?” ³And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] was able to open the scroll or look into it. ⁴And I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look into it. ⁵Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.”

⁶And there ^[b]between the throne (with the four living creatures) and among the elders I saw a Lamb (Christ) standing, [bearing scars and wounds] as though it had been slain, with seven horns (complete power) and with seven eyes (complete knowledge), which are ^[c]the seven Spirits of God who have been sent [on duty] into all the earth. ⁷And He came and ^[d]took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. ⁸And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God’s people). ⁹And they sang a new song [of glorious redemption], saying,

“Worthy and deserving are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
¹⁰
“You have made them to be a kingdom [of royal subjects] and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.”

Angels Exalt the Lamb

¹¹Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and [the voice] of the living creatures and the elders; and they numbered myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands (innumerable), ¹²saying in a loud voice,

“Worthy and deserving is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

¹³And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

¹⁴And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Holy! Holy! Holy!

Are You Lord God, Almighty!

Worthy Is The Lamb!

You Are Holy!

Agnus Dei – The title Lamb of God (in Latin Agnus Dei) appears in the Gospel of John, with the exclamation of John the Baptist: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29-30)

In our selected text we find two references to Christ as a “Lamb that was slain”

Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Look with me to the text and let’s see a few reasons why the Lamb is worthy:

Revelation 5:1-5Amplified Bible

The Scroll with Seven Seals

John saw a book

– Literally a scroll that was sealed with seven seals.

This scroll was in the right hand of God.

By this point John must have been overwhelmed at all that he has witnessed in Revelation Chapters 1-4.

But now he encounters a dilemma.

He said – “I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon”

Angels were not worthy!

Even the Archangels were unworthy!

All Heavenly powers stood silent!

The Prophet’s of old were not worthy!

The Lord’s Apostles were not worthy!

Among all of the Saint’s, no one worthy was found!

All of Heaven itself becomes silent and unable at the indescribable task of breaking each of the seven seals of this scroll.

As they searched through Heaven and Earth and found no one worthy, John’s heart began to break, and tears began to flow…

Then, one of the Elders said hang on John! There is ONE WHO IS WORTHY!

The Elder said look John…. “One has prevailed” “One has conquered”

– gained the victory.

Christ’s past victory over all the powers of darkness entitles Him the ability and the power to break the seals of the scroll!

Jesus describes supremacy is seen in:

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

………Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

II. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sinlessness verse 5

verse 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

As Jesus faced temptation in Matthew 4:1-11, Satan surely thought Jesus would fall, falling hard. He did not! He faced the temptation and remained sinless!

The elder tells John that “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David hath prevailed…not only did He prevail to open the book, He prevailed over sin!!

“Lion of the tribe of Judah”,

In Genesis 49, the Jews are promised that a great ruler will arise out of Judah. Like a lion, He will be powerful, strong, brave, and a mighty conqueror.

“The Root of David”. This title reflects both the humanity and the deity of the Messiah.

When Jesus arrived, He was not what the Jews had expected and as a result they rejected Him John 1:11 “He came unto His own & His own received Him not”

Instead of delivering the Jews and establishing His Kingdom on Earth, Christ came preaching and performing miracles.

Thus, they rejected Him as

“The Lion of The Tribe of Judah” and “The Root of David”

Though the Jews did not accept Christ as Messiah, He was that “Sinless” sacrifice sent by God to redeem mankind! –

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers: 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

If He had not been sinless, He would not have been the Messiah, If He had not been the Messiah, He would not be worthy to open any one of the seven seals.

PRAISE GOD HE IS SINLLESS! HE IS THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH! HE IS THE ROOT OF DAVID! HE IS THE MESSIAH AND HE IS WORTHY!!!!

III. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Submission verse 6a

Verse 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,

Here we see Christ pictured as a Lamb that had been slain.

This Holy Lamb of God was a willing sacrifice for our sins! – 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:

In most instances throughout the New Testament you will find the word “Amnos”,

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g286/kjv/tr/0-1/

but here in Revelation chapter 5 we find the word “Arnion”.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g721/kjv/tr/0-1/

I draw your attention to the distinction of these words to further paint the picture of what John saw…..

He did not just see an ‘amnos’ a lamb, he saw an ‘arnion’ … a “little pet lamb”

Consider this differentiation very carefully:

The Elder tells John to behold the “LION” of the tribe of Judah,

John was expecting a vigorously healthy, strong and mighty conquering lion and he turns and sees this little ‘arnion,’ this little pet lamb.

In Exodus 12, we see the people of Israel instructed to:

1) Select a perfect lamb, one without blemish and without spot.

2) Take that lamb into their home and nourish it and care for it for a number of days

3) During that time, that little lamb became like a pet lamb to that family.

After a certain period of time they were to:

a) Take that lamb and kill it

b) Apply its blood to the doorposts of their home

c) Roast the body and eat it.

If the people obeyed this command, they would be spared when the Lord came to judge the Egyptians.

This Passover lamb was a picture of how God would judge His only Son at Calvary.

This submissive lamb came into a world which would hate, reject and crucify Him. God placed His only Son on that cross in my place so that I could go free!

The Lamb of God was slain and died so that we might live!!

When it is all said and done,

When I ponder the depth of this imponderable statement,

I never could quite bring myself to understand ….

Why a king would leave His throne

For the sake of both his very best friends and his very worst enemies

To dawn the robe of an earthly man

And feel the pain of flesh and bone

Then to trod that lonely path

That lead to Calvary

But whether I am his very best friend or his very worst enemy,

This statement is inescapably and immutably true ….

But those blood red stains broke all my chains

So that I, being the best of friends or the worst of enemies, could still go free

This “little, pet Lamb” won the victory

and because of that, He is absolutely worthy to take the book.

A great illustration of Christ’s Submission is found in Matthew 26:38-42

IV. Christ Is Worthy Because Of His Sacrifice verses 6 and 9

v6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

v9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Jesus purchased the victory on the cross

– John 19:30 when Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “it is finished”: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.

This Lamb that was slain, was slain for us!

This was prophesied in Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely, he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

This Lamb in verse 6 still bears the marks of having been slain – When we see Jesus in Heaven, we will yet still see the marks of His suffering in His body.

For all eternity, Jesus will bear the wounds of the cross as a constant reminder of what He did for us.

There will be no room for pride in Heaven!

No one will be able to brag about how he got there. When we see Him, we will see His love on permanent display.

And we will say WORTHY IS THE LAMB!!!

The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sovereignty, Sinlessness, Submission, Sacrifice and FINALLY we see:

V. Christ Is Worthy Because Of His Success verses 9-10

This heavenly choir sang a “new” song! – Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation

What is the “success” of this lamb?

Take very careful and well considered notice that He is now “standing”

The Lamb is in Heaven not in a manger, not on a dusty road in Galilee, not on a ship in a storm.

He is not hanging in shame and agony on a cross.

He is not lying in a cold, sealed tomb.

He is where He deserves to be.

He is on the throne. He is glorified and exalted in Heaven!

When Jesus ascended, He “sat down” at the right hand of God, Hebrews 1:3.

He sat down because His work of redeeming sinners was complete. The Lamb is standing here because His work of delivering the earth is about to begin!

•Jesus brought Success Over Death Hell and The Grave

– Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Satan thought he had defeated Jesus when Jesus died on the cross.

Hell must have celebrated as the broken, bleeding, body of Jesus was removed from that cross and placed in that borrowed tomb.

For three days, the demons and devils of Hell must have dance in delight as they celebrated what they thought was Satan’s victory over the Lord Jesus Christ.

What Satan thought was his greatest victory was in fact his greatest defeat!

On that third day Christ rose from that Tomb to live forever more!!

Because of the Success of the Lamb, we have the Hope of Eternal Life!

i. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sovereignty

ii. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sinlessness

iii. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Submission

iv. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Sacrifice

v. The Lamb Is Worthy Because Of His Success

Worthy!

Worthy! The Lamb That Was Slain!

Holy! Holy! Holy! Is He ….

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Heavenly Father, what a blessing to know that as a member of the Bride of Christ, I will be uniting my voice to sing this glorious new song with the 24 elders. Thank You that I have been redeemed by Your blood, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ my Savior. He alone is worthy of all my praise, honor, and glory, Holy! Holy! Holy! Is He ALONE! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.

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Our One Exclusive Focus: Our Worship of the Lamb who sits upon the Throne. Revelation 4:1-11, Revelation 5:13-14.

Revelation 4Amplified Bible

Scene in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and behold, ^[a]a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” ²At once I was in [special communication with] the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. ³And He who sat there appeared like [the crystalline sparkle of] ^[b]a jasper stone and [the fiery redness of] a sardius stone, and encircling the throne there was a rainbow that looked like [the color of an] emerald. ⁴Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were ^[c]twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

⁵From the throne came flashes of lightning and [rumbling] sounds and peals of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are ^[d] the seven Spirits of God; ⁶and in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living ^[e]creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them]. ^7 [f] The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf (ox), the third creature had the face of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. ⁸And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”

⁹Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,

¹¹
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

Revelation 5:13-14Amplified Bible

¹³And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

¹⁴And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

The very first time I went whitewater rafting was one early spring day with a friend of mine. It was early in the winter to spring runoffs and the river water promised to be fast and furious and according to the pamphlet – ‘serious fun.’

We arrived, made our introductions and divided into two rafts. We got our wet gear, we put on life jackets and helmets, and we got our oars, some instructions on the bank before setting out, had a lengthy discussion about safety equipment and procedures, and some rigorous practice in basic techniques along the shore.

I was made very clear of my role – and tried very hard to be very focused on exactly what I was supposed to do as the rafts new “Right-Front” paddler.

Our river guide explained that the way we kept ourselves in the boat (which is a bit of a priority, I’ll admit), was by wedging our feet into the bottom of the boat.

Unfortunately, I was more focused on my paddling responsibility than on keeping myself in the boat, and so the very first rapid we hit I went tumbling back into the middle of the boat, almost began whitewater rafting from there!

Quite simply, my focus was wrong, and I paid the consequence. Luckily, we had been instructed in what to do should we fall out of our positions on the raft, and so as soon as the guide took over the raft, we all took the time to focus on safety.

I adjusted my focus and did what I needed to do to remain safe and get placed back into my spot. And I can assure you that once back in my place, my focus was adjusted, I spent much more time concentrating on staying in my place.

The point is, I had to adjust my focus. Sometimes we need to adjust the focus of our lives as well. Often our tendency as human beings are to take our eyes off of our God and look only at the situation life finds us in, and we get overwhelmed.

My main point this morning is that our focus must be on God – we must always be focused on God.

We are going to again examine chapter 4 of the book of Revelation, and from this find three areas that need to be our constant focus, in the midst of difficult times and during those rare times when life is running along smoothly:

first, we need to Focus on God’s position;

second, we need to Focus on God’s power;

and third, we need to focus on God’s perfection.

I want you to again turn in your Bibles focusing upon Revelation chapter 4.

As you are finding it, let me give you just a bit of background on the book of Revelation before diving into this chapter, because I know that there is a great diversity in how people feel about this particular book of the Bible

– some people are really scared by it, some are intrigued and some curious, still others find great encouragement and discover comfort, while lots and lots of us people will just decide to ignore it because they can’t focus, figure any of it out!

The purpose of the book of Revelation is very clear – it was written to encourage Christians. It’s main, number one purpose, is encouragement.

Now, some of us who have read the book and remember quite visually all the plagues and death and war and strife and terrible pain, which is described, as God pours out His Judgement and wrath on the world; Like me at first, you may be wondering exactly how all this could possibly be a book of encouragement.

Well, the answer I believe is found in the broad perspective of the entire book.

I can try to over-simplify it by saying this:

There is a huge eternal struggle between God and Satan, between good and evil, and its heavenly panoramic view is ugly and painful and difficult, and God wins.

Satan is chained.

Satan is crushed.

Satan is defeated.

Romans 16:20Amplified Bible

²⁰The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The [wonderful] grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

There is where the encouragement lies – God wins!

Satan can do his worst, can throw everything in his arsenal at us as God’s children, but it is never ever going to be enough to ever overcome God.

God will be victorious, and Satan will be crushed and rendered powerless for eternity.

The encouragement is found in the immovable, unshakeable security that we who have confessed Christ as Savior know the end of the story! We know who wins – who is more powerful – who is more worthy of our love and our service.

A short distance off the coast of present-day Turkey lies a tiny island called Patmos, where just over 1,900 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to John the Beloved and instructed him to write down an account of the visions and the revelations he was about to be given (see Revelation 1:10–16, 19).

In Revelation 1–3, John introduced essential themes that run throughout the book. Revelation 1 describes a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, unveiling aspects of the Savior’s power and our Alpha and Omega’s eternal mission, including the reassuring truth that the Lord labors among and with His faithful servants.

In Revelation 2–3, John’s letters focus on seven branches of the Church, convey observations and messages of blessings, criticism, counsel and correction from the Lord to help His followers refocus and to receive the blessings of exaltation.

The messages in these chapters showed the Saints in John’s Day that Savior Jesus Christ will help His followers overcome even as He overcame, and these messages will teach the same thing to us today pulling our focus off the world.

The first three chapters of Revelation are a series of visions for very specific churches which existed at the time of the writing of this book, with specific, focused observations, criticisms, instructions for each one of them to focus on.

Revelation chapter 4 begins a new section, where John’s visions of the cosmic struggle between God and Satan, and the eventual outcome, begins.

It is fascinating and instructive that the entire revelation begins in the throne room of heaven, with the focus

(1) on God’s position – in the center, on the throne,

(2) a focus on God’s power and

(3) a focus on God’s perfection.

This chapter sets the tone for the focus rest of the book.

I. Focus on God’s Position – In the EXACT CENTER, on the throne

We need to constantly have our focus tweaked so that we are centered on God.

The very first thing I want us to focus in on from Revelation chapter 4 is the Focus on God’s position.

John, the recipient and recorder of these visions, is ushered into the very throne room of heaven (verses 1 and 2 describe his invitation and response).

He writes (vs. 2-3)

“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian (these were precious stones, jasper likely a clear stone, and carnelian a Firey red stone). A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ”

So, we see, from this vision of the throne room of heaven, God is in the exact center of it all.

Everything else – the emerald rainbow, the thrones of the 24 elders, even the 4 living creatures mentioned a little later on, are described as around the throne of God – focused exclusively on God’s position in the exact center of heaven.

John sees God on His throne in the exact center of everything else.

God exalted above everything else.

God in absolute control of everything – period.

This is the first Focus – on God’s position.

I want to pause here to ask you this question:

when you look at the central focus of your life, is God at the exact center?

Have you granted him exclusive permission to come in and take exclusive control your life – only focus of your soul, occupy the throne in your heart?

What position does He hold in your life – supreme ruler, or is He more like an advisor that you, as supreme ruler, which we occasionally focus upon, turn to for “advice” when the “wisdom of our own wisdom” runs out of “clever?”

I know it is probably taboo to say this, but I so plead with you to take an honest look at your heart – your motivations and your actions – demand from yourself whether or not God is at the center of your life, or you are. Where is your focus?

It’s an important question to answer, because the rest of the book of Revelation details what happens to those who do not acknowledge Christ as their king –

those who do not focus on God and make Him the center of their lives – and it’s not a pretty sight! On the other hand, for those that do acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King the rewards are great and guaranteed – eternity in paradise!

If you’ve never made Jesus the center of your life – asked Him to be your king – then listen carefully, because your eternity is in jeopardy.

2000 years ago, Jesus left the scene we’ve just read in Revelation 4 to come to earth and live among us.

He lived among us and taught us many things about God’s character and His love for mankind.

And then He was crucified – hung on a cross like the worst kind of criminal.

But here is the important part: He rose from the dead. Jesus defeated the power of death! Death was not strong enough to hold Him!

So, what does that have to do with you and the center of your life?

This.

When you make Jesus your king, death’s hold over you are broken as well.

The Bible says this: (Romans6:5) “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”

Today, will you choose to make Jesus the exact, exacting center of your life?

Maybe you have asked Jesus to be the exact center of your life in the past but have since taken back control.

When I asked you to take an honest look at yourself,

if we had to answer that we were back on the throne instead of God, or that we have again and again placed something else at the exact center of our life (like money, old rusty destinies, success or pride), then we have some work to do.

You and I definitely need to refocus on what matters the most to us, repent of that sin and strive to again accept God’s promise of forgiveness and restoration.

I’ve tried to state these things very strongly this morning on purpose.

The length and breadth and height and depths of the Bible takes the issue of “who is the center (or Lord, if you prefer) of your life very (eternally) seriously.

My purpose is not to discourage or frighten you, but rather to communicate the truth that God must be at the very center of our lives – we must make Him our Lord, and give all of our allegiance to Him, and focus on Him and on Him alone.

Now, how does a Focus on God’s position help you and I as we go about our daily lives?

Well, when we are focused on God’s position – at the center of our universe and at the center of our lives, our foundation will be secure.

The fundamental ideas of who we are and how we fit into our universe will be answered in a convincing and powerful way.

When Jesus is truly our Lord, we know for certain who we serve – we know that we are servants of the one and only God – and we know that He has accepted us and welcomed us into His very own family.

That perspective will give us strength to face whatever challenges we face in this world.

We know who we are and who we serve.

Focusing on God’s position allows us to retain a “big picture” perspective which will definitely, and directly, and decisively, help keep each and every single one of us becoming overwhelmed by the diversity of situations we find ourselves in.

II. Focus on God’s Power

The second Focus I find in Revelation 4 is a focus on the power of God.

There are at least two images of the power of God demonstrated in this chapter, and the first is the one we have just finished discussion – God on the throne.

The throne is the seat of power and authority, and the place from which God exercises His power and dominion.

Look at verse 5 – here we get the second image of the power of God.

“From the throne came flashes of lightening, rumblings, and peals of thunder”.

These flashes of lightening, and rumblings, and peals of thunder are pictures of God’s awesome power – they are images designed to focus, to communicate to the reader something of the maximum scope, magnitude, of the power of God.

We often hear reports on the news of the power of the forces of nature – whether it is from flooding or hurricanes, or tsunamis or earthquakes.

Those pictures always vividly remind me how frail all of our civilization is in comparison to the power of God.

We have wonderful technologies and highly trained and rehearsed response teams to deploy into emergency situations – but ultimately, there is really very little they can do when the very ground begins to shake, and roads and airport runways fold up like paper, when whole houses collapse from rushing water!

May God bless and watch over, vigilantly protect our Armies of First Responders!!!

This verse in Revelation 4 provides us with a wonderful image that reminds us of the power of God.

I found it a wonderful encouragement as I studied this passage that God is still on the throne of the universe, ruling it in power.

He has not left us alone down here to fumble around by ourselves in the dark.

He has not abandoned us nor forsaken us to suffer alone through this life without any offer of unfailing guidance or thoroughly accurate directions.

He has not planned for us to have a miserable existence in this life.

No, He is very active, and the power is still flowing from His throne, just like the picture in Revelation 4 shows us.

And the power is flowing for the benefit and assistance of those who call Jesus their Lord and king. He is still in 100% control; He is still working powerfully in our world. Please Remember that. Focus on that. And be encouraged by that.

It is important to note as we focus on God’s power that we control how much it flows in our lives.

God’s power to work in and through us is dependent upon our cooperation.

It works a lot like a tap.

By turning the tap on just a small bit, you get just a few drops of water.

By opening it up more, you allow more water to flow.

It is possible for us to limit the ability of God to work in our lives.

As we focus on the power of God, and open ourselves to Him, we allow God to work on us – molding us deeper into His image – and through us – to spread His desperately needed message of maximum hope and salvation to all mankind.

Once again, how does this focus help you and I in our daily lives?

Well, when we are focused on God’s power (by which He created everything out of nothing and through which he continues to uphold and sustain the laws of nature and by which He manages to meet all of our concerns and needs)

– when we are focused on God’s power, flowing from His throne, what problem that we face is going to seem overwhelming?

What situation would leave us feeling hopeless?

What mountain will seem insurmountable?

When we are focused on the power of God that flows from His throne, we can face every situation in our lives with boldness, courage, and confidence in how God will work things together for His glory.

What a living hope – what a secure anchor – what an undeniably worthy focus.

III. Focus on God’s perfection

The third and final focus that I find in Revelation chapter 4 is a focus on God’s perfection.

He is a Holy God, perfect in every way, completely and totally morally pure.

Verse 6: “Before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal”.

Although some scholars disagree on the symbolism here, the most likely and convincing interpretation is of this is an image of God’s holiness – his purity.

We find the same emphasis in the worship offered by the four living creatures, halfway through verse 8: “Day and night they never stop saying: ’Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’”

The focus in the worship of those creatures surrounding the throne is on the holiness of God’s character.

So how does focusing on God’s perfection help us?

As I thought about the three focuses, I’ve talked about today,

focus on God’s position, focus on God’s power, and focus on God’s perfection,

and as I considered how these help us in our daily lives, I came to the conclusion that this one helps the most.

Let me try to explain my two reasons why:

First, as we focus on the holiness of God, we are immediately confronted with our own sin in comparison.

When Isaiah was ushered into this same throne room, he fell to the ground and his heart, and his soul and his voice immediately cried out:

“Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and (now) my eyes have seen the king, the Lord Almighty.” (Is. 6:5).

Focusing on God’s holiness makes us realize our sinfulness.

How does that help?

Often, not always, our problems are partially of our own making.

Isn’t that, right?

Do not we often get ourselves into a problem as a result of an act of sin.

That’s our human nature!

Focusing on God’s holiness reveals our sinfulness, which we can then identify as contributing to the problem in the first place.

And that hopefully, faithfully, lovingly, prayerfully changes our whole attitude regarding how we approach the sinful situation – we are willing to accept our responsibility, and we can then work to correct the wrong we did.

Most of the time, gracefully, the other people involved will respond positively in that kind of environment and admit their part, and resolution can be found.

The second reason why this focus is the most helpful is that our focus on the holiness of God keeps us from sinning in the midst of the problem.

If our own sin is often part of the cause of the problem, our sinful actions are often what make the problem larger.

This is a great help to us!

Focusing on the holiness of God in the midst of a difficult situation in our lives will greatly decrease our propensity to sin in the midst of the problem.

Instead of our completely having a fit and storming into the boss’s office to yell and scream (and maybe cuss a time or two or three?) demanding an apology for the mistreatment we have suffered (which is more likely to make the problem bigger), a focus on the complete holiness of God gives an opportunity to pause and then to consider our actions and the morality of what we would like to do.

We can then moderate our actions and maintain our integrity while working hard towards a resolution of the problem.

We were made to praise God. As the Reformed tradition confesses, our chief purpose is “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism). To glorify God means to enter into the joy of our salvation. It means that all that God has done for us in Christ directs our living and thanksgiving.

The verses from Revelation 5 shows that the grace poured out on us by the Lamb, who was slain, is at the exact center of our praise.

An old favorite hymn says it well:

“Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.”

Just as an instrument needs to be rightly tuned, so do our hearts.

It’s so tempting to want praise directed at our own accomplishments.

But the Bible is clear that we are unworthy of the blessings we receive.

We are all called to declare the praise of the God who spoke us into being and rescued us from the power of sin and death by the self-sacrifice of the worthy Lamb, Jesus Christ, who had no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

All else that we do well in life—all we accomplish and all we contribute to God’s kingdom of peace—flows from God’s saving grace.

Revelation chapter 4 is a beautiful picture of our God.

We need to take from this chapter the overall importance of focusing on God –

Focus on God’s position – acknowledge God at the center of the universe and make Him the center of your life.

Second, Focus on God’s Power – what problem in our lives will seem insurmountable when our focus is on the power of God!?!

Finally, Focus on God’s perfection – on His holiness – and allow that focus to first purge us of sinful actions and attitudes and second, prayerfully, keep us from falling back into sinful ways.

Let’s take this focus into the future. Let’s agree together that we are going to focus exclusively on God and live in obedience to His every command.

Can we imagine where God is going to take us as a body with this kind of focus?

What an undeniably exciting prospect!

What an indescribable and inspired message of encouragement!

And what an insurmountable strength of joy and Shalom we will find together as we seek first and foremost, His kingdom alone and His righteousness first.

So, in our maximum expression of “full throated” gratitude we raise high our hands, our thanks to the Lamb on the throne.

His grace covers all our sins and shame, and his grace will lead us home.

Is your heart centralized and maximally focused, tuned for gratitude today?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Living and faithful Spirit, the pre-existent, ever-living God in whom we live and move and have our being, the God who is made known in Christ Jesus,

bless us one and all as we wait on you this day. Please remove from our minds and hearts whatever impediments which hinder worship or dampen our joy. Increase within us that holy longing for closeness which can open our lives to fuller delight and to a deeper, “full throated” commitment.

May our hymns and prayers, our searching thoughts, and our hearing of the Scriptures, be an exercise in maximum accountability, maximum obedience.

By you, with you and for you, may our lives focus upon, publish your praise.

In the name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus Christ. Alleluia! Amen!

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Now, is exactly the right time! Come, Let Us Finally get excited about our Worship of our God. Revelation 4:1-11

Revelation 4 Amplified Bible

Scene in Heaven

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

⁵From the throne came flashes of lightning and [rumbling] sounds and peals of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are ^[d]the seven Spirits of God; ⁶and in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living ^[e]creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them]. ^{7 [f]}The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf (ox), the third creature had the face of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. ⁸And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Heaven’s throne room is filled with indescribable sounds of praise and worship.

The four living creatures give round-the-clock adoration to the One on the throne. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,” they proclaim.

This is a picture of all creation exalting, glorifying, honoring, magnifying, God as the Creator and Lord over all things—the only ONE worthy of all our praise.

Creation’s song of praise—led by the four living creatures— serves as a call to worship for the twenty-four elders.

God’s people cannot help themselves, responding in everlasting worship when surrounded by the authentic, enthusiastic praises of all the rest of creation.

All God’s people in his worldwide church—young and elderly, seekers and established followers—help each other celebrate and confess with praise.

Together, today, every single moment of every single day, we join with the rest of creation, saying,

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they . . . have their being.”

This picture reminds us that just as all of creation constantly proclaims the glory of God (Psalm 19), so too can all God’s people—in our work and play each day as well as when we gather for a worship service. All things give glory to God for bringing them into being, and he keeps all creation in his constant care.

Our creating, life-sustaining God is worthy to receive our praise always.

But now let us ask the question I am sure everyone has their own answer for:

What is worship?

Okay, I know that is a ridiculously obvious question!

Every adult and most children reading this morning know what worship is!”

Since in these 2022 technological times and that is such a ridiculously obvious question and the answer is obviously such common knowledge to the vast majority of those in this assembly, quietly answer that question to yourself.

If you were standing on the exact place of your own Judgement, and God asked you to put your head up, shoulders back and your smart phone down, and then look and answer the question, “What is worship?” what would your answer be?

The New Testament does very little to either define or describe worship.

In fact, the Old Testament does more to define and describe worship than does the New Testament.

Jesus talked very little about worship.

The book of Acts describes the beginning of Christianity but does not describe Christian worship in detail.

The epistles do not contain major sections on worship.

The New Testament book that says more about worship than any other New Testament writing is the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

It in symbolic terms makes several statements about worship in heaven.

I. I ask you to do two things.

A. The first thing I ask you to do is to call to mind your definition of worship.

1. I am quite serious.

2. Think about your definition of worship.

3. I want you to consciously hold on to that definition.

B. The second thing I want you to do is this:

1. While you keep your definition of worship firmly in your awareness,

2. I want you to read with me several worship scenes from the book of Revelation.

3. So I want you to do two things at one time:

stay constantly aware of your personal definition of worship

and listen to what Revelation says about worship.

C. Read with me.

Revelation 4:8Amplified Bible

⁸And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”

Take great care to note the stress upon God’s holiness.

Revelation 4:9-11 Amplified Bible

¹¹
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

Again, take great care to note the stress upon God’s holiness.

Revelation 5:8-10Amplified Bible

⁸And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God’s people). ⁹And they sang a new song [of glorious redemption], saying,

“Worthy and deserving are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
¹⁰
“You have made them to be a kingdom [of royal subjects] and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.”

Note the first two passages involved the worship of God, Who is the central figure in heaven.

Note the shift in this passage: the worship of the resurrected Jesus, God’s sacrificial Lamb.

Note the emphasis is on the worthiness of Jesus because he accomplished God’s basic objective.

Revelation 5:11-12Amplified Bible

Angels Exalt the Lamb

“Worthy and deserving is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

The Lamb is still the focus of worship here.

Take great care to note again the stress is still on worthiness.

Revelation 5:13-14 Amplified Bible

¹³And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

¹⁴And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

Now the focus is both on God and the Lamb.

The stress is on their praise worthiness.

Revelation 7:11-12 Amplified Bible

¹¹And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the [twenty-four] elders and the four living creatures; and they fell to their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹²saying,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and majesty and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

The focus of worship is now back on God.

Again, take great care to note God is praised for His worthiness.

Revelation 11:16-18 Amplified Bible

¹⁶And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell face downward and worshiped God, ¹⁷saying,

“To You we give thanks, O Lord God Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], Who are and Who were, because You have taken Your great power and the sovereignty [which is rightly Yours] and have [now] begun to reign. ¹⁸And the nations (Gentiles) became enraged, and Your wrath and indignation came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and [the time came] to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints (God’s people) and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and [the time came] to destroy the destroyers of the earth.”

The focus is still on God.

Note the stress is on thanksgiving.

There was an outpouring of gratitude because God has used His power to rescue them from all that tried to destroy them.

Revelation 14:6-7Amplified Bible

The Angel with the Gospel

⁶Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an ^[a]eternal gospel to preach to the inhabitants of the earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people; ⁷and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God [with awe and reverence], and give Him glory [and honor and praise in worship], because the hour of His judgment has come; [with all your heart] worship Him who created the heaven and the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

The focus is still on God.

The stress is on reverencing (fear) God by giving Him glory as the source of judgment and creation.

Revelation 15:2-4Amplified Bible

²Then I saw something like a sea or large expanse of glass mixed with fire, and those who were victorious over the beast and over his image and over the number corresponding to his name were standing on the sea or large expanse of glass, holding harps of God [worshiping Him]. ³And they ^[a]sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],

O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all];
Righteous and true are Your ways,
O King of the ^[b]nations!
⁴
“Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]?
For You alone are holy;
For all the nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your righteous acts [Your just decrees and judgments] have been revealed and displayed.”

The focus in still on God.

They sang.

God’s greatness and holiness is honored.

Revelation 19:1-6Amplified Bible

The Fourfold Hallelujah

19 After these ^[a]things I heard something like the great and mighty shout of a vast multitude in heaven, ^[b]exclaiming,

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory (splendor, majesty) and power (dominion, might) belong to our God; ²because His judgments are true and righteous. He has judged [convicted and pronounced sentence on] the great prostitute (idolatress) who was corrupting and ruining and poisoning the earth with her adultery (idolatry), and He has imposed the penalty for the blood of His bond-servants ^[c]on her.” ³And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke shall ascend forever and ever.” ⁴Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures also fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah (praise the Lord)!” ⁵Then from the throne there came a voice, saying,

“Praise our God, all you bond-servants of His, you who fear Him, the small (common) and the great (distinguished).”

Marriage of the Lamb

⁶Then I heard something like the shout of a vast multitude, and like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of mighty peals of thunder, saying,

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all] reigns.

The focus is still on God.

It is a scene of praise.

Four times God’s throne rings with the sound of creatures declaring, “Hallelujah!” [Literally, “Praise the Lord,” a joyful expression of thanksgiving.]

God won!

He did what He intended to do!

He defeated even the strongest centers of wickedness and evil, and He rescued all who would turn to Him!

The result was an incredible, indescribable, outpouring of gratitude to Him.

Now is the time (sorry, I have to) to return you to the year of our Savior 2022.

D. Do a little comparing.

0. Do you still have your definition of worship clearly in your mind?

1. How does your definition of worship compare to what happened in heaven in worship of God and of the Lamb (Jesus Christ)?

2. Where in your definition of worship do these things fit in?

a. The holiness of God.

b. The worthiness of God.

c. The praise worthiness of God and the Lamb.

d. Reverencing God for His holiness.

e. Glorifying God.

f. Saying, “Amen,” and declaring, “Hallelujah” with joy.

II. Let me make some personal observations–you do not have to agree with me, but I surely hope and fervently pray that God has challenged you to think.

A. My first observation is that there is not a whole lot that occurs in our worship assemblies that prepares us for heavenly worship.

0. There are not many “Amens.”

1. Too rarely is there this powerful sense of gratitude because our God of power has forgiven us and rescued us.

2. Too rarely is there this powerful sense of joy that flows from the gratitude of what God has done.

3. There are almost no hallelujahs, or obvious expressions and declarations of praise because of God’s great worthiness and holiness.

4. There is little evidence that we who believe and preach and confess and testify to belonging to God feel genuinely compelled to fall before our God.

B. My second observation is that we have through the centuries changed worship.

0. It has become a “take out’” type of worship, not much better than the take-out meals we have become accustom too.

1. No preparation. No real purification, No real cost, No real thought, and no real effort and no real inspiration or encouragement towards active participation.

C. We have made worship assemblies primarily about education instead of primarily about praising God.

a. We are so busy there is no time for spiritual education.

b. There is not convenient time to study–individually or with a group.

c. I wonder if for some of you the only time you seriously think about the Bible is when you read a daily devotional or go to “church” on any Sunday morning.

1. The core of our worship focuses on the sermon, a human accomplishment, rather than the Lord’s Supper, a divine accomplishment.

a. If you are typical, you are more likely to react to your opinion of the sermon than your opinion of what God did in Jesus Christ.

b. Your faith is more likely to be affected by what is said or what is not said, but should have been said, in a sermon than what God did in the death of Jesus.

D. My third observation: (and this one might prayerfully stun a few people) one of the key reasons [not all the reasons, but one of the significant reasons] that we are losing so many people is this: we have made too much effort to convert people to the church denomination, too little effort to convert people to Christ.

0. We are the church–the church is not some institution that exists apart from us.

1. If a man or a woman is in Christ, he or she by an act of God is part of God and Christ’s church.

2. The power of God and the glory of God will be seen in the church when the power of God and the glory of God is seen in our lives.

III. The basic objective of worship is simple.

A. First, worship should call all who are in Christ closer to God.

B. Second, worship should fill those who belong to God through Christ with a sense of joy and gratitude.

C. Third, worship should make every single Christian feel closer to every other Christian because the one thing we all have in common, the unifying element, is that we are in our Lord and Savior and King, Christ Jesus.

Question: how often to you leave a worship assembly without worshipping?

Question: how often do you leave a worship assembly feeling joy and gratitude because you feel much closer to God?

Question: Will you feel, have you felt, joy and gratitude toward God this week?

Question: How did you express it?

Question: How did you experience it?

Question: How will you live it out?

Question: How do you live into it?

Question: How do you live outward from it?

Question: How will you maximize ‘Love God, your neighbor, yourself’ from it?

Question: How have you been minimizing ‘Love God, neighbor, self’ from it?

Question: Does your neighbor know anything about your maximum, minimum?

What other questions do you have on your heart, soul, which require an answer?

What about your “eternal perspective” of worship requires a “re-adjustment?”

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Prayer of Affirmation

This world would deny you, Lord,
and rely overmuch on human wisdom
in their alleged “search” for answers
to questions they have yet to ask,
but we will yet raise to praise you,
and exalt and magnify your name,
for we know that you are Alpha,
the beginning of all things,
and Omega,
the end,
and all that is between.
We have known your healing.
We have known your provision,
We have known your victory.
Our sorrow has turned into dancing
and our tears to songs of joy.
We shall praise you ever more. Amen

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A Fresh and Sure Sighting of the Occupied Throne of Heaven. The Worship of Heaven. Revelation 4

Revelation 4:1-4Amplified Bible

Scene in Heaven

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

This morning I find myself meditating upon the Book of Revelation and its stark description of worship in heaven and the songs of praise sung to God.

Meditating about worshiping in God’s presence has set my heart on eternity, the greatness of God, the grandeur of the throne room of God, the angels are singing loud and the wonderful things He has done for us and will do for us.

I got to pondering about how exactly how thrilling will it be to be in the very Presence of the Lord with saints from every tribe, tongue, nation, and period throughout all of history doing nothing but lifting high the name of Jesus!

Below is a list of verses from Revelation describing worship in heaven.

As you read them, I encourage you to use the words for your own praise and worship to our Maker and Savior, as well as dwell on the following themes:

The holiness and greatness of God
The content of the praises, specifically the gospel, in which Christ redeems people from every nation through His blood
The benefits believers have in Christ
The diversity of worshippers in heaven
The justice of God

Worship in Heaven According to Revelation

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11)

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:9-14)

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:9-10)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)

And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. (Revelation 11:17-19)

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3-4)

And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!” And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” (Revelation 16:5-6)

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:1-9)

So, as you have meditated and pondered these verses over the past few minutes,

Will you now tell God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit exactly how do you feel?

You are standing in the doorway to heaven.

Before you, taking central stage, is God sitting on his great throne.

You cannot make him out clearly because of the dazzling splendor.

You see something like bright, beautiful jewels.

An emerald rainbow surrounds the throne, and from the throne shoots forth flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne stand burning seven torches of fire.

Can you tell God that you feel the unquestioned, undeniable majesty of God?

Or is the fullness of your heart and soul and mind just far too deep in minutiae?

A few concluding observations:

We often love to praise God for loving us, but how often do we praise Him for His judgment? How often do we even speak of His judgment? Not speaking of God as a god of judgment can reflect a one-dimensional view of God who is love, but also a God of holiness and justice that hates sin enough to send people to hell for all of eternity. This should cause us a holy fear of God and magnify in our hearts His awesome justice and mercy shown to us in Christ on the cross.
The mighty works of God throughout history have not come to an end. A reason why a “new” song is sung is because God will do amazing works at the end of history that He hasn’t received praise for yet. When God does something great in your life–praise Him for His marvelous works! (To go deeper, see Psalm 107.)
We are only able to clothe ourselves in bright and pure fine linen and worship our true God through the blood of the lamb spilt for us. Praise be to God for His unlimited authority, undeniable, immeasurable grace shown us in the gospel!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Heavenly Father, on a regular basis, life reminds us how little control we have over anything—over the quality of the weather, or the quantity, measure, of our disappointments; over unexpected windfalls, and days that take the wind out of us; and over circumstances we don’t like, and people we do love; over local and national and international news, or our limited views, our children’s views.

Yet, Father, through the riches of your grace, we are actually becoming more comfortable with acknowledging you are God, and we are not. Just keep giving us an unobstructed, undiminished, 20/20 sighting of you sitting upon your throne, totally engaged and joyfully and absolutely sovereign over everything.

We don’t really need a timeline of when everything’s going to be okay. All we need to know, in our heart of hearts, is that you are at work for your pleasure and your purpose alone in our lives, and that your plans for us are good—even in the moments (seasons) when it might seem, overwhelmingly so, otherwise.

Since you’ve given Jesus for our perfect and full salvation, we can be certain that you’ll never withhold anything central to your purpose for our lives, or for the entire cosmos. You quite literally DO have the whole world in your hands.

You promise sufficient grace, not the satisfaction of our agenda. You promise to make us like Jesus every day; not to place us in a hammock under a cool breeze. You promise full redemption, not immediate relief. Thank you. Father, we want to want what you want, more fully, gladly, and quickly. So very Amen we pray, in our Lord and Savior Jesus’ kind and always to be exalted and glorious name.

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Dare to be Different! Dare to Focus on the Promises of God. Numbers 14:24

Numbers 14:24 Amplified Bible

²⁴But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.

Numbers 14:24The Message

²⁴“But my servant Caleb—this is a different story. He has a different spirit; he follows me passionately. I’ll bring him into the land that he scouted, and his children will inherit it.

Numbers 14:24New Living Translation

²⁴But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Dare to be Different! God has told us if we truly want to follow Him, His plans, His purposes, His will, then we must be different, different in the way we speak, the way we think and the way we act from the many people in the world today.

Today, we will be considering what it means to have a different focus, a different attitude, a different perspective.

Today I want to encourage you to:

Dare to be Different!

Dare to focus on the promises of God!

Perhaps this morning there is something on your mind that is bothering you.

Maybe there is something you have been praying about or something you are going through or worried about going through.

Do you need God to show that He is still God and still faithful to His promises?

Will you dare to focus on the promises of God?

Will you dare to be confident in whatever circumstance or issue or problem you face because God has promised He will never ever leave you or forsake you?

Whatever it is that is bothering you, the message which God has laid upon my heart for you today is about a way of approaching life that can potentially help you focus solely on the promises of God in every circumstance, you can place your full measure of devotion and trust Him to be God and bring you through it.

I pray that each of us might be able to see what it is we can do, what God can do, how we can strive to position ourselves solely before Him, and how to take hold of every promise in God’s Living Word which is ours.

I want to start with a verse from Numbers chapter 14 to focus our thoughts and then go back to Numbers 13 and work forward.

Here is the verse from Numbers 14:24 and I’m taking from The New Living Translation:

“But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored.”

A different kind of attitude, the attitude of a person, the motivation of a person, the priority, the focus of a person, its positioning that God is speaking of here.

What kind of attitude would God say you have?

Attitude… I don’t have an attitude!!!

Truth is all of us have an attitude, some good, some bad, some indifferent, and some hostile but they are attitudes we can potentially possess none the less.

We can develop an attitude in a split second to something, or an attitude can be something we allow to develop over a period of time.

I’m not talking about our actions because sometimes we are very good at being good and other times, we are very good at being bad. Attitude is more to do with the position you actually take which prompts or causes certain behaviors.

An attitude is not being aloof or snooty, an attitude could be a position you take on something, it could be the way you review something, it could be the stance you have taken in life that actually has nothing to do with you

Your attitude could be a product of your background or upbringing that has caused you to think and act in a certain way and shaped your attitude in life.

When God speaks about attitude in Numbers 14:24, the context is about His servant Caleb having a different attitude, a different spirit. His attitude was central to the way in which he lived – the way he saw, experienced things.

Our attitudes really have everything to do with the way we see things and the way we see life.

Our biggest challenge in life can often be to make sure we see life in the right way, to see it through the right glasses, take the right position, to have the right perspective, to focus on it in the right way, to have the correct view.

Our attitudes can have a lot to do with our world view, our world view could be a very small one or our world view could be an educated one, an informed one, an opinionated one, a large one – it is our world view, our perspective, our focus, the position that we take.

But the challenge for each of us is to directly align our focus with God’s focus, to decisively align our attitudes, opinions, our actions with God’s will and Word.

Caleb has this different attitude, and God says Caleb has remained loyal to Him.This attitude that Caleb had, the spirit he had, actually lined him up in a place where God looked at Him and says, He has remained loyal to me.

What does it mean to remain loyal to someone?

Being loyal means despite the circumstances, despite what we cannot see, despite even what we know, despite the way we feel, despite what we think, despite what we want to run from, despite everything, we remain in a place where our position has not changed.

Where our loyalty, our support is steadfast and not moved.

That is where Caleb is, he’s in a place where his position did not change with God, his focus on God did not change, he remained loyal.

He remained loyal despite the circumstances.

Perhaps despite what others were saying, despite even what may be his own physical eyes could see he remained truly loyal to what he knew about God.

God described Caleb as someone who had a different attitude, a different spirit, a different focus to the others around him.

Because of that difference, because of that loyalty, because of that trust, Caleb was able to enter into the land of promise.

He was able to step into the promise of God because he had this loyalty to God.

Loyalty to God as in:

God,

I’m not going to question who you are,

I’m not going to question what you can do,

I’m not going to question what you say,

I’m not going to question any of that,

I am going to focus on you and remain loyal to the fact you are who you are, you do what you do, you can do what you say, and you do what you say you will do!!!

For Caleb, this focus, this attitude, this loyalty came from a sense of knowing, “I know who God is”.

I ponder, I meditate upon;

“Do you, do I, do we, (the church) have even .01% attitude and focus as Caleb?

“My servant Caleb has a different attitude… He has remained loyal to me.”

Let’s take a quick look at some of the events which led up to this amazing statement from God.

At the start of Numbers chapter 13 it’s just before the people were about to cross over the Jordan into the promised land, into the promise of God.

The people had been led out of Egypt by Moses; they had made a difficult journey through the desert.

Some of the people at the end of the journey had spent their entire lives as nomads, they were born in the wilderness, grew up there, fell in love and got married there, raised generations of their families there, others died there.

A journey, that in terms of distance, could have only taken days or weeks, took many years to complete.

Now just that thought in itself – growing as a Christian does not have to take a lifetime, learning how to trust God should not take the whole of your life.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, there is a point where God wants to bring you to, where there is fruitfulness in your life, a place where there is a sense purpose, a place where you are so focused on God, that He can freely move in and through every aspect of your life and mine.

God wants to lead you to a place of comfort, a place of peace, a place where you experience the fullness of His love, mercy, grace and provision for you.

That’s where God wants you to be.

That’s where God wants me to be.

That’s where God wants His Church to be.

We are people of the promise.

We are people of the promise of our Savior, the Resurrected Jesus in our lives, His grace and His favour working in us and through us, touching others and enabling us to make a maximum difference in the World in which we live today.

Our focus is to be on Him, not on our circumstances, not on the wilderness,

BUT SOLELY upon Him.

What was supposed to take days took a generation.

In our own lives, let us not let what is supposed to take days take a generation.

We can be the people that actually rises up and trusts God for who He is.

And maybe then, He, She, they, YOU, are the ones that will be known as having a different attitude, a different spirit. Let’s focus on being the people who remain loyal to who God is, whenever, wherever, in whatever we face along our way.

Ok, so here are the Israelite people, they are there at the start and Moses says I am going to gather together a group

– I’m not going to give all the numbers I want to put this in context so we can relate this to ourselves – as individuals and collectively as God’s people today.

Moses gathers this group of people, a handful of people, and he says what I want you to do is go into this land that God has promised, I want you to go and explore it.

I want you to go and find out what the people in the land are like, find out how strong their fortified walls are, find out how many of them are there, find out if the land is like God said it would be

– does the land flow with milk and honey, is it the place of God’s providence for us?

Then these men are to go into the land and bring back some evidence that this is a good place.

If you read the passage for yourself later, you will see that they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes so large it took two men to carry it on a pole between them.

They also brought back samples of pomegranate and figs, that place was the valley of Eschol and it keeps going on and talks about all of the stuff they brought back and said ‘here is the evidence the land is like God said it is’ then they go through and give a report after they have explored the land for 90 days.

Then let us read on from Numbers 13:27-29: This was their report to Moses:

“We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley.”

Numbers 13:30-33: 30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So, they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we travelled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

Then, Numbers 14:1-3

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night.

Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron.

“If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle?

At this point, THEY HAD NOT EVEN GOT THERE! Here is this group of people, this entire group of people who start freaking out because a handful of people come back with a report that says there are “giants” out there, there are circumstances out there, there is no way known that we could handle it,

those circumstances are so big that it made us feel so insignificant, small and those giants viewed us as small people.

So, they bring this report, the funny thing about this report is the effect that it had on everybody else.

Everybody else starts freaking out, then what did they say? (Sound Familiar?)

OH! WHY DID THE LORD BRING US TO THIS PLACE TO DIE.

They had not crossed into the land yet, they were still in safety, but they were convinced that everything was going to fall apart, then they say – we should have just died in the wilderness. (Sound Familiar?)

The whole community

– the whole nation of people freaked out because there was one small handful of people that brought a bad report, maybe we can put it this way, the people reacted because they heard how someone else perceived the circumstances they were going to have to face, and convinced them to think a certain way so they started to see the circumstances another way they started to see themselves differently because they saw the circumstances differently and then the weight of the circumstances started dragging them down. (Sound Familiar?)

Then what happens is it goes further. In Numbers 14:5-6, Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua and Caleb, tore their clothing.

So here are Joshua and Caleb

– they tore their clothing, and I can imagine them thinking: ‘What do we do about the people? How do we sort this out? The people have got it wrong! (Okay, Church …. I know this has to sound all too familiar too!)

There is a sense of indignation about them, very similar to the response of the other spies who came back and said, ‘No we can’t go into the land’.

Yes, the promise of God is there, yes, we know what God’s word says, we know God’s word says this and this and this, but you have just got to take a fresh look at the circumstances – just because there are big grapes there just like God said – it does not mean he is always and forever going to protect us as He said.

Essentially what they were doing was posing all of these questions about God’s ability to work with what He said He will do.

So, Joshua and Caleb ripped their clothes, and this is what they said Numbers 14:7-9,

They said to all the people of Israel,

“The land we travelled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

BUT THE LORD IS WITH US, DO NOT BE AFRAID! Both of them had a BUT.

One of them was: You know what – yes, it’s true, it’s true the land is how God said it was – but at the same time there is a but, but the giants, yeah, I know what the bible says but you do not know my circumstances, do you?

Yeah, I know what the bible says I can believe about God when it comes to healing, but… I know what the bible says about God and His provision.

But… I know what the bible says, but.

But… But you don’t know my circumstances, you’ve got no idea what that’s like, if you were me, it would be 100% entirely different, you wouldn’t be saying that.

That’s not what these people said but it’s essentially what they meant – their BUT was all about their circumstances.

Caleb’s But was all about his God – But God is there – But God can protect me.

These two saw exactly the same thing – they saw the promise of God and they saw the circumstance – let me put it this way, they focused on the promise of God in the circumstance.

The difference was they did not allow the circumstance to take their focus off of the promise of God.

They did not dismiss the promise of God, they saw themselves as incapable, they saw themselves as, I can’t do that on my own, there is no way known I can take on those giants.

But Caleb focused solely on the promise of God in the circumstances he saw the answer in his God.

Caleb says:

‘Yes. Yes, there is a promise and there is a circumstance and there is a God, and because God is there, we can do this, because God is with me, I can do this.

I think of all the verses I could start talking about, the bible says, the bible actually makes statements about you.

It says that you are an overcomer, the Bible says about you, that you are victorious, the Bible says about you that you are a conqueror – that’s just some of the things the bible says about you.

Why would it say that? because in life you need to focus on the promises of God and see Him work in the circumstances.

Listen, what we have got to do is focus on God in the circumstance, focus on God as your source of strength.

The only reason the Bible calls you a victorious person is because with God’s Strength in your life you can get victory over things.

That is just one of the promises of God.

With God’s strength in your life, you can conquer things which is part of the promise of God.

With God’s strength in your life, He calls you an overcomer because with Him you can overcome “giant-sized” circumstances.

The Bible would not call you an overcomer if there were not things to overcome, Bible would not call you victorious if there were not “giant sized” things to get victory over, it would not call you a conqueror if there were not things to defeat.

Which means that the circumstances are real

– they were real to Caleb they were real to the other spies – the other spies negative report freaked out everybody.

We live in a world today where if you sit down and read too many newspapers or listen to the news you can easily feel distressed.

There are all sorts of anxiety and fear in peoples’ lives, but you and I

– have got something we can fully live our lives with – we can look at all the circumstances in life today, from the intricacies of our own personal situation to the economies of the world to the troubles of the nations of the world, and we can focus on the promises of God, of God’s goodness, of God working in every circumstance. BUT GOD IS THERE! BUT GOD CAN GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH!

For Joshua and Caleb and here is the last thought, it’s actually got nothing to do with what you see.

Now that does not mean, close your eyes and pretend it does not exist, because if it’s a bus it will run over you and circumstances have the habit of doing that.

So it is not what you see that matters its all got to do with How you focus on it.

The question is what are we focused on?

How are we interpreting, perceiving, seeing, understanding the circumstance?

Whatever it is that is causing fear or anxiety in your life, if you feel like you are out of control, focus on God because God is on your side.

God is with you.

Every one of the promises of God is Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ.

If you are in Jesus Christ, by in Him I mean that you have put your faith in Him, in who He is in what He has done on your behalf, then you have full access to the presence of God.

You and I have full access to God and are able to stand as Caleb stood and say I do know exactly what God says about my circumstances, and I know what my circumstances are saying, and I know what the economies and systems and the challenges of the world that I live in are saying (or at least, trying to say to me).

I know what they say, but you know what, I’m focussed on God and I can see Him working.

BUT God is for us and together we can overcome.

But God is for you and can get victory.

But God is for you and you can conquer whatever it is that you are facing in your life today.

It does not have to take a lifetime to take God at His word.

Caleb a man with a different attitude to life

– what was his attitude – “But God is for us, so who can truly be against us?”

He viewed every single situation of life, and his position was:

But God is for me, God is for me. I take on the giant

– God is for me, I walk through that valley – God is for me, everything is falling down around me – God is for me – He is for me. He is everything I need.

It’s not what you see but how you see it.

Focus on the promises of God. Its God with you in the circumstances.

Let me encourage you to say:

I’m going to take my life journey from this day forward and say it is not what I’m seeing it’s all to do with how I focus on God. God is for me.

Every giant you overcome is going to teach you something about life, it is going to put strength inside of you,

it is going to put tenacity inside of you, it is going to put something inside of you.

As we go through life and we take on everything that comes our way know that God is for us,

know that the promises of God are Yes and Amen in Christ Jesus for you and me.

Let me ask the question again that I started with

– is there something you really need God to come through on?

Maybe, you said God get me out of this circumstance

– now you might have changed that to God give me the strength to get through this circumstance. God is for you not against you

How are you seeing the world you live in today?

God is for you! Do you believe that?

Let me pray for you if your facing situations or circumstances, maybe you are just upset by what’s going on in the world right now, just reach out to God right in this exact, exacting moment.

Pray believe that God is the God of miracles.

Reach out to God right now, focus on Him, focus on His promises and let Him give you strength.

Dare to be different!

Dare to focus solely on the Promises of God!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

God of all understanding, you have promised to give wisdom to anyone who asks. As I daily walk-through life, give me wisdom and understanding in every decision I make. Guide my thoughts and direct my steps. When I experience the whirlwinds of uncertainty and confusion, may I lean on your limitless wisdom.

May the promise of your divine Holy Spirit be at work in me like a lamp to my feet and a shield to my mind. Help me to think clearly and calmly. Help me to act in your promises, with confidence and wisdom. Help me to glorify only you in every single thing which I do. Through Savior Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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When “Church” Seems Bigger Than God. Much like the Grasshopper is as to Man. Numbers 13:30-33, Isaiah 40:21-22.

Moses sent twelve men of Israel, one from each tribe, to explore the land of Canaan.

Only two of the explorers, Joshua and Caleb, came back with a good report (see Numbers 14:6-9).

They said, “The land is good, and God will lead us into it.”

They trusted God to give Israel the land he had promised. The other ten explorers were gripped with fear because the people of the land seemed too big.

They said, “We seemed like grasshoppers to ourselves and to them.”

When fear takes over, our perspectives on many things can get distorted.

For example, our view of God may become skewed.

God may seem small in light of our problems, or God’s Word may seem empty in the face of our difficulties.

Even our view of ourselves may get cloudy when our faith is weak.

Israel said they felt like grasshoppers when in fact they were the chosen and cherished people of God.

It’s important to remember who we are in Christ.

We are the body of Christ. We are sons and daughters of the King.

We are called “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9).

When fear creeps in, remember the God you serve.

Remember who you are and whose you are.

Then step forward in faith, leaning on God’s promises and power.

Numbers 13:30-33Amplified Bible

³⁰Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it.” ³¹But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are too strong for us.” ³²So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we went, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all of the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. ³³There we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

In Numbers 13, the Israelites came near to the Promised Land.

God instructed Moses to send 12 men to spy out the land He was giving them.

They passed through a fertile land filled with grape clusters so large it took two men to carry one bunch. They walked through an area blessed with sweeping grasslands, abundant fresh water, and almost perfect weather.

But it was also a land inhabited by strong, giant people. And 10 of the 12 men couldn’t see past that perceived threat. They had an unrealistic view of the problem, thinking they were so large that they were impossible to overcome.

Many people have called this way of looking at life as “grasshopper thinking.” It is a manner of thinking which leaves God completely out of the equation.

Such Grasshopper thinking has prevented many people, down through the ages, from expanding their perceptions of selves, becoming everything God intended them to become and has robbed them of things He intended for them to enjoy.

It keeps believers from ever even attempting any great thing for God, defeating and preventing them from faithfully bringing the Kingdom of God unto others.

Grasshopper thinking is leaving God out of His plan for our lives. When God shows me His plan for the next step in my life, it is not my job to begin to evaluate His plan. It is my job simply to trust Him, believe that He will provide everything necessary for it to succeed, and then to start walking forth into it.

Caleb, the spy from the tribe of Judah, encouraged Israel to go forth anyway and possess the land (Numbers 13:30). But ten of the other spies threw cold water on that suggestion, emphasizing the strength of the adversaries, considering themselves as grasshoppers in comparison (Numbers 13:31-33).

Israel went the way of the ten spies; they went so far as to express the desire to return to Egypt and slavery (Numbers 14:1-4).

Caleb, along with Joshua, the spy from Ephraim, begged Israel to reconsider, affirming the goodness of the land and that YHWH would give it to them, confident that if YHWH was with them, it would not matter how strong their foes might seem (Numbers 14:5-9).

But it was too late; Israelites sought to stone Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:10).

Before we unnecessarily Judge, let us consider Israel’s perspective. The reality “on the ground” is never in doubt: the ten spies recognize that the land is of excellent quality with great produce; Caleb and Joshua recognize that the inhabitants of the land are numerous, strong, living in well-fortified cities.

The Israelites have just left slavery in Egypt; they did not have the resources and strength among themselves to overcome their enemies’ advantages.

They, as with the ten spies, assess the situation as it looks on the ground; their response is entirely natural according to such a perspective.

If it is their strength versus their opponents’ strength, they will die in battle.

Such thinking and reasoning seem to be quite realistic in that historical context.

And then there was the faith motivating Caleb and Joshua.

If all Israel could rely on was its own resources and strength, then Caleb and Joshua would agree that any invasion was a fool’s errand.

But Caleb and Joshua remembered that YHWH had just redeemed them from Egyptian slavery, from the very Egypt which dominated Canaan and boasted the strongest empire of the day.

If YHWH could rescue Israel from Egypt, then YHWH could dispossess the strong Canaanite nations from before Israel (Numbers 14:9).

No, Israel would not obtain Canaan because of their own abilities.

They could only obtain it if they trusted in YHWH.

But Israel was not trusting in YHWH. They were rebelling against Him!

He promised He would bring them into the land flowing with Milk and Honey.

However, instead all they wanted to go back to Egypt, to give up on YHWH’s mission halfway through (Exodus 3:7-9, Numbers 14:1-4).

To return to Egypt would be to forsake YHWH and everything which He had done for Israel.

They even wished they had died in Egypt or the wilderness; such is how little they trusted in YHWH or thought of the efficacy of His power in this situation.

Rejoice in God’s Power

Have you heard the story by Max Lucado about a man who prayed that God would show his power and collapse a wall like that of Jericho (Joshua 6) and stop a storm the way he did in Galilee (Luke 8:22-25)?

God answered the man by bringing down a wall–not of brick, but of sin.

And he stilled a storm–not of a sea, but of a soul.

Tragically, because the man was looking for the wrong things, he complained that God had done nothing.

He asked God, “Have you lost your power?”

And God answered, “Have you lost your hearing?”

Sometimes we wonder if God has lost power in these 2022 times and seasons.

We wonder if God really is in max control in these 2022 times and seasons.

Isaiah 40:21-22Amplified Bible

²¹
Do you [who worship idols] not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been told to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth [the omnipotence of God and the stupidity of bowing to idols]?
²²
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.
[It is He] who stretches out the heavens like a veil
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

According to Isaiah 40:21-22, God has not lost so much as one ounce of his power, but we all have diminished listening skills and have lost our hearing and our ability to comprehend the spoken word has been sacrificed to “itchy ears.”

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? … He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers… The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.”

Still, we look at the verses from Isaiah and say to ourselves – those words are two thousand eight hundred years old, and these are New Testament times.

It is the year of our Lord and Savior 2022 …. The context is radically different.

To this day there is a place for assessment of the situation “on the ground.”

In general, there is consensus about the situation of the faith “on the ground.”

Its influence, however strong it may have been in the past, seems to be waning.

Church membership, ministry, mission and participation is definitely declining.

More and more people are just as likely to identify as “spiritual, not religious.”

Strong secular and spiritual forces attempt to subvert the faith and marginalize those who proclaim it.

Following Jesus seems to be a quaint relic of the past, a historical legacy many feels are better to discard.

Likewise, there is general agreement that by our own resources and strength it will prove nearly impossible for the church to turn the tide on these trends.

“Realistically” we have definite reasons for much lamentation and mourning.

Brothers, Sisters, For the whole of the Body of Christ, God’s Church in God’s ever more complex Neighborhood, there are many Calebs and Joshua’s and so many more than those “10 spies” who have forceful opinions counter to theirs.

In the face of such enormous “giants” “Sober assessments” recognize the seeming futility of our endeavors. “On the ground,” it would seem that we should make sure to ask the first person to enter to turn on all of the lights and we should also make sure to ask the last person to leave to turn off the lights.

Yet such assessments, however “realistic” or “sober” they seem to be, do not take into complete account the existence of God and all He has done for us.

They do not take into complete account that “realistically” Christianity should never have existed, and even if it had been started, by all “realistic” scenarios would have died out a long time ago if there was not the infinite power of God.

Jesus has won the victory; Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:31-33).

The forces of darkness in this world are arrayed far and wide, far as the east is from the west, north from south against us and are strong (Ephesians 6:12).

Nevertheless, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Many Christians have fallen into the trap of cynicism and pessimism dressed up as being, or needing to be more “politically, culturally correct” “honest” or “realistic” about the manifold problems facing Christianity and the church.

We do well to remember the spies and Israel were the people of God, and they were being quite “realistic” and “honest” about the situations they were facing.

They “made their assessment.” Yet God punished that generation for rebelling against Him; they ironically got their wish, for they all but Caleb and Joshua would die in the wilderness and would not inherit the land (Numbers 14:10-35).

The ten spies died by plague (Numbers 14:36-37).

It would be the next generation who would trust in YHWH and obtain the promised land, and Caleb and Joshua would lead them to victory (Joshua 1:1-24:33).

We must remember this because what the Israelites thought was “honesty” and “realism” betrayed a lack of faith and rebelliousness (1 Corinthians 10:1-12)!

YHWH had already proven Himself by delivering them from Egyptian slavery and providing for them to that moment.

Likewise, God has proven Himself to us through the life, death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus His Son (Romans 1:4, Romans 5:6-11, 8:17-25).

He is able to do more than we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21).

The only reason we have ever had the opportunity to hear the Gospel ourselves is on account of His great power working through successive generations of His servants (Hebrews 12:1) and His Son Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith who for the joy set before Him; endured the cross; despising all of the shame and is NOW set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow because if it were only ever based on the resources and strength of the faithful the message would not get very far!

The world gives many reasons for cynicism, despair, doubt, and pessimism.

It always has; and it always will. Christians are called to put their trust in God, recognizing the victory comes through Jesus even in difficult circumstances, and the ways of the world are folly to God (1 Corinthians 1:19-25, 1 Peter 1:3-9).

The decision is up to us.

It always was, is and forever shall be ….

The Body of Christ, the Church in God’s ever more complex Neighborhood …

Are we going to so (too) easily surrender to our version, our vision, of our so called allegedly “correct” “honest” “realistic” “Grasshopper” assessment and be driven far and wide to cynicism and despair and division as the ten spies and Israel, proving to have more faith in our perception and the ways of the world than in our own Creator and Redeemer, and be judged to be in “max” rebellion?

Or return to the Word of God to find our God’s answers to our souls “wisdom?”

Psalm 25Amplified Bible

Prayer for Protection, Guidance and Pardon.

A Psalm of David.

25 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
²
O my God, in You I [have unwavering] trust [and I rely on You with steadfast confidence],
Do not let me be ashamed or my hope in You be disappointed;
Do not let my enemies triumph over me.
³
Indeed, none of those who [expectantly] wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who turn away from what is right and deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed (humiliated, embarrassed).

⁴
Let me know Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
⁵
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You [and only You] I wait [expectantly] all the day long.
⁶
Remember, O Lord, Your [tender] compassion and Your loving kindnesses,
For they have been from of old.
⁷
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

⁸
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore, He instructs sinners in the way.
⁹
He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.
¹⁰
All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
¹¹
For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my wickedness and my guilt, for they are great.

¹²
Who is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with submissive wonder]?
He will teach him [through His word] in the way he should choose.
¹³
His soul will dwell in prosperity and goodness,
And his descendants will inherit the land.
¹⁴
The secret [of the wise counsel] of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning.
¹⁵
My eyes are continually toward the Lord,
For He will bring my feet out of the net.

¹⁶
Turn to me [Lord] and be gracious to me,
For I am alone and afflicted.
¹⁷
The troubles of my heart are multiplied;
Bring me out of my distresses.
¹⁸
Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.
¹⁹
Look upon my enemies, for they are many;
They hate me with cruel and violent hatred.
²⁰
Guard my soul and rescue me;
Do not let me be ashamed or disappointed,
For I have taken refuge in You.
²¹
Let integrity and uprightness protect me,
For I wait [expectantly] for You.
²²
O God, redeem Israel,
Out of all his troubles.

Or will we prove willing to put our maximum measure of trust in God in Christ, aware of the long odds and impossibility of our mission in worldly terms, but be ever mindful of God’s strength and faithfulness, and to put our maximum hope in God and His strength, as Caleb and Joshua did? May we maintain faith and hope and not give in to cynicism and despair and obtain the victory in Jesus!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Heavenly Father, there are days—even long stretches, when people gain more influence over our hearts than they deserve. As Moses wrote in one of today’s passages. some people can make us feel like grasshoppers in the presence of giants. When this happens, any of a number of broken relational styles results.

When people seem bigger than you, they impact how we see ourselves and spend our days, and how we sleep, eat, and stress.

Through the truth and grace of the gospel, help us take back the power we’ve given mere people to shape, shame, or shut us down.

No one deserves that much sway.

If we’re going to feel “grasshopper-sized” anywhere in life, it should only be before you; for you are God, and people are not.

The good news is, in Christ, we are your “beloved grasshoppers”—safe, not threatened; cared for, not used; held, not harmed. (Matthew 6:28)

Indeed, Father, free us from looking to anybody to fill us up or “complete us”; or functionally to replace You.

Whether it’s our spouse or children, parents or friends, employer or employees—mere men make lousy idols, wannabe gods, and salvation-less saviors.

And free us from patterns of unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness.

When fear of man morphs into wishing others harm, dreaming of their demise, or calling down fire, or vast darkening plagues of Locusts, they win, we all lose.

Bitterness defiles, envy rots, and revenge belongs to you.

Father, you’ve placed a Jesus-shaped void in our hearts only Jesus can fill. Keep us restless until we rest in him; peace-less, until he is our peace; and longing, until he is our life. So very Amen we pray, in his glorious and grace-full name.

All Glory be unto God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

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When our Work Becomes our Real Identity: Was the Apostle Paul the “Original Energy Bunny Christian?” Philippians 3:7-11

Your resume is a valuable tool, whether you are a high school student looking for that first part-time job, a seasoned employee hoping to secure a prestigious promotion high pay position with a leading company, or something in between.

On your resume, you will definitely boast about the degrees you have earned, the awards you have been given, or the success you have enjoyed on the job. It will include a “diverse array” of “relevant” on the job hands-on experiences.

But what happens when we make these “relevant hands-on” qualities into the very central piece of who we are in the context of the new role we want to fulfil?

It’s ever so easy to get so wrapped up in our identity as employees, employers, students, or parents that we can feel as if our worth depends on the work we do.

Leaving our “original” or “former” work behind—whether it is temporarily or permanently—causes us to lose that particular sense of identity from that job.

If we experienced failure in our work, it probably leaves us feeling worthless, and looking for “self-redemption” while success creates a sense of arrogance and superiority. Our work is distorted by sin when we make it into our identity.

The Apostle Paul’s resume was most definitely unmatched by most others.

In our reading for today from Philippians 3:7-11, Paul lists every quality that could have formed his identity: a top-notch education, professional success, religious devotion, moral excellence, and more.

Yet he is unhesitatingly, unashamed in the least to add that he would gladly throw it all away in exchange for a better identity as a child of God in Christ.

Your resume is not your identity; God has made you someone far greater than the sum of your accomplishments and failures.

What to do with that possibility?

“Rest” in the joy that your identity is found in Jesus!

Get “Energized for God” and “Keep going and going and going and going.”

Going and going and going into all of the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. Matthew 9:35

Going and going and going …. Walking, Running, the Hard Road before us …. “Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. Matthew 10:16

Going and Going and Going and Going ….

Motivated ONLY by the FIRST Love of our Resurrected Savior Jesus Christ, Tend the Lambs and Feed the Sheep of God’s Kingdom on Earth …. John 21:15-17

Spread the Gospel as Jesus Commanded: Matthew 28:16-20

Witnessing unto the Lord Jesus Christ unto the “ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19)

Always ready to testify unto our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as to the eternal hope that is within us, and which surrounds our every single step. 1 Peter 3:15

So, prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:13

Philippians 3:7-11Amplified Bible

⁷But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life]. ⁸But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, ⁹and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; ^11 [a]so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Several years ago. I heard, was inspired by a testimony given by a Lay Person on a 3-day Spiritual Retreat. The title of the Witness Talk was “Christian Action.”

He testified to us that as he read, and studied the New Testament Epistles, he became thoroughly convinced Apostle Paul was the original Energizer Bunny.

I guess, maybe just a little, you remember those battery commercials where a mechanical pink bunny would zoom across the screen beating a bass drum and it would just keep on going and going and going never stopping for anything.

The implication was it was using the power of Energizer batteries, which were long lasting.

The Testifiers implication about Apostle Paul was nothing stopped him; things like being blinded, walking long hard roads, great distances between cities and villages, being wrongfully arrested, 39 lashes, being beaten, being stoned with rocks, great storms upon the high seas, panicked crew members, shipwrecked, snake bit, robbers, assassins, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst and in cold and exposure, great physical and Spiritual weakness, and those thorns in his side …

You get the picture. I get it.

This guy did not know how or why or when or where to give up living for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; he simply kept on going like the Energizer Bunny.

Energizer-Bunny (Christian) definition: (slang) A person who seems to have limitless energy and endurance (for the sake of God, Jesus and Holy Spirit).

Luke 9:23-24 Amplified Bible

²³And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests] and take up his cross DAILY [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. ²⁴For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God].

This is a most laudable endeavor for any of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

We are called to Love God, our Neighbor and ourselves with everything we are.

You may be that Brother and Sister in Christ with that drive – God Bless You!

But in this time and in this season, I am not him, nor am I the Energizer Bunny.

I become fatigued. I want to quit. I want to not have to face any harder things than I am right now. “I simply have far, far too much on my ‘Christian Plate!’

The thing of it is, is that there is no time when this life is not being tough, and sometimes we need to face it head-on and keep doing good no matter the cost.

As my dad would frequently tell me when I was a boy, and as my Leading Petty Officer in Navy Basic, “Son, sometimes you just need to keep on keeping on.”

“Gut it out!”

“Get back up and on your Bike and just keep pedaling ….!”

“Never, ever look back ….!”

I got to be frank with you all.

Fatigue really gets me really tired sometimes.

It hits me hard, and I want to quit.

This is difficult for me because I’ve been daily working on and writing these blog entries now for nine (9) straight months without one single day missed.

Through my daily preparation of these blog entries, the Word of God, my Bible readings, my studies, my prayers, my hours of research through Commentaries and so much more efforts at being “curious,” I simply cannot remember it all.

God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has revealed unto me:

I found out that there’s this push in me to not be a quitter.

The reason for this is many, but one thing is for sure is that when I was a young boy, I had too many someone’s tell me I give up too easy and that I am a quitter.

Navy Basic Training as an 18-year-old, everyone was telling me: “never quit!” because you have the “rest of your life” to live out from what you learn here.”

In Army Officer Basic Training in Fort Sam Houston Texas, as a 29-year-old newly minted Nurse Corps Officer, everyone was in my face, commanding me –

“You are an Officer Now – You are Grown Up Now, Never Quit on yourself!”

“You are an Officer Now – You are in Charge Now, Never Quit on your men!”

“You are an Officer now and Quitting is NEVER an option on the Battlefield!”

“If you never quit – you will never die …!”

“If you never quit moving- you will never give the other guy a “good” target!”

And the marching orders and the cadence of the beating drums – kept going!

And I was as eager, if not trying to be more eager, to do my part and far more.

What I didn’t know at the time is that quitting some things is okay – like calling a halt to my military career when my father became terminally ill with COPD.

Then there is “every single day living into and out from” the “Christian Life” which Paul speaks these very poignant and yet deeply inspiring words to:

Philippians 3:7-11The Message

^7-9The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.

¹^0-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

but now most things, require our re-prioritization of our values, like not ever giving up on doing good is something you and I do not ever want to quit doing.

Matthew 6:19-26The Message

A Life of God-Worship

^19-21“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse! —stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

^22-23“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!

²⁴“You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.

^25-26“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Giving up completely – relying on our past as the best guide towards our future.

Giving up completely not relying solely upon those “rusty worldly resources.”

Never giving up on God, the Father!

Never quitting on God, the Father!

Never giving up on God, the Son!

Never quitting on God, the Son!

Never giving up on God, the Holy Spirit!

Never quitting on God, the Holy Spirit!

Never giving up doing GOD things that are good and noble and loving and true!

Never quit doing GOD things that are 100% good and noble and loving and true!

ONLY AND FOREVER AND EVER, ALLELUIA! AMEN, BECAUSE ….

Philippians 3:9-11 Easy-to-Read Version

⁹I want to belong to him. In Christ I am right with God, but my being right does not come from following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in^[a] Christ to make me right with him. ¹⁰All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. ¹¹Then there is hope that I myself will somehow be raised from death.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

God my Father, God, Author of my Life, all wisdom and understanding is found in you. Your word brings wisdom and instruction, giving me insight. Your word teaches me knowledge and discernment. Your word helps me understand the confusion in this world. Your word instructs me in what is right, just and fair. You say that fools despise knowledge and instruction but that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Lord, may I come before you in reverence and find that you are faithful to fulfill all your promises. Your word always achieves your purposes, it never fails. Through our Savior Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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Make, Take Time for the Holy One. Take, Make “Every Effort” to do what Leads to Your Peace and Your Mutual Edification. Mark 1:35-39

In the streaming series The Chosen, one episode depicts Jesus returning to a camp where he and his disciples are staying for the night.

It is late, and Jesus has spent the day healing crowds of people.

He stumbles into camp, exhausted from the day’s ministry.

The disciples can only watch him, surprised at how tired he is.

His teaching and healing work must have been exhausting.

Though he was fully God, Jesus was also fully human, so he got tired and needed sleep (see Mark 4:38; John 4:6).

Our narrative reading for today explains that after a long day of teaching and healing, Jesus rose early in the morning to pray.

Jesus needed time to connect with his Father in prayer, resting in his Father’s presence and focusing and resting for a while to then refocus on his purpose.

He had come to do much more than heal people in Capernaum, even though that was clearly important while he was there.

When the disciples went out and found him, he said, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

Does Jesus ever stop?

Does Jesus have limitless energy to just “keep going and going and going?”

No! Even Jesus needed His rest and time to refresh his physical body and soul.

Jesus too spent considerable time in prayer with his Father, and in the process and short, but extremely intense ministry he remained focused on his purpose.

If this was important to Jesus, it is certainly important for his followers too.

Be sure to spend personal time with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each day!

Mark 1:35-39Amplified Bible

³⁵Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there. ³⁶Simon [Peter] and his companions searched [everywhere, looking anxiously] for Him, ³⁷and they found Him and said, “Everybody is looking for You!” ³⁸He replied, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came [from the Father].” ³⁹So He went throughout Galilee, preaching [the gospel] in their synagogues and casting out demons.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

“Let us therefore make every effort [possible] to [‘perpetually’ keep right on doing every single day] what leads [us all] to peace and to mutual edification”

But lets us be reasonable with ourselves – what does that phrase mean to Us?

Are we expected to be like the “Energizer Bunny” that can outlast all others.

Are You and I Energizer Bunny Christians?

Or always like the “other bunny” who runs out of battery power far too soon?

We don’t make it easy for new Christians to become engaged with their faith journey because we throw some pretty confusing concepts and ideas at them.

Two of my favorites that are really not intuitive for most people are the idea of the Holy Spirit or simply The Spirit and the concept of “growing in your faith.”

Our evangelical reflex is to strive to simplify the equation by simply telling new Christians to “follow Jesus” which is not necessarily any more helpful.

The real trick is to show them how to engage with the Spirit for the strength to follow Jesus that will facilitate our faith growth.

Easy, right?

No, most lifelong Christians struggle to understand how to live a Christian life, so how can we expect a person new to Christianity understand it any better.

A metaphor to help us understand these concepts and ideas a little better is to “borrow” from Madison Avenue one of its most iconic spokespersons

– the Energizer Bunny.

The Energizer Bunny is powered by Energizer batteries that reputedly are longer lasting than the average battery.

So, the Energizer Bunny continues moving in the direction that it is pointed until its batteries run out of power – if it ever runs out of power.

Has anyone ever seen on those television commercials the Energizer Bunny running out of battery power even ONCE? Does anyone ever change batteries?

It keeps going and going and going… remember.

A new Christian, or any of us mature and maturing Christians for that matter, is trying their hardest, with all available energy, to be the Energizer Bunny.

On Sundays, we ‘preach it,’ set them in motion to follow Jesus by instructing them in worshiping, reading the Bible, serving others, loving our neighbors.

Our batteries are powered by the Spirit which can actually keep our “bunny” moving forever forward and around and drum beating, but our batteries run out because of our human incapacity to sustain anything for a long period of time.

So, we are “making every effort” at “growing in faith” by ‘perpetually’ doing these activities that help us to follow Jesus, propelled by the power of the Spirit.

Again, this ‘perpetual motion Christianity’ is easy, right, because if we are all doing all these things then ‘Holy Spirit empowered’ we should be good forever.

Well, the problem with that supposition is that we are still merely human.

Our capacity to convert the Spirit’s power into action in our lives can cause us to become excessively weary due to our own overexertion, excessive enthusiasm.

Or we will run headlong and head strong directly into adversity which causes us to disconnect from the Spirit because we can fix the problem on our own power.

Sometimes, we just get distracted by those shiny, new indestructible thingies being stored up for us in our heavenly storehouses that appear into our path.

No matter how many times you talk about “consistency in your spiritual life,” realize we are human and inherently, inconsistent creatures.

If we as God’s “chosen” preachers and teachers or Laity are truly worth our salt, we will be encouraging people to be the best ‘faithful’ followers of Jesus they can be, giving them tools to help them be better today than they were yesterday.

Now back to the problem of ‘Energizer Bunny Christianity’ which is what do we do when we will finally let our batteries run out of power – how do we recharge?

I think there are three critical tools that God created so that we can energize our batteries on the fly and help us to be the servants we were created to become.

Like the man Rabbi Jesus intentionally planned for regular “time away from the crowds” Fellowship and intentionally praying and worshiping regularly with a community of other Jesus followers which gives us an energy boost as well as a better understanding of what all this new 2022 Christian ‘stuff’ means for us.

Now, hear me clearly, I am endorsing you to go to church somewhere else with other people; not just listening to Christian satellite music or Spotify or a preset list of “meditative” music or some sermon podcast in the car on your daily work commute. And don’t get me started on the “I can worship God anywhere” folks, which is a whole different – and YES! a very aggravating topic for another day.

I am a very strong advocate and even stronger proponent of ‘living’ in Acts 2:

Acts 2:43-47Amplified Bible

⁴³A sense of awe was felt by ^[a]everyone, and many wonders and signs (attesting miracles) were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all those who had believed [in Jesus as Savior] ^[b]were together and had all things in common [considering their possessions to belong to the group as a whole]. ⁴⁵And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need. ⁴⁶Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God continually, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

Striving to be Acts 2 Community – Making Every Effort – to be GOD’S Church;

Actively seek other Jesus followers to go on this journey with you. God created Eve from Adam so Adam would not be alone, and God intends the same for us.

Start or join a small “accountability” fellowship group or a Sunday School class, serve on a prayer team or ‘go forth’ mission team, whatever works best for you.

Go on a Christian Retreat make the effort to engage with people one-on-one,

to find new and insightful answers to old lingering energy draining questions, Koinonia support for making tough decisions, or a mentor to provide guidance.

Intentionally take Sabbath time regularly to rest and relax your brain and body.

God created the concept of Sabbath, which is another one of those complex church ideas, but simply stated its our time to let the Spirit re-energize our batteries so that we are prepared to go [refreshed and refocused] where Jesus asks us to go and [refreshed and refocused] do the things God calls us to do.

Let’s make it a [refreshing] priority to help people find the best place to engage ‘their Sabbath Day‘ keeping it holy, with the Holy Spiri, keep batteries charged.

I truly believe if Christians of any maturity level can help their own people find worship, find other people, and find their Sabbath rest, then they will find Jesus!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Father, I so very much need to spend time with you, just as Jesus did. Lord, lead me, guide me, and give me the strength I need for the work you have planned. Amen.

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Maximum Availability: Make Every Effort to Pursue, Promote Peace and Mutual Edification. Romans 14:19-21

Romans 14:19-21Amplified Bible

¹⁹So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. ²⁰Do not, for the sake of food, tear down the work of God. All things indeed are [ceremonially] clean, but they are wrong for the person who eats and offends [another’s conscience in the process]. ²¹It is good [to do the right thing and] not eat meat or drink wine or do anything that offends your brother, and which weakens him spiritually.

Romans 14:19-21The Message

^19-21So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Do not eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

From one of those many “feel good” stories I receive on my Facebook feed.

“Yesterday my young son and went to the local Animal Shelter. I adopted the oldest, sickest, and sorest shelter dog. I’ll never forget his eyes. When I went into the cage he didn’t even bother to look, he knew I wouldn’t even see him.

Curling around the corner He’d accepted his fate. The volunteer said to me many times… Are you sure this one? Are you sure? He was abandoned six months ago. Many have looked at him. YES! This is our dog. He opened the cage and the other dogs fell on me. I ran towards that old and sullen dog as he cowered in the corner shaking and shivering, suddenly he looked at me as if he saw an angel… I hugged him and told him now; he will be happy again. Now, he sleeps in my son’s lap… probably the first peaceful sleep he ever had.”

On a nearby wall of the animal shelter hung an old sign:

“Give it a life. Give it a hug. They need all of us all of the time.”

“From a dad and his son who just saved a lost soul.“

Make every Effort to Pursue Peace and Mutual Edification—Romans 14:19

“Make every effort!”

“Make every effort???”

“Make every effort to do the minimum with the maximum amount of effort.”

“Make every effort to do the maximum with the minimum amount of effort.”

Those statements present our 2o22 representation of alleged “Christianity,” quite the significant personal and corporate (meaning our church) challenge.

“Make every effort …!”

But notice where that exertion is to be focused: peace and mutual edification.

Both sides of this exhortation are two-way responsibilities.

I must pursue and share peace if I am going to have it myself.

I must edify, be open to being edified, if mutual edification is going to happen.

In other words, we live with other people in God’s family.

He wants us to be responsible for making relationships work in our spiritual family.

He reminds us it will require strenuous effort.

But isn’t that true in every family relationship?

Love means sacrifice, effort, and concern for others. When we all share our love willingly, however, we are much more likely to see blessings coming back to us!

Instead of taking this “maximum effort with maximum effect” seriously, what have we instead accomplished with the minimum effort with maximum effect?

DIVISION – “US versus THEM” IRRECONCILABLE MINUTIAE – CHASMS –

Mind the Chasm ….

Make the effort to “mind the chasm” ….

Make every effort to “mind the chasm!”

Make the effort to Mind the Chasm with the maximum amount of effort ….

With maximum effort, “Mind the chasm” between God and HIS Neighborhood.

With minimum effort, “Mind the chasm” between God and HIS Neighborhood.

With maximum effort, “Mind the chasm” between God’s Neighborhood and our “irreconcilable” nit-picky Minutiae ministering inside of God’s Neighborhood.

With minimum effort, “Mind the chasm” between God’s Neighborhood and our “irreconcilable” nit-picky Minutiae ministering inside of God’s Neighborhood.

Make every effort to “hit the ground running” pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].

Make the effort to Mind the chasm with the minimum amount of effort ….

Make the minimal effort to “hit the ground walking” to pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].

Make the effort to Mind the chasm with no effort whatsoever …. in other words,

make no effort at all to expend any level of energy to barely “look up from our smart phones” to pursue [with {any}enthusiasm {from our church pews}] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. – Make the maximum effort to pursue the Status Quo.

In other words, make every single effort to be like the guy who ignored Lazarus:

Luke 16:25-26Amplified Bible

²⁵But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things [all the comforts and delights], and Lazarus likewise bad things [all the discomforts and distresses]; but now he is comforted here [in paradise], while you are in severe agony. ²⁶And besides all this, between us and you [people] a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to come over from here to you will not be able, and none may cross over from there to us.’

Luke 16:25-26The Message

^25-26“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It’s not like that here. Here he’s consoled and you’re tormented. Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.’

Jesus taught his followers highly insightful things about the kingdom of God.

Care and compassion for everyone in God’s Neighborhood without exception.

With maximum effort expended: Breaking down those “uncrossable” barriers.

Risk everything to take a sledgehammer, vigorously pound into and through “worldly values, worldly traditions, rituals, worldly morals, worldly ethics.”

To rigorously pound down, pound through every single facet of what divides us.

Without any mind or thought for whose agenda was more right or more wrong, thoughts of whose beliefs were more correct than the others, care for the poor was high on his agenda, as we see in his parable about the rich man, Lazarus.

Lazarus, an extremely poor man, was covered with sores and was hungry. An untouchable. For who knows how long, he lay outside the gate of a wealthy man who lived in power and luxury. But he was ignored, and his needs went unmet.

When the poor man died, he was taken to rest with Abraham, where he finally was comforted. And when the rich man died, he was consigned to Hades, where he was in torment. He pleaded for relief and begged for a warning to be sent to his brothers. Abraham explained that there was an impassable gap between them, and that the man’s brothers already had all the instructions they needed.

The chasm is the result of the “rich man” ignoring all of God’s teachings about neighbor love and justice for all of our brothers and sisters. These teachings are plentiful in the Bible, reminding us God loves the all poor, the sinners, demands justice for all of them, and “upholds the cause of all the needy” (Psalm 140:12).

The reasons for God loving everyone in His neighborhood are often complex and far beyond our ability to question, but the reality is simple: there is great need to pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].

God’s Word still reminds us of his special care for every single neighbor we share with God in His Neighborhood. The reality is that God’s Word does not allow, make any room whatsoever, for exceptions to living out the example of Jesus established in his earthly ministry to follow as we love all our neighbors.

Make Every Effort to Pursue Maximum Peace and Maximum Mutual Edification—Romans 14:19.

Romans 14:19-21NKJV

¹⁹Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may ^[a]edify another. ²⁰Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with ^[b]offense. ²¹It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles ^[c]or is offended or is made weak.

As believers we have more in common than we acknowledge with our brothers and sisters in Christ than we have with the natural family we were born into.

When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we were reborn into God’s family and now share with everyone a wonderful heavenly heritage based on His promises.

This all stems from faith in Jesus and is a bond that will transcend both time and distance. We will spend all eternity with these people, so it makes sense for us to aim and eagerly pursue harmony and mutual edification with each other.

So many times, we let nit-picky minutiae, minor divisions separate and cause dissension among us instead of realizing that we were ALL called into one body.

We should be pursuing peace among each other, encouraging and building up one another instead of tearing each other down by our actions and behaviors.

No matter what personal and or “Christian” or “Biblical” convictions we hold to we are to always give a greater measure of consideration to every one of our fellow brethren and conduct our “Christianity” in God’s neighborhood, behave in such a way that will build them up instead of causing confusion in their lives.

The Apostle Paul said in the previous verses of Romans chapter 14 ….

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men” (Romans 14:17-18).

There are infinitely more important things to consider than satisfying our own needs. We are all a part of the kingdom and what we do has eternal significance.

So many people struggle for acknowledgment and validation over these kinds of issues such as “eating, drinking” or “traditions” and “doctrines” of the church.

But Paul gave a great rule of thumb in 1 Corinthians,

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved” (I Corinthians 10:31-33).

God’s Word! The bottom line is that whatever you do make sure you are doing it for the glory of God, and absolutely none of your own and it will be accepted.

Our behavior should be above reproach in this world not because our acceptance with God our Father and Jesus Christ our Savior depends on it, but because our “truest” behavior will be seen by others and by this thereby glorify our Father in heaven or make every single effort to run like crazy in the opposite direction.

Paul sought to please others in order that many would be saved. The same principle applies to us today, we should not seek our own interest, but the interests of Christ and all of our actions should build and encourage His body.

What an amazing thing to belong to something so wonderful.

We do not belong to ourselves anymore and as such we should live like WHO we are and WHOSE we are.

Today I pray that we will behave with an eternal perspective in life and that our behavior and our actions reflect that mindset.

May you live your life making every effort, leading to the maximum pursuit of peace and mutual edification in the body of Christ and your actions lead others into this fellowship by turning them towards Jesus who can save them, Amen.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Dear Heavenly Father, turn me towards the Cross where your Son died for me. Pray, forgive me for my impatience and selfishness. Defeat the bad attitude of shallow divisiveness that I often display in arguments and disagreements with others in your family. Energize me by your Spirit to see areas where I can be a truer blessing and an encouragement to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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What About “Maximum Availability of our Hearts and Souls?” The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit—Romans 14:16-18

Romans 14:16-18Amplified Bible

¹⁶Therefore do not let what is a good thing for you [because of your freedom to choose] be spoken of as evil [by someone else]; ¹⁷for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸For the one who serves Christ in this way [recognizing that food choice is secondary] is acceptable to God and is approved by men.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Romans chapter 14 encourages us to consider everything we do as if we are all doing it for the Lord. It is a call to do what leads to peace and mutual edification within the body of Christ.

We are not to condemn or look down on those who are weaker, less mature, slowly, slower growing in faith but be fully convinced of what is acceptable in our own minds, as everything which does not come from faith in God is sin.

Paul’s full throated and thorough presentation of the gospel in Romans, places the Christian pilgrim, regardless of degrees of maturity, on a firm foundation.

It brings us, step by step, into spiritual maturity and holy living. It develops in us a steadfast and prayerfully immovable faith with a total Christlike attitude towards others. Slowly it helps to conform us into the image and likeness of the lovely Lord Jesus, as we develop in godly discernment and wisdom from above.

This epistle to the followers at Rome lays a solid foundation on which to build.

It warns of several pitfalls to avoid and behaviors to cultivate.

Paul’s approach was incredibly practical, gave eminently practical instructions.

He knew that all of us were accountable to God and every person was at a different level of understanding.

Because of this he gave instruction that lead toward mutual edification and building up of the body instead of tearing down by focusing on these divisions.

Much of his instruction in Romans 14 is about eating and drinking, what is (not) acceptable, and the underlying principle is just as true today as then.

The principle of what Paul is saying is that we are to fully live for God, what we do and don’t do should come out of a heart and soul conviction and not because of “obeying” rules and regulations given by others. What God has revealed to us as acceptable before him, we should accept and be confident in. (Acts 10:9-22)

Paul also reminded us that in our approach with our brothers and sisters we should be patient and loving with others in their walk without causing them confusion and putting stumbling stones in their way (Romans 14:15).

But in the same way we should not allow or give room to others to condemn us for the freedom that Christ has revealed to us.

Perhaps that is accomplished by not giving them opportunity to criticize us.

We can do this by abiding in our freedom without flaunting or making a big deal about it.

The bottom line is that the kingdom of God which we have been called into is not about these physical things and mental debates but about our availability.

Making ourselves fully available to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

100% Surrendering, unhitching ourselves from what burdens our souls so much we are infinitely too distracted from giving our full attention to God, neighbor.

We should settle in our hearts and souls to consciously remove the minutiae, walk in the truth we know, as the kingdom is about righteousness, peace, joy.

Righteousness is the state which makes a person acceptable to God.

Through our Savior Jesus we are righteous before God as we have been given His righteousness through faith (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

²⁰So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. ²¹He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

Next comes peace and joy, this should continually be the state of our heart.

We should strive to always walk in supernatural peace and joy because these are the fruit of the Spirit that was given to us at salvation (Galatians 5:22-24).

²²But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the ^[a]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

Paul said in the next sentence, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

²⁵If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. ²⁶We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.

These things are the true things that we should consider important and which we should, with eyes and hearts of utmost humility, see operating in our lives.

When we “arrive at that place” and “understand” the kingdom isn’t about the natural but is about the amazing things Jesus did and provided for us we can toss aside all of these minor details, habits and hang-ups that hold us back.

Verse 18 says that “anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men” (Romans 14:18).

As much or as little we make our hearts and souls available to God, if we truly, genuinely, live this way in righteousness, peace and joy, then God has accepted and approved our behavior and we will win favor among mankind as well.

Colossians 4:1-4J.B. Phillips New Testament

4 Remember, then, you employers, that your responsibility is to be fair and just towards those whom you employ, never forgetting that you yourselves have a heavenly employer.

Some simple, practical advice

^2-4Always maintain the habit of prayer: be both alert and thankful as you pray. Include us in your prayers, please, that God may open for us a door for the entrance of the Gospel. Pray that we may talk freely of the mystery of Christ (for which I am at present in chains), and that I may make that mystery plain to men, which I know is my duty.

Today, I am simply pondering the fullness of God and pray that you understand this amazing truth and disregard the meaningless minutiae, the non-essentials that divide, hinder you and I pray you maximally pursue God’s kingdom today!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Loving Father, I want to please You, not only in what I do but by who I am in Christ Jesus – my Lord and King. Thank You, that my salvation does not depend on keeping rites and rituals, but comes through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Thank You, that righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit, comes through faith in Him. May my life be a reflection of His beauty so that in thought, word, deed, and motive I will proclaim His kingdom through my life, to the glory of Your name. In Savior Jesus’ name I pray, Alleluia! Amen.

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