Revelation_10

ScriptureRevelation 10:10 

I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Observation-What does it say?   In this part of his revelation, John sees an angel carrying a “little scroll.”  The little scroll is representative of the prophecy John must give to the people.  On one hand, John knows the sweetness of God’s good news.  However, included in the good news is the reality of the future of those who refuse to accept God’s free gift of grace.  In the Matthew Henry commentary, he writes, “Most men feel pleasure in looking into future events, and all good men like to receive a word from God. But when this book of prophecy was thoroughly digested by the apostle, the contents would be bitter; there were things so awful and terrible, such grievous persecutions of the people of God, such desolations in the earth, that the foresight and foreknowledge of them would be painful to his mind.”  When we draw our focus to the sweetness of the teaching of Jesus, it helps us to have a perspective on the bitterness we experience in this life.   Understanding-What does it mean?  As a police officer, I’m sort of in the business of bad news.  I tell people they are getting tickets, that they are going to jail, or that they accidentally gave away their life savings to a very tricky person and they probably won’t get it back.  My least favorite bad news to give is when I have to let someone know their family member won’t be coming back home.  For whatever reason, it’s never gotten easier for me and always takes me a few hours to get back to normal.  The sense of permanent loss is always hard to take, even though I usually don’t know the people involved.  The sense of permanent loss is what seems to scare everyone.  Very rarely have I come in contact with a family who have their hope set in the next life.  It’s also this fear of the permanent that scares us away from sharing the gospel with others.  We fear how they will react to the news that their life is sinful and results in the permanent separation from God.  It gives us the same sourness in our stomach that John experienced.  We don’t need to have fear like the rest of the world though.  “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” (1 Thesalonians 4:13-14)  This also reason for us to heed the call of the great commission.  To go despite our fear.  Throughout scripture, God gives us assurance he will be there for us.  “But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.  “Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.” (Isaiah 43:1-2&4)

Life Application 

 

Jesus, help me to be bold.  Help me to hold so dear to the assurance of my faith that I fear nothing.  Set me on a path to encounter people who need to hear the goodness of your love, even though it means they will also hear of the permanency of their sin.  I love you and want to honor you with my whole life. 

 

 

-Tyler Galloway

Ezekiel_33

Scripture - What stood out?Ezekiel 33

31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. Observation - What does it say?In this chapter God compares Ezekiel to that of a watchman, who is supposed to shout warning in the event of impending danger. God then lays out a formula for understanding what is just and unjust. Who is in the right and who would be in the wrong when it comes time for God’s judgement. Understanding - What does it mean?Considering the heavy emphasis of God’s justice and His version of who is deserving of condemnation and not, I was pleasantly surprised by the verse that stood out to me. See for the past week, I have been trying so hard to work on the life application I prayed about last thursday. I have attempted to wake up, praising God no matter what. And I have found myself praising God no matter how I feel. And the results have been amazing. I have learned so much from this church family. But what a joy it has been to work for a pastor who so firmly believes that it is the application of information that leads to transformation. The above verse is such a pleasing confirmation/reminder that we are on the right track. Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?So my prayer Father God : Continue to teach me Your word. Make it a part of my life. Help me to transform my spirit, my character, my heart, by showing me how to apply your word. Brick by brick, bit by bit, I am determined to get there - as stubborn and as slow as I am. Guide me Holy Spirit, by teaching me what to do every time you reveal something new to me or I am reminded of something I ought to be doing. In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen.-kenneth lee 

Psalm__112

Scripture

 

Psalms‬ ‭112:7-8

 

“They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.”

‭‭‬Observation-What does it say?

In this psalm, the psalmist, (more than likely David), writes just how blessed are those who follow and obey God. He writes how their children will be successful. He writes how they themselves will be wealthy, generous, compassionate, and righteous. He writes that they will have influence and honor, and their good deeds will be remembered forever. But what really stuck out to me when reading this is how people who follow and obey God, won’t fear bad news. They will be confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

No God, No peace. Know God, Know peace.

 

I remember driving and saw that the car in front of me had a license plate frame with that saying. It immediately hit home with me because I knew just how true it really is. And just like David writes in this psalm, those who know and obey God, will truly be blessed and find comfort and peace no matter what life throws at you. I know I have. When you truly know God, (by reading His Word, obeying His Word, staying connected to Him in daily prayer, and staying connected to His people), you begin to understand God’s character. You begin to understand His faithfulness, His provision, His grace and mercy, and His unfailing love us. You will begin to experience peace in your life. That no matter what life throws at you, God is with you. He knows what we are going through. God knows because He came down in the flesh as Jesus, to go through everything this world had to offer. And you know what?! Jesus conquered this world...and yes, even death! Meaning we too who put our faith in Christ Jesus can conquer this world and overcome all the fears that are in it!

 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”-‬ ‭‭John‬ ‭16:33

 

Life Application

 

Finding peace and comfort through my faith.

 

A couple of months ago, I experienced some bad news. The news I received caused me to get so angry (to the point where my blood pressure went through the roof, and I thought I was going to have a heart attack)! It caused me to have sleepless nights and stress beyond belief. Then I remembered something. I remembered that God was in control and He must have a purpose behind this stress in my life. It was up to me to seek His purpose behind it. So on those sleepless nights I would wake up, go in the family room by myself, and just pray. I literally cried out to God for help and guidance. I basically gave my troubles and concerns to God and trusted that whatever came my way, He would be there with me, and provide for me. So every morning I would wake up a couple of hours before work and seek God in prayer, and do my Bible readings and devotions. My anger over the situation was gone, the stress from it was out of my life, and I could honestly say I found peace over whatever God decided to happen next. Then a couple weeks ago that bad news turned good. I received the restitution and justice I was praying for! I immediately praised God and to this day I give Him all the glory. I now, still keep that same “morning routine” and just spend my time with Jesus. I walked away from this situation with a deepened faith and a better relationship with God. Thank You Jesus! 🙏🏽🙌🏽🙏🏽

 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”-‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭

 

-Moses Gaddi