Lamentations 3 - 7.28.23
Scripture
Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Observation
Even in the midst of greatest trial and hardship, God’s love is still on display. His compassions, the displays of his love toward us, are present every morning. He is our Faithful One. And even if our suffering is brought on by God as discipline, we know he’s doing it as a loving Father for our benefit, and he won’t allow us to be consumed. “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.” (Hebrews 12:7)
Life Application
Look to God. Celebrate him. Consume myself with him. Wait upon him.
Regardless of the hardships today may bring, look for God’s love on display. Notice his blessings and celebrate his faithfulness. Pursue him as my portion in life. I’m reminded of the Levites in the Old Testament who weren’t given a portion of the Promised Land when it was divided among the 12 tribes. They got no land because God said that he himself would be their inheritance.
Prayer
God, thank you for your great love! Every morning I wake up to blessings – I have you with me, I stand forgiven and with a future hope of eternity with you, I have a beautiful family and home and food in the kitchen, I have been entrusted with great ministry where I’m partnering with you to shepherd your people. Regardless of challenges and hardships, I choose to focus on YOU and your great love toward me. You are my portion.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25) Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Revelation 3 - 07.27.23
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 3:7a, 8 NIV
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
OBSERVATION:
One of the MOST important things to keep in mind in reading the Book of Revelation is the meaning itself.
The word Revelation means “Unveiling”. This is where we get our English word Apocalypse which, unfortunately, is today a synonym for chaos and catastrophe. The verb actually means—to “uncover, to reveal”.
Here we have letters that Jesus has told John to “write down in a book and send to the seven churches which are in Asia” (1:11). Jesus has specific messages for each of the churches—and for ALL churches through all the ages (Ch.2-3). I find it so interesting that the churches were able to read the encouragement AND the warnings that Jesus gave for all seven Churches. That in itself demonstrates there is something that the LORD desires to teach each of us personally by reading these letters. May my heart be open.
In each of the seven letters Jesus manifests an aspect of His Character—Who HE is—which meets the specific needs of that church. Jesus then goes on to share what they are doing well, what issues they have, the challenges they need to respond to, AND a Promise is Given if they do Follow and Obey Jesus in responding to the challenges.
To the Church in Philadelphia Jesus presents Himself as “Holy and True” and who “Holds the Keys of David”.
(The Keys of David was a reference from Isaiah 22:22—But More Important Jesus Holds THE Keys of the Kingdom of God—Life and Death. Jesus, Alone, is the WAY to eternal life.)
“I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9a NKJV)
APPLICATION
Keep HIS Word—Share His Gospel
The Church of Philadelphia has my attention because Jesus said, “You have Little Strength”. They may not have been a “large” or “strong” Church—but they were “faithful”.
“You have Kept My Word and Not Denied My Name” (vs 8).
Jesus said that HE Himself had Placed an Open Door that No Man could shut.
It is not the size or strength of a church that determines its ministry—and it is not our own weaknesses or inability that determine our ability to serve God—rather it is—Faith in His Calling and Obedience to His Word.
“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26 ESV)
“Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you to Himself for your salvation, and He will do it-He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:24 AMP)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
You are Holy and True. Faithful and Trustworthy. Nothing Compares with You. You are the One and Only Authentic Sovereign Creator of ALL that exists. I can never wrap my mind around the concept that You gave me Your Holy Spirit. You Live IN me. You will Never ever forsake me. I am weak. But You are Strong. I am flesh and bone. But You have set Your Holy everlasting Spirit inside me—to equip, counsel, guide, and direct my path. You Open doors that NO man can shut. No matter how things appear in the natural—You are sovereign over All. Help me Lord to Move out—In Your Strength—In Your Power—to be Faithful like the Philadelphia church—to Keep Your Word—share Your Gospel—share your Name--wherever you send me. Here I am Lord. Send me. amen
Tina L Kudelka
Lamentations 1 - 7.26.23
Scripture
Lamentations 1:20 (NLT)
Lord, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have rebelled against you. In the streets the sword kills and at home there is only death.
Observation
“Jerusalem is represented as a captive female, lamenting and seeking the mercy of God.” (Matthew Henry commentary on Christianity.com)
“The book of Lamentations is a collection of funeral poems offered on behalf of Jerusalem after its destruction in Babylon. Despite its bleak subject matter, it offers a biblical view of how humans can respond to God in their grief and distress. Hope is found through the complicated process of lament, a process that leads to true intimacy with God who hears the cries of his people.” (bibleproject.com)
Application
Keep running to Him through prayer and His Word. No one is too far gone for God to listen.
God hears us, even when we’ve rebelled or run away from Him. Last Sunday, Katie preached an amazing sermon on how God sees us (El Roi). For those who missed it, here’s a direct link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Bc6keA9BDuA
Part of God seeing us is knowing that He hears us too. Our prayers, grief and distress will never and has never fallen over deaf ears. Even when we have rebelled, sinned or turned away from Him like Jerusalem did, He still hears us and will welcome us back with open arms.
Knowing that God hears and sees us, how would that change how often we communicate with Him? If you are in a season of rebellion or don’t feel “good” enough to approach Him, I encourage you to turn back to Him in prayer. He STILL hears and sees you.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You that You know me, see me and hear me. Thank You that I can trust that You will always be there for me when I run to You. Amen.
Here’s a link to a hymn that I love, with great words, called, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” https://youtu.be/8SCorW9r_Is
-Michelle Gaddi