Revelation 1 - 6.9.26

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation 1:1-3

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.  He made it known by sending His angel to His servant, John, who testifies everything he saw - that is, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

OBSERVATION:  John was in exile on the island of Patmos, sent there by the Romans for his witness of Jesus.  John was nearing the end of his life when he received a vision from Jesus regarding the seven churches in Asia. In this letter, John commended the churches for their strengths and warned them about their flaws.  God allowed John to see certain future events that were indescribable, but John used the signs and symbols God had given him to encourage the believers by describing what he had seen in this vision. As gloomy as the world appeared, John reminded the believers that God is in control of the future, and that He is the ultimate victor to all who take hope in Him.

In this chapter, John addresses the seven churches and the seven spirits.  The “seven spirits” is another name for the Holy Spirit.  The number seven is used throughout Revelation to symbolize completeness and perfection.

APPLICATION:  This letter from John was written to the seven churches in Asia back then, but it is also a message to the Church today, reminding God’s people to be faithful, devoted followers of Christ. Though Satan’s power may increase in these last days, it will only be temporary!  God is faithful, and He will bring all true Christ-followers to our eternal home where there will be no more sorrow, sadness or suffering.   He will give us strength and endurance with unwavering dedication as we keep our eyes on Jesus.  

PRAYER:  Thank You God for this Book of hope!  Everywhere we turn today, we hear about all the evil deeds that are taking place on earth.  But, I thank You that in the midst of all the crisis, calamity and chaos, You are in control, and will return to vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked.  What you have promised, will come true!  As we wait for Jesus to return, I pray we will be fully devoted followers, and that You will use us to give warning about hope without Christ, as well as hope with Christ. Thank You for the promise You have given to us about this Book of Revelation; that if we listen to it, and do what it says, we will BLESSED!

- Robin Orefice

Genesis 45 - 6.8.26

S - Genesis 45: 4-8 

Then Joseph said to his brothers, " Come close to me."  When they had done so, he said, " I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.   For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping.  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.  He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

O - Wow!. Who wouldn't want the faith of Joseph?  Here is a man that is literally sold as a slave by his own siblings and has been called by Jesus to not only forgive and forget, but also to take care of his family while a famine is happening.  This clearly shows us that we may not want to listen or confide in our maker at times.  The Lord has given Joseph the grace to look past and endure unjust people.

A - This scripture screams, "Just Listen and Get Over It"!  I would like to be more like Joseph and more forgiving with knowing the Lord has control over these things, not my control.

P -  Lord, I pray to have more faith in what you call us to do in life.  I pray that we all can seek faith and comfort in knowing your will and learn to listen even when it is difficult. Amen.

- Brian Moen

1 John 5 - 6.5.26

Scripture: 1 John 5:2 - 3

“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,”

Observation

Jesus’ statement in Matthew 22 help simplify things for us when question by religious leaders in Matthew 22:34-40. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

God does not make commands burdensome; why would he want to burden us?

Years ago I was a stage manager for our old church's Christmas and Easter production. Lorna, my director, and I both wanted to please our Father in heaven by giving our best in our productions. I knew my job was to carry out the vision she had for these productions. After a few years of working together, it got to the point where I could see her certain look and without words, change the scenery or adjust the placement of the actors the way she envisioned it. I loved Lorna my director. Carrying out her vision was not a burden but was joyful.

Carrying out God's command out of Love gives us Joy.

Application

Love God, Love People.

In our everyday lives when we look at people, or scroll through our phones, do we see ourselves reflected in these 2 verses in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."  In the past few weeks leading up to the election, I did not see much of the Fruit of the Spirit. I can see why the Lord says to pray continually. It will guard our hearts.

A command is an action word. It is meant for us to act. 

James 1:22-25: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

1 John 3:18: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

One way to put Love into action is to serve at church. It is one of our core values. Jesus served us first and provided the greatest example of how to serve.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you loved us so much you gave us Jesus. (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". Jesus let my love toward others be of action and not just words. Thank you for your Holy word. Let the fruit of the Spirit flow from me. Let me follow your commands with my Love for you Jesus. Forgive me when my anger turns into hate. I long to see the day when there is no more hate, only the love you have for the ones you call your own Lord Jesus. I am looking forward to the day you crack the sky and take me home. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.

- Robert Oberg