Exodus 18 - 7.1.26

Scripture: Exodus 18:20

Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.

Observation

In Exodus 18, the Israelites have safely made their way out of Egypt. Moses is their leader and he's very busy! It's a big job. His father-in-law Jethro gives him some advice: you can't, and shouldn't, do it on your own. He tells Moses to teach them, train them up, and show them how to follow God, and to appoint others who are mature to do the same. This is the model of discipleship.

Application

I have a very bad habit of wanting to handle things on my own. If I'm honest, I'd say it stems from a combination of not wanting to inconvenience others and pride. On one hand, why would I bother others, when I can just do it myself? And on the other hand, most of the time I like how I do things! But these attitudes are not benefiting me or others and they are not God's design for us. God calls us to invest in others and help them grow.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Making disciples is more than just telling people about Jesus, it is teaching and modeling how to follow him. Jesus did this with his disciples. He built relationships - spending time with them, investing in them, training them, and praying for them. Discipleship is about multiplication - as we help others grow, they in turn, disciple and lead others.

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Through discipleship, we invest, equip, and help grow mature followers of God.

Prayer

Lord, help me to remember that you have called each of us (including me!) to disciple others. Change my mindset from I'll do it on my own, to who do you want me to bring with me along the way. I pray that you will continue your work in me and through me.

- Debbie Dunn

Revelation 22 - 6.30.26

Scripture: Revelation 22:20-21

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Observation

This is the last chapter in Revelation and the verses I highlighted are the last 2 verses of Revelation (and God’s Word) also. “To the very end, the Book of Revelation emphasizes readiness and watchfulness. If we miss this practical lesson from the Book of Revelation – the lesson of readiness – then we miss the essential message of the book.” (enduringword.com)

Here are a few verses about being prepared and watchful for our Master’s return.

Luke 12:42-46

The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?  It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk.  The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.  He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.”

Application

Are we prepared and ready for the Lord’s coming?

When we live in light of eternity and His 2nd coming, there should be a shift in our priorities and mindset.

I found an article on desiringgod.com, from an interview with Pastor John Piper about how we are to practically prepare for the 2nd coming of Christ. He listed 3 things:

1. Pursue Christlikeness now. (Spend time with Jesus and imitate our lives after Him.)

2. Ready yourself for suffering. (Put on our armor and be in God’s Word daily so that we could recognize false prophets and the lies of the enemy and endure until the end.)

3. Work faithfully for Christ. (Whatever God has called us to do for His Kingdom, do it diligently and faithfully.)

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the book of Revelation that points to the fact that You are coming back. I do not want to be found unready when you return. May we be watchful and ready in our daily lives until that day comes. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Revelation 21 - 6.29.26

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 21: 1-8 

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

OBSERVATION

In this passage, John is seeing a vision of the age to come when Jesus Christ fully restores creation. Sin, Satan and death will be defeated, and all of God’s people will experience Him in such a great magnitude. Although the book of Revelation tells of the horrible events that will take place on earth due to sin and the rejection of God, Jesus Christ will correct it all. These final chapters are messages of hope of what is to come. Christ ensures us, His bride, that we will be with Him forever, will no longer shed tears, will no longer experience pain, will drink from the spring of the water of life and be victorious. Those who oppose Him to live how they want will not be victorious, and will face the same fate as Satan, his angels, sin and death.

APPLICATION

The life that we live is short compared to eternity. James describes our lives as mist and not knowing if tomorrow will be given (James 4:14). That is why we as ambassadors of this new Kingdom must ensure that we are serving the coming King and inviting others to be apart of it. Every Believer should look forward to this time and not be concerned for the things of this world because it will be destroyed for better things to come in the presence of God. Let us set our minds on being with God for eternity with no more pain, suffering, worry, depression, and mourning.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you for this message of hope to be with you for eternity. Help us to set our eyes on you. In Matthew 13:44-46, You described the Kingdom of God as “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Thank you for addressing our concerns that life will bring which you have experienced yourself when you walked the earth.

- Darrence Hamilton