Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Come as Promised (6/4/26)

Today is the last day of school for my kids, and they are excited for summer break! Similarly, we reach the final verses in the book of Revelation, and we’re encouraged to be ready and anticipate Jesus’s return. While my kids might be eager for summer break, we can be far more excited for Jesus’s return, as it promises a utopia that will be a perfect reality. In Heaven, we’ll be with our perfect Creator and Savior, and all His followers will be made perfect through His grace.  

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.

John emphasized grace as he concluded the book of Revelation, and he also began Revelation with a focus on grace.

Revelation 1:4 ⁴ John,

To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne.

Jesus’ offer of eternal life is the greatest gift of grace. He also extended grace to us by giving John the prophecies in the book of Revelation. Although He didn’t have to reveal anything, He chose to share some details about the end times so we can be prepared. He assured us of His return and the certainty of the marvelous new Heaven and new earth awaiting us, making it clear that perseverance through suffering and persecution will be worth it.

Maybe some of you hadn’t read Revelation before or it had been intimidating. My prayer is that over our 70 weeks studying this final book of the Bible you saw value. Some of the symbolism is difficult to understand and may not be clear until Jesus returns, but we can focus on what is clear: His truths and His promises. What was your biggest takeaway from our journey through Revelation?

For me, the biggest takeaway is that Jesus is worthy. He is worthy of extending grace to all who will receive it. He is worthy to come and take us to the place He’s been preparing for us. He is worthy of all our worship for all eternity! Come Lord Jesus!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Offer His Gift (5/21/26)

We have nearly completed the book of Revelation! Do you remember how John began the book, declaring its recipients and sender? John noted that it was from God, to Jesus, to the angel, to John, to the churches, and ultimately to us and others. Jesus is described as “…the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” (Revelation 1:5) Now, as John concludes the book, he quotes Jesus, reaffirming that Jesus existed before David and will reign eternally after David, victorious over sin.

Revelation 22:16-17 ¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

¹⁷ The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

In his conclusion, John extends an invitation to us. We are invited to come, hear Jesus’s words, drink in His promises, and receive His gracious gift of eternal life.

Are you thirsty for Jesus? If so, how do you daily come to Him for satisfaction?

As the bride of Christ, where are we proclaiming “Come!” to those around us, so they too can hear the invitation to receive His eternal gift? Unlike my kids, who don’t offer their birthday gifts to others, we can share our free gift with others without diminishing our own blessing.  

May we respond to Jesus' invitation and share His gift of eternal life with others, that they too may experience the joy and satisfaction of knowing Him.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of our Repentant Return (1/15/26)

Over the advent season, I took a break from writing devotionals from Revelation. As we start a new year and get back into Revelation (with only a few chapters left!) you might remember that we finished the seven angels with the seven bowls of God’s wrath. Then, one of the seven angels showed John the punishment of “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes.” She delighted in the destruction of God’s people and lured the rest of the world into abominable acts. She represents centuries of evil powers in the world.

As we continue to see the destruction of “Babylon the Great,” it’s worth noting that those who benefited from her lament her destruction. They are distraught because of the misfortune it also brings to them. They could repent and turn to the true and eternally lavish King of kings. Instead, they wallow in their earthly losses.

Revelation 18:9-14 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,

    you mighty city of Babylon!

In one hour your doom has come!’

11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’

The earthly successes of the world can change in an instant. Jesus’s eternal victory lasts forever. His kingdom is everlasting. Those watching the flaming Babylon had an opportunity to repent of their self-focus and turn to Jesus who offers true satisfaction.

John 10:9-10 ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

As we look back on 2025 and look ahead in 2026, what priorities do you and I want to leave behind and which ones do we want to continue? Knowing Jesus is the only One who offers life to full, how does that change your and my goals for this year?  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Our Blood (10/30/25)

This past Monday, our kids had a day off from school, and we finally had a chance to take them all in for routine blood work. Let’s just say they weren’t thrilled! One of them was especially nervous about the needle and watching the blood flow out. What if someone were to drain not just a little blood but all your blood? Revelation chapter 17 talks about that!

In Revelation chapter 16, John concluded his vision with the seven-sealed scroll, seven angels, seven trumpets and seven bowl judgments. Chapter 17 takes John to a new vision, which seems to layer similar truths from the previous vision – wickedness in the world continues, Satan covers sin in luring appeal to deceive many, God’s people can expect oppression and even death, yet all false detractors will face God’s judgment.

Revelation 17:1-6 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. ² With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

³ Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ⁴ The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. ⁵ The name written on her forehead was a mystery:

babylon the great

the mother of prostitutes

and of the abominations of the earth.

⁶ I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

The ancient nation of Babylon took Judah into captivity and destroyed the Jerusalem temple in 586 BC. Since then, “Babylon” has often been used as a term to refer to staunch enemies of God and His people. Babylon will fall, facing not just earthly destruction but eternal punishment.

As we reflect on this passage, we can ponder some important questions: What things in this world lure you and me away from the things of God? What’s your “Babylon,” and what’s mine?

I think most of us don’t want to be matyrs, but I pray we will all be faithful to Jesus to the very end, no matter what. He shed his blood for you and me so we could have eternal life! So, He’s worthy of our total devotion, whether it’s sacrificing a small comfort or giving our earthly blood. Where will you choose faithfulness to Jesus today? We can pray and ask for God’s strength to turn from temptation and remain faithful.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Give Witnesses Power (6/12/25)

After telling my kids to go and pick up everything in their rooms, I usually tell them what the consequence will be if I come and find anything left out. Often I give them another opportunity to go and make sure they didn’t miss anything. Sometimes I send a sibling or two to go and remind their other siblings before I come and inspect.

Jesus has laid out expectations in the Bible for how to live a life pleasing to Him and how best to be ready for His second coming. He didn’t just tell us once but has given us many opportunities. In fact, before the very end of this world, He will send two witnesses with His power. They will teach and perform miraculous signs for 3½ years.

Revelation 11:1-6   I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. ² But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. ³ And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” ⁴ They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” ⁵ If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. ⁶ They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

John may have been asked to measure the temple, altar, and worshipers as a sign that they were to be evaluated on how well they had followed God’s instructions and standards. The Gentiles in the outer courts were already deemed unacceptable by their persistent rebellion against God. The two witnesses, though, would give one last call (possibly during the last 3½ years of the tribulation and the entire earth as we know it). Verse 4 contains references to earlier prophecies in Zechariah 4 about these two witnesses. Here in Revelation 11, the angel offers additional details about the amazing power given to these witnesses.

You and I may not be given power to spit fire from our mouths, but Jesus will give us the power to do whatever work and witness He has called us to do (Matthew 28:18-20 ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.) Where is Jesus calling you and me to speak His truths? How will you and I rely on His presence and power?  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Reveal the Sweet and Sour (6/5/25)

 My kids have dared each other to eat a Warheads sour candy! I didn’t join in the “fun.” I tried one about 30 years ago and never want another one! Sarah can withstand the extreme sour taste long enough to eventually get to the sweet taste, but other kids can’t (and me neither!).

Similar to the Warheads, John ate a sweet and sour scroll.

Revelation 10:8-11           ⁸ Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”

⁹ So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” 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. ¹¹ Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”

In reverse of the Warheads, John’s tasty scroll was first sweet and then sour. It may mean that the prophecy he was given to share includes sweet victory for Jesus’s followers, but bitter judgment for those who reject Jesus. The book of Revelation certainly includes both! Jesus gives John the good and bad news together. Which are you confident you will ultimately experience? Sweet victory in Jesus or sour separation from Him for all eternity?  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Reveal and Hold Secrets (5/22/25)

Who likes to be in on secrets? My kids like to be in the know about gifts for their siblings. They especially enjoy being able to help pick out a gift. However, there are certain gifts no sibling knows about for the birthday kid until the birthday comes.

Similarly, through our study of Revelation, we get to be in on some of the secrets regarding the end of time, the new heaven and the new earth! Jesus hasn’t given us all the details, though. We won’t know or understand everything until our new life in heaven.

Before the 7^th angel sounded the trumpet, we receive an interesting interlude:

Revelation 10:1-4         Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. ² He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, ³ and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. ⁴ And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”

Jesus (through the 7 thunders or 7 spirits or the Holy Spirit) revealed a mystery to John that only he knows. Why can’t we know it? Maybe it is too awful regarding the final and complete judgment on the entire earth. Maybe it’s beyond our comprehension. Maybe it was specific to John.

Whatever the reason, it made me realize how privileged we are to know any of Jesus’s plans. It’s amazing Jesus chooses to reveal some details to us. We can appreciate the “secrets” we do know and diligently study the Bible to understand all that He has revealed.

What time will you and I set aside each day to learn more of Jesus’s “secrets” (by the Holy Spirit’s help)? Which “secret” will you and I share with others?

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Open the 7th Seal (4/10/25)

Complete silence. Have you ever experienced complete silence for 30 minutes? No white noise or anything. What about on Good Friday? Often Good Friday services end in silence, but I haven’t attended one where it lasted 30 minutes. It doesn’t take but 30 seconds for someone to drop a pen or a kid to squirm. When Jesus opened the 7^th seal, though, all of heaven stopped for 30 minutes.

Revelation 8:1-5      When he [the Lamb] opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

² And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

³ Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. ⁴ The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. ⁵ Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

What’s about to happen from the 7^th seal must be quite serious if all of heaven is silent for 30 minutes. Remember from last week that John was just told that there would be no more tears for those who go to heaven? Yet, the judgments about to take place are world altering. John is given significant warnings to write down, but layered with encouraging assurance to those who follow Jesus.

One encouragement from this passage is that our prayers are a pleasing aroma to God! What value! He takes great pleasure in our time talking with Him. How much and how well do you and I value our time talking and listening to our eternal King, the Almighty God, who has all power and authority over every aspect of life?

Jesus is worthy to open the 7^th seal, worthy to hear from us in prayer regularly throughout the day and worthy of our silence so we can hear Him!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as the Triumphant One (1/23/25)

Last week we saw how our Father God is worthy of all praise and honor for all eternity. After the spectacular scene in Revelation chapter 4, John was briefly saddened by what he saw next.

Revelation 5:1-7      Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

Only triumphant Jesus, the Lamb slain for us, is worthy before God! No other human or angel was, or ever will be, worthy before God.  

None of us are holy or righteous. The only way we can be seen as holy and righteous in God’s eyes is to believe in Jesus’ work on our behalf (His death, resurrection and exaltation). Philippians 3:9…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

So, will we one day be worthy, as well? I don’t think so. Worthy means morally upright and fully deserving. We are seen as holy and righteous before God because God has consecrated and justified us by His grace and mercy through the blood of Jesus. However, we will never be fully deserving. Only Jesus lived a perfect, holy and morally upright life. He then took on the death we deserved and victoriously overcame death by rising from the dead by His own power.  

Only triumphant Jesus is truly worthy! Let’s praise Him for His worthiness and all that He did for you and me.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy and So is God the Father (1/16/25)

As a kid, it was hard to fathom continual worship in heaven. I couldn’t imagine a worship service that never ended! “Praise” nights at church were fun, but I got tired of standing after a while.

After studying the book of John last year and then Revelation this year, I think I understand continual worship a little bit better. In the book of John, he painted a satisfying picture for those who follow Jesus. Jesus offers the greatest imaginable thirst and hunger quencher as the living water and bread of life. Jesus also says He came to give abundant life as our Light, Shepherd, Vine and Savior. He’s the most rewarding relationship we could ever have! He offers perfect, complete and eternal love. That’s who we will be by our side for all eternity! It will be the most satisfying experience to be in God’s presence and worship Him, just as it is for the 4 living creatures and 24 elders.  

Revelation 4:6b-11 In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”

This is a picture of a holy, perfect, and completely satisfying experience worshiping our Creator God! If sharing the tastiest meal with the most enjoyable person is pleasurable in this life and something we never want to end, then being in the presence of God will be far more spectacular, amazing and delightful! We won’t run out of things to taste, hear, see, feel, smell, say or experience! How does that excite you for Heaven? We’ll get to celebrate the worthiest Almighty God each and everyday! 

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of All Beauty (1/9/25)

What’s the most spectacular scene you’ve ever seen?

In 2005, I got to go with some Bible study friends to ski in Lake Tahoe. We arrived just after a historic 20 feet of snow had accumulated! Not only was it the best skiing I’ve ever experienced, but the views from the tops of the mountains were spectacular! The sun glistened on the snow for miles on end in all directions!!! I had never seen anything like it and knew it was a once in a lifetime experience! Throughout the week, I couldn’t help but worship God the Creator! I know my words can’t begin to describe it and even pictures don’t do it justice.

I wonder if that’s how John felt as he tried to describe the scene in Heaven that he saw!

Revelation 4:1-6      After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ² At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ³ And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. ⁴ 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. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.

Wow, I can’t begin to image how spectacular Heaven will be and how glorious God is!

Is there anyone else’s presence you and I would rather be in?

How does God’s brilliance and power compel you and me to worship Him?

Let’s remember John’s description as we think about and worship the Beautiful and Almighty God this New Year!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as Our Temperature Regulator (12/19/24)

Are you hot, cold or lukewarm? Physically speaking, I’m usually cold. Spiritually speaking, I desire to be hot for God!

As Jesus addressed the seventh church, He rebuked them for being lukewarm.

Revelation 3:14-22   ¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Jesus rebuked the Laodicean’s for their prideful reliance on their own material wealth. Jesus seemed to be telling the Laodicean’s that their spiritual depravity was significant. Maybe they thought God was pleased with them because of their material blessings and lack of troubles, but Jesus made it clear that was not the case.

I love how Jesus said he was “about to spit” them out. He is so loving and patient, that He gave them a warning. Out of love for them, He called them to repent and return to Him. Then, He would provide what they really needed – fellowship with Him.

What would Jesus say to you and me? Where do you and I think we have it together or are in control of our life? (Kent talked about control yesterday!) What would God say we really need from Him? Would He call us hot, cold or lukewarm? As we submit to Jesus’s control, He will provide what’s needed to change our temperature! 

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Our Faithful Love (10/31/24)

If Jesus wrote a letter personally to you and to me, what would it say? In what areas would He say you and I were faithful and what weaknesses would He point out?

Here’s what He had John write to the Ephesians.

Revelation 2:1-7  “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. ² I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ³ You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. ⁶ But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

⁷ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Jesus recognized the Ephesian church’s faithful service, faithful doctrine and faithful endurance. They worked hard for Him and were conscientious to uphold Godly standards. However, they had forsaken their faithful love for Him. Maybe they were so focused on their work FOR Jesus, that they forgot to BE with Jesus.

Jesus wants us to faithfully serve Him and uphold His truths, but not at the expense of truly spending time with Him. He desires our love first. He wants a personal relationship with each of His children where we enjoy Him, talk to Him and listen to Him.

Are you and I more focused on serving God than loving and enjoying Him? Often, my answer is yes. Studying this passage really challenged me to take time to be with and enjoy God instead of focusing most of my energy on serving Him. 

What might need to be put off in order to pursue loving God more? Is someone or something else our first love? Or is it God Himself? He loves us so much and desires us to faithfully love and enjoy Him!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as the Physically Exalted Son of God (10/24/24)

 A lady at Bible study wondered if we would have a physical body in heaven or just have our spirit. As we continued our study in Revelation, John’s first vision made the answer clear.

Revelation 1:9-18   ⁹ I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. ¹⁰ On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, ¹¹ which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

¹² I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴ The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶ In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Can you imagine that one so exalted would desire to relate to John and to you and me? What an honor! John heard, saw and felt the Son of Man!

The awesome glory of Jesus terrified John, but Jesus reassured him and told him to take another look at His living, tangible presence! Not only did Jesus’s unique features represent different aspects of His authority, but His exalted state gave evidence that we will also have a glorified physical body. He is the “firstborn from the dead” (as we read in Rev 1:5 last week), showing us we will have physical features, too, when we rise from the dead.

How are you and I encouraged by this brilliant vision of Jesus? I am encouraged knowing I will have a physical body in heaven that will be amazing, never decay, and live forever. I am also encouraged knowing Jesus has all authority and all power over everything in life and after this life!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of our Service (10/17/24)

My whole family is in an in-depth Revelation Bible study this year (including my parents, sister, niece and nephew)! It’s been a joy to focus on so many different attributes of Jesus. In praying about the main attribute to highlight in each of these upcoming Revelation devotionals, Jesus’s worthiness stood out to me. He’s worthy as the eternal, Son of God, who paid for our sins and vindicated sin and death by His resurrection. John began his letter to the churches by reminding them of all these aspects of Jesus’s worthiness!

Revelation 1:1-6     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, ² who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

⁴ John,

To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, ⁶ and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Seven is a number of completeness or wholeness in the Bible. The seven churches were actual, literal, and physical churches in Asia. However, the encouragement and instruction given to them is applicable to all churches and all people throughout the centuries.

We won’t understand all of the teachings in the book of Revelation, especially those concerning the end times. John made clear in these first few verses, though, that the truths in Revelation hold the keys to blessing, comfort, confidence, encouragement and perseverance. John ended this section with the reminder that we are not freed from sin to serve self, but to serve God!

In fact, I found another “7” in these first few verses – this book of Revelation was from God, to Jesus, to the angel, to John, to the churches, to us and to others. As we take to heart these truths and share them with others, we complete the circle of 7! We will be blessed, fulfill God’s purposes and bring Him glory as we serve Him!

When I genuinely believe Jesus is worthy of all, as John beautifully described, I will be propelled to serve Him. Where are you and I motivated to serve, by this deeper understanding of our worthy Savior?

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – For a Purpose-Filled Life (6/6/24)

John wrote a compelling Gospel with specifically selected events, miracles and teachings. He knew he didn’t capture everything, but other writers had recorded additional truths about Jesus. So, he ended his book with this final verse:

John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John had a specific purpose in writing what he wrote. He gave his purpose in the previous chapter.

John 20:30-31                   ³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The miracles John recorded weren’t random and neither is the rest of the Bible. I love knowing the Holy Spirit had John write down certain miracles specifically so we would believe! Not only did John (and more importantly, God) desire us to believe, but to experience true life as part of Jesus’s family. We can have abundant, purposeful, and joy-filled life as we know Jesus, understand what He’s done for us and follow His example.  

How has knowing Jesus is Truth, given you purpose-filled life? 

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Calling Us to Follow (5/29/24)

Do you ever compare your life to someone else’s? What about your service to God? Do you and I ever compare what we’re doing to what other’s are doing for God?

As part of various prayer ministries over the years, I have often wondered why more Christians weren’t involved. I’ve even personally invited fellow Christians and received a “no thanks” kind of response. It can be frustrating. However, I’m called to follow Jesus and participate in His work where He leads me, regardless of what other people are doing.

Peter was also called to follow Jesus without worrying about other disciples.  

John 21:18-22         ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) ²¹ When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Peter was told twice in this passage to follow Jesus. We’re to keep our eyes on Jesus, too, and not get distracted or frustrated by looking around at others. Our joy comes from fulfilling the purpose Jesus specifically gave to you and me. We must follow Jesus to experience the full measure of blessings He has for us.

Where are you and I distracted from fully following Jesus by looking around at others? What can help you and me turn our focus back to Jesus? He’s worth it! He’s the only One with real Truth! His purposes bring true satisfaction!