Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Protect us from the Dragon’s Deception (8/7/25)

Deception is a serious issue in my book. I don’t tolerate it in my house. Lies, deception, hiding the truth, omission of details, twisting the truth all come with severe consequences. Joe and I regularly remind our kids that it damages relationships by breaking trust. While I detest deception, I know God abhors it the most. He stands in stark contrast to deceitful Satan.

Last week we discussed how we are to expect spiritual warfare from Satan (the dragon) and use the full armor of God to fight against him. This spiritual warfare will intensify as the end of this world nears. The dragon, Satan, will have the power to wage war against God’s people, but he won’t deceive them. Instead, he will deceive the whole rest of the world.

Revelation 13:1-10   The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. ² The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. ³ One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. ⁴ People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. ⁶ It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. ⁷ It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.⁸ All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.

¹⁰ “If anyone is to go into captivity,
    into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
    with the sword they will be killed.”

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

What’s the distinction between Satan, through the beast, conquering and waging war against God’ people versus deceiving them? I think it relates to physical versus spiritual life and death. Satan is permitted to physically harm and even kill God’s people, but he can’t deceive them into worshiping him over worshiping God. If we genuinely belong to God, then we won’t be deceived by Satan and won’t succumb to his deception. We will patiently endure and remain faithful to God, even to the point of death, empowered by the Holy Spirit living in us and confident in the promise of eternal life.

How will you and I prepare to patiently endure and remain faithful to God, even in the face of the dragon’s war against us? As we discussed last week, we are to use all of God’s armor and resources, accompanied by continual prayer.  

Ephesians 6:10-11 and 18   ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes...

 ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.   

As we actively access Jesus's mighty power, we can be protected from Satan's deception.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Help Us Against the Dragon’s War (7/31/25)

The Dragon couldn’t win his war against Jesus or Archangel Michael, as covered two and three weeks ago. He was hurled to the earth and kept fighting. This time he waged war directly with the woman, as seen in the rest of Revelation chapter 12.

Revelation 12:13-17 ¹³ When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. ¹⁴ The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.¹⁵ Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. ¹⁶ But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. ¹⁷ Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.

We discussed a few weeks ago that the woman could represent the nation of Israel or people of God. As verse 17 clarifies, we can know for sure that her offspring are those who are followers of Jesus so we are part of the woman’s offspring! Satan couldn’t win against Jesus, Michael, or the woman (since God’s power in and around them was far greater) so he wages war against us.

War is a strong word. It doesn’t say merely “tempt” or “deceive,” but “wage war against.” If you and I hold to the testimony of Jesus and obey God’s commands, Satan wants to make war against us. It is crucial that we’re aware of the reality of this spiritual warfare.

Even amid this war, we have hope and protection in God. As God took care of the woman, He can take care of us. In Ephesians 6, Paul outlines God’s armor available to us for our protection against Satan’s attacks.  

Ephesians 6:10-18   ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

What armor will you and I put on and use today to fight in the Dragon’s war? Will you and I buckle on the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, and take up the shield of faith? Let's be intentional about putting on God's armor and standing firm against the devil's attacks.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Triumph over Satan (7/17/25)

Have you ever witnessed someone’s frustration grow as they lost game after game? We experienced this at our house last night during a speed game. James, the oldest, dominated most rounds, leaving Edmund (4 years younger) upset. Meanwhile, the girls and I didn’t fare much better, but we continued to enjoy playing.

On a much larger scale, the dragon (Satan) was furious about not being able to devour the baby (as we discussed last week). It seems he decided to wage war in Heaven. Let’s see how that turned out:

Revelation 12:7-12   ⁷ Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. ⁸ But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. ⁹ The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.
¹¹ They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death.
¹² Therefore rejoice, you heavens
    and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
    because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
    because he knows that his time is short.”

Did Satan win? Not at all! In fact, he was defeated not only by Jesus but also by Michael and his angels. Although Satan is powerful and currently rules this world, it is reassuring to know that not only is Jesus, but a multitude of angels possess greater power.  

As the temporary ruler of this world, Satan seeks to drag people down with him in a fit of anger and defiance against Jesus’s triumph. Have we, like many, been deceived by Satan’s lies and pursued fleeting earthly success and security? Or are we focused on Jesus’s triumph and pursuing a relationship with Him? We can tap into Jesus’s power to overcome Satan’s temptations for He has already triumphed over Satan. He reigns as the true and eternal ruler of Heaven and earth!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to be Victorious Over Tragedy (7/10/25)

Tragedy struck numerous places this past week. From the floods of Texas to drownings in Lake Michigan, the news was devastating. I know many of us have prayed multiple prayers for the families of those lost.

God sees everything and is in ultimate control of all. Jesus has the power to overcome any tragedy and work His purposes in and through them. What He allows to happen can be confusing and difficult to understand. Similarly, watching the seventh trumpet judgment unfold in Revelation 12 is also unnerving and confusing.

Revelation 12:1-6    A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ² She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. ³ Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. ⁴ Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. ⁵ She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.⁶ The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

It’s a terrifying picture. There are enough concerns and pains during childbirth, without having the added worry that someone is waiting to snatch your baby away. The dragon represents Satan (Revelation 12:9), the woman probably represents the nation of Israel (inclusive of Mary and maybe more broadly the people of God) and the baby symbolizes Jesus the Messiah. As frightening as this picture is, it’s reassuring to see how God took care of both the baby and the woman! Satan is no match for God.

This encouraged me to remember that no matter how bleak a situation may seem, God will accomplish His purposes. He sees everything and Satan can’t do anything unless God allows it. Satan may have thought he devoured Jesus at the cross, but God snatched Him back up to Heaven (through His resurrection and ascension). Jesus was victorious over death, both physical and spiritual.

God takes care of His own, whether it’s Jesus on the cross, a girl at a Texas camp during a flash flood or a young man drowning. His care often doesn’t come the way we expect. Our times in the “wilderness” may be for our protection (whether physical or spiritual), and our times of pain may be necessary for the times of blessing to follow.

As we face our own challenges or tragedies, let’s remember Jesus is victorious now and for all eternity. We can look for and expect God’s care for His children through all situations.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Reign Forever (7/3/25)

Continuing our journey through Revelation, we come to another pivotal moment. Remember the 7 sealed scroll Jesus was worthy to open back in Revelation 5? He opened the first 6 seals in Revelation 6 and the 7^th seal in Revelation 8. The 7^th seal revealed 7 angels with 7 trumpet judgments. We examined the first 6 angels and 6 trumpet judgments in chapters 8 and 9. Then, chapters 10 and 11 gave an interlude (including details about the two witnesses) before the final 7^th angel and trumpet judgment. As we continue our journey through Revelation, we peak into heaven before the rest of the judgment unfolds.

Revelation 11:15-19 ¹⁵ The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become
    the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
    and he will reign for ever and ever.”

¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,¹⁷ saying:

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
    and have begun to reign.
¹⁸ The nations were angry,
    and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
    and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
    both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

¹⁹ Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

It is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture that Jesus is on His throne when we see evil prevailing. However, this peak into heaven reminds us that Jesus will return, triumph over evil, judge the ungodly, reward believers, and righteously reign for all eternity!

As we reflect on these events, let's remember that our perspective on life is best shaped by the reality of Jesus' reign. How will we let that change our perspective on life today? Let’s trust Jesus’s sovereign reign, even when it seems like evil prevails.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Call Witnesses Home (6/26/25)

As teens, my parents told my sisters and me we could always call home to get out of a sticky situation. They would come and get us (if we didn’t have a car) or tell us we had to come home (if we were driving ourselves). I never had to use the “call home” tactic, but it was reassuring to know we had a safety net, a way out of a bad or uncomfortable situation.

Last week I reflected on a grim scene: two witnesses lying dead in the street for 3 ½ days after powerfully and faithfully witnessing for Jesus for 3 ½ years. They had been given physical protection until their work on earth was done. Then, as we will see in the following passage, miraculous spiritual protection enveloped them while their enemies shook in fear. After that, another remarkable thing happened - Jesus personally called them home!

Revelation 11:11-14         ¹¹ But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. ¹² Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

¹³ At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

¹⁴ The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

This passage is a powerful reminder that Jesus is the only One to fear, serve and obey. In the end, He will show the world that His followers are the only ones with real security and eternal salvation. What will Jesus say to us at the end of our lives? Will He say “Come home!” or “I never knew you?” As the Creator and sustainer of life, He wants to welcome us home! Let’s pursue Him this week, so His voice is a welcome presence rather than a cause to tremble.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Remove Power (6/19/25)

James decided to bike home early on Tuesday from swim practice without talking to a parent. This decision led to a consequence: we took away the privilege to bike to and from swim practice for the foreseeable future. As his parents, we have the authority to give and take away freedoms.

This giving and taking away freedoms can be seen in our Heavenly Father. Sometimes it is a consequence for a decision we made, like in James’ situation, but other times it is Him sovereignly working His plans in the world. As we have authority over James, our Creator has authority over all of creation!

Last week, we discussed the amazing power given to the two witnesses at the end of the world. They were given power to spit fire and fend off their enemies! For 3½ years, they bore witness purposefully and powerfully under Jesus’ protection. But then…  

Revelation 11:7-10        ⁷ Now when they [the two witnesses] have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. ⁸ Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. ⁹ For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.¹⁰ The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

At first glance, this seems like a devastating conclusion to their ministry, especially after experiencing Jesus’s miraculous power for several years. Jesus will give them physical protection until they complete His work. He will then remove this physical protection for a few days, but it is all part of His sovereign plan.

As we reflect on the events described in Revelation 11, we may think the world is bad now, but it will be far worse at the end. We can find peace in Jesus, knowing He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). As the One with ultimate authority, Jesus may give or remove physical protection as part of His sovereign plan, but He won’t take away our spiritual protection and eternal blessings. What comfort does this give you today?

Let’s continue next week to see how spiritual protection unfolds for the two witnesses and what it means for us!

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 and Doesn’t Yo-Yo Us (5/29/25)

Have you ever been on a flight that had one delay after another? On one flight, I received over a dozen notifications about changes to the departure time. The estimated departure was often moved later, but some of the notifications indicated an earlier departure. I understand weather delays can’t be avoided and estimated maintenance times are hard to predict. It was stressful waiting, though, with the yo-yo time changes.

Jesus’s final judgment on all evil may seem delayed to us, but it will happen at the exact time and in the detailed way God prescribed. He won’t yo-yo on us. When the 7^th angel sounds the trumpet, He will finish the job.

Revelation 10:5-7   ⁵ Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. ⁶ And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! ⁷ But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”

God’s given us the Bible which is full of His plans. We don’t have to be in the dark about the future. We can know the “mystery” of God as we read and study His Word. He’s given us exactly what He knows we need to be adequately prepared.

Do you and I truly believe God created everything, cares for everything, and has a master plan? If so, how are we taking advantage of the resources He’s given to us to know His plans? We don’t need to be stressed out like on a delayed flight. The better we know God’s truths, the more we will experience peace while we wait.