Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Undistracted Worship (11/20/25)

How would you define worship of Jesus and what does your worship look like?

In our family Bible study time last night, we discussed what worship of God includes and whether all prayers are worship or only those prayers where we are praising God for His attributes. I said God always wants to hear from His children, but some of our prayers are often selfish. Sarah asked if her prayers for help on her school work were selfish. I said partially, because we often want help first for ourselves and then for God’s glory. God wants to help us accomplish the things He has purposed for us to do (such as school and work). So, our prayers for help can be worshipful if we truly desire the help so we can honor God and bring Him glory.

Later last night, Sarah stayed up to finish some math homework, and I sat beside her, reading Kent’s devotional from earlier in the day. I shared some of his devotional with Sarah, as his discussion about the difference between asking God to improve our situation versus asking God to transform our hearts tied right in with our earlier discussion during family Bible study! How often we get distracted, though, and aren’t living life with the purpose of worshipping God.  

If we aren’t living life worshipping God, then we are distracted by the world. However, the world can’t eternally satisfy and will come to an end, as Revelation describes.

Revelation 18:1-8 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. ² With a mighty voice he shouted:

“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’
    She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
³ For all the nations have drunk
    the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
    and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“‘Come out of her, my people,’
    so that you will not share in her sins,
    so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
⁵ for her sins are piled up to heaven,
    and God has remembered her crimes.
⁶ Give back to her as she has given;
    pay her back double for what she has done.
    Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
⁷ Give her as much torment and grief
    as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts,
    ‘I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;
    I will never mourn.’
⁸ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:
    death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
    for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

The world, Babylon the Great Prostitute (as we saw in Revelation 17), all those opposed to God and His ways will be consumed by fire. God’s judgment will fall.

As verse 4 calls, where do you and I need to come out of Babylon? What is distracting us from true worship of Jesus? I pray you and I will desire to live a life that is worshipful to God and undistracted by the shallow and temporal lures of the world. Jesus is worthy of undistracted worship.  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as Lord of lords (11/13/25)

In a former job, I knew someone who buttered up a co-worker, manipulated them to bend over backwards for them, gave them rave reviews, promoted them, but then left them hanging out to dry. Ultimately, it led to the burnout of a great worker. On a grander scale, the beast will do the same with the woman (Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes from 17:5) and the ten horns.

Last week we saw how the woman delighted in the destruction of God’s people while luring everyone else astray. The beast will use the woman until he has no more use for her. Then, he will bring her to ruin as she brought people and nations to ruin. The ten horns (or rulers) will work for and submit to the beast, destroying people and nations, until they themselves will be destroyed.

Revelation 17:15-18 ¹⁵ Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. ¹⁶ The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. ¹⁷ For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. ¹⁸ The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

Evil rulers exploit, abuse and destroy those who follow them. In stark contrast, Jesus does the opposite. He shares His victory, inheritance and royal status with His faithful followers. As we read last week…

Revelation 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords and extends that privilege to His people! We don’t serve someone who will take advantage of us and then discard us. We serve the One who doesn’t need us, but chooses to work through us. He doesn’t use us to gain success; instead, He gives us the success He’s already accomplished. So, why wouldn’t we want to faithfully follow the One who has our best interests at heart? What or who can offer us a better promise than Jesus? I pray that in our daily choices, you and I remember that no one offers better promises than Jesus, the eternal Lord of lords.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as King of Kings (11/6/25)

Last week, we saw how “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes” 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. She and the beast will deceive many, but not those whose names have been written in the book of life – those who are faithful to Jesus, the true King of kings.

Revelation 17:6-14 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. ⁷ Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. ⁸ The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

⁹ “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. ¹⁰ They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹ The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

¹² “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. ¹³ They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴ They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

As believers, we are called to be wise and discerning, so we won’t be deceived by the woman (Babylon the Great) or the beast king. We gain this wisdom by daily studying and apply God’s truths from His Word.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I want to have a mind with God’s wisdom so I can faithfully follow Jesus, the triumphant Lamb who is Lord of lords and King of kings! He will rule for all eternity, while the woman and beast will go to eternal destruction.

How are you preparing now to remain faithful to Jesus and not be deceived by the things of this world?

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 Finish Judgment (10/23/25)

What’s the largest hail you’ve ever seen? I've witnessed some impressive hailstorms in my time, but the largest hail was about 4 inches in diameter. The 1995 Mayfest Storm in Ft. Worth, TX, with similarly sized hail, left a lasting impact on my car – literally. The hailstones, which weighed about 1 pound each, may not have seemed heavy, but they cratered plenty of dents with their force. In fact, I saw some of the damage to the rubber seals daily for the 17 years I had the Tempo.

The Bible, however, paints a far more intense picture of the end. In Revelation, we read about extreme earthquakes and hailstones that weigh 100 pounds for the final judgment on earth.

Revelation 16:17-21 ¹⁷ The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” ¹⁸ Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. ¹⁹ The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. ²⁰ Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. ²¹ From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

Again, I love how God is still gracious, even to the last moment. He doesn’t zap everyone, but as these plagues are unleashed, people have opportunities to repent, turn to God and submit to His will. However, most will use their last breath to curse God rather than humbly call out to Him.

This 7^th bowl of wrath from the seventh angel completes God’s wrath, as proclaimed in Revelation 15.1 (I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed.) The voice from heaven also announced “It is done!” (Rev 16:17). Jesus’s last words on the cross come to mind – “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus completed the work of paying for our sin. In contrast, the bowl judgments in Revelation bring about the end to earthly judgment.

In thinking about the end, how do you want to use your last breath? Cursing God or claiming Him? If you have accepted and value Jesus’s completed work on the cross to pay for your sins, then you can look forward to claiming Him and enjoying His blessings for all eternity!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Clothe in Righteousness (10/16/25)

Do you lay out your clothes the night before? I often remind our kids to lay out their clothes the night before so they are ready to get dressed quickly in the morning. However, Edmund couldn’t find his favorite pair of shorts last night. He wanted to lay them out to wear for today, but he couldn’t find them in his closet, drawer, hanging up in the basement on his clothesline, or in the basket of dirty clothes. He had to settle for a different pair.

As Christians, we’re commanded to remain “dressed” and ready for Jesus’s return, which could happen at any moment. By staying close to Jesus and His Word, we won’t be caught off guard, unprepared, or deceived by Satan and his spirits. In contrast, the rulers at the end of the world will be arrogantly deceived by Satan, foolishly gathering for battle against God.

Revelation 16:12-16  ¹² The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. ¹³ Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴ They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

¹⁵ “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

¹⁶ Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

The blessed in verse 15 have repented and remained faithful to God. They are clothed in Jesus’s robes of righteousness. We can’t earn our place in heaven before a Holy God, but we can accept Jesus’ sacrifice in our place and His garments of salvation.

Isaiah 61:10   I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Have we humbly accepted Jesus’ robe of righteousness, so God sees us as He sees Jesus? Or, do we arrogantly think we can outsmart God, like the kings gathering for a doomed battle against God Almighty?

Instead of fighting against God, we can enjoy Jesus’ victory over Satan through accepting His salvation via the cross. Jesus has laid out His righteous clothes for us, so we are ready to be clothed for the New Day when He takes us to Heaven.  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Give Access to God (10/9/25)

When my kids are caught doing something wrong, they usually respond in one of two ways – in anger towards us for catching them or in tearful grief over their sin. People respond similarly to God, as we will see in this week’s passage.

Last week, we explored the first 3 angels pour out their plagues from God’s bowls of wrath. This week, we’ll examine the next 2 angels and plagues. Once again, God offers opportunities for people to repent. Notice how they react.

Revelation 16:8-11   ⁸ The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. ⁹ They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

¹⁰ The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony ¹¹ and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

It surprises me to see people continue to rebel against God, curse him and fail to recognize their rightful place before a Holy God. The only right response is sincere repentance. How do you and I respond to conviction of sin? With grief that leads to repentance?

II Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Are you continuing in defiance against God, like the people in Revelation 16, or have you humbly submitted to the Holy God who has all authority? If the latter, then you have personal access to God through Jesus and eternal salvation!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as Holy in Judgment (10/2/25)

 Last night, James came home from gymnastics upset about the bullies who had called him names and pushed him around. It’s natural to want justice to be served immediately in situations like these! We often desire swift judgment for others while pleading for grace and mercy for ourselves.

God will bring perfect justice in His own time. As we saw last week, God’s glory and power completely filled the temple as He sent out the seven angels with the seven plagues in the seven golden bowls of His wrath to finish His judgment on the earth. He doesn’t dump all His judgment at once. One angel pours out a bowl of wrath, followed by another. God could certainly pour out His wrath all at once and be done with it, but He doesn’t. Instead, He continues to give people opportunities to repent and turn to Him.

Revelation 16:1-7    Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”

2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.

4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:

“You are just in these judgments, O Holy One,
    you who are and who were;
6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets,
    and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.”

7 And I heard the altar respond:

“Yes, Lord God Almighty,
    true and just are your judgments.”

I find it interesting that in previous passages in Revelation, Jesus, the Holy One, was referred to as the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Revelation 1:8, 4:8, etc.) However, in this passage, the last phrase is omitted, as Jesus has returned by this point. This change implies that there will be no more waiting on the part of His people when He brings final judgment.

We can trust in God’s Holy, true, just and complete judgment, knowing that it will come at the perfect time. With what situation do you and I need to leave to Jesus, for His holy justice? What areas of our lives require us to trust in His timing and judgment, rather than seeking immediate justice or resolution? 

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Await Meeting (9/25/25)

Monday, Matt’s devotional reflected on Jonah’s frustration with our compassionate God whom he knows is gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. This merciful God gives numerous warnings, having provided over 2,000 years of warning about the final judgment. A day will come when He pours out all His wrath and completes judgment on sinful humanity.

Revelation 15:5-8    ⁵ After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. ⁶ Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. ⁷ Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. ⁸ And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

As a holy and just God, He must punish sin. Yet, He is also compassionate and gracious, offering people ample opportunities to repent before it’s too late. The number seven, symbolizing completeness, appears here again in Revelation, signifying the thorough and complete judgment that will take place. This event is so significant that no one will be able to enter the temple until all seven plagues from the seven bowls of God’s wrath have been emptied.

In the chapters that follow, we will see God’s people rejoicing and feasting with Him at the wedding feast of Jesus. No more tears. Everything will be made new. Jesus awaits His followers on the other side.

Are you and I ready to meet Jesus face-to-face today? What about those around us? How can we be used to help those around us prepare to meet Jesus?

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Marvelous Worship (9/18/25)

Alexis and Edmund’s music teacher ordered kazoos for their class. Edmund’s excitement had been building for weeks. The kazoos finally arrived, and he couldn’t wait to show me!

God has a more extraordinary instrument gift in store – one that far surpasses a simple kazoo. He has prepared a magnificent reward for His class of victorious martyrs: personal harps to accompany their glorious songs in a majestic place.

Revelation 15:1-4    I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. ² And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God ³ and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.
⁴ Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

As John was about to witness the release of the seven last plagues by the seven angels, God interjected a glimpse of glorious events in heaven. This contrast serves as a reminder that we don’t need to fear plagues or death, for the blessings in heaven will be truly marvelous. The greatest joy we’ve experienced on earth celebrating a team victory or achievement will pale in comparison to the joy celebrating Jesus’s victory over Satan, the beast, and all sin in the world. One day, ALL nations will worship Jesus. Why not begin our worship today?