Rv.1

"I am the alpha and Omega, the first and the last! The One who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty." - Jesus

As we begin to take a look at Revelation, we are reminded again to focus on Jesus. Everything prophesied about Him in the OT has been fulfilled. Everything recorded about Him in the NT has proven true. Today He is still changing lives and He still is the only One who can save us from our sin.

Only one thing remains! He is coming back! With each passing day His coming is drawing closer. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, without warning, He will return. Revelation was written to prepare us for this reality. Are you ready?

Jude

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Spend time today honoring God and HIs word by giving thanks to Him.

Like Timothy, Jude was to "contend" or fight for the faith! And this fight was to be with those within the "believing community" who are actually false teachers. There are similarities in both groups, and yet, they are quite different as well.

The main similarity is that they both "defy authority" and both lead people astray; one to greater legalism and the other to greater hedonism. They both are described as "discontented grumblers" who's primary objective is to accomplish their own desires. They both create "divisions" among God's people.

As leaders in God's church, both Timothy and Jude were in a battle for the lives of those they were leading. It is a fight worth fighting. It is the fight for the faith and a fight for the souls of men and women. This "fight" has been raging since the beginning of time and it will continue until Jesus comes again.

Live strong. Fight the good fight.

3Jn

I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth. -Apostle John

Without question a parent takes great delight in the life of their children. Nothing does more for my heart than to hear a godly report about one of my children. When they are eagerly following God, His word and His ways, my heart soars with joy. Whenever I hear someone say, "Did you hear about your daughter…", "Your son….", my heart gets prepared either for great joy or overwhelming heartache. I am so grateful that most often the things I hear fill my heart with joy.

But John was primarily talking about his "spiritual children". Those who he had introduced to Jesus. Those who would consider him their spiritual father! I have seven biological children, and by God's grace, many spiritual ones! By God's design we are to continually be seeing children "born into His family by faith." In a similar way our hearts are connected to those "children". In a similar way we can take great delight in the progress of their faith.

The challenge today is to be prolific in our faith! There will be heartaches, but there will also be great joy!

2Jn

Love the truth! Walk in love! Don't compromise either for the other.

John loved all those who loved the truth, but encouraged them to "walk in love." Both truth and love need to be held in the highest place in our heart and neither should be compromised at any point! Those who fight for the truth without love become vicious in their defense of "doctrine" and actually do more harm than good. Those who fight for love without truth allow compromise and sin to do its work in the hearts and lives of people. This also leads to greater damage than good.

John wrote in his gospel that Jesus came, "full of grace AND truth". Both grace and love are the channels in which others are able to receive truth! Rarely will someone come to repentance and faith simply by being confronted with truth! When truth is presented through grace it actually comes across as love. This was what Jesus modeled. This is what John is instructing us to do.

Love the truth! Walk in love. Don't compromise either for the other.

1Jn5

How do you think John would answer this question; How can you know if someone is a christian? What have we learned from his book that he would say?

In this final chapter he says, "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." He also said, "He who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life." I believe these are summary statements.

Without question, John taught that salvation is rooted solely in Jesus and one's response to Him. Yet, it is also in this letter that we have some of the strongest challenges to how a "true christian" lives. John was concerned for the sincere faith of God's people. I believe much of the challenge in our culture, and in his, was with those who would claim "faith" yet have no evidence of that faith as a pattern of their lives.

In the end only God knows who is saved! As I read and study this book, I am grateful for the conviction and life of the Holy Spirit in my life. It is only by God's grace that I can walk and live in these truths.

1Jn4

We love because we are loved by God. We primarily love ourselves apart from God. Without His love it would be impossible to "give" love to others. Without being connected to God, our resource of love totally dries up! God is love. He desires us to love each other with the same intensity as we love ourselves. His desire is for us to extend that love to absolutely everyone…even our enemies!

What does that look like in your life today? I know it is a struggle for me. Love on.

1Jn3

The confidence we can have that we are "in Christ" exist only when we are living for Him. John wrote, "If you know that He is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right has been born of Him." And conversely, those who choose to do what they know is wrong, puts their faith in question. 

A believer will remain in Christ through difficulty and success. Anyone who "walks" the path only in times of ease hasn't demonstrated a choice to "trust and follow". God has lavished His love on us and we can trust Him. The world is calling us to "trust" something other than God, His word and His ways. Remaining in Christ means choosing to obey Him ESPECIALLY when it is difficult.

Live strong in faith today.

troy