Rv4

Do we worship as an overflow of our love for Christ or do we worship as an act of obedience? Maybe we don't worship period.

Notice how worship is the only appropriate response to seeing Christ! Whenever the elders get a glimpse of Jesus sitting on his throne they fall down and worship him saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

Worship is to be the overflow of our hearts. Worship is directed at Jesus. Worship should be the expression of our lives toward God. If we have to force ourselves to enter into worship, there is something desperately broken inside. Either we think too much of ourselves or too little of God.

We will worship! Now is the time to practice.

Rev3

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." - Jesus

This quote from Jesus needs to comfort our souls. His desire is to be "with us" and "in" us. He is waiting for us to "invite" him in by opening the door. What door is Jesus knocking on in our hearts?

For some, it would be the door of finances. God is calling us to trust him with our money. He desires us to get financially vested in his kingdom. He is calling us to a place of generosity and faithfulness.

For others, God is calling us to give up our worldly desires for pleasure and self-gratification. His desire is to make us "like" him in purity and holiness. We need to pursue holiness.

It would be so rude to keep Jesus out!

Rv2

If God were to write us a letter, what would it say? What would we be commended for and what would we be rebuked about?

I think this would be a great conversation starter for each of us today. Find a friend and ask them this question. Think honestly about your personal response. How would the response change if the question was directed toward your church?

I think too many of us would be quicker to know the rebukes than the commendations. Far too often we see God as a judge or discouraged and not a commender. God knows our good and our bad! He is quick to talk with us about BOTH.

Enjoy your conversation starter today.

Rev1

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. V.5

There is a lot in this verse! We are loved by God. He has freed us from sin through his death on the cross. He has made us priests in his kingdom and enabled us to bring glory to God.

What is our response? Do we feel loved by God? Are we living free of sin or are we in bondage to it? Are we able to lead out in worship to God in a manner that brings honor and Glory to him? If not, why not?

Jesus has cleared the path for us to have fellowship with him. How we respond to all he has done will have everything to do with how we feel in relationship to him.

Live strong today.

3Jn

It is a great thing to support people who are working to advance the church. We should all have "missionaries" that are receiving funds from us. Some we know and some we don't.

Paul was constantly deploying men and women into ministry! As a result, he was also constantly raising support for them. Gaius was a faithful brother and a generous supporter. Paul called his financial support "a faithful thing".

Giving money is not the only thing we can or should do, but we should all at least be giving our money for ministry. Where we put our money is where we move our heart to be. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also."

Sent from my iPad

2Jn

There is a level of joy that comes from knowing and following Jesus. There is a completely different level of joy when you know that your children are following Jesus!

John wrote, "I rejoice greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth." John was so pleased to know that God's work was continuing to flourish without his direct involvement. He knew his leadership could compel others to follow, but he also knew that those who followed him were not necessarily following Jesus.

To watch your "children" following Jesus without your leadership is the greatest evidence that they are truly "following Jesus." Parents, we know we have done our jobs well when our children are teaching our grandchildren to follow Jesus! NOTHING gives a grandfather more joy than this.

Now that I am a grandfather I understand John's joy at new level.

1Jn5

Whoever HAS the son HAS life and whoever does not HAVE the son does not have life. v.11

Salvation is rooted in one truth. Does Christ live in us through faith? If so, we have eternal life. If not, we do not have eternal life. Eternal life is only possible through God. We only have eternal life when we have Jesus living in us.

If Jesus is living in us, not only will we have spiritual life, we will have spiritual desires and spiritual abilities. When Christ is in us we desire to live for him and we will be able to do so. Those without Jesus neither desire to follow him nor do they have the power to obey his commands.