Life Journal 12-31-2008

A Great Ending

(S) Scripture
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 (NIV)

(O) Observation
As John concludes the Revelation he affirms that Jesus is coming back and soon. with some excitement John says, "Come Lord Jesus". This is a great ending to the revelation. This gives believers the assurance of God's protection and continual presence. He will come and judgment with him. this is part of our hope as Christians.

(A) Application
Today is the last day of 2008. It has been an eventful year for me and my family. Becky and I celebrated our 30th anniversary (yes she is the saint). We were able to travel some and have a vacation with the whole family, Bethany, Sarah and her family and my mom all at Myrtle Beach. Our youngest daughter moved to Charleston, WV to take a position with an orthopedic surgeon. She loves her work and is settling into a good church. Our oldest moved into a new home and after nearly 11 months of being unemployed went back to work. They have just begun the adoption process for our "granddaughter". We look forward to the day the adoption is final. It has been a good and sometimes trying year for us. We are all together again to usher in a new year. For me there is no better ending to a year than to be with my family, wife, daughters, son-in-law, granddaughter, and my mom.

This year will end on a high note much like John ended the Revelation. I can only agree that my life and hope is found in Jesus and the assurance of his return. With John in exclamation I can say, "Amen, Come Lord Jesus.

(P) Prayer
For another year I thank you. For the gift of family, I thank you. Fro the knowledge that as a family we all are believers I thank you. Lord, I pray that we will live in the center of your will in the year to come and if you choose to come back then I pray you will find us living faithfully for you. Amen

Life Journal 12-30-2008

A True Response

(S) Scripture
And I heard the altar respond: "Yes Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments." Revelation 16:7

(O) Observation
As the angels deliver the wrath from the seven bowls they hear this declaration coming from the altar. It is an acknowledgment from the one sending the bowls of wrath that He is Just and True in His judgments. The earth is not receiving anything that is not deserved. This is a time of judgment.

(A) Application
I am reminded that God's judgments are always just and true - never arbitrary or unwaranted. I know that what God does is always right. I want to experience His grace and mercy rather than His judgment. Today I will trust Him. I will seek to follow Him and do what He asks. I want to be a faithful witness to His work in my life.

(P) Prayer
Today Lord I need your strength. I need your grace and protection as we face a difficult situation. Let us sense your presence and peace today. Amen

Life Journal 12-28-2008

A Song To Sing

(S) Scripture
Rev. 5:13 (NASB) And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,
"To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

(O) Observaton
John is describing the secen around God's Throne. He hears a song being sung by every living creature that gives praise and honor and glory to Jesus.

(A) Application
This is qute a song that all will sing. The great thing aout it is that for believers it is a song we will willingly sing. For others it willbe a song they are forced to sing. For me it will come from the heart for those who do not beileve it will only be words and a realization that they have missed the only important thing in life; faith in Jesus. Today I want to sing that song here on earth. It is a song others need to hear and that I need to sing

(P) Prayer
Lord let me sing your song today. Amen

Life Journal 12-27-2008

Remaining Faithful

(S) Scripture
'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. Rev. 2:13 (NASB)

(O) Observation
The Angel commends the people for remaining faithful even in the face of great persecution. they lived in an evil city (the place where Satan lives) and yet remained faithful.

(A) Application
We live in a time where evil and immorality are the norm and rampant. It might seem that Satan's throne is right where we live. In the midst of that we are to be faithful to the Lord. Regardless of the pesecution or dificult times in which we live we are to remain faithful. today I will be faithful to the Lord regardless of what comes. I want to hear praise from God not a rebuke for being unfaithful.

(P) Prayer
Father, today I want to folow you fully and faithfully. Make me aware of when I am not listening you you and doing what my sin nature tells me to do. Amen

Life Journal 12-25-2008

The Right Path

(S) Scripture

How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Thy precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:103-104 (NASB)


(O) Observation

In this great psalm the psalmist speaks about the value of God's Word. In these verses he simply says that the Words are sweet and he leans what God wants from them. they also help the psalmist to recognize a wrong path.



(A) Application

Too often I find it hard to read my Bible. My excuses are that it seems hard to understand and in some ways out of date but then when I read it I find it relevant and personally challenging. It teaches me and guides me and shows me the right path. today is Chrismas and it is a good day to again acknowledge my faith in the Savior and renew my commitment to Hins Word and its work in my life.



(P) Prayer

Lord renew my excitement for your word and let me follow th epath that you set. Help me to recognize the wrong path as readily as the right path. Amen

Life Journal 12-24-2008

From The Manger To The Cross

(S) Scripture
So he then delivered Him to them to be crucified.
John 19:16 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Jesus is brought before Pilate for trial and execution. Despite Pilate's efforts to release Jesus he gives in to the Jews and gives Jesus to them to be crucified.

(A) Application
It is so fitting that this be the reading for today. We read about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection on the eve of the day we celebrate his birth. There is a chorus that says, "From the Manger to the Cross" that reminds us of why Jesus came. Today I will remember the real meaning of Christmas that is found in the shadow of the cross that is behind the serenity of that first silent night.

(P) Prayer
Father, I thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins and to provide a way for me to be in a right relationship with you. Help me to remember that today. Amen

Life Journal 12-23-2008

The Spirit of Truth

(S) Scripture
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
"He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you.
John 16:13-14 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
In this passage Jesus is telling the disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls him the "Helper" or "Paracletos" (One who comes alongside to help). He is also called the "Spirit of Truth". He will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is to guide the believer into all truth and will always glorify Jesus not himself.

(A) Application
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and so is part of the Godhead. It is His job to bring people under conviction and when they respond in faith to Christ, He then leads them into all truth. The interesting thing here is that the Holy Spirit never seeks to glorify himself but always points to Jesus. I know many Christians who focus on the work of the Holy Spirit (and that is important) but also point people to the Holy Spirit and glorify the Spirit instead of Jesus and that is wrong. The Holy Spirit will never draw attention to Himself and those filled with the Holy Spirit will glorify Christ not the Spirit. Today I will focus on glorifying Christ as I trust the Holy Spirit to guide and control my life.

(P) Prayer
Father, thank you for placing the Holy Spirit in my life as your guarantee of my relationship with you. Today I give control of my life to Him and with His help I want to glorify Jesus today. As we near the celebration of Jesus' birth let me lift Him up so that others might worship the Savior that was born in Bethlehem. Amen