John describes coming days of God’s wrath, the likes of which have not been seen heretofore. The kings of the earth will hide in caves and beg the mountains and rocks to fall upon them rather than face the great day of God’s wrath.

We’ve seen God’s power in a thunderstorm. He reveals a glimpse of it through the mighty waves of the sea, or when a volcano erupts with molten lava. Yet, we are the objects of His love and will escape the doom to come if we accept His Son.

Life in the Son certainly has its benefits presently, but in His eternal protection and blessing ahead, we will be SO GLAD we became children of God.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we revel in Your love and care. We trust in the shelter of Your wings. We believe Your promises as described in Your Word. You are the God we serve.

DAILY READING: Rev. 4-6

As the Lord gave the prophecy concerning the churches to John, he gave this specific instruction to the church at Sardis: “Wake up.” Most likely, the reference was to people in the church who were “Dead in their trespasses and sins.”

The cure: be quickened/made alive by God’s Spirit.

A good friend told me he and his family used to live to have fun. He had the means to take them anywhere they could find some fun. He has since been “Made alive” by Christ, and now all he wants to do is witness for Christ. The quest for “Fun” has been displaced by the desire to serve Jesus. He’s truly AWAKE!

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, stir us once again, that the bones that you have made and broken [Ps. 51] may rejoice and serve You with life and enthusiasm. Forgive us for chasing idols.

DAILY READING: Rev. 2,3

John, the Revelator, acknowledged the Christ Jesus was the Ruler of the kings of the earth in his prologue to the prophecy God gave him. [Rev. 1:5]

As we observe the political party alignments and jockeying of press and pundits, it’s comforting to know that the Lord has control of whomever our nation elects as president.

The Psalmist describes the political movements of men as “Nations conspiring,” and “Peoples plotting in vain.” [Ps. 2:1]

How comforting for God’s people to know that OUR KING is OVER all the kings of the earth. God sits in Heaven and merely laughs at the puny plans of men. We can, therefore, have a confident hope rather than a frantic fear when politics don’t go as we want.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, the November elections are in Your hands. We will vote our conviction, but we will trust the outcome to You. Our hope is IN YOU.

DAILY READING: 3 John;  Jude;  Revelation 1

Although “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” we also know that Satan has been cast out of Heaven and has taken abode in our earth. John says that “The whole world is under the control of the evil one.” [1 Jn. 5:19]

Jesus, when speaking to the Jews that opposed Him said, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.” [John 8:44]

God protects those who belong to Christ. “The One who was born of God keeps (us) safe, and the evil one cannot harm (us).” [1 Jn. 5:18]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, although we are in the world, we are not of this world. We belong to You and are here to preach the Gospel and do Your will. Protect us and empower us today to be Your representatives to an evil world.

DAILY READING: 1 John 3-5

Yesterday, I had lunch with the Senior Pastor of a prominent church in our area. We discussed an issue that needed communication. It was a refreshing time of fellowship. As we talked, the Lord, His goodness, and Christian life experiences just rolled out of our mouths. Although we had never met, we carried on like lifelong friends.

John said, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”  The rapport we experience with other believers is supernatural and stimulating. It beats TV.

DAILY PRAYER: Father of Lights, thank You for Your presence we sense in others. May we daily find this rich fellowship with Your Children of the Light, and may we encourage one another to live lives that please You.

DAILY READING: 2 Peter 3;  1 John 1,2

Peter says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life,” making it clear that God is our Great Provider. In fact, His ability to meet our material needs reflects His ability to also meet our other needs necessary for a successful life.

Yesterday, I spoke with a friend from many years past. He has been in a wheelchair nearly his entire life, yet he continues to farm and work despite his handicap. He recently fell out of his chair and injured his paralyzed legs, causing severe infection that put him in the hospital. As we prayed together, I considered the many ways God has given him opportunities to be a productive man. We are now asking God once again to heal the infection and give him what he needs to continue. Pray for Paul.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we meet the challenges of life with the grace You have already given. We trust You for our future.  We trust You for Paul’s future.

DAILY READING: 1 Peter 4,5;  2 Peter 1,2

An underlying theme of 1 Peter is suffering when you don’t deserve it. Jesus suffered greatly and didn’t deserve one ounce of pain. He is our example of the reward unjust suffering will bring.

What’s more, He is our example in how to conduct ourselves when suffering. Isaiah said, “As a sheep before its shearers is dumb, so He openeth not his mouth.” Christ Jesus was not a “lippy” person. God sees all and will avenge injustices.

DAILY PRAYER: Father in Heaven, You see all. Give us grace to endure suffering like Jesus did to allow You to have Your way  in treating injustice.

DAILY READING: 1 Peter 1-3

James gives insights into the impact our will has in determining our spiritual health. For instance, if we simply choose to submit to God and “resist” the devil, he will flee from us. If we ask God willfully for things that are outside His will, things that we want for selfish reasons for our own pleasures, we may not receive them.

However, willful actions such as drawing near to God, humbling ourselves, showing contrition and cleansing our hearts and hands, these will gain God’s positive action in our lives.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, work within us to both will and do YOUR good pleasure. We relinquish our will to Yours, just like Christ Jesus did.

DAILY READING: James 4,5

The Bible usually uses “listen” and “hear” in reference to its use. Obviously, reading it is the most practical way to get it. But, this is a plug for “The Audio Bible” on Biblegateway.com

That’s what I do. Every morning … early … I take my laptop and some headphones and “listen” to the NIV Dramatized version. I love it.

James makes it clear that the true blessing comes when we both listen and DO what it says.

That’s a good goal for each day; to intentionally focus on doing what it says.

Please join me each morning reading through the Bible in a year.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, our desire is to please You by being good hearers and doers of Your Word. To walk with You every day is the joy of our existence.

DAILY READING: James 1-3

The writer of Hebrews often stimulates the reader to endure the present challenges of life ie. temptation [11:24-27], chastening [12:5-11]. discomfort and even death [11:35-38], because our eternal reward will be more than worth it. He speaks of a destination not in this lifetime, but in the one to come. We therefore relate to Christ Jesus Who, looking forward to the joy set before Him, endured the cross ignoring its shame, and took His place at the right hand of His Heavenly Father.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” [2 Cor. 4:17]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, in whatever life challenge we find ourselves, we merely consider the suffering You endured. We gratefully anticipate the reward of an eternal existence with You. At Your right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.

DAILY READING: Heb. 10-13