Tag: revelation

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 31, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 22

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon.” The book of Revelation closes with a promise that Jesus is coming again. The return of Christ should motivate us to be faithful to the Lord. It should also motivate us to tell others about Christ and how they can be saved. In the second coming there is a promise of heaven. Knowing that we are going to live in heaven someday ought to make a difference in our lives today. The thought of heaven invokes in us a greater ambition for purity. It invokes an attitude of endurance knowing that one day our struggle with sin will be over. The second coming should inspire God’s church to a greater commitment to missions and evangelism. God knows of our suffering, service, and sacrifice. Whatever we do for the Lord will not be in vain. God will richly reward our labor. The Revelation not only concludes with a promise, but also it closes with an invitation. Verse 17 says, “Let him who is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The great invitation Jesus gave was, “Come unto Me.” He invites sinners to come and have their sins forgiven, burdens lifted, and their tired souls rested. He says, “Surely I come quickly.” And the church says, “Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.”

Prayer: “Precious Lord Jesus, we are looking and praying for Your return. May the truth of heaven and Your return motivate Your church to a greater commitment to missions and evangelism. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 24, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 17

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

In the coming Great Tribulation period the one world religious system will be exposed. It is a false system, empowered by Satan and will mislead multitudes of people. It is counterfeit and full of damnable heresies that cause people to turn away from God and practice sin. God will not only expose it but He will also judge it. That is what false religion does. It looks and smells nice on the outside, but inside it is rotten and eventually leads to death. If all you are is religious then you are lost. Jesus Christ did not come into this world to give us another religion. He came so that we might have life! The grace of Christmas has come to us in the person of Jesus Christ, and the gift of Christmas is eternal life through Him. Don’t just know about Christ this Christmas, know Christ personally through a born-again experience. John 1:12 says, “But to as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” You become a son or daughter of God by receiving Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, please expose the many false religions of our day and open eyes to the truth about who Jesus is. Overcome deception and evil and empower your church to proclaim Christ to the nations. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 15, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 10

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The book of Revelation is the account God gave to John concerning end times. This vision was not given to satisfy our curiosity about the future, but to affirm God’s sovereignty. The Revelation should encourage and comfort God’s people that God is in control and that ultimately they will be victorious. In John’s vision he was instructed to “eat the little book.” This illustrates to us that as believers we are to feed on God’s Word. The book was sweet in John’s mouth but bitter in his stomach. As we read through Revelation it is both sweet and bitter. It is sweet to know that as saints of God we will reign with Christ forever. It is sweet to read about heaven where there is no sickness, sin, or sorrow. It is sweet to think about the victory we have in Christ over death and devils, hell and harm, over sin and Satan. The Word of God is sweet, but it is also bitter. In fact, John became sick to his stomach even nauseated. John’s stomach was upset as he digested the judgment of God that is coming upon sinners. It breaks the heart of God and the heart’s of God’s people to watch others bear the consequences of sin. We know that our time on earth is short and that the world is growing more wicked every day. We know that sin must run its full course and that the judgment of God must fall. Then we will reign with Christ forever!

Prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, feed us Your Word and may we be faithful to take in Your truth until it consumes us. Amen”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 3, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The book of Revelation opens with a message from Jesus to seven churches in Asia Minor. The seven stars that John saw certainly must be the seven pastors. It is a great comfort as a pastor to know that the One who calls and cares for us holds us in His right hand. God gives pastors their ministry assignments, and He will provide what is needed for them to be useful. Pastors serve the church under God’s directives. God gives the message and the messenger to each congregation. John not only saw seven stars, but also he saw seven golden candlesticks. These represent the witness or effectiveness of the the seven churches. Jesus warned the church to repent and return or else He would remove its candlestick. The threat of the church losing its effective witness was the result of the church leaving its first love. Jesus accused them of not loving Him or loving each other the way they once did. When love goes cold in a church it will lose its power and witness.

Prayer: “Dear Father, revive our hearts and renew our love for You and for each other. May we a bright witness for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 2, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 1

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

There is nothing more fulfilling for a child of God than to be in God’s Presence. John was in the Presence of Jesus when he wrote the book of Revelation. He was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day when He saw the Lord. Our purpose in reading the Scriptures is to see and know Jesus. The Bible is the Jesus book. We must look for Him in every paragraph, and page, and period. Look for Jesus in every chapter and verse. Through the eyes of faith we can see what John saw. Jesus is glorious! His hair is white as the brightest snow. His eyes are a flame of fire. His feet are like brass. His voice is like a thunderous, roaring river. His appearance is brighter than the sun. He holds in His right hand the seven stars. The words of His mouth proceed forth as a twoedged sword. When John saw Him he fell down as a dead man, completely overwhelmed by the glory of God’s splendor. Jesus is worthy of our worship because of who He is! He is God, sovereign and supreme, transcendent and glorious. Jesus Christ is Lord! If you want to know more about Jesus then read the book of Revelation. It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. God says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3)

Prayer: “Jesus, we long to know You. Reveal to us who You are, and show us Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 28, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Ephesians chapter 3

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

A mystery is something we do not know, that God does know, and that we cannot know unless God tells us. By revelation God made His mysteries known. God’s revelation came to us through the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit, and is now complete. From Genesis to the last book of the Bible we have God’s finished work. We cannot add to, or take away from the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19). Therefore, no one can truthfully stand up today and claim that they have additional revelation from God. However, God is able to illuminate our understanding so that we may have a better grasp of His Word. One specific revelation that was given to the church concerned the Gentiles, and is recorded in Ephesians 3:5-6 which says, “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the Gospel.” God’s purpose for Israel can now be more clearly seen. They were to be a light to the nations and point people to God. But not everyone who is born Jewish is necessarily born again. God made it known that the Gospel of grace is extended not only to the Jews but to every nation. God has also made it known that all those who place their faith in Jesus Christ become a part of the family of God. As children of God and heirs to the promise, born-again believers have Christ dwelling in our hearts, and the fullness of God’s love and power and Presence at our disposal.

Prayer: “Lord, teach us Your mysteries and help us to grow in our understanding of Your Word. Fill us with the fullness of Your Presence, power, love, and blessings. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron