I READ THE END OF THE BOOK - WE WIN - REV. 11:4-11

I Read the End of the Book - WE WIN

S. Revelation 11:4-11

4 These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

.7 When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit[a] will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them 8 And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem,[b] the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified. 9 And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. 10 All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them.

11 But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them.

O. This passage describes the two witnesses during the time of the tribulation They cannot be conquered (v.5). Only after they complete the work that God has for them are they allowed to be touched.

This just shows how twisted and foolish the enemy is (and his followers). They gloat over what they think is a victory - yet the passage shows the Greatness of our God. While they are gloating over their “perceived win”, God breathes life into these two witnesses and calls them home.

A. This just a glimpse and a reminder to me that no matter what happens, WE (believers win). God is still on the throne and in control. His plan will prove it out and Jesus will be glorified. No matter what circumstances look like, I will continue to walk in His plan and pathway for me - HE IS IN CHARGE and in control.

P. Father thank you for the reminder and encouragement to remain faithful to you and the plan you have for me. Despite what things may look like, the victory belongs to you and will happen.

The Keys to Spiritual Productivity

This morning I read from 2 Peter 1:5-8 the following:

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self control, an self control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, an godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

O. (observation) I see this passage having a theme of “the key to spiritual productivity.” As believers we are to have faith, the act of believing and trusting God. However, to be fruitful or productive, we (I) am to supplement my dependence upon God with moral excellence.

I think moral excellence is living with a high standard of morality. Within that, I am to live with making the best choices possible.

Along with moral excellence, I am to acquire knowledge. I need to a be a life long learner. I should not be ignorant (uninformed) rather, I should be teachable. A third thing, attribute or characteristic is having self control. I should not live by impulse and should try to avoid the things (triggers) which cause my flesh to want instant gratification.

I am also to add patient endurance to my life’s capabilities. This is close to self control but it extends self control with the ability to wait and endure. This means trusting the Lord by putting up with things that we might not enjoy forthe moment, but for the long run we know that it will bring maturity and ultimately glory to God. This is what the scriptures refers to as “denying yourself.”

I am also to add brotherly affection, which I understand as caring for our fellow man. It is an aspect of love. It’s one of the Greek words for love .. we get our word Philadelphia from it (Philly the city of Brotherly Love)  simply said, we are to care and love people.

The last is concluded or perhaps “topped off” (crowned?) by having love. This is the word agapow .. the divine love, the imitating, self sacrificing love. This is the love Jesus has for us and for which we, His children, His church, are to have for others. Love that seeks or initiates relationship and commitment.

All of these six added to faith are the keys to possessing spiritual productivity that will glorify Jesus.

A(application): I will establish these six areas as goals to work on in 2016.

1.    Moral excellence – I will live my life by the Spirit’s power, making wise choices, and supporting moral causes. Truly loving people.

2.    Knowledge – I will demonstrate humility and have a teachable spirit. I’ll read more and be open to learning more.

3.    Self Control – I will not give in to my flesh. I will seek the Wisdom from the Holy Spirit in how I allocate my time, diet, money, physical care, etc.

4.    Patient Endurance – No quick decisions. Deliberate living. Enduring and trusting God.

5.    Brother Affection – I will seek for ways to bless others.

6.    Love – I will demonstrate to others by my lifeof initiating relationships and commitments, denying myself seeking to benefit others (my family and flock).

For the reader, my question... how about you???? What will you do to increase spiritual productivity in 2016??

Prayer - Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, grant me strength and wisdom this year to supplement my faith in you with:

moral excellence

knowledge

self control

patient endurance

brotherly affection and agapow love

In Jesus name! Amen.

The Logic of Incarnation - Hebrews 2:14-15 December 22, 2015

S - Hebrews 2:14-15 - Because God's children are human beings made of flesh and blood, the son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He break the power of the devil - who had the power of death. Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

O - As I read the first few chapters of Hebrews, I see the reaffirmation of Jesus' deity. The writer of Hebrews unfolds then the "logic of incarnation." Jesus is/was God - but the only way to rescue people who are made to have eternal inheritance - is for He himself to become flesh and blood, that is the only way that He could die and offer His death as a sacrifice - once and for all people.

A - Because I see even more of God's great love for me, He willingly became like me (who would do that?), I know He knows all that I experience. I can truly come to Him in faith with boldness knowing He understands and cares ....and that He can/will help me through my struggles.

P - Father- thank you for reaffirming this truth to me. You understand everything about me because you yourself experienced all of it. My faith is stronger and I will not hesitate to keep bringing things to you.