What a joy it is to take a glimpse at John's Revelation of worship around the throne. We see God holding a book, rolled and sealed with seven seals. As the angel seeks someone qualified to open the seals, John weeps because no one is worthy.
Then the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ Himself, steps forward and takes the book. All the redeemed fall down and worship Him.
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
The worship service continues with outbursts of praise then ends with a loud Amen.
His Kingship was mocked while on earth, but in heaven He receives glory and honor.
The breaking of the seals will put in motion His coming to earth and establishing His Kingdom.
I'm going to be around the throne, singing and praising God with all the saints of the ages. I hope you will be there too.
Giving God His proper place in our hearts and lives is first making the effort to connect with Him. God should have a time slot in our daily schedule that is reserved for prayer and Bible reading.
God's proper place in our hearts is Lordship over our lives. We are not our own. God, as Master and Creator, made us who we are and what we are.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am . . .
As our Master, God alone has the right to tell us what to do, because He bought us back from sin through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
God owns everything: the universe, the heavens, the earth and every human being. He deserves, expects, and demands our honor, reverence, and obedience.
The stability of the believer comes from faith in the Word of God, knowledge of the Word, and the ability to use the Word in the practical decisions of life.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
Growing in grace is a constant experience of development, experiencing trials and even suffering. It's not easy to grow in grace and stability because anyone can drift out of dedication and growth.
The challenge is to grow in grace and knowledge in such a way that there is a balance between worship and service, faith and works.
Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me thine heart and let thine eyes observe my ways.
God wants our hearts because He loves us and wants us to love Him and know Him. Our riches, our strengths, our wisdom, our greatness or power mean nothing to Him. He simply wants our hearts so he can mold us in His image.
Why would anybody refuse the request of the great omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God.
To serve God without giving the heart is fraud. To give wealth without giving the heart is abomination. To pray without giving the heart is mockery. To sing of Him without giving the heart is as a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. To work for Him without giving the heart is insult. To preach without giving the heart is hypocrisy.
Psalm 139:23,24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
The redeemed find comfort in the following scriptures, especially when losing loved ones or at the end of life's journey.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
. . . . For The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet The Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with The Lord.
I'm watching the clouds. Is that a trumpet I hear?
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, "Surely I come quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
If you know you may die soon, what will you say about your life? While awaiting execution, the apostle Paul summed up his life in a letter to his friend Timothy.
2 Timothy 4:6,7 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Paul explains his fight and weapons for victory.
Ephesians 6:11,12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
To be fully equipped for the battle, we must have the truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, a shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (the Bible), and prayer.
Now you can keep the faith, and think about your final testimony.
Many years ago I heard about a preacher who didn't know how to read. Someone read scripture for him as he preached.
I'm glad we don't have to know how to read to know Christ or to be called to preach. We only have to believe in Jesus.
I'm glad we have personal access to God through His Word. People who have never received Jesus as their personal Savior can never grow in grace and knowledge of Him
Ephesians 2:4,5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).
I'm glad God gives us the resources for spiritual growth. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to show us the life and divine nature of God.
I'm glad Jesus "quickened" me -- made me alive in Him. I'm glad I know who Jesus is. I'm glad to know His love and mercy and grace.
