My current circumstances…

Monarch Transition 1 flickr photo by SidPix shared under a Creative Commons ( BY ) license

…won’t last forever, even if they last for a lifetime.

Thank you Lord, that you are making everything new. Thank you for your grace which is sufficient for me. Thank you for the hope I have in you.

“Look, I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5, NLT)

Numbing The Pain, Running From Life

flickr photo by Scott Cresswell https://flickr.com/photos/scott-s_photos/9673927453 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

The water of life flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1, NLT)

God is the source of life. Too often, I try to distract and numb myself from life and God, when what I really crave is life that flows from God.

Father, I look to you for what my heart really wants. I need you. I want you. Lead me to drink from the water of life that flows from your throne today and every day.

What Scares Me (And What I Want To Do About It)

“And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them…This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.” (Revelation 13:7,10 NLT)

There will be a time when evil is allowed to prevail, seemingly unrestrained, and God’s people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. This scares me. I have trouble sharing what I believe now, when 79% of unchurched Americans are willing to talk about my faith if I am willing to bring it up.

Father, help me to see and experience more of your goodness, grace, and glory – to know more of your love so I will not be afraid and so others can come to know you through me.

Getting Caught Off Guard When It Matters Most

Photo by Tejvan Pettinger (CC-BY)

“Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready…” (Revelation 16:15, NLT)

Not that I need to freak out about it and carry around a sign on the streets declaring the end of the world…but the truth is, Jesus is coming, and honestly, most of the time, I can’t say that I’m watching for him, that I won’t be totally caught off guard by his coming.

Think about a train, coming to take you away on a fantastic trip. Only you don’t know when it’s coming. So in the meantime, you need to go about your daily life. Is it possible that I could get so distracted that I fail to see the train pulling into the station?

Father, show me what it means to watch for Jesus’ coming, to keep my clothing ready. I don’t want to lose sight that this world really is not my home, not my final destination.