Did you accomplish what you set out to achieve? Did you grow into the person you hoped to become? How much stress did you endure along the way?
Every year, I hear people reflect on how difficult the previous year was. We long for smooth sailing, but life rarely goes exactly the way we hope. So how do we respond when things don’t work out as planned?
There are major life changes that we cannot control—such as the death of a loved one or the end of a significant relationship. Yet, there are also challenges we bring upon ourselves—financial struggles due to poor decisions or losing a job because of a lack of focus.
The reality is simple: life happens.
Take a moment to reflect on the past year:
• What consumed most of your focus?
• What did your daily routines look like?
• How valuable were your relationships?
• How would you describe your relationship with God?
As a new year begins, it’s easy to set big aspirations—promising ourselves to “be better” or “do better.” Yet by mid-January, many of us fall back into familiar habits and routines.
If there’s one thing you could change this year, one area to prioritize above all else, let it be this:
Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God.
Now, before you start thinking, “I’ve got this—I just need to (insert plan here),” consider this: perhaps the first step is aligning your priorities with God’s.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us:
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
This verse is powerful because it reveals that God has already envisioned something extraordinary for each of us. Our role is to take the time to listen and discover what He has purposed for us.
When we live into who God says we are—using the gifts, talents, and passions He’s given us—we find purpose and meaning. Our lives become a reflection of His image and glory.
So, how can this be accomplished?
1. Pray – Prioritize communicating with God. Share your heart—your hopes, fears, and desires, big or small.
2. Read – Dedicate time to scripture to understand God’s character and how He is shaping you to reflect Christ.
3. Worship – Make worship a central part of your life, celebrating who God is and all He has done.
4. Speak – Tell others about the ways God is working in your life.
5. Serve – Take intentional steps to make someone else’s life better.
Be patient with yourself. Studies show it takes about six weeks for new habits to take root. There will be days you miss the mark, but don’t give up. Start again and keep going. Growth takes time—just as a seed takes time to sprout and grow leaves, your journey with God requires persistence and care.
Imagine what your year could look like if you shifted your priorities to align with God’s. Imagine the transformation that could take place as you grow closer to the person He created you to be.
So, as we look ahead, ask yourself:
• What will you prioritize in 2025?
• What steps will you take to focus on God this year?
This could be the year your life takes a new direction—one led by His purpose and guided by His grace.
Is Peace Truly Possible? A Reflection on Mark 1:1-8
The concept of peace often feels elusive in today’s fast-paced, chaotic world. We long for it in our hearts, our relationships, and our communities, yet true peace seems like an unreachable ideal. However, the Gospel of Mark opens with a bold proclamation of good news that promises a path to genuine peace—not just fleeting moments of calm, but a deep and abiding peace grounded in God’s kingdom.
Mark 1:1-8 introduces us to John the Baptist, the one sent to prepare the way for Jesus, the Prince of Peace. John’s message was one of repentance and renewal. He called people to turn from their sins, be baptized, and align their hearts with God’s will. In this passage, we find profound truths about how peace is not only possible but accessible to all who seek it in Christ.
1. Peace Begins with Preparation
John’s role was to prepare the way for Jesus, and his ministry reminds us that peace requires intentional preparation. Just as a rough road must be smoothed out for a king’s arrival, our hearts need to be cleared of the obstacles that block peace—pride, unforgiveness, and fear. Repentance, as John preached, is the first step toward inner peace. By turning away from sin and surrendering to God, we make space for His peace to reign in our lives.
2. Peace Is Found in the Presence of God
John’s message was not about himself but about the One who was coming after him—Jesus. He declared, “After me comes one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie” (Mark 1:7). This points us to an essential truth: peace is not something we can manufacture on our own. It is found in the presence of Jesus.
Jesus came to reconcile humanity with God, offering a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but flows from the assurance of God’s love and sovereignty. When we invite Jesus into our lives, we receive the gift of His peace—a peace that calms our anxieties and anchors us in hope.
3. Peace Is Empowered by the Holy Spirit
John baptized with water, but he foretold of Jesus, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). The Holy Spirit is the source of true peace, working within us to transform our hearts and minds. Through the Spirit, we are empowered to live in harmony with God and others.
The Spirit helps us let go of past hurts, heal broken relationships, and extend grace where it’s needed most. This divine empowerment is what makes lasting peace possible, even in a world marked by conflict and division.
Living in the Reality of Peace
So, is peace truly possible? The answer is a resounding yes, but only through Jesus Christ. The good news of Mark’s Gospel is that peace is not a distant dream; it is a present reality for those who prepare their hearts, embrace God’s presence, and walk in the Spirit’s power.
As we continue in this season of Advent—a time of waiting and preparation—let John’s message inspire us to seek the peace that only Christ can bring. It starts with repentance, grows through relationship, and flourishes in the Spirit’s work within us.
May we be reminded today that peace is not just possible; it is promised. And in Jesus, that promise is fulfilled.
What obstacles might be blocking God’s peace in your life? How can you prepare the way for Christ to bring His peace into your heart today?
What do you carry with you when you walk into a room? When you wake up in the morning, what’s on your mind? Are there burdens from your past that still weigh you down, shaping how you see others and how you interact? How often do you find yourself focusing on the things that are broken, the things that need fixing? And how hard is it to shift your gaze toward the good around you, to see the opportunities instead?
In Genesis 12 and 13, we meet Abram, later called Abraham. I encourage you to take some time to read these chapters.
Abraham is known for his great faith in God—the God who called him out of his homeland, away from his family, security, and all that was familiar. In Genesis 12, God invites Abram on a journey of faith, instructing him to leave everything behind. But Abram brings along his nephew Lot.
As they travel, both Abram and Lot become wealthy, and the land they share can no longer support them. So, Abram offers Lot the choice of where to settle. Lot chooses the fertile plains near the cities of Sodom. Abram, on the other hand, receives a vision from God. God tells him to lift his eyes and see the vast land that will belong to him, a promise of safety, prosperity, and blessing. With this assurance, Abram continues on his journey, confident that God will provide all he needs.
What about us today? What are we focused on? Do we fixate on what’s wrong, on the problems that demand our attention? It’s easy to focus on the immediate, the obvious. But maybe we should pause and ask ourselves where we’re struggling to trust God. Are there places in our lives where we’re so eager to take control, to rely on our own abilities, that we forget to lean on Him?
Notice how Abram didn’t see the promise until God told him to look. It was only then that he noticed the potential, the hope, and the future that God had for him. In the same way, it’s not just about what we think needs to happen. It’s about waiting for God to lead, trusting Him to reveal the path forward.
So, where in your life are you struggling to trust God? And how can you learn to wait, to trust that God will show you the way in His time?
God will reveal what He has in store for you. Trust Him. Wait on Him. Keep your eyes fixed on what God is doing now, and what He has promised to do. Trust in God, always.
The gospel message is clearly found in the parable of the Prodigal Son that Jesus tells in Luke 15. The reality is this parable is so much more than just a “lost son.” This parable is about the compassion of the Father.
These three videos are from a three-part sermon series on the Lost Son (Prodigal Son) parable. Take time to watch and see where you are in the story. What might God be saying to you those the scripture and through the sermons today?
The Journey Home (Luke 15:11-21)The Heart of the Father (Luke 15:22-24)Rediscovering Grace (Luke 15:25-31)
“I said…” “It is mine…” “I can do…” “I have to do…”
These phrases are all part of our everyday vernacular. We tend to focus on “I/me/self” over anyone else. We’ll over exaggerate our part and what we have to do, and (possibly?) inadvertently discredit the work of others which elevates our own self in the eyes of others and causes ill feelings and attitudes toward those we may be in relationship with.
If we are truly doing everything we say, or think we are, that’s one thing. But I have observed our own notion of what we accomplish, or “have to do”, isn’t nearly as big or busy as we may think. Part of this comes from, I think, the notion we have to appear busy so we maintain credibility with others.
However our intentions may be, there does seem to be a need to shift our vocabulary. Instead of “I”, we should remember that we are actually part of a community, a group of other people, and should be saying “We” more often.
“We” is actually a more empowering word to use. Why? Because “we” are not as strong, as smart, as funny, as accomplished, as we are when we are connected with other people. Simply stating “I” all the time leaves the impression life is all about you and what you can do. That’s not how we are supposed to live. We are supposed to live in community.
There are people, most likely, thinking they have risen to their position in life on “their own merits” and “nobody helped them.” In fact, our entire American society seems to be focused on the “I” and individuality. Because of this, we have lost what it means to live collectively.
Every single one of us is who we are because of other people. There is no such thing as a “self-made person.” We have all had people guide, mentor, help make connections, etc., for us to achieve what we have achieved. We are always looking to connect and network with people. But, when we get rushed or when we get too focused on our own tasks, we can easily “forget” to ask for help. What this does is give people the chance to feel sorry for us because of all we have to get done. We can make it seem like no one is there to help. But is this true?
This is why we should take the focus off of “I” and place it back on the “We.” It’s not really about what you and I can accomplish on our own. In fact, we miss out on the opportunity for others to help, get recognition, or to strengthen their own gifts if we do not include them in what we say.
We can easily become so narrow minded and focused that we miss opportunities to let others see how we can live in community, and that’s the only way we can be successful.
There are many limitations we place on ourselves when we focus on “I.”
One of the biggest limitations is that we end up taking God out of the equation. Face it. You and I would not be here, or who we are, if God had not created us. We have been given the greatest gift, the gift of life, and we forget the One who created, who empowers, who gifted, who is with us always. Forgetting God ultimately puts us as the god(s) of our own life and we will miss the bullseye of who we were meant to be.
This post barely skims the surface of how limiting the over use of “I” is. So now, I invite you to pay attention to your words. What do you say most often? What/Who do you think about the most? How to others feel about those who “should be there to help?” Where do you see God in your everyday life?
My hope is that “we” begin to shift the focus so we can become a closer community, all working together to build each other up and to see the working of God in and through each one of us, especially as a community.
The book of Genesis is fascinating. The origins of the universe. The purpose of humanity. Worldwide catastrophe. Spreading out of humanity. Singling out one particular family and family line. That’s just the first twelve chapters.
Chapters 13-50 give us famine, war, circumcision, disjunction, murder, wealth, growing family, protection from famine, slavery, and so much more.
The point of Genesis is not to give a detailed account of how the world, and everything in it, formed, but that God, the Lord Almighty, is the One who created everything, called it good, and gave it purpose. Through everythign that happens we see what happens when the focus of peoples’s lives is taken off of God and is, instead, focused on self-protection, the self.
Everything that happens in Genesis 3-50 could be described by one word—Shame. Why shame? Because shame causes us to focus on our selves, our insecurities, our perceived lack, how we are dishonored. What happens is we begin to devalue humanity and find ways to make sure we feel safe, secure.
So how did we get here?
Look at the end of Genesis 2. Adam and Eve were naked and felt no shame. Not only that but, they were both completely comfortable with their divine purpose and relationship with the Almighty. What does this tell us? Their lives were completely open and honest with God and with each other. They had nothing to hide.
It wasn’t until the serpent came on the scene when everything started to go away from the original intent. It. Was here when doubt entered the scene and Eve and Adam began to doubt and disbelieve God was who he said he was and would do what he said he’d do.
Right after they ate from the forbidden fruit, Adam and Evelyn covered themselves with fig leaves. They felt like they had to cover up what has been exposed. They felt unworthy to be so vulnerable in the presence of God and in the presence of each other.
Because of this shame, and the need to cover up sin and lives lived away from God, we get the stories and events in the rest of the Old Testament.
Now, here’s the part I love about what the New Testament teaches—Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost. He came to bear our shame and bear our curse. The beauty of Jesus is that we get a clear picture of God in flesh. We get a clear picture of how God desires to make us whole. In the process of being made whole, we see how God is making us holy (whole, complete).
We do not have to hide anything in God’s presence because he knows we have made a mess of our lives. In other words, we can be completely vulnerable and exposed (naked/bare) in our relationship with God.
I know it feels as if we have done wrong, and are wrong. Guilt tells us “we have done wrong,” and shame tells us, “we are wrong.” But God, though Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, invites us to live a life free of shame, free of guilt. When we get to this kind of freedom, we learn how the chains of sin and death have truly been broken.
So, what are you hiding? What do you feel shame over? What would it take to open your eyes, ears, and heart to the One who knows and loves you beyond anything you ever dreamed or imagined?
What “fig leaves” do you need to remove?
Do you go to the bottle to hide a hard day/life? Do you go to the needle, or other drugs to escape reality? Do you over work yourself to make sure you’re seen as valuable? Do you sleep with other people just to keep some sort of pleasure in your life? Do you resort to comedy or sarcasm to hide your real feelings? Do you just try to hide from everyone because you’re too sacred they can see the “real” you?
What are your “fig leaves” that keep your whole self hidden from the rest of the world?
I pray we all can learn to be completely honest with God, and honest with ourselves and others, so we can drop our “fig leaves” and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. The truth is, when we learn to embrace our vulnerability, we no longer have to expend energy trying yo cover up where we believe we have failed and we can completely be ourselves.
Showing the world the real you is what leads others to freedom and learning to be completely open and honest which leads to true wholeness, completeness, holiness.
Hear the voice of God calling out to you asking, “Where are you?” How will you answer? Can you allow yourself to bring all of the broken pieces to God and allow him to work through your brokenness and demonstrate his grace and unconditional love for you?
Remove your fig leaves and just see how God begins the healing process by showing who you are and allowing your real self to live openly in his presence.
If this helped you, I’d love for you to share this post with others.
May your life be so completely open that God’s grace shines through and you witness the transforming power of being completely open and honest with God, yourself, and others.
Revelation in a fascinating letter. There are visions, destructions, dragon, death, resurrection, hope, a future glory. This letter has just about everything that drives people to the movies. Great cast, great adventure, lessons and reassurances, hope. What else would you want?
For a recap of where we have been in this journey through Revelation, you can read the blog posts:
Keep in mind, this vision of a new heaven and a new earth is after all of the destructive events in Revelation 8 – 20. Here is a quick chart for the summary:
A big thing to remember is in between ALL scenes of destruction and chaos, there is a vision of worship in the heavenly realm. This is to show how keeping our focus on God and worshipping him and him alone allows us to be able to handle everything we face in this world. Worship keeps us grounded. Worship keeps our perspective.
Through all of the letter of Revelation, the original readers and hearers were being comforted to know God had not forgotten them. They were encouraged to remain faithful because they were given the promise the Church would never cease. The Church is triumphant, even through all kinds of evil and chaos, because of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we should live as people of hope and victory because we know and follow the One who was and is and will always be victorious!
As you look at Revelation 21 & 22, notice how we are shown the ending of all evil, of all sin, of all rebellion. We are being shown there is a definite point in history when all will be made perfect and the heavens will descend upon the earth.
Take some time and draw a picture, like this to remind you of this truth.
Now, draw a circle, like the picture below, to show and remind us how God is transforming and recreating the world. All of this is done in the power and presence of God, which is why this picture looks like a power button.
All things will be made new because of the power and presence of God.
Now, here’s the reality. Something has to end for a new beginning to happen. What ended? Sin, rebellion, chaos, all animosity/indifference to God.
It’s almost as if God picked up his brush, from the picture in Genesis 1 & 2 and reworks the world to compete, transform, fix everything. Revelation 21 & 22 is a picture of bringing the story of God and humanity full circle to show how we were made to follow and represent God in the original order of creation and how God is making it a reality, when the time is right.
Not only all of this, but we also see God’s creativity, power, and grace in action. We are given a picture of what paradise looks like. In other words, we go back to the picture of God living with humanity uninterrupted and in a complete, non-broken state.
Our challenge is this—to not focus on the negative we see all around us. There is so much beauty and grace we will miss if we take our focus off of God. So, be encouraged to stay focused on the One who holds everything together. Stay focused on the One who is working to make everything new.
The letter of Revelation is a call to all faithful Christians to respond to Christ and live as an example of the New Jerusalem here and now.
Stand strong. Stay focused on Jesus. Be the people of Jesus here and now so the world gets a taste of what is to come!
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.Amen.” (Revelation 22:21 NIV)
Revelation 6 opens with all chaos breaking out. There are the 7 seals of destruction (similar to the plagues in Egypt). There is also the “sealing” of the 144,000 people of God representing the perfect number of Jews and Gentiles as part of the kingdom of God. (This is also something similar to the Old Testament. See Ezekiel 9:4).
Starting in verse 9, in chapter 7, we see another “intermission” to demonstrate the worship that is going on in the heavenly realm. All of this points us to the fact worshipping God keeps our focus on the One who gives us the peace and strength to endure what comes at us.
Quick note: Just about every time, in Revelation, you see something about destruction, there is always worship before and after. This is because we should focus on Jesus.
Since Revelation was written to strengthen and edify believers in Christ, we can see how important worship is. Living a life of worship helps to keep our perspectives correct and focused on Jesus. The believers needed to remember all about how God has worked in the past, and how God is working in the present, and will work in the future.
When John wrote to them, he had to be pictorial in his language so the Romans would not be able to fully grasp what John was saying. The original readers would have been cognizant of the fact John was writing in code to help them see the troubles they are going through are not the end. Things will truly be okay because God is working to bring about the transformation and grace needed for the believers to withstand the trials they were facing.
These believers are now reminded they have been marked by God. Not only that, but they are together. They are part of something bigger and grander than anything they could have imagined. So what we see here is a picture of those who worship Jesus as Lord, the true Lord.
In other words, the picture we have in Revelation 7 is what the church should be. We also see how God is faithful…how God provides…how God protects his people. (See also Psalm 23, Psalm 91, John 10).
See, the church is God’s people. The church is the body of Christ. The church has been “washed in the blood.” The church (God’s people) have been saved for Jesus and from sin by the work of Jesus. In the end, the church is pure and spotless and the mission of the church brings all people together to praise Jesus and works for and toward reconciliation. The church also knows that God is on the other side of hardship. (See Romans 8:28). This is the church surviving and persevering through anything the world throws at her.
So what does the church do?
2 Corinthians 5 says the church is in the ministry of reconciliation. Our job, as the church, is to bring people to Jesus Christ, to help them experience his joy, his presence, his grace, his forgiveness, his salvation.
The Church is also in the business of joining in the work God is doing here on earth (see John 5).
The church is to proclaim the triumphant victory of Jesus in everything we do!
The Church can do all this because:
God “seals” his people with the promised Holy Spirit
God protects his people
God cleanses his people from sin
God provides for his people in ways they/we may not know
So Revelation 7? This is the picture of how the church should be and is being transformed to be.
Two things that are important for the church:
Christ is the focus
Christ hold all things together.
How will your worship (individual and in community) be different now?
Revelation is an interesting book. As we saw in the last blog, the letter Revelation can really be summed up with an image of Jesus holding everything together. This is a vital picture for us to keep in mind because the original audience needed to be reminded that Jesus is still on the throne and that should be our focus.
One of the aspects of Revelation that is challenging to modern readers is all of the imagery and pictures. John, the Revelator, the author of the letter of Revelation, uses these picture images to help the readers visualize what God is up to. Keep in mind the picture from last time about Jesus holding everything together.
Another challenge we can easily miss is how out of the 404 verses of Revelation, 278 verses reference the Old Testament. In other words, revelation is not really about the distant future, but rather telling the story of God to the people of faith to help them stay strong in the faith as they undergo persecution. It’s about focusing everything we have on Jesus and trusting that he is the victor!
Even amid the persecution going on, the author of Revelation gives admonishment and encouragement to the followers of Jesus. That’s what chapters two and three are about. Jesus, through John, is revealing how the churches has either gone off course or have stayed true to their mission. In other words, Jesus says either the churches don’t love him anymore or they need to stay focused on what’s important.
As we think about what’s important, we should remember that everything we give attention to, everything we give worth to is what we will consider worthy. What this means is we worship what we deem worthy.
Now, I want you to think about the best times of worship you have experienced.
For me, I vividly recall, at least, three incredible times of worship.
One is while participating in an evangelistic mission trip to called Beach Reach to witness to the people on Spring Break.
Another time is worshipping on the beach during youth summer camp.
Another favorite time of worship was at my wife’s and my wedding.
These were some powerful times of worship when I was able to be fully present and focus only on Jesus.
What about you?
As you think about “favorite” times of worship, have we considered why these times are more prevalent than others? What set them apart?
Why is worship so important? Because worship prepares us to handle anything life throws at us. How? When we worship, we derive our strength and focus on and from Jesus. Jesus is the focal point.
Here is a picture of worship in Revelation chapters four and five.
Notice some important things: 1) Jesus is the focal point, he is the slaughtered lamb, and 2) worship has a ripple effect. Jesus is at the center, then it’s all creatures (human and animals) and then it’s the multitude of angels.
So what happens when we worship?
We can experience God’s presence and his power. Then, we respond with our whole being. Worship helps to put everything into perspective. The truth of the matter is that it is not about what makes us happy in this life, it is about what makes us Christlike, what makes us holy.
As you think about worship, when you are with a group of believers, see what happens when you intentionally focus on Jesus and not what the production is going on around you. Look at what you prioritize and consider your life and pleasing sacrifice to him as you seek to live with and for him (see Romans 12:1-2).
The biggest thing to keep in mind is worship reveals to us what we prioritize.
May we be willing to live lives prioritizing Jesus in all we do, say, and think.
Revelation is a fascinating book filled with vision, symbols, and numbers that are challenging to understand completely. Here’s the gist of the letter of Revelation—God ultimately wins!
Imagine how life could be if we focused on the victory of Christ Jesus rather than what’s wrong in the world. God will ultimately redeem and make everything right. He is working on his time, and it is the perfect time.
To help us better understand this concept, let’s look at Revelation 1:1-8. Take some time to read that passage, then look at these concepts about it.
CHRIST IS RISEN!
He has risen indeed.
Alleluia!
Amen.
Remember, as Christians, this is our victory cry. We always point to the victorious Christ who
defeated death and lives forever, and gives us this chance, too.
So when we talk about “beginning with the end,” we are referring to this. We are referring to Jesus’s ultimate victory over all evil and reigning eternally. So, the truth is we can always live with hope because of the victory of Jesus.
Worry, shame, anxiety, and even fear have zero place in the Christian life. We do not even find a source of hope in being greedy, putting others down, and always trying to be right. Why? Because as we read Revelation, we should have the picture that Jesus is the alpha and the omega, the
first and the last. “God wants the readers to be encouraged by knowing that God, who knows all things from the beginning to the end, is the absolute source of all creation and history.
Nothing lies outside him, just as no other letter of the Greek alphabet lay outside the Alpha and the Omega–God is in total control.”
To help illustrate this, draw a circle on your paper.
Now, write the name Jesus in the center of the circle. This seems right, doesn’t it? Jesus really is the center of everything.
But I want us to think about the circle a little differently:
This time, write the name JESUS.
Now, from the S to the J, draw a line representing a circle.
And now, write your name in the center of the new circle.
This is what we think about when we read the Book of Revelation. We are held together in the safe grip of Jesus, who holds everything together.
With this picture in mind, let’s go through this passage.
One of the challenges with a book like Revelation is that we can miss its point because we immediately impose our thinking and interpretation based on our understanding.
For example, this is a letter written around AD90 that was distributed to seven actual churches.
Now, there were more churches than this, but it is very likely John, the author, sees these churches as representatives of the other Christian churches around at this time. What’s interesting is each one of the churches (located in what is now Turkey) was about a 2-3 day walking distance from each other and in a horseshoe pattern.
Even the name Revelation can be misunderstood. Our word revelation comes from the Greek word apocalypse, which means “unveiling” or “lifting off a veil.” The purpose is to reveal something not previously known. Jewish and Christian prophesy, at this time, was not just about “predicting the future.” It was also primarily a declaration of what God is doing in the present–it was a declaration of God’s perspective on the present life of God’s people.
God’s people were undergoing persecution and needed hope everything would be okay. They needed to be reminded God is still on the throne and is in control. They needed to know God was and is with them and were not alone. They needed to be reminded there is still hope
because of the risen Christ. John, the author, being exiled to the island of Patmos is evidence the governing authorities viewed John as a dangerous leader of the Christian sect.
The reality the Roman Christians lived with was the power of Rome, which seemed to show Christians were powerless; the Christians feared denunciation before Roman authorities. The Christians know about John’s banishment and vividly remember Jerusalem’s destruction.
This is why the letter of Revelation begins and ends with the words and presence of Christ. To show his people he is the one who will have ultimate victory. No one else is worthy to be worshipped, especially not the Roman emperor who demanded worship.
So, the main point of the letter of Revelation is not so much what will happen in the “end times.” The point of Revelation is to show “who is worthy of honor and worship.”
The greeting (Revelation 1:1-4), with the background we just discussed, is very powerful. This greeting was written in a typical New Testament way with the phrase “Grace and Peace.”
Let’s look at the word “grace.” The Greek word is charis, which means love functioning under adverse conditions. This is a gift we do not deserve. God is giving us his grace and presence so we can know and live in a relationship with him. So John begins his letter by saying, “Cheer up! God is in control despite the situation that’s going on that is caused by human rebellion.”
It doesn’t take much to see human rebellion is still going on. Some leaders are on a constant quest for power, attention, and living in incredible greed. But no matter what leaders try to impose on us, we must remember God is in control. Jesus is the victor, and we
get to live a life of victory no matter what happens around us.
Even when hope seems lost, Christ is still on the throne, and his presence is with us always because of the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us.
Because of this truth, we can live into the reality of who Jesus says we are:
We are loved
We are free from our sins because of his blood
We are a kingdom of priests to represent God in all of the world
We are servants of the One True God who desires our holiness (wholeness/completeness)
All of this matters because of who Jesus is.
He is the One who has always been and is and will always be
He is the faithful witness, meaning we can always trust him
He defeated death
He is the rightful ruler of all the world’s rulers
As we constantly say, knowing who Jesus is helps us better understand who we are and what our purpose is. And what is our purpose? To bring honor, glory, and power to him constantly.
How do we live this out?
In everything we do, we can find ways to give God credit and put attention on the greatness and grandness of God instead of keeping the focus on us and us alone.
As an example of this, think about the movie Chariots of Fire. It’s the story of a heroic, committed Christian from Scotland named Eric Liddell, who competed in the 1924 Olympics. Refusing to compromise his principles, Liddell would not run on Sunday, forfeiting his event of choice, the 100-meter race. During one scene, Eric’s sister, a dedicated believer, was upset that her brother was running competitively. She thought he was wasting a lot of time and should get into the ministry immediately. She reminded Eric that God made him for Himself. But Eric replied, “Aye, Jenny, I know. But He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” (Source: Greg Laurie, oneplace.com)
Now, is this easy to do? It is if we remember that Jesus is Lord of all, holds everything together, is the source of all, and is coming back to demonstrate his rule over all.
Yes, Jesus is coming back. Why? Because he will be completing the task of redemption. He will be fixing everything and making all things right again. His judgment and justice will reign, and all people will witness this.
When we look up to the sky (the picture for something to look forward to), Jesus is coming back one day. When this happens, everyone will see and witness this happen. One day, ALL will know Jesus is King over ALL. This will cause mourning for ALL people.
Why? William Barclay, in his commentary on Revelation, points out:
1. People will realize they missed out on the chance to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior
2. People will be in grief because they did not completely submit their lives to him, so they
missed out on so much from him
3. People will be in grief over loved ones who missed out on knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior
So now the question we all have to ask is, how does our life reflect this truth of who Jesus is?
We go through difficult, challenging, unbearable circumstances, yet Jesus is still Lord.
We all do things people will praise us for, yet Jesus is still Lord.
Jesus is Lord. This is the end, the beginning, and the reality now.
As we live, we keep the end in mind because we trust in the victory of Jesus. We trust everything will end up as perfection and peace because Jesus is on the throne.
If we can keep this picture of Jesus as the beginning and the end in our minds and keep in our hearts, we will better be able to handle everything here and now because Jesus is on the throne, and we already know what will happen when he comes back.
So, no matter what comes to your life, always keep the “end of the book” in mind and live as people of hope.
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 