Day 90

Scripture Reading: Revelation 20-22

SCRIPTURE - Revelation 22:20

²⁰He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

OBSERVATION - The Bible ends with Jesus’ promise that he is coming soon to which John responds, “Come, Lord Jesus”  This longing is shared by all true Christians. (1) This prayer is a confession that until he comes our redemption remains incomplete, evil and sin are not yet overthrown, and this world is not yet renewed. (2) We have every reason to believe that the day is fast approaching when he who is called “The Word of God (19:13) and “the bright Morning Star” (v.16) will come down from heaven to take his faithful away from the earth to his Father’s house, after which he will triumphantly return in glory to reign forever as “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (19:16).  This is our unfailing hope and joyful expectation.

APPLICATION - The time is getting closer, it is getting nearer to the return of our saviour so we must be ready to say as John did, “Come Lord Jesus.”  As aware we are of the attributes of God and how we are to live our lives we often disregard the imminent return of our saviour.  Let us ever be aware of this reality, this is truly the reason why we live and follow our Lord Jesus Christ.  Come Lord Jesus, we’re ready!

PRAYER - Come Lord Jesus I am ready. May my life live like this statement is true each day as I walk with you, may I share the love that you have so graciously and freely given to me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

So I hope you have enjoyed walking with us through the New Testament in 90 Days.  It has truly been an inspiring journey once again as each day brought new insights and wisdom that could only be gleaned from the Holy Spirit.  May your daily devotions continue and may you continue to grow in Wisdom and you seek the one who freely gives wisdom.

Dave

Day 89: Reading - Revelation17-19

Scripture:

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.  Revelation 17:14

Observation:

After all the happens our Lord God is still almighty and will reign over all things.  I take comfort in knowing that there is nothing of this earth that can overcome the One who created everything, and knowing that He walks with me always.  This just reminds me that there are only 2 options when it comes to God - either I am “with him” believing and following the teachings He has given me or I am NOT with him, there really is no option to waiver between the two.  This verse confirms that only “those with him are called…” & “those with him are chosen…” and “those with him are faithful”

Application:

I want to be “with” my Lord, in everyway!  To be with him I recognize that means being relationship with him more and more, depending on him, learning from him, glorifing him, and do everything that I do according to his plan for my life.  It’s not an easy feat but it is the only one worth trying to live out day-after-day.

Prayer:

Thank you God for loving me unconditionally.  I know that I don’t always get it right & Father I’m praying that when you return you will call me chosen and faithful!  Amen.

Nina

Day 88

Scripture Reading: Revelation 14-16

SCRIPTURE - Revelation 16:15

¹⁵“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

OBSERVATION - Suddenly, unexpectedly, we are to observe and be aware and ready.  The return of the saviour is soon and we are to continually watch for him to surprise us at any time.  The passage tells us to be aware not to be caught naked and not ready for the return of our Lord. Being naked means there is shame attached to this moment in time and we must always be ready for the return of Christ.

APPLICATION - Always be ready, never go out in public without your clothes on.  Seems pretty obvious to me however, there have been times when I wasn’t prepared well in advance and it seemed as though I was naked and went through an embarrassing moment that could have been avoided if I were clothed properly. Ever been there? This is something that you want to make sure you avoid at all costs, make sure you are ‘naked ready’ which means always be on your guard for the return of the Lord.

PRAYER - God may I always be on my guard.  May I live like it’s possibly the last day of my life each day.  May I make decisions and may my actions bring you glory and honour in all that I do.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 87

Scripture Reading: Revelation 11-13

SCRIPTURE - Revelation 12:11

Day 86

Scripture Reading: Revelation 8-10

SCRIPTURE - Revelation 8:3

³Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.

OBSERVATION - The repeated mentioning of the prayers of the saints (5:8, 8:3-4) indicates that the intercessory prayers of believers are extremely important in the destruction of evil and the establishment of righteousness on the earth.  John mentions the prayers of all the saints- the prayers of tribulation saints on earth are joined by the intercession of all the saints in heaven.  the saints in heaven are vitally concerned about the events on earth.  Note that God in some sense stores up our prayers.  Although the Lord may not answer all our prayers immediately, he does not throw them aside, but keeps them for the proper time of fulfillment.

APPLICATION - The prayers that we pray are never forgotten, God will always answer our prayers even though at times it doesn’t seem like it’s in the same time table that we are expecting.  Our prayers will be answered at God’s proper time and so we must never be discouraged if we don’t receive the answer we are looking for in our own time frame.

PRAYER - God may I recognize that each prayer I pray is not wasted even if I don’t necessarily hear from you right away.  Help me to be patient as I trust that each prayer I pray is heard and will be answered in your perfect time table.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Dave

Day 83

Scripture Reading:  Jude

SCRIPTURE - Jude 1:20

²⁰But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

OBSERVATION - Believers must defend and share their faith and resist false teaching in the following four ways. (1) By building ourselves up in the most holy faith.  The holy faith is the New Testament revelation handed down by Christ and the apostles.  This requires study of God’s Word and a determined effort to know the truth and teachings of Scripture.  (2)  By praying in the Spirit.  We must pray by the enabling power of the Holy spirit ie., by looking to the Spirit to inspire, guide, energize, sustain and help us to do battle in our praying.  Praying in the Spirit includes both praying with one’s mind and praying with one’s spirit.  (3) By remaining in the sphere of God’s love for us.  This involves faithful obedience to God and his Word. (4) By longing and waiting for our Lord’s return and the eternal glory that will accompany his return.

APPLICATION - Building takes lots of hard work, regardless of it’s something that is manual labour or something less hands on.  It often takes intentional work to build something of value.  When it comes to our faith in Christ this is no exception- it doesn’t happen by accident.  We must be very intentional about building ourselves up in faith and allowing Holy Spirit to do some of the work in us that we could not do on our own.  Instead of entitling this devotion as Jude the builder, why not substitute your name as the builder through God’s help of course?

PRAYER - God help me to build the kind of faith in you that takes intentional hard work.  May I become the man of faith you have called me to be, in Jesus name, Amen.

Dave

Day 81

Scripture Reading: 1 John 1-5

SCRIPTURE - 1 John 1:3

³We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION - “Fellowship” (Greek word is koinonia) literally means “having in common” and involves sharing and participation.  Christians have fellowship because they have a common faith, common grace of God in Christ, common indwelling of the Spirit and a common enemy.  There can be no true fellowship with those who reject the teaching of New Testament faith.

APPLICATION - The word fellowship is one of those “Christianese” words that I don’t like to use anymore however it speaks of a strong relationship with Christ that I do desire.  The fellowship we can share with other believers in Christ is truly boundery breaking.  It has the ability to break through all sorts of relational barriers but since we have this unique bond it breaks away any of the challenges we may face.

PRAYER- Thank you Jesus for the fellowship the common bond that I share with my fellow believers.  Thank you for the community that I share with those who also trust and love in you. May I continue to strengthen those bonds.  Amen.

Dave

Day 77

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7-10

SCRIPTURE - Hebrews 9:11-28 focus on vs 12

¹²He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

OBSERVATION - The blood of Christ is foundational to the New Testament concept of redemption.  On the cross Christ shed his innocent blood in order to remove our sins and to reconcile us with God.  By his blood Christ accomplishes the following: (1) forgives the sins of all who repent and believe (2) ransoms all believers from power of satan and evil powers. (3) justifies all who believe in him. (4) cleanses believers consciences. (5) sanctifies (6) opens a way for believers to come to God- through Christ (7) guarantee of promises of new covenant (8) saving, reconciling and purifying power of Christ’s blood is continually appropriated to believers as they come to God through Christ.

APPLICATION - The blood of Christ has authority over things that I am powerless over.  The blood is my freedom in Christ to give me new life.  May I never take for granted the power of the blood and honour Christ accordingly.

Speaking about blood is usually reserved to health care professionals, it not usually a topic of conversation to the average person.  When it comes to the blood of Christ however, this is something that we all can benefit from and understanding his power is something that we all can have access to.  Let’s walk in the authority that Christ has given us in the power of his blood and learn to honour what Christ has provided to us through his shed blood.

PRAYER - Lord thank you for the blood that was shed for us as we walk in the freedom you have provided may we understand how to honour you with new revelation today.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Dave

S-cripture: Hebrews 4-6

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Hebrews 4:15

O-bservation:

What a comfort to be reminded that we have everything in Jesus.  He fully understands the challenges, sins, temptations, and everything we face as human beings because he himself walked the earth amongst us.  Knowing that he faced the same temptations, but remained perfectly sinless is such a reassurance.  It is reassuring to know that when I feel tempted to give into sin I can call on the Lord to strengthen me - knowing that he defeated every temptation of this world.

A-pplication:

Rely on God in all circumstances to be my strength!  When the enemy is trying so hard to get me to fall into sin, I need to try even harder to focus on my Heavenly Father.  He promised that as I draw near to him, He will also draw nearer to me, and that is what exactly what I need to defeat the enemy.

P-rayer:

Thank you Jesus for not just knowing my struggles but having faced many of the same tempations yourself.  Thank you for being perfectly pure and overcoming the every temptation the enemy set before you.  Give me your strengh to boldly say “no” to the things that are not pleasing to you.  In Jesus name I pray, amen!

Do you need to be “Strengthened thru your Struggles?” I know I do!

Nina

Day 75

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1-3

SCRIPTURE - Hebrews 2:18

¹⁸Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

OBSERVATION - When we are tempted to be disloyal to God and give in to sin, we must pray to Christ who triumphed over temptation and now, as our high priest, promises to give us the strength and grace to resist sin.  Our responsibility is to draw near to him in time of trouble; his responsibility is to give help in every time of need.

APPLICATION - God is a God of His word.  So if His word tells us that he is able to help us when we are tempted - that’s the truth, nothing less.  What I love about this is that God’s nature His character is to provide us with help whenever we need it.  He doesn’t weigh it out or decide on whether our challenges are worthy of help- He will help as long as you ask, so if you’re in need there is “HELP AVAILABLE.”  Praise God for that good news today!

PRAYER - Thank you Lord for your word that tells us that you are the high priest who sees our need and helps us when we’re in need.  I put my trust in you and ask you to deliver me from my challenges, teach me to trust you in my valleys and help me to walk with you on the mountain tops!  In Jesus name, Amen.

Dave