Jennifer A

In today’s passage, James reminds us that faith is not enough, that our actions must align with our words and definitely with our hearts to reveal an outpouring of our spiritual salvation in Christ Jesus. Pastor Mary once said that “good deeds are actions of obedience that come from having Christ as the Lord of our lives”.

Throughout Scripture, God reveals His heart for the needy, and He warns of His judgement that will come on the hearts that were hardened towards the needy. God stands firmly against religious actions that are for show and self-righteousness, as Jesus is found within the selfless good deeds of the faithful when we are loving Him and loving our neighbor (Matt 22:36-40). Jesus helps us to understand that everyone is our neighbor, as He outlined within the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Loving God and our neighbor is taking care of others, serving, giving, helping, etc. which are all good deeds that Jesus exemplified and asks us to do the same in His Name. The demons that James speaks of, may know there is a God, but they cannot exemplify their love for God or others.

Many believers ask the question are we really justified by works (good deeds) as James says, because Paul says that we are justified by faith (Romans 3 – 4). Both are right if we keep in mind that their justification was different, their initial audience was different, their areas of ministry were different, but both reveal that inactive, self-serving, and ritualistic faith are not in alignment with faith at all. James refers to good deeds as revealed through the obedient faith of both Abraham and Rahab. He chose believers who are completely opposite for the Jewish read at the time, as well as for you and me now, to show that true faith is not only obedient; true faith is always active and doing or saying something that brings the love of Christ to touch the hearts of others (our neighbors). May our good deeds reveal Christ and His love to someone today.

James 2:14-26 (NLT)

Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for exemplifying active faith, and for providing us with brothers and sisters of great faith throughout Your Word to reveal how we are to actively provide good works to extend Your love to our neighbors. Holy Spirit, speak clearly to us so we can hear where You need us to work for You today. We love You and ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Prior to today’s passage from Luke 10:13-16, we know that Jesus moved from His Galilean ministry to begin His journey toward Jerusalem. He sent out seventy-two chosen disciples, in pairs, to the towns and places He planned to visit. Jesus’s instructions were, “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’” (v.5) We see within verses 10 through 12, that Jesus also warned the disciples that some people will reject their offer of peace, and that brings us to today’s passage. Here, Jesus helps us to understand that He directs us to faithfully proclaim His Gospel message, and just as people reject us, they are also rejecting Him, the Prince of Peace. We must not get discouraged, as only Jesus is the divine Judge, and we are called to keep moving forward and sharing His loving message of forgiveness and eternal life.

In verse 13, we see Korazin (also spelled Chorazin) is denounced, this was also written in Matthew 11:20-22. Aside from these passages, there is no other mention of Korazin within the Bible. We know that not everything Jesus did is recorded, however, based upon verse 13, we know that Jesus visited and performed miracles within this city, as He did at Bethsaida, where Jesus fed the 5,000 (9:10-17). Tyre and Sidon were prosperous cities that had little regard for Israel. Many of the prophets within the Old Testament spoke of these cities, and Jesus states that had He performed miracles within Tyre and Sidon, repentance would have occurred. When Jesus references being clothed in burlap (or other translations say sackcloth) and throwing ashes on their heads, He is referring to the customary Jewish sign of outward repentance which was to sit in sackcloth and ashes to symbolize grief. We know that outward signs of repentance are no longer necessary, that God is concerned with our heart, and as followers (disciples) of His Son, Jesus, repentance should be a part of our daily lives.

Luke 10:13-16 (NLT)

13 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 14 Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you. 15 And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.”

16 Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your forgiveness and for Your Word that is inscribed on our hearts. As Your disciples, we want to share Your message. Holy Spirit impart Your wisdom for when we talk about Your Word with others and shield our emotions when people do not want to receive You. Allow us to keep moving forward and sharing Your message. We ask this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Every time I write in reference to Psalm 119, I like to remind us, that it contains 176 verses which are divided into 22 stanzas, and each stanza is titled with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet. Today’s stanza is titled with the 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Yodh or Yud, which is often associated with God’s hand, humility, and wisdom.

Friends, something we all have in common is that we have all faced troubles, sometimes the trouble is tragic, while other times the trouble is just a really rough day. Another thing we also have in common is that during our times of trouble we all reach for something. Think about that for a moment. Be honest with yourself. What or who is it that you reach for or maybe even hide from during your times of trouble? Remember the title of today’s passage and how as believers, you and I are called and encouraged to humbly reach for God’s hand during every troubling moment so that He can guide us with His wisdom through it. We cannot forget that the One Who created each one of us, also wrote His Word on our hearts. So why is it that we can find ourselves hiding from God or seeking destructive people, circumstances, places, or habits when all we need to do is seek the Holy Spirit and ask Him for divine guidance. I read a post from a friend on social media yesterday that said, “Every sin is an attempt to be happy, without God.” In today’s passage, the psalmist reminds you and I who we are in Christ Jesus. God knows our struggles, He faces them with us, He is faithful, and He is our Comforter, so instead of turning to sinful places, people, ways, or habits during troubled times, we need to be turning to God and reaching out to grab a hold of His hand and don’t let go.

Psalm 119:73-80 (NLT)

Yodh

73 You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
you disciplined me because I needed it.
76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.
77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight.
78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
79 Let me be united with all who fear you,
with those who know your laws.
80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
then I will never be ashamed.

Prayer: Father, thank You for always having Your hand available for us to grab a hold of. We need You, at all times, but especially during times of trouble. Holy Spirit, please guide us towards You and away from the places that seem temporarily comforting, because they are familiar sinful places. We want to allow Your unfailing love to comfort us so that we may experience Your joy at all times. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Last Wednesday through Friday we spent our devotional time within 2 Kings, and if you joined us for worship yesterday, Pastor Mary continued in 2 Kings 5 (1-14), and we will pick up today where she left off.

As a reminder Naaman was a high-ranking official within the Syrian Army, and he also had leprosy. He went to Israel to see the Prophet Elisha for healing. When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s home with his entourage and earthly riches, Elisha sent a messenger to tell Naaman to go and drip himself seven times within the Jordan River and as a result his leprosy would be healed. Naaman was angry that Elisha did not come to meet him, and so he stormed off. One of his officers eventually convinced Naaman to obey Elisha’s message, and “So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!” (v.14)

Today’s devotion picks up with Naaman looking for “the man of God”, Elisha. Far too often, you and I can be just like Naaman and resist God’s guidance and healing for our lives and as a result we make things unnecessarily complicated. God’s plan was simple for Naaman, and it is simple for you and me. Yet even after God heals him, and Naaman wants to worship the God of Israel, he still wants to gift Elisha. Living faithfully within this world can be hard at time, and that is what we see happening for Naaman, and it happens to you and me all of the time. Within these moments we need to reach up and grab ahold of God’s grace. This is what Naaman ended up doing. He confessed his need for forgiveness and called on God’s mercy and favor, and Elisha granted him God’s peace.

God’s grace, mercy, favor, and peace are all available for you and me right now. We simply need to call on Jesus, by faith, for delivery and obediently walk out the plan God has for us.

2 Kings 5:15-19 (NLT)

15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”

16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.

17 Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the Lord. 18 However, may the Lord pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the Lord pardon me when I bow, too.”

19 “Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the example of Your healing and guidance as seen through Elisha and Naaman. We want more of Your spiritual healing and guidance within our lives, Lord. We call on Your grace, mercy, favor, and peace today, as we want to grow in our faith and be more obedient to You, Lord Jesus. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Today we are looking at part of a letter that is attributed to the Apostle John. It’s one of three letters: 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John, and together they are often referred to as the Johannie Epistles. It is believed that just over 1900 years ago, the Apostle John was writing today’s letter to a group of Christ followers in Asia Minor. Friends, you and I must keep in mind that as believers, God’s Word is always speaking directly and currently to us. So, we need to ask what is God’s Word saying to us through John’s letter? In 1 John 2:7-11, John is reminding us that we are not just followers of Christ Jesus, rather, you and I, as believers, are called to live in the likeness of Jesus; and Jesus commands us, as believers, to love others like He loves each one of us (as a part of His creation).

I have a soft spot for the Gospel of Matthew. This happened years ago when the Spirit moved within me during a study on the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. A couple of years later, when The Chosen came out, the writers portrayed Matthew in a way that just reinforced my love for his Gospel and how he learned from Jesus and how he encourages us to learn from Jesus. In Matthew 25, he reminds us of Jesus’s return in “The Final Judgment”. At this time, Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats, by placing the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left hand. Those on His right will enter His Kingdom as they will have loved God’s Family like Jesus loved them; while He will curse the ones on His left for when they did not love the least of God’s children, they were not loving Jesus. Friends, this message directly connect to today’s passage from John and his message for the Church and about God’s Family. You and I will be separated as sheep and goats. This is not about all believers being sheep and all unbelievers being goats, no, this is about how you and I treat (love) one another as believers, and as a part of God’s Family.

In today’s letter, John reminds us, that you and I are commanded, by God, to love one another within our spiritual Family. This might seem like a simple ask, but do you and I love ALL of our spiritual brothers and sisters as Jesus loves them? Do you and I take a humble posture in our relationships with our spiritual brothers and sisters? And, if we look back at Matthew 25, do we feed the hungry, give something to drink to the thirsty, show hospitality to a stranger, cloth the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned? Friends, we must remember that when we judge another believer, or any person, we are judging Jesus. John uses the word “hate”, and you might be thinking, well, I don’t hate anyone, so I will be fine during the Final Judgement. Remember, our call to love our brothers and sisters is to love them like Jesus loves them, not simply to just not hate them. We need to be asking the Holy Spirit, each and every day, to change our hearts to be more and more in alignment with the heart of Jesus, so that we are living in His Light, in His likeness, and loving as He calls us to love all of His creation.

1 John 2:7-11 (NLT)
A New Commandment

7 Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. 8 Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

9 If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for setting the ultimate example of how we are to love one another. Holy Spirit, please convict us to know when we are not loving as You call us to love. Guide our souls (minds, wills, and emotions) and hearts to be more like Jesus. Help us with our spiritual blindness, deafness, and hard human hearts. We want to be Your sheep that follow Your voice, and the call You have on our lives, so please help us to not be the goats. May You guide us today to love like You love, help our hearts feel Your limitless love for Your Family and for those who do not know You so that they want to become a part of Your loving Family. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

If we are being honest, as Americans, we live in a country where everyone takes a side. Even if you are thinking that you are not someone who likes to take a side, you still take a side on almost everything. We do it for fun, like when we are rooting for our favorite sports team, we do it when choosing between Pepsi or Coke, we do it when we are focused on something more serious like voting, and the list goes on and on. You and I even do it when we scroll social media and decide that something someone is doing, something they are wearing, or something they are saying is not something we would do, wear, or say…and we instantly choose an opposing side to that person. So, does any of this matter? Does God have a side? And if so, what does His Word say we are to do?

In today’s passage, Paul reminds us that there are simply two sides. One side consists of a group that thinks that the cross is foolish, and the other side believes that the Word of the cross is the very power of God. Since God was, is, and has been aware of everything, as Pastor Mary preached about yesterday, His purpose of the cross was to destroy human wisdom, and to leave worldly philosophers, scholars, and debates scratching their heads. Those too proud to seek God’s salvation would (and will) not be able to discern His divine wisdom. However, those who humble their hearts would (and will) spiritually see the contrast of humanity’s flawed wisdom in comparison to God’s divine wisdom. Paul reveals how the Jews and Gentiles were hung up on things that did not matter. Which is no different from what we do today, we look for a side that sounds good. Rather than seeking the Truth, we can get caught up on external things, situations, appearances, people, etc., and in this place, the cross sounds foolish. But, for those who cling to the cross, who want to grow in relationship with Jesus, who remember what life was like without Him and never want to go back, we look at Jesus and what He did on that cross, and we long for that strength and divine wisdom operating in and through our daily lives.

Yesterday, Pastor Mary said that “fear torments the mind, but Truth torments fear”, let us hold firm to that Truth today and remember that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. Having reverence, respect, and awe for almighty God, is having fear of the Lord and within that place, we remain in awe of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, and that is our first step in having true wisdom.

Today, we cannot allow pride or fear to move within our hearts; it will weaken and eventually destroy our relationship with Jesus. We must humbly remember how Jesus saved us within our past, give Him praise for what He is doing within our presence, and be joyful that by His powerful wisdom we are His Church for all eternity.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NLT)

The Wisdom of God

18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

Prayer: Jesus, we chose You through salvation and we cannot thank You enough for all that you have, are, and will continue to do for each one of us, Your brothers and sisters. May we hold firm to Your hand as we walk each day and never forget what You did for us on the cross. Holy Spirit, please continue to impart Your holy and divine wisdom into each one of us and guide us on the path that You have for our lives. Please remove pride from each of our hearts and replace it with a spirit of humility. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Yesterday was Pentecost and Pastor Mary shared Luke’s account from Acts 2 of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which was the fulfillment of Jesus’s promise to empower and equip His disciples for ministry. Pastor Mary reminded us about Peter’s sermon, which was the first Christian sermon ever preached on that Pentecost day. In verses 17-21 of Acts 2, we see a direct connection with our passage today from the Old Testament prophet Joel. As Pastor Mary mentioned, Peter quoted what Joel had said as he knew it from the Torah. Keep in mind there was approximately 790 years between Joel 2 and Acts 2, as Joel wrote his book around 820 BC and the events that Luke wrote about in Acts 2 most likely took place around 60 AD. Nevertheless, Peter preached about what the servants of the Lord had just experienced, and it was exactly what Joel had prophesied. Peter’s sermon serves as a reminder to us that the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives should directly connect with the work of the Word in our lives, and as Pastor Mary said yesterday, it’s a oneness that we have with Jesus.

Friends, the same Holy Spirit that the believers in Acts received, is the same Holy Spirit that you and I received when we welcomed Jesus into our hearts, through salvation, so He could change our lives for all eternity. By this commitment, the Holy Spirit desperately wants to guide our daily lives to grow in our relationship with Jesus, and to become more powerful within us so that He can use us to grow God’s Kingdom. It is by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit that you and I are guided in the ways of God, rather than by the ways of this world, and the choice of this oneness is up to each one of us.

As you read today’s passage, keep in mind that many theologians believe that Peter’s use of this prophecy, in Acts 2, was to point to a portion of fulfillment, but also as a sign that the last days have begun and that we need to be prepared for Jesus’s return. Frist, we must rejoice that the Holy Spirit of the living God resides in us. Next, we must allow the Holy Spirit room to move in and through us as we are one with Him and one with His Word (so be in His Word every single day). Finally, we must repent, turn from our sins, and live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God is restoring you and me all of the time, and we want to be ready for the Day of the Lord.  

Joel 2:28-32 (NLT)

The Lord’s Promise of His Spirit

²⁸ “Then, after doing all those things,

    I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

    Your old men will dream dreams,

    and your young men will see visions.

²⁹ In those days I will pour out my Spirit

    even on servants—men and women alike.

³⁰ And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—

    blood and fire and columns of smoke.

³¹ The sun will become dark,

    and the moon will turn blood red

    before that great and terrible^[f] day of the Lord arrives.

³² But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

    will be saved,

for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape,

    just as the Lord has said.

These will be among the survivors

    whom the Lord has called.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for connecting Your Word for us. Holy Spirit, we need Your guidance all of the time. Help us to be quick to repent, to be in Your Word each and every day, and to share Jesus’s message of eternal love through salvation with others. We want our hearts to be prepared for Your return. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

During yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Mary provided us with some Biblical context about what was transpiring in Acts 16 where we see that the Apostle Paul is out ministering with Silas and they come across a demon possessed slave girl; and Paul says to the demon, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her” (v.18) and the demon instantly left the slave girl. This did not go over very well with the girl’s owner who demanded that the missionaries be arrested. Since the magistrates (officers or judges of the religious law) did not like troublemakers, they had Paul and Silas beaten and put in jail. Around midnight, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing in jail. God responded by shaking the prison with an earthquake that opened the doors and freed the prisoners. (v.25-26) As Pastor Mary reminded us, not one prisoner left, but the jailer didn’t know that and so as he was about to commit suicide because of the mess at the jail, Paul stopped him and led him to Christ. The jailer took Paul and Silas home with him for a meal, and there he cared for their wounds from the beating. The men baptized the jailer’s entire household, and they all believed in Christ (v.31-34).

That brings us to the next morning which is found within today’s passage. The city officials sent word to the jailer to let Paul and Silas go. However, Paul was not willing to sneak out of town because he did not want the new Church to be left under a cloud of suspicion. He told them that he was a Roman citizen, and he demanded a public apology for their unlawful acts. According to Roman law, Roman citizens, as both Paul and Silas were, could not be beaten and put in prison without a fair trial. We don’t know why Paul waited until this moment to mention this fact, but God certainly knew, and He used it for good.

The magistrates respectfully came to Paul and Silas, and although they did not offer a public apology, they did escort them out of prison and politely asked them to leave town. This satisfied Paul, as he was not looking for revenge, rather he wanted protection and respect for the for Church, the believers of Christ that would be left in that town.

What Paul did took Biblical and spiritual strength, power, and integrity. Paul did not campaign for societal change in an unbelieving world. Rather, he allowed the Holy Spirit to provide him with spiritual strength, power by His wisdom and guidance, and Biblical integrity to change the hearts of the people that Jesus brought within his path. Notice that not “all” of the people’s hearts were changed (like the magistrates), and Paul and Silas knew that would be the case, so rather than organize a public demonstration to prove their point, they quietly left town. You and I have the opportunity today to share the Good News about the saving love of Jesus Christ. We must not focus on all of the darkness of this world because the enemy is busy and not everyone will except the message of love that Jesus wants to offer through us. So, we need to be focused on how we are going to allow the Lord to work in and through us, by His strength, power, and integrity, to change one heart at a time, and not be shaken when some do not respond, rather pray for those hearts, and rejoice for the ones that will be forever changed. Never underestimate where, when, and with whom God will use you.

Acts 16:35-40 NLT

35 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” 36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”

37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”

38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for saving each one of us. We want to be willing vessels for You to move in and through so that more hearts can be saved. Holy Spirit, we need Your strength, Your power, and Your integrity as we walk out today, again tomorrow, and every single day that follows. Use us today to help hearts see Your love, Jesus. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

On this Memorial Day, let us pause and thank Jesus for the many men and women who have paid the ultimate price for defending our county with the loss of their lives. We must trust that Jesus is holding the hearts of their families and friends.

Today’s passage about the New Jerusalem, as seen through John’s divine vision in Revelation, fits well with it being Memorial Day. At some point in each one of our lives, we have asked the question “why” when faced with trials, sorrow, pain, and death. God reveals through this vision that “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow, or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (v. 4) This will be the nature of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city that will descend onto earth after the final triumph over sin and evil, and once Satan has been cast into hell, along with all who rejected Jesus. This Truth should fill each one of us great hope and cause us to cling closer to Jesus during our times of trials, sorrow, pain, and death.

Regardless of how God chooses to conclude this sinful earth, today’s passage reveals that everyone of us has a choice between choosing Jesus or choosing Satan. We clearly see in verses 6 and 7 who will fill up heaven, and verse 8 tells us who will fill up hell. Our Creator, Who is the Alpha and Omega, wants each one of us to choose Him, so we spend eternity with Him.

Revelation 21:5-14 NLT

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the brave men and women who have, are, and will stand to protect our county. Please bless the family members and friends who have lost someone in service. May they see Your love and comfort even within their great loss. Help all of us to see how You are moving for our good even in the midst of our trials, sorrow, pain, and death. Keep us rooted in You, Jesus, and growing in Your Word. Holy Spirit, protect our souls from the enemy of this world, we call on Your holy wisdom and guidance for today and each day as we long to spend eternity with our Creator. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.