The Promise

Revelation 21:1-5, 21-27

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A1-5%2CRevelation%2021%3A21-27&version=NIV;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.”      NLT

 

Promises bring with them the sense of a new beginning; a fresh start; a new adventure. A wedding, for instance, ushers in the promise of a new life together; of new love; of a future family.

 

We’ve all made promises. And we’ve all broken them. Who hasn’t made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, only to give up soon thereafter? Or promised to be on time from now on, and ended up late for your next meeting? But God’s word is “trustworthy and true”.

 

God has made a promise to those who believe and follow Him; to those whose name is in the Book of Life. It’s the promise of the New Jerusalem; of Heaven.

 

² I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”      NIV

 

It sounds beautiful doesn’t it? It’s the ultimate promise that brings with it hope for the future, a new beginning, and a new life. It defeats death; stops shame; washes away guilt. This is where believers will live in the presence of God for eternity.

 

Author Stephen Covey wrote, “Begin with the end in mind”. For believers, the New Jerusalem is the end. So if you begin there, how does that affect your life between now and then? How does it affect you on a daily basis; on your decisions, your relationships, your job, or your finances?

 

God has made you a promise that he will keep. He is faithful. His word is trustworthy. Let’s keep His promise... The Promise, at the forefront of our mind.

 

 

 

 

CBJ! CBJ! CBJ!

1 Peter 3:18-20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203%3A18-20&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

The Columbus Blue Jackets amazingly swept the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0, in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was the first Stanley Cup series win for the Blue Jackets. But what was most amazing is that Tampa Bay was the best team in the NHL during the regular season, and the Blue Jackets were the last team to qualify for the playoffs.

 

Throughout the game, the crowd had been chanting “CBJ! CBJ! CBJ!” Even on the TV, you could tell the noise was deafening. It was an amazing game to watch. And when it over, the crowd stayed. They didn’t leave the arena. They just kept chanting “CBJ!” until a few of the players came out to speak over the PA system.

 

Pronouncing the victory, one of the players said, “This was a great victory, but we’re not done. Keep being loud and we’ll keep playing with desperation to win it all!” The fans went wild! “CBJ! CBJ! CBJ!”

 

¹⁹ After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits    …            NIV

 

Like the Blue Jackets, Jesus proclaimed his victory too. Not to a packed arena with crazed fans, but to the waiting world. He was announcing salvation to those who would listen and believe; to you and to me. So how should we respond?

 

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?      Romans 8 NIV

 

He is risen.

 

He is risen indeed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Scapegoat

1 Peter 3:13-18

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A13-18&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

While my daughter was in high school she played on the softball team. One particular game still sticks in my mind. I was sitting in the bleachers directly behind home plate. Standing nearby, was the father of the pitcher on my daughter’s team. Throughout the whole game, he had constantly berated the home plate umpire.

 

Finally, no doubt tired of listening to his personal castigation, the umpire wheeled around, looked straight at me and said, “If you don’t shut up, I’m going to kick you out”! I was dumb founded, and was unable to respond. The Dad who was the guilty party, also didn’t say anything. Shortly thereafter however, he left.

 

I didn’t choose to take the guilty dad’s spot on the hot seat. Given the opportunity, I wouldn’t have chosen it either. I didn’t know him. I didn’t like his berating of the umpire. He was a very negative person who seemed intent on taking the fun out of the whole game for everyone. Why would I choose to take his punishment?

 

²¹ He (Aaron) is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.        Leviticus 16 NIV

 

This ceremony, was a major part of the tradition of Israel on the Day of Atonement. By doing this, the goat would symbolically take all of the sins of Israel upon it. He became the “scapegoat”. He was chosen for this role. He didn’t choose to do it.

 

However, Jesus did choose to do it. He was the righteous one taking the punishment deserved by the unrighteous. Who does that? What motivates someone to willingly fulfill the role of the scapegoat?

 

¹⁸ Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. NLT

 

This verse tells us that Jesus willingly took our place; took our sins; became the scapegoat. He did this to “bring you safely home to God”. What an amazing picture to remember during this Easter season – the best day of the year.

 

 

Why God?

John 14:22-27

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A22-27&version=NIV;AMP

 

Have you ever asked this question? I know I have. Twice that sticks in my mind. Once when my fiancé dumped me during my sophomore year of college. After about six months I was able to give an answer to the question. God used her rejection to bring me to the point of turning my life over to Him; to draw me closer to Him.

 

The next time wasn’t as easy to figure out. My wife was pregnant with our first child when something went terribly wrong. We went to the hospital at about eight months, and were told that the baby would be still born. Looking back on it, even now after over forty years, I still can’t answer the question, “Why God”.

 

¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.           John 14:18-19 NIV



 

²² Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?”      AMP

 

Even the disciples asked the question, “Why God”. Maybe not in those exact words, but essentially that’s what they were asking. The disciples were expecting Jesus to become the political leader of Israel; to overthrow the Romans and anyone else in power.

 

Sometimes we just don’t get it do we. The Israelites certainly didn’t get it while wandering in the wilderness. The disciples didn’t get it as Jesus was giving them his last minute instructions before being crucified. And we don’t get it when we’re in the middle of struggling with life.

 

But God has a plan and you are a part of it. You may not understand it right now. You may not understand it in forty years. But God has a plan and He is working it. The question to ask is not “Why God”, but “What is your plan God, and how can I be a part of it”. Then trust the Spirit to lead you.

 

²⁶ But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.  AMP

 

 

 

 

 

 

March Madness

Revelation 22:1-5

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2022%3A1-5&version=NIV;NLT

  

March Madness is the name given to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. It’s called that because crazy things can happen during the tournament. On any given night, a Cinderella team from the Ivy League could beat the top rated team in the tournament. Anything can happen.

 

Being an alum of Michigan State University, I’m a VERY big fan! In fact, the finished portion of our basement is dedicated to the Spartans. Last Sunday

we advanced to the Final Four. Did you catch that… we? As if I played in the tournament. But that’s how it is for any avid fan. If your team won, then “we” won. You’re involved in the victory.

 

John wrote about what it would mean for Eden to be restored; for the River of Life to flow through it; for the Tree of Life to bring life, and not death.

 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. NIV

 

Just like death came as the result of the sin of one person, Adam, so life came as the result of one person, Jesus. His life of love, obedience and sacrifice to the point of death, paid the price for our sins. Through his act of redemption, we are redeemed. Through his victory, we are victorious. Jesus played “the game”, but we are the beneficiaries.

 

March Madness is a great time of the year. Of course, for me it helps if Michigan State is still in the tournament. And when “they” win, “we” win. The victory is ours. And when Jesus won over sin and death, we won over sin and death. His victory is ours. That’s way better than an NCAA championship.

 

 

 

Here's another message on the same passage.

 

 

TRANSFORMATION

Revelation 22:1-5

 

³ No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. ⁴ And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. ⁵ And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.           NLT

 

These verses present an image of light and life, not darkness and death. They paint a picture of God’s servants living in His presence constantly and for eternity. What would that be like?

 

Moses was in God’s presence at the burning bush, and came away a changed man. Jesus spent time in his Heavenly Father’s presence on the Mount of Transfiguration and was transformed physically. If you or I spend time in God’s presence, we will be transformed. We will be a new man; a new woman. Changed from the inside out.

 

I experienced this many years ago when I went on a personal 24 hour retreat. When I returned to the office, one of my co-workers commented that something was different about me. Being in the presence of God will do that.

 

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. ² It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.         NLT

 

Although Revelation is an image of the future, the goal for you and me, as believers and followers of Christ, is to live in His presence in the grind of daily living. This is not just a goal for us to attempt to achieve, like climbing the corporate ladder. This impacts every aspect of how we live.

 

God is always at work in your life. He is always present. Jesus is always standing at the door knocking and waiting for you to invite him in to your life at home, at work and in your leisure time. Let us open the door for him to enter. If you do, you will be transformed.