Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’”
– Isaiah 52:7

How are your feet? Are they beautiful??? Do you want them to be? Then go tell people about Jesus! If Jesus is your Lord, then you have Good News and you’re meant to share it! You have a message to tell friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and strangers. A story to tell near and far. That Jesus loves them and died for them. That forgiveness and freedom are available in Him. That God rejoices in having a relationship with them through Jesus. That all they need to be saved from their sins and receive God’s grace is to believe in Lord Jesus and call on His name.

It’s a simple message, but it’s one of peace – with God and with others. It’s a message of happiness – that true, lasting joy is available in the Lord. It’s a message of salvation – from the world, the flesh, and the devil. It’s a proclamation of God’s authority and the truth that after His death and resurrection, Jesus reigns over the entire universe.

When you bring that good news to others, you are God’s messenger of peace, hope, love, grace, mercy, and reconciliation. Whether you’re taking that message down the hall in your home, across the street in your neighborhood, or to the other side of the earth, you are a beautiful-footed messenger of God! God will bless you as you serve His purpose and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Not everyone will appreciate what you say or do, but God is blessing your beautiful feet nonetheless! #FollowJesus

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.’” – Revelation 21:3

The Bible ends as it began. With an earth uncorrupted by human sin. With a universe free from the curse of sin. With God visibly present with His people. With a perfect relationship of friendship and love that never ends between God and His greatest Creation – human beings made in His image. It won’t be a garden, it will be a city. It won’t be for two people but for millions or billions. This is the renewed heaven and earth that will be ushered in after Jesus returns and His judgement is complete. This is what every follower of Jesus should be eagerly looking forward to!

At some point, a date known only to God, all the brokenness we’re familiar with will be repaired. All the ugliness will be replaced by beauty. The chaos will be tamed by order. The sense that “something’s missing” or that “something’s wrong” will be gone forever. In Christ, we’ll enjoy the visible presence of God the Father and Jesus the Son forever. We’ll never again experience sorrow, grief, pain, or outrage. We’ll work without difficulty, injustice, or oppression. We’ll worship without interruption. Our lives won’t be conflicted and inconsistent but will be perfectly whole in a way we can only dream about now.

This day will come. Until then, every follower of Jesus at every age and stage of life has work to do. We must be making disciples – introducing people to Jesus and helping them follow Jesus. Inviting others into this glorious Kingdom of Christ. We must be practicing the love that will characterize this perfect Kingdom and showing it to people who currently reside in the fallen kingdoms of this world. We must immerse ourselves in the reality of God’s presence in us as we carry the Holy Spirit with us wherever we go. Though it isn’t what it will be on that glorious day, the Kingdom of Christ is present in us today and we must live as citizens of that Kingdom and ambassadors of our King. #FollowJesus

“The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear
to hear as those who are taught.”
– Isaiah 50:4

How do you start your day? News? Coffee? Tea? Social Media? Games? Talking? Silence? What about God’s Word? There’s a lot of wisdom in letting God’s voice be the first to speak into your mind and heart each day. Before the world. Before other people. Even before yourself. Let God awaken your eyes, ears, and thoughts by reading or listening to a portion of the Bible before you scroll your phone, read your paper, or catch up with family or friends.

The Bible is “the tongue of those who were taught”. It speaks with the words God spoke through the prophets and apostles long ago. It speaks to your life today. These words are what God will use to renovate your heart and soul if Jesus is your Lord. They’ll also be the words that come to your mind as you comfort, care for, strengthen, and encourage other people you encounter.

Let yourself be taught by God morning by morning. Make time (you won’t find it, you’ll have to make it) in your busy schedule to enjoy a chapter or two of God’s Word for yourself. Morning by morning, work your way through the Bible and let God’s full counsel speak into your soul. Read a bit. Think about what you read – what it means and how it applies to your life. Then pray about it and everything else on your mind and heart. God will do extraordinary things in you, morning by morning. #FollowJesus

“And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”

– Revelation 19:19-20

Please understand that the ultimate battle between good and evil won’t be a hard-fought battle of uncertain outcome. No matter how powerful the armies, nations, and powers might appear as they gather to oppose Jesus, they’ll be wiped out in a moment. The Lord Jesus is infinitely more powerful than all the powers of the earth and hell combined! There’s simply no comparison!

The supernatural powers of evil certainly seem dramatic in movies and they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Governments and forces that persecute Christians can certainly inflict pain and cause great suffering for a time. But they can’t win and it isn’t even close! The Son of God is victorious. He will wipe out all those opposed to Him simply by speaking His Word of truth.

If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then you’re on the winning side of history. Guaranteed! Hold firmly to your faith and love for Jesus, no matter what you may have to endure to do so. Live and walk with integrity, knowing how everything ends. If you haven’t yet given yourself over to King Jesus, don’t waste any more time. Turn from your sins and embrace Jesus as your Lord. Submit yourself to Him as the only King of your life. Join in the victory that never ends. #FollowJesus

“Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,
‘So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,
and will be found no more;’”
– Revelation 18:21

God’s judgment is coming and when it does, it will be sudden and decisive. His judgment will be just, righteous, and terrible to see. It will bring Him praise and glory, even as it brings sorrow to everyone connected to those experiencing it. But what is the Revelation talking about? What is Babylon? What will God one day judge and destroy?

The physical city of Babylon hadn’t existed for centuries before the Revelation was given. In Revelation, Babylon is a symbol. A symbol of sinful, corrupt, greedy, oppressive, exploitative powers and systems that oppose and persecute the followers of Jesus. It represents the cities, empires, and powers throughout the ages and around the world that happily trade in people, and their suffering, rather than pursuing holiness. That serve money rather than God. That delight in the suffering of God’s people that fuels their wealth and power. Babylon is every corrupt city and center of influence, wealth, and power that stands opposed to Christ in its core.

Make no mistake, Babylon will fall. God is patient, wanting to give all the ethnic peoples of the world the opportunity to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But eventually this day will come. When it does, it will be shocking. The systems and empires of the world will fall. Those used to be on top of the world will suddenly find themselves overthrown by the Lord Himself. When that day comes, both heaven and earth will rejoice. As terrible as it will be to witness, God’s people will understand that God’s perfect, holy justice will have been done. So, hold firm to the righteousness of Christ. Resist the temptation of joining in with your own local Babylon. #FollowJesus