Time has come

Time has come

Revelation 11: ¹⁵ Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The power to rule over the world belongs now to our Lord and his Messiah, and he will rule forever and ever!” ¹⁶ Then the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones in front of God threw themselves face downward and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying:

“Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was!
We thank you that you have taken your great power
    and have begun to rule!
¹⁸ The heathen were filled with rage,
    because the time for your anger has come,
    the time for the dead to be judged.
The time has come to reward your servants, the prophets,
    and all your people, all who have reverence for you,
    great and small alike.
The time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth!”

¹⁹ God's temple in heaven was opened, and the Covenant Box was seen there. Then there were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

 

============

 

Knowing I had the job was comforting, but the changes in the organization had not been announced. I was one of many who were starting a new division in the company. I could act like an entrepreneur in the company, while being paid as an employee.

 

• I could not wait for the time for us to get started.
• I could not wait for the time for us to be empowered to do what we wanted to do.
• I could not wait for the time to be rewarded for my hard work.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the seventh and final angel blow his trumpet. JESUS, the Messiah, was announced as the one who is in “power.” He then wrote down what the twenty-four elders were saying about the power JESUS has.

 

My Observations:

• GOD had a formal ceremony to announce JESUS being placed in power.
• JESUS has the authority to judge you and me.
• People may react to JESUS being placed in power, in a negative way, BUT GOD is sovereign and has declared HIM to be revered.

 

People want power. I mean, look at how people act during election time or when a king or queen dies. People act horrible. The worst comes out and power struggles increase over race, gender, age and may other divisions that keep disunity at the forefront. BUT GOD has a solution. JESUS!

 

At the right time, JESUS will be announced as the Savior everyone should have placed his or her belief in. At this time, it will be too late to change sides over to the winning side. JESUS will look at every word spoken, every thought acted out. HE will judge some and reward others who follow HIM to their best ability. JESUS rules!

 

Challenge

• What time, described by the writer, sticks out to you?
• Have you ever seen a human ceremony, like a coronation or inauguration?
• Will you seek JESUS as your Savior today, knowing HE has been placed in authority and will show HIS power when HE returns soon?

Courage to Use Cheer

 Courage to Use Cheer

1 Corinthians 16: ¹³ Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. ¹⁴ Do all your work in love.

 

¹⁵ You know about Stephanas and his family; they are the first Christian converts in Achaia and have given themselves to the service of God's people. I beg you, my friends, ¹⁶ to follow the leadership of such people as these, and of anyone else who works and serves with them.

 

¹⁷ I am happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; they have made up for your absence ¹⁸ and have cheered me up, just as they cheered you up. Such men as these deserve notice.

 

============

 

“Knock, knock” was the surprising opening greeting upon meeting this person. I indulged with “Who’s there?” He replied “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” I did smile. He was genuine and could see the stoic look on my face needed some cheer from my distractions in life.

 

• I needed a break from thinking of problems.
• I needed a break from trying to have my problems fixed.
• I needed a break from trying to figure out if GOD is punishing or pursuing.

 

Paul gives some great advice. “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave be strong.” Then he gives three examples who dedicated their lives to the service of our LORD, JESUS. They had a gift of spreading cheer to those who were sad, depressed, worried and scared. They were brave enough to smile.

 

My Observations

• Life needs some cheer and laughter that comes from GOD.
• Sometimes GOD wants me to laugh with people instead of always crying with them or fixing them.
• Cheer seems to be missing from life and GOD wants me to add more of it to help people see HIM.

 

“Laughter is the best medicine” is an old adage many people follow. I do believe a smile can heal wounds that I am not aware of. Bringing cheer instead of bad news is sometimes necessary because of its rarity. I am glad GOD provides people who have the gift of cheer.

 

Challenge

• Do you notice the writer gives some great advice and then gives examples of those who follow this well?
• What does using cheer have to do with being alert, standing firm, being brave, being strong or working in love?
• Will you add a little cheer to someone who needs it today?

Mellow Out

Proverbs 3: There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

============

Anxious over getting a job I applied for anything. I had been the leader of a large organization but money was getting low and expenses remained high. I heard many saying about “Making things happen” or “Taking control” of my situation. But it seemed pretty difficult and I needed something right then!

• Sometimes I think I can make things happen.
• Sometimes I think I am the one who can change the situation.
• Sometimes I think I am in control of what happens to me.

Somehow my thoughts had me anxious to return to a certain point in my life that had long passed. I did not realize that my time for ruling a kingdom was only for a short period. GOD wanted me to think differently about life.

• GOD wants me to remain focused on HIM and not my short stops here and there in life.
• GOD wants me to be excited about “this” day not those in the past.
• GOD wants me to understand there is a time for me to go through things and a time to have peace.

There is a time for everything and I need to spend my time wisely. Will I grouse about the world or will I jump in and join GOD in HIS plan to save it? Instead of really, really wanting “it” GOD wants me to mellow out and take each day as they come, knowing HE loves me dearly.

• Are you anxious?
• Do you feel nervous about where you are?
• Can you get excited about today and look for opportunities to serve GOD?
• Will you begin your journey with GOD today?