Monday, February 2 – Living From the Future God Has Promised
Summary
Today’s devotional is about focusing on God, and His will for us. Often, we get carried away and focus on outward idols and temporary materialistic things of this world that fill us up with empty happiness. It’s draining. It feels good in the moment. But it isn’t ever actually enough to keep us happy forever. There is only one thing that can fill our emptiness and that is Christ and Christ alone. We always fall short though, and we always forget about Him, and that always comes from the distractions of this world, and also our own wants and desires being put above God’s will and desires that He wants to put in our lives and future. Why is it that we forget about Him? Our own creator? The King of Kings, who sent His only Son to die on the cross. How selfish are we to forget about Him, and what He has done for us. We can’t lose hope and forget about the purpose and reason why He did it in the first place. It was for our salvation. We were all lost and in need of a savior and He sent His son, so that we may seek Him and spend all an eternity with Him in heaven. How is it that we’re more focused on the news, social media, and sports, that we can’t even remember the Lamb of God, who rose and sent His helper, the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. You cannot forget. We cannot forget. Hold onto His hope, and remember the future in heaven with our Heavenly Father, instead of this world and what it wants us to seek and focus on. What else do we need other than the word and help of God. In His hope we find peace and strength, and with His promise comes help from the Holy Spirit.
Reflection Questions
Are you currently living out what you imagined yourself to be doing in your life right now?
How has your future and priorities set your current wants and desires?
And is all your hope and joy set on the Lord? Or your own personal strength and confidence?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray that you would seek my heart further and put your hope and peace within me Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, give me the confidence and wisdom to know and understand that it is just You and Your promises to me that will help me endure and learn from my faults and trials. May I continue to hold onto You and Your word today, tomorrow, and the days that come after them, for Your word and righteousness on the Cross was Enough. And what You did was Enough. I pray that You would remind of Your loving kindness and how Your death on the cross was enough for me Lord God. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Action Steps
Think about all the plans you have made for yourself and if they have honored God.
Now write down one promise God has given you that you want to focus in on more.
Scriptures to Read
Revelation 22
Romans 15:13
1 Peter 1:13
Tuesday, February 3 – Hope That Leads to Obedience
Summary
In this, we see how John is moved by the visions. Knowing the future always does shape how we live in the present. What we tend to believe is coming always reflects how we live now. The word of God never separates belief from behavior because faith always leads to something, that’s what makes faith special. The intentions behind the Revelation was not given to man to satisfy our curiosity but to emphasize willful obedience. God is showing His people what is coming so they will live faithfully where they are. When hope is given to us by a Graceful God like ours, it is given to us how a father would give his child a birthday present. He presents His promises and asks us all with love and transparency, so that we may turn from sin and choose to obey Him instead. What God has in the future for us is much greater than what we feel He has presented to us now. Having Joy and peace within His promises is already one more step forward in obedience towards Him. Choose Him. And choose joy.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray that You would forgive me for the ways that I have separated myself from You and from the belief of obedience. I confess Father that I listen and don’t follow through or respond and agree to things without making any changes. But I pray lord God that You would just shape my life so my hope may produce Your kind of faithfulness. I pray that You would teach me to live today in Your light and in what You have promised me. Strengthen me to endure and trust You enough to obey.
Reflection Questions
Where do you find yourself falling short in how you are currently living with what you truly believe and know is right? Where or what are you wavering or putting above God? And how would your daily choices change everyday if you had felt that Christ’s return was near?
Action
Write down one area in your life where you aren’t being obedient. And write down and make one step of obedience today.
Scriptures to Read
James 1:22
Colossians 3:1-4
Wednesday, February 4 Building on the Rock, Not Assumption
Summary
The blessings of Jesus aren’t given to those who just hear His words, but to those who obey them. The book of revelation is meant to strengthen the faith of those who stand firm under pressure. Obedience doesn’t prevent storms, but it does determine whether we’ll remain standing after them. The differences between wisdom and foolishness is not knowledge, but practice. God’s Word is meant to be trusted with our lives. Obedience is how hope becomes visible. We cannot just admire the teachings of Jesus and sit back and act as though the rules do not apply to us, when they do. God doesn’t pick or choose favorites, we must learn to obey and follow just Him instead of what our foolish wants are.
Reflection Questions
Where have you been hearing God’s Word without actually apply it?
What recent trials or attacks have revealed the current foundation of your faith in Christ?
What would obedience look like, without any wavering?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me switch from just hearing to actually doing what it is you want me to do Lord God. Expose to me the places where my own comfortability has replaced my faithfulness. Strengthen my foundation to be bold in You and so that I may stand firm when any pressure or trails come my way. Teach me how to trust and obey you. Even if it costs my comfort, Lord God. Shape my future choices today and everyday. So it may be pleasing in Your will for me. I pray that You stay with me everyday Lord God, in Your name I pray, amen.
Action
Write down one teaching from Scripture you know but struggle to live out. Write one easy way you will begin applying it.
Scriptures to Read
Revelation 22:8-9
Matthew 7:24-27
Luke 11:28
Thursday, February 5 – Worshiping God and No One Else
Summary
When John is experiencing this encounter, his first thought was to worship, but his focus was on the wrong thing. The angel’s humility in response was clear and it corrected what John was doing. Do not worship me. Worship God. Even things that are good for us can slowly start to fight for our devotion and time. This chapter reminds us that worship is about our heart conditions, and not about what is all going on around us. Another step of obedience and hope only remains when Christ is the center of it all. Anything else eventually disappoints or turns into idols. What true worship is, is it realigns our lives and hearts around God and what He wants. Not just what we want.
Reflection Questions
What competes for your worship? even if it’s something small.
How do you recognize the difference between admiring something or someone and it from becoming an idol or abused form of devotion?
How does worship shape your daily obedience, not just during Sunday services.
Prayer
God, I confess that my heart is easily drawn towards the things of this world. Please Forgive me Father, for my misplaced devotion and divided attention towards You and Your word. Please Lord God, Recenter my worship on You alone and teach me how to live with a heart that honors You in a way that is in Your will and that Glorifies You the most. I pray Lord Jesus, that both my obedience and praise to You makes all of Your increase, and I decrease. May my life clearly reflect who I serve as a follower of Christ.
Action
Write down one thing that has been competing for your devotion. Surrender it to God in prayer today or write it down to Him.
Scriptures to Read
Exodus 20:3
John 4:23-24
Revelation 22:8
Friday, February 6 – Washed and Made Ready\
Summary
Revelation is honest and blunt about directions and consequences of sin and man. What we usually practice shapes who we become, washing our robes is not just about earning salvation that you already know you have, but living in response to His grace and loving kindness. Those who belong to Christ are called to His ongoing and everlasting holiness, and God’s promises of heaven reminds us followers of Christ how much true faithfulness does truly matter. The waiting and anticipation of Christ’s return is what pushes us closer and closer to sanctification everyday. And with His hope, it shows us how much more we must seek and pursue the call to holiness and fellowship with Christ that endures forever.
Reflection Questions
What current habits are shaping who you are becoming today?
Where is God calling you towards greater sanctification?
How does Christ’s coming impact your daily decision making?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray that You would seek my heart and expose what it is that does not reflect You and Your teachings Lord God. I pray that You would guard and protect my heart and that You would not allow me to drift into patterns that would harden my heart into bitterness towards You and Your people Lord Jesus. Thank You for the grace that cleanses and renews me everyday Jesus. But please help me live with a growing desire for righteousness as I wait for Your return. Strengthen me to choose what honors Your will and not mine.
Action
Write down one habit you need to change or surrender to Christ.
Now write down one thing specifically in prayer to God for His help and today make one step of change in obedience for Him.
Sciptures
Revelation 7:14
1 John 3:2-3
Saturday, February 7 – Come, Lord Jesus
Summary
This is an invitation and a longing. God invites the thirsty to drink freely while shaping His people to desire His coming. Waiting keeps faith alert and ongoing. And the preparation for worship is not passive but intentional. Every Sunday, the church body gathers together to worship and sit down and hear a conviction sermon of Christ’s teachings. We must come ready everyday for the presence and coming of Christ, and we must do that with intentionality and love. Obedience and hope together, prepares us to not only to hear, but to respond. Being ready in His word and presence, is what honors both Christ and His promises in heaven to us. The gift in Heaven to Ben in His peace and loving kindness. For eternity. The gift of gathering together as His people to worship Him. What could anyone else ever ask for?
Reflection Questions
Has your longing for Christ grown this week?
What distractions in your life dull your spiritual waiting for His coming?
How will you prepare your heart to gather with God’s people this upcoming Sunday?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, prepare my heart for worship and obedience this upcoming Sunday. Convict my heart, mind, and soul to long and desire Christ again. I pray Lord God that You would remove the distractions in my life that dull my attentiveness towards You and Your voice. Please help me come ready to hear, respond, and worship fully tomorrow morning Lord Jesus. And shape my life by hope in what is coming and faithfulness in what You have given me today. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Action Steps
Write down one way you will intentionally prepare your heart for this upcoming Sunday service.
Scriptures to Read
2 Timothy 4:8
Hebrews 10:24-25
Revelation 22:17
Sunday, February 8 – Gathering in Hope, Ready for His Coming
Summary
The last words in revelation is not to fear God’s people. The very last words written in the holy Bible weren’t made to scare readers, but to give us hope in Christ Jesus. The words of Jesus, when He spoke and said, “Surely I am coming soon,” and the church responded to Him saying “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” The reactions from those people wasn’t from passive and bitter waiting, but from those who truly worshiped and praised Jesus and waited for Him and His coming. Gathering in His church with God’s people is one of many ways us followers of Christ go to seek the kingdom and holy presence of God, and also to wait in patience for what is coming. When we worship Jesus, it reminds us of who truly God is, and what He has promised, within who we are also becoming in Christ alone. As we’re going to gather together this morning, our hearts are called to come ready, not just as people who are watchers but as active worshipers of Jesus. Hope filled worship and obedience is what brings the true joy and willingness to want to worship Him, and also Listen, and respond to Him and His people in His church.
Reflection Questions
How has reading this chapter throughout the week shaped or changed your heart condition?
Are you coming to worship today with joy and hope, or with other distractions?
What does it look like for you to say, “Come, Lord Jesus”
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I just pray as You gather Your people today Lord God, that You would prepare our hearts to worship You fully and with intention and love as well Lord Jesus. Because You deserve it. Guard my heart and mind Lord Jesus from any bad or evil distractions that may hinder me from seeking You and Your righteousness this day. Help me in listening to You and Your people more Lord Jesus with more humility and with the willingness to respond with obedience all the time. I pray Lord that You would renew my hope in what You have promised me and my faithfulness in how I live too Holy Father. May I worship You this day, and may it reflect my longing and desire for Your return and coming and my gratitude for Your grace as well Lord Jesus. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Action
After the service, write down one truth God revealed or put on your heart and one way you will respond to it this week next week.
Scriptures to Read
Psalms 122:1
Hebrews 12:28
