9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.
12 I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. 13 Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.
15 Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”
Terrie's Comments:
I think it is interesting that one of the seals is dedicated to those who are martyred for the name of Jesus and they are given white robes. How magnificent that would be to witness!
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Monday, July 31, 2017
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Day 13 - Revelation 6:1-8
1 As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.
3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.
5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”
7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” 8 I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
All I can say is that I am glad that this time will be short. It is not going to be a great time to be living on the earth.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.
5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”
7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” 8 I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
All I can say is that I am glad that this time will be short. It is not going to be a great time to be living on the earth.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Day 12 - Revelation 5:1-14
1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Terrie's Comments:
This is an incredible scene. It paints a mighty picture of everything that Jesus had accomplished when he was slaughtered and his blood had ransomed "people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Just go back and read through this passage again... so much was done and conquered and unlocked by Jesus when his life was laid down for us all.
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Terrie's Comments:
This is an incredible scene. It paints a mighty picture of everything that Jesus had accomplished when he was slaughtered and his blood had ransomed "people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Just go back and read through this passage again... so much was done and conquered and unlocked by Jesus when his life was laid down for us all.
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Friday, July 28, 2017
Day 11 - Revelation 4:1-11
1 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
John is now taken to heaven and shown what must happen in the future from the vantage point of heaven. How glorious that must have been for John! Oh to get just a glimpse of Heaven would be awesome. I believe that when we enter heaven we will actually understand how much was done on our behalf in order that we could have an intimate relationship with God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit! The amount of praise and honour that God is due is almost impossible for us to understand in our human minds.
In verse 11 it points out that God created all things that pleased him. He only created what he pleased! We are part of His creation and we are what pleases Him!!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
John is now taken to heaven and shown what must happen in the future from the vantage point of heaven. How glorious that must have been for John! Oh to get just a glimpse of Heaven would be awesome. I believe that when we enter heaven we will actually understand how much was done on our behalf in order that we could have an intimate relationship with God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit! The amount of praise and honour that God is due is almost impossible for us to understand in our human minds.
In verse 11 it points out that God created all things that pleased him. He only created what he pleased! We are part of His creation and we are what pleases Him!!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Day 10 - Revelation 3:14-22
14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Terrie's Comments:
I think it is interesting that in this letter Jesus reveals that he is the faithful and true witness. He is the beginning of God's new creation. In order to be faithful you need to have your eyes fixed in one direction. You cannot be faithful to your spouse and look around or flirt with others at the same time. That is not being truly faithful. We cannot be comfortable in the world and all that it has to offer and also have our eyes fixed on heaven... one will give and it will probably not be the world that looses our attention and focus. It is so important to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus only and remember that this world is temporary. OH SO TEMPORARY!! It is only a blink of our lives in light of our eternity in our heavenly home!
Tori's Comments:
Another reminder that we cannot stay still on our relationship with God! We are constantly either growing closer to Him or farther away from Him, there is no "time out".
I like how He pairs this with illusions of our own independence of Him in verse 17. I find that my own times of drifting from Him often come from a subtle belief that creeps in that I don't need God right now- so why pray? Why read His word? This is exactly the kind of thinking He tells us to guard against! We are "wretched and miserable and poor and naked" without Christ making us clean, giving us joy, promising us treasure in heaven and clothing us with His righteousness! We depend on Him for so much, so let us live a life of gratefulness and of seeking the Lord more and more everyday.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Terrie's Comments:
I think it is interesting that in this letter Jesus reveals that he is the faithful and true witness. He is the beginning of God's new creation. In order to be faithful you need to have your eyes fixed in one direction. You cannot be faithful to your spouse and look around or flirt with others at the same time. That is not being truly faithful. We cannot be comfortable in the world and all that it has to offer and also have our eyes fixed on heaven... one will give and it will probably not be the world that looses our attention and focus. It is so important to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus only and remember that this world is temporary. OH SO TEMPORARY!! It is only a blink of our lives in light of our eternity in our heavenly home!
Tori's Comments:
Another reminder that we cannot stay still on our relationship with God! We are constantly either growing closer to Him or farther away from Him, there is no "time out".
I like how He pairs this with illusions of our own independence of Him in verse 17. I find that my own times of drifting from Him often come from a subtle belief that creeps in that I don't need God right now- so why pray? Why read His word? This is exactly the kind of thinking He tells us to guard against! We are "wretched and miserable and poor and naked" without Christ making us clean, giving us joy, promising us treasure in heaven and clothing us with His righteousness! We depend on Him for so much, so let us live a life of gratefulness and of seeking the Lord more and more everyday.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Day 9 - Revelation 3:1-13
1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars:
“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.
6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.
This is the message from the one who is holy and true,
the one who has the key of David.
What he opens, no one can close;
and what he closes, no one can open:
8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.
10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.
13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Tori's Comments:
Sardis reminds me very much of the hypocrisy in my own life at times... pretending to be on fire for God even when I am not. But God wants a relationship, one that is quite real and constant. He wants faithfulness. He wants all that I am, what I gave Him when I first decided to follow Him.
To hear verse 8 from God! It is definitely an encouragement to persevere even when it seems impossible. It also reminds that our God is a God who sees! When He calls us to action, He also knows how hard it will be. He sees our struggles, and we know we can talk to Him about them!
Terrie's Comments:
Persevere! Hold true to Jesus Christ who is the only way to God. Do not deny Jesus Christ and value His word.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.
6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.
This is the message from the one who is holy and true,
the one who has the key of David.
What he opens, no one can close;
and what he closes, no one can open:
8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.
10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.
13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Tori's Comments:
Sardis reminds me very much of the hypocrisy in my own life at times... pretending to be on fire for God even when I am not. But God wants a relationship, one that is quite real and constant. He wants faithfulness. He wants all that I am, what I gave Him when I first decided to follow Him.
To hear verse 8 from God! It is definitely an encouragement to persevere even when it seems impossible. It also reminds that our God is a God who sees! When He calls us to action, He also knows how hard it will be. He sees our struggles, and we know we can talk to Him about them!
Terrie's Comments:
Persevere! Hold true to Jesus Christ who is the only way to God. Do not deny Jesus Christ and value His word.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Day 8 - Revelation 2:18-29
18 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:
19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.
22 “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.
24 “But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,
To them I will give authority over all the nations.
27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.
28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!
29 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Terrie's Comments:
I think it is so cool how Jesus reveals more and more about who He is to us in the beginning of each of these letters. He goes on to say that he has seen everything. He has seen the depths of their relationship with God and their love for Jesus. He is calling them to leave behind false idols and focus on Jesus until the end. Again it is all about relationship with Jesus.
Tori's Comments:
"constant improvement" (Verse 19) I think it's important to note that God does not expect us to stay as we are but to be refined by Him into an image more and more like His Son, which comes from spending time with Him and following Christ's example.
Just like we read in Acts about Ananias and Saphirra (I believe that was their names...?) , we have to remember the holiness of God and how much He detests our sin, and how much we should as well. It reminds me of a quote by Spurgeon, that said, “Look to the cross, and hate your sin. For sin nailed your well beloved to the tree.”
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.
22 “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.
24 “But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,
To them I will give authority over all the nations.
27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.
28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!
29 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Terrie's Comments:
I think it is so cool how Jesus reveals more and more about who He is to us in the beginning of each of these letters. He goes on to say that he has seen everything. He has seen the depths of their relationship with God and their love for Jesus. He is calling them to leave behind false idols and focus on Jesus until the end. Again it is all about relationship with Jesus.
Tori's Comments:
"constant improvement" (Verse 19) I think it's important to note that God does not expect us to stay as we are but to be refined by Him into an image more and more like His Son, which comes from spending time with Him and following Christ's example.
Just like we read in Acts about Ananias and Saphirra (I believe that was their names...?) , we have to remember the holiness of God and how much He detests our sin, and how much we should as well. It reminds me of a quote by Spurgeon, that said, “Look to the cross, and hate your sin. For sin nailed your well beloved to the tree.”
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Monday, July 24, 2017
Day 7 - Revelation 2:12-17
12 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:
13 “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.
14 “But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. 15 In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. 16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.
Tori's Comments:
This tells me just how much God values our faithfulness to Him!
I notice that verse 17 is a repeat of something said yesterday. Just another reminder of the significance of listening to the Spirit as a teacher and instructor.
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus wants a pure and faithful relationship with his bride, the church, He doesn't want us to worship any other God but Him. Worship God and God alone. Again it is all about relationship here!
I LOVE that he will be giving me a new name that no one will understand except me and the Lord! I can only imagine that it will be rich with meaning connected to our relationship that has developed.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
13 “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.
14 “But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. 15 In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. 16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.
Tori's Comments:
This tells me just how much God values our faithfulness to Him!
I notice that verse 17 is a repeat of something said yesterday. Just another reminder of the significance of listening to the Spirit as a teacher and instructor.
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus wants a pure and faithful relationship with his bride, the church, He doesn't want us to worship any other God but Him. Worship God and God alone. Again it is all about relationship here!
I LOVE that he will be giving me a new name that no one will understand except me and the Lord! I can only imagine that it will be rich with meaning connected to our relationship that has developed.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Day 6 - Revelation 2:1-11
2 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.
7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
8 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive:
9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
11 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.
Terrie's Comments:
These letters are from Jesus. I love that Jesus is calling the church in Ephesus to return to their first love. It has always been about relationship. Jesus came so that our relationship would be unhindered with God our father! Yes it really is that simple. When we suffer at the hand of Satan's work we can be assured that the worst that will happen is death but we will be given the crown of life and live forever! To someone who follows Jesus there is no fear in death. It is not the end it is only the beginning of our lives eternally in heaven!
Tori's Comments:
I love how these messages are not full of condemnation for fault as much as it is of encouragement and corrections. He is wanting to purify these churches, and encouraging them to continue on to the prize!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.
7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
8 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive:
9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
11 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.
Terrie's Comments:
These letters are from Jesus. I love that Jesus is calling the church in Ephesus to return to their first love. It has always been about relationship. Jesus came so that our relationship would be unhindered with God our father! Yes it really is that simple. When we suffer at the hand of Satan's work we can be assured that the worst that will happen is death but we will be given the crown of life and live forever! To someone who follows Jesus there is no fear in death. It is not the end it is only the beginning of our lives eternally in heaven!
Tori's Comments:
I love how these messages are not full of condemnation for fault as much as it is of encouragement and corrections. He is wanting to purify these churches, and encouraging them to continue on to the prize!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Day 5 - Revelation 1:9-20
9 I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. 10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit.Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. 11 It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen. 20 This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Tori's Comments:
What a firm reminder of the holiness of Christ I see in this picture! I remember how baffled I used to be at the necessity of a "fear of the Lord", and how that works together with loving Him? How can you love and fear?
But just reading verses 12-16, I feel that fear, that awe and reverence for who He is, and my response has me wanting to go onto my own knees! He is so mighty and Godly and we are so unholy in our sinfulness.... and that is where love comes in. Jesus, in His might, chose to die on a cross at our hands. And how can our life not reflect our gratefulness at the realization?
And something I am recently well acquainted with is how easy it is to slip out of that gratefulness, and realizing my mistake, over and over I come back to Him on my knees in repentance and He grants me more mercy. It amazes me!
Terrie's Comments:
There are many theories out and many opinions about what the book of Revelation means. I will write what I see. It could be that as with other parts of scripture there are layers to what is to be taken from this portion of the scriptures. If you do not agree with what is said here I am ok with you seeing something different as the Holy Spirit leads you into understanding.
John was exiled to an island because of preaching the truth about Jesus Christ. He was asked by Jesus to write down what he was instructed to the churches in Ephesus. He was given a vision and he was given the meaning of some of what he saw.
In this passage he is shown Jesus and 7 lamp stands (representing the 7 churches that he was instructed to write to) and 7 stars (representing the 7 angels of the seven churches.
This passage also reveals that Revelation reveals things that were happening at the time and things that would happen in the future.
Jesus also reveals more about himself "“Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave."
If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you will be saved!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen. 20 This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Tori's Comments:
What a firm reminder of the holiness of Christ I see in this picture! I remember how baffled I used to be at the necessity of a "fear of the Lord", and how that works together with loving Him? How can you love and fear?
But just reading verses 12-16, I feel that fear, that awe and reverence for who He is, and my response has me wanting to go onto my own knees! He is so mighty and Godly and we are so unholy in our sinfulness.... and that is where love comes in. Jesus, in His might, chose to die on a cross at our hands. And how can our life not reflect our gratefulness at the realization?
And something I am recently well acquainted with is how easy it is to slip out of that gratefulness, and realizing my mistake, over and over I come back to Him on my knees in repentance and He grants me more mercy. It amazes me!
Terrie's Comments:
There are many theories out and many opinions about what the book of Revelation means. I will write what I see. It could be that as with other parts of scripture there are layers to what is to be taken from this portion of the scriptures. If you do not agree with what is said here I am ok with you seeing something different as the Holy Spirit leads you into understanding.
John was exiled to an island because of preaching the truth about Jesus Christ. He was asked by Jesus to write down what he was instructed to the churches in Ephesus. He was given a vision and he was given the meaning of some of what he saw.
In this passage he is shown Jesus and 7 lamp stands (representing the 7 churches that he was instructed to write to) and 7 stars (representing the 7 angels of the seven churches.
This passage also reveals that Revelation reveals things that were happening at the time and things that would happen in the future.
Jesus also reveals more about himself "“Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave."
If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you will be saved!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Friday, July 21, 2017
Day 4 - Revelation 1:1-8
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it,because the time is near.4 John,To the seven churches in the province of Asia:Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him,even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”So shall it be! Amen.8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Terrie's Comments:This passage is rich with words that reveal more about who Jesus is as revealed by Jesus Himself through John. Jesus is and was and is to come. Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth! He loves us and HAS FREED us from our sins by his blood (past tense)... IT IS ALREADY DONE... WE ARE FREE!! He has made us to be a kingdom. And He made us to be priests to serve his God and Father. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is and was and is to come... the Almighty! That is a lot to grasp onto right there. Do we know who we serve? Do we realize what has been provided for us and what has been planned for us in the future? It is amazing! Jesus is incredible!
Tori's Comments:
Already this book has started with a firm reminder of just who God is... and how holy and mighty and powerful He is!!!!!! He was, He is, and is to come, and is the Alpha and the Omega!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him,even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”So shall it be! Amen.8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Terrie's Comments:This passage is rich with words that reveal more about who Jesus is as revealed by Jesus Himself through John. Jesus is and was and is to come. Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth! He loves us and HAS FREED us from our sins by his blood (past tense)... IT IS ALREADY DONE... WE ARE FREE!! He has made us to be a kingdom. And He made us to be priests to serve his God and Father. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is and was and is to come... the Almighty! That is a lot to grasp onto right there. Do we know who we serve? Do we realize what has been provided for us and what has been planned for us in the future? It is amazing! Jesus is incredible!
Tori's Comments:
Already this book has started with a firm reminder of just who God is... and how holy and mighty and powerful He is!!!!!! He was, He is, and is to come, and is the Alpha and the Omega!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Day 3 - Jude 1:17-25
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire;to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Tori's Comments:
"keep yourselves in God's love" interesting phrasing! Also a reminder that a relationship is two-sided, and that we should constantly be seeking to mature in the faith and grow closer to God.
"be merciful to those who doubt" Even in this God is loving and calls us to coat our actions in love! This whole paragraph reminds me that our brothers and sisters shouldn't be treated as a lost cause when they stumble.... they are family, and we should encourage them like Christ has been patient and loving to us.
Terrie's Comments:
When we are led by the Holy Spirit we will want to do things that promote unity in the Body of Jesus Christ. We will be led by the Spirit and pray in the Holy Spirit. We are to guard ourselves to be sure we keep our only hope fixed on Jesus Christ. BUT there is good news... Jesus is able to keep us from stumbling. He is able to present us before our glorious God without fault and WITH GREAT JOY. He is the only God, Our savior... He gets all glory, all majesty, all power and ALL AUTHORITY through Jesus Christ our Lord before all time, NOW and FOREVERMORE!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Day 2 - Jude 1:11-16
11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
Terrie's Comments:
We are saved by believing in Jesus Christ alone. It is by grace we have been saved through faith, not of works so no man can boast. We on our own are going to be judged and condemned... but there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who do not follow their flesh but follow the Holy Spirit's leading in their lives.
Tori's Comments:
We should be careful about those who we let speak into our lives, ensuring that they themselves are standing on the truth!
This condemnation of selfishness has me so thankful for what Christ has done on the cross for us!
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Day 1 - Jude 1:1-10
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you.They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.
Terrie's Comments:
Contend for the faith! It is totally worth it all. Don't forget that Jesus Christ is our only way to eternal life! The grace that was provided through Jesus Christ at the time of his death and resurrection is only available with Jesus Christ. It is a package deal. You cannot separate what Jesus did from Grace... they go together. We have unmerited favour with God because of what Jesus did at Calvary. Do we sometimes want the benefits and blessings that are provided to us through Jesus Christ but forget then forget why we have access to them in the first place?
Tori's Comments:
Wow, lots of interesting stuff in here. My main takeaway is to be faithful and stand on the truth! The battle is already won, we just need to remember that :)
Wow, lots of interesting stuff in here. My main takeaway is to be faithful and stand on the truth! The battle is already won, we just need to remember that :)
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Monday, July 17, 2017
Day 104 - John 21:20-25
20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.
25 Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
Terrie's Comments:
I am so glad John clears up the rumor about what Jesus had said about him.
In verse 24 John reveals himself as the disciple that he has been referring to as "the one who Jesus loved". I find it interesting that John still is writing as a third person even after he has stated that he is the one writing this book.
I think that it is going to be awesome to be in the presence of Jesus and be able to hear ALL of the stories about his life here on earth. John says that the world could not contain all that Jesus did. But heaven can :-)
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.
25 Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
Terrie's Comments:
I am so glad John clears up the rumor about what Jesus had said about him.
In verse 24 John reveals himself as the disciple that he has been referring to as "the one who Jesus loved". I find it interesting that John still is writing as a third person even after he has stated that he is the one writing this book.
I think that it is going to be awesome to be in the presence of Jesus and be able to hear ALL of the stories about his life here on earth. John says that the world could not contain all that Jesus did. But heaven can :-)
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Day 103 - John 21:15-19
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
There is always a cost to following Jesus. The cost is always worth it!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
There is always a cost to following Jesus. The cost is always worth it!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Day 102 - John 21:1-14
1 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”
“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.
4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”
“No,” they replied.
6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.
12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
Terrie's Comments:
Even though the disciples didn't catch any fish all night Jesus had fish and had made bread for their breakfast. He was serving them and their needs. I also find it interesting that when Peter realized it was Jesus that he put his tunic on and then went swimming.
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”
“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.
4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”
“No,” they replied.
6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.
12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
Terrie's Comments:
Even though the disciples didn't catch any fish all night Jesus had fish and had made bread for their breakfast. He was serving them and their needs. I also find it interesting that when Peter realized it was Jesus that he put his tunic on and then went swimming.
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Friday, July 14, 2017
Day 101 - John 20:24-31
24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus entered the room again without using the door. He knew what Thomas was thinking and answered His concerns and questions.
Verses 30 and 31 tell the purpose that John wrote this book... so that we would continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him we will have life by the power of his name!! AMEN
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus entered the room again without using the door. He knew what Thomas was thinking and answered His concerns and questions.
Verses 30 and 31 tell the purpose that John wrote this book... so that we would continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him we will have life by the power of his name!! AMEN
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Day 100 - John 20:11-23
11 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
16 “Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.
19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Terrie's Comments:
The disciples were meeting behind locked doors because of fear of the Jewish leaders (who had just killed their leader). All of a sudden they find Jesus standing there among them!! I can only guess how exciting they must have been. To have their spirits refreshed and to know that death had been conquered! what an exciting day! I also think that it is cool that Jesus walked through walls or teleported into the room!
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
16 “Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.
19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Terrie's Comments:
The disciples were meeting behind locked doors because of fear of the Jewish leaders (who had just killed their leader). All of a sudden they find Jesus standing there among them!! I can only guess how exciting they must have been. To have their spirits refreshed and to know that death had been conquered! what an exciting day! I also think that it is cool that Jesus walked through walls or teleported into the room!
Tori's Comments:
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Day 99 - John 20:1-10
1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
So Mary, Peter (who had denied Jesus), and John (whom Jesus loved) were the first to know that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Did Mary arrive expecting to find an empty tomb since that is what Jesus had predicted? Or was she going there to mourn? Was there a part of her that had hope that morning? I wonder...
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.
Tori's Comments:
Terrie's Comments:
So Mary, Peter (who had denied Jesus), and John (whom Jesus loved) were the first to know that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Did Mary arrive expecting to find an empty tomb since that is what Jesus had predicted? Or was she going there to mourn? Was there a part of her that had hope that morning? I wonder...
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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