Daily Bread 2011 - Revelation 22

Revelation 22
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

What Does This Mean?

Congrats if you have been able to stick with reading through the whole New Testament this year. Even if you haven’t been able to read every day, I hope this Daily Bread helped you to be in God’s Word this year more than last year. Remember it is progress not perfection! Next year, I will be using he Moravian Daily Texts as a basis for the Daily Bread. You can sign up for the daily email at the link below, but I will still be providing some reflections on the readings each day as well. They will give an Old and New Testament reading for each day, plus a Psalm and Prayer and excerpts from a few old hymns that relate to the Daily Watchword as well. Check out the website to see the history of this tradition it is pretty cool

http://www.moravian.org/daily_texts/

As we finish the book of Revelation to the 7 Churches in Asia Minor, we see a glorious description of what heaven will look like in verses 1-5, where we see the Garden of Eden restored. It is great to reflect on what heaven will be like as we deal with the trials of living on the earth as we know it today. It gives us great hope of the glory that has been prepared for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

In these final verses above Jesus, himself warns us not to take away from the words of this prophecy. There is also an invitation that all who are thirsty would come and drink of the living waters that lead to eternal life. Finally, our New Testament closes with the words, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.” The Greek word for “Come Lord Jesus” is “Maranatha”. What a great prayer, “Come Lord Jesus”.

May that be the prayer on our lips and hearts this day as we finish off 2011, and look forward to 2012. My prayer is that I will continue to live in the grace our Lord Jesus Christ has given me and be ready for the day He will return. Importantly as we live out our faith we do it together in the community of faith. This community happens in our local churches, it happens via technology like this where we share a word of the Lord and share prayers even over the internet. It happens when people gather in their lunchroom to pray for someone in need, or on the football field after the game to give thanks to the Lord from whom every perfect gift comes from.

May God bless you this New Year and may God grant you the grace to persevere in your faith and grow in the knowledge of His Son in the power of the Holy Spirit more and more as the Day approaches.

If you would to continue to receive the Daily Bread in 2012 you don’t have to do anything, if you would like to discontinue I can take you off the mailing list no problem!

God bless you and yours in 2012 and beyond!

Pastor Mike

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