Prayers of the saints reach God

Revelation 8:4: “And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.”

I and hope you often go with our prayers seemingly unanswered. We do not understand what happens in the spiritual world and so it is very difficult to say whether they were or not really answered. We cannot judge by what we see, because a lot more happens in the realm of the unseen than on the visible one. If you do not give up and continue believing your prayers (one day) ascend before God and the answer finally comes. Just do not give in and continue believing. 

God will wipe your tears

Revelation 7:17: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

A Christian walking through this life may experience a lot of troubles. Some suffer more, some less. There are a lot of things that the Lord has redeemed us from and we do not suffer from. However, we live in a sinful world and some kind of suffering is inevitable. Knowing that we should not get discouraged, but always remember that one day God will wipe all of your tears. Glory to the Lamb! 

Wrath of the Lamb

Revelation 6:16-17: “They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb  For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

It is wise to repent till you still have time. His mercy is there as long as you are alive. However, when you go on a journey of no return, everything changes. You will have to face his judgment. Receive his mercy now. Then, you will not have to cry with the gentiles about the wrath of the Lamb for you have passed from judgment into eternal life. 

Kingdom and priests of God

Revelation 5:10: “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

New Testament has a complete different structure of priesthood and understanding of the kingdom of God. In the Old Testament only one tribe of Israel could be priests. In the New Covenant every believer is a rightful priest. In the Old Covenant only Israel was considered to be the rightful nation (kingdom) of God. In the New Covenant your belonging or not belonging to the kingdom of God does not depend on your nationality, but on you being or not being born again. Everyone who has been born again is a priest unto God and is part of the kingdom of God. 

Worthy is the Lord

Revelation 4:11: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

People sometimes ask why they should give glory to God. It is strange. The very same people enjoy being praised for the good that they do, yet they are not willing to give praise to the source of all good things. You would not exist if it wasn’t for the Lord. He had you on His mind before your father and mother did anything along the lines. Do not forget that. And give him all glory. 

Self deception

Revelation 3:17-18: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”

I hope you see how deceived we can get. We can actually have a completely opposite opinion about ourselves than the Lord has. It is wise to always be humble and pray that the Lord would clothe us spiritually, open our eyes to let us see and give us spiritual riches. Then we have much better chances of not being deceived.  

Jesus opens doors

Revelation 3:7: “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”

What if you are standing at the door of opportunity and it is closed? Who can open it? Can you do it yourself? Even if you can, will you be able to keep it open? I bet not. Why not let God do that for you? If he opens the door nobody will ever be able to close it. Just trust him.

Known alive but dead in reality

Revelation 3:1: “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”

We might consider ourselves to be very spiritual and good people, but God sees our hearts. Nothing is hidden from His eyes. Our real spiritual state might be very different from what we think about ourselves. Do not be proud, but humble yourself before him, because yourself perception can be absolutely wrong and this can get you into real trouble. Humility will help you to get into spiritual shape. It will also help you to see from God perspective. This will eventually revive you and help you to move from spiritual death into spiritual life. 

Time for repentance

Revelation 2:21: “I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.”

God is merciful and just. He showed his mercy by sending us Jesus who died for our sins. He is also just and if we do not repent of our sins and reconcile with Him His judgment might come any time. Do not waste his time that has been given to you for repentance. Turn away from your sins and embrace his salvation. Be willing to listen to His warning. Better be sorry now than for the rest of eternity. Thanks God we have time for repentance. 

The first and the last

Revelation 2:8: “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.”

When the First and the Last speaks to you, you’d better listen. It is such a great privilege that He pays attention to you and wants to deliver some message to you. Even if it is a warning you are very blessed that He takes time to speak to you and guide you. He might ignore you, but He does not. He has a final word about our lives. I am glad about it. 

Everything is written in his book

Psalm 139:16: “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

139 Psalm is probably the most profound, inspiring, encouraging and comforting passages in the Word of God. It talks about omniscient God, who knows everything before anybody does that. He has a plan for us. His perfect will for you was written in his book before creation of the world. It is for you to choose now the plan or go your own ways and face permitting will of God. Choose his perfect will. It is so much better. For you in the first place!

Whoever has ears let them hear

Revelation 2:7: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Sounds contradicting? Everybody has years. So why say such an ambiguous statement? God is talking about our spiritual ears and the place of our focus here. We do not hear the voice of God for a number of reasons. One is that we do not direct our attention towards his words. How can we hear? No chance! That’s why it says that whoever has ears. You have ears, but do you use them to hear what your God tells you? Think about it. 

First love left

Revelation 2:4: “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

This was the message given to the angel of Ephesus. Everything seemed right with the church there. One thing was not. The first love was not there anymore. Christianity is not about rules. It is about relationships. If you forget that what you have left on your hands is another lifeless religion that takes more from you than it gives. Christianity is not like that. God has given us so much more than we can give him. And He did it, because He loved us. He expects the same attitude from us. He does not want slaves. 

The keys of death and Hades

Revelation 1:18: “I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Jesus was the first one who resurrected from the dead and never died again. He conquered death and now legally has the keys of death and hell. One day all who believe in Him will attain this victory too. What a joy! You will have a new body and hell will have no right to claim you. You belong to the living God and his son the Redeemer Jesus Christ. Give thanks to him forever. He is so good!

Alpha and Omega

Revelation 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

You were born because God wished so. Yes, your mother and father did their job. However, you were on the mind of God before your parents even met each other. He had a plan for you before creating this world. And the plan was and is good. I am so happy about it and so should you. Nobody cares so much for you and me as the Almighty does. He knows you and He loves you. Do not fight him. Answer to his love and be blessed. 

Let the thirsty come

Revelation 22:17: “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.”

Are you thirsty for the word of God, for His Spirit, for righteousness and everything He has prepared for you? If you are, then go to Him and He will fill you. Do not be apathetic. Apathy leaves you empty handed. Spiritual hunger and thirst are necessary conditions to get anything from the Lord. You do not have to buy anything from God. He has everything for free. His price is your hunger, attention and commitment. So, are you thirsty?

Christ will give you rest

Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

We get tired and weary from our sins, trials, problems, failures, bad circumstances and sometimes even life. Who can help us? Christ is the only one who can give us rest. Are there any conditions for that? Yes, the next two verses tell us that we must take upon ourselves his yoke upon us and learn from him. Then our souls will find rest. His yoke is tender and his burden is mild. Nothing like the yoke and burden of the world! Let us take His yoke and find the long searched rest. 

Forgives all sins heals all diseases

Psalm 103:3: “…who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases…”

These are the benefits of redemption. Everybody has sinned and most people suffer from some kind of diseases. The Lord is merciful and gracious. He forgives all of our sins and also heals all of our diseases. Not some of our sins and some of our diseases! No, He forgives all and heals all. That should be the best message that you got today. Meditate on that. God is good. 

Put on full armor of God

Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Evil days come from time to time. What does that mean? It means that everyone has bad days when he/she is sort of under attack by temptations, is tested by adverse circumstances or simply everything slips out of hand. How should you behave when such days come? You should use all the armors that the Lord has given you. Take them out and fight the good fight. You shall win!

His word gives light

Psalm 119:130: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

Do you read His word every day? If not why? Do you have enough wisdom and light for your life? If you think you do you are walking your ways and not thinking about his will at all. These paths will lead you to dead end and you will regret that. Why not turn around now? Better now (late) than never. God loves you and He wants to do you good. Read His word and open your heart for his light and wisdom. Start today. 

Good work will be finished

Philippians 1:6“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

We often contemplate how much of what God has called us to we need to do by our own efforts and how much is God’s grace involved. I cannot answer the question for sure, but we can be convinced about one thing, that He always starts any good work there could be and we join in to what He has already started. That is good. Another good thing is that He always finishes what He has started. We just should not hinder him. Praise God. 

By whom He made the worlds

Hebrews 1:2: “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

What do you think of Jesus? Who is He for you? A teacher? A prophet? A liar? The word of God clearly states that He took part creating the worlds with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is almighty God. He is the Creator that made the heavens and the earth. And He so loved a fallen human being that He came to the world and died on the cross for you and me. Worship Him and be grateful for what He has done for you. 

Lord knows you

Psalm 139:1: “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”

We sometimes think that nobody knows us. We have a lot of secrets, dark things in life and we try to hide them from the eyes of others. For one thing it is nobody’s business how you live. For another, there is somebody who knows everything and you will never hide anything from the person. Who is that person? God! He sees you through and knows everything that you went through in your past, things you are experiencing now and things you will undergo in the future. So, do not hide anything from him. The best thing about it is that He loves you. Relax!

Temples of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…”

New Covenant witnesses an unbelievable miracle taking place inside those who accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Holy Spirit comes to live inside and they become a temple of Almighty God. There is no more physical sanctuary built of bricks or stones. That was destroyed hundreds of years ago. God made a new plan. He lives in humans now by means of his Spirit. What a privilege! Value it. Thank God for that.