Continuing our seven-church (Revelation 2-3) reflection from yesterday, we move on to Sardis (3:1-6). Unlike the old soda add, image is not everything...God sees through reputations to reality, am I awake in my faith or asleep in the light? Like Smyrna, Philadelphia (3:7-13) has no criticism from Christ...so may my journey be blameless in Him...even when life does not favor me am I found faithful ...  Read More

The letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2-3) always become a call to reflection for me. Like Ephesus (2:1-7), am I being intolerant of evil without a loveless legalism, so at the same time am I loving God with all I am and my neighbor as myself? As in Smyrna (2:8-11), can I be like this church about which Christ only had commendation, for they were rich in everything that mattered to Him? Wi...  Read More

"Hear the word of the LORD, people of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth, no faithful love, and no knowledge of God in the land!" (Hosea 4:1, CSB)What ultimately matters to God is our relationship with Him. His judgment against Israel applies to the day in which we live. Reject truth and you reject God. So vital is truth that Jesus made this uneq...  Read More

Remember the gift of exhortation? Encouragement with a call to action that leads to change, growth...an embrace and a hand up. These are characteristic of Jude's last words in his brief letter (Jude 20-25): take responsibility to do your part in your own spiritual formation; pray always with the Holy Spirit's guidance; live in God's love - presence with God matters; look to Jesus and for Jesus - o...  Read More

Daniel's conversation at the end of the book reminds me of the disciples' conversation with Jesus before He ascends to heaven. Daniel in essence asks: "How will this end?" (Daniel 12:8), while the disciples ask: "When will you be back?" (Acts 1:6). They both basically get the same answer: "It's not for you to know...go about your [My] business" (Daniel 12:9; Acts 1:7). Once again, they are all tol...  Read More

"Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for your own sake, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name." (Daniel 9:19, CSB)Daniel's prayer of confession, repentance and petition (intercession) deserves indepth study (Daniel 9:4-19). It is a model of prayer that moves the heart of God to transform the heart of a nation and bring about restoration. It is the kind...  Read More