4/14 – 4/20

Last week this devotional guided us to begin reading and studying the final book of The Bible,

The Revelation to John. If you watched the Bible Project videos you were informed that this book of The Bible does not provide a secret predictive code about the end of the world, but it does use meaningful images from the Old Testament within the apocalyptic portions of it. In Revelation a first century Christian prophet named John, who was probably not one of the twelve apostles of Christ, shared symbolic God-given visions about heaven, earth, the church, the Roman Empire, Jesus’ return, and the redemption of the world, that was given to him while worshiping on the island of Patmos where he was imprisoned for his testimony about Jesus and the gospel of Christ (Revelation 1:9-11). Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the Lord guided John to “write in a book what” he saw, “and send it to…seven churches” in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:11 NRSV). At the beginning of John’s letter to the churches he explained that God gave him a “revelation {unveiling}…to show Jesus’ servants what must soon take place” (Revelation 1:1 NRSV). The letters within the book were addressed to Christians during a season of suffering and persecution, with a desire to motivate the hearers and readers of it to be faithful and continue worshiping Jesus Christ during greater hardships that were soon to come. Although portions of the book do not sound or seem hopeful, it ends with the Lord “making all things new,” including “a new heaven and a new earth” where he will dwell with us like he intended from the time of the Garden of Eden (Revelation 21:5, 21:1 NRSV). Although it was written to churches of the first century, parts of John’s message within the book apply to us as well. When we face hardships or persecution, will we remain faithful as disciples of Christ and continue worshiping the Lord, or compromise?

 

As we read and study more of the book of Revelation this week, expect the Lord to unveil his message to you as we “worship the one who lives forever and ever” (Revelation 4:10 NRSV). The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

– Read the Psalm

– Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord

– Read The Bible verses for the day

– Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses

– Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn

– Pray

– Live in response to Jesus

 

DAILY PSALM:

READ PSALM 99 to begin your time set apart to be with, encounter, and worship the living God.

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with God after reading the verses. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday – John 15:9-11 (Jesus’ message to receive & remain in his love)

Monday – Revelation 2:18-29

Tuesday – Revelation 3:1-6

Wednesday – Revelation 3:7-13

Thursday – Revelation 3:14-22

Friday – Revelation 4 (John makes connections to the following Old Testament verses in Rev. 4: Daniel 2:28-29; Genesis 9:13; Ezekiel 1:27-28; Exodus 19:16-19; Psalm 18:6-16; Isaiah 29:6; Psalm 104; Isaiah 6:3)

Saturday – Psalm 46:10, 37:7; Leviticus 23:3 (The Sabbath theme for today is “STOP & REST.”)

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

If you did not watch them last week, you are invited to watch the How to Read the Bible: Apocalyptic Literature video and the Book of Revelation Summary Part 1 video using the links provided below:

How to Read the Bible: Apocalyptic Literature by The Bible Project

 

Book of Revelation Summary (Part 1) by The Bible Project

 

DAILY QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message to you. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

What is the biblical author saying in these verses? (Read the study notes if you are using a Study Bible.)

 

What do the verses reveal about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?

 

What do these verses reveal about people who are part of Jesus’ Church, as well as those who are not?

 

What is God’s message for me from what I read?

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day to stop and rest this weekend?

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a worship song or hymn to help you respond to God. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some, or all, of the days because of what the Bible verses bring to mind.

 

PRAY:

You are encouraged to let the Bible verses you read guide your prayer. You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as well:

 

Sunday – Pray to receive the love Jesus is offering you. Pray for the people of Christ’s Church throughout the world, including Catholics, Orthodox believers, and other Protestants. The “other Protestants” includes the new church starting in Avon that is meeting in the AUMC building on Sunday mornings, Livingstone Anglican Church.

 

Monday – Pray for those who are closest to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

 

Tuesday – Lift up leaders and those who point others towards God.

 

Wednesday – Lift up the worries and concerns you have for yourself and others, including those in need around the world, in our country, and throughout greater Hendricks County.

 

Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive. You may find it helpful to write them in a journal or somewhere you can read through the list again later.

 

Friday – Confess your sins and failures, and ask for forgiveness as you forgive those who have sinned against you.

 

Saturday – Pray a prayer you have memorized or let the words of the psalmists guide you using Psalm 99, 46, and/or 37.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.