05 Sep 2025
The benefits of walking with the Lord or being in His presence are the things wellness experts and health professionals are telling us to pursue in order to enjoy a long life. Let us always desire to be in His presence. Psalm 16:8 & 11; Psalm 32:7-8.
No Longer Any Sea
The glorious future when the sea is no more! The images in today’s post are tough to see.* [See Note] Viewing them is tough because they are too true to our world right now. They are bitter reminders of the religious hatred, political instability, and the personal viciousness that lie in the hearts of fallen humanity. We live in the world with “the hurt” and it is a force we cannot manage. Our world is in bondage to decay, and it cries out for liberation (Romans 8:18-25). In the worst of times, the problems of our world’s brokenness overwhelm us. They not only overwhelm us individually, but they can overwhelm us as nations and as a world-wide community. Our impotence in dealing with this current hurt is a reminder that we can be overwhelmed at every human level with “the hurt” at almost any time! We don’t need theology to tell us something’s broken with our world. We see the results of this brokenness all around us. The picture of tiny Aidan, an innocent child, caught up in the rip tides of politics, economics, religion, hatred, ethnicity, and race, reminds us powerfully of the brokenness of our world. His lifeless body pushes us to see “the hurt” in human terms We know that “the hurt” is real. I know it personally. I was not allowed the immunity of childhood to protect me from “the hurt.” Daddy Gordon, my grandfather on my mother’s side, died without warning when I was 5. We had been fishing in the Gulf of Mexico the day before. The next night he was gone. I had to face “the hurt” with no tools through the emotional mist of a kid’s confusion. Gary, a friend with whom I had tried to share Jesus in ninth grade, was killed riding on a motorcycle going to buy drugs. The guy driving the motorcycle was supposed to be a Christian. I had to face “the hurt” again when I was 15, still in the angst of being a teenager. My father, Daddy Al, died when I was 25 after a lengthy illness. Once again, now in the earliest stages of marriage and fatherhood, I had to face “the hurt.” Only this time, I was more fully aware of the finality and all that is lost to “the hurt” even when that loss is framed by faith. The first three decades of my life were marked by life-shattering losses to “the hurt.” However, compared to what many in our world face, I lived a blessed life! The brokenness of our world – dealing with the overwhelming nature of “the hurt” – is our inescapable reality as mere mortals. We must have an answer for life’s biggest inescapable, “the hurt,” or all of our other answers pale in significance. When the surging waves of our mortality overwhelm us, we have to have an answer for “the hurt” or the surging seas will swallow us in death and the winds of hell will rip apart all that we hold dear. But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! I love that phrase from the apostle Paul (Romans 7:25). Only now it is my exclamation of anticipated joy as I look at our passage today from Jesus’ Revelation to John (Revelation 22:1). Notice what is said at the end of the first verse: …and there was no longer any sea! How is that good news? Why is this reason to rejoice? I love the sea. There is some primal connection with me to waters of our creation. Why is this good? In the book of Revelation and much of the Bible, the sea is the source of the monsters of hell (Revelation 13:1). In the Old Testament, the sea was symbolic of the monsters of chaos we cannot control: our primal fear of weather, oceans, fire, winds, and all the disasters of our fallen world (Isaiah 27:1-5). The time is coming when all the chaos and monsters from hell and all that sea symbolize are gone! But what does that mean for you and me? Jesus’ promise to us through John means that “the hurt” will be ended! John describes it in these ways. There will be a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 22:1). We will have connection with the best of God’s original creative intention, but we will now be able to enjoy it in perfection, forever. The apostle Paul illustrated this contrast by telling us that in this life we see the seed of God’s life for us, but then we will enjoy it in full bloom (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). Jesus’ promise to us through John means that God’s people will become the Son’s bride-the Church in all its imperfections, now perfected and beautified in the presence of her Savior (Revelation 22:2). All that is good and joyous and eternal about heaven’s hope will become present with God’s people as they participate in the greatest wedding celebration of all time. Jesus’ promise to us through John means that there will be no longer any separation between us and the Father (Revelation 21:3). The Father will be present with us face to face. We will be like and will be able to see him as he is (1 John 3:1-3). Jesus’ promise to us through John means God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. One of God’s first acts is to acknowledge our pain and then remove it forever (Revelation 21:4): Death is gone – so no mourning Pain is gone – so no more crying and hurting. Evil is gone. So what we can’t control, the impact of evil people and a broken world – Gone. These are gone… but not just gone, banished… not just banished, but completely removed with even the residue and reminders of them taken from us and absorbed in the grace, glory, and holiness of God’s presence with us. All things will be made new by their Creator (Revelation 1:5).
Today’s Verse – Psalm 92:4
For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. —Psalm 92:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Gaze into the heavens on a dark night away from the lights of the city. Then gaze at the innumerable wonders and starry hosts in the vastness of God’s cosmos. Think of the incredible diversity of Earth’s wonders. Look at your own life and see the fingerprints of God’s work in your own experience (Romans 8:28). As Jesus said, our Father is working still (John 5:17). To this very day, your Father is at work in you, our world, and his people. Yes, it does make us glad to know that we are not alone in working our own lives (Psalm 139:1-24; Philippians 2:13). There is a deep-seated joy in trusting that the LORD, Creator of the universe, is at work in us and for us. No wonder singing praise is such a natural response for many of us! My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you for your power and glory revealed in the majesty of your creation. I thank you for your work in transforming and recreating me, as well. Please, dear Father, continue your transforming work in me through the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Fashion me into a useful life of praise that brings you glory. In Jesus’ name, “I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
04 Sep 2025
Surrounding ourselves with like-minded people cannot be overstated. It encourages one to remain true to godly values. It strengthens our resolve to do what pleases God. His presence then enables us to have positive impact on those we interact with. 2 Timothy 2:22-26.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. —Psalm 23:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… A sheep is only as good as its shepherd. We are incredibly blessed because God is our Shepherd. Our God shepherded his people through the times of the Old Testament. Jesus came and he cared for people because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34). Then, as LORD and Messiah, he identified himself as the good Shepherd of Psalm 23:1-6, and promised even more attentive care as our Shepherd (John 10:11, 14-16). With even deeper emotion and promise, we can say as disciples of Jesus, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” My Prayer… O good Shepherd, please carry me like a lamb. Let me tenderly rest in your arms and close to your heart. My life, my future, and my strength depend upon you being my Shepherd. I rely upon you, as my Shepherd, for your correction, leading, and care. Please help me hear your voice above the confusing distractions around me. Under your care, I have no fears. Thank you for being my Shepherd through this life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
03 Sep 2025
To find favour before God, we need to make ourselves available for His work, understanding that each of us is unique and has a different role to play in His kingdom. We ought to desist from competing and arguing amongst ourselves. Let us focus on the task the Father has for us. 2 Timothy 2:20-21.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 9:2
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. —Psalm 9:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When was the last time you made up a song? When was the last time you made up a song of praise to offer to God? Worried that you can’t do it? Don’t think it will be good? Don’t worry, your only audience is your Abba Father, who longs to hear your heart sing regardless of your voice’s perfection or your melody’s tune. He wants to rejoice and be glad with you. So open your heart and raise your voice “and be glad and rejoice in” and “sing praise” to your Father, who is also God Most High! My Prayer… Holy and Merciful God Almighty, I praise you for the sun rising and setting in glorious splendor. I praise you for the gift of grace. I praise you for the miraculous preservation of your people through the ages, even though they have repeatedly been under attack and oftentimes lost sight of your way. I praise you for sending Jesus, the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, my Messiah and LORD. I praise you for raising Jesus from the dead. I praise you for your promise to send him back for your children. I praise you for your work in my life. I praise, O LORD, and I am glad to be your child. In Jesus’ name, I offer my praise and songs to you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
02 Sep 2025
What is my role in ensuring that the Lord’s presence abides with me? I constantly need His help and being in His presence is key. Jesus summarised the commandments to make it easier to obey them. John 14:21-24.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. —Psalm 91:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… During the summer’s scorching heat (which is not quite ended for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere and equatorial zones), where did you find your shadow of protection and refreshment? When life caved in and the heat of frustration, disappointment, loss, and anger blazed in your heart, where did you turn for deliverance and hope? When we place our lives in the care of God Most High, we find that his shadow of protection and refreshment covers us. Even in times of difficulty, we know that he has protected us from the worst of Satan’s withering attacks and that his presence offers us strength that we may not often see but always can trust. We live in a hard and hot world that is in decay and yearns for deliverance (Romans 8:19-20, 22-23), yet we know that our hope for the future is even greater than what is in this psalm because we will eternally live “in the shelter of the Most High” and “rest in the Shadow of the Almighty” (Romans 8:18, 21, 24-25). My Prayer… Give me eyes to see, O LORD, and a heart to believe that you are with me, sheltering me, and long to bless me with rest. I confess that I need this assurance in times when I cannot see any evidence of your presence, protection, or rest. Please be my protection in times of attack and my refreshment in times that bring soul-withering despair. I trust that as my LORD Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit will be my living spring bringing the cool refreshment bubbling up within me (John 7:37-39) until I come to be with you eternally. In Jesus’ name, I pray this with anticipation and trust. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
01 Sep 2025
What is the condition of your heart? What is making you anxious? Is there any offensive thing in you? May the Lord help us in this regard and rid us of anything that would offend Him as He leads us in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24.