Ready for the Day of the Lord

All things for God’s glory Let us see thy great salvation Perfectly restored in thee. Charles Wesley   Read Revelation 21:22—27 Compared with this, my own attempts to sketch the coming kingdom, heaven, the New Jerusalem — whatever I choose for title — my vision by comparison is feeble. I think so individually. This is…

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Ready for the Day of the Lord

Remembered As for me, I am poor and needy; But the Lord takes thought for me. Psalm 40:17   Read Isaiah 49:14—21 There are various practices I have found helpful towards remembering the Lord. This evening’s quiet time set aside for prayer is one. Gathering as church is another. Keeping the communion. And special seasons…

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Ready for the Day of the Lord

Only one life to live All things have been handed over to me By my Father. Matthew 11:27   Read Luke 13:22—30 With only one life to live and so many ways to live it, so many places to visit, so many experiences to sample, such a variety of lifestyles to explore, every choice I…

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Ready for the day of the Lord

To me and my church And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7   Read Revelation 3:7—13 I picture my little church tonight, the congregation in whose services I participate, where I sing the songs that praise the Lord, hear the scripture, listen to the word of…

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Ready for the Day the Lord

The renewed city He is mindful of his covenant forever, Of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations. Psalm 105:8   Read Isaiah 54:11—17 This is the same Lord, the one who has spoken to Israel and to Judah of the dismantling of their towns and their cities, stone from stone, their banishment…

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Ready for the Day of the Lord

As it was in the beginning and ever shall be And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7   Read Luke 12:35—40 I think I get it that I am to be ready. Jesus said it often enough. There’s an urgency and a priority to all this…

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Ready for the Day of the Lord

The nightly vigil Lord, let me know my end, And what is the measure of my days. Psalm 39:4   Read Matthew 25:6—13 I can keep my vigil of prayer this night in at least two ways. One is to be quite perfunctory. I can do it and be done with it. If I put…

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The judgement of the world

The book of life Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary. Psalm 150:1   Read Revelation 20:11—15 There is a tree of life at the beginning of the Bible[1] and a book of life at the end. The tree of life is unattainable. The man and the woman are barred from it, lest they…

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The judgement of the world

The afflicted church Save me, O Lord, from my enemies, I have fled to you for refuge. Psalm 143:9   Read Revelation 2:8—11 Tonight I am given the opportunity to sit with brothers and sisters of another time and place. Well, the place is Izmir in Turkey. I imagine myself into the situation. These Christians…

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The judgement of the world

This painful vision But surely, God is my helper; The Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4   Read Ezekiel 14:19—23 It is painful to see through the eyes of the prophet. The vision is vivid. It is stark. The colours seem adjusted. The contrast has been heightened. There is so little godliness,…

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