pastor jeff's neighborhood

December 30
A Glimpse of Heaven

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 149:1-9 | Malachi 1:1-2:17 | Revelation 21:1-27 | Proverbs 31:10-24

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 21

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4 NIV)

Clearly, heaven is a place of indescribable beauty: Precious stones of every sort; streets of gold; gates made of a single pearl. The beauty of the scene described is just about impossible to imagine–and I sense in John’s words that the beauty he is seeing is much more than his words can begin to describe.

More glorious than the beauty of the place is the beauty of the one who is seated on the throne. No need for sunlight, because of the glorious splendor of the radiance of the Father and the Son.

But what makes heaven even more glorious is the nature of our relationship with God. He himself will be with us. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. We will be with God. He will be with us. We will be his people. The words suggest a greater intimacy than is possible in our lives here and now.

Try to grasp the beauty of heaven as you read through the text. Stand in awe of the beauty. Then try to grasp the beauty of the one seated on the throne and the Lamb. Worship them. This is your eternal occupation. But you don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to get started. We can begin now.

December 29
All Creatures

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 148:7-14 | Zechariah 14:1-21 | Revelation 20:1-15 | Proverbs 31:8-9

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 148:7-14

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. (Psalm 148:13 NIV)

It is interesting how all the readings today come together. Zechariah tells of a “day” when the Lord will rule and reign. Revelation 20 describes the culmination of that day when Jesus will rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It will be in that day, when the words of the Psalmist find their ultimate expression: when all creatures of our God and King will worship Him!

In Psalm 148 all creation joins in praise to God—what could be more fitting? From the angels of heaven to the sun, moon and stars—all creation joins in worship of the creator. Sea creatures of all kinds, wild animals, cattle, small animals, birds; they all join the song of praise! Lightning, thunder, hail and wind all make a joyful noise! Don’t forget the mountains and hills and trees—they were created to praise too! Kings of the earth join in praise along with princes and rulers from all nations. Young men and women, Old men and children—everyone joins in the song!

It is good and right for us to praise the name of the Lord. “His name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” God reigns. Let the earth be glad. Let’s join the angels and worship God our King!

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 28
King of Kings!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 148:1-6 | Zechariah 12:1-13:9 | Revelation 19:1-21 | Proverbs 31:1-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 19

[6]“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready . . . [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (Revelation 19:6-7, 16 NIV)

In his first coming, Christ came humbly as a babe in a manger. When he comes again, he will come boldly in all his glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

In this, another of the great worship hymns of Revelation, all of creation worships as the King of Kings comes in his glory. Imagine what it will be like to hear all creation singing “Hallelujah” as John described it: “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”

Since the fall of man in the garden, all of creation has been waiting in anxious anticipation of this day. The suffering and pain brought on by sin is not forgotten by God. It will be vindicated as Jesus comes in his glory. Those who have endured persecution look to this day of victory. Indeed, all of creation waits for his coming: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

But they also celebrate the fact that the bride, the church of Jesus Christ (Christ-followers from all ages and all nations), has made herself ready. The Bride is ready. Cleansed and purified. Dressed in fine linen. Let the wedding celebration begin.

Rev. 19:7-8 (NIV) Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready, [8] Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

It will be quite a celebration. Are you ready?

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 27
The Good Shepherd

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 147:12-20 | Zechariah 10:1-11:17 | Revelation 18:1-24 | Proverbs 30:33

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 10:1-11:17

The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.3 “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD Almighty will care for his flock, the people of Judah. (Zechariah 10:2-3 NIV)

The image of a shepherd leading his sheep is a familiar theme in Scripture. Here the shepherds of God’s people are being chastised for not leading the people as they should.

It is an incredible responsibility to be a leader of people. The leader is not only responsible for his or her own actions—but is also to lead the people under their care in the right direction.

How had the leaders of Judah been doing? Not very well. The political “shepherds”—the Kings of Judah—were, on the whole, a miserable lot who more often than not led the people further and further into idolatry.

The spiritual leaders weren’t doing much better. The prophets are chided for bringing false comfort. Under the leadership of priests and prophets, the people of God regularly drifted away from the worship of the LORD to worship and serve idols made by human hands. Therefore God’s people “wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”

Still God is not done with his people. He tells them that he, himself, will come to lead them as their shepherd. He, himself, would come to lead and guide them onto the right path.

Jesus picks up this image as the “Good Shepherd” as recorded in John’s gospel. He is the good shepherd who even lays down his life for the sheep.

Earthly leaders do often fail us. Yet God is with us to lead us and guide us (Psalm 23), and he has given us the good shepherd in Jesus to love and care for us. Follow his lead.