Works

"I will give the morning star to the winner who keeps my works to the end," Revelation 2:26,28.

Will give what? The morning star. Wow! Shining, brilliant, bright, glorious, solitary first diamond in the morning sky. And Jesus also promises the winner: power to rule the nations. (Whatever that means!) But more important now: What are Jesus' works to be kept to the end? Well, the works are not (no!): works of deceit, no! works of sexual immorality, no! works of idolatry, no! works of Satan, no! (those things lead their practitioners to deadly sick results). The works of Jesus' life plan are, rather: Works of love, Yes! Works of faith, Yes! Works of service, Yes! Works of patient endurance, Yes! all the more to the finish line. Jesus' recompense overwhelms with goodness.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we speak of Jesus' life plan for us in the present. And, together, we give thanks that God invites us to join in his work.

Manna

"I will give the winner hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it," Revelation 2:17.

Hmm. That's kind of weird. So this is supposed to be worth going through all sorts of deadly trial? Well, consider this: daily for 40 years wandering Israel ate manna that came down, right? Then Jesus said he himself was the bread of life coming down from the sky. Eat this bread, he said, and you live. So. Know this: Jesus is preparing the winners' banquet for whoever receives his correction. Its food imparts eternal life. We really want to be there. And the white stone? What's that? Oh. That's our brilliant, shining ticket to the banquet. We get it for crossing the finish. And the new name? Well. That's for Jesus to know and for you to find out. Sky kingdom.

With a brother or sister today, we encourage each other in Jesus' corrections and stay on track with him to the finish. We look forward to the feast of winners. And, together, we give thanks to God who guarantees the win in Jesus.

Nike

"The one who wins will not be hurt by the second death," Revelation 2:11.

Nike means: Conquer, win. So. How to win? By listening to the one who died and came back to life. The Risen Christ knows winning. He knows intimately the distress of his people. He understands deeply his people's poverty. (But he says: Ah! But you're rich!). He's well acquainted with the slander his people undergo. He knows the devil's testing with severe troubles. But what says Jesus? Be faithful to death. He says: I will give you the crown of life. Wait! Did we hear that? I. will. give. you. the. crown. of. life. The second death has no power to hurt. Second death - what's that? Hell. How to win? Cross the finish line.

Today we encourage each other, a brother or a sister, to hang in there with Jesus to the end. No matter how tough it gets. It's just for a little while. And, together, we give thanks that he runs/walks/stands right there beside us all the way to the end. And beyond.

Alert

"To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God," Revelation 2:7.

So the Spirit records the words of the Risen Christ to his congregations. What means to conquer? (Sounds rather militaristic, doesn't it? Well, that's because it is militaristic!) Haven't we heard? There's a war going on! A war rages for the souls of men and women. A spiritual war. Now the good news: Jesus won the war for us! But we're engaged in the closing operations - no time to let our guard down, though. It's still deadly business. Therefore: keep at it, patient endurance, don't accept just any teaching (test the teachers against the Word), bear up for Jesus' name, stay alert, especially: keep the first love, do the hard work of love, repent when we fail to love (lest we lose). And in this way, we conquer with Jesus. That's what he says.

We hug (virtually) a brother or sister today, and we encourage each other to press on to the tree of life! And, together, we give thanks. Sky kingdom.

Paradise

"Whoever has an ear, listen up to what the Spirit says to the congregations!" Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22.

Seven times: Listen! Seven times: Listen! Seven times: Listen! Seven times: Listen! Seven times: Listen! Seven times: Listen! Seven times: Listen! Listen to what? To what the Spirit says. To what the Spirit says. To what the Spirit says. To what the Spirit says. To what the Spirit says. To what the Spirit says. To what the Spirit says. Who says to listen? The one holding stars in his hand. The one who died and came back to life. The one with the double-edged razor sharp sword. The one with fire eyes. The one with the seven spirits of God. The one with David's key. The faithful and true witness. That's who says to listen: Word made flesh. Who should listen? Have you one hearing ear? You.

Joining a brother or sister today, we open our hearing minds and pay close attention to what Jesus said. We, together, follow him. And, together, we give thanks for hope in God's paradise.

Beast

"I was stupid and ignorant, like a beast toward you; but I am always with you: you have held my right hand," Psalm 73:22-23.

Especially when I'm upset and mad about life's troubles, sometimes, dear God, it seems worthless to keep your Word - life can still be very hard. It even seems, sometimes, that uncaring people do just fine without a thought toward you. But then. But then I come into your presence and I see my thoughts are just phantom dreams in the night. They're just inhuman notions. Who else do I have in the sky but you? Dear God: there's nothing I want on earth more than your presence. My strength may fail. My courage may fly. But you, you alone, O God!, are the strength of my heart and my portion. Forever!

With a brother or sister today, we point each other away from the world's vagaries toward our God. And, together, we grasp more securely his steady, strong hand.

Listen

"The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands," Revelation 2:1.

Whose words? Oh. The one with hair white as wool, as snow. Eyes, flame of fire. Feet, polished hot bronze. Voice, roaring waterfalls. Mouth, double razored sword. Face, blinding full sun. His words. So who's that? the Risen Christ. Not the meek and mild one. Well, actually, yes, that same one, but belonging to the Resurrection Age. Not tame. (not like he was ever all that tame.) Anyway. They're his words. He holds stars in his hands. And he walks among solid, wrought gold lampstands. He has something to say. Listen up.

With a brother or sister today, we listen in awe to the one slain from the foundation of the world, now alive! We acknowledge his awe-ful sacrifice. And, together, we give awed thanks to God for eternity.

Forevermore

"I died, but look!, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades," Revelation 1:18.

Who died? Somebody like a son of man. Speak English! Who died? a man. What man? Christ Jesus. So, is he still dead? Nope. Not at all. That was past tense. Present tense is, he is alive. Future tense, he will be alive forevermore. So what's with the keys? Jesus opens the doors to where all dead people are. Billions and billions. Yeah. He unlocks the locks that keep the dead, dead. He was dead there, too, remember? But he's not there any more. He's unlocked the exit mystery. So don't look down for him down there. Look up! He's alive. He's unlocked the lock to life. And he's calling your name.

With a brother or sister today, we hear the voice of Jesus sing, Come unto me and live! We encourage each other with his life. And, together, we echo back the chorus of thanksgiving to him who loved us to death. To life.

Pantocrator

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty," Revelation 1:8.

The Alpha. (Like the first alphabet letter A.) The beginning. The one who began everything. The one who is the beginning of everything that began. The beginner. And the Omega. (Like the last letter Z.) The ending. The one who will bring everything to its close. The one who is the ending of everything that is. The ender. Who is this? The Lord God who exists wholly complete in himself in the present moment. The one who has ever existed beyond time past. The one who continues to exist beyond the far off for ever ahead future. Yes, indeed: the Pantocrator. (The what?!) The Almighty. The Ruler of all. The Ruler of the universe. The Lord of hosts. The Master of armies. The Omnipotent. The All-powerful. What about him? He's calling you by name.

With a brother or sister today, we listen carefully to the Word of our God, and gain courage to press on to the end. And, together, we give thanks to the God of all grace.

Tense

"To him who loves us, who released us from our sins by his blood, and who made us a kingdom," Revelation 1:5,6.

To whom? to Jesus Christ. To whom? to the one who loves us. When will he love us? Right now, present tense. To whom? to the one who released us. Released us from what? from sin. How did he release us? by his blood. When did he release us? Past tense, long time ago. To whom? to the one who made us a kingdom. Made us what? a kingdom. When did he make us a kingdom? Past tense, 2000 years ago. Made us what? made us priests. Priests for whom? for his God and Father. So, what goes to him? Glory. What's to him? Power. Dominion. Glory and power to him! For how long? into the age of ages. How long is that? for ever. And ever. Sky kingdom.

Joining with a priest or priestess of God today (a brother or sister, right?), we delight in the forgiveness his sacrifice yields. And, together, made worthy citizens of such a kingdom, we worship God.

Reader

"Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come," Revelation 1:4.

To whom? To you, O reader of the words. To whom? To you, O hearer of the reading of the words. To whom? To you, O keeper of what is written in it. Grace to you. And peace. From whom? From the One Who was. From whom? From the One Who is. From whom? From the One Who will be. From whom? From God. From whom? From the seven spirits in front of God's throne. From whom? From Jesus Christ. Who is he? The faithful witness. Who is he? The firstborn from the dead. Who is he? The ruler of kings on earth. Grace to you, O reader of the words. And peace.

We encourage one another, brothers and sisters, to read it, hear it, and keep the Word. So doing we receive blessing. And, together, we join praise to the God who was and is and ever will be.

Shine

"May God have mercy on us and bless us and shine his face upon us," Psalm 67:1.

O God, we need your ways known in this land. We need your saving power among all the nations. All peoples should praise you! All peoples should be glad and sing for joy! You, O God, judge all peoples fairly. You're the only one to guide earth's nations. Yes, indeed, O God! People should praise you. All people everywhere! You made the earth to yield its bounty: you show your blessings in so many ways. And you will continue to do so. May people from the farthest reaches of every quarter honor you!

With a brother or sister today, we acknowledge deep need for God's ways. Together, we plead for his mercies. And, together, we give joyful thanks to see God's shining face.

Brim

"In believing, may the God of hope fill you up to the full with all joy and peace, overflowing over you in hope, in the Holy Spirit's power," Romans 15:13.

Joy. Peace. Hope. Filled with them. Filled up. Filled up to the full. Filled to the brim. Filled to flowing over the brim. Overflowing. Joy. Flooding over you. Peace. Abounding. Hope. Carrying it out fully. Joy. Peace. Hope. Bring it all to pass completely, extravagantly. Over you. Over you who believe. Who believe in Christ. Jew and Gentile. Who believe in the root of Jesse. (The root is Jesus, of course.) Filled by whom? God. What God? The God of hope. (There is no other!). By the Holy Spirit. Filled to overflowing with what? Joy. Peace. Hope. Who's doing the overwhelming flowing? God. The God of hope. Filling you up. Let God do this.

With a brother or sister today, we receive God's filling. Trusting him we have joy, peace, and hope. And, together, we give thanks for God's mercy.

Cord

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you," Romans 15:7.

The tendency is to welcome each other relative to mutual agreements on whether to eat meat offered to idols, whether to have special religious holidays, whether to wear masks, or agreement on 101 other stupid controversies. But not according to Christ. God's plea (God pleads? God pleads with us?!), rather, God calls us to live in harmony with one another, in a cord with Christ Jesus. To welcome each other as Christ did us, and not to welcome each other for disputes over opinions. And to what end? that together we may, with one voice, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. One voice. One, undivided voice. Not like the world. Sky kingdom.

We join our voices with those of brothers and sisters today, in one voice. And, together, we sing the harmony of God's glory in Christ.

Point

"I, I live! says the Lord: to me every knee will bow and every tongue will confess to God," Romans 14:11.

So, concludes the Scripture at that point, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. We get to explain to God all the stuff of our lives. You know, stuff that we remember and stuff that we've forgotten. But we'll remember it just fine at that point. And we can wrestle with our consciences right there, in front of the judgment seat of God. Mamma mia! Now, what's the Scripture's point to bring this up at this point in the reading? The point to bring it up at this point is this: Don't pass judgment on your brother. Especially: Don't despise your brother. Don't argue with your brother about whether to wear a mask or not. Wear it for the Lord, or don't wear it for the Lord. The Lord alone, not our arguing, makes his servants stand or fall.

With a brother or sister today, we confess Jesus as Lord and we set aside worthless differences. And we sing praise to the God who ensures we, together, will stand before his throne in eternal assurance.

Owe

"Owe nobody anything. Except love. For one another." Romans 13:8.

Here's the deal: If we agree to pay somebody for something, we pay it off according to the agreement. We don't just let the debt hang out there. Well, there is one debt we'll always owe and must pay off for ever: Debt of love. He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed Someone to wash my sins away, and now I sing a brand new song: amazing grace - Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay! So we keep paying Jesus back (yeah, right, like we ever could!) but not to him; instead, we pay the love debt to one another. By doing this, we do everything (everything!) God's law ever required.

We continue paying off love's debt for one another today: we visit with a brother or sister and listen to each other and help each other out. And, together, we praise God for his overwhelming love for us.

Subject

"Ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake," Romans 13:5.

Be subject? Subject to whom? governing authorities. Says who? The Bible. Yeah, but God didn't know about this evil government that we have to live under! No matter, the Good Book says the government agent is God's servant, and as God's servant he's the avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Whoa! Stop the presses! What about the part that says, Obey God and not man? Yep, it's all there. So, when the authorities tell us to stop loving people, or stop showing kindness, or stop blessing our enemy - when the government tells us to murder, or to steal, or to be greedy - well, then, we just keep on doing kindness, blessing the enemy, loving the neighbor as ourselves. We will not be deceived: we keep on being transformed by God's Spirit working on our hearts.

With a brother or sister we affirm Jesus subjected himself to the government's sentence of death, for us. And that God raised him from the dead, for us. And, together, we give thanks for God's eternal love and provision.

Awaking

"O God, my God, I rise for you at dawn, my soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you!" Psalm 63:1.

You are my drink, my strength, in a waterless and weary land! Your steadfast love is better than life! My lips praise you. I will bless you all life long! For your Name, I will lift up my hands! You satisfy my soul richly. I praise you joyfully. Awaking through the night, I remember you and think about you in my rest. You have been my help! I sing and delight under your wings! I cling to you, but it's your own hand that holds me secure.

With a brother or sister today we voice assurance in God's work through the moment's distress. And, together, we lift up praise for whom our souls yearn!

Jeans

"By God's mercy, brothers! Present your bodies a sacrifice, living, holy, acceptable to God, your mindful service," Romans 12:1.

Then there's talk here of non-conformity, of transformation, of God's will. Well, now, I'm into non-conformity! If everybody's wearing chinos, I'm wearing jeans. If everybody's wearing Carharts, I'm wearing LLBean. If this government says No spitting, I'm going to spit. Yeah, a real walk on the wild side. But non-conformity that challenges my heart, rather than indulging my self-deceived individuality? Understanding, and doing, the will of God, that kind of transformation ... Humility. Service. Love. Giving respect. Prayer. Hospitality. Blessing the bad guys (not cursing them). Harmony. No vengeance. Living peaceably. Overcoming evil with good. That's the non-conformity it's talking about: living sacrifice. For Jesus. Sky kingdom.

Chatting with a brother or sister today, we remember Jesus' sacrifice for us all. We encourage each other in yielding our vengeance to God's wrath. And, together, we give thanks that God blessed, and didn't curse, us.

Conceits

"So that you do not get conceited in yourselves," Romans 11:25.

Lest you be wise in your own conceits. <-- (some translations say it that way.) So. To keep us from becoming too smart for our pants, what? Well, the apostle will enlighten with something we're in the dark about; times of ignorance are now over. It's been a mystery. And this is it: God has not rejected the Jews in order to favor the Gentiles. No. Rather, God has rendered the status of all peoples, Jew and Gentile, to disobedience. Everybody gets a shot at disobedience. Nobody leaves home without it. Nobody. And nobody, including us, gets to boast in self-perceived righteousness against Jews. (Or anybody else.) And this way, God lavishes equal mercy to all, Jew and Gentile. How unfathomable, rich, wise, and insightful God's judgment! To him be glory forever!

With a brother or sister today, we yield lingering self-righteousness and kneel to receive God's full unmeasurable mercy. And, together, we give thanks for our Lord Jesus' obedience to our God and father.

Announcers

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," Romans 10:13.

Who? Everyone. Who does what? who calls on the name. What name? the Lord's name. What happens to them? they will be saved. But can they call on his name if they don't believe in him? No. But can they believe in him if they've never heard of him? No. But can they hear of him without someone who announces him? No. Can someone go out announcing if nobody sends them to announce? No. Here's how it works: Belief in Christ results from hearing about Christ which results from the announcing of Christ. And that's why preachers' feet are beautiful: these feet carry those announcers everywhere announcing the good news of Christ. Pretty straightforward.

Today, as we visit with a brother or sister, we start off the conversation with: Have you heard? Heard about the Lord? And with such words we grow each other's faith. And, together, we give thanks that somebody, somewhere, some time ago, shared with us the message of Christ.

Pro

"God for us! Whoever against us?" Romans 8:31.

For or against? Pro or con? Yea or nay? Plus or minus? God says Yes! Whose No undoes God's Yes? Hmm? Whose? Nobody's. None of all the nobodies together's No undoes God's Yes. The sovereign God elects. Who deselects? None, nor all the nones together, can deselect. God chose. Who unchooses God's choice? Nobody. God's one pro vote, overwhelms all cons. God enfranchises; none, singly or together, disenfranchise(s). So. Who's God for, exactly? Whom has God elected? God elected ... (drum roll, please) ... us. In Christ Jesus. Us? Yes. Us. For whom Jesus died and was raised and is at God's right hand and intercedes. For us. More than conquerors are we through him who loved us.

Joining a brother or sister today, we sing of God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Victory in Jesus! And, together, we thank God for his love's choice.

Consummation

"With tenacity, we expect it eagerly, even if we don't see it but hope for it," Romans 8:25.

Even if we don't see what? the redemption of our bodies. We're expecting the redemption of our bodies? Weren't we supposed to be leaving these bodies behind and just sort of float around, disembodied, free spirits or something like that? I mean we got saved and now we're waiting until our bodies die off and then sweep away to glory, right? Well, that's not exactly Bible. What the Good Book says is that our earthly, frustrated, mortal, decaying bodies will take on new spiritual character: immortal, imperishable, like Jesus' resurrection body. That's what resurrection is about: the dead thing comes back to life, but different. By God's power. In God's time. Hope of glory.

With a brother or sister, today, we talk of our hope in God's redemption, of Jesus' own resurrection. And, together, we give thanks eagerly awaiting the consummation of our hope.

Envelop

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me," Psalm 57:1.

My very life, my soul, comes to you for refuge. I look for safety under your wings until destruction passes. I cry out to you, God Most High, and you will send me salvation! You'll send your constant love and faithfulness. I must dwell among wild lions, so please, O God! Please let your glory envelop the whole earth! A net's out there to catch my feet, a pit's dug to trap me. Show your greatness beyond the skies! I will sing to you! Wake up, harp; wake up, lyre! Wake up, dawn, with my songs and tunes! Songs of thanks to you, O Lord! I'll sing your praise right in the middle of the crowds. You are awesome beyond the skies, God! Hey, everybody! Look at God's glory!

With a brother or sister, today, we join in Jesus' cry from the grave. And we anticipate God's salvation, tomorrow. And, together, we give thanks to God. Salvation. Resurrection.

Therefore

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1.

Here it is! All the wrong, all the evil-doing (on purpose or ignorantly); all the guilt-bearing; all the just condemnation; all the consequences of wrong, guilt, condemnation, and death. Gone! All gone! The central result of God at work in Jesus: because of God's work in Jesus: because of the Lamb of God: No condemnation! No condemnation. The Spirit's law of life has set humans free from sin and death. God has worked! God has done! God has condemned sin in the flesh (through the slain Lamb), and has made humans fully righteous. Wow. What humans? the humans who walk in step with the Spirit of Christ living within them. Wow. No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Wow!

Awed with a brother or sister, together, we bow before this God who delivers liberty to the captives, in Jesus. And, together, we bow before the just Deliverer. Redeemer. Friend.

Eschew

"When I want to do good, evil's right beside me," Romans 7:21.

Absolute freedom. Complete autonomy. Free to will. Obliged to none. When I grow up I will do what I want to do and nobody will boss me. Fantasy. Mirage. Illusion. Trick mirrors. The universe into which we grow up itself has no freedom. It does what it's designed to do. Whatever its rules, the cosmos follows them. We watch the world, notice its regularities, and figure out what makes it tick. We call it the laws of physics. Rockets do not defy physics - when they rise they obey the physics laws to do what they do. When they crash they still follow the physics laws. But human beings have more freedom: We get to choose our master. And then, as designed, we follow our master's laws. Either slaves of sin (it drives us to death) or of God (he leads us to good life). The effective default is to sin. God says choose the good life. It's a whole lot better. And a lot longer.

Connecting with a brother or sister today, we talk of our master's love, we speak service for each other, we eschew sin. And, together, we give thanks for God's election.