Revelation 10, John ate the little scroll

Revelation 10 describes an angel like the illustration above. I personally liked the child safe version, but this one was more accurate ("child safe" right, below)

The verbal description is as follows:

• another angel came down from heaven, robed in a clowd with a rainbow over his head
• his face was like the sun and his legs like fiery pillars
• he was holding a little scroll open in his hand
• his right foot was on the sea and the left on land
• he gave a shout like the roar of a lion
• as he shouted, the 7 thunders spoke, but a voice from heaven told me (John) not to record what was said.
• And the angel spoke:

v 6-7 “There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” 

• Then the voice of heaven told me to take the scroll from the angel's hand.
• and here's the weirdest part:

v9-11 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’ I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” 
images from:

• http://www.apwin.org/wp-content/uploads/Pictures-Illustrations/Prophecy%20and%20Biblical%20Charts%20and%20Images/Revelation%2010%20Angel%20with%20little%20book.jpg

• http://www.biblebookofrevelation.com/Limages/The_Mighty_Angel.jpg

Revelation 9

• A star fell from the sky at the sound of the 5th angel's trumpet. It would open the abyss with a key. 

• The sun and sky was darkened with smoke
• Out of the smoke came locusts in mass to torture every man without God's seal on his forehead for 5 months.
• The locusts had stingers like scorpions, crowns on their heads, human faces, horse-like bodies, teeth of a lion, and a chest plate for protection. 
• The angel of the abyss was over them who's name meant Destroyer.

• At the 6th angel's trumpet, one of the four horns that make up the altar before God, said " release the four angels bound by the Euphrates river, to kill a third of mankind.

 Revelation 9:16-21

¹⁶ The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.

 ¹⁷ The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. ¹⁸ A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. ¹⁹ The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

 ²⁰ The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. ²¹ Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

images: http://www.truthinlove.com/Pictures/large_Locusts.jpg
http://www.coastalbend.edu/acdem/math/campbel7/revelation/images/rev_plaguesof7bowls.jpg

One verse Monday: teachable

 I looked up teachable at biblegateway.com and this verse came up:

Proverbs 14:6 

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,  
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Identity Ridding ourselves of the lies we believe. Unconditional Love

So, not to be verbatim, but I think its important to relay what I learn in church because its easier to process and its helpful for those at all interested in what church is all about. Some of you might be surprised. This is the second week with Mark Brett, and Last week we covered Colossians 1 & 2 When we learned that Jesus=fullness. To keep it brief, I will put the verses and the important parts of the message that I feel are relevant to mention.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

This says that the devil seeks to distort the truth to make things seem less blatantly a lie. 
Anything that we value could become an idol before God if we justify an action, or thing once. i.e. In my life, I feel called to do summer project. I resisted so long that when a second mushroom internship popped up, I could have said it was a sign from God that the availability of a job in my interest was the hook out of going to summer project. Instead, currently, I see it as a test. What do I value more? What is really important to me? I had told God that if the first mushroom internship didn't work out, I would look further into summer project. I couldn't deny him or myself at that point. We have to know Him (Christ) well, in order to recognize lies.

John 2:15-16

So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”

Sometimes (OFTEN) we don't fear God as much as we should. Christ Jesus can get angry too, for good cause. When we do something that isn't necessarily wrong, but its out of context, or its not exactly right, but we can justify it, we upset God, even though through his son he has forgiven us. 

THAT verse seemed a little out of context for the message, so I may have written the verse down wrong. In which case, lets go through all the Johns that seem applicable of the Bible.

1 John 2:15-16

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

 After we become Christians and get past the lies, and past defining ourselves by the world, we have to get by the 3rd force, our selfish desires... ironic that I wrote about this yesterday seeing as we talked about it today. The problem is, even as Christians we are TEMPTED DAILY to drift away from God. Its a natural tendency to do what we feel is right and forget about God.

Colossians 3:1-4

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 

We must reorient ourselves to a new reality. The difficult part is seeing ourselves the way the Lord sees us... which is wonderfully made. Jesus has taken our sin, so that God can look down on us with love, patience, and compassion. We are eternally secure once we've accepted Christ as our savior, God's son coming down to Earth to die for our sins.
This eternal security is NOT based on:

• how many good things we do
• how we feel

We must set our minds on that reality, live life consistent with that reality. God's love is unconditional.

Colossians 3:5-11

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Its a continuous struggle, but we must "keep putting it to death"

• We need to be clothed in Christ.

• We must put off our old self, and put on our new self so that we can change inside out.
• Its being like minded in Christ- through letting Christ live through you, that allows changes in your behavior to occur. We can't change our own behavior on our own.

• Coming back to a part of last week's message, the good things we do don't define us. 
• Every step we make through prayer, reading our bible, relying on other Christians, etc, are all to remind us of our Lord Jesus.

Mark Brett had an excellent example of putting on our new self in Christ.

• He described a time when he was playing football with his kids, only to find out it had fallen in dog poop. He washed his hands and the ball really well, but still smelled the dog poop. He realized when he sat down at the table for dinner that it was also on his shirt.
• We can try covering up the poop smell with cologne,  
• putting a new shirt on top of it (all our sins), but we can't cover our own sin to God, it still shows. 
• We have to wash ourselves clean. We want people to notice the sin has left us and we don't want to smell like dog poop.

Colossians 3:12-14

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

image:
http://www.radioactiveliberty.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/pino-a-mothers-love.jpg

As a literalist. What depression and selfish attitudes mean to me.

The world overwhelms those within it. If we thought everyday about the struggles we are facing rather than just taking the steps to move forward, we would never get anywhere. If we put ourselves first, we lack the knowledge of knowing what others are going through, so we fail to help others as well as ourselves. I know from experience that its easier to wallow in self pity than to get things done, but things need to get done, so wipe those tears away. I know from experience that I like to clinically diagnose myself with a disorder. At one of my highest stress points a month or so ago, I went to Olin thinking I had breast cancer. We are more satisfied believing there is something wrong with us than believing everything will be ok. WHY? Because when we focus on ourselves we are living by the world. When we look to Jesus our Savior for "What Would Jesus Do," our minds do a 360. "You mean to say, Emmie, that I'm being selfish, and my depression is a lack of willingness given by the spirit to climb out of a hole?"
Believe it or not, yes I am. I know, because I woke up with tears this morning, and I am writing this blog entry because I need to stop centering my life around myself so that I focus on my project rather than my grades after I've taken anxiety down a notch. My maturity has come through Christ. This is where I've found a single verse to be powerful. There is an entire book of encouragement others fail to acknowledge. My tears are gone because I've turned to Christ's selfless attitude.

I woke up and prayed: Lord,
     Give me the knowledge to know what to say
     Give me the strength throughout the day
     Give me the encouragement to know what's true
     Because through my faith, I see you.

Phillipians 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves 

prayer requests

My friend Sarah needs much prayer. She has turned to Christ but still is confronting a battle. I've never seen such a strong woman in Christ. She's gotten through a lot but God is allowing her to be tested so that she relies fully on him. Please pray for her.

Epic fail, why we shouldn't get discouraged

Today was one of those sucky days when you realize the world is pounding down on you and all you can do is take it. I would go into detail, but venting would distract from the point. The point is, we all have those days. I don't even want to have a discussion with my parents about how I'm not responding to the mushroom internship that I should be interviewing for, or the State of Agriculture job that I have an "in" on. What no one sees, is how much anxiety and pressure the world puts on me and how it makes me want to split in two. Can't I for once do something for me? Without being judged that I could be getting more out of my summer? Losing an opportunity?
Better yet, let me do something for God. Let me walk in His ways, see Him for who He truly is before I lose sight of the grace He provides and the comfort He gives.
Psalm 94:16-23
 ¹⁶ Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
   Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
¹⁷ Unless the LORD had given me help,
   I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
¹⁸ When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
   your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
¹⁹ When anxiety was great within me,
   your consolation brought me joy.

 ²⁰ Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
   a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
²¹ The wicked band together against the righteous
   and condemn the innocent to death.
²² But the LORD has become my fortress,
   and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
²³ He will repay them for their sins
   and destroy them for their wickedness;
   the LORD our God will destroy them.

Identity in Labels. Luke 19:1-9

Today at Hope - A - Palooza, Pastor Martin from Trinity taught on Luke 19:1-9 and Identity.

¹ Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

 ⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

 ⁷ All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

 ⁸ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

 ⁹ Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

 First of all, tax collectors in their time were evil. Those working for the Romans who were Jews sometimes took extra for themselves on top of the outlandish amount the oppressing government was laying on the Jews. This set of verses therefore, spell out that Jesus associates with  the sinner. Particularly those that are projected as sinners by the people. God makes it known to the public that he seeks out the broken so that he may heal them. In Zacchaeus's time, Jesus was teaching parables in order to teach man how to live and still today Christ Jesus wants to have a relationship with YOU. Martin addressed that God wants to take the labels off of YOU that others have given you and all associations that you could never change, and make you new in Christ. He wants to take those labels on himself and give you the labels of treasure, the gift of love, His love. He wants you to be his so that He can treasure you forever.

My saving Grace. 3 days.

Its been three days since I've written, and so much has happened. Church on Sunday was learning experience so I decided to share it instead of referencing Revelation again. Before I get started, about my last 3 days...

Last Wed I received an apologetic email notifying me that "my" internship was not going to happen. I call it mine, because if there was money I would so be there. Immediately after responding to the email, I decided to communicate with my next option, which I hadn't heard from since February and hadn't responded to because they said they would contact me when the mycologist came back into town. By Friday, I had contacted a professor over an internship with invasive species at MSU, and by Monday I had heard back in the first response that I didn't fit the profile because I wouldn't be an MSU student in the fall. By Monday afternoon, I had heard from my bible study leader Julie, questioning why I had started a summer project application and not turned it in. My life was pretty stressful at that point. So, I told her I was still interested since my other options were seeming unlikely and I hadn't heard back from the mycologist yet. After deciding to work on my application for Summer Project again, only a month late, I heard back from the Invasive Species lady saying yes, they would afterall look at my resume.

By that point, I was more interested in the Summer Project to anywhere, maybe because it would be a guaranteed job, maybe because God laid it on my heart. I filled in the app, sent out referrals to be completed, and talked to my parents, which was no less difficult than I thought it would be. With little details on the project availability I was setting myself up for a tough discussion, and I went to bed thinking - according to my mother, this is impractical for packing and getting to Penn State, and according to my dad, I had a laundry list of things to do before I could go anywhere. I had some tears Monday but woke up with a full spirit and was ready to look into my options.

Yesterday, I found out the dates, found out the availability, and asked for my referrals. Last night I sent out my application. Julie reminded me of Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Today, I've had anxious thoughts about getting my referrals in, as well as hearing back from the mushroom company. I just heard back from Kaolin Farms in PA, and after setting up this project and being prepared to raise money for it, I just can't see myself being ok with being rid of my Month off to pack and the remaining time for God.

The problem with working at an internship, is it prepares you for real life. A real job.  It doesn't prepare you for grad school. When confidence not from God enters into your life, grades go downhill because you think your job experience made you to be perfect for grad school. Without it, I feel my confidence will be in Christ and my dedication will be for Him.

Revelation 8:

• Verse 1 made me laugh. At the opening of the 7th and final seal- seemingly like an acceptance letter- there was silence for half an hour. Who knew time could be passed down that way back then? I can't imagine Jesus wearing a watch.
• Seven angels with trumpets stood before God.
• Another angel had a golden censer ( for incense) and it was filled at the altar. The smoke and prayers went up to God  from the angel's hand.
• The angel filled the censer with fire and hurled it at the earth, producing an earthquake, lightning, and thunder
• Some believe the earthquake in Japan symbolized the beginning of the end.

•  the angels prepared to sound their trumpets
• with the first trumpet sound came hail and fire with blood hurled down to earth. 
• 1/3 of the earth burned up 
• a third of the trees burned up 
• all green grass was burned up
•  At the second trumpet, a huge mountain like thing was thrown on fire into the sea.
• 1/3 of the sea was turned into blood, a third of the sea creatures died, and a third of ships were destroyed
• At the third trumpet, a great blazing star named Wormwood fell from the sky like a torch onto a third of the rivers and springs. A third of the waters turned bitter, resulting in many deaths.
• At the fourth trumpet, a third of the sun, moon, and stars turned black. A third of the day and night was without light.

v. 13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”




image ref: http://www.earlywomenmasters.net/dickinson/a_garden_tis/sanctity/censor_bookshelf.jpg

IDENTITY: Are the things which make me "full" what I have done, or which Christ has done?

 

Said Musa

Are the things which I have done, or which Christ has done that make me complete?

Today, the sermon was about identity. Mark Brett discussed how hollowness is deceptive.
Mark talked about as a kid he was going to do a trick on a tree branch only to find out the tree branch was hollow and caused him to fall. If our identities don't represent the good inner core given to us by Christ, then aren't we serving the world and not him? Aren't obsessions to look cool, to be better than someone else just a game?

Our circumstances don't define who we are. If we are cranky one day, we will be forgiven because we are new creations in Christ. We are also sinners, prone to repeat the same sin, fall into the same temptations, but through Christ we can overcome those temptations.

As Mark explains from Colossians, Christ=fullness. Having a relationship with Christ is what is important.  Spiritual discipline isn't to DEFINE us, but to remind us. Therefore, missing church isn't a sin, but continuing to skip church and taking Christ out of #1 priority in our lives can lead to sin.
Those who complicate the formula by adding variables are tempted to believe that we need more than Christ:

 Jesus + x + y + z^3 + a ^3 + b/2 = fullness is not correct.
When we add praying, going to church, volunteering, etc as conditions to make us full, we are sidestepping that Christ makes us complete, trying to become full from something other than Christ. Life becomes a competition, we see that if I do this + this and that person only does that, then I am more pleasing to God.
How is comparing ourselves to others Godly? It's not. We were born as we are with special gifts, we can't all be "the best" and we can't compare to Christ's blemishless body being shed for us. God made us all as individuals, so that our talents would be used for his benefit, not that we would look to ourselves and our actions for completeness when Christ alone can bring us to heaven.

When our sin and hollow selves break, the branch, who are we?

The Ministry of Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:7-11

  ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 

 See what God is doing in the world today:

http://www.afghanmedia.org/

News in Afghanistan:

Shoaib Assadullah-Death penalty for giving a Bible to a friend: 
http://www.persecution.org/2011/01/03/afghan-christian-faces-potential-death-sentence-for-apostasy/
Said Musa, Afghan Christian, just released from prison after nearly a year of relentless dedication to Christ
http://www.persecution.org/2011/02/24/imprisoned-afghan-christian-released-from-prison/
Reference to Said Musa at Riverview:
http://rivchurch.com/resources/videoplayer/gqUwgqewcwA
Christ in Flushing, New York:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PjGuqo_iG8

Revelation 7- This just sings Hallelujah :)

• The four winds were held back by 4 angels, and an angel of the living God seal stepped forward saying:

v. 3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

• all the tribes are listed containing a number of those sealed.

v. 9-10 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice:

   “Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” 

• It is very important to note that EVERY NATION, TRIBE, AND LANGUAGE stood before the lamb. This means, that Christ came to die for all, and only Believing in the son of God, Christ Jesus, would allow any man or woman to inherit the kingdom of heaven.
• The elders and four creatures praised God and Christ Jesus, then inquired about the men and woman in white robes that were from the tribes of the Earth.

• And these are my favorite verses:

 ¹³ Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

 ¹⁴ I answered, “Sir, you know.”

   And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  

¹⁵ Therefore,

   “they are before the throne of God
   and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
   will shelter them with his presence.
¹⁶ ‘Never again will they hunger;
   never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
   nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb at the center of the throne
   will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
   ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Revelation 6- opening the seals of the scroll

At this point in Revelation, we read that the lamb opens the seals on the scroll one at a time, and the following events occur:

1. One of the four talking creatures says "come," and a white horse walks forward and the rider with a bow puts a crown on John's head and takes off.
2. The next living creature says "come," and a red horse walks forward. The rider of this horse was a "peace taker" causing people to kill themselves. He carried a sword.
3. The third living creature says "come," and a black horse appeared. The rider was carrying a pair of scales in his hand. A voice from the four said: 
• v. 6 “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” 
4.  The fourth living creature says "come," and a pale horse appears. The rider's name was death and Hades followed him. They had power over 1/4 of the Earth to kill with plague, beasts, famine and sword.
5. At the opening of the 5th seal, souls appeared under the alter of those killed defending God and being faithful:

v. 10-11 “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

At the opening of the 6th seal,

v. 12-14 There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.  

v. 15-17 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

Revelation Chapter 5, The Seven Seals, Seven Eyes, Seven horns, and a Severed Lamb

There's two videos I'd like to point out today, the first is a National Geographic special on Revelation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hk9VqP0AH4&feature=fvwrel
The second is Revelation 5 narrated
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TqqNSp-7xw&feature=player_embedded#at=115

• In God's right hand there was a scroll, written on both sides and stamped with 7 seals.
• John wept because no one was able to open the scroll

5 “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

• A lamb, appearing slain (representing Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice) stood at the center of the throne with elders and the four creatures from chapter 4. 
• the lamb had 7 horns and eyes representing the lights unto the world (the 7 churches)
• when the lamb took the scroll, those around him fell to their hands and feet. They sang:

9-10 “You are worthy to take the scroll
   and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
   and with your blood you purchased for God
   persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
   and they will reign on the earth.” 

And the four creatures and the elders worshiped.
art found at: http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs38/i/2008/321/3/3/Revelation_5_6_by_Nimfalas.jpg

Revelation Chapter 4- When creatures talk

 I hate to be the person to just paste the bible into my blog, but this chapter was quite detailed and self explanatory. Its also beautiful how it is written and I would hate to twist the beauty of the truth. After a day of having my internship get dropped for the summer, and hearing about my grandma's diagnosis that she had a stroke, I can't see there being any more truth to live by than this.
Check out these videos:
Video, no sound; acting: If you don't want to watch the whole thing, start at 4 minutes in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVhG9ynQCDE
Audio for Revelation Chapter 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TMIft5ydpA
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

   “‘Holy, holy, holy

   is the Lord God Almighty,’

   who was, and is, and is to come.”

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
   and by your will they were created
   and have their being.”

Revelation Chapter 3-The remaining churches

Revelation 3 addresses the 3 other churches to which John wrote letters from Jesus Christ.
To the church is Sardis:

 v. 1 ... you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

•  The people are dead because they aren't living for Christ.
• wake up and repent, for if you don't, Christ will come at you like a thief and you won't know when
• those that walk with me will be dressed in white, and those that turn from their ways to follow me will be dressed in white:

v. 5... I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

To every church John writes something similar to the following: 
v. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This is because Christ forgives those who repent and follow Him.


To the church in Philadelphia:
7-10 These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

To the church of Laodicea:

v 15-18 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

• this set of verses says that the church is doing some things good and some things not good. They aren't recognizing sin as wrong, but chosing their own path to follow. 
• The verses to not refer to literal riches- in terms of clothing- but rather walking in faith and truth, in light and acknowledgment of Christ Jesus
• These verses also don't refer to literal nakedness, but the nakedness Adam and Eve felt when their sins were revealed eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They hid away from God and for the first time felt shame and were punished.

v 19-21 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

• Once again, this set of verses does not talk about literal eating. This talks about taking in the Spirit and living by the "fruit" or spirit that we gain through accepting Jesus Christ as our savior. We must believe, repent, and follow him by accepting Him into our hearts and allowing the Spirit to enter our hearts. Every heart has a door, and many ignore the figurative "knocking."
• Christ was victorious when He gave himself for the sins of the world, a blemish-less lamb, a perfect offering.
• We can be victorious when we live our lives for Christ, giving up our "rights" to worldly happiness in order to please Christ, which will also make us more joyful.

image from: http://www.reallynatural.com/archives/lamb.jpg

Revelation Chapter 2- Fear the Lord

I'm happy to say that Revelation chapter 2 is better than Rev one, because it actually reveals weakness in the church, and grounds upon which they can receive mercy.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Revelation 2 reveals the letters from John to 4 of the 7 churches.  

The church of Ephesus:

• Is commended for enduring hardship in Christ's name, not tolerating the wicked and disproving false apostles. 
• The church of Ephesus is reprimanded for not loving Christ as they once did. The lampstand would be taken from them if they did not repent. Christianity is about living in faith, not just about following rules.

v 7 ...To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

To the church of Smyrna: 

• There is the devil living amongst the Jews resulting in slander. Some will be put in jail for 10 days and may even die. Those who suffer to the point of death or are tested and live will be given life (spiritual life). 

• To those who listen: The victorious will not suffer the second death (eternity in hell).

Romans 13:13

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

 To the church of Pergamum:

• Christ thanks the church for being faithful even as his faithful servant Anitpas was killed.
• The church is reprimanded for some believing the teachings of Balaam, eating the food offerings to the idols and committing sexual immorality, and others following the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
• If the church didn't repent He would come and fight with the sword of his mouth.
• Those who are faithful will receive Manna and a stone with a new name.

To the church of Thyatira:

• Deeds: love, faith, service, perseverance 
• Sin: Jezebel a prophet is tolerated who leads others into sexual immorality and eating of food sacrificed to idols. He would punish her through suffering, and those who did not repent of their sin would suffer with her. All her children would be killed 

v 23...Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

v 26-29 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation Chapter 1- Christ speaking to John

In order for Christians and non-Christians to understand the importance of living each day on earth for Christ, we must be able to comprehend the "revelation" given to John by Jesus Christ. Using "How to Read the Bible Book by Book" by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart as a reference, I will point out the key verses that touch my heart as important in day to day living through Christ, and expand as best as I can. The first chapter illustrates Christ Jesus and how he appeared before John.

I will paraphrase or quote the chapter below:
v 1,2 Jesus comes to John in order to address the future.
v 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. 
v 4-6 A letter from John is sent to seven churches
 ⁷ “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
   and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
   and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
            So shall it be! Amen.

 ⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 

A voice called out behind John and told him to write down what he saw and heard on a scroll and send it to the 7 churches:
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea

v 12-20

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

   “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Image from:  
http://heavenawaits.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/7-lampstands.jpg

Depression is ugly, but the hope I find in Christ is everlasting

It may be a surprise to many, or at least some, that a peppy personality like mine is easy to become depressed. People tell me that I have my life in order so how could I possibly be unhappy? The answer is, my life is not in order and without Christ in my life I have no motivation to put it in order. In the two days that I have abandoned my blog due to my computer's motherboard going on a downward spiral I've gone emotionally downhill. Therefore, in the moments where I have internet I am going to take full advantage of it by writing in this blog.
I've created this blog for the weak in spirit, those who may rely on God MORE because they are going through a rough patch in their lives. I've also created this blog to be honest with myself and to be open with my downfalls in order to prevent a barrier from forming between myself and God, who keeps me delighted in living day to day. Lastly, I've created this blog to help myself recognize the symptoms of my day to day struggles in order that I may not make avoidable mistakes. Aside from that, I am writing this blog to relieve the stress that eats away at the spirit God gives me in his strength. Already I feel better :)

My resolution, through this blog, is to eliminate the sorrow from my life, in order that I may better reflect Jesus Christ. So far I have used only the NIV bible translation in this blog, and will continue to do so, but I recommend King James due to the ease of memorizing verses to help battle every day struggles. biblegateway.com has every version of text I can think of, so I recommend looking up King James if you're interested.

1 Corinthians 1:25

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Lamentations 1:6

All the splendor has departed from Daughter Zion. Her princes are like deer that find no pasture; in weakness they have fled before the pursuer.

Romans 8:25-27

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 

I do not take credit for the image found above: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/876odH/img339.imageshack.us/img339/4281/1294804178899.jpg

Mercy- Its like a big hand reaching out to hold you

Yesterday, I felt convicted by failing to be merciful. In the book "Lord Only You Can Change Me," that my boyfriend and I have been going through, Kay Arthur shares four ways in which we can show mercy.

1. When you see a person in need and you can meet his needs, do so. (James 2:16-16)
2. Fully forgive anyone who is indebted to you in his behavior or attitude (Colossians 3:12-15)
3. If you are going to be merciful, then you need to give understanding rather than judgment. Ask         yourself, "Have I sat where they are living?" (Ezekiel 3:15, Luke 6:36-38)
4. Be merciful toward the character of others. We have different personalities, different temperament types. Therefore, you need to be merciful and respond to others in the light of their personality needs.
• As is paraphrased by Kay, 1 Thessalonians 5:15; Hebrews 10:
• Some people need assurance. Give them assurance.
• Some people are insecure. Affirm them.
• Some people are weak. Support them.
• Some people are timid. Encourage them.
• Some people are reserved. Spur them on to love and good works.

How often am I quick to assume my way is the best way? When I get frustrated, the first thing to go is showing mercy.
Now, I would like to specifically refer to:

Luke 6:36-38

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Anxiety

My skin tingles with the nervous anxiety before an exam. I need to do better, I need to pass. These thoughts take over my mind, cloud me from focusing. Last night I turned my thoughts over to God, with a clear conscious. This morning I did MUCH better than the last exam, but still below the class average in Biochem.

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

In order to do well, I must give my worries to God by having strength through him. By redirecting my thoughts to the things that are important, I can be happy. Giving of oneself yields a fruitful reward. For those of you who do not understand, I am not being hard on myself, I am freeing myself from anxiety through Jesus who gives me peace.

2 Corinthians 8:5-15
And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

Mighty to Save & 4 Spiritual Laws

Today I've decided to write about MIGHT.

Check out this video: Mighty to Save by Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB-yX5p0p4I

The Holy Spirit today gives Christians the strength to be hopeful in Christ and not fall into temptation. So what is temptation? Temptation is enticement or allurement to do something that may bring harm on yourself or others. You can be tempted by cheetos that negatively affect your health, can be tempted by pleasures that may become a distraction from a purposeful life, and other temptations that have no negative consequences but no good ones either. Temptations in the Old testament are defined by the ten commandments, and in the new testament- after Christ- the beatitudes. If we are strong in God's might through the Holy Spirit that we accept through belief in Christ's sinless existence on Earth and resurrection for us, many temptations become lost to us. But in order to live with the Might of Jesus, we must observe and live by the

Four Spiritual laws:
http://4laws.com/laws/english/flash/

Job 36:5
"God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.

Job 36:19
Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?

Psalm 42:4
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

Psalm 59:9-13

You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them and bring them down.
For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride.
For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.

Jesus, the cultural rebel

Often I feel like people think Christianity is conservative, but in Jesus's time he was a rebel. Not a rebel by today's standards of breaking the law, but rebellious in terms of cultural standards. Often in the Bible, Christ does something completely unexpected by the people. This chapter, John 20 shows how Jesus's own mother is so unbelieving in his return that she doesn't even recognize her son immediately after Jesus rose again from death on the third day.

John 20:1-29
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for? Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Do bones live?

To be honest, today I just flipped open the Bible and decided to write about what I opened to. I landed in Ezekiel Chapter 17.

Ezekiel 17:1-3
The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then he caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "Oh Lord God, You know."

Further on, the verses lead up to God bringing the bones to life through Ezekiel. Without faith, nothing happens, unless God is specifically trying to prove a point. Today, God doesn't prove himself because Jesus did that for him, and our free will allows us to make mistakes and sometimes not get the punishment we truly deserve.

As I am at Penn State for the next 2 days, these verses touched my heart:

II Corinthians 9:8,10,11
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, While you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

II Corinthians 10:1,3
Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ- who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

II Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Does God Speak?

Since the coming of Christ, we are not aware that God speaks verbally to man. Believers in Christ however, ARE given the Holy Spirit.

New Testament-post Christ
1 Corinthians 2:14
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Old Testament
Deuteronomy 5:24
And you said, “The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them."

Genesis 28:13-15
There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Psalm 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

Numbers 11:16-17
The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. ¹⁷ I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

Image: courtesy of Joe Warnstrom

Believing lies and reflecting an imperfect standard.

I’m not going to use generalized phrases, but I’m sure others can relate to the feeling of inadequacy. According to dictionary.com, inadequacy is the state of being found insufficient or having defect. Dwelling on inadequacy is not healthy, but believing inadequacy given to you by others is not ok. The only OTHER you should compare yourself to is Jesus Christ… What would Jesus do?

So, what, you may ask, did Jesus do? By coming to earth as the son of God and resisting all temptation of the world he humbled himself to be blamelessly nailed to a cross for mans’ sin. For those who believe in Him, (I emphasize that this is a relationship, not a religion in which a standard mode of action is “par”) but Jesus Christ Himself strengthens us in our weakness and loves our weakness because our reliance on Him brings us closer.

So, am I believing a lie that I'm inadequate? YES. Does Jesus think I'm inadequate? Not now. Since I believe Jesus Christ is my personal savior, God turned away from Jesus on the cross because our sin was put on Him. This allows us to be looked at with love from God even through our imperfections. If you beat yourself up regularly, you are believing a lie.

Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

^{John 3:3-8}
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." "How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

John 3:16-21

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.