Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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1 Chronicles 25-26

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READ

1 Chronicles 25-26


REFLECT 

These 2 chapters speak about the division of work to serve God. It is highly structured, detailed and organized according to drawing of sacred lots. Apparently people from the clan chosen to do the work were all very capable and qualified as well (1 Chronicles‬ ‭25‬:‭7‬, 1 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭8‬). And God blesses those who serves Him so they can be a blessing to serve Him and others (1 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭4‬-‭8‬).


Indeed serving God in those days demanded a high level of attention to details, skills and talents . For example - for musicians, respective families were even supervised by their fathers and their fathers by the King himself (1 Chronicles‬ ‭25‬:‭6‬). Serving God then was a serious matter! Men of great abilities served the Lord with great honor (for example the gatekeepers) and in other roles (for eg treasurers) to maintain the house of the Lord. These were demanding roles with great responsibilities and expectations.


RELATE

In the modern days we continue to have people serving in the church either as full time ministers (pastors), ministry  and administrative staff or as volunteers (ministry committee members, local church executive committee members, befrienders, ushers, worship leaders, so on and so forth). 


Each of us has the gifts to serve in different areas but in one body of Christ - “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭6‬-‭8‬.


Therefore we should definitely use the gift from God to do our part (and the gifts are not just for us to earn a living and climb the corporate ladders). And we should use the gift from God to serve Him with awe, reverence and in all seriousness, not just at the convenience of our time. If we had the time to chase Korean dramas or go for long holidays then we should have the time to serve God too!


Although serving God requires certain talent or “gifts”, that should not deter or discourage us from serving. In fact many times we do not know of our own strength and spiritual gifting until we serve. I often heard of people saying that the ministry or administrative work of the church should be left to those who are capable or those who have retired! That is totally untrue! 


Imagine a church with no volunteers to serve - no one to run the Sunday school, lead the worship, prayer, disciple groups, attend to finance and administrative matters of the church. Then the church will not be able to continue if we leave it to each other to do the work. We are always short of volunteers, especially when we are growing as a church, just as Jesus said in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭37‬-‭38 - “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”


I thank God for His blessings in my life and the gifts He has granted me. And I pray that I can use the gifts to serve Him and fulfill the purpose He has for me.

‬

REST

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost 

Amen


Alan Wong


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Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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