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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Hosea 14 "Antidote to self"

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Read: Hosea 14

Verses chosen for reflection:

Hosea 14:9
"Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
    whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the Lord are right,
    and the upright walk in them,
    but transgressors stumble in them."

Reflect

The point of Hosea is indicated in the very last verse of the book: that whoever had read the book to be wise to understand and walk upon what is good and right. What is good and right is outlined for us in this chapter. That even when we fall and stumble, the wise thing to do is to turn back to the Lord and repent. 

And this constitutes repentance: that we do not return to the old ways and cling on to our own strength or other powers as idols. Instead, we start to learn to rely on God for our daily lives. Turn away from our old self and inclinations. Turn towards the ways of God and rely on God to embrace His way. 

After what Israel and Judah had done against the Name of God; such a passage exults great compassion and grace from the Almighty. To know that He even give these words through Hosea to the people of Israel is divine mercy and love. No human being can do this. Except a God who is the embodiment of Love.  

Relate

For some, the period between salvation and realising that growing in holiness is part of the deal can be painstakingly long. Yet God do not give up. He did not give up on His most wayward child Israel; He will not give up on us, unless we give up on Him. 

We do not profess to be better than the people of Israel; but how God ministered and cared for them despite their great evil encouraged me. It encouraged me not to take God's grace for granted and use Israel as an excuse to sin more. Instead, God's extraordinary love moved me to pursue holiness and righteousness. If I am helpless to be right; at the very least, I should just be grateful so that God can help me to be right.

I learned that a grateful heart can be the antidote to many attitude issues we are facing in a post-modern world. A grateful heart breaks the sense of self-entitlement. It breaks the sense of pride. It breaks the sense of self so that our heart starts to beat for God and others. That is the core of why Jesus went to the Cross to redeem our sins. If God is only for Himself and He has every right to be; there would never be Good Friday and Easter. 

I am thankful that my God who He said He is. And so, the least I can do, is to learn to be grateful. 


Rest

O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer.


Jason


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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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