Revelation 12 - 7.9.24
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 12:1-6
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in labor and agony as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: There was a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and 10 horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. His tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth. And the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she did give birth he might devour her child. But she gave birth to a Son - a male Who is going to shepherd all nations with an iron scepter - and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, to be fed there for 1260 days.”
OBSERVATION: As the time draws near for Jesus’ return, Satan is intensifying his efforts to destroy all the people on earth who choose to follow Jesus rather than the man of lawlessness. ( 2 Thes 2:3). God made a covenant with Abraham that all the people on earth would be blessed through his offspring, (the children of Israel, and the Messiah).
Revelation 12-16 describes events that will take place during the great tribulation. The time frame appears to be 1,260 days, or 3 1/2 years.
The pregnant woman is a remnant within the nation of Israel.
The great fiery red dragon is Satan.
The Son is Jesus Christ.
UNDERSTANDING: Ever since Satan rebelled against God and led Adam and Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden, there has been a great conflict between good and evil that has been impacting all human beings, as well as the earth where we live (Genesis 3:16-18/ Isaiah 14:12-15). However, God began immediately to unfold his redemptive plan, informing Satan that Jesus Christ will eventually “strike (his) head”, even though the evil one will be allowed to strike Christ’s “heel”. (Genesis 3:15). (Gene Getz).
Though Satan’s power has been limited because of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, he continues to battle against God’s people. Focusing on the Jews, he will wage war against them, only to once again be defeated.
PRAYER: Thank You Lord that we are able to rely on Your strength and protection. Thank You that we are able to be victorious over Satan and his evil cohorts. Thank You for providing all that we need to be able to walk worthy of the great calling we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray I will continually draw on Your strength and wisdom by putting on the armor of God, and relying on the power of Your Word through prayer, and when my adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for anyone he can devour, I pray that I will resist the devil by submitting to God, and by continually drawing close to You, Lord.
- Robin Orefice.
Proverbs 29 - 7.8.24
Scripture
Proverbs 29:15 & 17 NLT
15 “To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.”
17 “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.”
Observation
In this proverb, King Solomon speaks of the importance of disciplining our children because it produces wisdom. True wisdom comes from God and if a child is living a godly, disciplined life, a parent can have peace of mind knowing that their child will be blessed with God’s favor and protection.
“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.” -Proverbs 3:13-18
However, if that child is undisciplined, not only do they bring troubles and misfortune their way, but they bring disgrace to their parents who raised them.
Application
Discipline out of love, not anger.
The part in the verse that really stood out to me was the part where it talked about how a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. I mean, we’ve all seen it. Whether we’re at a mall, restaurant, or a movie theater, we’ve all seen that out of control, undisciplined child throwing a fit and having a tantrum when things don’t go their way. They are usually loud and obnoxious, running and screaming down the aisles and creating a scene. While this is happening, everyone else is thinking, “whose kid is this?!”
Now I hate to admit it, but I was a parent to one of those kids. It was when one of my daughters was a toddler playing at the mall playground, and she had a total meltdown. Other parents were looking and staring, while I had to embarrassingly grab her and bring her to the bathroom. It was then that I had to discipline her to correct her bad behavior. But, that moment helped her realize that there was a certain standard that I had set for her to live by. If she couldn’t meet that standard, there would be consequences. Needless to say, she never had another meltdown like that again, as she learned from her mistake.
The same goes with us and our relationship with God. God creates His standards that we should try to live by. If we mess up, (which all of us have done), there is usually some sort of discipline or consequence we receive because of it. But, we are ALWAYS met with God’s grace, mercy, and love. The key for us as His children is to repent/learn from our mistakes and to try not do them again. If we don’t, we know discipline is around the corner and we know God disciplines those He loves. I mean, what kind of parent just lets their kids go off in this world to do anything they want, whenever they want?! Obviously, a parent who doesn’t care. But God cares. He loves us. God is our Heavenly Father. We are His children. We carry His family name as Christ Followers and should want to make Him proud with everything we do. 😊
“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”-Hebrews 12:5-6
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Forgive me for the times I fall short to Your standards. And even though it may bring me discomfort, thank You for Your discipline when I do mess up. Because I know You do it out of love. You don’t want me to go down a path that leads to darkness that leads death. You correct me to put me back on the path that leads to life. Help me to stay on course. Give me a heart that wants to please You and make You proud. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Leviticus 26 - 7.5.2024
Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.
Leviticus 26:6-8
“‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.
Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?
The part of these verses that stood out to me was, “Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.”
Speaking to the Israelites during a time before ours God says that if the Israelites will obey Him, He will bring peace to their land, remove the wild beasts, and prevent enemy “swords” from passing through their country. The hyperbole (or is it literal considering the warriors of renown during King David’s reign?)is what struck me. Five would overcome a hundred. One-hundred would overcome ten-thousand. And their enemies would fall.
Application - How will you apply this to your life?
It is so wild to me at times to read about the interaction God had with people so many thousands of years before Christ. I often wonder, Father God, what our nation would be like if we obeyed you? Would we become a nation of peace, where we could lie down and not be afraid? Would war no longer come to our country? Would our enemies all fall to us?
Prayer - Write out a prayer.
Teach me Father God, in how I may align into greater obedience with Your Will today. I think about the offer made to your people in the above verses and I can’t help but think I want that for my family. For my town. For my country. For all of Your people. Bless us with peace. Bless us with strength. Bless us with prosperity.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee