"The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head." -- Obadiah 1:15

It is a centuries-old truth:  what goes around comes around... or is it what comes around goes around?  Either way, it's a form of karma-- do good and good happens to you.  If you want a friend, be a friend... but reality is that we can be good all the time, and still bad things can happen.  Our behavior is not a prescript for the experiences of our life.  People who do bad things still get to live lives good people only dream about.  So what gives?  Here's the thing:  it's not a zero-sum game.  You can be good, righteous, and loving, and still bad things can happen to you, yes.  But when you do these things, they're done in the context of relationship.  When you feed relationships with love, support, and encouragement, you teach others to show love, support, and encouragement as well.  When everyone does that together, when bad things happen, people rally together and help each other through.  If you live a life of hate, harming others in your path, when bad times come, who will be there for you?  Yes, you can be good and still have bad things happen, but there is truth in the notion of reaping what you sow.  So do unto others, because they will do unto you one way or another.

Readings:  Obadiah 1:1-21; Revelation 4:1-11; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 29:24-25

"You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" -- Revelation 3:15

These words might seem harsh.  They speak to the usefulness of a people.  John was writing to the church in Laodicea, and he knew the place.  It was situated geographically in such a way that its water supply was lukewarm in temperature.  Cold water refreshes and hot water cleanses, but lukewarm water isn't good for much.  They were a rich people and secure in their minds.  So they are challenged to change it up a bit.  I suppose the prophet's job has always been to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.  This is what John was doing here... trying to afflict the comfortable into action.  

It takes us time to establish routine.  For some, it takes years of effort and pain.  Once we reach our spot of predictability, maybe it's time to shake it up a bit.  Don't ever get comfortable in your serving and growing in God.  You won't arrive, and I believe God would have us continually move his purposes ahead in time.

Readings:  Amos 7:1-9:15; Revelation 3:7-22; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 29:23

"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?" -- Psalm 130:3

In this world, it is hard to find a level playing field.  In human competition, there are elements that come into play over which you have no control:  where you were born, to whom you were born, resources available, schools you went to, etc.  The "haves" get an advantage over the "have-nots".  The in-crowd take care of their own.  Those outside tend to remain on the outside, but create their own cliques along the way.

But hear the good news:  in the Kingdom of God, you are on the inside.  For when you die, there is nothing on this earth that you can take with you, and like the rich and the poor alike, from dust you came and to dust you shall return.  So keep that in mind and remain humble as you take advantage of opportunities that are afforded you, and keep that in mind also when you are bitter for not having the same advantages as others.  May God bless you and keep you in a state of awareness that you belong to Him, and stand equal with all of his other children.

Readings:  Amos 4:1-6:14; Revelation 2:18-3:6; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 29:21-22

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer." -- Revlation 2:10

Early Christians in the time of Revelation were struggling with the fearful prospect of suffering and dying because of their faith.  The split with Judaism was happening and Christians were having to identify themselves radically apart.  Because of the persecution they were experiencing by the Roman government, those who were Christian were so at their own peril.  John is answering a question that is being posed in regard to the requirement of bowing to the emperor as if he were a god.  Some wished to be secret followers of Jesus and bow before the emperor with their "fingers crossed", so to speak, but this was not acceptable.  If it meant dying for your faith, so be it.  There was only one God, and Caesar it wasn't.  So Revelation is a letter of hope to 7 churches in Asia, indicating that they would suffer, but in the end, God wins.  Most of us aren't pressured to go underground in our faith, but how would you respond to the question John is addressing?  Can we or should we ever be "secret" Christians?

Readings:  Amos 1:1-3:15; Revelation 2:1-17; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 29:19-20

"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

Today, we begin the reading of Revelation.  It's one of the most confusing, yet at the same time most intriguing books of the Bible.  It begins with a vision revealed to John, who is exiled on the Isle of Patmos.  And the Lord introduces himself as being the Alpha & Omega: the beginning and the end.  We are gifted the opportunity to experience a slice of life somewhere in the middle.  It's good to remember, as it can help us to keep perspective.

Found this on YouTube.  Some rough images... PG13.

Readings:  Joel 1:1-3:21; Revelation 1:1-20; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 29:18

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." -- Psalm 127:1

This psalm speaks to the importance of having alignment in your life.  When your vision gels with God's vision for it, you will find purpose and meaning.  When you ask God to lead you in your life, and trust him as you walk through it, you will flourish in it.  Regardless of circumstances, regardless of obstacles, and regardless of all the ups and downs along the way... because your direction is right, you will be right.

Readings:  Hosea 10:1-14:9; Jude 1:1-25; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 29:15-17

"Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." -- Psalm 126:4-5

This prayer is one of trust and hope.  Sometimes, when things seem hopeless, we have a tendency to give in, give up, and despair about what is or what is to come.  But the people of God do not live in hopelessness, for their faith is one of hope.  So when darkness envelops you, look beyond the clouds to the light that they block.  The clouds may come, and even stay awhile, but by their nature, they are temporary vapor merely concealing that which is behind them and unchanging.

Readings:  Hosea 6:1-9:17; 3 John 1:1-14; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 29:12-14