Day 365

I DID IT!!! The entire Bible in three hundred sixty five days! I have laughed. I have cried. And most of all, I have drawn closer to God than I could ever have imagined!

I wanted what I take from the last day to be significant. It should be something to sum up all that was read, and also be something for going forward. Revelation 22 verse 17 provides just that! It says, "The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."

To sum up the past 365 days, the Lord loves us! He loves us with a love that is incomprehensible! He begs us, pleads with us, cries for us to Come! Come to Him for He offers love, fulfillment, joy, peace, protection and life without price! So come!

And going forward, those who hear the Lord call, they too shall say, "Come!" We are to call out to others to come to the Lord! Call to those who are thirsty. Call to those who desire the water of life. Call them all to come!

Come, for the loving Father who, has been for all time and will be for eternity, loves us beyond measure. We can come and trust Him for everything and He will not let us down!

Come.

Day 364

In today's reading, I found the seven bowls of God's wrath, issued by some of His angels, interesting.

Revelation 16 describes these 7 bowls that the 7 angels were given to pour out onto the earth. The first poured out his bowl on the earth which resulted in pain and sores. The second poured his bowl into the sea which killed everything in it. The third poured his bowl into the rivers and water supply, which turned the water into blood. The fourth poured his bowl onto the sun which allowed it to burn people. The fifth angel poured out their bowl on the throne of the beast (assuming Satan) and cast them into darkness. The sixth angel poured their bowl onto the Euphrates River and dried it up. The last angel poured their bowl into the air and caused storms and an earthquake and great hailstones about 100 pounds each.

There have been many movies that have tried to show what it will be like at the end of times, but I am not worried. I live in the confidence that I am forgiven, and I am redeemed by the Lord. I do not have to worry about the end of times because I know that I will be with the Lord! Therefore, I have nothing to fear!

Day 363

Revelation 12 describes a great battle that took place in heaven between the Lord's angels and Satan (the dragon) and his angels and the dragon was defeated.

Revelation 12 verse 11 says, "And they have conquered [Satan] by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony..."

Only the word of Christ and Christ Himself can conquer Satan. We as humans cannot do it ourselves. We cannot fathom the battles and the power that is happening constantly between Christ and Satan for the souls of man. It is only by faith in Christ that we are saved because Christ is the only one that can defeat Satan!

I thank God for being a God who does save, protect, conquer and love for my sake. What an awesome, powerful, loving God we serve!

Day 362

I really like how John describes heaven. Chapter 7 verse 11 says, "And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God."

When I read this, I picture angels as far as the eye can see, falling with their faces to the ground, worshiping the Lord! I long for the day when I can see this for myself. I long to be one of those who fall on their face and worship.

I look for ways where I can now worship Him. I worship Him with others in church, and also on my own. I believe it gives me a glimpse of what is to come. I will continue to worship!

Day 361

In Revelation chapter 3, John hears the Lord give a message for the church in Philadelphia (not Pennsylvania). Chapter 3 verse 8 says, "I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." Also, chapter 3 verse 10 says, "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."

I found the concept of patient endurance interesting. I believe patient endurance is continued faith in Christ when He seems distant. It is believing even when believing is not the logical thing at the time. I also like the fact that it seems as though to be a test. Verse 10 said because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from trials. If we pass the test, we will be spared many things!

However, I believe we are called quite often to patiently endure, and most of the time, we fail. We do not pass the test the Lord has laid out for us. The fact is, the Lord is always with us. He may give the illusion that He is far in order to test our faith, but He is always there. To patiently endure means to realize the truth; that even when the Lord seems far away, He is standing right next to you!

Day 360

The book of Jude encourages us to follow Christ. Verses 20 and 21 say, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

Keep yourself in the love of God. Do not wander and chase after our own desires. Do not chase after evil things. Pray in the Holy Spirit and continue following the Lord and you will find eternal life.

All too often it seems like we follow our own desires and stray away from the perfect love of God! Jude encourages us to stay with Him and we be blessed with eternal life! We need to keep ourselves in the love of God!