Revelation 12 ~ Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!

 

 

Revelation 12

12 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.


7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 

11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”


Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around.
Faith looks up.

What will we do with our blessings?
Matthew Henry writes this passage is so deep, it is almost without fathom. This Scripture is about the Church, about History, about our present, past and future.

Will we have our blessings
 so hoarded that they vanish, like the first paragraph?

Or will we pick at our blessings 
until they are like Chocolate Easter bunnies pick, pick, pick - horrid and gone.

We have the ability to un-bless our blessings.

Invest generously with your time, your mercy, in real treasure. 
 Give happily what God has given you. Because? We bless ourselves in eternity. God sees our gifts as building the Kingdom to Eternity. Making Life what you give.

Psalm 145:3-10
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!

Give thanks? 
The only thing we can Give to God - He has not given to us.  

1,474 Giving is used in the Bible in the English Standard Version. This is an attitude. Grow. Stretch. Expand.  New people, new ideas, new strengths. Where does strength come from? Overcoming.
 

2 Timothy 1

My beloved child!
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
a clear conscience
remember you constantly in my prayers night and day
long to see you, that I may be filled with joy
sincere faith
fan into flame the gift of God...

God gave us
a spirit not of fear but of power and Love and self-control.

not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord
the gospel by the power of God
saved us and called us
because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus
abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher
he is able to guard
in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus
the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.


Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.


God is able to bless us. Able. In all times. Abundant blessings. How? God is in process with our earnest, sincerity of working things together. When we do not react in a Spirit of Fear. In all times - God is able to bless us. Are we called to His Purpose? I believe in the Lord's Prayer - we are called to do our best to be honest, sincere and bring Heaven to Earth.



Father God, In Jesus help us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Your Love and Mercy. Called Salvation. Every day until the day of eternity.

Jesus our Lord, equip us, through Jesus Christ, bless us in every good thing to do Your will, working in us that which is pleasing in Your sight for Your glory forever and ever.

Father God, You are able to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless before the presence of Your glory with great joy. You are only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. 
Amen.

Thank You, Jesus!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

 

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