Subscription Lists

There are times when we do not need to get anything from the Service of Praise and Worship. There can be Sundays and occasions when gather, with only one thing in our hearts, and that is to give to Him. Praise Him. Worship Him. Thank Him. Tell Him what you think of Him, and how much He means to you.

Never mind about getting anything, just be concerned about giving Him praise and glory. Concentrate on Him. You will not go away empty. We can never give God more than He gives us. There is that sense here of moving from singing, to praise, and into worship. John is speaking about having that Communion with Jesus Christ - in the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit - where we are released from ourselves - released from thinking selfishly - about ourselves - our needs - our situations - our answered prayers - our unanswered prayers - our blessings - but instead of all that, there is this sense of being wrapped up in praise and worship. This is what the book of Revelation is really all about, as it keeps reminding us, and pointing us to heaven, as well as revealing what will happen on earth before everything on earth, as we know it, is finally over. We read in Revelation Chapter 1 of all this flowing from the seven spirits, or the sevenfold Spirit - depicting His manifold energies - ministering to each of the seven churches at one and the same time - and from Jesus who never failed to present God's truth - the firstborn from the dead - meaning that He is the first of an order which others can and will follow. After writing all this down, John says Amen - Absolutely! Jesus Christ covers everything. There are times when our structures in English are insufficient for the spiritual glories which are revealed in the opening verses of the book of Revelation. When you become a believer in Jesus, and a disciple of Jesus, there are a number of things you can be absolutely certain of, and John mentions these in verses 1 to 8. You can be certain of what Jesus has done for you, and you can be absolutely certain of what Jesus will do. With so much going on around us, and with so much uncertainty prevalent, we do not need to be part of certain aspects of that. A little word of warning is necessary. Being certain about certain things can infuriate those who are not believing disciples of Jesus Christ, or those who are out of the Will of God. Remember these wonderful truths are being written in prison. Do not let that put you off. You enjoy standing upon that sure strong rock, and rejoice in the certainty and assurance that Jesus gives you. One of the things we can rejoice in is this - verses 7,8 - Jesus Christ is coming again. Christ is going to return, and when He does every eye will see Him. Everyone will be able to see our returning Saviour and Lord, and people who have been spiritually blind will see Jesus, as the Judge, on that day. Jesus will be visible to all - the magnitude and the immensity of His coming - it will be a stupendous occasion. For those of us who belong to Christ, it will be a rapturous day, as we are taken to meet Him in the air. For others, it will be a very sad day. It will be a tragic day. Even those who pierced Him will see Him. Even those who use His Name now as a curse or swear word will have to appear before Him on that day. They will get the shock of their lives. Those who rejected Jesus will be judged by Him. It is awful to see someone you have done something terrible to. You want to cross the road or hide, but on that day there will no road to cross, and there will be nowhere to hide. The running away will stop, as Jesus comes to dispense Justice and Mercy. All this goes beyond all understanding. John shares something of how it will be on that day, and he hears God saying, "I am the beginning and the end" The Alpha and the Omega - He is everything in between. Revelation means revealing - unveiling - not obscuring. What an opening - so loving - so powerful - so full of grace and truth and peace - releasing people and setting people free - washing those who are dirty, and who come for washing, and lifting you up, and making you what He wants you to be. In verse 9, John comes right down to earth, with the reality of suffering and the kingdom - of death and resurrection - of the cross and the crown. Jesus is seen envisaged in the midst of His people, in the midst of the lampstands. Take the book of Revelation and read it, and study it, and enjoy what God revealed to the apostle John, through Jesus Christ. It is a truism - we can never give God more than God gives us.

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

A Needy Man Calls Out for Help Jesus Responds and Answers

Read Article »