December 29 - United Nations

 Read today’s texts first: Revelation 10-15

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

I’ve read ahead to the end of the book and,
guess what, we win! 

The theme I noticed emerging from our reading today is the uniting of nations against God (11:9,10,18; 12:5,9; 13:7,8,16; 14:8). Yesterday I was excited to read how all the nations will be reached with the gospel, but it is obvious that in the last days of earth there will be a great divide, a battle for the nations between the people of God and the prevailing spirit of antichrist.

We are returning to a time like Babel, where all the people of the earth once gathered together to defy God (Genesis 11:1-9). God’s plan to divide the earth and isolate humanity through languages has been effective in stopping us from global self-destruction - until now! Through the recent explosion of technology affecting global transportation and communication, the world is coming together, again.

Mystery Babylon (14:8), the ancient religion stemming from the rebellion of Babel, will syncretize false religions and cults against Christianity. We are seeing that already around the world, even in what were once considered Christian nations. Bible reading is being banned in our own public schools while we openly embrace yoga and eastern mysticism!

But just like the technology of Roman road-building allowed the spread of the gospel in the days of the first church, the technology of our day is making it possible for the last church to reach previously unreached nations. We have never enjoyed more opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission than today. While we should be aware and concerned about the global multi-pronged strategies of our enemy, we should be more attuned to the mission of our God, the Master Planner, to bring His good news to every nation (10:11; 14:6; 15:3,4). I’ve read ahead to the end of the book and, guess what, we win!

“Lord, I am grateful to be on Your side, knowing You have a master plan, executed with precision since the beginning of creation. Show me how I need to live today and every day ahead so I can be part of Your plan to redeem the nations.”

December 28 - Main Things

 Read today’s texts first: Revelation 5-9

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

We will know we are getting close to the end when the gospel is heard & received in all nations! (Matt. 24:14)

When it comes to Bible interpretation, I agree with Alistair Begg, who said, “the main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.” This basic rule of hermeneutics has helped me keep my head on straight every time I’ve read through this book.

I’ve studied the Revelation many times, read other books written about it, and even taught eschatology (doctrine of last things) to college students, and I can say this with certainty - we will not figure this book out completely until after the described events take place! That is true about most Bible prophecy. We can speculate, but never really know, whether to interpret the book or parts of it, literally or figuratively. The ones who think they know seem to drift into unhealthy extremes.

So I always read through the text fascinated by the imagery, excited about the second coming of Jesus, and inspired by the things that are obvious. In this passage one of those things is the gathering of nations, tribes, and language groups around the throne of God, united together in their worship of the Lamb (7:9-12). The words I love are “every” and “all.”  The Great Commission of teaching “all nations” (Matthew 28:19) will be a success and the prophecy that the gospel will be preached “in all the world” (Matthew 24:14) will come true!

This has become my passion. It started when God spoke clearly to me while I was watching a performance of the Youth Ambassadors choir, which included my niece representing Canada (wearing a Mounties uniform sewn by my sister). With 50 nations represented, they sang “Love in any Language,” standing with their arms raised, hand in hand, in worship to the one true God. To me it was a picture of heaven on earth and I couldn’t control the tears.

Shortly after that, I wrote a paper called “Coming Together - Moving Toward International Integration in the Church,” helped organize a symposium of pastors who are leading multi-ethnic ministries, and joined a team of educators to create a training program for Intentionally Intercultural Churches (IIC). I think international and intercultural evangelism should grip the heart of every follower of Jesus because it grips His heart. “Lord, whatever You have for me to do in my remaining days on earth, let me be involved in bringing the good news of Jesus to the nations!”

December 27 - Preserve Your First Love

 Read today’s texts first: Revelation 1-4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Sometimes we “persevere” but fail to “preserve” our
first-love intimacy with our Saviour and Friend.

It happens in almost all relationships. I’ve had the privilege of counselling many couples before and long after they’ve been married and the challenge we all face is preserving that first love. The romance, the passion, the excitement of being together can dissipate over time. The differences that once attracted us together can later drive us apart.

A similar thing can happen in our relationship with God, but the drift is one-sided. I remember a bumper sticker that asked the right question: “if you feel far from God, guess who moved?” The Revelation asks the same question of seven churches, particularly the church of Ephesus: You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love (2:3,4).  Just like the church of Ephesus, sometimes we “persevere” but fail to “preserve” that openness and intimacy we once enjoyed with our Saviour and Friend.

John reminds the church to “remember from where you have fallen.” I believe he is referring to more than their recent sin of forsaking “their first love.” He is saying that if you always remember where you were before you met Jesus, that He loved you while you were still a sinner (Romans 5:8), you will never stay away from Him. Every day will be another opportunity to appreciate His unconditional love and grace.

Sometimes our persevering can lead to a sense of self-sufficiency and self-righteousness. We forget that every good thing we have is undeserved, and that we can love only because He first loved us (1 John 4:19; Revelation 1:5).  “Lord, everything and everyone I love in my life began with You, my first love!”

December 26 - The Perfect Church?

 Read today’s texts first: Psalms 117; 119: 81-176; 2 John; 3 John

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The God born in a barn is at home in our personal
failures, dysfunctional families and imperfect churches.

Over the Christmas holidays we were able to catch up with some family and friends we haven’t seen for a while. Invariably the topic of church came up and we were surprised how many people, who were once avid church participants, now no longer attend a church. The most common reason – “we just can’t find the perfect church.” Our unexpressed response – “guess what, if you did, you wouldn’t fit in!”

We don’t have perfect churches mostly because they are filled with imperfect people. Even the first church, which we tend to glorify as ideal, was far from it. The last few books we’ve read through, especially John’s writings, have focused on individuals and teachings that were tearing local churches apart. In his gospel, his three letters, and in the Revelation we start reading tomorrow, John calls us back to the simplicity of the gospel message, that Jesus was sent from God to show us how much He loves us and how we can share His love with others.

How the purity of that message and His love gets communicated on this sin-polluted planet is far from perfect. That’s what I love about the Christmas story. Jesus was born in a smelly barn, visited by social outcasts, and raised by poor parents in a disreputable town. God made sure we knew He could handle our shortcomings. We can invite him into our personal failures, our dysfunctional families and imperfect churches. Even, David, who writes in the psalms we read today about how much he loves God and His Word, had a major spiritual melt-down. And yet, he is still remembered as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).  It’s not the imperfections of our life or our churches that defines us – it’s who we go to with our sin!

“Lord, I am grateful that You still come into our imperfect lives and churches. Some day Your work of perfecting us will be complete (Ephesians 5:17), but in the meantime we welcome you into our barns!”

December 25 - Jesus Messiah

 Read today’s texts first: 1 John 1-5

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When it comes to living right and loving others, it’s not what we know but Who we know that matters.

What a great day to read about Jesus, our Messiah - the heart of the Christmas message.

John’s understanding of Jesus is so simple and authentic that he quickly cuts to the chase. False teachers are infiltrating the church at the time he wrote this letter (2:18,19; 4:1-3). To help the church identify these false teachers and their teachings, John quickly lays out three tests for authentic Christianity: do you believe Jesus is the virgin-born, only-begotten Son of God, the Messiah (2:22,23; 4:3); have you chosen to practice right living instead of sin (3:4-10); do you genuinely love other people (4:7,8)?

The answer to the first question determines your ability to answer yes to the other two. While some of my recent blog entries have focused on the human response and responsibility to our faith, faith always comes first. Without a relationship with the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), it’s difficult to consistently practice right living or genuinely love others unconditionally.

Belief in Jesus as the Messiah is the dividing line between Christianity and every false religion, cult or sect. If a person or belief system dismisses or minimizes Christ’s virgin-birth (divinity), sinless life, death for our sins, and bodily resurrection, they represent the spirit of antichrist. There is no option for ambivalence when it comes to Jesus - you are either pro-Christ or antichrist, with Him or against Him! If you are with Him, He will be with you, helping you make right choices, forgiving you when you fail, and teaching you how to love others like He does.

“Lord, we celebrate today how You came to be with us and how You made it possible for us to know You personally. When it comes to living right and loving others, it’s not what we know but Who we know that matters. This Christmas, like every other day, I want to know You more!”

December 24 - My Father, Your Father

 Read today’s texts first: John 19-21

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The life of Jesus ends much like it began -
humble, quiet, selfless and intensely personal.

It was appropriate to read the end of John’s gospel the day before Christmas. Remembering the end of the gospel story while we celebrate the beginning makes everything more significant. The life of Jesus ends much like it began - humble, quiet, selfless and intensely personal.

While He came to earth to bring peace and joy to the entire world, we see personal attention given to Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna and the magi. As we read of His death and resurrection, with its shattering impact on the earth, in hell, and throughout the heavens, John brings out Christ’s intimate one-to-one encounters once again.

Even in the middle of His agony while hanging on the cross, Jesus looked down and saw His mother and John. Joseph must have died early on, and Jesus, the eldest son, felt an obligation to care for His aging mother. He took the time to pass on that care to John (19:26,27) just before His death, with My Mother, “behold your son.”

After His resurrection He shared personal moments with some of His closest friends. His first was with Mary Magdalene in the garden.  Because her checkered past had kept her from belonging anywhere, He assured her that His Father was now her Father, His God was her God (20:17). Thomas, the natural skeptic, was invited to touch His scars (20:24-28). Peter, wracked with guilt over his three denials, was offered three opportunities to declare his love (21:15-17). John himself, was given hope that he would escape martyrdom (21:22,23).  All of the disciples were born again and filled with His Spirit as Jesus literally breathed new life into them (20:21-23).

“Lord, Your personal encounters with Your followers continue today. Thank You for loving me and speaking personally to me today.”

December 23 - All For One

 Read today’s texts first: John 15-18

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The family of God should have the same kind of unity
we see between the Father, Son and Spirit. 

The teachings and prayers in our reading today are unique to John’s gospel. He gives us incredible insight into the last words of Jesus before His death, which capture the reason why He came to earth. The relationship within the Trinity will always be difficult for us to understand but we see glimpses in these chapters how pure unity works. The Father sent the Son, the Son is about to send the Spirit, and all three fully represent the other. All three are one in their love for us and in their plan to redeem us.

Jesus prayed for all of us, including me, when He said, my prayer is not for them alone [His disciples]. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message [all of us], that all of them will be one, Father, just as You are in me and I am in You (17:20,21). This is the part that blows my mind - that some day we, the family of God, are intended to have the same kind of unity we see in the Godhead.

Right now we struggle with so many of the imperfections we see in the disciples and religious leaders of Jesus’ day: comparison, striving for power and position, pride, judgment, mistrust, unforgiveness, divisive attitudes, words and actions. No wonder people in the world often have a low opinion of the church! But the intent and the plan is that some day we will love each other as purely as we are loved by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

While this won’t be fully realized until we leave this sin-polluted planet, we should see a perfecting of God’s love in our lives as we grow older. We certainly see this maturing process in John’s life, who was the only disciple to escape martyrdom (though apparently scarred from being boiled in oil). We see such a difference throughout his long life from when we was a young upstart. He and his brother James were nicknamed by Jesus the sons of thunder, for good reason - often striving with Jesus for power and position (with help from their equally competitive mother - Matthew 20:20,21).

“Lord, my prayer today is the same one You had for me before You were crucified, that I would be one with You and my church family. I have so far to go but help me love and serve my brothers and sisters in the church with the same kind of love You have for me.”