Then
one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the
scroll and its seven seals." (Rev. 5:5 NIV)
The gospel writers give
a wonderful description of the nature and character of Jesus, our Messiah. John describes Jesus as the Son of God, while Luke presents
Him as the Son of Man. Matthew speaks of Jesus as the King of Israel,
and Mark writes of Him as the Servant of all. When you put all of these
descriptions together, they form a beautiful piece of art that
describes wonderfully who Jesus is. He's God who became a man, the King
who became a servant.
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. (Rev. 3:14 NIV)
Many years ago I offered
up to God one of the most significant prayers I've ever brought before
the throne of God. "Oh, God," I cried out, "please place me in
situations where You are my only hope. Help me never to depend upon my
own skills and abilities to accomplish Your work."
Now
therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens
with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner stone; (Eph. 2: 19, 20 KJV)
God has been so good to
me in many different ways. One of the great blessings He's given to me
during my life is that of friendships. He's blessed me with friends
around the world. One of those friends is a missionary to Brazil that
God has used mightily. Wade Akins and his family left the comforts of
their home in the United States because of their love for the Brazilian
people.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:4 NIV)
Before my wife and I
were married, I told her, "I can't promise you that we will ever be
rich, but I do promise you this - life won't be boring!" And it's
certainly not been boring. Following Jesus has been one great adventure
after another. I would never have dreamed that I would see the things
that I've seen or do the things that I've done. It's been an amazing
journey.
