BIBLE READING PLAN
WEEK 1 – Exiting Our Plans
DAY 5
In our readings this week, we’re focusing on the key idea from Exodus 1:
“Never forget how God came through in the past when you find yourself in a present struggle.” Today, in Revelation 21, we see how God’s plan for the future help us in the present.
Reading: Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Reflection:
There is a certain and amazing future for those who remain faithful. Let’s persevere, knowing the future is worth it.
- Spend some time praying, asking God for the strength to be faithful whatever today holds, and thanking him for a certain and amazing future.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Reflection This week, in Exodus 1, we saw that God was at work in the Israelites even when things weren’t looking good for them. In Daniel 3, we read about three men who resolved to be faithful even if God didn’t do things how they would like. In Roman 8, we learned that nothing could stop the good God is doing. And yesterday in James 3, we were reminded that our expectations and plans are to be held loosely. Today, we get to peer into the future and see God’s plans, a certain and amazing future. A future where we dwell with God, where all pain is gone forever, and where all is new. Let’s persevere in the faith, keeping our eyes on Him, knowing the future is worth it.- Athletes often use their imagination of a race and the finish line to help them perform better. Christians can use their imagination to help them persevere. Take a few moments to imagine being faithful to Jesus as you “run your race” through the situations or seasons you face. Picture the end of the race, being welcomed into Heaven, being with Jesus, and free from pain and trials forever.
- How does that change your mindset for today?
- As you think about the readings this week, has your perspective changed on a situation or a season of life you are facing? How?
- Spend some time praying. Ask God for the strength to be faithful no matter what today holds. Thank Him for a certain and amazing future.
Reading: Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Reflection:
What is your ‘perfect day’? If you had all of the money in the world, and could plan out an entire day of doing all of your favorite things, what would you do? What would you buy? How would you feel? Well as crazy as it may seem to ever get your exact ‘perfect day’, did you know that one day, all of your days will be perfect? When we get to heaven! In heaven, we’re told that there will be no more sadness, anger, jealousy, or even death. We will forever be living right with God, in the most perfect day, every day! And you want to know what the best part is? God promises us that one day, we can spend every day in that perfect day with Him! All we have to do is accept Jesus into our lives, and live life like He wants us to. And when we do that, God promises that our ‘perfect day’ will be every day.
- What do you think heaven will be like?
- What does it mean to live your life like Jesus wants you to? How can you do that today?
Reading: Revelation 21:1-8
Focus Verse: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Devotional:
Today, we get to peer into the future and see God’s plans, a certain and amazing future for those who are faithful. A future where we dwell with God, where all pain is gone forever, and where all is new. Let’s persevere in the faith, keeping our eyes on Him, knowing the future is worth it.
- Athletes often use their imagination of a race and the finish line to help them perform better. Christians can use their imagination to help them persevere. Take a few moments to imagine being faithful to Jesus as you “run your race” through the situations or seasons you face. Picture the end of the race, being welcomed into Heaven, being with Jesus, and free from pain and trials forever.
- How does that change your mindset for today?
- As you think about the readings this week, has your perspective changed on a situation or a season of life you are facing? How?
- pend some time praying. Ask God for the strength to be faithful no matter what today holds. Thank Him for a certain and amazing future.
Reading: Revelation 21:1-8
Focus Verse: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Devotional:
Today, we get to peer into the future and see God’s plans, a certain and amazing future for those who are faithful. A future where we dwell with God, where all pain is gone forever, and where all is new. Let’s persevere in the faith, keeping our eyes on Him, knowing the future is worth it.
- Athletes often use their imagination of a race and the finish line to help them perform better. Christians can use their imagination to help them persevere. Take a few moments to imagine being faithful to Jesus as you “run your race” through the situations or seasons you face. Picture the end of the race, being welcomed into Heaven, being with Jesus, and free from pain and trials forever.
- How does that change your mindset for today?
- As you think about the readings this week, has your perspective changed on a situation or a season of life you are facing? How?
- pend some time praying. Ask God for the strength to be faithful no matter what today holds. Thank Him for a certain and amazing future.
