May 30 - Life and Death

Today's Reading:
Isaiah 62:6-65:25
Revelation 2:18-3:6
Psalm 150:1-6 
Click on Text Link to Read Online

Focus Verses: Revelation 3:1-3
1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Insight:
The glorified Christ of John's vision warns the church in Sardis that they need to wake up. They had a reputation for being alive, but they were really dead. Somehow they had let their reputation and the good things they had done in the past lull them into apathy. There were many other good things God intended them to do, but they were leaving these things undone. If they failed to wake up and take their calling seriously, they would continue to die and eventually suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness.

Response and Action:
What is God calling me to do that I am leaving undone? I need to be careful to not become idle and rest upon past accomplishments and deeds. Idleness and apathy lead to spiritual death. The Christian life is about today! I must follow Jesus today and seek God's will today. There are so many things I can do to honor God and serve the cause of Christ. I will push forward to take hold of all that Christ Jesus has in mind for me to be and do.

Lord Jesus, help me to be faithful to seek and do your will until the end. Write my name in the book of life and purify me. Give me eyes to see the good things you have prepared in advance for me to do. Give me a heart that delights in your will, feet that walk in your ways, and a spirit that longs to honor you in all I do. Help me to wake up and get honest about any disobedience, apathy, or distractions that are keeping me from faithfulness to you. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: Ephesians 5:14-17
14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Resources:
Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in an Everyday Life
by Eugene H. Peterson