“I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9).

We are partakers of tribulation in this age.  There are some who take this book and make it into something it is not.  All of Scripture is for our edification.  Be helped by the One who is and know that He has given you grace and mercy to live in this age of rebellion.  He came to save us and salvation is what we receive from Him.  Persevere through all difficulties knowing the Lord uses everything for His purpose.

You understand the difficulty of the way of righteousness in this age of rebellion, Lord.  You know that there are those who will mock and curse and hate.  Lead me through the mazes of this age on the narrow path and hold fast to the promises You have given so that I may be a fellow partaker of the goodness You give.  Guide me by Your grace to persevere and do what is needed each day.  Help me to remain steadfast throughout the trials and  tribulations that You have already overcome in this age.

Lord Jesus, Savior and King, You know all that is needed.  You have already provided even before I have asked.  In the Father’s will, show me how this day to humbly walk with You wherever You lead.  Guide me in the knowledge You have revealed and teach me to trust in faith that You are leading the way.  In You alone do I have hope.  Hold me in that hope until the day we meet face to face.  Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

We live our  three or four score years and those who are the elderly are celebrated if they make it to one hundred.  The One who will be, is, and who has always been, is our Savior.  What is one hundred years in the face of eternity?  He has come and He will come again at the end of the days of this age.  I do not know about you, but it sure seems to me that far too many, even in the church, treat Him as an afterthought, when He truly is the mighty God and the Creator of all things.

Lord, forgive me, for I too do not respect You with awe and wonder.  I too live my life as though it were mine and I created it.  Lord, You have come that by grace we would learn to live life as You created it to be lived.  Guide me, Lord, so that in Your mercy I would learn and be uplifted to live righteously.  You know where I am and what is needed.  Lead me according to Your goodness and provide all that is needed.

Alpha and Omega, the One who is, teach me to worship You in spirit and in truth with praise and thanksgiving.  You are worthy of all honor, thanks, and praise.  You are the One through whom all things have their being.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of life that You have established as You help me see things as they really are.  In You is my life, hope, and a future.  Prepare me to meet You face to face on that great and terrible day.  Amen.

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen” (Revelation1:7).

Every eye will see Him.  Does every eye mean that everyone is resurrected?  Yes. some for eternal glory and others for eternal separation.  Let this simple truth be known by you.  This is our confession, that we believe that Christ will judge the living and the dead.  All will stand before Christ.  What kind of person ought you to be knowing these things.  If you have been saved, be one who looks forward to His coming.

Lord, You have said these things over and over and I did not listen.  Help me, I pray, to understand the simple facts that You have spoken so that I may understand good doctrine and not be led astray by those who tickle my ears.  Lead me in the truth so that I may live the new life that You have given me by grace and through faith.  Guide me to rejoice in the revelation You have given me so that all who hear may believe and follow You.

Lord Jesus, You are the King of kings, and the day will come when I stand before You face to face.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of life that You have established.  Help me to know that only in You is there hope and a future.  In the goodness that You have revealed, help me to live this life fully in blessed assurance of all the promises that You have given.  Guide me to learn how to be more faithful.  Amen.

“[A]nd He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father – to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6).

I suspect many often over-think the idea of what priesthood entails.  A priest is simply one who may draw near to God.  Have we all not been given that opportunity by grace through faith?  Jesus opened the way to approach God, so yes, we all are a priesthood of believers.  But this also does not take away from the Holy Spirit’s gifting us each according to the Father’s purpose.  Live into the purpose the Father has for you knowing that He is drawing all together in Him.

Lord, these two ideas are simple to understand, but I sometimes get them mixed up.  I can come to You anytime in prayer.  I no longer need a mediator.  But that does not mean that I do not need those who will lead me in a life of worship.  Guide me, Lord, so that I follow You in all of Your ways.  Help me overcome those obstacles that are in the way.  In Your providence, help me to follow Your directions.

Lord Jesus, You humbly walked the earth and told us that You did nothing except by the Father’s direction.  By Your example, help me to follow You as You lead.  All authority is Yours.  In You alone is salvation.  You are the way, truth, and life.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may continue to grow in Your grace and mercy.  Help me to be a dutiful member of the kingdom You are creating.  Amen.

“[A]nd from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5)

We have been saved by Christ.  What did you do for that salvation?  Nothing!  Jesus is the One who has saved us.  Let that be your understanding of salvation.  Yes, you need to respond in faith to this and live the new life He gives, but He is the One who gave that new life and You have been invited to live it.  By His blood are we redeemed.  Through Him our sins have been paid for and we have grace and mercy.

Lord, it seems as though so many are working hard at their salvation.  Lead me, O Lord, to not work so hard, but live diligently seeking what is right and true according to Your word.  Guide me in the direction You know I need to go.  Help me to become a faithful witness.  You are the firstborn.  All others must follow You.  You alone know the way, for You alone have descended and re-ascended.

Lord Jesus, my Savior and Rock of Ages, help me disregard the thoughts the that world has taught me so that I may trust in, and walk humbly with, You.  You know the way I should go.  You know the purposes of the Father.  You have come so that all who follow You would grow into the new life that You give by grace through faith.  Guide me this day to take the appropriate steps to grow in the new life You have given me.  Amen.

“John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne” (Revelatiion 1:4)

The LORD has always been.  He invented time.  All time is in His hand.  Literally, all time is His.  He sees you yesterday, today, and all the tomorrows that will ever come.  He sees.  Come to the One who has the seven Spirits before Him and has willingly shared these things with You.  Fear the Lord reverently, but do not be afraid to walk with the One who created you, knowing that the Lord is good.

Lord, there are many mysteries in life.  But I have life even though there are many things I do not understand about it.   Help me to live faithfully even with my ignorance of these mysteries.  You have revealed all that You have done that I might share eternity with you.  Help me to focus upon this day and what You would have me do.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to walk the path of faith.  

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your mercy, compassion, and love.  You have paid the price to redeem me from the pit so that I may learn to live a life that gives You thanks and praise.  Help me today to take those steps You place before me and give thanks for all that You have done.  You are to be praised for You are always good.  Help me to learn from You what it means to live righteously.  Guide me always, dear Savior.  Amen.

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).

You may live four score and a few years and what does that mean?  You will face death and then the Lord.  Will you prepare to meet the One who made you?  Are you ready to face the judgement which comes for us all?  Blessed are you when you study the words of the Lord and prepare for all that He has in store for you.  Know that in Him you are secure, for His grace is sufficient. 

Lord, never let me pick and choose what I will and will not do.  Do not let me pass over the opportunities to study Your word and learn how to live into the life You offer by grace through faith.  Guide me into the Christian way of life so that I may use all that You have given me to walk earnestly and willingly on the narrow path of righteousness.  Lead me Lord in Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, You paid a price I cannot fathom to complete a task I am barely able to comprehend.  Let me not make light of any of this, but instead, learn how to be diligent in practice.   Guide me, Lord, today and each day and when I am lazy or unwilling, please give me the nudge I need to continue learning and growing in preparation for that day when I meet You face to face.  Amen

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw” (Revelation 1:1-2).

The Greek word used here is slave, for the slaves of Jesus.  Are you His slave?  Is Jesus the One calling the shots?  This revelation is given for the sake of the saints.  It is not to convict anyone of anything, but to encourage us to walk the path of faith knowing that in the end, it shall be as the Lord says.  Will you trust in yourself or submit to the promises and revelation of the Lord.

Lord, You know all that is needed.  You have said these things so that we will not live in the fears of this age.  As I study Your word, grant a full measure of Your Spirit so that I may understand what You are saying and not listen to how the world would twist what You say.  I am Your slave.  I cannot live rightly without You.  You must lead me, help me and guide me in the way of living a new life.

Lord Jesus, You came into this sinful world and You were killed by it which was Your intention.  You did it for us.  By the grace You have purchased for us, guide me according to the Father’s will.  Yes, Lord, lead me into new life.  I am Your slave.  Lead me through the struggle I have with this.  Help me to totally trust You for You alone have the words of eternal life.  Guide me into the life You have promised by grace through faith.  Amen.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:24-25).

Do you stumble?  Why?  Could it be that you are not resting wholly in the arms of Jesus.  He is able to keep you from stumbling. And there is another thing to think about, and that is, the Lord uses everything for your good.  Therefore, do you really stumble?  All things are in the Lord’s hands, and He has promised to work everything together for your good.  To Him who has already overcome be all glory, honor and majesty!

Lord, You have already conquered the things I wrestle against.  You have asked me to follow you.  Help me to follow through with what I need to do.  Help me to lean wholly into Your arms.  Lead me into a life that is blameless in Your sight.  You know what it will take, and for my part, help me to trust You to lead me in the way I need to go.  Guide me in a life of discipleship.

Lord Jesus, You are Lord and You have already done all that needs to be done.  Guide me in the way I need to go today.  Guide my steps so that I mature in this faith You have given me.  Lead me according to Your purpose.  Keep me from acting according to my own self-will but help me follow You in all things.  Lead me according to the purpose of the Father and for His glory.  Amen. 

“And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (Jude 1:22-23).

If you and I take seriously the faith we have been given, not looking at others, but only to the Lord, we realize that others are watching us.  Be an example, as best as you can, knowing that sometimes you are the first gospel that someone else reads.  Do not be one of those of whom it  is said, “If that is your Christian, is it any wonder that no one wants Christianity.”  Learn to be faithful to the One who called you.

Lord, this is not a competition.  But I am pushed up against the old Adam in me who wants to do nothing.  Grant me the energy and foresight to move forward even when I feel like doing nothing.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Lead me, dear Lord, by Your grace to live as an example of a discipleship which looks to You always for guidance and direction.

Come, Holy Spirit, and work on the unseen places of my heart.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that I need all the help Your presence within gives.  By Your goodness, grant me the strength to do the tasks You give me to do.  Lead me to grow in faithfulness and help me hold fast to the truth You have revealed to my heart.  Guide me and help me become whom You want me to be.  Amen.