The LORD God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. He has established laws in nature which govern all the processes of life–planting, growth, cultivation and harvest. These principles give us insight on how to conduct our lives, families, churches, and societies (to continue reading this essay, click on image above).
The New Jerusalem, Rev. 21.9-22.5
The New Jerusalem fulfills humanity’s deepest longing for direct, unhindered communion with God as he makes his permanent dwelling among his people. The magnificent city imagery with its perfect measurements, precious materials, and light-filled splendor reveals God’s own beauty and worth, teaching us that our ultimate destiny surpasses mere escapism but involves genuine renewal of creation where heaven and earth finally merge. The restoration of Eden’s imagery—particularly the water of life and tree of life—yet now elevated within an urban setting, reveals God’s intention never to abandon creation but to perfect it, removing all curses, healing all brokenness, and bringing his original purposes to their intended fruition. Finally, the beatific vision—seeing God face to face and reflecting his character with his name on our foreheads—emphasizes how our practice of spiritual disciplines are meaningful preparation for the ultimate communion we will experience when through Christ’s mediation we come to fully participate in God’s eternal reign.
Our Focus Today
The Nations and Kings in the New Order, Revelation 21.24-27.
The nations and kings bring their glory into the eternally open gates of the city, yet nothing impure will ever enter it—only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Invocation
Lord of all nations and King of kings, before whom the rulers of earth will one day bring their treasure and glory, I acknowledge that all I have and am belongs ultimately to you. Open my eyes to see the eternal value of human creativity and culture when it is submitted to your lordship and purified by your truth. Teach me to live now and better as a citizen of heaven, an heir of your holy city, balancing radical hospitality with unwavering commitment to the purity that reflects your character. Amen.
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Chronological Scripture Readings for Today
These Scriptures allow us to read through the entire Bible in one year in chronological order.
Friday: 2 Kings 16.19-20; 2 Chron. 28.26-27; Isa. 13-16
Psalms and Proverb for Today
These Scriptures allow us to read through the Psalms and Proverbs each month.
Friday: Psalm 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and Proverbs 30
The Nations and Kings in the New Order, Revelation 21.24-27.
The nations and kings bring their glory into the eternally open gates of the city, yet nothing impure will ever enter it—only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Reflection
The New Jerusalem represents both divine hospitality in its perpetually open gates and divine holiness in its absolute exclusion of all impurity. God’s ultimate purpose for his city is to welcome diversity and require moral transformation. The nations and kings bringing their glory into the city reveals that redeemed human culture and achievement are a part of the recreation of the earth, having eternal significance when offered to God. This suggests that our current creative and cultural efforts may truly contribute to God’s eternal Kingdom. The Lamb’s book of life as the sole criterion for entry emphasizes that belonging to this glorious community depends entirely on relationship with Christ rather than human status, achievement, or ethnic identity. We must practice this kingdom hospitality while also being uncompromising in our commitment to holiness. Let us affirm God’s offer of salvation to all nations and focus on our identity in Christ rather than on external distinctions as the foundation of our hope and belonging.
Engaging God’s Word Today
What aspects of your cultural heritage, personal achievements, or creative endeavors might you be holding back from bringing as “glory and honor” into God’s Kingdom? How might you more consciously offer these to God to deepen your relationship with him and your understanding of their ultimate purpose?
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, The Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God,
Begotten of the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God,
Begotten not created, of the same essence as the Father,
through Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became human.
Who for us too, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried.
The third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and His kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and life-giver,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Who together with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified.
Who spoke by the prophets.
We believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sin,
and we look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the age to come. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Benediction
Heavenly Father, my God who prepares a city with ever-open gates for your people, grant to me your wisdom to recognize how my own unique gifts, cultural heritage, and creative endeavors can bring glory to your name. May the Lamb whose book contains the names of the redeemed keep me ever mindful that our primary identity and security rest in his gracious acceptance rather than our human achievement or approval. And may your Spirit, the one who purifies the nations for their entrance into the eternal city, continue to do his sanctifying work in my life, making me to reflect more and more the life of holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Amen.
Scripture Memory for this season
Galatians 6.9-10 (ESV): Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good
9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Scripture Engagement
As disciples of Jesus, the Churches of Christ the King strongly seek to engage the Scriptures to discover the centrality of Christ and his Kingdom in the prophetic and apostolic writings. You will find a rich treasure of resources on engaging Scripture at the Center for Scripture Engagement of Taylor University.
Book Reading and Reflection
THE REAL REASON HABITS MATTER
“Identity change is the North Star of habit change. The remainder of this book will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to build better habits in yourself, your family, your team, your company, and anywhere else you wish. But the true question is: “Are you becoming the type of person you want to become?” The first step is not what or how, but who. You need to know who you want to be. Otherwise, your quest for change is like a boat without a rudder. And that’s why we are starting here.
You have the power to change your beliefs about yourself. Your identity is not set in stone. You have a choice in every moment. You can choose the identity you want to reinforce today with the habits you choose today. And this brings us to the deeper purpose of this book and the real reason habits matter.
Building better habits isn’t about littering your day with life hacks. It’s not about flossing one tooth each night or taking a cold shower each morning or wearing the same outfit each day. It’s not about achieving external measures of success like earning more money, losing weight, or reducing stress. Habits can help you achieve all of these things, but fundamentally they are not about having something. They are about becoming someone.
Ultimately, your habits matter because they help you become the type of person you wish to be. They are the channel through which you develop your deepest beliefs about yourself. Quite literally, you become your habits.”
~ Clear, James, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Penguin Random House UK, 2018. Electronic Edition, Location 559-561.
Seedling Focus for the Season: Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good
Description: The harvest of righteousness comes when we do not give up on doing good, even when it is difficult, Galatians 6.9-10.
On Eagles Wings Prayer Focus: A Long Time Comin‘
Ascension of the Lord: The Promise of the Holy Spirit, Acts 1.1-11.
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