BibleTrekToday.com

Year: 2023

  • Reflections on 2023!

    Dear friends and fellow travelers on the journey to Father’s House,

    This year has been challenging yet rewarding. It has yielded its fruitfulness through trials, celebrations, new life, and worship of a Father that showers us with love and mercy. It has been a year where God’s presence has brought strength and His joy has filled us with strength. We praise and thank God for His daily presence and faithfulness to His Word.

    We have rejoiced in seeing all our grandchildren fulfilling God’s plans for their lives. Meghan, our oldest grand daughter, is married to Ronald and they are doing well in Omaha. Cassidy lives in Topeka and and will be serving in the state government. Caleb is doing well as a senior and active in football, basketball, and golf as well as excelling in his studies. Ellia is at Kansas University as a full time student in computer engineering as well as working a full-time job in that field. Natalie graduated from U of Louisville in Asian studies and is soon heading Tiawan to serve there. Micah is doing well at The University of Louisville in engineering. Joy is graduating high school and has a servant’s heart. Joshua loves life, school, and robots. Our newest grand daughter, Amaya, is 8 months old and crawling and standing.

    We are thankful for our sons and daughters and their spouses and their faithfulness to follow our Lord. We are also thankful for Faith Family Life Center and believers there who pray for us and encourage us. I also enjoy serving with the men and women on the Jefferson County Fire Department and first responders. They voluntarily give of their time to help others who are hurting and in need. We love our many friends and fellow-pilgrims that journey with us and encourage us.

    Our nation and world need a Savior! The anguish of war, violence, and hatred has drawn us to cry out to Jesus for His mercy and the salvation of those still blinded by Satan. We pray the final prayer of the Church in Revelation: “Come!” May this be our prayer and hope as we end 2023 and journey onward to Father’s House in 2024! May the joy of our Lord be our strength each day! (Nehemiah 8:10)

    In His Love, John and Mary

  • Walking Faith’s Road with Jesus in 2024

    As I approached this coming year, I decided to go back to 2009 and my first attempt at writing devotions through the Scriptures in one year. I am revamping these for 2024 . We will be reading from Genesis to Revelation, six days a week with a video devotion published on Saturday for each week. Please join with me as we again trek through Scriptures with Jesus as He opens His Word and sets our hearts ablaze.

    In the Gospel of Luke in chapter 24:13-35 two disciples of Jesus were walking on the road to a town called Emmaus.  It was the first day of the week following the crucifixion of Jesus.  These disciples were depressed and confused as they walked along, talking about the events surrounding Jesus’ death.  They were joined by Jesus, but did not recognize Him! 

    Approaching them, Jesus asked what they were discussing.  When they explained, Jesus chided them for their lack of faith and began to teach them from Scripture what must happen as recorded in Moses and the Prophets.  When they arrived at their destination, Jesus acted as if He were going farther but they invited Him to come and have supper with them.  As He broke the bread with them at the table, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him!  It was Jesus!  He was alive! Suddenly, He disappeared leaving them with hearts ablaze and new-found faith!

    Since Jesus loves all His followers equally, would He not walk with us this year?  Since He alone is the Word of God, would He not share with us everything from the Scriptures concerning Himself?  Could our hearts burn with love and passion and new faith?   Would He break bread with us and stay at our house?

    Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing love and drawing of our hearts back to You. I ask You to walk ahead of me as I follow You this year. Like those disciples, open Your Word and my eyes and help me to know You and Your heart through the Holy Spirit. Set my heart afire with love and passion and new-found faith! Bless today my daily Bread, break it in the portion I need. I give myself to You!

    “And I will do whatever you ask in My Name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask Me for anything in My Name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14

  • “Come.”

    Scripture reading for December 30th: Revelation 22:17-21, 2 Peter 3:10-13

    Revelation 22:17-19: The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” and let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of Life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophesy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of Life and in the Holy City, which are described in this book.”

    The final words of this prophecy received by John and the final warning of Peter before his martyrdom are our closing thoughts on this past year. John records the final invitation and promise of Jesus Christ: “Surely I am coming soon.” In response to this short and plain announcement, the Spirit, indwelling every believer echoes the call to “Come.” Those filled with the Spirit, having made themselves ready for the Day of Christ, here are called the “Bride.” The Bride is calling out in agreement with Jesus Christ and the Spirit, “Come.” Peter’s final warning before he is crucified upside down, is for believers to remember the promises of Jesus Christ about His return and the judgment of the earth and those refusing grace. God will destroy the earth and heavens by fire in that final judgment. But God’s people, the “Bride”, will be actively awaiting the new heavens and new earth and the righteousness of King Jesus! Amen! Come!

    2 Peter 3:11-13 “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the Day of God because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

    Revelation 22:20-21 “He Who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”

    Prayer: Father God, thank You for Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit! Thank You for Your unchanging Truth given to us through Your eternal Word and Son Who was and is the Word made flesh. Help me to patiently wait, do the works You have prepared for me, and be ready for Your promised return. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and use me to reach others with the Good News of Christ’s coming! “Come.”

  • The King on His Holy Throne!

    Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 22, Psalm 110, Ecclesiastes 12

    Revelation 22: 1-4 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His Name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

    The end of the matter has been recorded by the King and sent to us through the apostle John from his visit to the throne room of heaven. The King reigns in Zion over all His enemies! We were all once His enemies, but have been made righteous by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings! His Name is on our foreheads! God provides for all the water of Life, flowing as love from His Son’s eternal throne. The nations are healed of their enmity through the Tree of Life and nothing accursed will ever be found again. The night is gone and the Lamb is our eternal Lamp! We have been given grace to be transformed from ‘enemies of God’ to ruling sons and daughters, reigning with Christ Jesus forever and ever! Amen!

    Psalm 110:1-2 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion Your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!”

    Prayer: Father God, I respond to this revelation of the end by holy reverence, awe, and worship! You have done it all! You have provided eternal life to me, an enemy, through grace! You have saved me from the judgment by paying for my sins through Jesus’ shed blood. You heal me and make me holy and give me a place in Your eternal family and holy city! You are my Light, my Life, and my Salvation forever and ever!

    Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or bad.”

  • Conquer by faith or die!

    Scripture reading for December 28th: Revelation 21, Psalm 109, Ecclesiastes 11

    Revelation 21: 5-8 “And He Who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these Words are trustworthy and true.” And 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 from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. which is the second death.”

    There is a glorious throne in Heaven, with One seated on it holding all power and authority to do as He pleases. When He speaks, His Words are trustworthy and true. We can write them down and act on them by faith. John heard God speak and command him to write down the Words of God. “It is done!” Everything necessary for salvation has been accomplished! Those who live by faith and trust in God’s Word and His Son, the Word made flesh, will have an eternal reward. They will be allowed to drink of the spring of the water of Life eternal by God’s grace alone! They will know adoption into God’s forever family as full-fledged sons and daughters! Those who shrink back in fear or rebellion to God’s laws, will suffer eternal destruction in the Lake of fire. This is the second death from which there will be no escape.

    Psalm 109:30-31 “With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise Him in the midst of the throng. For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.”

    Prayer: Father God, You Alone have provided for such a wonderful salvation! Thank You Lord, I boast in Your amazing grace through Jesus Christ! In Him, I am more than a conqueror! His love and mercy have delivered my soul from falling into the eternal fires of judgment and condemnation! I have the water of Life eternal and God as my Father and Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior! I am blessed beyond measure!

    Ecclesiastes 11:5 “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God Who makes everything.”

  • The Thousand-year Reign of Jesus!

    Scripture reading for December 27th: Revelation 20, Psalm 108, Ecclesiastes 10

    Revelation 20: 4-6 “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.”

    Following the return of the King of Kings, John observes the binding and imprisonment of Satan in the pit, locked away for a thousand years. Then thrones for judgment were set up and the souls of the martyrs came to life and reigned with Jesus Christ for the thousand years. These who were restored to life were part of what Scripture calls the ‘first resurrection.” This first resurrection company had remained true to Jesus Christ, even unto death and were rewarded with priesthood and rulership along with Christ in the kingdom of peace established by Him on the earth. Death did not have the final say! Faith in Jesus Christ will bring deliverance and full reward! Happy is the land that has the Son for King!

    Psalm 108:5-6 “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! That Your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by Your right hand and answer me!”

    Prayer: Father God, we Your people long for the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings! We long for peace and justice on earth, as only You can give. We pray that Jesus Christ be exalted over all the earth and His glory will fill the heavens and earth as He restores His people to their full salvation! How blessed and holy are those who will share in this first resurrection!

    Ecclesiastes 10:17 “Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!”

  • Behold the King of kings!

    Scripture reading for December 26th: Revelation 19, Psalm 107, Ecclesiastes 9

    Revelation 19:11-15 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a Name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the Name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a Name written, King of kings and Lord of Lords.

    As John’s visit to heaven comes to a climax, he hears a great multitude in heaven crying out in worship to God for His great power, salvation and glory, and for the justice and judgments poured out on the earth and on those who killed the saints. It was a time of great celebration and rejoicing, as this great multitude prepared for the marriage of the Lamb! The Bride was ready, clothed in pure white linen. John was told specifically to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” After this, heaven was opened and John beheld a white horse, and the Rider, the Lamb of God, clothed in a blood-dipped robe and having a sharp sword coming from His mouth. He is coming with the armies of heaven, clothed in white linen–His Bride! His title is written on His thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

    Psalm 107:42-43 “The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”

    Prayer: Father God, thank You for this amazing vision given to John for Your people of all generations! I look forward to Your return and to being part of the bridal company! I have heard the Gospel invitation and humbly accepted Your steadfast covenant love for eternity! I wait patiently for Jesus Christ and the white horse of my King of kings! Open doors for me to share this Good News today that all may hear!

    Ecclesiastes 9:17-18 “The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.”

  • Gone up in smoke!

    Scripture reading for December 25th: Revelation 18, Psalm 106, Ecclesiastes 8

    Revelation 18:8-10 “For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God Who has judged her. And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.””

    John saw another shining angel come down from heaven and illuminating the earth. This angel decreed the fall of Babylon the great. From these verses, we understand that Babylon represents the great demonic religious and economic system of Satan that has taken men on earth captive through immorality and greed. Another voice spoke from heaven, calling God’s people to come out before the final collapse. The decree is that in a single day Babylon will fall due to God’s judgment and His power to exercise it. In fact, in one hour, Babylon goes up in smoke! All vanity of man and rebellion of Satan is reduced to ashes and smoke! No one on earth will have the power to stand on that day without Jesus Christ as Lord.

    Psalm 106:10-12 “So He saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. Then they believed His Words; they sang His praise.”

    Prayer: Father God, I take heed to these words of warning given to Your people. Those living by faith in Your Word hear Your heart and understand how temporary are the vanities of earth and how our power to save ourselves is futile. Use me today to warn those of Your people of Your coming judgments and their need to come out of the wicked world system that relies on human greed and pride.

    Ecclesiastes 8:8-9 “No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.”

  • Is your ‘GPS’ charged up and on?

    Greetings! I am excited about 2024 and our journey through God’s Word. We will read from Genesis through Revelation on a seven day reading program. That’s where I started in 2009! I am redoing those devotions as we go through this next year. The Word of God is timeless! Please join me in the BibleTrek journey for 2024!

    In 2008 the men of my church blessed me with a “Tom-Tom” GPS and I was so amazed at what it could do!  I put in an address that I don’t know how to find, and it will plot a route there and then talk me through the route, telling me when to turn and which way.  If I make a mistake, it will get me back on track, or calculate an alternative route that will still get me to my destination!  It will also get me back home!

    I was thinking about this when I sensed the Holy Spirit speaking to me about how He helps me each day!  He is “God’s Positioning System”–“GPS!”  He takes the Scriptures and helps me in several ways.  He helps me focus on the right path to arrive at my ultimate destination–Heaven!  He speaks to me each day giving me directions along my path and when I make a wrong turn, He gently helps me find an alternate route!  I am never out of range of His powerful positioning guidance.  He knows the latest updates on road and traffic conditions and all the obstacles to my progress!  He can get me home each trip!

    We must remember a few things when using our “GPS.”   We must keep it “charged” and “on” every time we go out!  We must listen for the directions and follow–they are never wrong with God!  We must always set our “home” address as “Heaven”–we’re just traveling through here on earth!  If you faithfully follow your “GPS”, you’ll always know where you’re at and be able to find your way home!     In His Love, Pastor John

    “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21;  “My Sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them from my hand.” John 10:27-28

  • The drunken prostitute

    Scripture reading for December 22nd: Revelation 17, Psalm 105, Ecclesiastes 7

    Revelation 17:1-6 “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute, who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.”

    John encountered one of the seven angels who had poured out the bowls of wrath on the earth. This angel invited John to see the judgment of the great prostitute who was seated on many waters. Earlier, we found that the waters were the peoples of earth. This prostitute had committed ‘sexual immorality’ with the kings of the earth and the inhabitants of the earth. The immorality represents acts of rebellion against God, His Word and His people. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and impurity. In fact, John saw that this prostitute was drunk on the blood of God’s saints and martyrs! (Remember the night of the fall of the Babylonian empire described in Daniel chapter five.) This ‘woman’ is the world system of humanism and self-gratification, named “Babylon the great” . She defiles everything, offering intoxicating and defiling pleasures that kill and destroy. She has lived in luxury, but now suddenly falls under God’s wrath.

    Psalm 105:7-8 “He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the Word that He commanded, for a thousand generations, . . .”

    Holy Father, I thank You that You are Lord of Heaven and Earth and my Lord. I thank You that all vengeance and justice belong to You Alone and You will judge justly those who have rebelled against You and mistreated Your people and murdered them. Use me to warn those still under the sway of the seductive prostitute. May none perish in Your wrath, but may they come to repentance and life.

    Ecclesiastes 7:26 “And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.”