Thanks, Jesus, for the victory YOU bring!
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How fitting, Father, that “the [story] of Jesus Christ” (v 1) begins with so many references to whom He is:
- “the faithful witness” (v 5) — As the Father has revealed His plan to You, Jesus. I can trust Your revealing of that plan
- “the firstborn from the dead” (v 5) — The FIRST to rise from the dead and not die again, but to gain a new imperishable body
- “the ruler of the kings of the earth” (v 5) — My all-powerful King, victorious in battle, glorious in peace
- “Him who loves us” (v 5) — matchless love for me demonstrated on the cross!
- “Him who … has freed us from our sins by His blood” (v 5) — I’m free because of what You did, Jesus, not because of anything I’ve done
- “Him who … has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father” (v 6) — You’ve guaranteed my place in Your kingdom and made me a priest to administer Your love to others
- “He is coming with the clouds” (v 7) — Your second coming will be both visible and victorious
- “the Alpha and the Omega” (v 8) — You are the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom and power
- “who is” (v 8) — You are ever-present
- “who was” (v 8) — You have always been
- “who is to come” (v 8) — You are already there in the future
- “the Almighty” (v 8) — no one compares to You in power and greatness
- “the First and the Last” (v 17) — You have FIRST place in my life and the “last word” on how I live it
- “the Living One” (v 18) — You are alive forever and untouchable by death’s tiny sting
- “was dead, and behold am alive forever and ever” (v 18) — You paved a way for me to experience this same eternal transformation
- “hold the keys of death and Hades” (v 18) — I can be free of the fear of death, because You, Jesus, are the One who controls it now
Jesus — WHAT a wonder You are! You are all those things noted in this chapter and MUCH, MUCH more! How blessed I am to know You, to be loved by You, and to belong to You! Keep on making me just like You as I determine to live my life for You! Amen.
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Father, I feel like I’m truly beginning to learn that without You everything is nothing; and with You, nothing is everything.” — Kathy Troccoli, My Life Is in Your Hands, p. 183.
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