“In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:16).

The complete set of stars are in His hand.  He speaks His word, and it cuts both ways: Law and Gospel.  He is the light of the world which has always shone in the darkness.  He who was, who is, and who is to come is the One whom we shall all face.  He holds all power and has all authority.  In Him is life and light.  He is the light and life of the world.  Come into His presence and live in His light.

You are the One through whom all have their being.  Lead me, Lord, in the way that You have created life to be lived.  There are so many temptations in this age, and the old Adam follows the familiar sinful ways.  Help me break the cycle by Your grace to overcome the ways of this world as I learn how to live the way You direct.  Thank You for the grace I need to do this.

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill my heart with faithfulness.  Guide me through the snares of this world to walk the path of obedience.  You know what is needed.  Rather than speaking words to tell me what to do, You soften my heart to receive the guidance You give in Your Word.  Help me to step out in faith and do as You direct.  Lead me and help me follow willingly and joyfully.  Amen.

“His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters” (Revelation 1:15).

What is being described is someone greater than any we have ever seen.  The humble One who walked in our midst is the Almighty who is the essence of life itself.  Do be overwhelmed by Your Creator.  Fall on Your face and worship Him.  He is above all things and is worthy of all honor and praise.  Let Him lead you into a life of praise and thanks.  Come into the presence of the Lord and learn from Him.

Lord, I see what I look for and I often forget that all I see was created by You.  Even the eyes with which I see were created by You.  Everything is in Your hands.  Let me hear Your voice, whether it be small and still, or the sound of many rushing waters.  Let me feel the warmth of Your life and not the heat of Your anger.  Guide me to live so that what I will meet is Your approval when I stand before You face to face.

Lord Jesus, Alpha and Omega, You have come so that all who look to You may live.  Guide me in living the life You would have me live.  Help me to learn how to obey You in and through all things.  In Your goodness, continue to lift me up out of the way this world thinks to have a heart after Your own.  Teach me how to love so that I may more fully love You and my neighbor.  Amen.

 “His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14).

John is describing what He saw.  We each form a mental picture from what is described.  The Holy One is timeless.  What does that look like?  He is the source of life and life exudes from Him.  The One who is, was, and always shall be is to be worshiped.  Do not be like the world and pass by Him for a few moments but be transformed by being in the presence of the One who made you.

Lord, forgive me for I often go about my life as though nothing matters except me.  Lead me away from such selfishness to live into the life You have given me through grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope.  The day will come when I stand before You.  Will what John is describing be what I see?  Help me to look to You and rejoice that I will see  Your glory.

Lord Jesus, You became one of us to lead us out of this age of wickedness and into the glorious company of the saints in light.  Guide me this day, O Lord, to live according to all that is good in Your sight.  Help me keep my eye upon You and not veer from the path You have laid before me.  In Your grace, continue to encourage me to live as I ought, learning and growing in Your likeness.  Amen.

“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash” (Revelation 1:12-13).

Seven is the Hebrew number for completeness.  Later in this book, the seven churches will be addressed by Jesus.  Jesus is the One who completes us.  He is the One who made us, redeemed us, and who will finish the work He has begun.  Look to the One who has overcome and be led by Him.  In Him is life and light.  In Him is all reality.  Come into the presence of the One who calls you.

Lord, through the water of my baptism, You have called me to journey with You in this life.  You are here, but I am often so busy with things that do not matter that I become unaware that You are right beside me.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I may grow toward the completeness You promise.  Help me understand that in You is all hope, for You are the author of life.

Lord Jesus, open my heart and mind to be receptive to the leading of Your Spirit.  Grant that I have a heart that desires You above all things.  According to Your goodness and mercy, help me keep on the path of salvation that You have laid before me.  Lead me, O Lord, according to Your grace so that I see You for who You are and follow You, knowing that You alone must lead me in all things.  Amen.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,  saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea” (Revelation 1:10-11)

Write what you see.  How simple an instruction.  Do you follow the word of the Lord.  “The Lord does not speak to me this way.”  No?  Why not?  I suspect we all get so busy being busy that we do not listen to the small still voice of the Holy Spirit when the Spirit speaks.  Like any relationship, this needs to be nurtured.  Learn how to listen when the Holy Spirit speaks.

Lord, I do not always hear You even when it is through the words of Scripture.  Teach me how to listen, Lord.  Guide me in the way of being obedient.  I am whom You are making me to be, but You commanded us all to learn how to obey.  As You spoke to the prophets of old, so also speak to me.  Then, teach me how to obey when You speak to me so that I may be Your disciple and see Your will done in and for me.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for freeing me from sin and death.  Raise me up into the new person You have created me to be and teach me to hear when You speak.  Guide me according to Your purposes so that I may be led by You in all things. Help me, Lord, according to the Father’s will, to learn how to be obedient to Your commands.  Lead me, Lord, and teach me how to follow You in all things.  Amen.