“[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.

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21).

Are you building upon your faith?  That is, are you intentional about living into the life to which you have been called?  I’m not talking about getting merit awards for attending church, but truly growing as a disciple.  We have been called to prepare for eternity.  The work has been done by our Savior, but now we need to participate in our sanctification.  It is never too late to begin again.

Lord, I often become lazy, especially when those around me are doing nothing.  I compare myself to them.  But Lord, it is not about what my neighbor is doing, but about the call You have given me.  Guide me dear Lord to humbly walk in the truth You have revealed to me that I may willingly do the work of being a disciple.  Help me to not be lazy, but to work hard in the gift of becoming Your disciple.

Lord Jesus, I know I can earn nothing since salvation is about grace, not merit.  But if I take this seriously, I need all the help I can get to put into practice the things You have given me to do.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, so that I look to You and am guided by what You know I need.  Help me, Jesus, by Your grace to not look to others, but only to You and then to do what You give me to do.  Amen.

“[T]hat they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”  These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit” (Jude 1:18-19).

It is an interesting thing that you can say that you believe just about anything and the mockers will be fascinated.  But say that you believe in Jesus and they go crazy.  Why do the demons hate the name of Jesus?  Do not be deceived, for the devil uses those around you to lead you astray, if possible.  Hold the course and stay firm in the truth of the One who has already provided all that is needed.  

Lord, guide my thoughts and deeds so that I may become consistent in living the life of faith You have given me.  Guide me according to Your goodness to live into this life and not to be swayed by those around me who mock and hate You.  Grant that I develop a sensitivity to those who are devoid of the Spirit, and indeed may be guided by the wicked spirits of this age, but not to the point of being led astray by them.  Lead me away from the lusts of this age.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to be constantly tempted by this age.  There are so many voices and so much hatred.  Lead me in the truth of Your love.  Guide me according to the purposes You have already established and made known to me through the witness of the saints.  Keep me in humble submission to You Lord as the One who will lead me through all of the wickedness of this age.  Amen.

“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:17)

There is nothing new under the sun and nothing new that is going to be revealed until the day of Jesus.  Especially in our age when people think we’re after something new, listen to the old, old story of Jesus and His love.  Do not be carried away with the enticements of empty words but listen to the goodness of the Gospel and follow Jesus.  Listen to those who have given You the witness.

Lord, there are those who tell me something supposedly new, or a certain twist that makes me think I have received a special revelation.  Help me see through every such attempt to lead me astray.  Guide me according to Your goodness to know that in You alone is all hope.  You have already accomplished salvation for those who believe.  Help me to live as one who believes.

Lord Jesus, what can I add that has not already been thought of?  There is nothing I can do but respond to the offer You have already given.  Lead me in the continuity of the witness of all the saints who have gone before me so that I may learn the simple task of humbly following You.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, for You alone know the way I need to go.  You have already provided all that is needed.  Amen.