Devotion for Wednesday, October 11, 2023

written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated from his glory” (Revelation 18:1).

Although people deny the authority of the Lord and do not acknowledge that He holds all power, yet the time will come when all will see the coming of the Lord. The amazing thing is that although people see, they still will not believe. Even standing before the Lord face to face, they will curse Him. But you have seen the glory of the Lord and beheld the goodness of His gift of grace. Long for the day of the revelation of the Lord upon all the earth.

Lord Jesus, come quickly. This world has been a mess for a long time. For with You it is a few days, for a thousand years is as a day. How long will You put up with a stiff-necked people? Lord, I am guilty of being one of those stiff-necked people, so thank You for putting up with me. Time is in Your hands. You have given me grace and mercy. Lead me, O Lord, to humbly walk with You always.

Lord Jesus, we all need saving. When we think we need it the least is probably when we need it the most. Guide me in the Salvation You have prepared for me. Help me to understand that I am in Your hands, and it is not the other way round. Lift me up and keep me in Your presence and let nothing on this earth bring me down. Into Your hands I commend my spirit and pray that I am faithful with all that You have entrusted to me. Amen.

Devotion for Tuesday, October 10, 2023

written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:18).

It is not an individual, but a way of life that rules. In our age, there is a constant flux that revolves around self-satisfaction. Not freedom or godliness, but hedonism and control, denial of God and the good things He has declared, which are the basis of true justice and equity, are lived. Blaming and accusing others is practiced. It has been this way since the introduction of sin in the Garden.

Lord, things really are not any different than they have always been. Cities and vast numbers allow sinners to hide out and not live as You would have us live. No matter how difficult faithfulness may be in our age, join me with others who desire to be faithful so that we can live seeking the godliness You give by grace. Keep me from the temptations common to this age so that I may remain in Your presence and purpose.

Lord Jesus, You walked humbly in our midst. Everything is Yours and You gave it up for all of us. In the model You have given, guide me to live in Your presence and walk humbly with You, learning from You how life is to be lived. Let me not be like the world, but like You. The whole world may sell out to the whore of Babylon; but grant that I might remain faithful to You. Keep me in Your presence and purpose always. Amen.

Devotion for Monday, October 9, 2023

written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled” (Revelation 17:17).

Have you ever wondered why people act as they do? Why do crowds sometimes do goofy things? God can and does work all things together for those who love Him. Everything and everyone has a purpose. The irreducible and simple reality is that there are those who will turn to the Lord and seek His purpose and there are those who will use whatever resource is at their disposal for themselves.

Lord God, You have created all things and set up the rules that govern Your creation. The faithful as well as the wicked use Your rules. Every word You have spoken shall be fulfilled. In an age filled with skepticism and unbelief, rekindle the hearts of Your faithful to seek You and obey Your Word. Pour into Your church a desire to hear and understand that You alone are God.

Lord Jesus, the leaders in Israel plotted together and even one of Your chosen disciples betrayed You. You have called me to walk through all that may come and be conformed to You. Heaven and earth will pass away but Your word will abide forever. Bring me to the place where I realize that these words are the truth, and the conflicting words of this age are not. Lead me to learn from You how to live faithfully, trusting You above all things. Amen.

Devotion for Sunday, October 8, 20223

written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire” (Revelation 17:16).

Do not think that the wicked are in harmony. The wicked eat each other up. The wicked crawl on top of each other. They all vie for power to be in control. There is only One who has power and authority and that is the Lord. In this age, we ultimately wrestle with ourselves and our desire for control. The Lord alone is Lord of all. Look out there and you see the wicked killing one another. Look to the Giver of life, and you are given hope.

Lord, You created all life. All things are in Your hands. The wicked kill each other. Your children love one another. Help me to know that in You is all goodness and mercy. Help me to see these things clearly and then frame my life around what is right and true. The world devours what You have created. You have come to set us free from sin, death, and the devil. The world will be consumed, but You have given us the hope of a new heaven and earth.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the hope You give. Guide me in the way You would have me go. Help me to clearly see each day the steps You would have me take. I do not ask for two days ahead, only for today. Lead me, Lord, so that I may look to You alone, the Author and Finisher of my faith. You know what You intend. Keep me in Your purpose and way so that I may be found to be walking faithfully with You. Amen.

Devotion for Saturday, October 7, 2023

written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“And he said to me, “The waters which you saw where the prostitute sits are peoples and multitudes, and nations and languages” (Revelation 17:15).

The multitudes are many and the wicked one influences them to crawl on top of one another in rebellion. The Lord knows these things and has provided the narrow road so that all who speak the language of the Holy Spirit, that is, knowing that Christ has conquered death and given the hope of the resurrection, shall abide in Him and He in them forever. In this moment, this is not about the multitudes, but about you.

Lord, You have called me to come to You in the hope You give. I look around and I am swayed by the many who look hither and yon for purpose and meaning. They swim in an ocean of ideas that swirl around and go nowhere. You have come and spoken the simple truth that we all need to be saved from drowning in the wide sea of wickedness. Pull me up and out of the waves by Your grace to walk on the solid ground You have set for me.

Lord, You teach us to love You and our neighbor. You tell us to obey all that You have commanded. You give grace upon grace to enable each one of us to do these things. Lord, my desire is there, but the flesh is weak. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go. Guide me now and always to learn from Your word how to be faithful. Set me on my course again this day, Lord Jesus, to learn from You what it means to be faithful in an unfaithful world. Amen.

Devotion for Friday, October 6, 2023
written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

The wicked ones have always been waging war against the church. The principalities that gathered around the cross, thinking they were about to win, lost the war, but the battle rages on in this age. The Creator of the universe, the Lamb, the King of kings will prevail. Without Him nothing can exist. That is what is so silly about the devil. He cannot exist without the Lord.

Lord, You know how often I act as though I can do it on my own. I can do nothing apart from You. You have given me life. You have created all things. In this age, I will face adversity. Let me be strengthened in the knowledge that in and through You alone can I do all things. You are the Sovereign One and nothing will prevail against Your church. You have said that the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Lord Jesus, in the hope You give, guide me in the truth of Your word. Help me to know that in You is all hope and an eternal future. Help me also to realize that I will fight against forces and principalities the whole of my time in this age. Grant me fortitude to stand firm in the truth You have revealed and not to give in to the temptation of either moving from it or compromising the Good News You have given me in grace. Amen.

Lord Jesus, in the hope You give, guide me in the truth of Your word. Help me to know that in You is all hope and an eternal future. Help me also to realize that I will fight against forces and principalities the whole of my time in this age. Grant me fortitude to stand firm in the truth You have revealed and not to give in to the temptation of either moving from it or compromising the Good News You have given me in grace. Amen.

Devotion for Thursday, October 5, 2023
written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:13).

Look at the great one! Isn’t that what the minions say of tyrants? Was Hitler a foreshadowing of what is to come? It does not really matter. The Lord has always remained the Lord. He has and will prevail. He was, is and is to come. The ‘I AM’ is forever. The seasons of this age will pass away, and the final sunset will come for us all. When we awaken after the resurrection, we will be standing in the presence of the One who has redeemed those who believe.

Help my unbelief, Lord. Guide me in the humble way of walking as a believer in the faith You give. You know the hour and the season. You have given us the signs. As You taught us to pray, lead us not into temptation. The faithful know You will go to whatever lengths are necessary to save those who believe and deliver them from evil. Let me be on the narrow path of faithfulness and not on the wide path of sinfulness. Yea, may we acknowledge by saying, “Thy will be done.”

Lord, You wrestled with sin, death, and the devil for our sake. The frailties of humanity are numerous, but You are the Savior. You know what I need. You understand all that is before each one of us. Lead me today to give praise and thanksgiving to You. Lead me to humbly be thankful and gracious to others. Guide me in Your wisdom to walk the narrow path all the days You give me in this age. Amen.

Devotion for Wednesday, October 4, 2023
written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour” (Revelation 17:12).

What a mess! The world is so convoluted. They are not kings but have authority as kings. Sounds like many of the political systems around the world. Who is really in charge of things? The Lord is telling us these things so that the worse it gets here, the closer we cling to the One who gives us true hope and promise. Do not look to the world but look to the Lord and live.

Lord, I get caught up in all the news. I do not know what is real and what is fake. I just become confused and trust nothing nor no one. But You, Lord, are trustworthy. Is the wicked one trying to get me to doubt You? God forbid! May it never be! Lord, I may be duped by this world, but I can turn my eyes to You and see the Truth. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life and help me to keep my focus upon You.

Holy Spirit, You are with me and in me.. When my eyes wander and I become afraid of what is happening in the world, let my heart feel the hope of the resurrection. When I wonder where You are, remind me that You are with me. Whenever I wonder and look elsewhere, remind me with gentleness of the promise which is mine through Christ my Savior. Keep reminding me, Spirit of life. Amen.

Devotion for Tuesday, October 3, 2023
written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“The beast which was, and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction” (Revelation 17:11).

One of Satan’s own rises to the top. Many have arisen, for there are ten heads. This is the eighth which is really a seventh. Okay, without getting into Hebrew numerology, there will come a day when a final tyrant unleashes hell on earth as has never been unleashed before. But the Lord has already released uncrushable grace which saves. Do not fear the one who can destroy the body, but the One who can destroy body and soul.

Lord, there are many books out about the beast and prognostications about what all of this means. You have already told us that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against principalities and forces. Lead me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You, knowing that all things have always been in Your hands. Help me focus upon reaching out to others rather than believing all the drivel of the devil.

Lord Jesus, lover of my soul, You have wonderfully created us all. You have called me to walk with You in faith by grace. Empower me so that no matter what tyrant comes, I will walk faithfully with You. Whether I live through the final days, or just live to my final day, teach me how to be humble, faithful, and a witness of Your great love. You have called me to live into Your likeness. Thank You, dear Savior. Amen.

Devotion for Monday, October 2, 2023
written by Jeffray Greene | October 11, 2023

“Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains upon which the woman sits, and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while” (Revelation 17:9-10).

The great empires of old, one right after the other, came with rulers who were absolute. The Roman empire and then, in the last days, one who will rule as absolute. Wickedness seeks control. God is love. In a loving relationship with your neighbor and with the Lord, eternity is present. Do not live in the one over the other wickedness of this world but live in love with the Lord forever.

Lord, You know the state of the rebellion. Humans seek for themselves at the expense of others. Kill the old Adam and resurrect the new person in the image of Christ. Let love rule in our hearts. This world will continue its path of destruction, but You have come so that we may have eternal life and have it abundantly. Wickedness remains for only a moment, but Your love is forever.

Lord Jesus, unite me with You forever. Guide me to learn how to live the abundant life of love. Guide me to see that in You is hope and an eternal future. Help me to see through the tyranny of this age and not to fall for its deception. Aid me to seek the pure life of being like You. You have given me the ability to become a child of God. Let nothing hinder me in becoming like You. Lead me always, Savior Jesus. Amen.