Bible In A Year with Jim McCracken Alamo Ranch Community Church

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 31stOur bible reading today is in Revelation 19-22...the last day of the year ushering in something new, something Praiseworthy, something hopeful is our prayer...And we come to such a passage in our reading as we finish our Bible in a Year journey.Before we get into the text I want to thank each of you who have made the journey with me in 2020. You had plenty of choices as to bible reading programs and devotional thoughts to go along with your time in the Word. You chose the ARCC Bible In A Year schedule and podcast to guide you in your bible reading. And you have blessed me and encouraged me along the way by your participation.I want to thank the elders of ARCC for asking me to do the daily podcast this year. Little did they know that I needed the challenge as much as any member participating.Because reading and thinking through the bible texts regularly isn't easy. The enemy will do everything that he can to keep us out of the bible. And I for one fell to those temptations many times this year.Reading through the Bible requires not just a love and respect for God’s word but also a desire to hear from God. And some days that is easier said than done. O but the reward is great.By the way, I had an advantage friends. And that advantage was James Evans our producer. His kind encouragement and spot-on suggestions for excellence pushed me just when I needed it. Thanks, James.Now...New Years...and something hopeful ahead...it’s in our reading today.In John’s God-given vision we read of such a glorious day to come..." the marriage supper of the Lamb”...the party of all parties...where all the church experiences the fullness of happiness and joy in the perfect union with her Savior and Lord, Jesus...together (think on it...all the church...down through the ages), in heaven together with the God of salvation, Jesus!“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 30The bible reading today is in the book of Revelation chapters 12-18.From chapter 4-19, John was showing the 7 churches of Asia what God’s future work on earth looked like from heaven’s vantage point.Over the years, I have read what my spiritual mentors had to say about the unveiling of future events found in Revelation. Some differed widely. But one thing that they all had in common was how important it was to understand that heaven shows us “what” happens and not necessarily “when”.So I have tried to concentrate on the occurrences themselves and not lose their significance by getting bogged down in a timeline. Sometimes the occurrences and a timeline fit perfectly. But sometimes they don't.Spurgeon told his church family that his messages on Revelation came from his Spirit-filled heart. But...He had no doubt that there were deeper meanings to the visions of earth from heaven than he understood at the time of his life and ministry.And I say Amen and Amen to that!Now to the text in chapter 12...“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 29thThe bible reading is in Revelation chapters 6-11.“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 28thThe bible reading today is Revelation chapters 1-5.The word Revelation comes from a Greek word meaning apocalypse. That makes sense because The Revelation is a book of disclosure and unveiling of events in the future.Tradition says that Roman authorities took elderly John into custody...tried him...found him guilty and put him into a pot of boiling oil to execute him.But God intervened and miraculously saved him, like he did with the three Hebrew children who were thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebechadnezer for their refusal to deny their Lord.So the Roman authorities exiled John to the Isle of Patmos. It was there that John received visions from God around 95 AD. John wrote them down and sent them to seven churches in Asia...beginning with the church in Ephesus where he served the last years before Patmos.Spirit inspired John begins The Revelation with prophetic words to the pastors of the seven churches. ““To the Pastor and the church in Ephesus write:...I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance"...In other words...You are Heroes to your children...your courageous lives during suffering...commendable indeed."And...I know...how you cannot bear with those who are evil, those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.”I know how you seek to protect your church family from false doctrine...not tolerating evil in the church to go unchecked...Yes, you have a testimony of being bold and brave...

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 27thThe bible reading today are two short, one chapter letters from the apostle John...2 John and 3 John. “The elder to the elect lady and her children, The elder is the apostle John...a leader and missionary in the church from the beginning...The elect lady and her children could refer metaphorically to the church in Asia. And her children could refer to church members in particular.I lean toward the literal “Christian lady” and her sons and daughters...so John was writing to a friend in the faith whom it appears was a friend for some time.Whom I love in truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,”John expressing his love and appreciation for this sister and her testimony of faith.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 26thThe bible reading today is in 1 John 1-5.There is no doubt in the general theological community that the apostle John wrote 1,2,3 John. And I believe that too.The gospel of John and these three epistles have many similarities...but the main ones that I see are the eternal life that is in Jesus and the love of God that is seen through Jesus and those who believe him.There doesn't seem to be a particular recipient of 1 John. However, we have reason to believe that this letter was written in the early 90s...about the same time he penned Revelations to 7 churches in Asia.Some commentators believe that it's possible 1,2,3 John were written to those same 7 churches and some individuals in them.We will ask John when we get to heaven.Now to the text...1 John 1:1,2“That which was from the beginning, Who was that? from the beginning? God...Father Son Holy Spirit...which we have heard.Who was that? Jesus...which we have seen with our eye. Who was that? Jesus...which we looked upon and have touched with our hands. Who was that? Jesus...concerning the “word of life".Who was the Word of life? Jesus... the “life” was made manifest, and we have seen it.Who was that? Jesus...and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life.Who did they testify of? Jesus...who was with the Father and was made manifest to us—Jesus.