Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Isaiah 37-38; Mark 9
Devotional Thought:
When I think of the transfiguration, I cannot help but see the promise of God for His saints. Moses died and his body was buried. Elijah was taken (raptured) in a whirlwind to heaven and he did not see death. What a picture of things to come. Jesus was trying to help his disciples to understand that there is a glorious day coming. There will be suffering and that will be difficult, but then there will be the glory that follows. The transfiguration was a glorious moment where the three disciples were able to see the phenomenon, purity, and power of God. He teaches them that His resurrection from the dead will be the basis of the hope of our resurrection and everlasting life. Dearly beloved, Christ is alive! He came to earth in purity, He lived pure for 33 years, He died a valid pure candidate to take our place, and He arose in pure victory! Because He is alive, we can be confident that we too shall live! Moses pictures those who die and are buried in the earth and will be resurrected at the rapture. Elijah pictures those who will be alive at the rapture and will be taken up directly into His presence. 1 Corinthians 15:51 says, “…we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” 1 John 3:2 says, “…when we shall see Him, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!” The Devil and his demons can try to stop Him, they can try to thwart the plan of God, they can try to discourage the Christian, and they can try to get Christians to disobey the scriptures; however, “greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) Just as Jesus showed His power over the demon that had possessed the boy, Jesus declared victory over Satan at the resurrection that will culminate at the rapture of the saints. Don’t be discouraged in your suffering with your flesh; there is a day of victory coming! Don’t be alarmed by the battles with the darkness of this world; there is a day of victory coming! Don’t be distracted by the vain philosophies of this world; there is a day of victory coming! Keep your chin up, your faith up, and your eyes lifted up. Jesus is coming again!
Personal Requests:
• Lord, help me to trust your word more each day.
• Lord, I am so thankful for the power you demonstrated over death, sin, and the grave.
• Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You and to live by faith, knowing you are coming again.
• Lord, thank you for your purity, and please help me to live pure before Thee.