Study Notes
The Best HOPE in the World
Revelation 22:1-5, 20-21
December 19, 2010
Like a Tree
Week 66
Learning by heart (tip): Well, friends, we’ve arrived. We have centered our worship around and preached from every book of the Bible – all sixty-six! I hope this has been a meaningful, even life changing experience for you. I hope, too, that you have some of our memory verses tucked away in your heart. Remember, the Holy Spirit will use such texts to bless your life for the rest of your life. Just think, you are now like a tree planted by streams of water. Keep drinking from the Bible!
Finding the gospel (hint): Remember, the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus Christ. My hope is that you will read your Bible with your eyes on Jesus. If you read the Bible and don’t find Jesus, then you are misreading it. Remember what Luke says: “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he (Jesus) interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures” (Luke 24:27, 44).
Living witnesses (today): Our lives are to reflect the teachings of Scripture. Every day you are called to follow Christ and to reflect His life and love to everyone you meet. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can you do this. Stay close to Scripture, and you will more and more desire to live for Christ and to live like Christ.
Praying scripture (now): Perhaps the best way to grow spiritually and deepen your walk with God is to pray Scripture. Weave Scriptural verses, themes, thoughts and teachings into your prayer life. This makes your prayers richer and deeper. This makes your private and public worship of God more powerful. This brings levels of comfort to your soul like nothing else. God loves it when you pray and sing the Bible back to Him! If this has never been part of your devotional life, begin today. Grab a Bible and hymnbook and begin your festival of prayer and praise now. Better yet, learn Scripture by heart and pour out your soul to God wherever you are and no matter what you are doing.
It has been a blessing to guide you through our Like a Tree journey. I love you all and will miss you very much. I will hold you in my heart forever. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Corinthians 13:13).
Until we meet again,
Pastor Mike