Hidden in My Heart

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us."

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:

6 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."

7 "I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.'"

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

NKJV

His Kingdom and Reign

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The Kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15)

Revelation 11:15-19 describes the victory of the Lamb. Kingdoms rose to oppose Him. He consumed each and every one of them. These kingdoms have become His and He will reign forever. His kingdom and reign will never cease.

The prophets and saints and those who feared His name are rewarded by the Lord God Almighty (Revelation 11:17-18). These did not oppose the Lamb. They overcame the opposing kingdoms by the Lamb. So can we.

Jason Cicero

They Did Not Repent

God has used trumpets throughout His dealings with mankind to sound warnings. Revelation 9 speaks of those who heard the trumpets, the warnings, and yet they did not heed them. "But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts" (Revelation 9:20-21).

Warning signs abound. See them. Repent.

Jason Cicero

When the Saints Pray

"When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake." (Revelation 8:1-5)

When the saints pray, great things happen.

Jason Cicero

From Under the Altar to Before the Throne

In Revelation 6:9-11 "the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held" are crying out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

In Revelation 7:9-17 these same souls are no longer "under the altar" (Revelation 6:9). Now they are "before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9). They are still crying out with a loud voice mind you. Here what they are saying now: "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:10).

Before they were in "great tribulation" (Revelation 7:14). Now "they are before the throne of God," serving Him, dwelling with Him (Revelation 7:15). They no longer hunger or thirst, suffer, or cry tears (Revelation 7:16-17). The Lamb shepherds them and leads them "to living fountains of waters" (Revelation 7:17).

From under the altar to before the throne because of the Lamb. The Lamb delivered these souls. He will deliver yours too.

Jason Cicero

Who is Able to Stand?

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:15-17)

Question: Who is able to stand?

Answer: "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Psalm 110

1 The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

2 The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

3 Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.

4 The Lord has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

5 The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.

6 He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries.

7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head.

NKJV

The Redeemer

"You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood..." (Revelation 5:9; NKJV)

He is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, glory, and blessing because He is the redeemer!

Worship Him as your Redeemer!

Jason Cicero

The Creator

"You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For you created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created" (Revelation 4:11; NKJV).

The true and living God is worthy of worship because He is the creator of all things!

Give Him glory, honor and power as your Creator!

Jason Cicero

What Would He Say to Us?

Scripture: Revelation 2-3

"...and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man..." (Revelation 1:13; NKJV).

Jesus stands in the midst of the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2-3 and offers an assessment of their spiritual health.

If the Lord spoke to us, what would he say?

Jason Cicero

Let Him Hear!

Scripture: Revelation 2-3

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea had this in common: each church was comprised of some who were willing to hear, listen, and change.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

For those who have an ear, hear!

Jason Cicero

The Lamb Will Overcome Them

Question: How can we overcome those who make war? (Revelation 6:15-17; 16:14; 17:14; 19:15-21; Psalm 2:8-9)

Answer: Through Christ!

"These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14; NKJV)

Hidden in My Heart

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

"There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." (Revelation 22:5; NKJV)

Because of What He Did

Jesus has the "preeminence" because of what he did (Colossians 1:13-18).

1. Established a Kingdom (1:13)
2. Manifested God (1:13, 15)
3. Redeemed Us Through His Blood (1:14)
4. Created All Things (1:15)
5. Built a Church (1:18)
6. Rose from the Dead (1:18)

Jason Cicero

Because of Who He Is

Jesus has the "preeminence" because of who He is (Colossians 1:13-18).

1. The King (1:13)
2. The Son of His Love (1:13)
3. The Image of God (1:15)
4. The Firstborn Over All Creation (1:14)
5. The Creator (1:16)
6. Deity (1:17)
7. The Head of the Body, the Church (1:18)
8. The Beginning (1:18)
9. The Firstborn from the Dead (1:18)

Jason Cicero

The Preeminence of Christ

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18; NKJV)

Preeminence has to do with being first in rank or influence (Strong's), holding the first place (Thayer's), being first (Vine's).

Read Colossians 1:13-18 and consider the preeminence of Christ. Consider why He has the preeminence. Consider if He has the preeminence in your life.

Jason Cicero

Paul's Prayer for the Colossians

Paul prays for the Colossians in Colossians 1:9-12. His prayer concerns their spiritual life, their relationship with God, and their walk in Christ. Mediate on this prayer. Pray it for yourself. Pray it for others.

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Jason Cicero

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Colossians

"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven..." (Colossians 1:3-5; NKJV).

The Spirit led Paul and Timothy to give thanks for the Colossians in Colossians 1:3-5 for two reasons:

1. Their faith in Christ Jesus. They were convicted in their minds that He was the Anointed of God. They trusted Him to save them when they obeyed the gospel. They were about the business of surrendering their wills to His.

2. Their love for all the saints. They didn't just love one another. They loved all the saints. They loved saints they had never even seen in the flesh.

Put your faith in Christ Jesus. Love all the saints. Give thanks for "saints and faithful brethren in Christ" (Colossians 1:1).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14; NKJV)

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

NKJV

Keep: His Part & My Part

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

His Part

GOD "keeps" me. He watches over me. He guards me. He helps me avoid some things. He actively "keeps" His loving eye upon me.

He "keeps" me from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3). He "keeps" what I've committed to Him (2 Timothy 1:12). He "keeps" me from stumbling (Jude 24).

He will do His part.

My Part

I am to attend carefully to His commandments. I am to observe His will. I am to keep my eye upon His loving desires for my life.

I am to "keep" His commandments (John 14:15). If I know Him, I will "keep" His commandments (1 John 2:3). I "keep" myself in His love through obedience to Him (Jude 21).

He will do His part. Will I do mine? "Keep me where the light is..."

Jason Cicero

Keep: What We Are To Do

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

What We Are To Do

Keep – tereo (tay-reh'-o); from teros (a watch); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from NT:5442, which is properly to prevent escaping (Strong’s).

Thayer’s – to attend to carefully, take care of, to observe.

I am to "keep" His commandments (John 14:15).

If I know Him, I will "keep" His commandments (1 John 2:3).

I "keep" myself in His love through obedience to Him (Jude 21).

Jason Cicero

Keep: What He Does

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

What He Does

Keep – phulasso (foo-las'-so); through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid (Strong’s).

Active, to guard (1) to watch, to keep watch (2) have an eye upon (3) to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe, i. e. lest he suffer violence, be despoiled, etc., to protect: (4) to guard, i. e. to care for, take care not to violate; to observe (Thayer’s)

He "keeps" me from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

He "keeps" what I've committed to Him (2 Timothy 1:12).

He "keeps" me from stumbling (Jude 24).

Jason Cicero

Keep Me Where the Light Is

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

John "was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" when He saw Him...

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (Revelation 1:12-18; NKJV)

Will you see Him tomorrow?

Jason Cicero

And They Ridiculed Him

The folks at Jairus' house were in an uproar. There was weeping and wailing. Jairus' daughter was dead.

Jesus came into the house. He asked a question: "Why make this commotion and weep?" He made an observation: "The child is not dead, but sleeping."

The folks at Jairus' house "ridiculed Him." They literally "laughed Him to scorn." Because of their response to Him, He put them all outside.

Face to face with God, they mourned as those who have no hope. Face to face with God, they did not believe His word. Face to face with God, they laughed in His face.

See Him. Hear Him. Believe Him. Be amazed by Him: "Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement" (Mark 5:43; NKJV).

Jason Cicero