Nature gave a clear witness to the glory of God by the majesty declared in the heavens this Christmas Eve. People also gave a witness by testifying of their faith in Jesus. When the angel became a witness (in this passage), he refused honor or homage and reminded John, the apostle, that  God alone should be worshiped. The angel gave a message that  included a clear phrophetic witness regarding Jesus Christ our Lord (see V. 9). – Teresa

Revelation 19: 1-10 ( NLT) emphasis added

“After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting,

“Praise the Lord![a]
    Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

2 His judgments are true and just.

    He has punished the great prostitute

who corrupted the earth with her immorality.

    He has avenged the murder of his servants.”

3 And again their voices rang out:

“Praise the Lord!

    The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”

4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the Lord!”

5 And from the throne came a voice that said,

“Praise our God,

    all his servants,

all who fear him,

    from the least to the greatest.”

6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:

“Praise the Lord!
    For the Lord our God,[b] the Almighty, reigns.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice,

    and let us give honor to him.

For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,

    and his bride has prepared herself.

8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”

    For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters[c] who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.[d]”

 If you would like the Lord Jesus Christ to be your King, call on Him in truth. It does not need to be eloquent but it does need to be authentic. He draws close to the one who declares his/her need of a Savior, who realizes that Christ is Lord and who trusts in the power of His resurrection from the dead (see Romans 10:9,10).  -Teresa

Psalm 145:8-21 (NLT)-emphasis added

8 “The Lord is merciful and compassionate,

    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

9 The Lord is good to everyone.

    He showers compassion on all his creation.

10 All of your works will thank you, Lord,

    and your faithful followers will praise you.

11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;

    they will give examples of your power.

12 They will tell about your mighty deeds

    and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

    You rule throughout all generations.

The Lord always keeps his promises;

    he is gracious in all he does.[b]

14 The Lord helps the fallen

    and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

15 The eyes of all look to you in hope;

    you give them their food as they need it.

16 When you open your hand,

    you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does;

    he is filled with kindness.

18 The Lord is close to all who call on him,

    yes, to all who call on him in truth.

19 He grants the desires of those who fear him;

    he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

20 The Lord protects all those who love him,

    but he destroys the wicked.

21 I will praise the Lord,

    and may everyone on earth bless his holy name

    forever and ever.”

 This lovely gift was arranged for me by my team at work. They are the angels who sit around me and bless multitudes of people every day! I really love the comfort of angels whether ministering unaware or singing in the night sky over the shepherd’s field. Angels, also, because they are messengers may have some difficult tasks to do as in this passage. The One “like the Son of Man” refers to Christ Jesus our Lord. He is greater than angels, worthy to judge the earth because He gave all for us! What we do with God’s Son will be the ultimate determination of our destiny. – Teresa #bowthekneetoHim

Revelation 14:14-20 (NLT)”Then I saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was someone like the Son of Man.[c] He had a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

15 Then another angel came from the Temple and shouted to the one sitting on the cloud, “Swing the sickle, for the time of harvest has come; the crop on earth is ripe.” 16 So the one sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the whole earth was harvested.

17 After that, another angel came from the Temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18 Then another angel, who had power to destroy with fire, came from the altar. He shouted to the angel with the sharp sickle, “Swing your sickle now to gather the clusters of grapes from the vines of the earth, for they are ripe for judgment.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and loaded the grapes into the great winepress of God’s wrath. 20 The grapes were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress in a stream about 180 miles[d] long and as high as a horse’s bridle.”
  

 When our LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ, stepped into history, there was no more dancing around the issue. Satan may have used accusations against the high priests beforehand because they were mere men- a shadow of things to come. The perfect Son of God came as Daniel predicted -the Son of Man-rescuing us from the spiritual forces bent on using destructive accusations against our sin nature. He is our great high priest interceding on our behalf. -Teresa

Zechariah 3:1-2 (NLT)

3 “Then the angel showed me Jeshua[e] the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan,[f] was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”

  Proverbs 30:17

“The eye that mocks a father

    and despises a mother’s instructions

will be plucked out by ravens of the valley

    and eaten by vultures.”

Although eyes are the reflection of what’s in the heart, they may not always reflect love for parents. During teenage/young adult years, the heart behind those eyes can be self-focused or outward-beauty focused. Give us wisdom, Lord, to run towards wisdom and away from the trap of a mocking/despising eye. Strengthen us in praying for the hearts of our young people.-Teresa

 The morning sun comes up brilliantly- running its course despite the brewing storm clouds. Our lives also shine brilliantly when we run our course for Him. For those Christians being persecuted, even today- God sees and has the ultimate say in justice and righteous rewards. (Read Vanya, Bonhoeffer and Corrie Ten Boom’s “The Hiding Place”).- Teresa

Revelation 7: 14-17 ( NLT)”… he said to me, “These are the ones who died in[a] the great tribulation.[b] They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne
    and serve him day and night in his Temple.

And he who sits on the throne

    will give them shelter.

16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty;

    they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun.

17 For the Lamb on the throne[c]

    will be their Shepherd.

He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.

    And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

  Revelation 12: 15-21 (NLT)

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”
When the church at Laodicea heard the warning from Christ himself, I’m sure they snapped to attention and got fired up!! They were “rich” and self sufficient but had not purchased the most important things: purified gold, white garments and ointment for their eyes. These items were essential for true riches, full-proof coverings and clear sight. Lord, we come to you needy in a time of desperate dearth, fill us with your abundant provision.- Teresa

When our right actions flood society with justice, we have touched God’s heart. He created us for good works in Christ! (See Ephesians 2:10). This means working with strength and purpose to bring about what is right so that a flood of justice ensues. Putting on appearances is easy but to do the hard work of building a solid foundation is worthwhile. – Teresa #Christhesolidrock

Amos 5: 21-24 (NLT)21 “I hate all your show and pretense—

    the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.

22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.

    I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.

23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise!

    I will not listen to the music of your harps.

24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,

    an endless river of righteous living.”

 

 
Love, agape-style, means meeting needs! Fanning our feathers or looking attractive may result in an outward display of intent but meeting the needs around us shows true love for God. -Teresa 
Hosea 6:6 (NLT)
“I want you to show love,[b]

    not offer sacrifices.

I want you to know me[c]

    more than I want burnt offerings.”

  

The leader with broad shoulders takes responsibility for promoting righteousness. The leader with flashy speeches but no substance leaves the people defenseless. The leader who’s been bought ensures popularity in the media… #willofthepeoplebusted- Teresa

 Proverbs 29:2-4 (NLT)

2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.

    But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

    but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

4 A just king gives stability to his nation,

    but one who demands bribes destroys it.