I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. – Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

Our lives are busy. As a result, we’ve often began to rely on ourselves. Many times we think that if we just work hard, get good grades, go to a good college, or something like that we will find success in our lives. And it’s true, you can get far with hard work. But here’s the catch: working hard, doing good things, and anything else you try in your own strength will not bring you the fulfillment you seek.

You will be more fulfilled as you spend time with God. Today’s verse says that God is the Alpha and Omega. Those are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. What is God saying by that? He’s saying, I’m the first, I’m the last, and I’m everything in between.

What does that mean for your life? Well, it means that God can bring fulfillment to every minute of your life. If you’re seeking for meaning, God can be your purpose. If you seek more wisdom, God can fill that void. Whatever it is that you truly need from God, He is there to help you and fill that need.

God wants to be your first and last. He wants to help you in every area of your life. So go to Him. Seek Him, let Him fill you and help you in every way. Let God be your all in all.

and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood – Revelation 1:5 (NIV)

Jesus has done a lot for us. Today’s verse helps us see a little more of who Jesus really is. It’s easy to get caught up in our own lives, so much so that we don’t realize how much we need Jesus.

The summer with it’s ball games, watching TV, talking to friends can often overshadow our relationship with Jesus. But let today’s verse be a reminder to you of how good Jesus is. Let it remind you that He is worthy and worth serving.

Take some time out of your summer to get to know Him more. It might look like setting your phone down in the morning and pulling out your Bible instead. It could be taking a few minutes before bed to pray or to talk to Him. Be sensitive to His leading, and He will give you an idea of how you can get to know Him more.

It doesn’t matter how much you already know, there’s always room to grow in Him. So realize that Jesus loves us and that He freed us from our sins. Then take some time this summer to get to know the one who did that. Get to know His heart and His love for you. He has good things in store for you!

Have you ever wondered why Revelation was in the Bible? I know I have. I mean, I understand that it tells us what will happen in the end times, but I’ve always struggled reading it. Maybe you’re the same. Perhaps Revelation has been a challenge for you. Maybe the idea of reading and understanding it makes you afraid. If so, you’re not alone. Let’s take a look at today’s Bible verse.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. – Revelation 1:3 (NIV)

I like this verse. Why? Because even though the book of Revelation can seem strange at times and overwhelming but let’s look at what this verse says. It says that if you read Revelation out loud, or if you hear it, you’re blessed. Isn’t that good news? Reading this book is to be a blessing to you.

So when you go to open up your Bible and you get to this book, instead of being overwhelmed, realize that it is there to bless you. And when you read it, you can expect to learn something by the Holy Spirit and be blessed. So even if you’ve avoided the book in the past, realize that it is there to bless you. So take time to think about it, and read it and you’ll be blessed.

Have you ever been freaked out by the book of Revelation? I know I sure have. I’ve not known what to do with it at times. I’ve wondered what in the world it had to do with me and my life. For the next couple of days, we’re going to look at some scriptures from Revelation. Hopefully, you’ll be like me, and as you read them realize that the book of Revelation is a great book to read!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, – Revelation 1:1 (NKJV)

You might think the book of Revelation only talks about the end times. Yes, there are lots of things in there about the end times. But here’s the great thing. This book in the first verse tells us that it’s a revelation of Jesus. So as followers of Jesus, we should read it with that in mind.

This book shows us a new picture of who Jesus is. We see the human side of Jesus in the gospels. We see Him walking the streets, healing the sick, and doing good works. After seeing that, what happened to Jesus and what will happen with Jesus in the future?

That’s where Revelation helps fill in some gaps. We see a different picture of who Jesus is in this book. And as a follower of Jesus, it’s really important to know about Him. The more you know about Him, the more you realize you love Him. So let’s keep that in mind, and take a look at a few verses of the first chapter over the next few days.

I remember never quite fitting in at school. No matter how hard I tried, no one ever seemed to want to be my friend. After awhile, I gave up, stopped talking and became a very quiet person. The whole time at school, I wanted nothing more than to be included.

The good news is that even if people don’t accept you, God always does. Take a look at today’s verse.

Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! – Ephesians 3:18-19 (TPT)

I love how this verse describes God’s love. That it is so big and far reaching. I also like how it describes it as being inclusive. God’s love includes you. So even if people haven’t treated you right or included you, God does. To Him, you’re so valuable. He’s after your heart, if you’ll let Him.

So today, don’t let your worth be based on human love. That love is fickle and can change. God’s love never changes, and it’s based on Him, not you. So you don’t have to perform, or earn it. Instead, He freely gives it because of His love for you.

Today’s Challenge: Take some time today to thank God for His love!

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever. – Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

I remember when I was in kindergarten, there was a boy who followed me around the playground. Everywhere I went, there he was. It was like he was my own little shadow. Sometimes, I’d try to run around to lose him, but no matter where I went, he was there too, right behind me.

That’s the picture I get when I read today’s verse. I see God’s goodness and love following you where ever you go. You can try to out run it, but it’s right there. Every time you turn around, there is God’s love ready to help you and give you what you need for each day.

What an awesome picture. There’s no where you can go to get rid of God’s goodness and love. It’s always following you, ready to bless you everywhere you go.

That should make you love God even more. He loves you so much that He wants nothing but the best for you. So determine to thank Him today for his love that follow you all the days of your life. There’s nothing better than being followed with the good things of God!

Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

Have you experience a difficulty lately? It can sometimes feel like there’s no hope or that you’re all alone when life seems tough.

Today’s verse brings us some comfort, however. That no matter what you’re facing you’re not alone. God is right there with you, ready to comfort you. God knows how to comfort you, in ways that help you the most.

Also, we see from this verse that we don’t have to fear. It can be scary when life seems overwhelming. But the good news is that we don’t have to be afraid. God has our answer, so we can rest in Him.

So today, be encouraged. You’re not facing trouble alone. You have supernatural help, comfort, and peace. God has your answer, all you have to do is believe and trust in Him. He will see you through!

He refreshes and restores my soul (life);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake. – Psalm 23:3 (AMP)

Have you ever been really weary? I remember a time when I went biking with friends on a really hot day in summer. We rode for a long time, and I did not drink enough water during the trip. When we got to the end, I collapsed. I felt weary, sick, and weak all because I failed to drink enough during the bike ride.

That reminds me a lot of today’s verse. When we’re weary in life, God tells us that He will refresh and restore our soul. That’s good news. Life and the troubles of life can sometimes take a lot out of us. But we don’t have to keep going on in our own strength. Rather we can rely on God. We can look to Him for refreshing and restoration when we’re weary.

So if life has bogged you down with worry, weariness, and stress know that there’s hope. God will not leave you without hope or help. He has promised refreshing.

Go to God. Spend time in His Prescence. Let Him be what you need to get through the tough times that you face. You’re not alone. It might feel like you are, but the truth is you’re not. God never leaves you. Be refreshed knowing He loves you and wants to restore your soul!