SOAP 12/29/2011; Revelation 14:13

Today's reading: Revelation 10,11,12,13,14

S)"¹³ And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, 'Write, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!"' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.'"

Revelation 14:13 (NASB)

O) So, there is a principle here, mentioned at the end of the verse, that our deeds can follow us after we die. There is a ripple effect in our world, for better or for worse. At the very least, there are the children - as we raise children, they will raise their children, and so on to the generations that follow, and as it trickles down our family trees, the way we raised our children will impact, on some level, our posterity for generations to come. Again, this is for better or for worse. Beyond our own families, though, this effect is felt everywhere we minister, or fail to minister. Everywhere we speak words of healing, or words of harm. Everywhere we build up, or tear down, we are affecting the people in our world and beyond. Our deeds will follow us.

A) There is tremendouse peace and promise in this, as long as I am doing well. It can become quite the test and danger if I am not doing well. This is all the more reason for me to think eternally, not temporally. I need to consider what kind of impact I can have on the people around me, but also how that may or may not ripple through that person's world. This is all the more reason to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead me in how I treat my wife and kids, but also how I live out my life in every facet. He has an eternal perspective I could never hope to own.

P) Father, I want my deeds that follow me to bless the people affected. Holy Spirit, lead me in all things, so that I am careful to do the will of the Father. I know You have the ultimate plan for everything, LORD, so I want to follow that plan as closely as I can. Forgive me for where I have faltered in its execution. Please give me grace in the harm I have done and might do in the future. In Jesus' name. Amen.