Living Above the Sun Ministries

"Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him." -Revelation 17:14 Recently I was challenged to memorize this verse in Revelation. As I studied it, and poured over the verse the 3 words "called, chosen, and faithful" stood out. I made myself a note to blog about it, and study it more in depth. My filter is this blog, things I read, encounter, and hear I am constantly soaking up for writing on here, and of course for my own Spiritual growth and knowledge. The question I asked myself in meditating on this verse was am I all these things? Mostly, am I faithful? It is said that Revelation 17:14 is the main theme verse than can sum up Revelation. No worries, we aren't talking about Revelation today, but I do want to focus on these 3 words that are used to describe the character of Christ Followers. What does i

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven." -Matthew 16:15-17 Many times as Christ followers in whatever leadership position we carry, or in just being simple laymen of the church we get a big head in believing because of us and what we said convinced someone to accept Jesus. Maybe I'm the only one who gets that way, but I dare say I'm probably not. This past week I came across the story of Peter, then Simon, coming to recognize Jesus as the Christ. He was the first of all the disciples to recognize Jesus as the anointed one; the Messiah. Could Jesus have sensed a little pride in Peter upon his faith? Of course! Jesus was quick to take all accolades and give it to His Father in Heaven. Peter didn't figure it out all on his own. It's intere

"...to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me." -Acts 26:18 A Godless city, but He has called me. Called me to proclaim His name in a city where it is ranked number eleven as the most "post Christian" city in America. He is sending me to Portland, Oregon, where 50% of its people: 1. do not believe in God 2. identify as atheist or agnostic 3. disagree that faith is important in their lives 4. have not prayed to God (in the last year) 5. have never made a commitment to Jesus 6. disagree the Bible is accurate 7. have not donated money to a church (in the last year) 8. have not attended a Christian church (in the last year) 9. agree that Jesus committed sins 10. do not feel a responsibility to “share their faith” 11. have not read the Bible (in the last week) 12. have not

"Then Joshua told the people, 'Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.'" -Joshua 3:5 This week in my quiet time I came across this verse, it jumped off the page and grabbed my heart. Originally it was my plan to read about the taking of Jericho, and while I went on to read it, this verse stuck in my heart. I've not been able to get it off my mind, even more so today because I know tomorrow is Sunday. However, I do not want to view and apply this verse just on Saturday night's because church is tomorrow. I don't know about you, but for me, I want to see the Lord do great wonders among me not just Sunday, but everyday. There is so much to unpack in this verse, so lets just start first the first word. "Purify." In theological terms this would be the action of being sanctified; the process of being made holy. Repentance helps us live in that purifying. It is the blood of Jesus that makes us clean, His blo