Michael L. Randle is pastor of Mission of Faith church in Chicago, Illinois.
You can contact any writer by sending an email to edhandkins7@bellsouth.net .
There is a new thought on the “Ideas” page at www.edhandkinsministries.com each week.
September 2 White Robes
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb. Revelation 7:14 (KJV)
Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 17, 18, 19 Revelation 7
As a child growing up on the south side of Chicago I remember watching choir members as they prepared for worship wearing new robes. Often the leader of the choir would give directions on how to keep their robes clean. He would say things like, “Don’t take it out until it’s time to wear it, after a couple of wears take it to the cleaners; and, always hang it up when you get home.”
A few weeks later I would notice that some robes where not so clean. Imagine it, the people of God standing in the church of God, singing the praises of God; wearing unclean robes. But neglect was not the issue. Deliverance from tribulation and salvation is.
Our white robes will be awarded because we endured the pain. We held out during tough times. We kept living with hope even in times of weakness. More importantly our white robes are made white because of the blood of our Savior.
Heaven is a place where the people of God, having endured difficulties in tribulations, wear white robes. No need to worry about taking our robes to the cleaners. No need to be concerned about stains. No need to worry about our robes being marked with our imperfections or guilt.
Let your endurance in tribulations be your robe and the Savior will make it white.
Prayer: Ask God for strength during difficulties.
Michael L. Randle
September 3 Golden Censors
And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. Revelation 8:4 KJV
Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 20, 21
Psalms 111 Revelation 8
In the late 70’s and early 80’s people in my community burned incense to rid their homes of distinctive orders. Nowadays incense are burnt for a variety of reasons.
Some people burn incense to satisfy their own whims and wishes. However, angels burn incense in a golden censor along with the prayers of God’s people. The idea that our prayers will reach God’s throne room accompanied by the glorifying order of incense burned by angels sounds fascinating to me.
It says that God is interested in hearing our prayers. He has made a way for our prayers to reach his throne room and He takes pleasure in smelling the fragrance of praying saints. He enjoys the aroma of His people bowing before His presence expressing their love and dependence on Him.
Today you and I ought to find a secret closet and spend time cultivating our relationship with God through prayer. His angels are waiting. They hold the golden censors in their hands and the altar is filled with fire. All that is missing is our prayers.
Prayer always brings us into God’s throne room. That is where He hears the cries of our hearts. He sits on His throne with the earth as His footstool, and He says to you and me, will you please talk to me. His appeal is waiting to meet our cry.
Prayer: Take time to ask God to increase and intensify your prayer life today. Michael L. Randle
September 4 Unlike the Unrepentant
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk…”Revelation 9:20 KJV
Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 22, 23, 24
Revelation 9
In the movie “Scent of a Woman” a group of boys pull a terrible prank on the head school master. As the movie starts out two friends of the mischievous boys are questioned about their witness of the crime. Scene after scene depicts the well meaning of the two being judged harshly. By the end of the movie, Al Pacino, playing the blind and retired army officer, Frank Slade, portrays the father like figure in “Charlie’s” Chris O’Donnell’s life. He rebukes the guilty party, makes mockery of the proceedings against his young friend, and ridicules the head school master.
What does this have to do with us? The group of boys that committed the crime remained quiet but yet was rebuked in the end. Of the two boys that witnessed the crime the one who hid behind his father’s money was penalized by the board of directors for not reporting the crime; Charlie was set-free because the board found no evidence of him having anything to do with the matter.
Unlike those that never admit their faults you and I can turn to the Father’s merciful compassion and repent of our sins. Unlike those that hide behind wealth and social status. We can call on our Father day and night asking Him to look beyond our faults and find our need for His abundant grace.
Let us not be like the “Rest of the men…” in our text. Let today be a day of repentance. Ask God to forgive you for sin while crying out for His merciful kindness.
Prayer: Pray a prayer of repentance today.
Michael L. Randle
September 5 Sweet Bitterness
And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. Revelation 10:10 KJV
Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 25, 26, 27, 28 Revelation 10
As a child I enjoyed seafood like fried shrimp, lobster, and crab legs. In my early adult years I tried to fry my own shrimp. Not a good idea-and why?
Fresh shrimp must be cleaned. Cleaning shrimp is not pretty. Matter of fact since first cleaning them I haven’t eaten any. Seafood looks good, the taste would probably be succulent to some, but to me, if eaten it would be a sort of sweet bitterness. It would taste good going down but would make my stomach bitter.
The Word of God has a unique way of satisfying our taste for a moment until the guilt of our sinfulness reminds us of how true His words are. Once the truth has resolved the matter of sin within us, we can then go to the world and regurgitate it so that others might know that God is right, we deserve judgment; and His merciful kindness redeems us from His wrath.
Take the sweet bitter truth of God and digest it daily. Allow it to cleanse you from the inside out. Tell others how He has shown Himself faithful and willing to forgive us, redeem us, and then use us to tell the world of His redeeming love.
If you are allergic to seafood or anything else, stay away from it. But if the Word of God means anything to you, feed on it daily. Make it a part of your daily diet.
Prayer: Ask God to help the truth of His word be readily applicable to your daily life; both the truth that convicts and the truth that comforts.
Michael L. Randle
September 6 The Glorifying Witness of Fear
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13 KJV
Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 29, 30, 31, 32 Revelation 11
Nature’s fury is dreadful. She quakes the earth, spews lava, and her waters ruins cities. One quiet Christmas eve the world was traumatized by the tremendous power and damage of a Tsunami. The massive waves swept across the eastern sea cost of India, and when the waters retrieved from waving her mighty hands 300,000 people were whisked into eternity.
One summer night in the coastal waters of the American Gulf there brewed an angry wind named Katrina. With strong gale force and high storm surges she spit her frustrations out on America and thousands upon thousands were left homeless, while hundreds upon hundreds lost their lives.
Natural disasters cause so much pain that it is impossible to find anything good in them. However, like always, the Bible shows us that even in the wakening devastation of natural disasters God can get the glory.
Who glorifies God when loved ones perish? Who sings of His praises when homes are lost to winds and waves? Who wants to say, “He is good” on the eve of a tornado ravished city like Enterprise, Alabama? The remnant does. Those that perish are gone; now we who remain must testify that He is yet worthy of our praise. There should be someone left; after the storm, who would dare to say, “Father you are worthy.”
In our pain God should be praised. In spite of hardships His worth is not diminished. Sing of His awesome power. Lift your voice, say Hallelujah.
Prayer: Ask God to give you a spirit of worship and a voice filled with praise. Michael L. Randle
September 7 The Battle Is the Lord’s
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9 KJV
Today’s Readings: II Kings 25 II Chr. 36
Jer. 40, 41 Rev. 12
As a boy the bus was often our primary mode of transportation. One day while riding the bus my mom and I witnessed a young man viciously attack an elderly woman. He was after her purse and had nothing against her.
This all took place in view of the bus driver who heroically leaped from his seat, grabbed the young man’s fist, and threw him to the ground. Then several men at the bus stop began to help. Unfortunately for the young man his quest for the purse was a failure. Fortunately for the little woman the bus driver fought for her.
The idea that God confronts the enemy on our behalf is illuminated in the defense of an elderly woman. He leaps from His throne and snatches the hand of our enemy. He over powers him-Satan, with His mighty right hand, then throws him-the Devil, to the ground.
Our God is fighting for us. His angels are His soldiers. His Son commands and His Spirit leads, and the angelic host fights for you and me. The enemy is on the attack; blow after blow his victory seems sure. But dispatched from the heavens is heavens’ army of justice - victory will be won.
By the time our arch enemy realizes his demise, it will be too late to retreat. His destruction is sure for the battle belongs to the Lord, and He never loses what is His.
Prayer: Ask God to protect you from the vicious attacks of our arch enemy. Michael L. Randle
September 8 Hearing Ears
If any man have an ear, let him hear. Rev. 13:9 (KJV)
Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 42, 43, 44
Psalms 48 Rev. 13
Art does imitate life. It also illuminates truth. Such is the case in Hollywood’s portrayal of the late Ray Charles. One scene shows the young Ray Charles struggling with his handicap. He comes running into the little shack of a house, trips and falls. The fall was so shocking that he cries out for his mother’s help.
His mother knew then that hearing ears are the lenses for blinded eyes. She saw him fall, and went to aid him in his distress, but nurture rose up in her and said, “Leave him alone, his ears will show him the way.”
He cried out of hurt and shame, and screamed in unrealized potential. Then he waited for moms loving arms and found that they were not coming. His mother remained quiet while watching nature take its place.
He first heard a cricket, and then heard a farmer. He heard horses trotting and his mother’s anxious breathing. With each sound he adjusted his head in the direction of the sound thereof. Finally, his body’s position was directly in front of his mom. As he held the captured cricket in his little hand he told his mother that he knew she was near.
Like his hearing ears which gave sight to his blinded eyes, we can see our God standing near in the difficult times of life. Can you see Him? Quiet. Just listen. Can you locate where He is standing? Be still. He is near.
Prayer: Ask God to let your ears become the light for your eyes.
Michael L. Randle