Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Happy Friday, Venture Fam!

As we conclude another week of Revelation in our Bible Reading Plan, we arrive at a chapter that is a picture of the state of this world, the universal brokenness of cultures across the world, and the God whose words will be fulfilled.

Today’s chapter of Revelation introduces the Great Harlot, Babylon. She sits on top of the beast and is clothed in rich purples and scarlet! She is covered in gold, jewels, and pearls. I mean, even by today’s standards; this woman is a picture of luxury. As beautiful as this woman might appear, she represents the idolatry and impurity people can so easily be tempted to pursue.

Every day we enter into a battle against an enemy who wants us to get caught up in the business of life or keep up with those around us. He wants us to be so distracted by the things of this world that before we know it, we are no longer worshiping God, and instead, we have made a lifestyle or material things our idol. Let’s be honest, it’s a lot easier to fall into this trap than we’d like to admit.

Let’s take this as an opportunity to do a heart check!

Am I...

• Finding joy in material possessions?
• Prioritizing things like sports, hobbies, etc. more than spending time with God and meditating on scripture?
• Striving to obtain earthly status?
• Listening to what I think or feel over what God’s Word says?

What we learn from this chapter of Revelation is that Babylon and the beast that she sits upon offer a life that does not lead to true joy and satisfaction. Verse 8 says, “Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast”. As followers of Jesus, we are called to marvel at Jesus, not the things of this world. I pray that we would not be easily distracted and swayed by worldly treasures, but instead store up all our treasures in heaven. Our wealth is in the Cross of Jesus Christ!

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Take a moment to do a shakedown of your life. What are some things that you are currently giving your time and attention to that you need to give up?  Allow yourself to be honest and the Holy Spirit to convict your heart in this moment.
• What do you need to let go of, so you can invest more in your daily relationship with the Lord?
• Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Your ways are better and higher than my own. Forgive me when I put things before You and begin to worship earthly things and not You. Convict my heart and open my eyes to the areas of my life that I need to take a deeper look at and let You into. Help me to live a life that is fully sold out for You! You are worthy of my worship every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Family Devo: Revelation 17

By: Paige Russum

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.   

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset  

Head

Hey there friends! Today, we're going to discover a special message from God in Revelation 17. Here, John has a vision of a mysterious woman and a beast. The woman represents a city that has turned away from God, living in a way that doesn't honor Him. The beast symbolizes the forces that oppose God's goodness and love. But here's the exciting part: no matter how confusing or scary things may seem, God is in control, and His love will always overcome. 

Heart

So what does this mean for us? The woman in the vision had made wrong choices, but we should surround ourselves with friends who encourage us to do what's right and love God.

Who are your friends, and how do they influence your choices?  

Besides having good friends, what can we do? We should also spend time reading the Bible and discovering how much God loves us. His love is the most powerful force in the universe! What is one thing you learned about God's love from the Bible this week?

Don’t forget to be a light to others. Share God's love through your words and actions. You never know how much of a difference you can make in someone's life. How can you show God's love to someone at school or in your neighborhood? 

And finally, when things seem confusing or difficult, ask God for help. He promises to give us wisdom when we seek Him. When was a time you prayed for understanding, and God helped you see things differently? 

Hands

Remember, friends, God's love is the most powerful force in the world. Keep seeking Him, and you'll discover a love that will guide you through every adventure in life.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your love that overcomes all challenges. Help us choose good friends, learn about Your love, and be a light to others. When things are confusing, give us wisdom, and may we always trust in Your perfect plan. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.