It seems right to use the last chapter of the entire Bible as the foundation for the devotional series based on Read the Bible Through in One Year. John not only closed out the inspired work we call the word of God, but he was probably the last apostle to die. His work including his Gospel, three letters and Revelation comprise a wonderful and complete panorama of God's redemptive work in man.

Who is this Jesus whom John says in John 1:1 was there at the foundation of the earth in the dateless past? Who is the One who stands on the other end of eternity future and tells us He is the Beginning and the End? He has many names but none more confirming of His nature than Immanuel, God with us. And isn't that the real message of all the writing within this holy book? Look closely at man and you'll see the presence of God in everything from the beginning to the end.

I pray you know Him. I wish that every man would know the joy of having a relationship with God this side of eternity future. Scripture tells us that redemption is determined in this life and not in the hereafter. In other words, to know Jesus, the Alpha and Omega and be on speaking terms with Him, it will happen before you die or not at all.

I hope the devotional based on the systematic reading of God's word from Genesis one:one to Revelation none:none has blessed you. I can say without fear of contradiction that it's blessed me immeasurably. Well, what's planned for next year? You may have noticed the blue egg-shaped icon on the main page of Prayertower that says "Pray Thru the Bible in 2005." That should give you a hint of what we will do, but let me explain exactly what God has laid on my heart.

If you didn't already know, spending time in prayer is the burning desire of my heart. One day we'll do it constantly and eternally, it won't happen unless you know Jesus as personal Savior and pass from this life into the next. But for now, we can practice heaven. How can we do that? Easy, by spending substantive time in prayer!

On a personal note, I want to be careful that I not be so ministry-minded I pray with others but fail to enjoy spending personal time with God. There is a difference. When this work started many years ago, I spent so much time managing prayer requests and managing the technical aspect of the website, I was not able to praymuch. I did a lot of talking about prayer but not much praying. When I realized my problem, it didn't take long for God to work that out and reduce my load. Still I am thankful for the ministry I can share with others and it's my desire that see other prayer-warriors grow out of this ministry with a similar and even greater passion as mine.

Last year I used preselected portions of the Bible to develop devotional thoughts. This year, I plan to pray as God moves within me and use relative portions of God's word as inspiration. By the end of the year, I hope to have again read most, if not all of the Bible and laid out a new reading pattern based on the subject of prayer.

Pray for me as often as possible (1 Th 1:2-3) that I will be able to keep balance (Pro 11:1) in my life. Ask God to inspire me (Ps 32:8a) and keep my mind sharp (Rom 11:2) so I can do the work that will in turn inspire others (Rom 1:11). Thank you and now my prayer for you for tomorrow and every day of 2005 is found in Numbers 6:24-26 as a priestly blessing:

"The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Ml. 3:1-4:6 Rv. 22:1-21 Ps. 150:1-6 Pr. 31:25-31 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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