"THE CHAMPION; HE LIVES"
>Your need to read Revelation 5: 1-14, now<

Have you heard the story about the six year old boy, deeply engrossed in trying to draw and color an elaborate picture. His mother asked: "What are you drawing son?" "I'm drawing a picture of God," he answered. "That's very nice dear," she said, "But you know, no one really knows what God is like." "They will now, was his triumphant rely.
By the grace of God, it would be nice for all of us to move out of "Our Comfort Zone," now, today, with a better understanding of "Who Our Real Champion Is." The late Basketball star and late Senator, Bill Bradley, when asked about his "over the shoulder shot" replied: "When you have played basketball for a while, you don't need to look at the basket when you are in close - you develop a sense of where you are."
For us to see the real champion, we must develop a sense of where we are. Please note (V.1) that John's attention is drawn to a scroll in the right hand of God. Beloved, this is a dramatic moment in heaven. At first there is tension in that no one is worthy enough to open the scroll. If no one is worthy, what will be the destiny of man? This is the question in the mind of mankind to this day: "What Will Happen Tomorrow?" Will we be destroyed - will we destroy ourselves - will we be just a blip in this universe, only to disappear again?
This awesome scene should certainly encourage the faithful Christian. Why? Because our future is certain, the Champion, He lives. This scene brings new courage not only to the first readers, the persecuted Christians of Asia, it brings the same cheer to Christian hearts in any age. Believing in the power of God (Chap. 4) and the redeeming love of God (Chap. 5), there is no enemy or force of evil which Christians need to fear.
We can face the future no matter how dark the world appears, nor how great the conflict, knowing, "The Champion, He lives." He has not laid aside His scepter, He has not abandoned His throne to another. As we study the book of Revelation, we find John will not take us down the road of dark future on earth until he has shown us :The Champion," the Light in the darkness. This is the reason why the picture of our Champion precedes the calamities on earth. The believer has confidence in the future, the unbeliever cannot. Dr. Billy Graham said: "I've read the last page of the Bible. It's going to turn out alright." For the believer the future holds great promises and celebration. Why worry? The Champion, He Lives.
The lost folks around you probably won't be all that impressed with your don'ts or all the religious meetings you go to. They need to see meaningful differences in you because Christ is in you.
But it isn't enough that they just see that you're different. They need to know why, or they'll never be able to get out of the darkness themselves. They need Jesus. And He put you in their life so they could find out what Jesus did for them on the cross; so they could find out from someone who's living proof that Jesus is alive and how they, too, can have a life-changing relationship with Him. Have you told them about your Jesus yet? Humanly speaking, you may very well be their best chance of heaven.
My Friends in Christ, we must move our of "Our Comfort Zone," now.

(By God's grace, "Our Comfort Zone" devotions will be more challenging this year. Any comments are welcomed.)
Bro. Roy