To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Catholic Men's Devotionals, Week 4 – Out on the Highways
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Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a great voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:1–4
Some people flip to the last page of a novel before they begin so they know how the story turns out. The Bible has given us the last chapter of the story of salvation as encouragement for believers in all generations. We know that in the end we have the victory in Jesus! This hope plays itself out in our daily living and the specific ministries to which God has called us. It guides our words and actions and shapes our hearts. It is the foundation of an ever-renewing faith that captures us and propels us heavenward day by day.
Each moment of our lives fades away so quickly. Though the past is gone, it is a part of who we are and who we are becoming, because God has used it to shape us into men after his own heart. We can rejoice because in Christ each day is new and offers us forgiveness, peace, and the opportunity to start over, working out our salvation by acts of love done with the hope of heaven.
Questions for Reflection
How does knowing the end of our story help you to live out your calling as a believer?
What is one thing from your past that has changed for the better in Christ?
How will the last chapter of our salvation story shape how you love others today?
Praying with Scripture
Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 Jn 5:5)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
