Revelation 2: 8-11 Letter to the church in Smyrna.
Jesus, "the first and the last, who was dead and has come to life.." speaks to the church about life.
He knows their troubles.
He knows their poverty.
He knows their future.
He knows their enemy.
He knows that death is a real possibility in the near future for some of them.
"Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life." Jesus promises them.
Hear this promise. Count on it and overcome. The second death.. judgement and eternal punishment is what really hurts... but when you stay faithful to the Lord, you will never die again.
Verses 12-17 Letter to the church in Pergamum
Jesus, "The One who has the sharp two-edged sword"... speaks about Truth.
They were being faithful to His name.
They were witnesses of the faith.
They were being persecuted in a place known as Satan's dwelling.
This city still exists. It is known as Bergama, Turkey. There are ancient ruins, past temples for false gods such as Athena, and a large altar for Zeus. False religion permeated this city from top to bottom. The church was struggling.
Some "held the teaching of Balaam."
Some followed the Nicolaitians.
Both of these joined with the idol worshippers in gross immorality. The church was guilty of tolerating such sinfulness.
Jesus called the church to repent. He warns them that unless they do He will "war agains them with the sword of [His] mouth." But, if they do repent and overcome He will give them two incredible gifts: hidden manna and a white stone that is inscribed with a new name.
I am not sure what all of that means. But, I know that I do not want to be at war with Jesus and I do want to receive from Him the gifts of life, manna, and a new name. I want to know Him in all the fulness of Who He is. ... as the One who was dead and now lives.. and as the One whose sword sharply divides the truth from the lies.
Thank You Father for the gifts You freely have given to us as Your children. Teach us how to keep walking in Your ways and to be free of the lies of our enemy. Thank You for victory in Jesus. Thank You that we are overcomers in Christ! Thank You that we have true life in Jesus. All praise and glory we give to Your Name. Amen!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Monday, February 20, 2017
Revelation 2:1-7 The letter to Ephesus begins with an encouraging word.. " I know your deeds.. your toil and perseverance ..." The Lord is pleased with this work of the church. They are being diligent to protect the truth. They are discerning between evil, false teachers and those who have the truth.
But, there is a big part of Truth that is missing.. and that is love. The kind of love that they had at first. Their love for the Lord had grown cold. They were now acting out of a sense of right and wrong instead of out of love for the Lord who saved them from sin and death and hell. They were in danger of becoming like the Pharisees... self-righteous and judgmental. They were right to condemn the Nicolaitans who were immoral and profane. But, they needed to repent of their lack of love for the Lord and for each other. ( Reminds me of I Corinthians 13:2 "and if I have the gift of prophesy and know all mysteries and all knowledge; ... but do not love, I am nothing.")
Hear this Truth, Jesus says, hear and overcome!
What can we learn from this message.. this warning to the church.. to us individually?
Are we so busy judging those who have a different opinion.. even a false ideology.. that we forget that they need to know the Lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and save those who are lost?
Are we taking for granted the love of our heavenly Father that we forget to humble ourselves in worship and thanksgiving that He has chosen to give us His unconditional love at the price of the spilt blood of the only Begotten Son?
Have we lost the passion of our first love for Christ who died for us and freely forgives our great debts of sin?
Truth is vital. Love is essential.
Father, You have taught us the truth and we desire to live and walk in Your Light by the faith that You have granted us. Let us not grow weary in that, even as You told the Ephesians. But, even more so, help us to not neglect Your love. Let us not forget that You have commanded us to first love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. You are not willing that any should perish but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth.. the truth of Your love for the world. No matter who we come across, no matter their political opinions, their false religion, or their hatred of us... out of love for You.. may we love them and may our deeds not only be based on truth, but filled with love. We ask this in the name of the Jesus, the lover of our souls. Amen.
But, there is a big part of Truth that is missing.. and that is love. The kind of love that they had at first. Their love for the Lord had grown cold. They were now acting out of a sense of right and wrong instead of out of love for the Lord who saved them from sin and death and hell. They were in danger of becoming like the Pharisees... self-righteous and judgmental. They were right to condemn the Nicolaitans who were immoral and profane. But, they needed to repent of their lack of love for the Lord and for each other. ( Reminds me of I Corinthians 13:2 "and if I have the gift of prophesy and know all mysteries and all knowledge; ... but do not love, I am nothing.")
Hear this Truth, Jesus says, hear and overcome!
What can we learn from this message.. this warning to the church.. to us individually?
Are we so busy judging those who have a different opinion.. even a false ideology.. that we forget that they need to know the Lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and save those who are lost?
Are we taking for granted the love of our heavenly Father that we forget to humble ourselves in worship and thanksgiving that He has chosen to give us His unconditional love at the price of the spilt blood of the only Begotten Son?
Have we lost the passion of our first love for Christ who died for us and freely forgives our great debts of sin?
Truth is vital. Love is essential.
Father, You have taught us the truth and we desire to live and walk in Your Light by the faith that You have granted us. Let us not grow weary in that, even as You told the Ephesians. But, even more so, help us to not neglect Your love. Let us not forget that You have commanded us to first love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. You are not willing that any should perish but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth.. the truth of Your love for the world. No matter who we come across, no matter their political opinions, their false religion, or their hatred of us... out of love for You.. may we love them and may our deeds not only be based on truth, but filled with love. We ask this in the name of the Jesus, the lover of our souls. Amen.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Revelation 1 To begin once again to read this book.. I have a sense of awe, like entering a grand and beautiful cathedral . There is a stillness, a reverence. The atmosphere is.. holy. This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, "which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants." We are blessed to read it and to heed it, verse 3 tells us, " for the time is near."
The message is to the churches from " Him who is and who was and who is to come."
It is from the "seven Spirit who are before the throne." and
It is "from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth."
The One who loves us.
The One who "released us from our sins."
The One who made us a kingdom.
The One who is coming with the clouds.
The One who was pierced.
The One who is Alpha and Omega.
The Almighty.
There can be no mistaking John's emphasis here.. this is God speaking. Listen carefully!
Verses 9-20 describe John's vision on Patmos.
He heard a sound and turned around.. and fell on his face, for there stood the glorified Jesus.
He stood in the middle of seven golden lamp stands.
He was covered in a long robe with a golden sash.
His head and hair were white like snow.
His eyes burned like fire.
His feet glowed like bronze in a fire.
His voice was like the roar of an ocean.
He held seven stars in His hand.
His face was like the sun.
His mouth produced a sword.
But He gently lifted John up off of his face, saying those words that John had heard before, " Do not be afraid;"
To see Him who is "the first and the last .. the living One" who was dead but is alive; who "holds the keys of death and of Hades". Imagine it. How long will we spend falling on our faces on that day that we behold Him?
Father in heaven, we bless Your holy name and give You thanks for Your words to us. Grant us ears to hear and to heed Your message to us through this book.. through the Bible. Help us to remember that You are the Almighty , who was and is and will be! Everything is in Your hands. Jesus is Lord of all and we are His bondservants. Praise the Lord.
The message is to the churches from " Him who is and who was and who is to come."
It is from the "seven Spirit who are before the throne." and
It is "from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth."
The One who loves us.
The One who "released us from our sins."
The One who made us a kingdom.
The One who is coming with the clouds.
The One who was pierced.
The One who is Alpha and Omega.
The Almighty.
There can be no mistaking John's emphasis here.. this is God speaking. Listen carefully!
Verses 9-20 describe John's vision on Patmos.
He heard a sound and turned around.. and fell on his face, for there stood the glorified Jesus.
He stood in the middle of seven golden lamp stands.
He was covered in a long robe with a golden sash.
His head and hair were white like snow.
His eyes burned like fire.
His feet glowed like bronze in a fire.
His voice was like the roar of an ocean.
He held seven stars in His hand.
His face was like the sun.
His mouth produced a sword.
But He gently lifted John up off of his face, saying those words that John had heard before, " Do not be afraid;"
To see Him who is "the first and the last .. the living One" who was dead but is alive; who "holds the keys of death and of Hades". Imagine it. How long will we spend falling on our faces on that day that we behold Him?
Father in heaven, we bless Your holy name and give You thanks for Your words to us. Grant us ears to hear and to heed Your message to us through this book.. through the Bible. Help us to remember that You are the Almighty , who was and is and will be! Everything is in Your hands. Jesus is Lord of all and we are His bondservants. Praise the Lord.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Jude identifies himself as the servant of Jesus and the brother of James. He addresses his audience as "the called, the beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ."
To those of us in this abiding relationship with our Lord, Jude prays for multiplied mercy, peace, and love. What a precious prayer of blessing!
Verse 3 strikes me today in a way that makes me perk up my ears... Jude says he really was planning on writing about "our common salvation"... but instead, " felt the necessity to write you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith.." God changed the direction of Jude's letter. It takes on a more serious tone.. a urgent message, a life or death warning. One that is just as important to us today as it was for the readers back then.
"Contend earnestly for the faith". Fight the good fight...
For an enemy has come in:
They are ungodly people who creep in unnoticed.
They turn grace into "licentiousness"... into filth.
They deny Christ. ( v4)
They "defile the flesh";
They "reject authority";
They "revile angelic majesties." (v8)
They are ungodly people who do ungodly things in an ungodly way. (v15)
They are grumblers.
They are fault finders.
They follow their own lusts.
They speak arrogantly. ( v16)
Remember, Jude teaches, that the Lord is Judge.
He brought the people of Israel out of Egypt, but destroyed the unbelievers in the wilderness. (v5)
He removed the unfaithful angels from glory and "has kept [them] in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgement of the great day."
He made Sodom and Gomorrah an example of judgement when they "indulged in gross immorality.."
He will execute judgement upon the ungodly people who have come in like "hidden reefs".
They take part in our communion fearlessly, though they are full of wickedness.
Jude calls them:
"clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars for who the black darkness has been reserved forever." (v12-13)
They are mockers.
They are dividers.
They are worldly.
They are "void of the Spirit" (v19)
These are who we must fight against, not in our own power.. but like Michael, the archangel, we say, "The Lord rebuke you.".
In these "last days" we must be " building yourselves up on the most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keeping yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."
And as we wait, we minister.
We have mercy on those who doubt.
We snatch the lost out of the fire when we can.
We fearfully and mercifully help those who are so polluted with sin that we dare not even touch them.
For we walk in faith that He.. "is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy."
".. to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen".
To those of us in this abiding relationship with our Lord, Jude prays for multiplied mercy, peace, and love. What a precious prayer of blessing!
Verse 3 strikes me today in a way that makes me perk up my ears... Jude says he really was planning on writing about "our common salvation"... but instead, " felt the necessity to write you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith.." God changed the direction of Jude's letter. It takes on a more serious tone.. a urgent message, a life or death warning. One that is just as important to us today as it was for the readers back then.
"Contend earnestly for the faith". Fight the good fight...
For an enemy has come in:
They are ungodly people who creep in unnoticed.
They turn grace into "licentiousness"... into filth.
They deny Christ. ( v4)
They "defile the flesh";
They "reject authority";
They "revile angelic majesties." (v8)
They are ungodly people who do ungodly things in an ungodly way. (v15)
They are grumblers.
They are fault finders.
They follow their own lusts.
They speak arrogantly. ( v16)
Remember, Jude teaches, that the Lord is Judge.
He brought the people of Israel out of Egypt, but destroyed the unbelievers in the wilderness. (v5)
He removed the unfaithful angels from glory and "has kept [them] in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgement of the great day."
He made Sodom and Gomorrah an example of judgement when they "indulged in gross immorality.."
He will execute judgement upon the ungodly people who have come in like "hidden reefs".
They take part in our communion fearlessly, though they are full of wickedness.
Jude calls them:
"clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars for who the black darkness has been reserved forever." (v12-13)
They are mockers.
They are dividers.
They are worldly.
They are "void of the Spirit" (v19)
These are who we must fight against, not in our own power.. but like Michael, the archangel, we say, "The Lord rebuke you.".
In these "last days" we must be " building yourselves up on the most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keeping yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."
And as we wait, we minister.
We have mercy on those who doubt.
We snatch the lost out of the fire when we can.
We fearfully and mercifully help those who are so polluted with sin that we dare not even touch them.
For we walk in faith that He.. "is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy."
".. to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen".
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
II John and III John are letters to individuals.. the first to a church, addresses as "the chosen lady and her children" and the second to Gaius. Both letters encourage the believers to keep walking in the truth. The churches were being targeted by false teachers who were denying that Jesus had come in the flesh. Over and over John stresses how vital it is to cling to the truth.
II John
John loves the church "in truth". v1
All who "know the truth " love the church also.
"the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever" - Jesus ! v2
"Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love." v3
To find the believers "walking in truth" brings joy to John. v4
Those walking in the truth will obey the Lord's commandments.. loving one another and abiding in the teaching "of Christ". (v6, 9)
III John
"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." v4 John writes to his beloved friend.
Witnesses came to John and testified that Gaius was:
"acting faithfully" (v5)
showing "love" for the brethren. (v5-6)
supporting and sending out those who "went out for the sake of the Name."(v6-8)
In contrast, Diotrephes, who was also in the church, does not appear to be walking in the truth.
He "loves to be first" (v9)
He "does not accept" what John or the apostles say.
His "deeds" are evil. ( v10-11)
He " unjustly " accused the apostles "with wicked words". (v10)
"Beloved do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God." (v11)
One more example is given , that of Demetrius. ( v12)
Demetrius "has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself."
John also bears witness of Demetrius' good walk.
Our deeds and words... bear witness of what is in our heart. If we are walking in the truth then our deeds and words will testify that we are "of God". We will be like Gaius... faithful, loving, generous towards God's ministers of the truth. If we are not walking in the truth we will be more like Diotrephes, self-centered, proud, wicked.
We must be careful to keep abiding in Jesus, who is the Truth, and who lives in us forever and ever!
We must also be discerning, to "watch ourselves" so that we don't imitate what is evil, but only what is good.
Lord, keep us walking in the truth. Keep our hearts pure and our minds and wills humbly yielded to Your Spirit's leading in the way of Jesus, our Savior. Thank You. Amen.
II John
John loves the church "in truth". v1
All who "know the truth " love the church also.
"the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever" - Jesus ! v2
"Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love." v3
To find the believers "walking in truth" brings joy to John. v4
Those walking in the truth will obey the Lord's commandments.. loving one another and abiding in the teaching "of Christ". (v6, 9)
III John
"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." v4 John writes to his beloved friend.
Witnesses came to John and testified that Gaius was:
"acting faithfully" (v5)
showing "love" for the brethren. (v5-6)
supporting and sending out those who "went out for the sake of the Name."(v6-8)
In contrast, Diotrephes, who was also in the church, does not appear to be walking in the truth.
He "loves to be first" (v9)
He "does not accept" what John or the apostles say.
His "deeds" are evil. ( v10-11)
He " unjustly " accused the apostles "with wicked words". (v10)
"Beloved do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God." (v11)
One more example is given , that of Demetrius. ( v12)
Demetrius "has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself."
John also bears witness of Demetrius' good walk.
Our deeds and words... bear witness of what is in our heart. If we are walking in the truth then our deeds and words will testify that we are "of God". We will be like Gaius... faithful, loving, generous towards God's ministers of the truth. If we are not walking in the truth we will be more like Diotrephes, self-centered, proud, wicked.
We must be careful to keep abiding in Jesus, who is the Truth, and who lives in us forever and ever!
We must also be discerning, to "watch ourselves" so that we don't imitate what is evil, but only what is good.
Lord, keep us walking in the truth. Keep our hearts pure and our minds and wills humbly yielded to Your Spirit's leading in the way of Jesus, our Savior. Thank You. Amen.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
I John 5 John repeats the words, "..we know".. 6 times in this passage. His focus seems to be that we KNOW what we believe.
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God..." (v1) The phrase "born of God" was also used in I John 4:7, " .. and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." Both believing and loving, then, have their beginning.. their genesis, if you will, their birth ... in God.. "of" God. Verse 1 of chapter 5 goes on to say, " and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him."
"By this we know..." Here is the first of John's "we know" statements. Love for others, for the "children of God" is produced when we "love God and observe His commandments." (v2).
Loving God is defined by John ( and by Jesus.. John 14:21) as keeping His commandments.
Believing
Loving
Obeying
This is what we do when we are "born of God".
As those born of God we:
"overcome the world" ( v4)
"receive the witness of God"(v9)
have "eternal life" (v11)
have "confidence.. before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (v14)
stop sinning continually ( v18)
are protected by Christ from the evil one (v18)
are given "understanding... to know Him who is true", to be in Him ( the Father) and in Jesus. (v20)
As those born of God we know..
that sins loses its power over us (v18)
we are of God (v19)
"that the Son of God has come" (v20)
We know Him.. (v20b)
Father, once again we come before You, humbly seeking understanding and grace, to know You, to be filled with Your Presence, by the Spirit of God.. in all truth, wisdom, and love. Thank You for loving us completely. May our lives be one with Christ and with You, our Father, in mutual abiding. May we know Whom we have believed! May we love You with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. May we obey Your commandments. May we love others as You do. Take us deeper, draw us nearer and help us live so as to please You. For we ask it according to Your will and in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God..." (v1) The phrase "born of God" was also used in I John 4:7, " .. and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." Both believing and loving, then, have their beginning.. their genesis, if you will, their birth ... in God.. "of" God. Verse 1 of chapter 5 goes on to say, " and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him."
"By this we know..." Here is the first of John's "we know" statements. Love for others, for the "children of God" is produced when we "love God and observe His commandments." (v2).
Loving God is defined by John ( and by Jesus.. John 14:21) as keeping His commandments.
Believing
Loving
Obeying
This is what we do when we are "born of God".
As those born of God we:
"overcome the world" ( v4)
"receive the witness of God"(v9)
have "eternal life" (v11)
have "confidence.. before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (v14)
stop sinning continually ( v18)
are protected by Christ from the evil one (v18)
are given "understanding... to know Him who is true", to be in Him ( the Father) and in Jesus. (v20)
As those born of God we know..
that sins loses its power over us (v18)
we are of God (v19)
"that the Son of God has come" (v20)
We know Him.. (v20b)
Father, once again we come before You, humbly seeking understanding and grace, to know You, to be filled with Your Presence, by the Spirit of God.. in all truth, wisdom, and love. Thank You for loving us completely. May our lives be one with Christ and with You, our Father, in mutual abiding. May we know Whom we have believed! May we love You with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. May we obey Your commandments. May we love others as You do. Take us deeper, draw us nearer and help us live so as to please You. For we ask it according to Your will and in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, February 13, 2017
I John 4:7-21 Love... John wants his readers to understand the truth about love. It's like he can't say enough about it.. it is so important that we really GET it!
Point # 1
"Love is from God." v7
"God IS love" v8
God manifested His love by sending His Son. v9
God loves us. v10
God perfects or completes His love IN us. v12
Abiding in Love = abiding in God. v16
He is the source of love, the spring that flows into the river, that pours out into the ocean... Love began with Him and ends in Him. Love is vital in our lives, because it is vital to Him.
Point #2
Because He loves us He:
manifested His love - made it known, brought it to light.
sent His Son - so that we might have life
made it a command because without it we can have no relationship with Him or with anyone.
Point #3
Love for each other:
proves our birth from God
proves that we know God
comes from His love for us
brings His abiding presence in us
makes us a witness of the Truth "that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."
gives us confidence in the day of judgement
removes the fear of punishment
completes us
reveals our love for God
Father, thank You for loving us, for revealing Your great love for each of us individually so that we might know You. Thank You for sending Your Son to be my Savior. Thank You for letting me "come to know and [believe] the love which God has for " me. Lead me into that love. Deeper and deeper.
Let my heart overflow with Your river of Love. Help me to love my brother and my neighbor. Help me to love my enemy as well as my friend. Help me to be complete in Your great Love.
Amen.
Point # 1
"Love is from God." v7
"God IS love" v8
God manifested His love by sending His Son. v9
God loves us. v10
God perfects or completes His love IN us. v12
Abiding in Love = abiding in God. v16
He is the source of love, the spring that flows into the river, that pours out into the ocean... Love began with Him and ends in Him. Love is vital in our lives, because it is vital to Him.
Point #2
Because He loves us He:
manifested His love - made it known, brought it to light.
sent His Son - so that we might have life
made it a command because without it we can have no relationship with Him or with anyone.
Point #3
Love for each other:
proves our birth from God
proves that we know God
comes from His love for us
brings His abiding presence in us
makes us a witness of the Truth "that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."
gives us confidence in the day of judgement
removes the fear of punishment
completes us
reveals our love for God
Father, thank You for loving us, for revealing Your great love for each of us individually so that we might know You. Thank You for sending Your Son to be my Savior. Thank You for letting me "come to know and [believe] the love which God has for " me. Lead me into that love. Deeper and deeper.
Let my heart overflow with Your river of Love. Help me to love my brother and my neighbor. Help me to love my enemy as well as my friend. Help me to be complete in Your great Love.
Amen.
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