The Daily Dose

The Lukewarm Church

_{“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.”  Revelation 3:15}

The lukewarm church. The church at Laodicea was neither on fire for Jesus or against Him.  They were just sort of “meh”.  This church had become so rich that they thought they didn’t need anything. Jesus told them it was time to make a choice . . . be cold or be hot.  Jesus had very strong feelings about this church.  In fact, He was so passionate about them that their lukewarm attitude had left a bad taste in His mouth. So much so that He wanted to spit them out.  As Jesus lists their issues, He started with the subject of their wealth and riches.  They were a wealthy church and thought they didn’t need anything from God.  They didn’t realize how spiritually ignorant and dead they were.  Jesus told them they needed to get their gold (resources) and white garment (protective covering) from Him so they would no longer be “naked” and vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks.  He wanted them to open their eyes and see what was going on instead of being blinded by the material world.  He ended His message to this church by letting them know they had the choice and the power to open the door to His presence. They had put Him outside the door to knock for an entrance. They needed to open the door to invite His presence in and to make Him Lord and the source of everything in their lives.

This is still Jesus’ heart today.  He wants us to be red hot for Him or don’t even claim to be a Christian.  He wants us to trust and rely on Him for our resources and protection (covering) in life.  He wants us to see the tricks and traps of the enemy so we don’t get caught in them and He will always give us the power and authority to choose to let His presence guide and direct our lives.  Mostly, He wants to hang out with us every day, everywhere we go.  He loves us and wants to be the light shining inside of us to guide, protect, and lead others to His great love and salvation.

Today I want to encourage you to not be like the Laodiceans.  Get on fire for Jesus and take His presence with you in the morning and keep His presence with you all day long.  Make Him your closest and dearest friend.  Be a blessing to the LORD by opening the door of every area of your life to Him so He can show you the right way to go.  Develop a lift style of putting Him first in all areas.  Start with a quiet time with Him each morning to commit your ways and day to Him and ask Him to lead you step by step.  Give Him the first part of your week by gathering with His body in weekend service at your local church.  Spend time getting to know His love and character through His word by meditating on it each day and encourage others everywhere you go.  Be an example of His faithfulness by having your best attitude and doing your best work at your job and everywhere you go.  Let the light that He put inside of you shine to show others the way to peace, joy and fulfillment.

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 3:14-22

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

The Faithful Church

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”    Revelation 3:8

The sixth church Jesus addressed was Philadelphia. They were the faithful church  So, what made them faithful?  Jesus said they had a little strength to keep His Word, and they didn’t deny His name.  He also said He had set an open door in front of them that no person could shut.  He exposed those in that church that have lied and were frauds. He promised those fakers would worship at the feet of the faithful ones to testify that they were the ones that Jesus loved.  They also kept His command to persevere.  He promised to keep them from the trial that is coming on the whole earth.  His encouragement to the church at Philadelphia was to hold on to what they have . . . their strength to keep God’s Word and the name of Jesus, so no one could take their crown or reward.

This message still relates to us today and it is up to us to hear and examine how we measure up in faithfulness?  The evidence is in our strength when trials come to keep His Word by knowing and doing it and boldly proclaim His name in word and deed. Then stay with it until the end of our days in this world or the end of the age.  We also have an open door set before us.  It is the door of purpose, the mission we have been put on this earth to accomplish.  The power to choose to walk through that door is completely in our hands.  We choose to walk through the door or walk right by it every day and never even realize it.  All the while missing the blessed path that God has planned for each of us to walk on because we are focused on the things in the world instead of the things of God.

We too have His promise of being kept from the trial that will come on the whole world to test all who dwell on the earth.  By holding fast to God’s Word and not denying His name, He will give us the strength to overcome this world’s ways and choose His path. He will provide an escape for us through the door He has opened for each one to walk through.

Today I want to encourage you to become one of the faithful ones.  Be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might.  Keep His ways and His Word and start by making a fresh effort to know and live in agreement with the realm of the kingdom of God that is written in His Word.  Be bold with the name of Jesus.  Use it with the authority He has given you and walk through the open door of your purpose that He has set before you!  Take the Holy Spirit with you and He will guide your every step until you finish your mission and receive your crown.

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 3:7-13

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 

8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 

9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 

10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 

11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 

12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

Meek not weak

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Matthew 5:5

Many people think that meek means weak, but it just isn’t the case.  A meek person honors other above themselves.  They recognize that all people are valuable and they add value to everyone that they come into contact with.  Meek people can see the big picture and recognize that what is going on around them is temporary and will soon fade away.  Philippians 2:3 says that we are to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but in humility value others above yourself.  This is a great description of meekness. 

Jesus was the meekest person to walk the face of Earth.  He was the ultimate example of putting others first.  He dedicated His life to serving others even unto the end.  At the last supper with His disciples, He demonstrated how they were to serve one another by washing their feet. (The lowest job of a servant in their day.)

There are some things you can do each day to live your life in an attitude of meekness.  First, have a repentant heart.  Each morning before your day begins, get along with your heavenly Father and surrender the intentions of your heart for the day.  Don’t keep anything hidden from Him and anything that is trying to stay in the dark places of your life, exposed them by keeping the light of His Word on them.  Be strong enough to say “Father, cleanse me from all unrighteousness.”

Next, keep your heart open for direction and instruction from the Holy Spirit.  Meekness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so be sensitive to His leading you through it.  Lastly, after you know what the Spirit is leading you to, be responsive to the prompts He gives you.

Of course, the reward of living a meek life is an inheritance in the earth.  This doesn’t mean wealth and riches, although you may have those.  What that inheritance is in your life is security/protection, perspective and the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit of God.

Today I want to encourage you to walk out the rest of your days in this world with a meek and submitted heart.  Always be ready to add value to those around you.  Look for every opportunity to serve others and follow every leading of the Spirit of the living God.  Living a meek life means living a life fully surrendered to the Spirit of God and walking out the full plan He leads you through each day.  Meek is not weak, it is actually living the most powerful life possible.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-12

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

When you have a bad day

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

This is a tough one.  Why would Jesus say those who mourn are blessed?  Obviously, they are mourning because of a loss or hurt of some kind.  How can we expect to be blessed or happy when we have a bad day?

The answer to these questions is in the second part of the verse.  We are comforted.  When we have bad days, and we all do at times, we are blessed because we know that we can take our grief and sorrow to our Savior, and He has promised to comfort us.  In the presence of His comfort, we can have peace and even contentment. 

In contrast with that, those who are without a Savior do not know where to turn when they are hurting.  They do not know that hope is available.  This reminds me of a scripture in     1 Thessalonians 4:13 that says we as children of the King do not sorrow as those who have no hope.  We have the hope of our salvation, and we have the hope of being comforted.

We also can know that later on, we will be able to help others who go through similar problems.  We can tell them about the comfort that we received when we were in that situation.  Ultimately, your suffering can result in bringing someone closer to God in their suffering. So, the next time you are having a bad day, don’t try to figure out where you went wrong, just turn to your Father and let Him comfort you with the comfort that only He can comfort with.

Today I want to encourage you no matter what you are up against.  Whether it is a loss of some kind or a betrayal or maybe something as simple as a missed opportunity, take it to your Savior and be comforted with the comfort that only He can give.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-12

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Dead Church

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.  Revelation 3:5

There has been a great controversy within the body of believers for quite some time about the issue of eternal security in salvation.  The question is, can you lose your salvation?  Some denominations believe: Once saved always saved.  Others believe if you backslide you have to become born again and again and again.  Having had some of my own personal experience in this area, I believe the Lord has shown me some supernatural wisdom that actually makes perfect sense to me now that I see this scripture.

In today’s key verse, He Who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars actually says that those who overcome in Sardis He will not blot their name out of the Book of Life.  Does this mean that there are some names that will be blotted out?  How can this be? God has a blotter? The question really had never entered my thoughts when I was younger because I was of the “once saved always saved” believers.  Then having lived my life in a way that was less than spiritual for many years, I still prayed when I needed help and God still rescued me from my trouble.  He let me go on to continue to make bad decisions, but when I called on Him, He picked me back up again.  This pretty much solidified for me that if you truly ask the Lord Jesus to come into your heart to save you, He will and He will keep you, just as He kept coming to get me when I called out.  No matter how low I got, He was faithful to come when I called.

One day, I heard about a person who had been in the Christian faith for many years.  Suddenly, they decided they no longer wanted to be a Christian and this person publicly renounced their faith and salvation by the blood of Jesus.  I was confused.  Can you do that?  How can you be once saved always saved if you don’t want to be saved anymore?  It was at that time I sensed the Spirit of God speak up on the inside of my heart and say:  If a person does not want my gift of salvation and love any longer, they have the free will and the choice to choose to throw it away.  Just like you can do with a material gift you get in this world when you no longer have use for it or just don’t want it any longer, you get rid of it.

It broke my heart to think that someone could believe for so long and then one day decide they didn’t want God’s love any longer.  Surely, they never really knew Him and were not truly saved, just pretending for a time.  When I read this passage in Revelation, it began to make sense to me.  Whether they were saved or just pretending, only God knows but some how some have gotten their names in His book and there is a possibility that those names can be blotted out.  I have come to the conclusion that because we have the power to chose salvation, people also have the power to reject it. It would have to be the choice of the person because God chose us all, but only some choose Him.

Today I want to encourage you to strengthen the things of God in your life that are starting to fade, mostly your salvation. Step closer to Him by making His agenda a priority in your everyday world.  Press into Him by talking to Him daily and getting to know Him more from daily time in His Word.  Learn more of His promises and more about His love for you.  Don’t leave your salvation and eternal security in question any longer.  If you have doubts, do what Jesus told the church in Sardis to do, hold fast and repent.  Then begin to solidify your connection with Him by investing in your relationship with Him in close personal quiet time together.  When you walk closely with someone, you know where your relationship stands.  Don’t wait until the end comes on you like a thief, get ready today and then stay in communication with the One who knows how it is all going to play out.  He will keep you ready and He will confess your name before His Father and His angels.

Today’s scripture reading:  revelation 3:1-6

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 

3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 

4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 

5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Corrupt Church

“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.”    Revelation 2:19

The church at Thyatira was a corrupt church, but there were still some good things being done there.  Jesus started His message to that church by saying they have works of love, serving others, faith, and patience.  He also said their works are greater or more now than they were in the beginning of that church.   So, they were doing some things right and the church was growing.  However, He went into a list of terrible things that were going on there.  Things such as seducing, eating things sacrificed to idols, and immorality.  Jesus said there was sickness and death in their midst because of the sin that was going on.  He told them the same thing He told the other churches.  Repent and hold on until He comes.  Lastly, He promised to give them power over the sin of the nations of the world.

There was a dominating spirit present that was causing selfish and impure behavior.  However, it was mostly out to destroy marriages and families ordained by God.  This is still evident in today’s church. Even families that are active in the church are torn apart because of this evil spirit of immorality. Because of the sin we allow to come into our homes through media and immoral programing, we are letting our homes be torn apart by being influenced by the worlds mentality, concepts and standard of sinful living, led by feelings and what is popular.

Again, we can apply this to our lives today.  Hopefully none of us are part of the kind of evil that was being done in this church, but the message is the same.  Hold fast to the “good works” of love, serving others, faith, and patience until Jesus comes and believe the promises He has given to you.  He promises to put no burden on you and to give you power over your enemy.  The power that you need to purify and purge out the impurities in your home and in your life.

Today I encourage you to hold on!  No matter what you are struggling with, believe the promises that God has given you in His Word!  He is with you and wants to be even closer.  He doesn’t want you to be loaded down with trouble, He wants you to be free to walk out the plans and purpose for your life.  Get rid of things in your life that cause you to have immoral and selfish thoughts.  Put a guard in place to keep you from areas that you know you struggle with.  Stop looking at media that causes you to be pulled further away from your heavenly Father and fill up your life with His love and Words of truth to purify your thinking.  Trust Him today, be an overcomer, and keep His works and His Word until the end.

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 2:18-29

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 

19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 

20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 

21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 

22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 

23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 

25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 

26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father; 

28 and I will give him the morning star.

29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Compromising Church

“But I have a few things against you, because you have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”   Revelation 2:14

The people of the church at Pergamos were doing some things right.  They were holding to the name of Jesus and they did not deny the faith even as some were being martyred among them.  However, as Jesus addressed this church, He repeated that they were in the place where Satan dwells.  He even says that Satan’s throne was there.  They held the doctrine of Balaam, the prophet who was lured to speak against God’s people for riches. The instruction Jesus gave Pergamos was to repent (turn back to Him) or He would come quickly and fight against them with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. His message included that they line up with God’s Word, to receive the hidden manna of God’s provision instead of stooping down to the deceitfulness of worlding gain.

Today’s key verse refers to the prophet Balaam, who wanted the payment he was offered so badly that he was willing to do whatever was needed to receive the sum of money God’s enemy was willing to pay. This explains why Jesus said the church of Pergamos was where Satan’s throne was. Since we know Satan is the god of this world according to 2 Corinthians 4:4, and combining that description with the doctrine of Balaam, this church was imitating the world’s way of operating. They were interested in looking like the world and having the things that the people of the world had. I have said it before in other doses that God is not against us having things but He is against things having our heart. The church at Pergamos had a heart for the world more than they did for God.

Jesus told them the solution to this problem was to repent immediately and turn away from the world’s ways and philosophies. They needed to get back on track with God and the answer was to fill up with the ways of God through the sword of the Spirit, His holy scripture and also to get rid of the worldly distractions that were luring them away from Him.

Today I want to encourage you to prepare for spiritual warfare by sharpening your sword of the spirit … the Word of God.  Follow Jesus’ instruction to resist the devil and his ways by getting closer to God (James 4:8).  Remember that when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness He used scripture to chase His enemy away. Then examine the example you are setting for others.  Do your behaviors reflect who you are in Christ Jesus or are you displaying the same heart and attitudes of the world?  Identify things like complaining, gossip and habits you just can’t seem to break and put those things out of your life with the help of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any areas of life that need to be adjusted and for His empowering grace to make the changes. Then receive the hidden manna of God’s provision and blessings to bless others. Take on the kingdom of God’s way of leading with love so you can reach others with HIs love everywhere you go. By making your heavenly Father and His ways your #1 priority, you will not compromise to look like everyone else in the world’s system of living. His light will shine through you so that others can see Him.

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 2:12-17

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 

13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 

15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 

16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

The Persecuted Church

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  Revelation 2:10

The words that Jesus gave to the church at Smyrna were different from the words for Ephesus.   He told the church at Smyrna, first of all do not be afraid!   He said they were about to suffer some things and He wanted them to prepare ahead of time by never allowing fear to get into their hearts.  He told them that some of them would fall into the traps that the devil had set for them and that they would be tested and have trouble.  Lastly, He told them to be faithful until death, never giving up on their faith and holding fast to His promises!

This message doesn’t sound too encouraging on the surface, but again, I believe it is relevant for the body of believers in this present time.  The number one command we can apply to our lives today is to get rid of fear!! Forbid it to touch your life!! Fear is a spirit and it is poison.  It can get a grip so tight on a person that it can literally paralyze them from functioning in the plan God has for them. Learn to identify when it is approaching you and have a plan in place to defeat it at its onslaught.  You can stop fear by speaking out of your mouth what God says about the circumstances in His word.  When you are afraid something bad is about to happen or even if it is already happening, instead of talking about what you are afraid will come, speak what you know He is doing behind the scenes to change the situation.  Things like: “I have given this situation over to my Father and I know He is leading me through to victory because I am more than a conqueror.)  Or “Thank you Father that you have promised in your word that you are working in everything that I have committed to you to handle!”  Turn your fear into the things that you are believing God to work out for good because you love Him and are called to His purpose.  Instead of saying, I’m afraid _______ is going to happen, you can say: “This looks like it is heading in the wrong direction, but I have given it over to my Lord and I know He is turning what the enemy meant for evil into good things that only He can do!”

The best way to be prepared ahead of time to recognize fearful thoughts and ideas is to remember what you feel at the beginning when fear approaches.  Maybe you get a tight feeling in your chest, or a sick feeling in your stomach.  Maybe you just sense peace leaving you.  Whatever it is, use that feeling as a check to alert you that fear is approaching.  Then have some scripture promises ready (Your sword of defense) to speak out loud to defeat that evil spirit of fear! (2 Timothy 1:7) 

The second part of His exhortation is to be aware of and recognize the traps of the devil.  Satan is very subtle, and his devises are often explained away with diagnosis, prescriptions and substances.  He often begins with the distractions of the world to get us totally preoccupied with making ourselves comfortable and entertained, filling all our spare time with movies, social media and activities.  These are not bad things, but they should not be our “go to” every chance we get.  These are lures to totally distract us from the work God has called us to in this world and they can open the door for the curse of the enemy to enter our life.  Soon we fit right into society, and our light becomes so dim that no one even recognize that God is living among them in His people.  

He finished all His letters with the same phrase: “He who has ears to hear.”  He isn’t talking about the ears on the side of our heads. He was speaking of an open and receptive heart that desires to know God’s best path to walk in that way of life.  He doesn’t want us to fall into traps and be defeated by His enemy. He always has our best interest in mind and He can see what is coming up in life that we cannot see.  It makes sense that we listen to His warnings if we want to be successful in walking out that divine plan.

Today I want to encourage you in the same way the Church at Smyrna was encouraged.  Do not be afraid!  Trouble, tests and trials are a part of life, and it is a guarantee that they will be coming.  Get prepared ahead of time by filling up your heart and mouth with the word of God.  Then begin to speak His word at all times.  Don’t wait until the storm starts to rage to say it.  Keep His word always in your mouth.  When you do, you won’t even notice when the winds blow.  Start today and continue in your faith word all the remaining days of your life. Then when you get to the end, you will receive that crown of life that He promised all those years ago!

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 2:8-11

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 

9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

The Loveless Church

“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:4

In the past, I have wondered why there haven’t been any books added to the scripture for 2000 years?  Then I remembered the book of Revelation is the perfect climax and conclusion to the best seller that is the Holy Bible.   These are the words of the resurrected, ascended into heaven, “glorified” Jesus that He gave to the last living apostle for the churches. Surely there is some truth that we can find relevant to today’s body of believers to impact the messed up world we live in.

After John got up from falling before Jesus in chapter 1 of Revelation, Jesus began to give a message to send to the believers in the church at Ephesus. He began His message by talking about the “works” they were currently doing.   They were working hard and laboring, they were patient, and they hated evil.  They had questioned those who had said they were apostles but were liars.  They had persevered, been patient and had labored for His name’s sake and had not gotten tired in doing these things.  These all sound like good things, and they were good things.  However, even though they were doing many good things, there was something missing.  They had lost their first love.  Something has changed and they didn’t love others and the work of the ministry like they did at first.  It seemed they had lost the love of the Holy Spirit flowing through them.  All their hard work was out of obligation and traditions and they had forgotten the new commandment that Jesus gave to love one another.

Jesus’ solution to them was to remember how it used to be and repent from where they had fallen from.  Then He wanted them to go back and do the signs, miracles, and bringing thousands into the kingdom daily like the first church, so their light could be seen and wouldn’t go out again. 

The New Testament church began in the upper room when they were all in agreement on the day of Pentecost.  That was also when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  There was no structure, plan, or program.  However, there was the energy that comes from sharing the good news with others.   Not that we shouldn’t have structure, but we shouldn’t be stepping over people to get to our task in the church building.  The church at Ephesus had gotten busy laboring in the work of ministry but had lost the reason they were doing it.   Jesus never intended for us to be busy with planning, practicing, or programs.  He intended for us to agree with each other, meet consistently, and bring people in that are hurting and looking for hope.  This work must start with love for God and His plans and filling up with the Holy Spirit’s power.  Jesus told the disciples at His ascension to wait for the Holy Spirit and then the power to accomplish God’s work would be on them.

Today I want to encourage you to consider this letter to the church at Ephesus.  How is it relevant to what you are doing today in the church?  What steps can you take personally to begin to return to your first love?  The first thing to do is to set some time aside to worship and adore your heavenly Father. Then ask for a refilling of the Holy Spirit in the same way the first church was filled up.  If you have never been filled with the Holy Spirit, ask Him to fill you today.  Pray and ask Him to show you opportunities to do the “first works” of loving others the way the first New Testament church did and receive the power of the Spirit flowing through you to do those works.   Today, return to your first love by loving God and loving people.

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 2:1-7

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

Poor in spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

This is Jesus first public message.  The passage says that He sat with His disciples taught them, but it also says there were multitudes around.  The first ten verses are the introduction to this sermon.  They are commonly known as the Be-attitudes, but I believe Jesus was telling His disciples the entrance into the Kingdom of heaven that He had been talking about.  These attitudes do not save you, but as a child of God, these are the actions that represent one who is operating in the Kingdom principles.

I am briefly writing about the nine attitudes that Jesus explains in this text.  First of all, I want to talk about this word blessed.  It is a word defined as happy, but it is the kind of happiness that comes from the spirit of a person, not from external things or circumstances.  It can also mean success in attaining wholeness and contentment.

This helps us to understand that Jesus was teaching His disciples where true joy and satisfaction come from in life.  By walking in this world according to these attitudes, you can walk out your days in peace, joy and contentment.

Jesus started this sermon with saying the person who is poor in spirit is happy, content and satisfied with life.  He didn’t say those who are poor in external things and lacking in physical necessities.  He was talking about having a bankrupt spirit that recognizes its need for a Savior. When you come to the place in life that you recognize that all that you are and all that you have is because of the grace of God and Savior that love you, you become determined to trust Him for every breath you take and every move you make.  You understand that you have been given life to complete an assignment here in this world and God has given you all the resources you need to fulfill that mission.  You no longer believe that you worked hard all your life to accomplish the things you have done.  Instead, you have a deeper understanding that all that you are is because of your heavenly Father that loves you and has led you every step of the way.

The verse goes on to say when you are poor in spirit, you belong to the kingdom of Heaven and that is where your citizenship and home truly is.  Even though you are in this world called Earth, you have dual citizenship because you have only been sent here to work for a few years.  Your life is lived by the heart of God and His Word that instructs in the way of living successfully.

Today, I want to encourage you to be poor in spirit.  Take some time to talk to your heavenly Father about what He has brought you through in your life so far.  Thank Him for all He has given you and all He has led you to.  Let Him know that you recognize that His hand is the reason for all you have become so far.  Then spend some time talking to Him about what He will lead you to next and thank Him for always being involved in your life even the times when you didn’t realize He was looking.  Take some time to meditate what it means to be a citizen of heaven right now in this world even though you are not physically there yet. Then, tell Him you trust Him to provide all you need to finish the course He has you on today.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-12

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.