Post by Woody Williams on Jun 27, 2008 7:51:15 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Revelation 2:1-11
----------
‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of
him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the
seven golden lampstands:
‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that
you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be
apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know
that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my
name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you,
that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from
what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If
not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place,
unless you repent. Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of
the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Let anyone who has an ear listen
to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who
conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is
in the paradise of God.
‘And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words
of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:
‘I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I
know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and
are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about
to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into
prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have
affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of
life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying
to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second
death.
Devotional
----------
Two images in this text convey strong guidance for us in seeking to
remain faithful as children of God.
1) Do not abandon the love you had at first. Remember from what you
have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. Return often
to the memory of your first experience of God's unconditional love
for you and the love it prompted in you toward others.
2) Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.
Remain steadfast in trusting your life to God and the promises of God
to keep you safe in God's love, even when God seems absent. Trust
what you know by faith and not what you see by sight. God is with
you.
Prayer
--------------
Rekindle the gift of your Holy Spirit in me, O Lord, that I may walk
in your love and hope today. Amen
----------
‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of
him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the
seven golden lampstands:
‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that
you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be
apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know
that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my
name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you,
that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from
what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If
not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place,
unless you repent. Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of
the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Let anyone who has an ear listen
to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who
conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is
in the paradise of God.
‘And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words
of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:
‘I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I
know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and
are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about
to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into
prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have
affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of
life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying
to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second
death.
Devotional
----------
Two images in this text convey strong guidance for us in seeking to
remain faithful as children of God.
1) Do not abandon the love you had at first. Remember from what you
have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. Return often
to the memory of your first experience of God's unconditional love
for you and the love it prompted in you toward others.
2) Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.
Remain steadfast in trusting your life to God and the promises of God
to keep you safe in God's love, even when God seems absent. Trust
what you know by faith and not what you see by sight. God is with
you.
Prayer
--------------
Rekindle the gift of your Holy Spirit in me, O Lord, that I may walk
in your love and hope today. Amen