Today, we begin in Revelation 2: 8-11. Christ is talking to the church at Smyrna. He had some very encouraging words about the trials they were experiencing. 8 Write this to Smyrna, to the Angel of the church. The Beginning and Ending, the First and Final One, the Once Dead and Then Come Alive, speaks: 9 “I can see your pain and poverty—constant pain, dire poverty—but I also see your wealth. And I hear the lie in the claims of those who pretend to be good Jews, who in fact belong to Satan’s crowd. 10 “Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won’t last forever. “Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you. 11 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. Christ-conquerors are safe from Devil-death.” I dont know about you, but that blesses my heart. Like the church in Smyrna, I experience a lot of pain and I live in poverty. Like then, though, I am also wealthy. Jesus talks to them about good Jews who, in fact, belong to Satans crowd. Today, our churches are filled with good Christians, who really arent serving God. You know the type...they attend church out of habit or to see and be seen. They have that form of Godliness but no substance...its only on the surface. They say the right things and do the right things but you can tell it doesnt go from the head to the heart. I used to let people like that bother me. I dont anymore. A friend the other day was commenting on all the hypocrites in church. I told my friend that, yes, there were hypocrites in church, but there were hypocrites at McDonalds as well, and we were still eating hamburgers. Christ is telling them not Good advise to us in this present day. We need to guard our hearts and minds from the evil around us. We cant help being IN the world, but we can certainly choose not to be OF the world. Fear Not....how I love that phrase. It appears in the Bible over 300 times. Like the warrior on our page, I know from personal experience that if God is for me, it doesnt matter who is against me. He is able to keep me safe from all harm to my soul. What is required is trust.....ABSOLUTE trust in Him, and faith on my part that even if I have to give up my life that the best is yet to come. Times of testing are most likely ahead for Christians. Glory to God, though, it will not last forever! Everything in life is for a season. I am prepared. I STAY prepared. Even if I am tortured, imprisoned, or murdered for my witness for Christ, I plan to go out singing....Redemed how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! Redeemed in his infinite mercy. His child and forever I am! Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed. Redeemed. His child and forever I am. Satan and his minions have a very limited bag of tricks. He is not an originator but an imitator. He has no power over me, my mind, or my soul. We are warned not to fear the things that can take our lives but to fear the things that can take our souls. I understand who I am in Jesus, today. I am a daughter of the One True King. Death holds no fear for me because its just a one way ticket home. I get to see loved ones who have gone before and I get to sit at the feet of Jesus. Not a bad deal, when you get right down to it. Lets face it, I havent felt at home here on earth in a long time. Like the Apostle Paul, I really feel that to die is gain. Nothing this earth could offer me can touch what I have waiting in Heaven! Christ has a life crown waiting for me. I will get to hear His words, Well done, my good and faithful servant. Dont get me wrong....I dont have a death wish...I just no longer fear death for it is not an unknown. I know exactly where Im headed and Ive read and studied the Bible and I know whats waiting for me, for to be absent in the body is to be with Christ. Not a bad deal, when you get down to it. You will notice that Christ closes this warning in the same way He closed the last: with a warning to listen to the Holy Spirit. He then reassures us that Christ-conquerers are safe from Devil death. Satans job is to steal, kill and destroy. Christ is a life giver. If you havent yet, turn your life over to the life-giver, Jesus. He will walk with you and talk with you and share your every burden. He will encourage you when everyone around you lets you down. He will find a way to supply your needs through His riches. He is waiting for you, today. Will you answer?
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 14:17:15 +0000
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