Many in the last days Church are hardworking and never
grow weary of serving the Lord in every way we can (Revelation
2:2-3). We have a passion for working for Christ, but we often forsake
our quiet times with God, in order to fill our time with religious activities.
We work in ministry for our own fulfillment, rather than for the love of God in
obedience to His direction (Ephesians 2:10).
Like the Church of Ephesus, the modern church has
forsaken our first love (Revelation 2:4). Like
the Church of Laodicea, the Spirit left and we function in our human energy and
effort. We do not even recognize that we are spiritually poor, lame, wretched,
naked and pitiful (Revelation 3:17). We
look at numbers to gauge our success rather than changed lives.
Others of us are hearers of the Word, but not doers. We
do not serve in any ministry. We attend conventions, buy books and sermons, and
follow the most popular preachers, but we fail to obey the Lord (James 1:22; John 14:15, 23). We are ever
learning, but never walking in the Truth (2
Timothy 3:7). We have a personal relationship with Christ, but not a
heart full of love for Him (John 14:21, 23; 1
Corinthians 16:22).
God warns us of judgment for our disobedience and immorality,
and He calls us to repentance (Revelation 2:5).
Jesus promises that if we heed His Word, we will overcome the deception and
lusts of this life. He is preparing a place for authentic Believers to eat from
the tree of life and to dwell for eternity in the paradise of God (Revelation 2:7, Revelation 21-22).
Prayer:
Father God, the blessed assurance that we enjoy as
Believers is that Christ lives within us (Galatians
2:20; Colossians 3:3-4). Remind us not to fall under Satan’s deception
to crave the world or to minister through our own abilities. Make us defenders
of Your Word, so that we do not compromise our love of Your truth. Help us to
persevere in persecution and not to grow weary of following Your Spirit’s
guidance every moment of every day (Revelation
2:2-3).
Thought for the Day:
The light of our modern church went out, and we do not
know it. – John 8:12; Matthew 5:14
