“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 KJV). The Seven Churches of Revelation 2 and 3 is a report card that prepares us how Christ will judge His people at the Bema Seat Judgment (1Corinthians 3:9-15). The entire history of the Church Age is chronologically and sequentially surveyed from Ephesus to Laodicea. Everything said to one church is meant for all — including us. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). We do not need to be confused about how Christ will judge us at the Bema Seat. Notice: Everything is about Jesus. Concentrate upon Christ as the answer to all our problems, and we will do exceedingly well. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). Father, strengthen Your Church with understanding that we all can be Your Beloved Church for whom Christ died. Keep us from heresies and divisions taking away our focus upon Jesus. May we be able to stand in Your presence without spot ready for Your review. Preserve us from the wicked one, who seeks to rob us of Your reward. Magnify Yourself now through us. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Purpose for Existence
Why We Live
Christ is the reason we live. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 KJV). Anything else is robbing God. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8). Our purpose for existing cannot merely be the keeping of commandments, but glorifying God from a pure heart. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1Peter 1:22). How better to self-test our love of God, if Christ is indeed the reason we live, but do we love our neighbor as ourselves (1John 4:20)? Do we love one another, especially the household of faith (John 13:35)? If we are like the rest of creation groaning, awaiting the future redemption of our physical bodies (Romans 8:23; 1John 3:2) in New Heavens and a New Earth, then we should be praying our understanding and cooperation with the indwelling Christ would grow, so He would hasten to physically and corporally return (Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20). “Looking for and hasting [literally, hastening] unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2Peter 3:12). LORD, help us to see the daily fulfillment of our purpose for living is intimately connected with Your future plans for returning that “God may be all in all” (1Corinthians 15:28). That You would dwell with us forever (Revelation 21:3). Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
How to Accomplish Something Good
“A Wasted Life” is not what any of us want memorializing us once we’ve departed this life, but our desire for recognition needs to be squarely placed at the feet of our Master. “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21,23 KJV). Do you have a pet whose chief desire is your attention and approbation? A wagging tail and a doggie smile when they have been acknowledged? We’re more like that than we realize. Atta boy! Good girl! Not condescending for our pets, but we’re loved better by our Master than we treat our favored, time absorbing balls of fur. May we elevate our understanding of our relationship to the LORD, when He holds communion with us and explains to us what he is trying to accomplish with our existence. Who wouldn’t love such a Master! LORD, may we give back to You the love You have shown to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
We Need A Miracle 