If the Church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) was representative of the apostolic beginning of the early church, then the honeymoon was over. Jesus wrote to them, “Thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:4-5 KJV). Tough love. Repent and return to Me. Otherwise, Spiritual Annihilation. Whoa! Sounds a bit harsh! God comforts the obedient heart, but purposely agitates us when we find greater comfort in our traditions than Him. LORD, we know that You are not a respecter of persons, if You would speak this way to Ephesus. Surely, they are better than us? Take away our hard heartedness and give us an heart of flesh. Take the spiritual scales from our eyes that we may see Jesus as He is. Teach us to defend You and not our traditions. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Spiritual Christianity
Key to the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:19)
In plain language, Jesus effectively outlined the threefold division of the Book of Revelation. “Write the things which thou hast seen [chapter 1], and the things which are [chapters 2 and 3], and the things which shall be hereafter [chapters 4 through 22]” (Revelation 1:19 KJV). In other words, we can see the entire Book of Revelation as: Jesus Christ the coming glorious king (1:1-20), messages to the seven churches (2:1-3:22), and the bulk of the book to the consummation (4:1-22:21). Prophecy is actually given, as much as it is, figuratively so we can grasp the Spirit’s message all the better. As we would with anyone’s words, take the Book of Revelation as literal as you can, until you can’t. LORD, help us not to attempt to understand Your Revelation of Jesus Christ without the teaching of Your Spirit, so You would get all the credit, when we understand it. In Jesus’ name, we pray it. Amen.
Breaking the Cosmological Principle
According to the Cosmological Principle, the universe should look the same in every direction following a Big Bang, but our galaxy exists near the center of an unnatural, cosmic void spanning 2 billion light years of nothingness. Explanation: Either the universe is eternal (as some propose) or the Creator intelligently and un–uniformly designed and composed a vast universe of power, wonder, and artistic beauty. The universe is not eternal, for we know that metaphysical attribute of eternality belongs only to the “eternal God” (Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV). And, it is revealed, an Eternal Creator spoke the universe into existence. “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” (Psalm 33:6). LORD, we worship You, not just as the only plausible explanation for our existence, but as the only certain foundation for our faith. Show us Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray, magnify Your name. Amen.
Jesus Christ the Almighty (Revelation 1:8)
Even Satan will allow Jesus to be another god, but never the Almighty. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8 KJV). The “revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1) teaches us that Jesus is “the Almighty” (1:8). He reserves that designation for Himself. Blasphemy! Jesus reminded Philip, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). Gulp! You are in the Father, and the Father is in You? Yes, Philip, “or else believe Me for the very works’ sake” (John 14:11). LORD, open our eyes to whom You are. Make us to see Jesus the way You promised Your Spirit would reveal Him. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Difference Between Disciples and Christians
The word “Christian” or Christianos (Greek) only occurs three times in the NT (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1Peter 4:16), meaning Christ like, or a follower of Christ; while a “disciple” or mathētēs (Greek) occurs hundreds of times in the NT. “Christian” is more of an adjective describing whatever others identify with Christ as followers of the Way. “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26 KJV). “Disciple” emphasizes the discipline or practice of obeying the teachings of Christ. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). Though we do not mind being labeled “Christian” by others, for lack of a better way of describing us, but we prefer the title “disciple,” since it emphasizes the discipline of practicing obedience to the teachings of Christ. “And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 KJV). LORD, teach us to be the practicing kind of those who profess Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1)
If God were to reveal what He is doing and what must shortly come to pass, would you believe Him? “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John” (Revelation 1:1 KJV). How could such a battlefield plan be revealed to us, without it being available to the eyes of the enemy, who could then effectively use counterintelligence against the Almighty? Simple. God’s plan is encrypted. It requires the Holy Spirit to decode, understand, and put into action the plan revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ. All attempts to understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ by foe or friend will come to nought without the Holy Spirit. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). LORD, may all Your friends seek Your Spirit to comprehend Your Revelation of Jesus Christ that You might be magnified. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Mary Magdalene: Devotion to Christ
Farmers may disagree that prostitution is earth’s oldest profession, since Adam was a farmer. But, that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute was only the unfortunate papal pronouncement of Gregory the Great (591 AD), where he misidentified the sinful woman anointing Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:37) with “Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils” (Luke 8:2 KJV). Better to remember the Magdalene’s devotion to our Lord. Mary materially supported the ministry of Jesus, along with “Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance” (8:3). She followed Jesus close enough to witness the crucifixion of her Lord. “And all His acquaintance, and the women that followed Him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things” (23:49). And, she was esteemed by the Lord highly enough for Him to appear to Mary Magdalene before all the apostles in leadership. “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord” (John 20:18). Mary Magdalene set the spiritual tone of the early church. LORD, work in us the heart of devotion You gave Mary Magdalene. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Eagerly Awaiting His Return
Unapologetically, we eagerly await our Lord’s return, for how can we be and do otherwise? After all, only those will be raptured. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28 KJV). What salvation is spoken of? The salvation of your physical body at the Rapture. Remember, the Rapture is the Catching Up to meet the Lord in the air before He returns. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Listen to Amir Tsarfati: Like Those Who Dream (2:30) preach on the word “eagerly”: (1) “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NIV), (2) “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope” (Galatians 5:5 NIV), (3) “Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed” (1Corinthians 1:7 NIV), and (4) “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:25 NKJV). LORD, we eagerly await Your return, but we do not want to be lazy about Your business of reaching this world. We desire to know You better and the power of Your resurrection. As we watch the events unfold in Israel, may we lift up our heads, for our redemption draws near. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Communion of the Holy Spirit
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen” (2Corinthians 13:14 KJV). We have much more to do with the Holy Spirit than we think. His presence is so pervasive, we tend to discount Him or not make legitimate attempt to account for His work in us. More likely, we think of His influence in more dramatic settings such as Pentecost. But, the Spirit has a small voice, too. To the degree anyone listens to His voice, they are in communion with Him. When someone ceases to commune with Him, then they grieve Him. “Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Those who continue to the end are the elect of God. LORD, work in our hearts to not grieve Your Spirit. Teach us to treasure Your influence and keep away whatever makes You distant from us. Make us holy, for You are holy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Cooperating With the Holy Spirit
Just as we are not to be ignorant of the devil’s “devices” (2Corinthians 2:11 KJV), we must not be ignorant of the Holy Spirit’s ways. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1Corinthians 12:1). Our understanding of the workings of the Spirit, coupled with understanding of the particular needs of our situation, is itself one of the indications of the presence of the “Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding” (Isaiah 11:2). To be full of that understanding is to be full of His Spirit. Our emotions may or may not be large evidence of our cooperation with His Spirit, but certainly our emotions are fully engaged, when we cooperate with Him. LORD, grant to us the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, for we know “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2Corinthians 3:17) of understanding. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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