If the Church of Laodicea can be compared to the final stage of Church History, then lukewarmness is its trademark. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue [vomit] thee out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16 KJV). In spite of Laodicea’s lukewarmness, Christ gives her an invitation, the final call to repentance before He unfolds tribulation upon the earth. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (3:20). We have been comfortable in the world, rationalizing Christ can benefit from our riches, but blinded by self-interest, we have not seen the glories of the Invisible Christ in the Unseen Realm. O LORD, awaken Your people! May we acknowledge Your displeasure because of the slowness of our heart in believing You. Be merciful to us and cause us to make an impression on those left behind. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
Spiritual Warfare
Protecting Against the Lie
With ever greater capabilities to deceive with Artificial Intelligence (AI), how does the Church protect itself against deception? “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1John 4:1 KJV). When commanded to “believe not” (4:1), it is implied that God gives us the ability not to be deceived. Only the Spirit of God can give us that ability. But, you say, Judas Iscariot fooled the Apostles. Perhaps. Judas Iscariot was baptized like the rest, and he had a position of trust, for he “had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:6). But, Christ, the Head of the Church was never fooled. Ananias and Sapphira were also baptized, but Peter countered, “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” (Acts 5:3). Only the Spirit of God is able to protect us against the lie. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 NIV). A supernatural protection from deception is given, when we “keep in step with the Spirit” (5:25). When Saul of Tarsus came forward as a new disciple; the other disciples were naturally wary. But, the Lord provided the testimony of Barnabas to overcome their wariness (Acts 9:27). Not too fast and not too slow, disciples are cautioned to walk “in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) to keep from being deceived. LORD, Your Spirit is our defense against deception. May we reasonably use all tools at our disposal to avoid being deceived by the enemy, but they will only work unless You bless them. Help us to obey Your command not to be deceived. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Set Before Thee An Open Door (Revelation 3:8)
If we could compare the Church of Philadelphia to the stage of Church History subsequent to the Reformation, possibly touching the times even of recent, then we can see a missions minded, evangelistic church, striving to be revived. “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8 KJV). Philadelphia and Smyrna are the only two churches of the seven, who are not reprimanded. O LORD, may we be counted among that number! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Obey God’s Spirit
We wonder why we don’t see the same results or better than the Early Church in the Book of Acts. But, are we so institutionalized and respectable that we don’t know the voice of the Holy Spirit? Philip listened to an angel, who directed him to “go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza” (Acts 8:26 KJV). Then, the Spirit said, “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (8:29). And, he “preached unto him Jesus” (8:35). “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (8:36-38).
Doesn’t happen today?
What about this lady, who did a handstand for the Lord?
LORD, overcome the spirit of disbelief, which too often overrules the voice of Your Spirit. Make us to walk orderly according to Your Word, but make us to walk after Your Spirit, always giving Jesus the glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Help, LORD (Psalm 12:1)
We are always a prayer away from help. God’s “throne of grace” is ever open to us in our “time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). Thrice, God rapidly responds, “I will help thee” (Isaiah 45:10, 13, 14). When our crisis is deepest, His help is closest. He knows we are then most open to a dramatic application of change in our teachable moment. Trust, try, and “prove Me now” (Malachi 3:10) is our Lord’s call to action. What thing in the back of our mind has the Spirit of God been whispering, “Change”? You, fill in the blank. “Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke [of man’s traditions], the putting forth of the finger [in scornfully pointing out those who do not comply with those traditions], and speaking vanity [using those false traditions]” (Isaiah 58:9). When the Spirit of God has sufficiently arrested our attention about whatever change He wants, He then challenges us, “Prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10). The surest path is “straight forward” (Ezekiel 1:9, 12), and we know the outcome will bring us safely Home. LORD, You are our help. Come to our aid. Supply what we have not. Open our eyes to receive the understanding we need. Thank You, and may Your name be praised evermore. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.
If Children Won’t Obey Their Parents
If children won’t obey their parents, they would only repeat what Adam and Eve did to their Great Father in the Garden of Eden, when they did not trust Him. The serpent said, “God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5 KJV). Their Creator fashioned them in His image, not for the sport of bossing them around, but to commune with them. Not as equals in authority, but equals in placement to embrace righteousness and shun evil. Just as our Heavenly Father punished Adam and Eve by inflicting pain, suffering, and death to restore them, His motivation was always love. Hence, wisdom understands, “The one who spares his rod hates his child, but the one who loves his child is diligent in disciplining him” (Proverbs 13:24 NET). LORD, may our Christian parents fear You more than the devil our adversary. Honor the willingness of parents insisting upon the obedience of their children, as unto the LORD. Cast out from our families the spirit of disobedience that inhabits this earth. May we be headed for Heaven, and may our children meet us there. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Be Watchful and Strengthen (Revelation 3:1)
If the Church of Sardis could be compared to the stage of Church History known as the 16th century Protestant Reformation, which ended the Middle Ages, then Christ reproves even those Reformers. “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Revelation 3:1-2 KJV). Sardis must repent of dead orthodoxy to be truly alive. “O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2 KJV). Amen.
That Woman Jezebel (Revelation 2:18)
Thyatira embodies collaboration with the enemy, since Jezebel cooperated in teaching the Church to worship false gods dressed as idols. If the Church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) represents the center and bulk of Church History, then only one, universal church could be intended, which would correspond to “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots” (Revelation 17:5 KJV), who sits upon “Seven Hills” (17:9 NIV). Christ condemns our ecumenism, if it allows us to embrace spiritual adultery, whose sacerdotal practices pay homage to idols. “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols” (Revelation 2:20 KJV). Since Jezebel now controls Thyatira, it is more appropriate to “come out from among them” (2Corinthians 6:17) and be separate from Thyatira’s adulterous practices. LORD, for those still practicing Jezebel’s ways, open their eyes and show them they are sleeping with the real enemy of their soul! Turn them from such shameful conduct. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
Where Satan Dwelleth (Revelation 2:12)
Pergamos was a church, who compromised her holiness to get along in the world. If the Church of Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) was also representative of Church History following Constantine’s embracing of the Cross by which he would conquer (312 AD), then the Church was losing its focus on Christ and was becoming confused about its supernatural enemy. Whenever we see only the earthly circumstance and don’t realize it is Spiritual Warfare on the highest level, we are underestimating the enemy. “Thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:13-14 KJV). Again, the Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3 representing seven stages of Church History from beginning to end is figurative and speculative, but we interpret Bible Prophecy as literal as we can, until we can’t. Balaam taught that Israel should be seduced to intermarry with the surrounding heathen, bringing them idolatry and looser sexual morals. Only God’s Spirit working in us can prevent, preserve, and cure iniquity in the Church (John 16:9). “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). This is only one aspect of the Gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38). LORD, preserve us by Your Spirit from the same sins, which plagued Pergamos. May we learn from their past mistakes. May we put more confidence in Your Spirit’s sin preventing power than confidence in ourselves. May we resist sin in our flesh and the sin which does so easily beset us, but trust Your Spirit to not let us give in to the temptation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
What’s Real, What’s Not?
With generative-AI tools, our ability to determine genuine content online or on social media is becoming increasingly difficult. Finding content on this blog, Tik Tok, or Wikipedia does not establish its veracity or truthfulness. We are required by God, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Thessalonians 5:21 KJV). Government agencies, internet search engines, or social media gatekeepers may be entrusted to filter the garbage or trash, but it will come with the inevitable cost of limiting free speech. Compare everything to Jesus, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The Word of God is the tool Christ has given to filter everything. “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (17:17). God has given us His Spirit to determine what’s real. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1John 4:1). If we leave the determination simply to human gatekeepers, then we will inevitably be deceived and deserve whatever we get. LORD, raise up Your people as truth speakers and discerners of the truth. Create in us a willingness to actively engage You the Truth that we will be able to discern what is false. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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