Thursday, August 03, 2017
Wednesday, August 02, 2017
What is God saying today? Part 4
What is God saying today?
I have been reading the Book of Revelation and struck again how God specifically and passionately spoke to each of the 7 Churches mentioned.
And I felt challenged to break each message down and see how that relates potentially to each of us today.
The writer regularly used the phrase "anyone with ears...listen to the Spirit..."
Let's see what the Spirit is saying to each of us today...
Revelation 2:18-28 niv - Message to the Church in Thyatira
18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
I think it is awesome that God notices what I attempt to do for Him!
Even if no one else notices, acknowledges or even thanks me for my service to the Kingdom of God, God is happy with what I bring.
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Why bring up this lady called Jezebel?
This lady featured during the time of the Kings, specifically after Israel and Judah became two kingdoms. She was a very strong and forceful character married to an easily lead King called Ahab.
Her claim to infamy was her willingness to destroy others for personal gain, her lack of morals, and her manipulation of others lives.
She wanted the good bits of being part of Israel, her position and the benefits there of. But she didn't want God interfering. Didn't think He was needed.
For me the warning is to make sure I am not like her in any way.
That I don't allow others to lead me who are like her.
That I do what I can make sure that her spirit of intimidation and manipulation isn't part of my family of faith.
Those things I will never tolerate!
24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
I think many of us are looking for secrets.
Like 'what is the hidden meaning of this or that' in scripture...
I believe that when Jesus encouraged us to have a child like faith, that He meant it about His Word as well. To simply take it as it is. To live it out as it is.
Many struggle to live out the most basic tenants of our faith - why look to complicate things?
When someone tells me they haven't just had a personal revelation, but that God is showing them and them alone a secret truth that has been hidden until now - I run!
26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
What is God saying to you today?
Be encouraged, be challenged, be listening...
I have been reading the Book of Revelation and struck again how God specifically and passionately spoke to each of the 7 Churches mentioned.
And I felt challenged to break each message down and see how that relates potentially to each of us today.
The writer regularly used the phrase "anyone with ears...listen to the Spirit..."
Let's see what the Spirit is saying to each of us today...
Revelation 2:18-28 niv - Message to the Church in Thyatira
18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
I think it is awesome that God notices what I attempt to do for Him!
Even if no one else notices, acknowledges or even thanks me for my service to the Kingdom of God, God is happy with what I bring.
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Why bring up this lady called Jezebel?
This lady featured during the time of the Kings, specifically after Israel and Judah became two kingdoms. She was a very strong and forceful character married to an easily lead King called Ahab.
Her claim to infamy was her willingness to destroy others for personal gain, her lack of morals, and her manipulation of others lives.
She wanted the good bits of being part of Israel, her position and the benefits there of. But she didn't want God interfering. Didn't think He was needed.
For me the warning is to make sure I am not like her in any way.
That I don't allow others to lead me who are like her.
That I do what I can make sure that her spirit of intimidation and manipulation isn't part of my family of faith.
Those things I will never tolerate!
24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
I think many of us are looking for secrets.
Like 'what is the hidden meaning of this or that' in scripture...
I believe that when Jesus encouraged us to have a child like faith, that He meant it about His Word as well. To simply take it as it is. To live it out as it is.
Many struggle to live out the most basic tenants of our faith - why look to complicate things?
When someone tells me they haven't just had a personal revelation, but that God is showing them and them alone a secret truth that has been hidden until now - I run!
26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
What is God saying to you today?
Be encouraged, be challenged, be listening...
Why this little series...?
I have for a long time believed that God speaks to everyone.
I have for a long time believed that God speaks to everyone.
Since the beginning of history there are account after account of people hearing God speak to them. From Adam through Moses and then to today. Spoke has spoken and continues to speak.
(Apart from when He promised to be quiet for 400 years - and kept His promise.)
Scripture tells us that God gave us each ears, not just to hear naturally with, but also to hear supernaturally with!
Scripture shows us as well that God can speak audibly, through angels and others, circumstances and His Word. He has a lot of communication tools in His toolbox...
Sunday, July 30, 2017
What is God saying today? Part 3
What is God saying today?
I have been reading the Book of Revelation and struck again how God specifically and passionately spoke to each of the 7 Churches mentioned.
And I felt challenged to break each message down and see how that relates potentially to each of us today.
The writer regularly used the phrase "anyone with ears...listen to the Spirit..."
Let's see what the Spirit is saying to each of us today...
Revelation 2:12-17 niv - Message to the Church in Pergamum
12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
You may feel like you a living and/or operating in the middle of the most ridiculous of place?
Maybe you are in a job where the management isn't that ethical?
Maybe your family doesn't behave well?
Or maybe you have a lot of friends who have questionable morals compared to how you would like to behave.
Because you are salt and light to where you are, you can stay strong in the middle of whatever you are facing and wherever God has place you. Stay strong my friend.
Tradition has it that a man named Antipas lived in this pretty wicked place but went around doing good, even healing those under demonic oppression.
He lived his life faithfully in service to God and others.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
This reminds of something...just as back then, it appears to be so even more now.
This whole trying to 'entice away' vibe that is so prevalent. All around you right now is a lot temptation, especially sexual in nature.
The enemy knows that if he can tempt you away in a sexual area of some sort, that he can put a wedge between you and God.
The antidote to all this is to always consider the Word of God.
How does God want you to behave? What is healthy sexuality?
Be careful Christian what you watch and entertain yourself with. It gets into your thoughts and your spirit. It can lower your resolve and your values. And nothing is worth throwing away your faith over.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
What is God saying to you today?
Be encouraged, be challenged, be listening...
I have been reading the Book of Revelation and struck again how God specifically and passionately spoke to each of the 7 Churches mentioned.
And I felt challenged to break each message down and see how that relates potentially to each of us today.
The writer regularly used the phrase "anyone with ears...listen to the Spirit..."
Let's see what the Spirit is saying to each of us today...
Revelation 2:12-17 niv - Message to the Church in Pergamum
12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
You may feel like you a living and/or operating in the middle of the most ridiculous of place?
Maybe you are in a job where the management isn't that ethical?
Maybe your family doesn't behave well?
Or maybe you have a lot of friends who have questionable morals compared to how you would like to behave.
Because you are salt and light to where you are, you can stay strong in the middle of whatever you are facing and wherever God has place you. Stay strong my friend.
Tradition has it that a man named Antipas lived in this pretty wicked place but went around doing good, even healing those under demonic oppression.
He lived his life faithfully in service to God and others.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
This reminds of something...just as back then, it appears to be so even more now.
This whole trying to 'entice away' vibe that is so prevalent. All around you right now is a lot temptation, especially sexual in nature.
The enemy knows that if he can tempt you away in a sexual area of some sort, that he can put a wedge between you and God.
The antidote to all this is to always consider the Word of God.
How does God want you to behave? What is healthy sexuality?
Be careful Christian what you watch and entertain yourself with. It gets into your thoughts and your spirit. It can lower your resolve and your values. And nothing is worth throwing away your faith over.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
What is God saying to you today?
Be encouraged, be challenged, be listening...
Why this little series...?
I have for a long time believed that God speaks to everyone.
I have for a long time believed that God speaks to everyone.
Since the beginning of history there are account after account of people hearing God speak to them. From Adam through Moses and then to today. Spoke has spoken and continues to speak.
(Apart from when He promised to be quiet for 400 years - and kept His promise.)
Scripture tells us that God gave us each ears, not just to hear naturally with, but also to hear supernaturally with!
Scripture shows us as well that God can speak audibly, through angels and others, circumstances and His Word. He has a lot of communication tools in His toolbox...
Friday, July 28, 2017
What is God saying today? Part 2
What is God saying today?
A little bit of a dangerous question to pose, especially as it hints that I might have some idea...
I have been reading the Book of Revelation and struck again how God specifically and passionately spoke to each of the 7 Churches mentioned.
And I felt challenged to break each message down and see how that relates potentially to each of us today.
The writer regularly used the phrase "anyone with ears...listen to the Spirit..."
Let's see what the Spirit is saying to each of us today...
Revelation 2:9-11 niv - Message to the Church in Smyrna
9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Jesus had regular groups of people ready to be offended, ready to pose questions to incite a reaction, ready, waiting and hoping to see Him to fail. And when He didn't, they made stuff up about Him.
Part of following Jesus is sometime having muppets try and steal your joy. They will critique and criticise you, even thinking they are doing it for God.
Don't worry about them.
Stay focused on God and what He has for you...
God wants us to know He sees, He notices, He is always mindful of the struggles many of us are facing in life.
Maybe you have a health complaint you can't shake or you always seem to struggle a bit financially, well again, God is fully aware.
And in this short sentence He tells us that even with what we lack we are rich.
Scripture reminds us that we actually have all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
Live out of that richness and let Him sort out everything else...
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Modern Christanity struggles with reconciling suffering for your faith.
Sorry my friend but suffering is part of the call. Suffering actually is a friend to your faith.
It will develop your character.
It will cause you to keep hanging onto Jesus with everything you have. Just like Paul had his 'thorn', you and I will have one to. Better to be ready for it than surprised I guess...
Scripture tells us that it must finish its work...wow...so you will be complete and not lacking anything...even bigger WOW.
The even bigger payoff for you and me is that if we stay faithful to Christ and journey God has for us, not only will He get us through, but there is always a reward.
I like rewards!
If you quit part way through you will never discover what God wanted to reward you with...
Hang in there my friend whatever you are facing.
You can guarantee others are going through it with you.
God is faithful to help you complete the race marked out for you!
What is God saying to you today?
Be encouraged, be challenged, be listening...
A little bit of a dangerous question to pose, especially as it hints that I might have some idea...
I have been reading the Book of Revelation and struck again how God specifically and passionately spoke to each of the 7 Churches mentioned.
And I felt challenged to break each message down and see how that relates potentially to each of us today.
The writer regularly used the phrase "anyone with ears...listen to the Spirit..."
Let's see what the Spirit is saying to each of us today...
Revelation 2:9-11 niv - Message to the Church in Smyrna
9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Jesus had regular groups of people ready to be offended, ready to pose questions to incite a reaction, ready, waiting and hoping to see Him to fail. And when He didn't, they made stuff up about Him.
Part of following Jesus is sometime having muppets try and steal your joy. They will critique and criticise you, even thinking they are doing it for God.
Don't worry about them.
Stay focused on God and what He has for you...
God wants us to know He sees, He notices, He is always mindful of the struggles many of us are facing in life.
Maybe you have a health complaint you can't shake or you always seem to struggle a bit financially, well again, God is fully aware.
And in this short sentence He tells us that even with what we lack we are rich.
Scripture reminds us that we actually have all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
Live out of that richness and let Him sort out everything else...
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Modern Christanity struggles with reconciling suffering for your faith.
Sorry my friend but suffering is part of the call. Suffering actually is a friend to your faith.
It will develop your character.
It will cause you to keep hanging onto Jesus with everything you have. Just like Paul had his 'thorn', you and I will have one to. Better to be ready for it than surprised I guess...
Scripture tells us that it must finish its work...wow...so you will be complete and not lacking anything...even bigger WOW.
The even bigger payoff for you and me is that if we stay faithful to Christ and journey God has for us, not only will He get us through, but there is always a reward.
I like rewards!
If you quit part way through you will never discover what God wanted to reward you with...
Hang in there my friend whatever you are facing.
You can guarantee others are going through it with you.
God is faithful to help you complete the race marked out for you!
What is God saying to you today?
Be encouraged, be challenged, be listening...
Why this little series...?
I have for a long time believed that God speaks to everyone.
I have for a long time believed that God speaks to everyone.
Since the beginning of history there are account after account of people hearing God speak to them. From Adam through Moses and then to today. Spoke has spoken and continues to speak.
(Apart from when He promised to be quiet for 400 years - and kept His promise.)
Scripture tells us that God gave us each ears, not just to hear naturally with, but also to hear supernaturally with!
Scripture shows us as well that God can speak audibly, through angels and others, circumstances and His Word. He has a lot of communication tools in His toolbox...
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
What is God saying today? Part 1
I have for a long time believed that God speaks to everyone.
Since the beginning of history there are account after account of people hearing God speak to them. From Adam through Moses and then to today. Spoke has spoken and continues to speak.
(Apart from when He promised to be quiet for 400 years - and kept His promise.)
Scripture tells us that God gave us each ears, not just to hear naturally with, but also to hear supernaturally with!
Scripture shows us as well that God can speak audibly, through angels and others, circumstances and His Word. He has a lot of communication tools in His toolbox...
What is God saying today?
A little bit of a dangerous question to pose, especially as it hints that I might have some idea...
I have been reading the Book of Revelation and struck again how God specifically and passionately spoke to each of the 7 Churches mentioned.
And I felt challenged to break each message down and see how that relates potentially to each of us today.
The writer regularly used the phrase "anyone with ears...listen to the Spirit..."
Let's see what the Spirit is saying to each of us today...
Revelation 2:2-6 niv - Message to the Church in Ephesus
2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
God knows all about your life. What you do. Why you do.
He knows what you struggle with as well as the effort you put into following Him.
These few sentences will either encourage or challenge you. Both are a good thing.
Today if you are struggling please know God is noticing and He cares!
While you pursue Christ, be mindful of who you have lead you.
Go after 'godly' leaders not just people who say they are leaders.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
No matter how focused we are on being good or hardworking or whatever it is...nothing should ever trump our relationship with Jesus.
If you have stepped back from it in some way come back.
If you need to focus on it because it isn't where it should be, then do that.
God wants a relationship with you over everything else.
He is passionate about that, hence His language around this idea.
One of the worst things I think that can happen to any Christian is to become a professional Christian.
Where you think you have risen up through some experience ranks you don't still do the most basic things of your faith.
For me being a pastor is a dangerous place. I can make my relationship my profession...yuck!
I need to do what I did with Him before I got to this role!
I will never graduate from my own personal devotion time!
From what I can gather, the Nicolaitans had ideas about faith that didn't match God's expectations.
They mixed the things of this world with faith to suit a model they would like, especially around sexuality.
I think God is warning us to come back to our first love and watch we don't mix the world into our faith. You and I are the salt and light.
What is God saying to you today?
Be encouraged, be challenged, be listening...
Since the beginning of history there are account after account of people hearing God speak to them. From Adam through Moses and then to today. Spoke has spoken and continues to speak.
(Apart from when He promised to be quiet for 400 years - and kept His promise.)
Scripture tells us that God gave us each ears, not just to hear naturally with, but also to hear supernaturally with!
Scripture shows us as well that God can speak audibly, through angels and others, circumstances and His Word. He has a lot of communication tools in His toolbox...
What is God saying today?
A little bit of a dangerous question to pose, especially as it hints that I might have some idea...
I have been reading the Book of Revelation and struck again how God specifically and passionately spoke to each of the 7 Churches mentioned.
And I felt challenged to break each message down and see how that relates potentially to each of us today.
The writer regularly used the phrase "anyone with ears...listen to the Spirit..."
Let's see what the Spirit is saying to each of us today...
Revelation 2:2-6 niv - Message to the Church in Ephesus
2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
God knows all about your life. What you do. Why you do.
He knows what you struggle with as well as the effort you put into following Him.
These few sentences will either encourage or challenge you. Both are a good thing.
Today if you are struggling please know God is noticing and He cares!
While you pursue Christ, be mindful of who you have lead you.
Go after 'godly' leaders not just people who say they are leaders.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
No matter how focused we are on being good or hardworking or whatever it is...nothing should ever trump our relationship with Jesus.
If you have stepped back from it in some way come back.
If you need to focus on it because it isn't where it should be, then do that.
God wants a relationship with you over everything else.
He is passionate about that, hence His language around this idea.
One of the worst things I think that can happen to any Christian is to become a professional Christian.
Where you think you have risen up through some experience ranks you don't still do the most basic things of your faith.
For me being a pastor is a dangerous place. I can make my relationship my profession...yuck!
I need to do what I did with Him before I got to this role!
I will never graduate from my own personal devotion time!
From what I can gather, the Nicolaitans had ideas about faith that didn't match God's expectations.
They mixed the things of this world with faith to suit a model they would like, especially around sexuality.
I think God is warning us to come back to our first love and watch we don't mix the world into our faith. You and I are the salt and light.
What is God saying to you today?
Be encouraged, be challenged, be listening...
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