Jan 31 – Have fallen – Rev 2:5Vs 5 – The Lord asks them to consider and look how far they have fallen. He is asking them to have a time of self examination. This helps us to have a proper perspective of where we are. Paul tells the church in Corinth to examine themselves. Jesus was doing the same. He then tells them to repent., to turn back and come back to their first place. Return to their first love. Go back to the beginning. They were a church known for their love. This is what He is telling them to do. Sometimes we have to do that to get our bearings again. Do the things that made us powerful and effective first. These would be prayer, the word, fellowship and evangelism. Now this net statement is frightening. If they do not repent the Lord himself will come and remove their candlestick. Now some believe this is the pastor but it probably means that the Lord will sever His ties with them. They will cease as a church. Their influence, effectiveness and representation for Christ will end. This is a solemn warning, one that cannot be ignored. No church is beyond judgment.Feb 1 – Nicolaitans – Rev 2:6
Solomon wrote in Prov 18:21, The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit. What you say is so important. So today speak encouragement and life into others. Be a blessing and tell people how much you appreciate them. Speak these things while they can be heard. Especially to your loved ones.
Jan 30 – The pattern – Rev 2:4Vs 4 - You will find this the pattern of the message to the churches. He will commend them and then the Lord will tell them what He sees wrong with their situation. To Ephesus they had forgotten their first love. They were now doing church as a form or tradition. When you lose your first love your zeal is replaced by works. You rely more on form, liturgy, tradition and administration than you do on the Lord. The church becomes a mechanism not an organism. It is sad when a church loses its power and zeal and replaced it with other things. This is what had happen to Ephesus. The first generation Christians were gone and the second and third forgot about why the church was as powerful as it was.
Solomon says in Prob 18:4, The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. When a person's tongue belong to God it can be wise and encouraging. So today submit you tongue to the Lord and make a decision to encourage and help others. God will help you be wise and discerning. Be his voice of healing today in your world.
Jan 29 – Three things – Rev 2:3Vs 3 – The three things the church at Ephesus had done during this time was as follows. They were people who persevere. They could not be overcome. They held onto their faith in the face of immense persecution. Many in their rank were be imprisoned and even killed. They had endured unspeakable hardship for the name of the Lord. They would not recant or give in to persecution. They were true to the name of the lord. They believed and lived the fact that there is no other name given under heaven that men might be saved. Lastly, they have not grown weary. The persecution has been intense but this church has not given up. They are staying in it for the long haul. They will not be victims, conquered or overcome. Instead they will be victors, conquerors and overcomers.
