A Part-time Christian 12.24.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Revelation, please read Chapters 3-5 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this one into your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%203-5&version=9

Today we are reading about the Lord's messages to the churches at Sardis, Philadelphia, and His disapproval of the church at Laodicea. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we can not be part-time Christian's. Once we accept Jesus into our lives, the old life that we use to live is slowly replaced with a new life with Jesus, but You have to make a choice to either serve God or the world.

The church in Sardis could boast that there were no false doctrines being taught; but there was an equally serious sin, they were dead in their works. "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; 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. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." (Revelation 3:1-5). Being dead in works is when one teaches the Word of God, but does not apply that teaching to their own lives. Thankfully, all who confess of their sins are forgiven and made white.

Jesus commended the church in Philadelphia for their faithfulness, "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 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.........Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." (3:7-8,11-12). All who remain faithful to Jesus no matter what they face, and this includes times when all we have is the strength to say "Help Me, Jesus", have Him right there with us and no one can take Him away from us.

The Laodicean believers prided themselves on their ability to compromise. The majority of church members in Laodicea probably congratulated themselves on being moderate and broad-minded, but Jesus saw nothing commendable about what they were doing. "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 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 thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (3:14-19). We can not compromise with the world in order to fit in or live in peace. Jesus said that no one can serve two masters, we either live for Him or the world. He much rather us not be devoted to Him at all then to try fit Him into our schedule.

We have much to be thankful of and so much more waiting for us when we walk with Jesus, I think back on the years without Him in my life and I was so empty and never satisfied with what I had. Now, I am more happier than any time in my life. We can all experience more happiness in our lives, simply by making Jesus a part of it.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from You. As recipients of Your tender compassions and tremendous comfort help us to be like cisterns pouring out the mercies we receive from You into the lives of those who desperately need it.

Have a blessed day/night!
God Bless you and Merry Christmas!
Christina

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