[In his revelation to John, Jesus said,] "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: 'I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive — but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.'"
—Revelation 3:1-2 NLT
Jesus knows us. He knows us personally. He knows our churches. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows our opportunities and our obstacles. The letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are Jesus' way of saying that he knows us, loves us, and wants us to follow him faithfully. The Holy Spirit, in "sevenfold" perfection, is Jesus' presence in us and among us. The Spirit is a divine partner with Jesus knowing us, convicting us, being present in us, and empowering us to be all that God wants us to be. The Spirit works in us, through us, and for us. So let's be challenged to listen and respond with obedience to what Jesus says to us and what the Spirit makes clear to us so that we can truly live as Jesus' bodily presence in the world.
Almighty God, I pray that you will wake up your people through the message of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit among us. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Revelation 3:1-2 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus knows us. He knows us personally. He knows our churches. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows our opportunities and our obstacles. The letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are Jesus' way of saying that he knows us, loves us, and wants us to follow him faithfully. The Holy Spirit, in "sevenfold" perfection, is Jesus' presence in us and among us. The Spirit is a divine partner with Jesus knowing us, convicting us, being present in us, and empowering us to be all that God wants us to be. The Spirit works in us, through us, and for us. So let's be challenged to listen and respond with obedience to what Jesus says to us and what the Spirit makes clear to us so that we can truly live as Jesus' bodily presence in the world.
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, I pray that you will wake up your people through the message of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit among us. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...
