"He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."
AND
"Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name."
AND
"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."
These are awesome promises from God. To him who overcomes, name written in book of life, will become a pillar in the temple of God, the right to sit with God on his throne. This is incredible. God truly rewards those who overcome. What more motivation do we need to face and stand up to the difficulties in life? Focusing on these great promises should give us the motivation to overcome. Maybe this is what Jesus focused on during his life on earth. Since he knew the full extent of these promises, perhaps these promises are what kept him focused. They are what allowed him to face hardships, trouble, persecution, being abandoned, and even being killed on a cross. Reply to this
January 28, 2008 9:30 AM
Sam wrote:
Revelation 3. Three more churches. The first, Sardis. I find it very interesting that history stated that this city was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 AD (a few years before Jesus died), but was rebuilt. John writes about the church in this city around 95 AD. I can imagine the work that had to be done by the preceeding generation of the people initially reading John's letter; and I am sure they all knew of it, and probably most participated in it, even possibly to that day. Anyway, God looked at these people (who were in the Church) and didn't care (probably) what their physical and emotional scars were because of that earthquake and the rebuilding efforts. God was more concerned with their hearts and attitudes. He scolded them for being dead in Christ. He warned them of Jesus coming back at any unknowing moment. He stated that some were still doing a good job at this, and urged them to continue. God is doing this same stuff today with us. Warning us. Scolding us. But, He is giving us that wonderful opportunity for Heaven if we just persevere. Last night's Bible Study was pretty good--about evangelism. I saw a form of perseverence in the minister on the DVD we watched. I am being encouraged to continue harder in my 'duties' to Christ, not for my salvation, but because I realize Christ loves me enough to have chosen me as one of his ministers here on earth. No one knows when He will return, but I want to be found ready, like He says in Rev 3), when He does come back. And I know he wants the same for you guys. Are you ready or are you backsliding like most in Sardis did? Just something to think about for the day. Reply to this
January 28, 2008 9:56 AM
Sam wrote:
To the Church in Philadelphia. God seemed please with the people's perseverence in this church. He even states that He will have the followers of Satan bow to THEIR feet. Amazing. He warns of temptation, that hour of trial, which is going to come to them. Did it? Will it come to us as well? Are we already in 'that hour'? I know we see temptation (sex, power and money) all the time. I pray that God continue to provide us power in increasing quantity to resist those temptations. Christ seemed to like this church and has provided them ample warning of temptations yet to come to them. Does He like us as well? I believe the answer is 'NO'. He LOVES us. How much more is He warning us about temptation? What are you going to do today to resist it even more? Reply to this
January 28, 2008 10:08 AM
Sam wrote:
Laodicea. Ouch! We have all heard this one plenty of times. Unfortunately, I don't think we have let it sink in. Anyone disagree with me? He who has ears, let him here! Reply to this
Oh, to be an overcomer:
"He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."
AND
"Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name."
AND
"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."
These are awesome promises from God. To him who overcomes, name written in book of life, will become a pillar in the temple of God, the right to sit with God on his throne. This is incredible. God truly rewards those who overcome. What more motivation do we need to face and stand up to the difficulties in life? Focusing on these great promises should give us the motivation to overcome. Maybe this is what Jesus focused on during his life on earth. Since he knew the full extent of these promises, perhaps these promises are what kept him focused. They are what allowed him to face hardships, trouble, persecution, being abandoned, and even being killed on a cross.
Reply to this
good morning all
Reply to this
Revelation 3. Three more churches. The first, Sardis. I find it very interesting that history stated that this city was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 AD (a few years before Jesus died), but was rebuilt. John writes about the church in this city around 95 AD. I can imagine the work that had to be done by the preceeding generation of the people initially reading John's letter; and I am sure they all knew of it, and probably most participated in it, even possibly to that day. Anyway, God looked at these people (who were in the Church) and didn't care (probably) what their physical and emotional scars were because of that earthquake and the rebuilding efforts. God was more concerned with their hearts and attitudes. He scolded them for being dead in Christ. He warned them of Jesus coming back at any unknowing moment. He stated that some were still doing a good job at this, and urged them to continue. God is doing this same stuff today with us. Warning us. Scolding us. But, He is giving us that wonderful opportunity for Heaven if we just persevere. Last night's Bible Study was pretty good--about evangelism. I saw a form of perseverence in the minister on the DVD we watched. I am being encouraged to continue harder in my 'duties' to Christ, not for my salvation, but because I realize Christ loves me enough to have chosen me as one of his ministers here on earth. No one knows when He will return, but I want to be found ready, like He says in Rev 3), when He does come back. And I know he wants the same for you guys. Are you ready or are you backsliding like most in Sardis did? Just something to think about for the day.
Reply to this
To the Church in Philadelphia. God seemed please with the people's perseverence in this church. He even states that He will have the followers of Satan bow to THEIR feet. Amazing. He warns of temptation, that hour of trial, which is going to come to them. Did it? Will it come to us as well? Are we already in 'that hour'? I know we see temptation (sex, power and money) all the time. I pray that God continue to provide us power in increasing quantity to resist those temptations. Christ seemed to like this church and has provided them ample warning of temptations yet to come to them. Does He like us as well? I believe the answer is 'NO'. He LOVES us. How much more is He warning us about temptation? What are you going to do today to resist it even more?
Reply to this
Laodicea. Ouch! We have all heard this one plenty of times. Unfortunately, I don't think we have let it sink in. Anyone disagree with me? He who has ears, let him here!
Reply to this
I mean 'hear'.
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