Revelation 2:1-7 Remember Your First Love

Revelation 2:1-7 NIV
Bishop Frederic Baraga, missionary to the Ojibwa, during the 1800's, often reminded the people to "remember their first love." In his vision, St. John was instructed to warn the church at Ephesus about their falling away from their first love, who is Jesus the Christ.

Whenever we put anything or anyone before our God, we are committing idolatry. God must always come first and everything else will fall into it's proper place. How often we neglect to put God first in our lives! It is so very disheartening to see those who profess to be Christians putting so many other things of this world before worship and service to God.

The message to the people of Ephesus is an excellent example of both law and gospel. Jesus, in John's vision, commends the church for their hard work and perseverance; for the fact that they cannot tolerate wicked people; and have confronted those who claim to be apostles and are not. Even as they are being commended for their faithfulness in these areas; they and we are being warned against idolatry. Remember your first love. Remember him and keep him first in your life.

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (vs 7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Timothy 3 - Believe Only What Can Be Supported By Scripture

2 Timothy 3 NIV

Paul tells Timothy that "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." (vs 12) When I was a young Christian I had a hard time figuring out what this meant. As a much older and hopefully a bit wiser Christian, I now have a better idea. It can be quite a challenge, at times, to live in a society where God is placed on the bottom of the list of his children's priorities, if He's even on that list all. It's difficult to be surrounded by so many people are in love with themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to the parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. (vs 2-5) Paul's not talking here about unbelievers. He's talking about those who profess to believe in God. He's talking about some of the Christians at Ephesus. Paul says simply, "Have nothing to do with such people." (vs 5) That can be most difficult as some of those who would teach and believe such lies are our friends, our neighbors, and often our own family. That, sadly, is a reality.

We live in an age when many who profess to be Christians have heard and believe many false teachings. There are those who profess to be Christian who do not actually believe that Jesus rose from the dead; that He is God. There are those who believe and teach that everyone is saved and that Jesus is not the only way, quite contrary to his word. These denials of the faith must be refuted to protect those who are being led astray by those who would worm their way into homes and gain control over the gullible. We must also pray for those who have been led astray by those who teach and preach to advance their own agendas.

So, what can we do? We can get to know God's word and loving will for us and for all people. Paul encouraged Timothy and the church at Ephesus to "Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (vs 14-17)

We cannot confront lies unless we know the truth. Be diligent, then, in hearing and studying the Word of God found in the Holy Scriptures. You're odds of hearing the truth on television are pretty slim. You must open your Bibles to find it.

Don't forget to click on the link at the top of this page to read the scripture that this blog is based on. You should not trust even my words, unless they can be supported by scripture.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 20:13-38 The Way Is Not A Walk In The Park

Acts 20:13-38 NIV
Is it not the hope of any parent, whether physical or spiritual, that those whom we have taught will follow in The Way? To bring them up in The Way so that they too might revel in the love of Jesus to the degree that their heart's desire is to share the Good News of the Kingdom with others. The primary work of a disciples or a follower of Jesus is to make more disciples; more followers, of Jesus.

Paul has taught the people of Ephesus. He has discipled them. But, now on his way to Jerusalem to face much persecution he calls the elders of the church in Ephesus to himself. It is pretty much his permanent earthly farewell to them quite like Jesus warned his disciples of his impending death. But, Paul is not concerned for himself. His only goal is to finish the task the Lord Jesus gave to him. He has gathered the elders to encourage them to continue in The Way; shepherding the people; making disciples, when he is gone. He knows that he will in all probability be put to death; yet, his life is nothing to him compared to preaching the Kingdom through Jesus. Nothing has nor will stand in Paul's way of testifying to the good news of God's grace.

Paul faced many hardships. Those who are faithful to testifying to the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus will face hardships. The Way is really not a walk in the park. It can be most difficult. Not everyone wants to hear the truth. There will be those even among the flock who will make it most difficult for this testimony to be heard. There will be wolves in sheep's clothing to confront. There will be persecutions. But, God is with you. The Spirit of God will guide you in the way even as the Spirit led Paul.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Please remember to read the scripture of the day. Just click on the scripture link at the top of the blog.

Acts 19:23-41 False Gods Big Business

Acts 19:23-41 NIV
Here's the truth of the matter. False gods are big business.  They provide somebody something and that somebody that receives something is not usually the worshipper. I could name a few, but you already know where your loyalties lie. You already know who is getting rich from you loyalty to those things that you have set above the LORD. And, yes, if a false god is going to be exposed for what it really is then somebody is going to get upset. If as a worshipper of a false god you heard the truth that you don't have to purchase a god; but, that God has freely given himself to you wouldn't you set aside a false god? You well may, and in doing so you may be depriving someone of their ill-gotten gain.  You may find yourself in the midst of a riot created by the ones whose evil has been exposed.

That is exactly what happened in Ephesus. A silversmith upset that the missionaries of Jesus were exposing the gods he made with silver as false gods started a riot among the other false god makers and the worshippers of the goddess Artemis.

Maybe a question to ponder this morning might be: What gods are you supporting and which ones are supporting you with the treasures that one true God has given to you? Set aside your false gods and worship the one true God who is really there for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 19:1-22 Paul In Ephesus

Acts 19:1-22 NIV
Some amazing things were going on in Ephesus when Paul was there. People were coming to faith; they were receiving the Holy Spirit, the sick were being healed and demons were being exorcised. Paul was a busy man or maybe it would be more correct to say that the Holy Spirit was mighty active in and through Paul?

How active is the Holy Spirit in your life? In our life together? Think (really think) about the amazing things God has done for you and share those stories with others. If you can't think of any amazing things, maybe it's time to take a closer look at what it is that we really believe. Do you believe that the God who created the heavens and the earth can do all things?


Pastor J.