Today daily devotional / Victory!

[ladylovesJesus]

Victory!

SCRIPTURE READING — REVELATION 2:4-7; 22:1-5; ACTS 19:17-20

“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.”

— Revelation 2:7

To live in Ephesus meant being surrounded by the worship of false gods. The temple to Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple of the Roman emperor Domitian dominated the central part of the city. How was a follower of Jesus to live in a culture that idolized power and false gods and encouraged sexual immorality?

Jesus had told the Ephesian Christians, “Consider how far you have fallen.” In other words, remember what you once had and did and enjoyed with your Lord and Savior.

Jesus called them to repent of their sin, to allow the Spirit of God to soften their hardened hearts and give them a restored heart of love. Then he urged them to “do the things [they] did at first.” In other words, persevere, hold on to the truth, and show love and compassion to one another.

Otherwise, said Jesus, he would remove their lampstand. The Ephesian church would no longer exist. He would do that for the honor of his name.

However, if they would repent and be restored to him, they would be victorious and be able to eat from the tree of life. This promise of Jesus looks forward to his return and the establishment of the new heavens and new earth, eternal life in the paradise of God. The tree of life awaits all who profess faith in Jesus Christ alone, live for him, and share his love with everyone. Come, Lord Jesus.

Almighty God, help me to love you above all, and others as myself. For your glory, Amen.

About the author — Bob Arbogast

Bob Arbogast is the pastor of Celebration Fellowship church in Ionia, Michigan. In his spare time, he plays guitar in a West Michigan blues band. He and his wife Jan have been married forty years and have three adult daughters. Bob has been praying the psalms since 2002.

 

[twcstp]

I follow God in Jesus Christ.

Do you know why?

Becauase I love you.

Thy will, o God, is my will; for with thy daily bread I shall be sustained in thee for ever.

Thy heart shall leap with joy as I share in Your love, O God, in Your measure! For I shall share with You the same measure of love thou hast given me, Father!

It is no longer I that shall not be put to shame, but You, Father of Heaven, God of Glory! Thou wilt surely never, ever be put to shame! Thine ear shalt never again be bent down to hear accusation against thee, for thou, with thine own hands hath recorded thy declaration; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning! All flesh is soon upon the Earth to see Your Glory. Thine heart, O Father, shalt be repented of thine own heart once more, yes, Father, for the day is coming that thy word, Genesis 6:6, will fall from heaven, never again to be found,

For the generation that will cause thy heart to be ever filled with joy is coming, yes, it is even at the door, O God, for a new song is on its way; the song of thy Son is close, it is very, very near to You, a song of everlasting praise, yes, Father, it is the song of praise of thy Name, and it shall endure for ever.