Today’s Podcast

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1. Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
2. Are you rich or poor? Do you really know what poverty is? Jesus did, He shares some information with us about poverty and real riches.
3. Scripture
   1. Revelation 2:8-11
   2. The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Smyrna. “These are the words of the First and the Last, the One who was dead and returned to life:

“I know your deeds and the difficult ordeal you are enduring and your poverty, although you are actually rich. I am aware of the offensive accusations preached by those who call themselves ‘Jews.’ But these people are not the Jews they pretend to be; they are actually the congregation of Satan.  In the face of suffering, do not fear. Watch; the devil will throw some of you into prison shortly so that you might be tested, and you will endure great affliction for 10 days. Be faithful throughout your life, until the day you die, and I will give you the victor’s wreath of life.

“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches. The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death will escape the second death.”

4. Devotional
   1. In this country, we are obsessed with wealth.
      1. TV show, “Lives of the Rich and Famous”
      2. Drive for promotion, salary increases, better jobs
      3. Get upset about Social Security or changes in interest rates
      4. Looking for quick returns on investments
      5. Lotteries everywhere for quick wins
   2. We think we understand poverty in this country, but we don’t
      1. The poverty guidelines for 2017, $24,600 for family of 4
      2. Average income in the United States $61,248
      3. Average income in Qatar $105,091
      4. Average income in Congo $394
      5. Nine countries less than $1,000 per anum income
      6. $35-$100 a month isn’t even enough to survive as evidenced by the malnutrition and high death rate among children in those countries
   3. If you are listening to this podcast, you probably have a smartphone or a computer you’re listening on. Luxuries most of the world cannot afford. We are materially very wealthy in this country
      1. Probably had breakfast or chose not to, but it was available if you wanted it
      2. Probably have more than one television in your home
      3. Probably have more than one car in your drive
      4. Probably have several pair of shoes and several outfits to choose from as you dress each morning
      5. Probably don’t worry about drinking water or water to bath in each day
      6. Although you may live in an apartment, you probably don’t share your home with several families in the same apartment
      7. We really don’t know poverty in this country
   4. Church at Smyrna understood poverty
      1. As Christians they couldn’t buy food in the market
      2. Lost their jobs
      3. Lost their homes
      4. Lost their families
      5. Lost whatever support systems they had except the church and everyone in the church was under the same pressure
      6. They did not know where their next meal would come from
      7. To win their material fortune back, all they had to do was renounce their faith
   5. Jesus said although they were in poverty, they were really rich
      1. Why?
      2. They shed the burden of unforgiven sin
      3. They had Him in their life
      4. They had eternal life
      5. What is that worth? It’s priceless
5. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

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