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. Remember the seven letters Jesus had John write to the seven churches in Asia Minor? They still have a lot to say to us if we listen.
3. Scripture
   1. Revelation 2:1-7
   2. The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Ephesus. “These are the words of the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks and moves among the golden lampstands:

“I know your deeds, your tireless labor, and your patient endurance. I know you do not tolerate those who do evil. Furthermore, you have diligently tested those who claim to be emissaries, and you have found that they are not true witnesses. You have correctly found them to be false.  I know you are patiently enduring and holding firm on behalf of My name. You have not become faint.

“However, I have this against you: you have abandoned your first love.  Do you remember what it was like before you fell? It’s time to rethink and change your ways; go back to how you first acted. However, if you do not return, I will come quickly and personally remove your lampstand from its place.  But you do have this to your credit: you despise the deeds of the Nicolaitans and how they concede to evil. I also hate what they do.

“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches. I will allow the one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death to eat from the tree of life found in God’s lush paradise.”

4. Devotional
   1. The seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor raise lots of questions today about the stability of those churches
      1. Only one was left unscathed by Jesus’ remarks
      2. All the others were condemned for something they did or failed to do in the course of their daily activities
      3. All but one also had at least one redeeming quality
      4. The order of the letters might be in the order they might be visited if you took a trip to see all of them on a journey in those days
      5. Every letter also points to characteristics Christians today exhibit and should avoid
   2. The first letter written to Ephesus
      1. Know your deeds
      2. Tireless labor
      3. Patient endurance
      4. Do not tolerate evil, or those who do evil
   3. You abandoned your first love
      1. Became legalistic in examination of the deeds of others
      2. Rethink your ways
      3. Remember how you felt when you first received grace and mercy
      4. Go back to those days
      5. Go back to how you first acted
      6. Love each other and share the message
      7. Demonstrate the joy of the Lord
      8. Don’t fail to mix grace with justice
   4. Listen, follow what the spirit proclaims, there is a reward at the end
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.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.