Tag Archives: letters

Opportunity knocks but once (Revelation 3:7-13), May 17, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
We’ve heard it, opportunity knocks but once. But is it true? I’m glad God doesn’t feel that way.
Scripture
1. Revelation 3:7-13
2. The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Philadelphia. “These are the words of the holy One, the true One, and the One who possesses the key of David, which opens the possibilities so that no one can shut them. The One who closes all options so that no one can open:

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. I have done this because you have limited strength, yet you have obeyed My word and have not denied My name. Watch, and I will make those of the congregation of Satan—those who call themselves ‘Jews’ but are not because they lie—come before you penitent, falling at your feet. Then they will know how much I have loved you. Because you have obeyed My instructions to endure and be patient, I will protect you from the time of trial which will come upon the whole earth and put everyone in it to the test. I will soon return. Hold tight to what you have so that no one can take away your victor’s wreath.

“As for the one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death, I will plant that person as a pillar in the temple of My God, and that person will never have to leave the presence of God. Moreover, I will inscribe this person with the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, New Jerusalem—which descends out of heaven from My God—and My own new name.

“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”

Devotional
1. We’ve heard the idiom
  1. Opportunity knocks but once
  2. You only get once chance to achieve what you really want to do
  3. Don’t pass up the opportunity when it comes, you might not get another
2. Sometimes it is true
  1. Perhaps in financial opportunities
  2. Stocks go up and down and if you get in at the right time you make money if you don’t you lose money
  3. Businesses come and go and timing is often critical to their success or failure
3. But God comes to us again and again
  1. Never gives up on us
  2. Keeps calling us to repentance
  3. Wants us to join Him in eternity
  4. God gives us ample opportunity to say yes to His calling
4. We can still refuse, but God keeps asking us to accept His gift of salvation
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.

Complete the journey (Revelation 3:1-6), May 16, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
It’s true that every journey starts with the first step, but if that’s the only step you take, you never get to your destination. The journey will never be complete.
Scripture
1. Revelation 3:1-6
2. The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Sardis. “These are the words of the One who has the seven Spirits of God, the Perfect Spirit, and the One who holds the seven stars:

“I know the things you do—you’ve claimed a reputation of life, but you are actually dead. Wake up from your death-sleep, and strengthen what remains of the life you have been given that is in danger of death. I have judged your deeds as far from complete in the sight of My God. Therefore, remember what you have received and heard; it’s time to keep these instructions and turn back from your ways. If you do not wake up from this sleep, I will come in judgment. I will creep up on you like a thief—you will have no way of knowing when I will come. But there are a few in Sardis who don’t have the stain of evil works on their clothes. They will walk alongside Me in white, spotless garments because they have been proven worthy.

“The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death will be clothed in white garments, and I will certainly not erase that person’s name from the book of life. I will acknowledge this person’s name before My Father and before His heavenly messengers.

“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”

Devotional
1. For a few years I served as the senior medical observer/controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
  1. Fancy title. Responsible for helping train medical units prepare to do provide their medical support in regions of conflict
  2. Need to be able to perform their medical mission to care for sick and wounded soldiers
  3. Also needed to defend themselves against an enemy that didn’t care about the Geneva Conventions
  4. Discovered it’s difficult to do either one and extremely difficult to do both at the same time
2. Many units concentrated on one or the other
  1. Got overwhelmed with patients and forgot about their vulnerability against an armed force
  2. Protected against an enemy but forgot they needed to treat patients at the same time
  3. Most often defense is what went by the wayside as they executed their primary mission of patient care
3. Put up what might look like a defense to some
  1. Razor wire around the facility, but not enough
  2. Guards at various points, but not looking at the right places
  3. Checks of vehicles coming in, but not checking well when chaos broke loose with several patients coming in at once
  4. Their work started but wasn’t complete
  5. It didn’t make the grade
4. That’s what happened in Sardis
  1. They started
  2. They were excited at the beginning
  3. They set to work and looked good
  4. It got hard and they stopped before the work was done
  5. They let their defenses down
  6. The enemy broke in and stole their momentum, their enthusiasm, their life
5. Jesus says, stay faithful, walk beside Him, He’ll acknowledge you before the Father and clothe you in spotless garments of white
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.”

Sex sells, but there are consequences (Revelation 2:12-17), May 14, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Sex sells they say and so we see it everywhere. It was also a problem in Pergamum. Jesus talked about it and told John to write about it.
Scripture
1. Revelation 2:12-17
2. The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Pergamum. “These are the words of the One with the sharp double-edged sword:

“I know your deeds and where you live. It is where Satan, the adversary, has established his throne. You have stayed true to My name, and you did not deny your trust in Me even in the eventful days of My faithful witness, Antipas. He was killed among you in that place where Satan dwells.

“However, I have a few matters against you: some who live among you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to set up a stumbling block before the people of Israel. As a result, some among you are eating food prepared for idol worship and committing immoral sexual acts. You have others who are holding firm to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore, change your ways and turn to Me. If you do not, I will quickly come to where you live and will battle them with the sword of My mouth.

“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches. To the one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death, I will feed you with hidden manna and give you a white stone. Upon this stone, a new name is engraved. No one knows this name except for its recipient.”

Devotional
1. Where can you go today and not be bombarded by sexual innuendos?
  1. Not very many places
  2. Advertising
  3. Television shows
  4. Books
  5. Movies
  6. Everywhere
  7. Sex sells, goes after our most base desires for intimate relationships
2. Problem in Pergamum as Nicolaitans infiltrated the church
  1. False teachers who believed promiscuity was okay
  2. Temple prostitutes were okay
  3. Sexual rituals used in worship
  4. Violated the Jewish laws and the teachings of the Apostles handed down from Jesus
3. Some remained true to Jesus’ teaching; some fell away and led other astray
  1. Consequences if we do not follow His ways
  2. He’ll return with a sword
  3. When we follow His ways, He promises hidden manna and a new name
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.”

Real riches (Revelation 2:8-11), May 13, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
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.
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.”

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
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.”

Have you lost your first love? (Revelation 2:1-7), May 12, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
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.
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.”

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
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.”