June 2017 Theme: Covenant Season of Kingdom Purity
Inspirational Monthly Devotional
Thyatira means a Sweet Savour of Labour. The city was relatively poor when compared to the first three cities of Ephesus, Smyrna and Pergamos which were more of Port Cities. Jesus' letter to Thyatira was the longest of the letters revealed to the seven churches through John. They were mostly known for developing the colour purple. Historical accounts point to Lydia who was baptised by Paul in Phillipi as the one who probably brought the gospel to the city after her own conversion. In the letter, Jesus describes Himself as the 'Son of God whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze' to them. This is an authoritative expresion of the given Son. He said to them that although they showed all the virtues of a correct and thriving church such as love, service, faith, patience and greater works; they had become corrupted by allowing and accepting the message of Jezebel (the spirit of immorality and idolatory) to become a way of life among them. They had become partakers of the Deep things of Satan - a more intense engagement than that of the synagogue of Satan (Smyrna), the throne of Satan (Pergamos) and had thus become corrupted. Jesus warned that He would kill those who refused to repent with death if they did not repent. However, a worthy commendation remained for the saints who stood firm and refused the corruption. His promise was to reward them with the Kingdom, His Authority and the Morning Star (His ultimate Glory). As the endtime church, we are told again to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Corruption must be resisted persistently. The grace of God is not a license to carelessly indulge in sin, but rather the source of the power to resist sin and the corruption of sin through fervency of Kingdom service and the persistent resistance of false doctrines. We are saved by grace and called to faithful obedience to our Saviour. This is the only basis by which we will be rewarded with the Morning Star. May the Lord continue to help us to stand firm in Jesus name. Amen. Meditation: Rev. 2:18-29; I Cor. 15:33-58; II Pet. 1:2-4; II Cor. 11:3-4; Titus 1: 15-16; 2:11-14
Week 1 Overcoming the Spirit of Corruption (Download audio message here)
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Week 2 Resisting Spiritual Deadness (Download audio message here)
Jesus wrote to seven churches in the book of Revelation. So far, we've looked at the Churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus and Thyatirra. The fifth letter was written to the Church in Sardis. The very first thing the Lord identified with this church is hypocrisy. They mastered the very art of hypocrisy, just like a certain man called Simon in the book of Acts. The second thing that became obvious was hope for restoration if they would commit to faith that was once delivered unto them. If they would hold firmly that which is good. There's of certainty a contest against the faith that was once delivered unto the saints and the scriptures flagged this oncoming onslaught against the faith of believers and strongly exhort believers to contend for retainership of the sound doctrine of the gospel. The Holy Spirit through the Apostles delivered this contending faith to the dying world. Jesus also had flagged it when the devil roared against Peter's faith in contest and He advised on the potent strategy to contend. These He described as prayers and self commitment for consistent fellowship with God. We are to watch out and earnestly fight and contend for the faith that was once delivered unspotted to the believers - enabling us to be in perpetual command of all redemptive mandate. May the Lord help us to keep our faith intact as we await His glorious return in Jesus' name, amen. Meditation: Rev 3:1-6; Acts 8:9-24; 1 Tim 4:2; Titus 1:9, 1 Thess 5:21-23; 1 Tim 4:1-3; Luke 22:31-32
The Philadelphian church is the recipient of the sixth of the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor at the time John was banished to the Isle of Patmos. Philadelphia (meaning brotherly love) was one of the cities in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) on the Imperial Post Road which was also an important trade route. The letter (like all others) was written by Jesus Christ Himself through John and was delivered by the Angel/ Messenger/ Pastor of the church. Jesus identifies Himself in His holiness, His sovereignty, and His authority. The church (like Smyrna) was also without condemnation. The church of Philadelphia was of little strength in some respects according to Jesus, yet they had remained faithful in the face of trial. This means that their little strength was more to do with spread and influence rather than spiritual power. Hence as a result of this, the Lord promises them an “open door” of the gospel and associated blessings. He also advised them to hold fast so that they do not lose their crowns and so that the can be spared from the impending tribulation amongst other things. Faithfulness entails being accountable to God and the kingdom work with all of our God-given abilities, talents and resources. To be faithful means to be: trustworthy, reliable, loyal, consistent and steadfast. Indeed, faithfulness has to be enduring as the devil is never interested in anyone running the race faithfully to the end. May the Lord contine to help us to be Faithful in Jesus name, Amen. Meditation: Rev. 3:7-13; Matt. 25:21-23; I Cor. 16:9; I Thess. 4:13-18
Week 3 Embracing Kingdom Faithfulness (Download audio message here)
Week 4 Overcoming Kingdom Lukewarmness (Download audio message here)
The seventh and final letter to the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea. Laodicea was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley. It was famous for her technological and medical prowess. Of significant note is the design and construction of a water suppy system and the use of the eye salve to improve ailing vision. These and several other scientific feats made the people and the church in Laodicea very pompous in the region at that time. The church was basically using her wealth and influence to continue to function without Christ and thus in the letter Jesus wrote to them, He introduced Himself as the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God to highlight the need for them to realise that only He can give a church the true power it ought to have. Before then, the Laodiceans had carried on as the only church that was functioning without a trace of His presence. His plea to them was therefore to repent so that they would not be destroyed by their rebellion. Just like it was with this church, Jesus still rejects lukewarmness - a state of being neither here nor there. Looking from outside to such a church, the world will think she's hers fully and other churches will also claim her (due to her form of godliness - albeit in full denial of the power). Jesus out His mercy continues to lovingly and patiently wait for the uptake of His invitation for Lordship and fellowship. Anyone who responds in repentance to His pleas for the regenerative new birth and commitment to holiness will be rewarded with eternal life and the authority reserved for all overcomers. May the grace of God over our lives not be in vain in Jesus' name. Amen. Meditation: Revelation 3:14-22; II Corinthians 1:17-20; II Timothy 3:1-5; Mark 4:19; Joshua 24:15.
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