Above All Else

"Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: 'The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: I know your works, your labour, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary. But I have this against you: you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from it's place- unless you repent. Yet you do have this: you hate the practices of the Nicolatians, which I also hate. Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God's paradise. Revelation 2:1-11

Imagine endeavouring to build a church in a pagan city where idolatry is prevalent, also having to contend with heresy and most importantly stay soft to a relationship with The Lord. When we are in fight mode the ability to stay soft becomes more difficult and diligently requires us to spend more time with The Lord. Because I am plowing the field, so to speak, I know the problems they faced, but also I know the dilemma of maintaining a soft heart.

Jesus spent a lot of time in the Father's presence, He knew He needed it, we need to do likewise. Spending time to worship and wait, worship and wait and releasing the Holy Spirit to be God on our behalf and not think the battle is ours. Our battle is to trust and obey and to spend time with Him, His job is to produce the victory, the miracles, the might and power.

Today I spent time, I was up at 4am, spending time. I had an appointment with a couple who did not know me today. It turns out they are Christians and they know people I know. How good is God? Also I can see The Lord at work as He brings all things together for the end of the financial quarter.

The stark reality is these 'strong Christians' had forgotten that the first commandment is to love The Lord their God with their whole heart. They were running the risk of having The Lord closing down the church. This was serious!

This is the New Testament and God was being very serious. Remember we need to put Him above all else! Amen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more