To Smyrna: True Victory in Affliction
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, Your world can be a brutal place for good people. I never promised My disciples that life would be easy and without problems. People persecuted Me and opposed Me, and they are going to do the same with My followers (John 15:18; Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:9). Some would do it even thinking that they were honoring God. I didn’t promise you an easy life free of difficulties as My disciple. I did promise My early disciples and you something even greater: I promised that I would share My victory with them and with you when I said: “I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; I have triumphed over this corrupt world order.” (John 16:33) When tough times come, remember Paul’s words written to My disciples in Rome: Now I’m sure of this: the sufferings we endure now are not even worth comparing to the glory that is coming and will be revealed in us. … If God is on our side, then tell me: whom should we fear? If He did not spare His own Son, but handed Him over on our account, then don’t you think that He will graciously give us all things with Him? Can anyone be so bold as to level a charge against God’s chosen? Especially since God’s “not guilty” verdict is already declared. Who has the authority to condemn? Jesus the Anointed Who died, but more importantly, conquered death when He was raised to sit at the right hand of God where He pleads on our behalf. So who can separate us? What can come between us and the love of God’s Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or even death? The answer is, absolutely nothing. As the psalm says, On Your behalf, our lives are endangered constantly; we are like sheep awaiting slaughter. But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him Who loved us. For I have every confidence that nothing — not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, height, depth, nor any created thing — can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:18; Romans 8:31-39). I remind you of these great promises because My letter to the church at Smyrna is a painful letter to read. While I knew that the trials and persecution that they were facing were hard, I had to tell them the worst was yet to come. My letter wasn’t an easy message for Me to share with these precious disciples. Unfortunately, in an evil world there are times when My people will face unspeakably hard times before My deliverance changes their situation. Hard times are what My disciples faced in Smyrna. The beautiful city of Smyrna was beloved by the Roman emperors. Of course, the people there catered to the whims of Rome and the emperor. This vital city also was home to a large Jewish population that was popular in Smyrna because of Jewish support to beautify the city. My disciples in Smyrna were caught in the vise grip of the emperor cult and some in the Jewish community who hated them. My disciples were persecuted and even martyred in Smyrna. This church faced very hard times. That’s why I want you to notice some things about My letter to the church in Smyrna. The Holy Spirit will help you know how to apply My words to your world and your situation as you understand these important principles: First, I had no words of criticism or correction to My precious ones in this city. Their courage to hold onto faith under such pressure and opposition needed to be praised. They weren’t a perfect church, but they were faithful to me under great trial. Second, notice that I intimately knew this church and its circumstances. I knew what they were facing: “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.’” I knew their situation because I had been in similar situations myself. I had faced harsh criticism, rejection, persecution, and death. I was present with them as their Lord and Savior even during their suffering, trials, hardships, poverty, persecution, and martyrdom. Third, notice that I reminded them of Who I AM and what it means for them. I AM “the First and the Last, the One Who was dead and returned to life”! I have defeated death and brought immortality to light through My victory over sin, death, and hell (2 Timothy 1:10). They do not face their persecution or martyrdom alone (Hebrews 13:5). I gladly claim them as My brothers and sisters. I will never abandon them in any of their sufferings regardless of how circumstances may appear (Hebrews 2:14-18). I AM their pioneer (Hebrews 2:10-11; Hebrews 12:1-2), having blazed a trail through suffering and death to ensure their faithfulness leads them to ultimate victory (Hebrews 2:10-13; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). To you, beloved, I remind you of the strong exhortation I gave to them: be “one who conquers through faithfulness”! Be faithful whether your trials focus on temptations from the flesh, the allure of all that is false in your world, problems caused by the physical frailty of your mortal body, or harsh persecutions at the hands of those who hate you because of Me. Be faithful and the victory is yours! Verses to Live I so dearly loved the people of this church in Smyrna because of their commitment to be faithful. I AM proud of their faithfulness in the face of trials. So as you read My letter to them, remember, they were faithful through hardship. Will you be faithful through your trials? The One [Jesus]: Write down
Today’s Verse – Joshua 11:15
As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. —Joshua 11:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Joshua is one of my favorite Bible heroes. He was a great servant to Moses. He refused to be swayed by his peers or by the crowd when he spied out the Promised Land. He followed in the footsteps of a great leader and was a great leader himself — that’s not an easy task! Joshua was vigorous and vital even in his old age. Most of all, Joshua was obedient to God and did everything that God had commanded him to do, as well as what God had commanded Moses that he should do. In other words, Joshua was faithful! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O LORD God, my Abba Father, when I am gone, and people tell the story of my life, may I be viewed as one who was faithful to all that you have asked of me. I want to serve you with an undivided heart and a life that brings you glory and praise, the glory and praise you deserve for your generous grace. And I want this legacy of faithfulness to be as true in my latter years as I wanted it to be true in my younger years! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
To Ephesus: Return to Your First Love!
Note from Jesus Dear Precious Disciple, The world can be a bewildering place for you as you seek to live for Me in a culture controlled by the evil one. This environment was especially true for My disciples in Ephesus near the end of the first century. Their city was a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, and power. At the throbbing heart of Ephesus was an evil and idolatrous practice that threatened great harm to My beloved disciples. This dangerous practice began as brazen courting of the Roman Emperor’s favor. Over time, this courting grew into a cult that worshiped the Roman emperor. Emperor Domitian insisted that he be addressed as “lord and god!” This phrase was essentially the same title Thomas had used to confess Me after My resurrection! (John 20:28) My disciples could not honor Domitian, or any other person or image, with these words. When they went to the theater, bought meat in the market, tried to be part of a trade guild, or wanted to participate in political discourse, they could be asked to offer incense and make this confession about Domitian. They refused. They remained steadfast and faithful to Me. Domitian’s ego-stroking temple with his towering idolatrous image cast a foreboding shadow over this great city already awash in immorality, demonic magical arts, cult prostitution, greed, and slave trade. In Ephesus, along with the additional six towns I will address in other messages in the first part of Revelation, ostracism and persecution because of My disciples’ faith in Me were growing and becoming dangerous. My precious disciples in Ephesus had been blessed by the strong leadership over the years from the apostle Paul, Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila, and the apostle John. They had been warned about idolatry, immorality, and false teachers. They had persevered in good “deeds” and in “tireless labor.” They had opposed false teachers and false emissaries who were not “true witnesses.” They had endured hard times “patiently” while “holding firm on behalf of My name.” They opposed false teachers known as the Nicolaitans, whose deeds they despised. In so many ways, these Ephesian believers appeared to be exemplary disciples. However, they had lost the precious and vital central response to their faith. This loss was so great that I warned them that I would remove them from My presence if they did not correct their ways. No matter how many good deeds the Ephesian church did, no matter how many false teachers they rejected, no matter how much they faithfully endured, and no matter how tirelessly they labored, they were close to being removed as one of My churches. They had “abandoned” their “first love”! They had lost their deep and passionate love for Me, for each other, and for the lost around them. Without this love, their practices were mere religious exercises. Without this love, their zeal for the truth became little more than a self-righteous hatred of the practices around them and a self-righteousness about their differences from the people around them. My apostle, John, had tried in his letters to turn them from this loss of love (1 John 4:7-12; 2 John 1:4-6). Unfortunately, they didn’t heed his warnings. They had to hear from Me the futility of their efforts and endurance without love. You see, dear disciple, My goal for you is a return to the paradise the Father made for you. He wants you in a loving fellowship with Him, and He wants to remove any break between you and your fellow believers. He wants you in His life of love. I encourage you to be faithful. I urge you to resist idolatry. I want you to recognize and not follow false prophets. My will is for you to abstain from sexual immorality. I urge you to persevere in good deeds. However, don’t forget to do all of these in love. Love for me, love for each other, and love for the lost people in your world must be your motivation. As Paul said to the Ephesians many years earlier: [B]y truth spoken in love, we are to grow in every way into Him [Me, Jesus] — the Anointed One, the head. He joins and holds together the whole body with its ligaments providing the support needed so each part works to its proper design to form a healthy, growing, and mature body that builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16) Verses to Live My precious disciple, I love you. I love My churches. I love my precious followers as you all struggle in the world often opposed to you and your values. So please hear this message to My Ephesian followers. The warning I gave them was not an idle warning. No matter how many good works you do, no matter how careful you are to teach the truth, and no matter what you endure, don’t lose your “first love”! Without love, all your actions eventually fall short of bringing My character and compassion to your world that so desperately needs both. “Everyone will know you as My followers if you demonstrate your love to others.” (John 13:35) The One [Jesus]: 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
Today’s Verse – 2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. —2 Corinthians 11:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While we wait for God’s great victory for us to be fully realized, we also need to know that we are in a very intense battle. Our most brutal struggles are not with flesh and blood people, but spiritual powers and wickedness in spiritual places (Ephesians 6:10-12). These evil powers often use “false apostles, deceitful workers” and people “masquerading” as Jesus’ servants (2 Corinthians 11:13). God will win this battle with all who are false through Jesus Christ when he returns. The outcome is certain. Jesus won that battle on the cross (Colossians 2:15), and he will return and reign until every one of his enemies is defeated (1 Corinthians 15:24-25). Christ has already won, however, let’s not be fooled; the evil one will do everything possible to deceive all people, use false teachers, and confuse the lost. Let’s stick with God’s plan — living his truth, listening for his voice in Scripture, and following the lead of his Spirit (1 John 2:20-27). My Prayer… Holy LORD, please give me the ability to discern truth and resist the deception of Satan and those he uses to teach us false things and lead us astray. Please empower me with your Spirit and give me your wisdom to discern what is true, right, and holy as I seek to live victoriously for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
My Messages for My Churches
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, The apostle Paul talked about My church as My body, with Me as its head (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). His point was that the church is an organism, a living body getting its life-giving direction and coordination from Me. As John recorded in his gospel, I used the image of sheep and a shepherd (John 10:11-16) to make the same point. I AM alive forever and live to bless, lead, protect, empower, and direct the work of My people. What happens to My church, My people, happens to Me. In today’s verses, you will read about seven churches in Asia Minor and about a unique message I sent to each church. Even though these churches were located near to each other, each had its own situation with specific circumstances, problems, and opportunities. Over the years, My disciples have debated about the meaning of the seven churches. Most Bible students know the number seven represents perfection or completeness. So yes, these seven churches stand for My entire church and her needs. Some have talked about seven different eras and that each of these seven churches represents a different era in church history. Others point to the seven churches as the seven types of churches that are always in existence in the world at any given time. I want you to realize that these were seven actual congregations that existed at the end of the first century in Asia Minor, each facing very challenging circumstances. My words were first and foremost a message these churches needed to hear for their circumstances in their time. My messages to them were urgent and important. My chosen means of revealing these messages to them through the vision John saw of Me emphasizes that urgency. The commands to these churches were emphatic and pressing. They needed to respond to My messages, or they would cease to be My churches. Now you need to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand how you and your congregation should apply these messages. In The Apocalypse that you call the book of Revelation, I gave John a series of different sights, words, and sounds revealing Who I AM and what I do for My church. While I will identify Myself with a different image to each of these seven churches, the key image that stands over all seven churches and all seven letters is this one: When I [John] turned around to see what sort of voice this was that was addressing me, I saw seven golden lampstands. And among the lampstands, I saw One like the Son of Man… (Revelation 1:12-13) I revealed what I meant by seven lampstands with these words: …the seven lampstands are the seven churches themselves. (Revelation 1:20) I AM alive and move among My churches. I know what My churches do. I know how they are doing with their mission. I know who they are. I know what they need. I know if they are faithful, disloyal, persecuted, bordering on heresy, lukewarm, weak, arrogant, or passionate for Me and the work I have for them to do. You can pick up a commentary or study the Bible and find out how each letter is connected to the life and location of each congregation. So rather than go over that with you, I want you to read these seven letters several times. Ask the Spirit to help you hear My message for you in My letters to these seven churches. Verses to Live As you read these seven letters, notice how they are alike. Notice how they are different. Notice how I know everything about each congregation and the circumstances that congregation faces. Notice how I emphasize a different characteristic of My identity to each church and how each characteristic is tied to the message I share with them. Then realize this: I know about you and your church — house church, missional community, congregation, or group of believers with whom you meet. I care about what you do and how you live. The decisions you make and how you live My will before your neighbors matter. So find one or two churches in the verses below that seem to have similar problems to your congregation and similar opportunities. Then ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply My words of warning, encouragement, and comfort to your situation — both as an individual disciple and also as a part of the congregation. Letter to Ephesus The One [Jesus the Anointed]: 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.” Letter to Smyrna The One [Jesus the Anointed]: Write down My
Today’s Verse – Hebrews 11:13
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. —Hebrews 11:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I’m not good at waiting for much of anything. I’m like the kids who have seen the ads for Christmas toys, are anxious for the big gift day, and begin to tell everyone what they want for Christmas. God does have the “Greatest Gift Day” ahead for us. On that wonderful day, all our waiting will be over, and our faith will become sight. But we grow tired of waiting. We can easily worry about what we don’t have or how we have been treated. The evil one wants to discourage us and smother out our faith. So, let’s follow the example of these great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:1-40. Let’s anticipate and welcome our “Greatest Gift Day” from afar, not letting our apparent circumstances dampen our spirits, weaken our faith, or stop our praise to God for our coming victory through Jesus Christ. My Prayer… Victorious King, Ruler of the Ages, I praise you for the resurrection ahead for me. Thank you in advance for the day I get to see you face-to-face and join the grand celebration of heaven. Thank you for the great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, who are examples of faith that endures despite negative circumstances and hard times. I will keep praising you and believing in your goodness until I see that “Greatest Gift Day”! As I wait, please use me to help others anticipate our great victory and overwhelming joy. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
My Patience is Your Salvation!
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. Your prayers are not ignored. My coming is assured. My salvation for you is closer to you now than ever before. My glory is nearer to you today than you can imagine. Yes, your world is a tough place for faith and for My faithful ones. However, remember what I said in My Revelation to John: Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:10-11 NIV) Hang in with Me in faith. Hang on with Me in hope. Trust that the Holy Spirit I poured out on you at your baptism (Titus 3:3-7) will strengthen and sustain you (Ephesians 3:14-21). My delay in coming is not because of unconcern or forgetfulness, but My patience is for salvation (2 Peter 3:9-15). Verses to Live Don’t waver in your faith. I am coming. Your job is to be faithful, trusting in the Holy Spirit to fill you and empower you to godliness, faithfulness, and endurance. Yes, I know, the times are evil, and faithfulness can be hard. But, dear child of God, My coming is nearer to you now than when you first believed! And now consider this. You know well the times you are living in. It is time for you to wake up and see what is right before your eyes: for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The darkness of night is dissolving as dawn’s light draws near, so walk out on your old dark life and put on the armor of light. May we all act as good and respectable people, living today the same way as we will in the day of His coming. Do not fall into patterns of dark living: wild partying, drunkenness, sexual depravity, decadent gratification, quarreling, and jealousy. Instead, wrap yourselves in the Lord Jesus, God’s Anointed, and do not fuel your sinful imagination by indulging your self-seeking desire for the pleasures of the flesh. (Romans 13:11-14) So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise! Make the most of every living and breathing moment because these are evil times. So understand and be confident in God’s will, and don’t live thoughtlessly. Don’t drink wine excessively. The drunken path is a reckless path. It leads nowhere. Instead, let God fill you with the Holy Spirit. When you are filled with the Spirit, you are empowered to speak to each other in the soulful words of pious songs, hymns, and spiritual songs; to sing and make music with your hearts attuned to God; and to give thanks to God the Father every day through the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed for all He has done. And the Spirit makes it possible to submit humbly to one another out of respect for the Anointed. (Ephesians 5:15-21) So, my friends, while we wait for the day of the Lord, work hard to live in peace, without flaw or blemish; and look at the patience of the Lord as your salvation. (2 Peter 3:14-15) Response in Prayer O Father, I want to be found faithful when Jesus comes. I commit to endure and be faithful. I commit to serve Jesus and seek to save the lost as He did. I ask, however, that You strengthen me with your Spirit, galvanize my faith with Your word, and renew my hope each day with the anticipation of Jesus’ return. In His name, I hope, wait, and pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 11:12
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. —Proverbs 11:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Wise folks don’t have to prove their wisdom by disrespecting others and putting them down while belittling them. Instead, godly and wise people hold their tongues and let their lives speak what is good, honorable, righteous, loving, and genuine. Our world is full of cynical sarcasm. Our culture overly rewards people who are quick with belittling and unwholesome quips — those quick and razor-sharp “put-downs” so often in TV sit-coms and on social media. As people of God and followers of Jesus, we are called to redeem others through what we say and bring a blessing with our words (Ephesians 4:29). My Prayer… Holy Father, I ask for your wisdom, patience, and kindness so I can use my speech to bless others and praise you. Please, Father, pour the Holy Spirit into my heart in a fresh way when I am tempted to use my words to hurt, belittle, and insult others. I don’t want to do those things, so I ask for the Spirit’s help. In Jesus’ name, I ask for your help to be more gracious and loving as I speak with others. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
In Your Difficulties, What Is Needed Most?
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, When life crashes in… when the world is hostile and dangerous… when your faith is under attack… when your life is on the line, what is needed most? You need a clear vision of Me. You need to be reminded of Who I AM, what I have done, and Who I will be for you and with you in the future. That’s why I revealed Myself in a vision to John when he was confined to the island of Patmos because of his faithful service to me (Revelation 1:9). On a special Sunday, John did what he had done on the first day of the week ever since that first Sunday I appeared to him and other disciples after My resurrection (John 20:1-23). Only on this special Sunday, I gave him the “apocalypse”: “the revelation of Jesus the Anointed”! The book you call Revelation is an unveiling, a revealing of Me in My eternal glory. This was My message to John in vision form. It was shared with him to bless My people who were facing very difficult trials and persecutions. They needed to be assured their faith was not in vain. They needed to be assured that evil in its manifested forms, such as political propaganda, military might, and religious perversion, would be destroyed. However, what My people needed most was Me. They needed to know that I cared. They needed to know that I was still at work in history. They needed to know that the future was in My hands. They needed to know that I would act. They needed to know that I was there for them. So that is what I gave them through this revelation of Myself to John. As you read these verses, imagine John on the barren and harsh island of Patmos, separated from the churches and people he loved dearly. Imagine his concerns for these churches brought to Me in prayer on that Sunday morning. Now imagine his overwhelming encouragement to receive this vision, this reminder that I AM still connected to him and to those precious people undergoing persecution and that I AM always at work for their ultimate deliverance. Now try to imagine what he saw — this glorious vision of My glory. Join John and be amazed… reassured… and re-energized for your road ahead. Verses to Live Today’s verses record the beginning of John’s vision. The focus is on My glory. Open your imagination, rekindle your sense of wonder, and join John in the presence of My glory. Remember, even when you do not see Me, I AM… I AM still present… I AM still Lord… I AM still glorious. “I will never leave you or forsake you!” (Hebrews 13:5 NRSV) A Voice: [I am the Alpha and the Omega, the very beginning and the very end.] Make a book of what you see, write it down, and send it to the seven churches [which are in Asia]: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. When I [John] turned around to see what sort of voice this was that was addressing me, I saw seven golden lampstands. And among the lampstands, I saw One like the Son of Man right in front of me dressed in a long robe. Across His chest was draped a golden sash. His head and hair were pure white, white as wool and white as snow; His eyes blazed like a fiery flame; His feet gleamed like brightly polished bronze, purified to perfection in a furnace; His voice filled the air and sounded like a roaring waterfall. He held seven stars in His right hand, from His mouth darted a sharp double-edged sword, and His face shone a brilliant light, like the blinding sun. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet. It was as though I were dead. But He reached down and placed His right hand on me. The One: This is not the time for fear; I am the First and the Last, and I am the living One. I entered the realm of the dead; but see, I am alive now and for all the ages — even ages to come. Amen. I possess the keys to open the prison of death and hades. Now write down all you have seen — all that is and all that will be. Regarding the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the heavenly messengers who preside over the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches themselves. (Revelation 1:11-20) Response in Prayer Lord Jesus, thank You! Thank You for always being the I AM on Whom I can depend. You are glorious, both in Your identity and in Your sacrifice. You are the perfect One to connect heaven’s glory to our earthly struggles. I worship You. I adore You. I am in awe of You. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 11:11
In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. —1 Corinthians 11:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “We are all one in Christ Jesus!” Paul told the Galatians (Galatians 3:26-29). Satan, however, constantly tries to divide God’s people. One of his most effective means of division has been to divide men and women — whether in families or churches. Paul reminds us that if Jesus is our LORD, we recognize we need each other as men and women. We are committed to valuing each other. Rather than letting Satan divide us through our differences, we choose to unite around our Savior, who values both men and women, and used them in his ministry! My Prayer… Holy God, in whose image I am made, please give me the courage to value and esteem all others as you value me. I recognize that each person I meet is made in your image, too. So, please help me, dear Father. I do not want racial, social, or gender differences to interfere with the value I place on anyone you bring into my life. Give me the eyes, heart, and words of Jesus to bless and value others as my Savior did. In his name, Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.