Today’s Verse – Zechariah 11:17
[The LORD said] “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!” —Zechariah 11:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While we do not like to hear bad news and may not appreciate the pronouncement of judgment on others, there is a time when it is appropriate. Jesus was not only our sacrificial lamb, but he is also our Chief Shepherd serving on earth as God with us (Matthew 1:23) as the Shepherd David wrote about in Psalm 23:1-6. When the earthly shepherds of the LORD’s sheep do not lead lovingly and faithfully, the LORD will demand harsh justice. Zechariah’s message is a strong reminder to all who lead that they must do so righteously and tenderly. God wants those whom ungodly leaders have abused to know that their Father in heaven will punish those ungodly leaders appropriately. God will bring righteous justice upon those who have abused their stewardship of God’s sheep and dishonored their pastoral calling. We can rest assured that our Shepherd will wipe away our tears even if our earthly shepherds do not (Revelation 7:15). My Prayer… For the LORD, is… …my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 123:1-6 ESV). In Jesus’ name, we thank and praise you. 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 Pergamum: Don’t Compromise with the World
Note from Jesus Dear Servant of God, Tolerance and compromise can be a way to prevent conflict. Tolerance and compromise can be a politician’s tool to bridge differences between political rivals. Tolerance and compromise are often seen as rational solutions to allow multicultural differences to coexist in a diverse culture. Tolerance and compromise can become a way My people try to hold onto their faith in Me without offending those around them. While there is a time and there is a place for tolerance and compromise in general society, you must know that there is never a time or a place for them concerning your faith. My disciples in Pergamum faced a horrible choice: renounce me and embrace the idolatrous practices of their culture or face ostracism, prejudice, persecution, and possibly even martyrdom. What was the cost of their loyalty to Me? Antipas lost his life because he would not renounce his faith in Me. My followers in Pergamum knew the consequences of their faith. They lived in the provincial capital. They were surrounded by all sorts of idol worship. The massive altar of Zeus, in a temple precinct high on a neighboring hill, was filled with idols to the pantheon of Roman gods. In addition, the temple of Asclepios, the god of healing, was well known throughout Asia Minor and much of the rest of the Mediterranean world. As the seat of the Roman provincial government, the emperor cult was strong, and loyalty to Emperor Domitian was enforced at many public activities. My followers lived in a place where “Satan, the adversary, has established his throne.” The believers refused to renounce their faith in Me. I applaud them for their courage and steadfastness. They “stayed true to My name” and “did not deny” their “trust in Me”! Living as My disciples in Pergamum was extremely dangerous. How would they navigate life and faith when nearly all they did would normally be connected in some way with idolatry, false gods, and immorality? Unfortunately, some disciples found their solution by practicing tolerance and compromise. They succumbed to the sin of Balaam and Balak (Numbers 22:1-38). Some entered into sexual relations with cult prostitutes and celebrated idolatrous feasts, as had been done on occasion by the Israelites (Numbers 25:1-4). The Nicolaitans offered a creative solution. As “spiritual people,” they claimed to know that idols aren’t real gods. They decided that the food, the festivities, and the sexual immorality of idol worship really don’t pollute their spirits. So they claimed Me as their Savior, but they took part in the idolatrous feasts and the temple sex. In actuality, however, by taking part in those pagan and idolatrous practices they were corrupting themselves and tainting My Body, the church (1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 1 Corinthians 10:18-21). The Pergamum believers’ compromise with the world contaminated My truth and falsified their discipleship. If they refused to repent — to “change your ways and turn to Me” — then I had no choice. If they were going to fear the sword of Rome and trust the wisdom of their great works of philosophy urging moderation and compromise, then I would come and “battle them with the sword of My mouth”! I would “quickly come” and battle them with My “sharp double-edged sword” bringing truth and judgment (Revelation 1:16; Revelation 19:15). Such tolerance of immorality and compromise with it corrupted My grace (Galatians 1:6-10; Romans 6:1-17). Such tolerance and compromise resulted in “a mockery of the grace” that I paid such a high cost to give to you. The disciples’ perversion of grace focused on turning Our grace into “a pretext for a life of excess, lived without any thought of God” (Jude 1:4). Persecution and martyrdom can be awful consequences of your faith in Me. I do not want My people to suffer. However, tolerance of the world and compromise with the world have far worse consequences. I want you to hear clearly the message I shared with My followers in Pergamum. I want you to examine your life and the way so many claiming to be My followers have compromised with the world chasing false gods, participating in immoral parties, and readily accepting sexual immorality as a way of life. You cannot claim My name and share in these compromises to fit into your culture. I know it is hard to be faithful in such difficult circumstances, but I am calling you to this kind of faithfulness. Remember, however, that faithfulness to Me brings great blessing. You will be given an invitation (“white stone”) to the greatest party of all time, My messianic wedding banquet (Revelation 19:1-9). Your invitation will have the special name of one chosen to come to My great feast (“hidden manna”). You will share in My joy, healing, and victory with Me forever! Verses to Live Faithfulness is more than confessing My name; you must put your life where your mouth is without compromise (Matthew 7:21-23). When you do, beloved, your future and your eternal joy are safeguarded with Me and the Father in heaven (Colossians 3:1-4). The One [Jesus]: 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
Today’s Verse – Hebrews 11:16
Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. —Hebrews 11:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Hebrews 11:1-40 is full of reminders of the great heroes of faith from long ago. Many of them risked everything. Others even paid the ultimate price with their lives rather than betraying their faith. How did they live with such a strong faith in the face of such hostility and persecution? They were looking for a better place, a better home, a better country, a better city — a heavenly one. God prepared this better place for them. He is proud to be called their God and promised to welcome them to that better place and an enduring city to be their home with him. And this better place is also promised to us as people of faith today! Jesus promised us that he is preparing for our arrival at our heavenly home, and he will come back and take us to be where he is (John 14:1-4). If the LORD longs for us to join him in this glorious place, we can surely have a deep longing to be with him and live for him in this world. Let’s desire our heavenly country and look forward to meeting our Father in the place he has prepared for us! My Prayer… Dear Father, thank you for all you have done to save me. Thank you for not being ashamed of me. Thank you for preparing for my arrival at home with you. With so much to anticipate, may I live a victorious life because I am confident in your grace, have faith that I have been forgiven because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and am empowered to be holy by your Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I live and offer you this prayer. 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 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
Daily Prayer for November 16
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1, TEV Lord our God, we come to you in community of faith and trust, in expectation that you will act. May our hearts be strengthened in all the pain and in all the conflicts of our world. Reveal your will, Almighty God, and protect those you have appointed as our leaders and rulers. Let your will be made plain to them. O Lord God, help your people in these times and give them strength to wait expectantly for what is good, to live and serve in this expectation. Grant your help to all who strive for this. We can all tell of the help that comes from you, for you always support us with your power, also in hard times. Amen. Recent articles on Plough We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now
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
15 Nov 2024
May we not revenge when we are insulted or disrespected, for vengeance is the Lord’s. But may we engage godly wisdom to solve problems. May it help us navigate difficult times. Judges 12:1-7.
real HIStory
He wants me to be a reporter, telling and retelling the stories of God’s encounters with His people. MO is at Black Rifle Coffee, Beyond Black is in the cup, noise pretending to be music is on the playlist, and God is in the room provoking: Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me (Psalm 71:18 NLT). These words in Psalm 71 suggest that he wants me to be a reporter, telling and retelling the stories of God’s encounters with His people. At least, that’s the way I take it. Then the psalmist prays, to God: You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again (Psalm 71:20-21). Ummmmm. That old man and the one telling this story know when God is about to show up because he’s been there. He has gone through the fire and knows how God works in crisis to bring a blessing. That’s a story worth telling, so I go to the coffee shop each day and listen to the stories God is still telling through others. God is at work on that today. You see, my God is not buried in the pages of a book, is yours? If your God still shows up, it’s time to speak up — not in religious words or spiritualized “holy” talk, but in real stories of real moments, real stories of suffering and pain. So, tell what He’s doing in your life! Tell about the blessings, the kindnesses, the surprises, the interventions, the rescues, the healings, the miracles, and the unexplainable moments. Speak of your personal discoveries and insights and understandings — the revelations, transformations, liberations, nudges, pushes, and the whacks up the side of the head. Tell about second touches, the out-of-the-blue connections, and all those interruptions, invitations, and instigations. For a moment, forget the sufferings… the fire and crucibles. Take extra time to tell about His fingerprints in your world and beyond. His stories are always Good News. So, may your testimony — your story — be a witness for the next generation. Yes, Abba is still gathering reporters. And their reporting makes Him smile. As far as I know, this was Ron’s last complete post on Facebook. He passed from this life in the middle of a new post, his heart full of a new story, but his spirit going to be with Jesus. I hope you paid extra-close attention to this post and heard it as his triumphant testimony. Ron’s story is now absorbed into Jesus’ story, the real HIStory we all want to share! As the oldest child in my family, Ron became my big brother when he came to live with us after a horrible wreck in college. (From an old photo of Al and Margaret Ware, with Ron Rose, and Phil, Byron, and Gordon Wareas stair steps from about 1966.) I will miss him. However every cup of coffee, which I drink strong and black, will remind me of his smile, his laugh, and his life. MO is with Jesus, and they share outlandish stories of grace. I will join him with Jesus one day because Ron chose to be a witness to the next generation! Will we? — Phil Ware About the author: Ron Rose has been a unique minister and friend, but he is also a noted author and leader of several ministries. Ron now makes himself available as a listener and friend as he spends time with people on the go and in coffee shops and shares grace and a listening ear connecting them with God who is always in the room!
Daily Prayer for November 15
The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. Psalm 67:6–7, NIV Lord our God, bless us, that the world may be blest. Help us, that the whole world may be helped. Grant us your mercy in Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the whole world. May it soon be revealed that your kingdom stands and will bring our age to an end, a good and blessed end. Grant your blessing on every aspect of our lives, on all the concerns and requests we have on our hearts, and help us to praise and thank you every day. Let your will become known everywhere in spite of the horror and blasphemy, so that even the dying may glorify you and all who have to suffer may praise and thank you because they see your face and recognize your light. We want to entrust everything to you, Lord God. We await you. We rejoice and thank you, for we know your will shall be done. We know and believe that your name shall be glorified. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now No Man Is an Island David K. Anderson After four hundred years, John Donne’s Devotions still contain truths we need to hear. Read now