People on Xanga are incredible! You have no idea how much your kindness, prayers, and words of comfort and advice mean to me. No matter how bad things seem to get, I know for sure that I have some wonderful friends and support here on Xanga.

The verse that keeps coming to mind right now is Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Those who know of my past know that at the age of 8 I gave up on God, wanting nothing to do with Him. I turned my back, and fully embraced many alternative religions, always searching and not finding the fulfillment I was seeking. I was hurting badly and blamed all that went wrong on God. I felt abandoned and hurt. I used to fume at God. At one time the kindest comments about God’s love and concern would have been met with anger and rage.

I have changed much since those days, and once I even apologized to God after I got saved for all the angry words I spat out at Him. He told me, “That’s alright, at least you were talking to me.” It is true, I was talking at Him, albeit spitting out vitriolic words, but at least I was acknowledging His existence by spouting off at Him. He did not mind that, for it opened up the doors of communication.

My relationship then moved toward an armed truce. If you had asked me to describe my relationship to God I would have told you I don’t want to attract His attention, for fear that He would backhand me, realize I was in His kingdom, and kick me out, or He would hurt me somehow. I was afraid to ask Him for anything, afraid to be noticed. That is very reminiscent of how I dealt with my alcoholic parents, if I got noticed, I got hit and hurt, so better to not attract attention. As a child I used to break out in a cold sweat just dropping a toy in my room for fear it would bring on their ire.

I used to imagine God someplace in a room three or four football fields long, me at the door for quick escape, Him at the opposite side of the room, and I wouldn’t dare look at Him in the eye. But I felt like a cornered animal. I think I would have died if He had reached out towards me, and I was afraid to approach Him at all.

Over the years (four to be exact since I got saved) the size of the room has shrunk. We can now sit closer, but I still have a hard time looking Him in the eye (so to speak). Once I did in a vision and found an incredible love, but love still scares me.

You see, that kind of unconditional love, the abba love, I don’t know how to deal with. I can handle conditional love, I can handle reserved love, I can handle orders and rules, but the kind of love that loves you no matter what is beyond me. I never experienced it as a kid. Sometimes I feel sort of crippled in that way.

But right now, I stay in the Word of the Lord, pray often, praise often, sing worship songs (only in car when no one can hear me but God), and constantly dialogue with God. I have been known to stop what I am doing and say a prayer if things are tough, or a memory emerges that needs me to take an act of forgiveness. I fail often too. And yet, I fail still at times in my walk of faith.

Too many times I run out of the house with maybe the helmet of salvation, but naked from the other parts of the whole armor of God. Too many times I quickly dress in some parts of the armor and leave parts off. I fail, I don’t ask God first, but I am learning.

For me, right now I am doing something I have never done with God, standing. Yes, just standing. I am standing on the minuscule tiny partial grain of faith that I have, not running, not turning away, but standing. It is scary, but right now I am tired of being buffeted, and I want to sort this out.

A good friend of mine suggested that sometimes this return to the past is healing, for each time I go there it is a different emphasis, and it is like the lancing of a boil, letting out the poison so that it no longer can infect the rest of me. I am hoping that this is true.

While I have to go to God first, it is so good to have the company of the friends and people that are so supportive of this journey. One thing I can be certain of is that my life today, is far better than it ever was when I was trying to do things in my own understanding, on my own, and without God. There is no comparison.

I once asked Pastor Don why my healing seems to take so long and he pointed out to me that that would give me patience with others who are hurting and slowly healing. That it is building a strong foundation, one not easily shaken. And he also told me that God would use this journey to help others. Also, the hurt was deep and I guess deep wounds take time to heal.

I just find it so hard to separate God the Father and my physical abusive father at times. Oh I know God is love, but sometimes I still find myself approaching God with the same fear and trepidation that I approached my earthly father. It is getting better, but slowly.

Many of you suggested Psalms and pointed out how David was transformed from the start of a Psalm to the end. I wanted to ask your opinion. Do you think the Psalm was a moment in time, or that David wrote it later, and that maybe the transformation from the fear or anger to the praise of God developed over time? For me, it seems to be developing over time.

Praying you have a blessed night. You are all in my prayers, and have no idea how incredible you are, and how grateful I am that I got a chance to meet you.

Heather

 

I want to thank you for your heartfelt responses to my questions about God. I am still answering the posts, but wanted you to know that while still depressed, it is comforting to know that there is so much love out in Xangaland. Your thoughts and ideas are helping. If I haven’t gotten back to you yet, I will later today.

I also want to share an incredible book that I just read by Thom S. Rainer called The Unexpected Journey. The author went around interviewing people who converted to Christianity from many different faiths. It is profound to see how God moves in people’s lives. He portrays their history, the belief system that they were under, what brought them to Christ, and how Christians can reach out in love to touch the lives of people in those faiths.

Not surprising, the key ingredient is a person’s unconditional love for others. Seems that love will go where no amount of preaching can reach. I can attest to that one myself. I could relate to so many of the lives portrayed in this book, and it has given me great comfort to see Christ moving.

After I touch base with those who commented on my last post, I will share some more of how God is dealing with me in the midst of this hurt. But your prayers and love really matter, it is something to hold onto in this season of hurt for me.

Lots of love to you all,

Heather

This is one of those days when I am again sorting out God issues. Please don’t get me wrong, I love God very much and am so grateful for His remarkable gift of salvation. But…

My big question has resurfaced. Perhaps someone has an answer to that question.

Where was God when I was a child being abused? (see testimony on 10/7/05).

My question centers on this. God has been shown to stop time, raise the dead, kill thousands of the enemy in one fell swoop, part the Red Sea, knock down the walls of Jericho, make the sun stand still, add 15 years to a person’s life, etc.

Soooooo why did He not intervene in my life? Did I not matter to Him?

God seemed to care more about the free will of my abuser. He certainly didn’t come up to me and say, “Heather, your father is set out to abuse someone, so do you mind if he abuses you?”

I was reading some stuff on the Father’s love for His children. Since I am supposedly a child of God, did He not care about me? Did He not care about me because my parents didn’t take me to church when I was a child, so since I didn’t know much about Him, He chose to ignore my fervent prayers? Is it possible that I just didn’t matter back then?

Was I just a pawn in some sort of game, an expendable pawn in the chess game of life?

Now, that I am saved I am supposed to totally trust God, and yet, there are still reservations. I don’t know if I can ever get to that point of perfect trust without some answers that somehow make sense in this.

I know that most will say that God is sovereign. He can do what He wants to do. And I know that the gift of salvation is paramount, but there is a part of me that is crying out to understand God’s lack of action in my past.

When I was a kid when an adult said that they loved me it meant that they wanted something from me and it was going to hurt.

In a way, I feel that if God loved me as a child it was the same sort of love, He wanted something from me (my trust and faith), and it was going to hurt (because there seemed no sense of Him.)

This is not one of my stellar days of faith, and I am sorry for the hurt of these questions, most times I can keep them under wraps and pretend things are ok. Today is not one of those days. Sorry for the glumness.

The above being said, I am still sticking with God, for I know my life today is better because of God. I will still pray, still study, still share teachings, but I am hurting right now, and feeling that somehow that void has to be filled. This not knowing is really hurting.

Heather

Had to go to the library today to pick up some research books for my son’s paper. Browsing my favorite sections, cooking, handicrafts, and Christian, I came across a gem of a book.

Margaret Moore Jacobs Roses Every Day

It seems to be a book of jottings that she wrote. An avid gardener, many of her comments are related to plants. It is a small, inspirational book divided by seasons in the garden.

Here are a few that caught my eye,

“Precious Bible verses learned by heart in his youth are later in life like hidden springs to a child of God. They are there to refresh his mind and heart, body and soul, when he wearies himself with too much of the everydayness of his world.”

“The sound of the summer breeze, the birds’ sweet song, our own hearts’ song; the sound of raindrops, of footsteps of friends; the soft silent touch of the leaves; the fragrant smell—these are all gifts received from the hand of God.”

“The true Christian way of life is of such a wonderful quality and has such a glorious spirit that it will “sell itself” to the human race. Christians won’t have to advertise it because all others can see it for themselves.”

“Love” is the first word in the language of the heart a child of God learns to speak. It is the one word that will open the very doors of heaven for divine love to come in. And when God’s love fills our hearts, we partake of the heavenly happiness that awaits us there.”

“Prayer is the best way to keep those whom we love close to us at all times. We are never far away from each other when we are praying for one another, and wen we pray for each other we are closest to the heart of God.”

 

Hope you enjoyed these. The book was written in 1959.

Well after taking my kids skiing this morning on our ski pass, now they all and a few friends are going skating as a fundraiser for the marching band. Guess they will all sleep well tonight.

Hope you have a blessed night and a good day tomorrow.

Heather

This made me laugh today when I needed a laugh. Hope you enjoy it.

today’sFUNNY===========================

MODERN-TIME MAXIMS FOR THE INTERNET AGE

~ Home is where you hang your @.
~ The e-mail of the species is more deadly than the mail.
~ A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click.
~ You can’t teach a new mouse old clicks.
~ Great groups from little icons grow.
~ Speak softly and carry a cell phone.
~ C: is the root of all directories.
~ Don’t put all your hypes in one homepage.
~ Pentium wise; pen and paper foolish.
~ The modem is the message.
~ Too many clicks spoil the site.
~ The geek shall inherit the earth.
~ A chat has nine lives.
~ Don’t byte off more than you can view.
~ Fax is stranger than fiction.
~ What boots up must come down.
~ Virtual reality is its own reward.
~ Modulation in all things.
~ A user and his leisure time are soon parted.
~ There’s no place like http://www.home.com.
~ Know what to expect before you connect.
~ Oh, what a tangled Web we weave when first we practice.
~ Speed thrills.
~ Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to use the Net and he won’t bother you for weeks.

=======================================

PASS IT ON!
Yeah, you can send this Funny to anybody you want. And, if you’re REAL nice, you’ll tell them where you got it! www.mikeysFunnies.com

Thanks for your advice and tempering my zeal a bit regarding dating! It is nice to check things out before acting in certain circumstances. Sometimes a bit of hesitation is far better than doing or instituting something I might later regret.

Well, as promised, here is the last church, and one that I pray fervently never becomes part of my attitude toward Christ.

The Lukewarm Church

Laodicea

Lao – means people like laity and dicea talks about decision, or rule.

This is a church run by the people. In fact when Jesus addresses the church instead of saying the church in Sardis… or any of the other towns, he addresses this church as “the church OF THE Laodiceans. Seems that even Jesus did not feel that it was His church, but a church run according to the rules of the Laodiceans, popular vote. Today some of the decisions made in the church are made more from political correctness, than the Word of God. I think that some churches are acting more like this church at Laodicea.

I think that in my life, often Jesus and I wrestle for control, but Jesus wins. In this church it seems that what the town wanted they got, and that did not always agree with what Jesus wanted.

This was a very rich town, wealthy, and the center of banking. They made a lot of money with an eye salve that was very popular with people with eye problems. Being part of an aqueduct system, they received water from the hot springs , but by the time the water made it to Laodicea the water was lukewarm. They had an coliseum that could seat 30,000 people and had circuses nonstop for the pleasure of the citizens. Much of what they did was done through political trickery for they could not defend themselves militarily.

Jesus identifies himself as the Amen and the Faithful and True Witness (in Greek -marteo from which we get the word martyr), and the Beginning (in Greek arche which means originator).

This is one of the churches that Jesus had no good commendations for. I so pray that when Jesus looks at my life that he sees good, and not lukewarm. Imagine Jesus wanting to vomit them out of His mouth. It seems that Jesus can work with hot and with people who are cold, but to have a mixture or lukewarm He cannot work with.

When I came to Christ, I had reached the bottom and had realized that I really NEEDED Christ. Before that I felt that I could do without Him and the things He stood for. Some people in the church feel that they have it all together, and that is a dangerous place to be. For they have enough knowledge to put on an outward show, but inwardly they are dying for lack of Heat and Life and Light that comes from the Word. In verse 17 it says “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

My heart goes out to those people because I know what they are talking about. In my pagan days (testimony on 10/7/05) I felt that I was in control of my existence. I depended on myself, felt that no one could help, needed no God, I was god, I was so wrong. Everyone has areas of need, and needs God. We cannot do it on our own. If God chose he could take His hand of protection off of us, and we cannot monitor even our body processes without God. Who among us can control our breathing 24 hours a day, not to mention our circulation, our digestion, etc. Then you add onto that the continued existence of our planet, and the interconnectedness of all. Reminds me of God’s answer to Job. We can do NOTHING without God and we kid ourselves if we feel that we do not need anything.

Then there are those churches out there, the ones that scared me before I got saved, who think that because they have some truth, that they are invulnerable. No way, we need daily infilling of God and His Spirit if we are to continue to grow in Christ. Christ is not interested in status quo, He wants us to grow more like Him each day. If we cease to move, cease to study, cease to grow, cease to try and become more like Him, we become lukewarm.

Imagine an old-fashioned steam locomotive going down the track. The engineer stops putting coal into the engine. For awhile the train will continue down the track based on momentum achieved from the coal, but once the coal burns down, at some point gravity (sin and pride, etc) will start gradually slowing down the train until the engine is lukewarm, no longer producing steam. At first the people on the train would not detect the lack of steam, but after awhile, when the train gradually slows more and more and then the engine ultimately stops on the tracks the people will realize that something is drastically wrong. Some churches of today are running on the steam of the past, and the momentum is going, but they are not adding fuel to their spiritual fires. I guess that is why today people are praying so much for revival and repentence.

Jesus does not want that from us, He loves us too much to see us stopped like that. I am certain his anger against lukewarmness is because in His love He knows the end result of that will not be in our best interests.

Jesus offers them a way out that is so particular to their city that it is mind boggling. He suggests that they buy gold from Him, refined in the fire. I read a story once about how refiners used to refine gold. They would put it over the fire, skimming off the impurities, and when asked how they knew when the gold was finished, it was because they could see their reflection in the gold. Oh for Jesus to see His reflection when He sees me, alas, there is still much more to be refined. – Don’t forget that Laodicea was a banking town.

Then he said white garments that you may be clothed and the shame of your nakedness not be revealed. This town of Laodicea was known for producing a shiny, black cloth that was much in demand. And people paid good money to buy it. The funny thing is that we can dress our outside, but be naked and hurting inside. Far better to be clothed in white garments, which are the garments of righteousness. We get those garments when we are washed in the Blood of Jesus’s sacrifice. He is how we become righteous, it is not of our own that we can. And if you read further in the book of Revelation (cheat and read ahead) you find that after the fifth seal is broken the souls of those who were slain for the word of God and the testimony that they held will be given white robes. Revelation 6:9-11.

The next verse, Revelation 3:19 is so important to me, because God does not give up on us, He didn’t give up on me, and He won’t give up on anyone, even lukewarm ones, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” Another translation replaces zealous with the words ignite yourself. So as long as Jesus is making correction in our lives it means that He loves us. If I ever get to the point of feeling that I need no correction, please let me know the mistake I am making in my mind. Far, far better is the fire of refinement and the correction of Jesus than a false sense of perfection.

Did you ever notice that after Jesus was resurrected, every time we see Him he is eating. So it is important that when He stands at our door and knocks, he will come in and sup with us. Verse 20. We do this every time we have communion with Him, and in the days that Revelation was written, the belief was that if you shared bread or a meal with a person it was a sign of great intimacy, for you shared the same food so were linked together. I think it is awesome that Jesus would want to sup with us.

And if they get over their pride (become humble and a servant) then they are going to sit with Jesus on the throne. He hasn’t given up on us, He is waiting to share His kingdom and love with us.

What a great God we serve.

Have a blessed night.

Heather

Update

Just a quick note, the three hours he skated with his friend were good. He enjoyed himself and the mom was there, so they were not unsupervised. Sometimes I think that parenting is walking such a tightrope, and I have no plumb line to measure with, but I learn as I go.

Have a blessed night.

I will put up the last church sometime tomorrow. Tonight I am going to my friend’s house to do another segment in the Revelation study of Kay Arthur with the girls. We are in the fourth part, and have spent over two years studying Revelation, now is the time when lots of things are coming together. What is really blowing my mind is how much the Old Testament prophets prophesied about what will happen in Revelation. It follows through. Several times we have made timelines comparing prophesies from all over the Bible and it all lines up. God is so awesome.

Right now I could use a little prayer for depression and a bit of advise. My husband gave my son permission to go skating with a girl friend. Problem is, we have never met her, but supposedly her mom is driving them to the skating rink. My husband did not think it necessary for him to meet this family.

I spoke to my husband that this was not such a wise move, and it came to me that we have to lay down some real dating rules for the kids, something that has never come up until today. My middle son (the one skating) is 15-almost 16, but I have a 17 year old son and a 13-almost 14 year old daughter. Funny how these things creep up on us.

I pointed out to my husband that in the future we should meet the girl and parents, something that mortifies my middle son, for I guess we are uncool.

I never grew up in a normal household and dating wasn’t something that I did, (You can read my testimony 10/7/05 if you wish), and what I did do I certainly want my kids to not replicate.

My natural inclination is probably to lay down too many rules in a zeal of wanting to protect my kids, but that isn’t good either. We have had the usual parent/kid talks about marriage and sex and that one should wait until marriage, etc. Spoke to them about treating girls with respect, and being responsible.

So, not knowing exactly what is “normal” I would be blessed to know what you consider reasonable rules for dating. I have my ideas but it sure would be nice to hear from those who have survived these teenage years and learn from other’s experience.

Thanks

Heather

Might have more snow and ice with high winds. I am hoping for spring, soon!!!

I am enjoying your comments, book suggestions, and the things you are sharing with me. It is nice to learn of things that I never knew about. I never thought when I first began blogging how rewarding it would be and how much I would learn. These notes on the churches come from many sources, Pastor Don’s teachings, Kay Arthur, and other teachers. My Bible’s margins are full of notes from various speakers. Sometimes I wish they would make a Bible with WIDE margins, because I am soon going to have to get a new Bible so I can keep taking notes.

The next church is the Church in Philadelphia – the Faithful Church.

It is one of the two churches that Jesus had nothing negative to say about. This church in history would be from 1800-Jesus’ coming. It was when the great revivals and evangelists started coming on the scene.

Philadelphia means brotherly love. I cannot think of a more loving thing to do than to share the gospel with another person.  In Paul’s day, the city Philadelphia was founded by two brothers, one of whom died. The other brother named every building and structure in the city after his brother, so brotherly love was very apparent to those in that city.

This also has to do with what happened in that day, and Jesus told his disciples that people would know that they were His disciples by their love. We too, in our daily lives, must walk in love, for it is what we do that will speak far longer than any of our words.

Jesus gave another part of his description to this church, “He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens. ‘” This refers to a passage in Isaiah 22:22-23 “The key of the house of David, I will lay on his shoulder So he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut and no one shall open. I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place, and he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house. This is an awesome description of Jesus, and he was fastened as a peg to a secure place – the cross–for us, and now he is seated at the right hand of the Father.

In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

Jesus was from the lineage of David, and by his sacrifice, He gained victory over death and satan. While one could think of the holder of these keys as a stern judge who will lock sinners into Hades and Death, I think that it is more true to Jesus’ love to see it as He is locking Death and Hades from hurting us. He is protecting us with those keys. And we too were give authority, through Jesus, to bind and loose on the earth. Keys are also a symbol of authority, for they opened and closed the doors of the treasure of the master.

What I find interesting is that Jesus points out that he knows their works, (v8). “I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it, for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied My name.”

I think of other mentions of doors in the Bible – God shut Noah into the ark, to preserve him and his family from the flood and Jesus will come to the door of our heart and knock, so we can open it for him. If you look at times when God has intervened in man’s situation, such as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, when they were shut into the fiery pit, or Joshua’s battle, it is very clear that man, of his own voliton, could not solve the problem, it was for the glory of God, and it was God who did the work.

I think in today’s belief structure many pastors are talking about huge moves of God, incredible feats of faith, major works of healing and deliverance, and there is an element that it requires much from us in the form of belief, faith, etc. In reality, we just need that little bit of faith (like a mustard seed) and it is God that does the work. Yet in our flesh, (mine too) we get puffed up and lose track at times of who is really the power behind the awesome things happening around us.

Also, this church did not deny Jesus’ name. In those days, not denying Jesus lead to persecution and death, and I fear that today we will see that we are coming closer to a similar situation. Freedom to express our beliefs and speak about God is being limited. In some countries there is persecution of Christians that is far greater than what happened in John’s day.

What is comforting is verse 10 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” This speaks loudly of the tribulation which will be coming (quickly). Jesus will protect us from going through this tribulation, which is covered in Chapters 6-19.

For the overcomers Jesus is going to make them a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. This would have been particularly comforting for this city because they were taken over so much by others, that they had no sense of safety or permanence. TO be a pillar in the temple speaks of permanence. And God would mark them with his name, and the city of My God, the New Jerusalem. And He (Jesus) will write on him My new name. This is mentioned in Revelation 19: 12 where it says that He had a name written that no one knew but Himself.

I think of all the churches, this is the one that is most prevalent in our day, for there is such a push to spread the Word of God. It is necessary for it is important to God that many are brought to Him. He wants none to be lost.

Hoping you have an awesome night. My daughter is standing at my side eagerly awaiting a turn on the computer.

Heather

 

Update on the snow – four inches and still falling steadily. No school, the kids are rejoicing.

The kids are again hoping for a snow day. I keep telling them not to count their snow days before they hatch, but my daughter still has her nose in a book this late at night. Granted it is a Redwall book so I can understand not wanting to close the cover, but still…..

The next church in Revelation saddens me, it is the Dead Church, at Sardis. If you remember, the churches represent historical periods, and Sardis is from 1500-still going. It covers the Protestant reformation.

It also is a particular church in that part of Turkey that Paul ministered to. And if we are really honest with ourselves, as the temple of God, it also represents things going on inside ourselves.

Sardis was a very wealthy city, and rather arrogant. The city was on a cliff, that was 150 feet high, and there was only one way to approach the city. They felt they were impregnable, but that was proven wrong twice in their history – and in virtually the same way. In both instances a soldier lost a helmet down a cliff, and when they searched for the helmet the next day, the helmet was missing. This led the commanding office to infer that there must be a secret passageway to get into the city, and when they examined where the helmet fell, they found a crevice which led into the city, and the soldiers were able to conquer the city.

I think Winston Churchill once quoted Hegel to state that the only thing man ever learns from history is that man doesn’t learn from history. I can see that at times in my life, for I often repeat the same, stupid errors.

Anyway, Sardis, in Greek means remnant and it also means red (the color of blood).

The particular part of the description of Jesus from chapter one is the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. In Chapter one verse 20 the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. The seven spirits cover the 7 fold nature of the spirit listed in Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

This church had fallen so low that Jesus did not have one good word to say about it, even the church in Thyatira had good points that Jesus mentioned. But Sardis, had no good qualities.

Jesus told the church to be watchful, and strengthen what remains in the church. Their works were not perfect (mature) before God.

Jesus indites them by saying, “I know your works that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” A point of interest is the Greek word for name is “onoma”, and it is the root word for denomination.

Even today we sometimes get so caught up in what denomination we are, but not realizing that our relationship with Jesus is not vibrant or based on a denomination. Some churches are dead churches, they may have programs, do externals, but the Spirit of the Lord does not flow through the church. Some churches are so caught up in traditions and the way things are always done, that they miss where God wants them to go.

I know that for me change is difficult, but the truth is that God and the Spirit are full of change, and if we want to flow with them, we have to be willing to change and go where God wants us to go, if not we are missing the mark.

Jesus tells us to watch, that He will come upon us as a thief. This has been shown in 1 Thes 5:2, when he mentions that the Day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. Jesus warned his disciples to be aware of things, for we will not know what hour He will come to us. Matthew 24 talks about this, as do many of his parables such as the 10 virgins and their lamps, etc.

We, as members of the Body of Christ, we as churches, we as individuals cannot rest and sleep on tradition, we must be aware of God, come to God in prayer and seek direction of the Holy Spirit. The signs of the times are such that we cannot afford to sleep. Some will say, people have stated that the Day of the Lord is near 2000 years ago, and it still hasn’t come. But the truth is, the day of the Lord is far nearer now than it was then, and if it is true that one day for the Lord is as 1000 years, it may be much nearer than ever.

The cool thing is that in Sardis, Jesus does not condemn all the people within that church, he searches the hearts and says that there are some who have not defiled their garments, and they will walk with Him in white, for they are worthy. This speaks of the remnant on the earth that will be preserved, for God will not destroy all (Jeremiah 5:10).

Perhaps the most troubling verse for me is that those who overcome will be clothed in white garments, and their name will not be blotted out from the Book of Life. Jesus will confess their name before God and His angels. This reminds me of when Jesus said that some will say “Lord, Lord I did this or that for you, and Jesus will say to them I never knew you.” I do not want my name blotted from the Book of Life.

It isn’t about works it is about heart placement, good works done in the wrong Spirit are not what God wants. He wants obedience not sacrifice. He wants our love. During the 5th seal, Revelation 6:9-11 Jesus clothes the martyrs in white robes and tells them to rest until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who would be killed was completed. To stand for the truth in the face of persecution was prevelent at the time that this church was historically active. And persecution continues at a tremendous pace today.

The churches that John is writing to, faced tremendous challenges and many martyrs, at first it was the Romans who killed, then the church turned on those whom they labeled heretics. (Heather steps up on soapbox.) Sometimes I think that we, as Christians turn so easily on our fellow Christians over doctrine, ways of believing, dressing, etc, that we hurt ourselves more than the heathen hurt us.  (Heather steps off of soapbox).

Whatever, the warning from Sardis is so important for us today. Let us not be so complacent, so arrogant that we settle in patterns that pull us off course from where God wants us to be.

In Mark 2:22 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

The “new” in the new wine is the Greek word “neos” which means brand new. The “new” in new wineskins is the Greek word “kinos” which means renewed.

In those days wineskins were renewed by soaking them in a running stream, washing them with water, which would make them pliable for the storing of new wine and the pressures that having new wine would entail with fermentation.

It is the same with us, we can get so hardened and stiff in our traditions that we are not flexible to absorb the new things God is trying to show us. It is so important for us to be washed in the Word of God and in His Spirit so that we are renewed each day, and ready to serve God where He wants us to go. To be sheep that follow their shepherd.

Jesus was not ashamed to step out of His role and serve. He washed the disciples feet when they would not stoop to do so, He put aside traditions of the Sabbath to heal. Just like Jesus we need to be more flexible, more loving, more filled with God’s love so that we can be good servants for Him.

I pray that Jesus never looks at me and says, “I never knew her” or that my works are dead works. I pray that I remain teachable and flexible.

I am hoping you had a great night, I suppose I should go to bed soon because, just like I told my kids, we can’t count on the snow day or two hour delay before it happens.

Have a blessed night.

Heather

Next Revelation church is Thyatira. This is the Church history period of 590-1570. This is a period before the Protestant Reformation.

Thyatira means continual sacrifice.

This is the only church that Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of God to, in others it is the Son of man or messiah. 

There is a mention of Jezebel (1 Kings). She was married to Ahab who was one of the worst kings that Israel had. She was the daughter of Ethbaal, who was a pagan king. She worshipped Baal, and Asherab. At one point Jezebel helped Ahab acquire a coveted piece of land by deception, lying, and framing a person. She challenged Elijah after Elijah proved that God was God, and threatened to kill Elijah. She spent hours painting her face and using her sexuality for influence. Ultimately she ended up being devoured by the dogs.

Jesus commends this church for their works, love, faith, and their works at the last are even greater than the first.

But God gave the church time to repent of it’s Jezebel mentality, that of acquisition, of the sexual immorality (marriage of the church with the pagan religion), who was allowed to teach and seduce the people away from the true beliefs of God’s grace and mercy, not works.

Jesus is described as having feet of brass, brass is the metal that was used to build the altar of sacrifice in the Temple. Jesus made the sacrifice for us once and for all. It isn’t works, or devotion, or any man-made idols of ritual, etc. that matters, just the sacrifice of Jesus.

Those who persist in the teaching of false doctrines will face repercussions for those mis-beliefs, and God will search the minds and hearts of the believers, and judge according to their works. Now what is the work of God, according to Jesus – that we believe on Him whom God has sent. It is believing Jesus, and loving Jesus. If we do that, then our works will be done from love, not to earn salvation.

Those who hold true to the Word of God, nothing more is required until Jesus comes again. This is the first promise of the second coming that is given to a church in Revelation. And those that Keep God’s word will be co-rulers with Jesus. Now Jezebel wanted to rule over others, and she found her authority by deception, lies and deceit. But we who Keep Jesus’s words and testimony will rule with authority. In verse 24  the word “depths” in the depths of Satan, the word in Greek is bathos, which is part of the mystery religion of Babylon. In it the Babylonian priest was the one who alone knew the intimate workings of God. The priest was called the peter, and he wore a miter with two keys crossed, showing that he had the keys of knowledge, the interpreter of knowledge.

Jesus will give him the morning star, Rev. 22, that Jesus and God will be the light, no need for the sun or the moon.

This church and the following churches are still in existence today, and will remain in existence until the coming of Christ.

What is interesting is that if you follow the divine outline of Revelation, Chapter 1:19 Write the things which you have seen (Chapter 1), the things which are (Chapters 2 & 3) and the things that will take place after this Chapter 4 to end of Revelation.

The book is sequential and in Chapter 4 & 5 the church is no longer on the earth. So if you look at the ending of each of the Church letters it says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the CHURCHES.” But when you get to Revelation 13:9 it says, “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” It doesn’t mention the churches. In fact after Revelation 2 & 3 the church on earth is not mentioned at all in Revelation.

This church letter is a hard teaching because it means that there is false doctrine out there, so it is important to check what we accept by the Word of God so that we are not accepting what is not the truth.

Heather