Jesus Speaks to the Churches- Part 1

Could this be the church in North America today?

       I question whether the world sees Christians as being any different then themselves.  We often dress the same, speak the same, think the same, and believe the same values and ethics of the day.  We spend money, eat, have the same work ethics, live similar lifestyles and enjoy the same pastimes as the world.  So where exactly is the difference seen?  If it is only the couple hours we spend in church on Sunday, then we aren’t much of an example of Jesus Christ. 

       In the book of Revelation, Jesus speaks to the seven churches of Asia.  In them we can find many similarities to the church of today.  When I did an intensive study on them I spent a lot of time on my face repenting for the way we act as a body of believers today.  Not much has changed in 2000 years- imo.  Here is only one passage example: 

Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see. Rv. 3:17,18

 
       Isn’t it true in this age that we could say, we have food, a house to live in, money coming in and technology to enjoy, what more do we need?  But today we no longer see how caught up in the world we are because this is our new norm.  We have adjusted to the darkness that surrounds us instead of transforming all around us by our light shining.  So we don’t even realize we are afflicted, miserable, destitute in physical and spiritual ways, mentally blind and laid bare.

How is it we are so blind to the truth of our own situation? 

in whom the god of this age has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, so that the brightness of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. 2Cr. 4:4 LITV 
(Jesus came to bring) …new sight to the blind… Lk. 4:18 
Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not; nor do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which said, "By hearing you shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive; for this people's heart has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Mt. 13:13-15 (obviously about spiritual blindness and lack of perception) 
…His anointing teaches you concerning all things… 1Jh. 2:27 LITV 

Tomorrow I will continue with Jesus Speaks to the Churches- Part 2

Thankful

       Friday I finished driving my son to the bus stop and my daughter to work and was on the way to the highway to get home when all the lights on my car dash went on and it seemed like I was losing power.  I went immediately into a gas station that was close and parked to get gas since I needed it anyway.  After finishing up I could not start the car and a call was put in to CAA.  Over an hour later the tow truck said, by the sounds of it the problem was the alternator.

       The mechanic agreed and installed a new alternator.  After all was said and done I realized how grateful I was that I got the kids where they needed to go before the problem arose.  Also, it was just on Monday I drove four hours out of town to a funeral and back home on Tuesday.  What if the car had broken down then?  It would have been a far bigger hassle.

       So I am very thankful that everything happened the way it did.  I’m sure God had a part in it somewhere.  Man, when I think about breaking down on a major highway, and especially going to the funeral with my Mom and how hard that would be on her, I cringe.  But here I am thankful that God protects us. 

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Th. 5:18

always giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ep. 5:20

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also are called in one body, and be thankful. Cl. 3:15

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Php. 4:6

Perspective on the some of the bad things.

       I’ve heard it said that you don’t have to be thankful for the bad things but be thankful for the God who helps you through the bad things.  Truth is, I am thankful for both.  There have been far too many bad things in my life, that have caused wonderful things to come out of it, for me to not be thankful.  Also, I have certainly learned that God remains with me through ALL the good and bad and His peace endures through it all now that I’ve finally learned to surrender.

       So thanks Lord for the alternator going.  I am surely grateful on the timing of its demise, but I also know you will use something about the situation for Your glory.  Perhaps the contact with the mechanic or his wife.  Perhaps the tow truck driver.  Perhaps the smiles to the customers while waiting in the gas station or talking to the workers.  Whatever it is Lord, I just know You will use it for Your glory… and I thank You for that.

      Whatever You want, I want.  Whatever You can use, use.  I’m all in now.

      Thank You for loving me so much that You’ve never given up on me.

I’m so thankful!

Walking Out of Sync

       We don’t usually take a walk together as a family anymore.  If we did it would look like we weren’t even together anyway.  My son would take the lead with his long legs and fast stride.  No matter how many times we asked him to slow down, it’s just not in his body to do so.  Next would be me walking faster but nowhere near my son especially since my legs are not as long.  Behind me would be my hubby and daughter who walk about the same pace and stride though I’m sure he slows down for her a bit… or maybe it’s the other way around!

There are a few things that happen when you are walking but not quite together.

       It makes it difficult to communicate.  Sentences are completely missed because of the distance apart.  Or if you are a little closer together but not by their side, the traffic noise causes some words to me missed.  This makes it harder to learn more about each other.  You lose touch with what is going on in the other person’s life, and may miss out on their advice or what instructions they have for you to follow.

And Enoch walked with God, and then he was not, for God took him. Gn. 5:24

By faith Enoch was translated so as not to see death, and he was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hb. 11:5

And Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied to these, saying, Behold, the Lord came with myriads of His saints, to do judgment against all, and to rebuke all the ungodly of them concerning all their ungodly works which they ungodly did, and concerning all the hard things ungodly sinners spoke against Him. Jude 1:14,15

I love the enjoyment in their faces as they walk together!

       Enoch walked with God; not in front of Him, or behind Him, but with Him, beside Him- in sync with Him.  This is important because it meant Enoch was in communication with the Lord, and it would have been clear.  They would be able to hear each other fine, know what’s going on in life, and Enoch would have heard the Lord’s advice and instructions.  Enoch surely lived in agreement with the Lord: “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” (Am. 3:3)

       We see that as Enoch walked with God, He prophesied to the unbelievers concerning the Lord, stepping out in faith to do the work God wanted Him to do.  He didn’t teach the easy to hear things, but the truth about what would happen if they didn’t walk right.  So it was at the age of 365 years, Enoch having pleased God, was translated to Heaven to be with God (meaning Enoch did not die to go there).

I’m only 46 and it feels like I struggle to walk with God.  I can’t imagine living that long and staying in sync with God as I walk this journey.  I only hope one day I shall have the same testimony that Enoch had- Vicky walked with God and pleased Him.

Oh glorious and mighty Lord, please help me!