From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, May 7, 2024 at 6:08 AM

Subject: 5-7-24 THOUGHTS

5-7-24   THOUGHTS      

The letters to the Churches in Asia are correctively challenging to us today.  Our Lord is leading the admonishments through the Spirit of God.  Here, to Ephesus, there are some good things noted.  They seemed to be good at refuting false teachings.  They had “not grown weary”!  The indictment is that they “HAD LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE”!  In verse 5, John says “Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first;”   Repentance is necessary!  We are to be OVERCOMERS!  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  

Rev 2:1-7    "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:  2  ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3  and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4  ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5  ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent. 6  ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7  ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

My Prayer:
O Lord God, help us to have ears that hear, and guide our overcoming to the end.  Please, may we be able to repent, and come to a powerful abiding in You.  May our first-fruits belong to You, O God.  In adept self-examination, may we earnestly seek to know First Love.  Teach us, our Father.  Work with our hearts and spirits to grow powerfully in this.  Change our lives toward You.  Help us to bear fruit and make disciples as we are disciples.  Help our following to have a joy and zeal that is appropriate.  We love You, O God, because You first loved us.  Help us to yearn for the coming of Jesus.   In His name we pray,   Amen.