Welcome!
Today: Lift the word and the name of God!
Passage: Rev 3, Prov 23
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (Rev. 3, NIV 84)
Apostle John was given words to write, by the Lord Jesus Christ
The words of the word of God were all inspired by God, as men wrote it
In the book of Ephesians, we see that Paul received revelation from God and declared it to the gentiles as well the Jews
Such words only become powerful. When the words received from God are proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit, it will draw people from everywhere
In the letter to the Church a Philadelphia, we can see a promise from Jesus, about people coming from other places, to join there (Rev 3:9, NIV 84)
9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.
The Church in Philadelphia had only little strength, yet they kept the word of God and uplifted the name of Jesus, the name of God
God watches us so closely; He blesses, based on how we treat God and His word, His name. God says, “I know your deeds”. Every second of our time, every energy and skill we have, every penny we have, God is watching how we handle it. Many people as well as Churches are too busy with other things. God’s word and God’s name are not a priority, in many Churches and lives today. When God’s name is lifted up, there will be the manifestation of the works of the Holy Spirit; God will open doors for us, that no one can shut!
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16: 17-18, NIV 84)
When the word of God and the name of God is lifted up, what happened on the day of Pentecost will happen: people will come running, from all around
As individuals/families/Church, this is what we need to day. Regardless of how small/big we are as a Church, if we remain committed to the word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church will grow in quality, followed by a growth in quantity
Have a blessed day
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you for your word and your continued presence with us through the Holy Spirit. Help us to draw from you and give it to the world around us so they will come to you and be satisfied. Amen
Proverbs 23 (verses below, from NIV 84)
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;
7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost.[b]
“Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.