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How can it be? There is a table for all who would come, for all who would come. Taste now and see, there is a table for all who would come. Scriptures: Revelation 3:14-22 (NIV) John 3:16 (NIV) Devotional: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” - Revelation 3:19-20 NIV Each of the seven letters in the book of Revelation contain stern warnings, rebukes, and admonitions toward a purer faith and trust in Christ. The seventh letter to Laodicea is no exception. But this letter is unique in stating why: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Here, Jesus explains why His critique to His Church is important and valid—it proves His deep love for His people. The next lines are equally encouraging. Jesus stands at the door of people's hearts awaiting invitation to their lives. His use of, “I will come in and eat with that person” not only communicates His love, but His desire to spend time with people. In other words, God not only loves, but He likes and desires communion or togetherness with His people. That is to say, God loves us and is also deeply fond of us—He wants friendship with you. What encouragement! Christ's promise is that “anyone” who hears and opens the door will be the recipient of this great blessing. This echoes the promise found in the famous words of the book of John: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV). One of the greatest glories of the mighty love of God is that it is not for a select few or a unique type of person. Instead, His love has been lavishly offered to all, freely given without condition. This is the staggering truth of the Christian faith, and why it is good for us to prayerfully reflect: “How can it be? There is a table for all who would come, for all who would come. Taste now and see, there is a table for all who would come." Ephesians encourages us to reach out and grasp this profound truth and mystery: “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV) May this be our portion. Amen. Original post by Brooke Ligertwood available on YouVersion. A seven-day devotional through the 'seven letters' to the churches in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3). Each devotional will study a different letter to the churches of Revelation, focusing on themes of communion, devotion, discipleship, repentance, evangelism (and more), as well as featuring lyrics and music from songs throughout the Album SEVEN by Brooke Ligertwood.

There's honey in the rock, water in the stone, manna on the ground, no matter where I go. Oh how sweet, how sweet it is, to trust in You Jesus Scriptures: Psalm 81:16 (ESV) Revelation 2:8-11 (ESV) John 16:33 (ESV) Devotional: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” - Revelation 2:10 (ESV) Revelation can be a confusing book of Scripture to read. Often we are tempted to look for extra meaning in every single detail. We can be easily led into thinking everything is a hidden message. When it comes to this verse (Rev 2:10), we can often ask ourselves 'what does this mean?' or 'what does that stand for?', but maybe the simplest message of the text can help make sense of it all: We all face suffering, but we're promised that it's never forever. The truth is, in this life we are guaranteed trouble. John 16:33 (NIV) says,“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We cannot decide whether we will suffer or not, but we can decide how we will approach suffering. In the Old Testament, the people of God faced trial, testing, and tribulation throughout their journey to the promised land. Israel often complained to God, turned their backs on Him, or forgot His goodness. Yet, God never wavered in His character or faithfulness to His people. He gave Manna from Heaven, provided water from a stone, and promised honey from a rock (Psalm 81:16). Despite the things we face in this life, we never walk alone and we are never without promise. Jesus tells us to “take heart,” because He has overcome, and if we trust Him, we will overcome as well. This is why we can sing or pray with confidence: “There's honey in the rock, water in the stone; manna on the ground, no matter where I go”. Regardless of the circumstances we face in this life, we serve a good God who provides, who leads us through the wilderness—One who will never leave or forsake us. Though we don't get to decide whether trouble will come our way, we always have the choice to remember God's goodness and to place our trust in Him. Today, choose Him. Choose to trust in His promise, to look at His proven track record. When we do these things, we can truly say: “Oh how sweet, how sweet it is, to trust in You Jesus.” Original post by Brooke Ligertwood available on YouVersion. A seven-day devotional through the 'seven letters' to the churches in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3). Each devotional will study a different letter to the churches of Revelation, focusing on themes of communion, devotion, discipleship, repentance, evangelism (and more), as well as featuring lyrics and music from songs throughout the Album SEVEN by Brooke Ligertwood.

It is right to praise You, to bring the sacrifice You deserve. For those forgiven much, dare not forget Your touch, cannot withhold Your praise Scriptures: Revelation 2:18-29 (NIV) Devotional: “These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” - Revelation 2:18-19 (NIV) In ancient and Jewish thought, to use the title 'Son' was to equate oneself with the very nature and likeness of the person or thing one was referring to. So, when Scripture says, “the Son of God,” this clearly denotes equality with God. This is important to understand. Jesus is speaking to the church of Thyatira through the Apostle John, and He establishes that first and foremost, He is God. In other words: King. The image of Christ's deity is written out even further as the verse continues: “whose eyes are like blazing fire.” This communicates the just judgment of the Son of God—He looks at our lives with righteousness and holiness, both clearly and yet with power. The picture continues, “whose feet are like burnished bronze.” This is meant to communicate Christ's purity and strength. Images of the powerful and awe inspiring Son of God are all throughout Revelation, and ultimately, they should inspire and lead us to worship Jesus. To pray or sing words like:“It is right to praise You, to bring the sacrifice You deserve. For those forgiven much, dare not forget Your touch, cannot withhold Your praise”. In other words, when we have had an experience with the living Son of God, or our minds have somewhat grasped these images in Revelation, the appropriate or fitting response is to praise Him for his goodness and glory. In fact, we often cannot withhold the praise we long to give Jesus after an encounter with Him. Interestingly, as we behold this image of the Son of God in glory, we can have confidence that He sees us as well. The next verse in this passage says, “I know your deeds, your love and faith…” Thyatira was the smallest and most insignificant of the cities that the seven letters of Revelation are written to, but how encouraging that despite their significance by human standards, they are seen, known, and loved by God! He sees us, too—with eyes ablazing and purity of heart. This should astonish us. A God so worthy of glory and honor, One surrounded by heavenly creatures who sing “holy, holy, holy” without end—this God!—sees us. He is that glorious and equally that kind and good. Amen. Original post by Brooke Ligertwood available on YouVersion. A seven-day devotional through the 'seven letters' to the churches in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3). Each devotional will study a different letter to the churches of Revelation, focusing on themes of communion, devotion, discipleship, repentance, evangelism (and more), as well as featuring lyrics and music from songs throughout the Album SEVEN by Brooke Ligertwood.

Holy Spirit, help me see where there is Nineveh in me Scriptures: Revelation 3:1-6 (NIV) Romans 2:4 (NLT) Devotional: “Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.” - Revelation 3:2-3a(ESV) Throughout the whole of Scripture, there is a tangible, easily seen, yet unfortunate motif or reoccurrence: people forget the goodness of God. They rebel against His Word, they turn to idols of one kind or another, and they place their trust in themselves or others—rather than in Him. In other words, they end up forsaking His fellowship and goodness, resisting His ways and rejecting His love. In the midst of this, however, God calls people to repentance with the goal that they would see restoration to and in Him. This call to repentance, then, can be understood as God's kindness. In fact, Scripture states that it is specifically God's kindness that leads us toward repentance (Romans 2:4). In this passage found in Revelation, the church of Sardis is admonished and encouraged to “strengthen what remains.” Often our battles in this life are not with exterior circumstances, people, or situations as much as we might think. Instead, many of them are the battles of the soul: the temptation to withhold from God, the urge to forget or forsake him. This is why a prayer like, 'Holy Spirit, help me see where there is Nineveh in me' can be such a powerful expression of faith and trust in Christ. Nineveh was a city in the Old Testament that was incredibly powerful, but equally wicked and unjust. In God's kindness He offered these people redemption and restoration through repentance. In this 'Nineveh' prayer, the aim is that by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit we would be enabled to see the areas of our lives that are resistant to God, and by doing so, we would strengthen what remains of our faith by repenting of what should not remain in us. As we humbly repent and confidently remain in Christ, God quickens our hearts to learn this posture and rhythm. And in doing so, we are not without promise. In the verses that follow Jesus says to those who overcome: I will never blot their names out of the book of life. May we have the eyes to see the parts of our lives that are resistant to the ways of God, and hearts that humbly seek to remain in Him all of our days—He promises to keep us. Original post by Brooke Ligertwood available on YouVersion. A seven-day devotional through the 'seven letters' to the churches in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3). Each devotional will study a different letter to the churches of Revelation, focusing on themes of communion, devotion, discipleship, repentance, evangelism (and more), as well as featuring lyrics and music from songs throughout the Album SEVEN by Brooke Ligertwood.

When it's clear the world is not my home, or if I forget it's not, May He turn my eyes upon Himself so it's Him for whom I long. Scriptures: Revelation 2:12-17 (NIV) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) Devotional: “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” - Revelation 2:14-15 (NIV) I Belong To Jesus is probably the most confusing of the seven letters to the churches in Revelation. Without knowing the biblical context of the Old Testament and without at least an idea of the potential historical context of this passage, it can be difficult to decipher. But, despite these hurdles, there is a powerful and pertinent message to us in these verses. In the Old Testament book of Numbers, Balaam was unable to curse the people of God (Israel), so in order to please Balak (the King of Moab), he came up with two ways to cause Israel to stumble in their faithfulness and devotion to God: eating food sacrificed to Idols—in other words, idolatry—and sexual immorality. With this context in mind, it becomes clear that this Christian church apparently struggled with similar problems. In the first century, pagan worship was still very much a part of many people's lives, and Jesus declares this church of having people who were still holding to practices and teaching of paganism and the occult. Jesus continues by saying, “you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans''. While it is somewhat inconclusive on the exact meaning, many scholars conclude that Nicolaitans were a sect of people who believed in conquering others. What does this all mean together? Essentially, Jesus finds fault with this church for looking exactly like the world and culture around them—no different for being Christian. As people put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, they are also called to complete devotion to Him, and the rejection of false gods, worldly beliefs and practices, and ways of thinking and living that are antithetical to Christ and the gospel. This is what Jesus is admonishing them to do: live irreversibly and completely for Him and His purposes. This is a message for us today. May we also be a people completely devoted to him; those who can pray 'When it's clear the world is not my home or if I forget it's not, may He turn my eyes upon Himself so it's Him for whom I long'. May we always remember the mighty biblical truth that, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV). Then we will truly be able to say “I belong to Jesus.” Original post by Brooke Ligertwood available on YouVersion. A seven-day devotional through the 'seven letters' to the churches in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3). Each devotional will study a different letter to the churches of Revelation, focusing on themes of communion, devotion, discipleship, repentance, evangelism (and more), as well as featuring lyrics and music from songs throughout the Album SEVEN by Brooke Ligertwood.

You have made my heart Your home, loved me with a perfect love,but still I wander, still I roam God, help me burn for You 'til I'm really, truly, wholly Yours Scriptures: Revelation 2:1-7 (NIV) Luke 10:38-42 (NLT) Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT) Devotional: “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” - Revelation 2:3-5a NIV Jesus' message to the church of Ephesus is profound and cautionary. He implores them to reflect, to 'consider' how far they have fallen and to repent. This is evidence of His great love for them, not the opposite. Christ longs that they would have a deep love for Him in their hearts. Many, if not all Christians can easily relate to the convicting admonition of Jesus in these verses. Consider the passage on Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. Martha was consumed with doing many things for Jesus, yet Mary knew better—she had recognized the only thing that was truly important: Christ himself. Scripture teaches that God has loved us in this way: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT). As believers, we have come to recognize the perfect and unending love that Christ has for us. Yet, despite this profound truth, we can find ourselves in the exact same position as Martha or that of the church of Ephesus. It's important to note that Jesus' teaching to this church isn't that all their good work is pointless, or that it should be completely disregarded. Jesus acknowledges their faithfulness to Him. But His correction comes by addressing their heart's intention. It's apparent this church had either lost love in their hearts for God or for others. But both of these are crucial as believers. The hard reality is, we can do things for God but with little or no love for Him in the process. Scripture teaches us to be quite different from this: to love the Lord in word and deed. To grow in our knowledge and wisdom of Him, yet to remain humbly dependent on His wisdom and grace for us. This is the not-so-secret truth of our faith: to behold Him, and to continue to. To see Christ, and to continue to want to. To become His through surrender, and to continually surrender our lives upon the altar of His all-consuming love. Then we will pray, “You have made my heart Your home, loved me with a perfect love, but still I wander, still I roam. God, help me burn for You 'til I'm really, truly, wholly Yours”. Original post by Brooke Ligertwood available on YouVersion. A seven-day devotional through the 'seven letters' to the churches in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3). Each devotional will study a different letter to the churches of Revelation, focusing on themes of communion, devotion, discipleship, repentance, evangelism (and more), as well as featuring lyrics and music from songs throughout the Album SEVEN by Brooke Ligertwood.