Beloved, sometimes my life gets turned upside down. Do you have those days where you’ve planned to do something and yet the day is not long enough? This last week was no exception.

What are your non- negotiables? Daily, weekly, and monthly, there are tasks that must be done and some that are negotiable. For me, daily–prayer and Bible study are a must. We need time with our Lord and Savior. In Bible Study Fellowship, we just finished through Revelation 3. As we finished looking at the seven churches, I realized how much we can learn from the study of Revelation.

Jesus is alive, well and everywhere. What we say and do, does matter.

Do you trust God’s word?  The above passage says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Wisdom’s definition is to have good judgment or understanding. Today’s verse is the verse of the day on Biblegateway.com. Wisdom is in the Bible 214 times.

To each of the seven churches, Jesus identifies himself and gives an evaluation of each church. Jesus shares His attributes. Find in Revelation 3 where He is called “The Amen.” He is also the “First and the Last.”

I was impressed by each church. As a Christian we can learn from these churches. Ephesus had to repent because they were guilty of leaving behind their first love. Are you as on fire for Jesus as when you first accepted Him as your savior?

Smyrna perseveres in suffering for the cause of Christ. Jesus promises that we will endure trials and suffering, but He will never leave us or forsake us.

Sweet friend, we need to know God’s promises for ourselves. You can’t honor Jesus Christ and compromise His Word.

Pergamum was reprimanded because they failed to exercise discernment and the teaching in the church. Jesus offered great blessings to those who repented. Many stayed pure in the face of pressure. Once again, we need to know God’s word well enough to know when someone is misquoting God’s word. Are you memorizing God’s word? Are you reading it daily? If not, will you start today?

The church of Thyatira had allowed a false prophet to mislead the church. Once again, reading God’s word, you will recognize false teaching. Once I was listening and a pastor quoted Psalm 90 as one of King David’s and Moses wrote Psalm 90. I stopped listening to that pastor. Beloved, it is imperative that we not entertain false teachers.

Sardis church in Revelation 3: 1-6 was indited by Jesus for being a dead church. Do you struggle with being complacent?  Jesus said to this church,

• Wake Up.
• Strength their Faith.
• Complete the deeds they started.

Are you serving the Lord?

The last two churches Philadelphia was an encouragement. And Laodicea was lukewarm.

Jesus desires obedience from us. As Jesus spoke to the churches, Jesus honors fervent faith and rejects but will forgive complacency. He desires for us to be engaged and involved. He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us.

I want to give credit to Bible Study Fellowship for the notes on Revelation 1-3 for helping to remind me of how great our God is.

My friend Karen has reminded me so eloquently in this poem about the Holy Spirit. I hope this poem blesses you.

‘THE GENTLE BREEZE”

Karen L. Clark

Picture lace curtains

Blowing gently in the breeze

Just the way God’s Spirit

Blows His precious breath on me.

 

Come Holy Spirit

Come any time

My heart is always open

Come take a seat in my mind.

 

I wait for you daily

I love when you come

Expectant and excited

My heart leaps with love.

 

I want to be with you

Please stop and visit me

I wait for your words

That you want me to see.

 

So please come today

Upon the gentle breeze

Please linger and stay

And blow Your precious breath on me.

posted by permission of Karen L Clark October 2024

Conclusion

My adventures on the dusty road of Jesus involved being the arms of Jesus to a friend who lost her house in a fire, encouraging another young friend who is making a career decision. In the hospital, I am always seeking the Lord for who needs prayer.

Jesus is active and interceding for us, He prays for us. The Holy Spirit is our comforter.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. John 14: 26

Beloved, you are amazing, each of you are filled with the Holy Spirit. He is all about conviction not condemnation.

Father God, fear of you is the beginning of wisdom, our praise of you endures forever. Help us Lord to be effective and engaged as Christians. Help us to know your word so we can be fruitful and make disciples of men. In Jesus’s name, amen.

What are your non-negotiables?