Another Word For Encouragement: FREEDOM

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1Peter 2:9

I'm reading about how some items have been sold at ridiculously high prices just because they belong to famous people.  For example: Napoleons toothbrush sold for $21,000  Hitlers car $150,000  Jackie Kennedy Onassis fake  pearls sold for $211,500 and JFK's wooden golf clubs sold for $772,500.  These sold not because they had any real value in themselves.  It was only because of who owned them that makes them valuable.

Here is something that you and I should always remember; we belong to God

So because we belong to God we are of great worth and value.  That means we have great dignity, worth, grace, glory and I could go on.  

There is a purpose on your life because of God's ownership of you, does  that surprise you?  It shouldn't because the value He places on you comes from the sacrifice of His own Son Jesus Christ.  It was for you that He died and rose again.  The love and grace He lavishes on you is beyond your imagination.  You should feel so secure and have a sense of joy unspeakable because of Him.

Have you ever wanted to be in an exclusive relationship?  Well here it is, here it has been all along, with the Creator Himself.  He exclusively looks after you, cares for you and loves you.  All because of his mercy and grace.  Do you feel like you don't deserve it?  Well neither do I but that doesn't change the fact that it is there and so we shouldn't feel any guilt anymore.  You are set free.

Charles Swindoll: "Be who you are.  Give yourself the o.k. to break the mold and exercise your God-given freedom.  God, in grace, has purchased you from bondage.  Christ has literally set you free."

Psalm 18

I love you, O LORD, my strength.
Psalm 18:1 NIV

Prayer (inspired by all of Psalm 18)

God my protector and foundation,
You are so worth honor and praise.

I lay my concerns out before You,
I am saved.

It doesn't matter what has tried to corner me or what has tried to destroy my life,
You save me.

Nothing stands before you, even heaven is split in two.
You ride on angels, use darkness like a canopy, throwing lightning bolts and hailstones.
The earths foundations are exposed, the mountains and valleys in the seas are revealed.
Just by the Word of Your mouth.

I'm kept safe in Your hand.
You support me while those that oppose me foolishly carry on.

You dealt with me justly as I've committed myself to you.
You declare me blameless and reward me according to Your salvation.

The humble, You love.
The proud, You bring down.

You turn my darkness into light, and strengthen me.
I am being trained to do Your will.

Praise You God for your kindness, love and salvation that you lavish on me.
Amen.

Psalm 17

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry.  Give ear to my prayer - it does not rise from deceitful lips.  May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.  You still the hunger of those you cherish;...their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.  And  I - in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Psalm 17 NIV

PRAYER (inspired by Psalm 17)

Lord, in all honesty I pray to you.
You have my back and you know the truth.
My heart and life lay bare before You, so I will be wise and follow You.
Because You teach me your ways, I won't be like those that don't know you.

Like David prayed, I'm on solid ground.
Hear me when I pray.
Show the world You are my defender, You love me like a son.
I'm kept safe as someone protects the pupil of their eye.

My enemies are only human, just listen to them talk.
Like predators looking for a meal.
I'll remind myself that You are my helper.
You refresh me, You care for my children, You will walk with me forever.
Amen.

Psalm 16

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.  I said to the LORD, "You are my LORD; apart from you I have no good thing."  As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.  The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.  I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.  LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have  a delightful inheritance.  I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me.  Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.  You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16 NIV

PRAYER

Thank You God for being there for me at all times,

I feel safe knowing You are for me.

People go wrong when they worship the wrong god.

LORD, My life is unfolding just as you have planned for me.

Because I have chosen correctly to worship the living God, I will not be shaken.

I can have a celebration because my future is in eternity with You, in heaven.

I'm walking in the path of life you have given me and today I'm happy.

Amen

Getting Married

Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man.  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Genesis 2:22-24

Today I have a friend getting married.  The special thing about this marriage, of all marriages today, is that she is South African (as my wife Shelley is) and he is Canadian (as I am), living in their respective countries at this time.

Add to that, that he is coming from Canada for the marriage and has no friends or family with him as I also did (although I was fortunate enough to have my oldest son with me).

Our age group is approximately the same, faith is the same, the story of how they met is curiously similar to my wife's and mine, to name a few reasons that this marriage is unique to me.

 The most unique marriage of all, is the one of Adam and Eve.

Here God creates Adams wife from the very flesh of Adam, then He brings the woman to the man for the first time and they are husband and wife.

Can you imagine marrying a person the very first time that you meet them?

This is similar to this couple getting married this afternoon (I don't want to make their entire personal story public).  But suffice it to say that God is bringing them together and blessing their union today.

God is still at work in peoples personal lives.  Whether it is in the 'small' things of life or the 'large' things of God.  He cares about each one of us and desires to celebrate life with us.

I'm praying that my friend and new spouse will celebrate their marriage for the rest of their earthly lives together.

Psalm 14

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.  The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand any who seek God.  All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.  Will evildoers never learn - those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?  There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.  You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.  Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!  When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Psalm 14 NIV

PRAYER

They are idiots who say "there is no God".
If that is their perspective then can anything they do be good?

You know who are the ones that are seeking You and following Your ways.
Even I have messed up.
I confess, God, I have had wrong motives.
Please be patient with me as I grow and learn about You.

Thank you that You are with me and that I don't have to fear unbelievers because You have a path for me to follow, to walk on.
I look confidently to the future because You tell me that what my enemy has taken from me You will return to me.
Amen

Believing Verses Doubting

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt  because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:5-8

Several years ago I made an investment that sounded to good to be true, but I trusted the person who was going to take care of the transaction for me.  I had perfect peace about the investment because of the contact person and that I had committed it to God.

It didn't exactly work out the way it was supposed to, but I'm happy to say not a nickel was lost.  I believed in the integrity of that contact person and I had prayed and committed it to the Lord.

This is exactly what James is talking about when we ask God for wisdom.  If you know you are lacking wisdom but ask God for it, He will give to you the portion that you require.

Solomon was asked by God what he would like to have and Solomon answered he needed wisdom to govern the Lord's people wisely.  So, not only did God increase Solomon's wisdom but added to him all the things that he had not asked for.

That is the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 13

How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow  in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer O LORD my God.  Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.  But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13 NIV

PRAYER

God, I feel like you've forgotten about me,
I feel like you're playing a game of hide and seek.

My chest feels heavy and it hurts,
I can't seem to think clearly.

LISTEN  TO  ME,
MY LORD,
MY GOD!

My enemy (and You know who I'm talking about) thinks they have gotten the better of me.
There are times I feel like I'm going to die.

Still I can choose to trust in Your love, in Your salvation.
I will sing to You, even still...

Amen

Consider It Pure Joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

I once heard a pastor give these verses to a young couple as marriage counselling, then he laughed.   Sadly, he wasn't kidding even though he was laughing, nobody else was.  Maybe he was having major marriage and life problems.  I don't know, could married life be like this?  But the bottom line is life isn't easy for the majority of people.  And not only for married people.

The positive side of trials and testing if we allow ourselves to go through it is:

• joy
• perseverance
• maturity
• complete
• not lacking anything

You wouldn't believe what deep waters and fire I've had to walk through in my life and I'm sure if we talked I would be amazed at what you've been through.

Let's not stop now, we're so much closer to the finish line now than we were when we began this Christian walk.

Psalm 12

Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.  Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.  May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips - who is our master?"  "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD.  "I will protect them from those who malign them."  And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.  O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.  The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
Psalm 12 NIV

PRAYER

God there are people that are such liars, they have made an art out of deceiving others.
Then they are proud of it and even boast about it.
They haven't a clue about You.

It doesn't matter what they think because you protect me from them.
And You are flawless, what more needs to be said.
You are my safe refuge.
I will not concern myself about such people anymore.

Knock, knock...

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:  There are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.  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 him, and he with me.  To him who overcomes I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,  just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Revelation 3:14-22 NIV

A difference that I've found between South Africans and Canadians is how they express themselves.  Canadians are very laid back and reserved.  So when describing a meal I just ate, I would typically say something like "that was nice" or "it was good".  Whereas I've found that many South Africans will more likely say "that was divine , or "stellar", or something like that, because they are very passionate and descriptive.

Typically, there is no doubting when a South African person has really enjoyed themselves.  That is a good thing.  Unlike Canadians who can leave you doubting if they really did enjoy something or not.

Jesus is passionate when talking to the Laodiceans.  He leaves no doubt in their minds where they stand with Him.  He wishes they were either hot or cold but they are lukewarm in their relationship with Him.

By the way, this is a characteristic of a real man, and a good communicator.  There is no doubt or room for misinterpretation in what is being said.  The consequences are far to serious to mince words.  Without hurting feelings, Jesus surgically gets to the point leaving the Laodiceans to choose which way they are going to go, hot or cold in their relationship.

In fact, Jesus is loving in that He tells them so, and counsels them in what they should do.  If He didn't care about them He would leave them guessing, or worse not even tell them at all where they stand.



Are you lukewarm but think you are rich and need nothing?
Are hot or cold for Christ?
What can you do to ensure you're 'right' with Christ?
The answer is in Christ's letter to the Laodiceans.

Knock, knock, Jesus is at your door.

Psalm 11

In the LORD I take refuge.  How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain.  For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.  When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne.  He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.  The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.  On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.  For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.
Psalm 11 NIV

PRAYER

LORD you are my defender, I will not flee.
You are God Almighty, nothing slips past without You seeing.
Justice will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Because I'm choosing to follow you I have a secure eternal future.
Amen.

Be A Pillar

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.  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,  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.  Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.  I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.  Never again will he leave it.  I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:7-13NIV

Some of the ancient ruins that we have today only have the pillars remaining, with little else.

Once a priest had finished serving in these temples, there would be a monument erected to honor that person.  On the monument would be written the name of the individual, the fathers name, and the city that he served in.

So the people of Philadelphia, in that time, knew exactly what Jesus was talking about.

You don't have to be a conquering general to be loved by God.  Today you may be feeling 'small' in a lot of ways.  But the bottom line for Jesus is, if you are faithful to keep His Word and are loyal to Him, He will honor you.

• You will have a permanent place in the temple of God.
• He will write His Fathers name on you
• He will write the name of God's city on you
• He will write His new Name on you
• You will have a crown for eternity

There will be those who will oppose your faith in Jesus Christ.  The sad thing is, it will likely be very religious people, maybe people you know well.  These 'trials' will come to develop patience and endurance.  The goal for all believers is to overcome these trials, thereby receive the eternal crown of life.

So keep reading the bible, keep praying with thanksgiving, be joyful and hopeful as we wait expectantly for His return.

Psalm 10

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.  He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.  In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.  His ways are always prospers; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.  He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."  His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.  He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.  He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.  His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.  He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."  Arise, LORD!  Lift up your hand O God.  Do not forget the helpless.  Why does the wicked man revile God?  Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?  But you , O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand.  The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.  Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.  The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.  You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
Psalm 10 NIV

PRAYER

O LORD, you see my enemy's schemes and hear what my enemy speaks over me,
they walk in ungodly counsel, stand by sinners and join in with mockers.
They are full of pride, they think they are doing right by trying to ruin my life,
all they say to me are threats and curses.

I'm calling on you God to see my trouble and grief, please be my counsel, join in with me.
I'm committing myself and my family to you.
I'm reminding you that I to am fatherless, so I'm counting on you to be my helper.
I'm encouraged that you have heard my desires, my call for help.
Now I know you will defend me and I don't have to be afraid anymore.
Amen!

A Reputation May Be In Name Only

To the angel of the church in Sardis write:  These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.  I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up!  Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.  But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief and you will not know at what time I will come to you.  Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes.  They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.  I will never blot out their name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:1-6 NIV

In the last house I owned, I had a wood burning stove in the basement and there were times in the winter that I would be able to get it so hot in that particular living room, you could walk around in a t-shirt and shorts on when it was -30c and snow storming outside.  If I loaded it properly for the night, it would burn evenly and steadily until the morning when I would be able to stoke the embers and with proper reloading, it would be burning hot again shortly, for the rest of the day.

There are churches that have a reputation of having a great pastoral preacher but they don't do anything in the community as far as evangelism ,or care for the widows and orphans (for instance).  These churches have a reputation of being alive, but God knows that they are "dead".

Just like my fireplace in the morning, I would give it the time and care it needed to be able to get hot and do the work that I wanted and needed it to do for me and my family, God in His grace gives the dead churches an opportunity to "wake up" and do again what they did in the beginning.

However, the consequences of the fireplace and the churches are far different.  If I didn't rekindle the fire I would just turn up my oil burning furnace and we would be warm, but if the church that God identifies as "dead" don't "wake up", He will blot out their names from the book of life.  The situation is urgent and we should not take lightly what God has written.

Repentance is not just a matter of being sorry that we got caught doing something wrong, it's an acknowledgement that we have acted, thought, or said something wrong.  Changes then need to be made so that it would not happen again.  Not only that, but we are then also expected to repay as quickly as possible, whenever or wherever we fail.

The eternal benefits outweigh the earthly temporal ones that we might be enjoying now.

Lets remember (communion) what we have "received and heard", obey it and repent.

Psalm 9

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.  My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you.  For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.  You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.  Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished.  The LORD reigns forever, he has established his throne for judgement.  He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.  The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.  For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.  O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!  Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in your salvation.  The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.  The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.  The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.  But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.  Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence.  Strike them with terror O LORD; let the nations know they are but men.
NIV

PRAYER

My God you are my Savior, Redeemer and King.
You give me reason to be happy and to be filled with joy.
With you I have no fear of my enemies, You are on my side.

Justice and righteousness comes from you.
You govern with a rod of iron and fairness.
You are a stronghold for me and I trust in you.

Those that have hidden agendas will be caught by there own schemes.
I don't need to fear the plans of those who don't care about me because you will turn it right back on them.
O LORD, you will prevail, the wicked will return to dust and the righteous reign with you eternally.

Words Of The Son Of God

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:  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.  Nevertheless I have this against you:  You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess.  By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  I have given her time to repent of her immortality  but she is unwilling.  So I will cast her on a bed of suffering  and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely  unless they repent of her ways.  I will strike her children dead.  Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you):  Only hold on to what you have until I come.  To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - "He will rule them with and iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery - just as I have received authority from my Father.  I will also give him the morning star.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2:18-28 NIV

The people in the days of Noah and Lot were all feeling good about themselves.  They thought that they were relatively good people.  At least the average citizen, tax paying, law abiding run of the mill man, woman or child.

Yet God flooded the earth because He grieved in His heart that He had even created them.  God also destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because Lot couldn't find 12 righteous, believing, people that would listen to him.

I am thankful for an ark that was provided for anyone who wanted to be saved, and a message through a man of God that would have provided protection.

Today Jesus Christ is offering us His protection and says He will "not impose any other burden on you".

We must do those things that we did when we were first saved by His grace.

We must hold  on to Him.

By His strength we must overcome and DO His will until the end.

Psalm 8

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?  You make him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.  O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all he earth!
NIV

PRAYER

LORD God of heaven and earth, you are glorious beyond understanding.
The most innocent and youngest among us look to you and are in awe of you.
This mutes the voice of the enemy.

God in your creativity of the universe, the galaxies that move in harmony with the heavenly planets,
all placed there by your fingertips, who am I but a speck that you should even think about me.

Still humanity has a responsibility to care and manage all living things whether they live in the sky, land or seas.

I praise the name of the All powerful, knowing, present One; Elohim.
Amen

Don't Allow Yourself To Be Led Astray

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:  These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  I know where you live - where Satan has his throne.  Yet you remain true to my name.  You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city - where Satan lives.  Nevertheless, I have a few things against you:  You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  Repent therefore!  Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it known only to him who receives it.
Revelation 2:12-17 NIV

When I was young I had to move to a number of different schools because we moved around a lot.  I was in a new school, again, and was trying to make new friends, but when you do that you don't have time to really get to know peoples character.

There was a stream not to far from where the school was and it was close to home also.  One day after school a new 'friend' and I went to the stream, found some cray fish and put them in a bucket to take back to show our teacher.  She  seemed impressed by what we found and how we were handling them.  This new friend didn't want to take them back to the stream and let them go, he dumped the bucket and started stepping on them.  I joined in and the teacher came outside as we were finishing off the last of the crayfish.  Needless to say she was not impressed anymore with us and we ended up doing detention for the rest of the week.

People are easily led astray.  Whether a child in a school yard or like in the adults in Pergamum who were led astray by the teachings of the Nicolaitans.

The Nicolaitans were liberal thinkers that brought in such things as pagan holidays to observe instead of the Jewish holidays as well as sexual immorality in religious worship etc.

Today I'm calling us to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11), to be astute with Scripture, searching out truth, and knowing when we are not being told it.  Then to be courageous enough to not follow false doctrine, to not tolerate it.  Also, if we have been led astray by it, to ask forgiveness and turn from it.  Not to do as I did in the school yard, to gain friends by stepping on the crayfish.  Instead I should have had the courage to say no and release them into the stream again.  Let's be humble and wise and bring glory to His name.

Value Of Today's Money

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:  Theses are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich!  I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  He who overcomes will not be hurt at all be the second death.
Revelation 2:8-11 NIV

Living so close to the United States makes me very aware of the similarities and differences between Americans and Canadians.  One of the differences is our currency, the U.S. money is all green no matter what amount it is in, whereas the Canadian currency varies from 1 and 2 dollar coins to blue 5, purple 10, and green 20 dollar bills, etc.  Our American neighbors like to poke fun at us, telling us that our money looks like Monopoly money.  I don't think so, but I do know that the Canadian currency is very real, stable and sought after in the world.

God's economy is completely upside down to every economy on earth.  Many would poke fun at it and tell us it's a joke, not real, of no value.

To people who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we know the value of His economy, it's eternal lasting value.

If you are a follower of Christ and you are being tried and tested today, Jesus would have you know that you must be faithful and not be afraid.  What is at stake is the eternal value of your "crown of life".

There are not only people but situations and circumstances that are being used against you by the enemy to test you, to rob you of your eternal currency.

I wrote a blog earlier today.  It was a prayer based on Psalm 7 and would encourage you to go there now, read the entire Psalm 7 and the prayer that I wrote to encourage you.

You are not alone, we are in this together and there are others who have gone before us that have successfully completed the race and therefore you can to.

Be faithful, have courage, learn and grow through what you are suffering and be an over comer.