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!