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.