EPHESUS!
Suggested Reading: Revelation 2:1-7
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This theatre is the most magnificent structure in the ancient city of Ephesus. The Great Theatre is located on the slope of Panayir Hill, opposite the Harbor Street, and easily seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period, in the third century BC, but then during the Roman Period it was enlarged and formed its current style, with a seating capacity of 25,000. It is believed that here the near riot took place as a result of the preaching of Paul (Acts 19:23-41).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
God willing, we’ll have one day in our reading schedule for each of the seven churches. They are short readings, so we may want to increase our understanding by reading the entire book of Ephesians (click here). If that’s too much for time available, how about just reading Ephesians, chapter four (click here). Also, we could revisit June 1, 2013, when Ephesians 4 was our focus (click here). Why revisit the Apostle Paul’s letter (62 A.D.) to the members of the Ephesian church? It’s because we can check up as we read today’s reading as to how the Ephesian church progressed or regressed over a 30-year period. Also we may want to read the story of the founding of the church in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20).
The word “Angel” used here can also be translated “Messenger.” This is probably addressed to the Pastor of the Ephesian church. The Pastor is answerable to God for the spiritual and moral health of those he feeds as an under-shepherd to the Great Shepherd, Jesus! Jesus’ assessment is (1) they have perseverance, (2) they have patience, (3) they have not become weary, (4) they have left their first love, (5) they are to remember (read Ephesians), (6) repent and experience revival, (7) they hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans (professing Christians who continued to practise black magic and participate in pagan worship of other gods), (8) Those who responded in repentance and renewed their first love received from Jesus a marvellous promise. Amen!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord Jesus, I pray for grace to learn the same lessons in my personal life which You taught the Ephesian believers. I repent! I pray fervently for revival of my first Love! I dare not live as the Nicolaitans, with one foot in a pagan culture and another foot in the church. By Your grace, I desire with all my heart to be one who overcomes and who will eat of the Tree of Life in Paradise. In Your Name! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m constantly reading ahead of the current reading. The day after tomorrow, God willing, I want to write more about the compromising theological liberals known as the Nicolaitans. Throughout almost 60 years of public ministry as a pastor/teacher, evangelist and a Christian who needs God’s grace daily, I have had to deal with several powerful personalities who sought to manipulate others in a way that was contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. A strong stand for the historical understanding of the Christian faith is absolutely essential. This was taught by the Apostles and in the writings of their immediate successors, who established the creeds, which I believe to be an accurate statement of Christian doctrine and practice. For example, here are the Nicene and Apostles Creed (click here). These statements are foundational to our Christian faith. They were agreed to by the leaders of the universal Church (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Evangelicals) during the early centuries in order to stand for the truth and to stand against the very false doctrines against which Jesus warned the church at Ephesus.
Yours in the “saved by grace” expectation of someday eating “from the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God!!!
David
P.S. I’ve asked David Reynold for an extra photo of what’s left of ancient Ephesus. I understand that this city was partially destroyed by a disastrous earthquake in 614 A.D.
Off the beaten path in Ephesus you can walk down some of the main roads from ancient times.
This is an artists rendering of what the ancient Temple of Diana (or Artemis in Greek) may have looked like. It was located in Ephesus and known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Wow! Praise the living God! Powerful readings, teachings, advise and lessons for our everyday living. The Book of Ephesians is truely one that can guide us to live a life that is Worthy of His praise!
Lord, I ask that you help us not to only be readers and hearers of your word, but to also practice and live by what we read and hear everyday. Our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak, which is why we desire oh Lord that You creat in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us!. Thank You Lord for only You are worthy to be praised…Amen!
Stay blessed my fellow bloggers.
Amen!
Yes we are looking forward to be eating of the tree of Life in Paradise in the presence of our creater , thank you David for giving us understanding of the word , Let us hace ears to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to us today, God Help Us I everything we say and do to bring you glory and honor , Help us all to be overcomers in the battle for we know ehen we follow Jesus we are all winners
Amen and Amen
God Bless all you overcomers in Jesus name Amen ♡
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty! The photo of the ancient path in Ephesus holds a prophetic aura for all to see walk upon and embrace. Can you not feel Paul right there and sense Jesus’ presence in that very place? Thank you Reynold, Ron, David, Ann, Jim and Kathy–everyone involved for the blog, today!
Jesus proclaimed that the Church of Ephesus walk in unity, by the grace of the spiritual gifts imposed, in the body and mind renewed in the new man, not grieving the Spirit but calling each other into true righteousness and holiness according to God. We are called to do the same by casting off our wicked ways of old, and bearing love for one another and for one God, above all else. We are reminded the same way that God in Christ has forgiven us, as He did them.
Personally, when I am in excruciating physical pain, I lash out emotionally at others–pointing out their faults, which are the same flaws in my own character. I am humbly reminded by Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and profoundly so by God in Christ in Revelations 2, to bear love and forgiveness for my brothers and sisters, above all else. His love is so amazingly full–there is nothing else we need. That healing power of love is the key ingredient that allows us to love ourselves in the same way. The more I stay centered in YOU, the more I stay centered in LOVE! THANK YOU, LORD GOD, FOR YOUR LOVE!!! We are nothing without YOU. We are everything with YOU! We exalt YOU LORD GOD, AMEN!
Here is Tip of my Toes/I Have Found my Joy by Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger/Bethel Music–EXPLODING IN PRAISE FOR YOU, LORD!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWldbXusyA&hd=1
From the tip of my toes, to the top of my head, they’re gonna know I’m Yours. They’re gonna know I love You… Christ the hope of glory. You are Christ the hope of glory, let ’em bow, let ’em bow. Woa, woa, woa. There’s a line and we’ve crossed it. Some would say that we’ve lost it. Woa woa woa. But we found our joy and it’s the joy of loving You. But who cares what the world thinks. We found our joy! Woa, woa, woa! PRAISE YOU GOD!!!!
Bless you dear fellow saints, on this rainy day. Let us praise and worship our LORD and KING with all our hearts, today!!! AMEN!!
Good morning sister Beverlee. Thanks again for your words of love and wisdom bestowed upon you through the Holy Spirit of God. I have been lifting you up in healing prayer every morning as part of my morning healing prayers… Father God we praise Your Holy Name. You are the Alpha and Omega. We look forward to an eternity in Your loving presence when we leave this plain of flesh and blood…
You Father are the Great Healer. Through Your one and only Son Jesus we become your children and through Your Word we learn to be more Christ-like. Holy Father, we come to you as humble servants believing that You would heal us, your beloved children…
In Your timing our prayers are answered… In the name of Christ Jesus we lift up our sister Beverlee. Take away her pain and restore her health as only You can do for Your Honour and Glory! Amen! and Amen!
Ahhh, bless you, brother David! Thank you for your morning prayers and this Spirit-filled one! Listening to the link of praise and and mighty worship in the Spirit gives me more strength along with your prayers. Amen!!
The Creeds sum up the Christian faith so beautifully. Thank you DM et al for all this info and lovely pics. Blessings from our holy Father on all who honor The Creeds.
Amen to all the above comments! It is as though we have been transfigured in time, as there is so much life in the words we read! Blessings and His strength and light, to all!
Thank you David M for your teaching of the Holy Words of Scripture. These two precious creeds are perfect words to live by in our Christ-like journey here on planet earth.
Thanks for your entire family David as they assist you each and every day in the production of this wonderful blog… beautiful pis etc. It’s as though we are transformed in time (liken to a fly on the wall) of precious Christian history…
Blessings everyone…
oops – beautiful pics
Thankyou David and family !!!keep fighting the Good fight Haleluha Amen!!!!!!
Dear D.M. And allyou bloggers , I’m so lifted up by this blog music and song ect.
during our confirmation instruction when we were young we had to know the creeds
for memory which has been with me ever since ,God bless you all….R…
Glad you are giving us lots of information concerning the messages to the churches, David.
Wonder what Jesus would say about the many church of today?
Again Reynold thanks for the pictures:)