LAODICEA
Suggested Reading: Revelation 3:14-22
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Evidences of settlements at Laodicea go back 5,000 years, according to the archeologists. Here they are reconstructing a temple from pieces of rubble found nearby. Laodicea was destroyed by earthquakes many times, the last being in the 7th century, after which it was abandoned. According to today's reading the people who lived here said, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing" (3:17a).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 3:20-21
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Today’s reading begins with Jesus giving three descriptive titles for Himself: (1) “The AMEN!” He is “Truth!” He is the “Absolute Certainty!” The Apostle Paul declares, “All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen!” (read 2 Corinthians 1:19-22). Let us “Hear what the Spirit says to the churches!” (2) “FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS!” In court the promise is made to tell “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Jesus takes the witness stand! (read John 3:30-33). He is totally and completely accurate. It is impossible for Him to say anything other than truth! (3) The “BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD!” This does not mean that He was created! It means that He began the creation. We must always compare Scripture with Scripture. This is why we must read all of it, so as not to come up with error as does the false religion which teaches Jesus was a created angel (read Colossians 1:16-18).
History records that this city had a very poor water supply which was contaminated by impurities and literally made many people sick to their stomachs. If their water was cold, it would mean that it was from an artesian well. If it was hot (boiling), the impurities would be destroyed. It was “lukewarm.” These people made Jesus feel sick. “I will spew you out of My mouth!” Hey everybody! Listen up!!!
Let’s take time to meditate on 3:17-19. Imagine that we were there with John. We see Jesus in all His glory. We look into “His eyes like a flame of fire!” We hear “His voice as the sound of many waters!” (Revelation 1:14-18). John fell at the feet of Jesus as if he were dead! Let’s judge the temperature and purity of our experience with God by our reaction to Jesus’ Words!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I find myself overcome by my emotions. All I can pray, as I heard on yesterday’s 100 Huntley Street telecast, is, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!!!” (You may want to watch Sheila Walsh’s message from yesterday’s program…click here).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
John 6:37b is the verse of the Bible I’ve quoted more than any other throughout my life. That’s because Jesus said, “Then one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out!” That’s the verse an elderly man gave me as I stood at the front of the Glebe Collegiate Auditorium in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa. I had been angry at God since my mother’s death when I was 12. Now I was 16, and finally I had responded to an invitation to follow Jesus. A truly “hot” evangelist named Jack Wrytzen gave the invitation. One of my jobs for five months prior to that night was to deliver the audio tape of Jack preaching from Times Square, New York City, to CHOV radio each week. My boss for my part time job, Syd Healey, owner of the Chrysler dealership, paid the radio time and the tapes were mailed to him for radio coverage of the upper Ottawa Valley. Syd had always done this himself prior to this. No doubt he knew that by delivering these tapes, I would make it a point to listen to the preacher. I did! I was ready to get right with God the night that I heard the preacher from the Word of Life radio broadcast in person.
The other verse I think I’ve quoted often over the 60 years since that time is Revelation 3:20. Jesus said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him, and dine with him and he with Me.” As one who has sought to lead people to Jesus through the years, I now say to everyone who reads this, “Come, come to Jesus now.” He’s knocking on your heart’s door. Please, please, don’t turn Him away. The key to unlock the door is in your hand. It’s a simple prayer that Jesus gave us. Please say with me right now, ‘Lord God, be merciful to me for I’m a sinner. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come in to my heart Lord Jesus!’ It’s really important that you tell someone that you have unlocked your heart’s door and invited Jesus in. A good way to do this is to call one of our Crossroads/100 Huntley Street prayer partners at 1-866-273-4444. A caring, non-judgmental person will answer the phone. If you get a busy signal, try again. You can also confess Jesus in an e-mail to ministry@crossroads.ca. One way or another, you must not keep the wonderful news of your decision to yourself.
Yours for making our decision for Jesus known. Jesus said, “If you confess Me before men, I will confess your name before My Father in Heaven” (read Luke 12:8-9),
David
The rebuilding of ancient Laodicia has been going on for years. Jesus promised the people of Laodicea, "To him (the person) that overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne" (Revelation 3:21a). Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I believe that my mother is there with Jesus! She probably had a word with Him that night I came forward to open my heart's door and invite Him in forever.
I can’t overcome my weeping, David Mainse. From the very start of this blog with you and fellow saints, two years ago, I have never been more moved touched or stirred from the scripture passage, message, prayer, and your personal 100 words. I get on my knees. I get on my knees.
Jesus counsels us to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, that we may be rich; and white garments, that we may be clothed, that the shame of our nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint our eyes with eye salve, that we may see. He loves, rebukes and chastens us to be zealous and repent. Jesus opens the door and invites us in. He shouts to us to overcome the world, to let go of our old ways, and grants us the key to be with Him and His Father in His Kingdom of eternal life.
Paul implores us to see Jesus as the way the truth and the life. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Yes, indeed, we are guaranteed by the Spirit of Christ who lives and breathes in us.
We hear You, Jesus, we let You into our hearts, and we overcome every obstacle in our lives as Your Spirit lives and breathes in us. We walk with You, from this moment forward, to glorify YOU. It’s all about YOU, JESUS! It’s all about YOU!!!
On My Knees, Jaci Velasquez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx10drNM3gc&hd=1
“On My Knees”
Jaci Velasquez
There are days when I feel the best of me is ready to begin
Then they’re days when I feel i’m letting go and soaring on the wind
Cause i’ve learned in laughter or in pain how to survive
I get on my knees, I get on my knees
There I am before the love that changes me
See I don’t know how but there’s power when i’m on my knees
I can be in a crowd or by myself or almost anywhere
When I feel there’s a need to talk with God, he is Emmanuel
When I close my eyes, no darkness there
There’s only light
I get on my knees, I get on my knees
There I am before the love that changes me
See I don’t know how but there’s power in the blue skies, in the midnight
When I’m on my knees
I get on my knees, I get on my knees
There I am before the love that changes me
See I don’t know how but there’s power when i’m on my
Oh, when i’m on my
When I’m on my knees
Thank you, David Mainse, from the bottom of my heart for the gift you have given me!!!
Amazing song choice Beverlee:) God bless you. I will like you all to please help me pray for healing as I am presently not feeling the greatest. I am beginning to cough, it’s dry and very irritating, It’s like I am loosing my voice and the whole experience is just really uncomfortable. I believe only God can get me through this ( maybe cold) speedily. Thank You Lord for your healing and thank you all for your prayers:) stay blessed.
Amen!
Thank you Sir Mainse, thank you Beverlee. What a message from you both. I pray that I may experience the same feelings you experience serving The Lord! And may His continuous will be done in our lives…Amen!
I want to thank God in a special way for keeping me and my siblings safe from a few minutes shooting that took place in our community yesterday, even though we were all out of the house. May His name be glorified, Amen!
Patricia, dear sister-in-Christ, I echo Faith’s prayer from Psalm 90:17: may the favour of our Lord God almighty, rest upon you! Be assured that He is holding you in the palms of His Hands. Let His love and Spirit lift you up and heal you. We pray this blessing upon you in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen!!
Amen
Amen and Amen!
We are here, alive today, with a message of hope and love from our Creator. Fully embraced by His love, as a child. Completely understood as an adult. Lord, we surrender all! All glory and honour is Yours forevermore! Blessings, honour and strength from our Lord Jesus Christ, guide each of us this day!
and Amen!
Amen and amen, brother!!
I thank you too, David and all who have had
such rich input into this blog. I echo the
beautiful words that Beverlee has written.
What a blessing this journey has been with
you, in your blog for two years. God continue
to bless you and yours in this valuable ministry.
Thank you to each blogger who has contributed
personal thots…I feel like I know each of you
as friends. What a blessing this has been.
In His presence their is fullness of joy and at
His right hand there are pleasures forever more.
(Psa. 16:11). My prayer for each one…(Psa.90:17)
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
Establish the work of our hands,…
Thank you Jesus, for all you accomplished on
Calvary for us. Amen, amen and Amen!
Praying for you Patricia and so thankful
for your protection yesterday.
Faith
Thank you and Amen to your prayer:) stay blessed
Thank you Lord Jesus and thank you David for the great blessing you have been and also fellow bloggers. Only eternity will reveal all the results. Yes, Beverlee it makes us fall on our knees. ” Jesus, Jesus, Jesus there’s just something about that Name.” Perhaps you would like to listen to that on You Tube. Thank you Norma Jean, Reynold, Ron and Ann for the important part you played. God bless all today!
Yes, sister Ger. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There’s just something about that name!! Amen!!
When God gave us all free will, He got His work cut out for Him. With the free-will gift
came rules and regulations though. What an ingenius system!
To be on fire for Jesus eliminates ‘neither hot nor cold’. I pray I never scare any soul away from our heavenly Father with too much fire. Free will is a gift to be reckoned with.
What a blessing Sheila Walsh is to our Lord. I would love to read her book(s).
If we have ears to hear, let us hear is such a simple concept but can be so difficult at times. To be still and listen takes practice and perseverance. May God grant us all that art.
My mother is in heaven also DM. They will be sharing no sorrow or pain with many other blessed saints I’m sure.
How I pray that all our prayers are answered today. He has ears and will hear.
One of the consequence of being hot for the Lord is being attacked for it. A couple of days ago after sharing my faith with all of you I suddenly without cause began to experience severe pain in my neck. And last night, the jabbing pain awoke me every hour on the hour almost as if was on purpose so I could not sleep. And when I did fall asleep I had odd dreams filled with disgusting images. So I am beginning to think this might be coming not from the natural realm. So I ask for your prayers not only for healing but protection. Thank you all in advance for your love and intercession for me.
And to all the mother’s out there a blessed and happy Mother’s Day in case I don’t get a chance to get this blog tomorrow.
Praying for the Lord’s healing intercession calmness and peace to enter into your body mind and soul, Donna. God’s blessings on you, dear sister-in-Christ!
Yes, Lord we pray for Patricia and Donna M. today that they will be relieved of all sickness and pain in the Name of Jesus. Amen!
Lord, I claim the promise of Thessalonians 3:3 for Donna. “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and keep you from evil”. I pray that you would strengthen her in faith, and send Angels to guard her all around. Lord, may your will be done always and forever. In Jesus most Holy name, Amen.
Good Friends,
I often tell people that my favourite bible verse is 3:16 and I get a kick when they say “do you mean John 3:16”? My answer is No – I mean Revelation 3:16.
Shalom,
Graham (a luke warm Christian who is trying to become a hot Christian).
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
PS Please excuse my humour.
🙂
http://youtu.be/mpHSGP6U1Ws
After reading this lesson and reflecting with the Lord this morning, I realize that I need to repent and ask God to forgive me for the ultimate insult to Him, which is to live in my own strength in this world, as though He can’t be trusted. He has been knocking continually on the door of my heart, and although I acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord, I have been lukewarm. I have been wounded, as we all have, and have believed the lie of the enemy that I have to protect myself, and live life in my own resources and strength. I have believed the lie that Adam and Eve believed, God can’t be trusted to do what is best for me, and that I have to protect myself. This is the Spirit of the Tower of Babel, it is the Spirit that tempted Jesus in the desert, and it is one of the many Spirits of this age. Please pray that I would be delivered. The ultimate insult is to live for one minute as though God doesn’t matter. Lord forgive me.
Bless you sister Sherry–amen!!
Me too
Dear Rev David M,
I am filled again with so much gratefulness for your wonderful 100 Words. What a journey you have brought us all in these past two years! Like you, I was brought to tears when I listened to Sheila Walsh’s testimony. And yes, so many times, in my life to this day the only prayer that comes out of my mouth is: ”JESUS JESUS JESUS”. So much power in that precious name.
Thank You Lord, for chosing us as Your children, going on the cross for us, taking all our sins, dying, coming back and leaving us recepients of the Holy Spirit. Ready for battle until Your return. Amen
Dear Sister Beverlee, Thank You so much for your wonderful words this morning. You are such a strength in my walk as a new reborn Christian.
Dear Sister Donna, keeping you in prayer, knowing exactly what you are going through, being also attacked. So stand strong, my dear, we are fully armored for we are in Christ and Christ is in us with the Holy Spirit always ready for the battle.
Dear Sister Patricia, keeping you in prayer.
Have a blessed day everyone!
xxxxCarole
my computer was not working all day until now.
Donna I pray that you put the belt of truth, the body armor of righteousness,
shoes of peace that you will be fully prepared the sheild of faith and the
helmet of salvation.
Patricia you are in my prayers as well
In Jesus name
Amen
What a special time to remember Mother’s, those who gave of themselves endlesly!!!
I thank God for my Mother, who I know is at rest in heaven…and above all, I thank My Lord Jesus Christ whose love for me is abounding and everlasting!!! Yes and I pray, JESUS, JESUS, JESUS!!!
Jesus is the above all names by which we can be Saved Halelluia amen ..R…