EPHESUS!
Today’s 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, 2015, 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 cares for 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 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 accurate statements 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.
Such a shame for those who don’t believe the reality and truth of the Bible when the physical evidence is there to see. Great photos and links. You are in your glory, now, David, eating from the Tree of Life, in the midst of the Paradise of God! Amen! Wishing you blessings, fellow saints in the Lord!
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls.
Proverbs 11:30 NASV
CHRIS TOMLIN – Good Good father (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zImUxzi-p_Y
Beverlee Kay I want to thank you so very much for all your help on this prayer blog! You are such a dear sweet gal, and you always find the right songs, prayers or the right words to say and of course, you sure got some 1-800 numbers for me. THANK YOU AND MAY GOD GRANT YOU A BLESSED DAY!
I pray for people who don’t believe and I tell them so, I don’t argue, I love them as people, I tell them they can call on God for any problems they have and He hears the prayers! I have known of people who have gone to God in prayer!
Prayers of healing for Rick & Betty, serious car accident,she has broken bones, he is feeling guilty, pray that God will get them both into counselling to talk to each other and to forgive each other and….perhaps their marriage will be greatly blessed by all these events! Thank you Lord
You are very welcome, Sah.
All For Your Glory
“How I realize my failings in the misery of this day,
When I’ve not pardoned others, nor humbled myself to pray.
As a Christian, how I love Thee—oh my Saviour, oh my Lord,
Yet I fall short of Your glory, not abiding in Your Word.
On my knees, I’m in repentance, and wail for You to hear,
My tears are ever flowing—how I need You to be near.
When I am full of prideful ego, and unwilling to forgive,
Bitterness will hold its grip, as the devil seeks to win.
But My Lord, You are my Saviour, and the answer to my pain,
On my knees, I plea for mercy, and humbly fall, again.
To my brothers and my sisters, who I have failed to embrace,
May God bless you and keep you—in the presence of His grace.
For I realize the very secret, of the pattern I have lived,
I have failed to forgive myself, for the weakness of my sins.
But You, God, exonerate me—that is the shield I shall wear,
Your blood, oh Lord, redeems me, as your promises, I bear.
To You, my Risen Saviour, all my thanks and ever praise,
From the bottom of my heart, as I strive to live each day.
My weight is lifted from me, as You carry my shame away,
All for Your glory, God—Your love on earth, forever reigns.”
Beverlee Kay
©April, 2018
What a beautiful poem, I am sure it speaks into all of our hearts Beverlee, thank you.for sharing it with us.
Pastor David’s pray was mine also. Blessings to all. Eleanor M.
Amen Beverlee Kay. May it be my prayer too.
Thank you for sharing your comments.
May God bless us all.
Yes, beautiful and so filled with emotion; God bless you Beverlee for sharing!!
A beautiful, heart rendering, prayer, Beverlee. May it be mine also.
Yes, agree with you that David is joyfully eating from the Tree of Life and love and prayed his prayer. And that is a beautiful poem Beverlee, so apt and timely. Thank you and God bless you saints and our producers each day, Ron, Ann and Reynold.
We are made in the image of God,so it’s very interesting and not surprising to see that God puts a high value on Quality Time. Gary Chapman identified the 5 Love Languages( Quality Time being one of them) The church in Ephesus did well with their works but got so wrapped up in it , they forgot who it was they were serving by neglecting the Intimacy they had at first with Jesus. How easy this can happen with all of us! Blessings to everyone….Thank you for sharing that heart rendering poem you wrote Beverley.
Amen to your comment re: Ephesus, Christine.
Love the poem you posted Beverlee. Poems just seem to have the message hit home so profoundly.
Today is my 50th wedding anniversary, well, my husband is in there somewhere too:-). Couldn’t have done it w/o our heavenly Father. Praise the Lord I was raised by Christian parents but anyone can ask Jesus to come into their life at any time in their precious existence. I still work as a reporter and could only do that with God’s grace and guidance. My husband still works and has no plans for retirement either. God has granted us both wonderful health of mind, body, soul and spirit. We’re just your normal average people/sinners so anyone can do what we’ve done and continue to do, without a doubt. May the good Lord inspire us ALL daily and bless us as He has promised.
Congratulations to you, Lynda and your husband on your 50 th anniversary ! What a milestone ! Wishing you both continued blessings in your physical, mental and spiritual health. May you both enjoy many more blessed years together!
Thank you , Beverlee for such a beautiful, profound poem! May we all recognize our areas of weakness and run to our Heavenly Father for help. He will be waiting with loving, open arms.
Wishing everyone a day of joy and gladness! Amen!
Yes, Congratulations Lynda and husband!!
Happy 50 Th Annimversary to you and your husband Lynda. May the Lord bless you with many more years together.
God bless you Lynda on your 50th!!!! PTL you are both in good health, working, enjoying everyday with each other and enjoying God’s world! CONGRATULATIONS!
Praise the Lord that you acknowledged that God was present in your lives…..amen amen amen
Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to you and your husband, Lynda. God bless you!
Powerful payer; links and photo’s; but most of all Revelation 2-7 on the church of Ephesus: The sad words “they left their first love”! Lord I pray you help me to return to my “first love”. Show me the Way, I pray!
God is their
for us when that
happens.
Beverley, wow,thank you for sharing your wonderful prayer poem. Those are the words I have needed to pray. Amen
Praying you all have a restful sound sleep tonight. God bless and looking forward to hearing from you all I the morning
praying that Mental Health will understand me and help me to take care of each day; thankful to the Lord for removing smokes/alcohol from me 23 years ago, April l6, l995…also 23 years of swimming! That was all the Lord’s work! He knew what I needed!
I now ask for a like-minded person to perhaps rent the back room, looking forward to paying down loan, having someone to talk with once in a while….TY Lord in Jesus Name I Pray amen amen amen