God's Heart Revealed

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. - Revelation 3:19



It's easy to think of God as a divine fly-swatter, just waiting for you to land so that - whap - He can nail you for your sins. But that's not what we see in Revelation 2-3 in His letters to the seven churches. The pattern of the letters demonstrates God's loving heart for wayward people.

Jesus began many of these letters by affirming the good things His people had done. This shows us that when we do what is good and right, the Lord is pleased.

But Jesus is also concerned about the faults in our lives. His commendation in these letters was often followed by clear words of reproof. And while it's not comfortable to ear Him say, "Nevertheless I have this against you" (2:4; see w. 14,20) He reveals what needs to be changed in our lives to keep us from self-deceit.

This moves us to the real heart of the matter - repentance. When the Lord told these churches to repent, He was revealing His love for wayward saints. His goal was not to condemn but to restore them to intimate fellowship with Him.

And don't miss the fact that each letter ends with a specific promise for the "overcomers." Clearly God desires to reward those who live lives that are pleasing to Him.

What's He saying to you today? - Joe Stowell



To live a life that pleases Christ,

It's crucial to obey His voice;

When He reveals our sins to us,

Repentance is the wisest choice. - Sper

Repentance restores and renews our intimacy with the Lord.

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Revelation 3:14-22

"To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: "The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God's creation, says these things: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are like warm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you our of my mouth.

Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to but from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eyes salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.

As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.

He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."

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Do things that please God will have more bless... but all have to be done by truth... a real heart... willingness of doing so...