THE HEART OF SERVICE (PART 7)

 SEPTEMBER. 9^TH.

TEXT: Revelation 2:8-11King James Version (KJV).

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

8 And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, Who died and came to life again:

9 I know your affliction and distress and pressing trouble and your poverty—but you are rich! and how you are abused and reviled and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!] Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and critically appraised, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life.

11 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). He who overcomes (is victorious) shall in no way be injured by the second death.

Each assignment from God is unique and comes with its own challenge. The password to overcoming it is in God’s hands. Approach each situation as one who does not know anything, ask God to tell you what you are to do, and He will show you. Until He shows you what to do, do not act. Some of us have become too sophisticated for God, and have allowed our titles and the various things we have accomplished drown His voice, so we say because we are so and so we already know how to handle every challenge.

So many have missed the perfect will of God for their lives because they think they are something, they no longer depend on God for help. This is the reason the love and hunger they once had for God has been watered down to mere religious activities. To them some things like reading their Bible, joining others to fellowship regularly are elementary things meant for baby believers. Whenever one becomes too big for the elementary things that made them grow, the faith they have begins to backslide.  Do not play with the elementary things of the Spirit, humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and in due season He will exalt you. Do all you can to be humble before God, don’t get sophisticated with Jesus. Approach and serve Him with a clean and sincere heart. Too many of us have allowed impure things into our hearts, instead of things that are pure and lovable. If you allow evil communication in your mind, you will be corrupted and before long, you will have the wrong attitude. Keep your passion for Jesus hot and burning.