Day 3
Scripture focus: I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
Revelation
1: 9-11
Application:
We each have a unique calling as followers of Jesus. John the disciple, most
certainly had an exceptionally unique calling. According to tradition, he is
the only original apostle to have survived into old age. At best guess, he was in
his eighties or nineties when this revelation was given to him. He had survived
many tortures and persecution for following the Way (how early Christians were
referred to) and was exiled to a prisoner island because of the Gospel.
Most
of us can’t relate to that level of persecution for sharing Jesus. At most, we
have experienced being uncomfortable, made fun of, dismissed, or ignored. This
is changing for the worse in our country, for sure, but we have not yet
experienced persecution as believers in Christ as others have in the past and
around the world today. In this – partnering with our brothers and sisters in
Christ as they’re experiencing persecution and tribulation – we can relate to
John’s words. As we seek to love, serve, and obey Christ in loving and serving
others for the advancement of His Kingdom, we can remember not only those who
are lost, but those who are suffering for the Gospel.
We
can partner with them in our prayers, awareness, and however else God calls. We
can remember that there are churches today in modern day Turkey in the
locations John’s letter went to that we can partner with. There are churches
going through the same challenges and experiencing the same victories we read
about in Revelation all over the world. How is God calling us to be a part of
His universal Church? How is He calling you? What is He trying to convey to us
today about His church? Our local church? How we individually play a role in
what He’s saying? Let us each cultivate a habit of being in the Spirit to hear
what the Lord has to say.
Prayer:
Holy Father, we praise You for the gift of patient endurance when I go through
trials and tribulations. Thank You for adopting me in Your family so I never go
through these things alone. Thank You for the brothers and sisters in the faith
You’ve given me in this faith family and in Your church around the world. Draw me
to You and help me to eliminate everything in life that prohibits me from being
in Your Spirit and hearing Your Word. Remind me to rest in You and listen with
a heart cleansed by Your grace and mercy. May You receive all glory and honor
and praise, as You alone are worthy. Amen.
Reflection questions/prayer prompts:
God, how are you calling me to be a part of Your
church – locally and around the world?
Lord, reveal to me what may be hindering me from
hearing Your Word.
How can I be more aware of and pray for my
brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are experiencing
persecution and tribulation?
What does God want me to give up in order to
spend more time with Him?
What difficult circumstances or times drew me
closer to the Lord can I thank Him for?
Father, help me to see all fellow followers of
You as partners in the Kingdom.
In what ways might God be calling me to have a
greater understanding of patient endurance?
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