Enter into the joy of the Lord~ good and faithful servant....

So on Wednesday the parable of the talents was talked about. As it was read, I couldn't help but notice that not only will God call us good and faithful for being a good steward of our money (talents), but that when we are faithful steward of them- that is when we enter into the joy of the Lord! Wow, how exciting!

For those of you who do not know. This parable is talking about money. When you are good with the little that you have, more is given to you. Many times people teach that the talents are actual "talents," which serves a purpose and is fine. However, I have been really challenged lately in my finances. This scripture just really ministered to my challenges. God cares how we spend our money. Where ever our treasure is, that is where our heart is. Examining where are money is going is a good test of where we are spiritually as well, whether we are a newer or older saint.

The saying, it is better to give than receive, is right on target!

Even if we use this verse for our spiritual talents, (IE: teaching, prophecy, etc), the more you give of your talents and the more you are functioning in them....the more joy you will have!

I just wanted to share what God showed me...the word of God is truly alive and it is so exciting to have it deep with in you!

Here is the story if you would like to read it! 

Matthew 25: 14 (NKJV)“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶ Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

²⁰ “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²² He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ ²³ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

How will you know them…by their fruits?

So I have heard it said that you will know Christians by their fruits. The scripture people are referring to when they quote this is Matthew 7:16. It talks about recognizing who false teachers and false prophets are by their fruits.

Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV)

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

 What fruits are we talking about?

              Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

 

Now it is important that you read the verse prior to this as well which talks about the works of the flesh…

Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Contentions- arguing, disagreeing, disputes, debates, conflicts and controversial.

Dissentions- discord, rebellion and conflict.

Remember that this verse is to apply to leaders…not new believers. It is to make you on who you should being listening too, who is teaching you and prophesying to you.

It is important to understand that fruit is grown, it doesn’t just magically appear. The fruits come from being refined in the fire. People that first get saved are not going to automatically have all the fruits…

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)

³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

 It is a process; it starts out like a seed (just like faith does-mustard seed) that needs to grow…

Matthew 17:20
He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [ that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

A good example in the bible of this is Peter. He was rebuked by Jesus (Matthew 16:23), He denied Jesus at the cross (Luke 22:62). However,  he also was the one that Jesus said he would build his church on (Matthew 16:18). He is the only one that got out of the boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:29). He constantly put his foot in his mouth and was very quick to slice people ears off (Matthew 26:51). However, after he came to the end of his self-confidence and after he realized he wasn’t good enough he went back to being a fisherman (Mark 16:7). That is when God did mighty things through him and thousands were saved (Acts 2:41). It was a process…he walked with Jesus 3 years during that process.

I do want to point out that people we will know who the Christians are….

John 13:35

 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 Lastly, as I was reviewing these scriptures about the fruits of the spirit, I found it very interesting that the last scripture of that chapter tells us what we should not do.

 

Gal 5:26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

Vainglorious- proud, conceited, narcissistic, arrogant, inflated and self-important.

I am amazed that people use this scripture so much to label other Christians as “fake.” It is evident that when they are doing this it is not part of the fruits of the spirit that they are referring to. In fact it is the opposite, it is works of the flesh and arrogant.

Defeating the Enemy

Defeating the Enemy: 2 Chronicles 20:1-23

Jehoshaphat was informed in verse 2 that his enemies were coming against him from afar. In verse 3, it says Jehoshaphat FEARED and he began to seek the Lord with praying, fasting, and even in verses 5-9 he stood in the assembly and proclaimed Gods promises. Then in verses 10-12, Jehoshaphat sounded defeated...he was whining, saying they were helpless and they did not know what to do!

2 Chronicles 20:15

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.



Then God gave him specific instructions in verse 16-17.

1.      He said first to go down against them. They did not sit around whining and crying or complaining. He told them to meet their enemy face to face. However, they did not have to fight....

2.      Then He told them to take a position! What is your position? It means to take a stand, present yourself, or stand with someone.

This is important. Remember when you were in high school, and the kids would bully you? What happened when you took a stand? What happened if you presented yourself during a challenge? Better yet-what happened when your friend(s) was with you?

· Your enemy would think twice about messing with you

· they may just walk away

· they may get scared themselves

Many times their bark is loud but they do not bite, they are terrorist! The devil is a terrorist! They operate on you fear, but when you do not get scared they are disarmed!

       3. Then they were commanded to stand still, and watch the Lord’s victory. To stand still-means to stop (moving or doing), to cease. Hold still and stop trying to fix it yourself. Remember in verse 15 it says that the battle is NOT YOURS! You just take a stand and hold still (stare the devil down). In high school, many of the fights were motionless; all they would do is stare each other down. Get ghetto with the devil, take a stand and stand still!

After Jehoshaphat received direction from God, he bowed his head and worshiped (verse 18). Worship always prepares you for the battle.

2 Chronicles 20:20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way, Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “LISTEN TO ME, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! BELIEVE IN THE LORD YOUR GOD and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Believing God is a requirement to becoming victorious. That is the only way you will be able to stand firm!

2 Chronicles 20:21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”

Now when Jehoshaphat went to meet his enemies (face to face), he went shouting and praising the Lord, giving thanks to Him.

He was giving thanks to God before he even won the victory…

In the Message version, it says:

2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (MSG) As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. The Ammonites and Moabites mistakenly attacked those from Mount Seir and massacred them. Then, further CONFUSED, they went at each other, and all ended up killed.

 Jehoshaphat turned the tables on the devil...instead of him getting confused---his praises confused his ENEMIES! Start confusing the devil, start shouting praise!

1.      Don’t hide

2.      Stand your ground

3.      Hold Still

4.      Get Gods direction

5.      Worship Him

6.      Start shouting, praising, and giving thanks to the Lord!

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and Jump off. You sit still and trust the Engineer. ~ Jesse Madrid Ramirez ~

Worship

True Worship

John 4:21-23"Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God's way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.

23-24"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

I have seen people worship God in many different ways. Recently, I asked myself what the bible says about worship. Most of us know the very well known scripture that says we are to worship in spirit and in truth, but can you describe that to me, define it… That is why I have done this study. The verse above is that very scripture, we worship in spirit and in truth, but it is the message translation. It clearly demonstrates what it means. Your worship- must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth.

Merely clapping your hands, and singing a song does not constitute true worship. I would categorize that as praise, if you fully engaged during that time. Merely clapping your hands and singing, I found, ended up being more like lip service, going through the motions, and playing church.

Isaiah 29:13 (NKJV) Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.”

Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

When I looked up worship, it was different then praise …I have always put them together- not realizing they were very separate entities.

Worship is a verb (an action word). It means to bow down, to depress, to lower, and to prostrate oneself. It occurs 108 times in the King James Version. In many of the verses-it tells you what not to worship, and in Ex 34:14 it gives the commandment to worship God alone. What I really want to focus on is how the people worshipped God. What was there “action,” the verb…

Genesis 24:26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshiped the LORD.

Genesis 24:52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshiped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

 Joshua 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?

Nehemiah 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Psalm 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Revelation 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God

1.      Bowed their head

2.      Bowed on the ground, on their face

3.      Lifted their hands and bowed their heads

4.      Kneeled

5.      When they were old, they leaned upon their cane.

…They worshipped after or before they gave an offering…

2 Chronicles 29:29 And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped.

 1 Chronicles 16:29

Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

 Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

…they did it during song service

2 Chronicles 29:28 And all the congregation worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. (During a song service)

 Praise is also very important; it is mentioned 248 times in the King James Version. It also is a verb an action word). It means to throw, shoot, cast, to give thanks, laud, and to confess.

I wanted to define both words so you can see that they truly are different things. You would not call running- walking or walking- running. They are two different verbs and someone might get confused if you use them interchangeably.

Lets worship in truth and spirit...engage yourself, it will transform your walk.

John 4:23-24"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God.Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

The Still Small Voice

Have you ever noticed that before Elijah heard the still small voice of the Lord- the wind, earthquake, and fire had to come?

1 Kings 19:12 (MSG) Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

During the storms we are instructed what to do…

2 Chronicles 20:17 (AMP) You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.

1.       Take your position

2.       Stand still

3.       See the salvation of the Lord

And we are warned that we cannot do it on our own. We are then instructed what we need to do and need to have to get by…

Ephesians 6:13-18(MSG) Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting [and uproar] you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

1.       Putting on the full armor of God is a must; (Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation). You cannot do it with one piece of the equation, you need them all.

2.       The word of God is our sword.

3.       Prayer.

4.       Stay alert.

After you have done what you have been instructed to do, just wait with an expectation…

Isaiah 40:31 (AMP) But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

1.       When you do this- you will be changed.

2.       Your power and strength will be renewed

3.       You will be above the storm instead of in the storm. The way an Eagle fly’s above the storm, it looks down into the storm, and it sees clearly.

Notice: The storms do not go away….the storm changes you.

Another thing I would like to point out- is the peace factor.

1 Kings 19:12 (MSG) Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

You cannot hear the gentle and quite voice if you do not have peace….you need to hold still.

2 Chronicles 20:17 (AMP) You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.

One of the pieces of armor in Eph 6 is peace...

Ephesians 6:13-18(MSG) Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting [and uproar] you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

So the last thing I want to leave you with is to pursue peace with everything in you…

1.       Hebrews 12:14-17 (MSG) Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.

2.       Psalm 34:14 (MSG) Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace—don't let it get away!.

3.       2 Timothy 2:22-26 (MSG) Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.

The Religious Transformed!

Something interesting was said a few days ago to me. I have heard it a few times but this time, I really have been thinking about it deeply. A man told me to be a missionary here in the U.S.; it is harder than going to other countries where the gospel is received without any doubts. I totally agree- I find that most people here in the U.S. know the name of Jesus and believe they know Him but have not experencied His transforming power. During a prayer meeting, it was really on my heart to study Saul’s (Paul) encounter with the living God. Saul was a religious leader; he was zealous for God and knew the word of God.  His life was devoted to God.

I want to focus on the fact that Saul was religious and zealous. He really loved the word of God and thought he was doing the will of God. All the while he was Gods enemy, killing Christians and imprisoning them.

Acts 9:1-9 (MSG) 1-2 All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master's disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way [Christians], whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem.  3-4He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: "Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?"
5-6He said, "Who are you, Master?" "I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you'll be told what to do next."
7-9His companions stood there dumbstruck—they could hear the sound, but couldn't see anyone—while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone-blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.

1. I believe this is the first thing a religious person needs to do, even if they are completely out of the will of God. They need to study the word faithfully, seek God with all their heart, and be zealous. 

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT) But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.
While he was in pursuit to kill Christians, he had an encounter with Jesus. A light from heaven flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting (harassing and troubling) Me?

Saul did not know who it was, but Jesus identified Himself. When Saul got up, he was completely blind and could not see. Then Saul was trembling and dumbfounded- he asked, “Lord, what do You desire me to do?” 

2. After his encounter, Saul became completely surrendered to the very thing he was trying to stop: Jesus! He did not realize he was working against God. A true encounter with God will completely change you! It does not leave you the same. 

Jesus then gave Saul instructions. He told Saul to go to a man named Ananias. Ananias was three days away and during the trip, Saul did not eat or drink anything. 

3. Saul fasted for the three day trip to Ananias. Fasting is powerful it is a form of seeking God. It is a blow to wickedness and it brings clarity to hard situations. It makes you weak and that is when God says He is strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (NKJV) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Acts 9:10-16 (MSG) 10There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: "Ananias."
"Yes, Master?" he answered. 
11-12"Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He's there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again."
13-14Ananias protested, "Master, you can't be serious. Everybody's talking about this man and the terrible things he's been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he's shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us."
15-16But the Master said, "Don't argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I'm about to show him what he's in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job."

Ananias was prepared for Saul before he got there. Jesus knew what Ananias needed before it took place. God does not allow things to happen unless he has prepared us for it. If we are to be missionaries in the U.S., then God has prepared us and we need to have confidence in that. Dealing with religious people can be scary, just like Ananias was scared. Many things run through your mind, but ultimately God does the work, we just do what He says.

When Ananias found Saul, Saul was praying.

4. Again, Saul was seeking God by praying. Prayer is imperative.  

Acts 9:17 (AMP) So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

After Ananias found Saul, he laid hands and prayed for him, called him brother, and prayed he would receive the Holy Spirit.
5. God sent Ananias to Saul, a man Saul did not consider worthy. How often do we fail to hear from God because of the person He sends? You must not have any preconceived ideas of who or how God is going to move. Trust God like a child, with absolutely no doubting, believing everything His word says!

Mark 10:15 (AMP) Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.

Acts 9:18-19 (AMP) And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul’s] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized,19 And after he took some food, he was strengthened. For several days [afterward] he remained with the disciples at Damascus.

6. Ananias prayed for Saul that he could see. He also pyated that Saul would receive the Holy Spirit. We must be in constant prayer for those that are religous, that they may see clearly, and be filled with the Holy Spirit just like Ananias did for Saul.

After Ananias prayed for Saul, scales fell from his eyes and he received his vision, Christ’s commission to open the blind eyes and set the prisoners free is shown in this.

Jesus often told the religious people they were blind but Paul was delivered from pharasitical blindness. Saul had to experience true salvation and true vision before he could be sent amongst the gentiles to preach the gospel. He had to be blinded and filled with confusion for three days, just like Jonah in the belly of a fish. When a person is filled with confusion they seek God. After he received his sight back, everything became clear. He had experienced a miracle and now was totally sold out to Jesus, and the cause. He had changed and so did his name, he became Paul. The man who wrote 2/3’s of the New Testament, God used him powerfully!

The man of God that is reaching out to the religious people needs to be a man of (1)prayer to hear God, and a man of (2)obedience, no matter how scary it might be. If we do this, God is faithful to send us the blind, broken, and confussed. So we can pray for them and see miracles!

This study has helped me tremendously. I have a deep desire to see people changed like Paul was. There is nothing like the radical transformation of a person that has had an experience with the living God!!

Instructions to the seven churches....

1. Love, be patient, and return to your first love



2. Do not fear the things you are about to suffer



3. Do not have any idols and do not commit sexual immorality



4. Serve and have faith



5. Be watchful, strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die



6. Keep the word and do not deny the faith



7. Anoint your eyes to see and be zealous

Revelation 2-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

1.     The Loveless Church- Ephesus

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

2.     The Persecuted Church-Smyrna

9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

3.     The Compromising Church-Pergamos

13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.[a] 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

4.     The Corrupt Church- Thyatira

19 “I know your works, love, service, faith,[b] and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow[c] that woman[d] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce[e] My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.[f] 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their[g] deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

 24 “Now to you I say, and[h] to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will[i] put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;

They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’[j]—

as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.

5.     The Dead Church- Sardis

3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.[k] 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You[l] have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

6.     The Faithful Church- Philadelphia

8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;[n] for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold,[o] I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

7.     The Lukewarm Church- Laodiceans

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[q] I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 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. 21 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.