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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for January 2020
February 1, 2020
Revelation 2:17 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Thought: Again, Jesus exhorts His readers to give ear to His words. Those who listened would be overcomers and would be blessed. One blessing was to eat of the hidden manna. Manna was the food of Israel during the wilderness wanderings. Spiritual food will be given to the overcomer. He will also receive a white stone, “and in the stone a new name written.” It could have been a stone indicating pardon or a stone given to a victor of a game. It was a stone of honor that brought abundant blessings.
John 6:48-51
February 2, 2020
Revelation 2:18 – And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.
Thought: Thyatira is now introduced to the Son of God. He describes His eyes as “like unto a flame of fire.” He describes His feet as being “like fine brass.” The eyes of the Lord are not darkened. They are bright and alert. He sees all. In fact, His sight penetrates deep into the hearts of men and women. His feet shine brightly having been purified by the refiner’s fire. He walks in holiness among His churches. The descriptions of Jesus indicate His greatness and the importance of listening to Him.
John 5:24-25
February 3, 2020
Revelation 2:19 – I know they works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Thought: When the Lord observes a church, He is looking at many things. He examined the works, the charity, the service, the faith, and the patience of this congregation. All of these things are vital to the well-being of the local church. Thyatira had an abundance of these things. The last was more than the first. It appears that they were maturing spiritually. We must remember: God desires fruit.
John 15:8
February 4, 2020
Revelation 2:20 – Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Thought: Even though there was good at Thyatira, there was also a problem. There was a woman who was like the Jezebel of the Old Testament who was at work in the church. She was allowed to teach her false doctrines and lead some in the church to commit fornication and eat things offered unto idols. She was probably a pretty woman, a nice woman, and a woman of powerful persuasion. Her positive qualities, however, did not negate her evil ways. She was a danger to the church.
I Kings 16:30-31
February 5, 2020
Revelation 2:21 – And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.
Thought: God is often pictured as a God who is willing and eager to punish and destroy. Such a picture is a misconception. God loves man and wants him to be saved. God gave the woman named Jezebel at Thyatira space to repent of her fornication. This reveals that God is loving and longsuffering. Man, however, does not appreciate God’s compassion. Jezebel did not. She chose not to repent. Thus, her fate was in her own hands.
II Peter 3:9-10
February 6, 2020
Revelation 2:22 – Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Thought: There will always be individuals who will follow those who teach false doctrines and who promote sinful practices. These individuals are just as guilty as the false teachers themselves. Those who were following Jezebel at Thyatira would be brought into great tribulation as a consequence of their disobedience. The only alternative was to repent. Repent, or perish! This is a scriptural theme.
Ezekiel 18:30-32
February 7, 2020
Revelation 2:23 - And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Thought: False teachers have their children. They are born by means of the false doctrine they have been taught. God promises to bring destruction to the children of Jezebel at Thyatira. The language is bold. “And I will kill her children with death.” My friend, God knows what resides in the heart of man. He knows whether it is truth or error. He will render to every man according to his works.
Isaiah 3:10-11
February 8, 2020
Revelation 2:24, 25 – But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come.
Thought: In all churches that struggle with doctrinal problems, there are some who are faithful within the church. They do not partake in the false teaching. They do not know “the depths of Satan” as taught by the false teachers. These have one burden put upon them. They are to “hold fast till I come.” This is not an easy task. Pressure is constantly put upon them to change. They, however, must not give in or give up. They keep pressing on the upward way of righteousness and holiness.
Hebrews 10:23
February 9, 2020
Revelation 2:26-27 – And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Thought: When one rules over another, it often brings about the destruction of those in submission. In the last day, faithful Christians will dominate the world and have power over the nations. They will rule over them with a rod of iron. Like a potter’s vessel they will be broken into shivers. Evil ones will cease being in control. They will meet their horrible end. Christians will be victorious. It behooves all the faithful to do as Thyatira was exhorted to do: overcome and keep Christ’s works unto the end.
I Corinthians 15:22-24
February 10, 2020
Revelation 2:28, 29 – And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
Thought: In Revelation 22:16, Jesus describes Himself as the morning star. Jesus promises to give Himself in His fullness to those who overcame. They would experience His glory. They will be partakers of His fellowship. They would abide in His eternal dwelling forever and ever. To overcome, however, it was necessary for the church to hear. We must not let the Spirit’s words fall on deaf ears. We must give heed and apply the things He teaches us so we can be victorious.
Revelation 22:16
February 11, 2020
Revelation 3:1 – And unto the angel of the church is Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, and that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Thought: The Lord addresses the church at Sardis. He reminds them that it is He who has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars. “Having them” indicates His authority over them. This church had a good name and a reputation that is was alive, but Jesus says that it was dead. Interesting! What man sees may not be what really exists. Jesus is able to look beyond the externals and see such things as sin, the heart, and the motivations. Activity alone does not make one alive in Christ.
Matthew 23:25-26
February 12, 2020
Revelation 3:2 – Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Thought: When a plant begins to die, the flowers and leaves begin to wilt and turn downward. They become brown in color. The plant needs to be strengthened. The dead growth is removed. That which remains is watered and fertilized. The same must happen in churches that are dying. Sardis needed this strengthening. If they did not, the entire church would die. How sad when a local congregation of the Lord’s people ceases to exist. The key is watchfulness. Watch and strengthen. Never deny reality.
Isaiah 56:9-10
February 13, 2020
Revelation 3:3 – Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Thought: We have a tendency to quickly forget important things from the past. The Lord encouraged Sardis to remember. They were to remember how they received and heard the Word of God. There was a time when they heard the Word swiftly. Too, they eagerly made application of it in their lives. They needed to return to that zeal and hold it fast. They needed to repent of their failures and neglect. If they did not, the Lord promised to come in judgment upon them as a thief in the night.
Hebrews 2:1
February 14, 2020
Revelation 3:4 – Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Thought: In every congregation, even in those that are struggling with major issues, there are a few who remain faithful. They refuse to defile their garments. They honor the Christ. They adhere to the Word of God. They fight against sin. They stand boldly against the opposition. Jesus said that these individuals would walk with Him in white. Why? Because “they are worthy.”
I Kings 19:18
February 15, 2020
Revelation 3:5 – He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Thought: If there is any place that a person desires for his name to be it is in the Lamb’s book of life. If it is there, a person will be granted entrance into his/her heavenly reward. If a person’s name is there, then it is blotted out, how sad that would be. There would be no greater tragedy. The way to guarantee that our names will be there is to overcome the evil one, overcome sin, and overcome the world. If we do this, Jesus will confess our names before the Father and before the holy angels.
Exodus 32:33
February 16, 2020
Revelation 3:6 – He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Thought: It is always good to be reminded of our obligations, especially of those obligations we have to God. Over and over in the letters to the churches, we are exhorted to hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. If we are going to be pleasing to God, we must hear. If we are going to be saved, we must hear. If we are going to overcome, we must hear. If we are going to correct mistakes, we must hear. If we are going to receive our reward, we must hear. Hearing is vital in the salvation process.
James 1:19
February 17, 2020
Revelation 3:7 – And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.
Thought: Jesus is both holy and true. These two qualities should endear him to all humanity. There is no evil or sin in Jesus. There is no deceit or falsehood in Him either. Who else do we know who can claim absolute holiness and total integrity? He is also the one who is in charge of all things. He opens doors and shuts doors. No man can alter the decisions that He makes. He is sovereign over all.
Numbers 23:19
February 18, 2020
Revelation 3:8 – I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Thought: Philadelphia is a church that has nothing bad to be pointed out. God saw them as a faithful church. He had opened doors of opportunity for them and they took them. They were not overwhelmingly strong. They only had “a little strength.” But, they kept the Word of God and did not deny His name. This was a church that was resolute in their commitment to their Master. We need more churches that will make the resolve to follow in the footsteps of the church in Philadelphia.
II Corinthians 12:9
February 19, 2020
Revelation 3:9 – Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Thought: God is a powerful force. If we are faithful to Him, He will use His forces against our enemies. The saints in Philadelphia had the synagogue of Satan among them. The Lord promised: “I will make them to come and worship before thy feet.” The enemy often arrogantly believes that he is undefeatable. Not so. God can overcome our enemies. They will come to know that God loves His people
Obadiah 1:3-4
February 20, 2020
Revelation 3:10 – Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Thought: In this verse, the Lord promises to protect the saints in Philadelphia. He would protect them from “the hour of temptation.” The reason for this promise is because they had “kept the word of my patience.” Obedience brings blessings. In this case, it was protection. While the hour of temptation came upon all the world to try them, Philadelphia was safe in the hands of God. Do you think they were glad they had obeyed God’s Word?
Exodus 12:12-13
February 21, 2020
Revelation 3:11 – Behold, I come quickly: hold fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Thought: When individuals hear about Jesus’ coming, they immediately think of the Second Coming. However, the term can indicate that He is coming in judgment against the enemies of God’s people. Regardless of when and how He comes, we do not want to be on the wrong side. The church at Philadelphia was exhorted to “hold fast which thou hast.” This is what all faithful Christians must do. If we will do this, no man can take our crown from us. We will win the victory.
Hebrews 10:23
February 22, 2020
Revelation 3:12 – Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which in new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Thought: A pillar is a foundational aspect of a building. If the pillars are removed, the roof comes crashing to the floor. Therefore to be a pillar in the temple of God is a precious place of honor. In the past, names were extremely important. Here, overcomers are promised to have three names written upon them: the name of God, the name of the city of God, and the new name. Names identify. To be a pillar is an honor. To have God’s name written upon us is a double honor.
I Kings 7:21
February 23, 2020
Revelation 3:13 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Thought: God has spoken from heaven. He has preserved His words in The Holy Bible. It behooves us to listen to what our Creator has to say. We need to listen to the One who will ultimately judge the earth. Only those filled with pride, selfishness, lust, and ignorance would turn a deaf ear to the words of a divine God. What sense does it make to refuse to listen? What good does it do?
Acts 2:36-37
February 24, 2020
Revelation 3:14 – And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
Thought: This is the final letter to the seven churches of Asia. It is written to the church at Laodicea. It was sent by one who is called “the faithful and true witness.” Dear readers, His assessment of the church is “spot on.” He is also the one responsible for creating the heavens and the earth. He knows His creation through and through. All that He speaks is with knowledge and accuracy.
Colossians 1:15-17
February 25, 2020
Revelation 3:15, 16 – I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Thought: So many people want religion, but they do not want to give it their all. They want to claim membership, but they do not want to dedicate themselves to the work of the church. They want to claim Christ as their Savior, but they do not want to say: “For to me to live is Christ.” They are lukewarm Christians like those at Laodicea. These church members make our Lord sick. Since they are neither hot nor cold, He will spew them out, vomit them up, out of His mouth.
Hosea 10:2
February 26, 2020
Revelation 3:17 – Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
Thought: Physical riches are deceiving. They can make churches think they are self-sufficient. They can make congregations believe they are powerful. They can make churches believe they need nothing else. Riches move our eyes away from spiritual things. They do not allow an honest self-evaluation. Although rich in goods, the church at Laodicea was “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Spiritually, they were bankrupt.
Proverbs 30:8-9
February 27, 2020
Revelation 3:18 – I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Thought: Physically, the church at Laodicea was is great shape. Spiritually, it was bankrupt. The Great Physician gives them counsel as to how to be healed. They needed their faith tried by fire in order to cleanse away the impurities. They needed to put on the clothing of righteousness. They needed to anoint their spiritual eyes with eyesalve. They needed to see their spiritual condition. They also needed to see their hope beyond this world. This church desperately needed spiritual healing.
Proverbs 19:20
February 28, 2020
Revelation 3:19 – As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Thought: The words spoken by Jesus in this verse are not thought to be true by many today. If they are rebuked and chastened, they charge the individual with being unloving. This is one of Satan’s lies. Jesus said: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” The desire of chastening is change. This change needs to be extremely quick. It must involve diligent effort on the part of the sinner. If there is no change, the consequences are severe. “Be zealous therefore, and repent.”
II Corinthians 7:10-11
February 29, 2020
Revelation 3:20 – Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Thought: When doing mission work in foreign countries, there are often fences and gates that keep one from the house. In order to get in, we must call out to those within. The homeowners must open their door to us. This is true of our hearts. We are the owners. We are the ones who must open the door for entrance to others. My friend, Jesus is calling and desires entrance therein. Will you grant Him access to your heart? If you will open the door, you can have rich fellowship with your Lord and Savior.
Luke 12:35-37
Read devotionals for March 2020