Well I'm behind with two chuches to get to. The next church on our journey in Revelation is the Church of Thyatira. It covers Rev 2:18-29 and is considered the smallest church of all but God has much to say here about this tiny church. It's called the "Compromising Church." Here's the text: 18“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19“I know your works, love, service, fait...

Given to me by one of my friends who got it thru one of those mail solicitations. TOP TEN INDICATIONS YOU ARE NOT READING YOUR BIBLE ENOUGH 1. You think that JOB rhymes with BOB 2. You fall for it when the preacher tels you to turn to 2 Hezekiah 3. You think the minor prophets worked in the quarries. 4. Catching the kids reading the Song of Solomon, you demand: "Who gave you this?" 5. You get mad because you can't find Charlton Heston in the concordance nor in the ta...

I heard a sermon today by John McArthur that held the audience spellbound. There was not a sound to be heard as he preached a most sobering sermon about America and God's wrath against it. He is one of the most respected and sought after speakers and theologians today and one that I admire as well. He says it straight, and I like that. He's not afraid to stand up and speak the truth, and his wisdom, I believe, is God given as he loves and preaches nothing other than the word of God. Any...

We now move along the postal route to the third Church of seven having already moved past Ephesus and Smyrna. This church is called Pergamos or Pergamum. We start reading the letter to this church from Revelation 2:12-17 12“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 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...

I felt like I was in the middle of an episode of the Twilight Zone yesterday. I used to love that show along with Dark Shadows and other scary tv programs or movies. It's one thing to be sitting in your cozy LR and another to be standing in the middle of the store going, "you've got to be kidding me." First to explain so you don't think I'm weirder than I already am...lol. I cut my theological teeth on prophecy or prophetic books not excluding the book of Revelation. Not only that b...

John is now instructed to write a letter to the church at Smyrna. This is what was written: “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 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 y...

John was to write a letter to each of the seven churches of Asia Minor in the year 95 AD. The first letter was to his own church, the church of Ephesus. This is what he was instructed to write. 1“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 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...

Revelation 1:9-20: 9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna...

Revelation is a letter written to the seven churches of Asia Minor at the end of the first century. These churches were along a circuit similar to a postal route. Most likely this letter was copied and sent around to the churches. Now remember the churches were not like ours today. The church was basically individual homes within a city. So multiple copies of this letter would have been sent around and preserved to be read over and over again. Any significance to seven? I would say so....

Our Pastor decided finally to, many's anticipation, preach on Revelation. Many preachers stay away from this book for a variety of reasons. None are good IMHO because right in the first chapter we're promised a blessing for just reading it. He's already done two sections in the last two weeks and I thought I'd jot down a few of the highlights for any that are interested. It also helps me in cementing some of the thoughts that have come up in the process, and as always I've got food...

Christians sometimes get asked how they can believe what they believe. How do we come to, what we believe is, the knowledge of the truth? How can we believe the bible promises us everything we absolutely need? Are we better than everyone else? Are we more intelligent? Did someone make a good reasonable case that convinced us to believe that Jesus is God? No. Not at all. Christians are not the elite, nor more intelligent, nor better than anyone else. Actually it’s more the opp...

I recently wrote about our personal God which, of course, got mixed reviews. I cannot explain this with reason and logic. I know that even tho I do, at times, try to explain him knowing it can't really be done. Here's another example of God's divine intervention in our lives that just played out this week, actually yesterday and today. It actually begins last September. Our Associate Pastor and his wife and my husband and I went to a Pastor's conference in VT. I think I wrote about i...

On Wednesdays we have bible study at our church. We start off at 5:00 with a free spaghetti dinner to any that wish to come. This is followed by a Pioneer Group for kids from 1st to 6th grade. The parents and those without kids go into the back for our very own bible study. It's a great way for the whole family to get together for dinner and teaching. For over a year the adults have been discussing Genesis, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. It's very intense and very interesting. We...

As we finish examining the last statement from the cross let's look at it from the angle of peace and comfort. As Jesus gave up that last breath, He had peace. Did you notice that He went from "My God, My God" as he earlier addressed God the Father to now here simply addressing Him as "Father?" We sense comfort and closeness now. Isn't he saying, "into your hands Dad I come?" Don't you get a sense of comfort even now as he's nailed to the cross? This quote comes from Psalm 31:5 ...

The last sermon on the Seven Sayings on the cross was given on Good Friday instead of the usual Sunday. It's kinda long so let's get going on it. We started with Luke 23:46 "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spiriit; and having said this, he gave up the ghost ." Think about this. He's seconds away from death yet, he has enough strength to shout out his last words. He wants us to hear this. He wanted all those around him to hea...