“This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: I am the one who holds the seven stars in my right hand, and I walk among the seven gold lampstands. Listen to what I say. I know everything you have done, including your hard work and how you have endured. I know you won’t put up with anyone who is evil. When some people pretended to be apostles, you tested them and found out they were liars. You have endured and gone through hard times because of me, yet you have not given up. But I do have something against you! And it is this: You don’t have as much love as you used to.”
Memory Verse: “Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
Happy New Year and welcome to a new year filled with so many promises from God. As with every other year, many Christians have gathered for a wonderful time in His presence and have done so with an expectation of hearing from God what the year ahead holds for them and because God never hides His intentions from those who love Him, His word has gone out to all. But what’s the difference this time? Last year there were words from God too but many failed to enjoy the fulfilment and manifestation because they have no understanding of which words apply to them so they generically hold onto everything.
This seven-day series is an awakening and repositioning reminder to help to evaluate and progress. All the churches have something in common and just like us, they all heard from God but they heard something different. All churches were address differently and their evaluation drove their actions which were all geared towards setting the right priorities.
The church in Ephesus was first to be addressed. God was observing everything the church did and He saw a few things about them:
- They were hard working
- They endured through had times
- They had zero tolerance to sin
- They were spiritually alert and discerned
- They have not given up on God.
I remember thinking this was the perfect place to be until i saw that God was more interested in one thing which they were missing “Love”. This church loved the things of God but the Love for God and others was just not there anymore.
If you were to look back, will you say you align with the church in Ephesus? Or has religious activities become more important or maybe you simply have been distracted by the activities then it’s time to wake up!
The penalty for lack of love is greater than any temporary reward. Love is the foundation If you don’t turn back, the Lord will come and take away your lampstand. Revelation 2:5.
A good place to begin is to examine yourself and ask “am I like the church in Ephesus?” The promises of God can on remain permanently if we fully abide by His word, else there is a tendency for partial benefit.
Love is a must; every other thing is secondary!
PRAYERS
- Father I thank you for another wonderful year 2023
- Thank you for your purpose for me in this new year and for the grace to hear from you
- Father forgive my iniquities Lord, help me to live right before you and for you
- Let my life be full of your blessings, miracles and breakthrough this year,
- Thank you Jesus! In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.
