The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 30:4 (HCSB)
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— if you know?
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 134:2 (HCSB)
2 Lift up your hands in the holy place and praise the LORD!
The Word of God for encouragement:
Revelation 2:8-11 (HCSB)
8 "Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: "The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says:
9 I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. [I know] the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.
My observation:
To this church Jesus is described as, "The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life". Notice that Jesus did not have a word of rebuke for this church.
The church in Smyrna was a persecuted people. This church provides hope for any church or people that are facing persecution because of their faith in Christ, and the proclamation of the gospel of Christ. This is the hope; even in a chaotic world, the servant of God can find a place of peace, and have joy in the midst of hard circumstances.
This is the choice verse:
Revelation 2:10 (HCSB)
10 Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the peace that you give to calm our fearful hearts. Father, I thank you that the risen Christ is the source of our peace in the midst of the storms of life.
Lord, I thank you that no matter what we are going through in this world we can still find a place of quiet rest, and in that place, we can rejoice in the Lord.
Father, in every circumstance I encounter in this world, I ask you to help me to be faithful, and not fearful. In Jesus name, Amen.
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5 I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
6 I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.
My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/
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