Mountain Top Life DAILY DEVOTION
SMYRNA: The Persecuted Church (I)
15TH September, 2021
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Haggai 1-2
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Revelation 2:8-11
8 And unto the
angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last,
which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of
those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you
into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be
thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that
overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
MEMORY VERSE: ”Love These things I have spoken to you, that in me
ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world”
–John 16:33
MOTIVATIONAL
QUOTE:
I would be very happy to get persecuted, if only the Lord counts
me worthy
PRAISE WORSHIP: Take a
worship song as led by the Holy Spirit
PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:
I
decree that the powers assigned to trouble your Israel shall perish, in the
name of Jesus
The
MESSAGE:
The second
letter to the seven churches was to the church at Smyrna. Smyrna was a proud
Asian city closely aligned with Rome and eager to submit to the emperor’s
worship. Smyrna also had a large community of Jews that rejected Christ, though
they claimed to follow God. In truth, they were under satan’s control and
helped to create a hostile environment for the Christians.
Polycarp, one of the most famous early Christian Martyrs (i.e.
killed for his faith), was the Bishop of Smyrna. The persecution and the
poverty of the Smyrna believers were extensive. They were at the lowest point
economically, yet Jesus said in His letter that they were spiritually rich.
Let us note the contrast between them and the Laodicean church,
which was very rich in material wealth, yet was considered spiritually
“wretched, and miserable, and poor, blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17; Matt 6:20;
James 2:5). This simply implies that one may be physically rich but spiritually
poor.
These are Christians who never used their God-given resources to
serve God who blessed them with same. Beloved, to keep our Christian faith and
lives in proper perspective, we should ask ourselves some salient questions: Is
serving Jesus a matter of convenience for me, or does it truly cost me
something? Can God trust me with any of the endowments upon my life: talents,
gifts, wealth, skills and abilities?
Am I serving God more for what I can get from Him, or for how I
can surrender myself for His kingdom and purposes? Do I even recognise the fact
that He kept me for His purpose, or and that He wants me to do His will and
serve others too? Am I selfish with the blessings He has blessed me with? Out of
the seven churches addressed by the risen Lord, only two passed His
examination. One of them was the church at Smyrna.
He did not find anything against them. Can He find any faults in
you? Look inwards now and amend your ways. Decide to stand for Christ alone, no
matter the hostility of your environment. Refuse to compromise (Rom. 12:2a).
Don’t be conformed to this world. Rather, be conformed to heavenly standard
(Gal. 3:1-2).
No matter the persecution in this world, a crown of life awaits
you in heaven (Rev. 2:10).
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
1. My Father, reveal more of Yourself to me, in the
name of Jesus.
2. Invisible wall blocking my spiritual sight,
crumble, in the name of Jesus.
3. O God, arise and give me the grace to follow
You to the end, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
4. Anti-gospel power operating
against my life, die, in the name of Jesus.
5. Every opposition to the spread and prosperity
of the gospel in my environment, scatter, in the name of Jesus.
6. Witchcraft verdict against the church of
Christ, scatter, in the name of Jesus.
7. Arrows of bewitchment, assigned to pull me
down, I am not your candidate, backfire, in the name of Jesus.
DO
HAVE A BLESSED DAY
MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by
Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and
Miracle Ministries, Worldwide) |
Post a Comment
Add You Comments, Prayer Request, Recommendations, Questions and so on