GETTING GOD'S BLESSING

"God blesses the one who reads

the words of this prophecy to the

church, and he blesses all who listen

to its message and obey what it says,

for the time is near."

(Revelation 1:3 NLT)

To get God's blessing; read and obey

the book of Revelation.  What can 

we learn from the churches of Revelation?

Ephesus; Jesus said;

"I know all the things you do.

I have seen your hard work and 

your patient endurance."

and Jesus lists a long list of very good

things the Church was doing.  I wish

that the Church circles I run in could

do as well.  But he continues;

"But I have this complaint against

you.  You don't love me or each

other as you did at first."

They have drifted into a form of 

"Pharisaism".  The emphasis is more

on the correct doing that on the loving

and unfortunately I'm seeing a lot of

that in the circles I run in.

Thyatira; Jesus said:

"I know all the things you do.

I have seen your love, your faith,

your service, and your patient 

endurance."

"But I have this complaint 

against you.  You are permitting

that woman - that Jezebel who 

calls herself a prophet to lead

my servants astray."

Look in today's Churches.  Look at

all the "Jezebels" painted up and 

exposing themselves to get attention.

And read the news about so many getting

getting caught in immorality in the 

Churches.

Sardis; Jesus said:

"I know all the things you do,

and that you have a reputation

for being alive -but you are dead.

Wake up!"

Just like many of today's Churches.

Lots of activity.  Large crowds,

but about as Spiritual as a ball game.

Laodicea; Jesus said:

"You say, 'I am rich. I

have everything I want.  I don't

need a thing!'  And you don't

realize that you are wretched

and miserable and poor and

blind and naked."

Just like today.  Churches full of people 

who are after all the prosperity they can get.   

But they are like the prodigal son.  They want

their inheritance now, here on earth.  Yes, 

they are still sons.  They will be welcomed

home.  But they have wasted their inheritance

here on earth.

For true prosperity study what attitude

Jesus Christ himself had toward material

things.

Then study the Apostle Paul's attitude

toward the things of this world.

I chose to follow Jesus and Paul.

Not today's preachers.