Page 15 - Living Light 91

Wednesday December 10 - There will be counterfeits!
“...you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have
found them false.” Revelation 2:2
It is so disappointing to read of a church leader who has been exposed because they have been living a secret life of sin or behaving in an unholy or negligent way. There seem to be too many stories in the press of this nature. What are we to think? Paul spoke very strongly to the Ephesian church in his farewell address to them, saying: “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number some will arise and distort the truth...” (Acts 20:29). Paul was not trying to stop them from believing in Jesus or frighten them, but to encourage them to be committed to ‘the word of God’s grace’ (Acts 20:32) so that they would not be deceived. It seems that his warning was heeded!
At the same time he exhorts us to pray for our leaders, because they are on the front line and need God’s protection. And we should encourage our leaders and recognise that they too are only human, like us, and they need time for rest and spiritual refilling.
We must not give up on the church because a false leader has been publicly unmasked, because we have been forewarned. And importantly, we need to offer compassion, hope and healing to those who have been personally affected by the actions of abusive leaders.
Lord, please heal and comfort those who have been hurt by abusive church leaders. Amen.
Thursday December 11 - Return to your first love!
“Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first.”
Revelation 2:4
Thus far Jesus has had only words of praise for the Ephesian church: they have worked hard for the gospel, they have persevered and not given up, and they have spotted the false so-called apostles. But here comes the crunch: in all their diligent service and holding to the truth of the Bible, they have abandoned their first love. Jesus does not say they have lost it, but they have forgotten and walked away from it and in so doing they have lost the essence of the gospel. In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus summarises the gospel message: it’s all about love: loving God and then loving your neighbour. This is not just a feeling but wholehearted devotion expressed towards God and others. When worship becomes a duty rather than a joy we are on the road to forsaking our first love, and we need to recognise this before it’s too late.
When a couple first fall in love there are all sorts of spontaneous warm and fuzzy feelings. After they have been together for many years, you hope that their love deepens as they intentionally express their love, even if the fuzzy feelings fade. A strong marriage is more than just doing your bit on the house cleaning rota!
Similarly, spending time with the Lord, telling him we love him and enjoying his presence, is our prime calling on earth! Let’s not forget it!
Lord Jesus, thank you for going to the cross for me. I love you. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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