Page 44 - Living Light 91

Wednesday January 14 - Take time to remember
“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.” Revelation 3:3
Sardis was a dying church but was not yet dead. In any relationship it is only too easy to forget what once existed; it can happen for any number of reasons, most commonly because we take someone for granted or we allow other things to captivate our hearts, often unintentionally. Christ loved the church of Sardis, so much so that he gave one last warning. He wanted the church to wake up from its spiritual malaise and be ready for his unannounced return. May I ask you a question? Are you ready for Jesus’ return?
Sardis still had opportunity, but first it had to do three things: remember, hold fast and repent. To recall to mind the teaching they had received, the fellowship they once enjoyed, the wonderful times of communion shared with Christ – all expressions of the love of God; to long for them once more and to turn away from the things that had taken their place.
Let’s take the opportunity to remember the unbridled joy and zeal we experienced when we first received the gospel. Do we still know its freshness and power, or is it in danger of being consumed by cold and stale religion? God loves you with the passion that caused him to sacrifice Jesus on the cross for you. Join me in crying, “Revive me, Lord!”
Father, ‘O Breath of life, come sweeping through us, revive your church with life and power. Come, cleanse, renew us, and fit your church to meet this hour.’ Amen.
Thursday January 15 - Be faithful
“Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes.”
Revelation 3:4
In the darkest of times there has always been a faithful remnant. Faith’s candle may flicker but it can never be extinguished. It takes only one small spark to ignite the flame of revival. In biblical times, God used Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Nehemiah and Daniel to bring life to the dying embers of faith. More recently, men and women with the fire of God in their hearts have inspired revivals – Jonathan Edwards (USA), Hudson Taylor (China), William Carey (India) to name but a few.
Note the remnant had ‘not soiled their clothes’; in other words they had ‘kept themselves from being polluted by the world’ (James 1:27). They had stayed true to God, in seeking his kingdom and his righteousness, by denying both themselves and the lure of the world. God seeks such a people and chooses to work through them. It does not matter where you are or who you are – you may be in prison, in a vestry, at work, school or home. Know this: God’s will for you is to walk with him in righteousness, for he has made you ‘worthy’ (v 4). What a wonderful privilege! You are not being asked to strive with Jesus but simply to walk with him. So let’s not choose to follow the crowd but rather look to his ‘cloud of witnesses’ cheering us on (Hebrews 12:1).
Lord Jesus, I give thanks for your loving kindness. I am sorry for straying; please show me where I am lukewarm. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY