“Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17)

Everyone dies and they leave everything behind.  The rich may play for awhile, but the end is the same and levels us all.  Do not be deceived by the trappings of this world.  The true wealth which is available for all is the gift of faith which saves you.  Grow rich in the Lord and that will yours forever.  The rich of this world are no better off than the poor.  They may be comfortable, but they are as wretched as any.

Lord, grant me eyes to see the truth of what You are saying.  I struggle because I think myself exempt.  I am not.  Help me to know that only in You is there wealth worth having.  Open my eyes, clothe me, and lift me out of the fog of this age to walk humbly with You my Savior and God.  I am in great need and only You can satisfy the need I have.  Guide me always in the way of true wealth and life.

Lord Jesus, You came into this world humbly and gathered nothing for yourself while You were here.  Lead me in the way of gaining what cannot be taken.  Lead me to live into the life which is forever.  Help me to cling to You and the righteousness You give so that I may gain true wealth and not be beholden to the trinkets of this world.  Guide me with open eyes and a contrite heart now and forever.  Amen.

“So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16).

Sometimes one who is very cold to the Lord is closer to the spirit of Christ that one who is lukewarm.  So many are just middle folk who simply go with the flow.  The Lord desires those who will love Him.  That takes action and being indifferent is meaningless.  The Lord says that such uncommitted people will not be amongst those who are with Him forever.  Pay attention and take heed.

We live in a culture where being “nice” is considered a virtue.  I may not like someone, but I’ll be “nice” to them.  This kind of behavior is anathema to the Lord.  It is a lie.  It is action with no heart.  It is political.  It is fearful action in a hostile world.  The Lord seeks those who will take a stand and hold fast to the Gospel even when it costs them to take a stand.  Do not deny the Lord by being “Nice,” but proclaim Him in thought, word, and deed.

Lord, I am conditioned by this world on what is or is not appropriate behavior.  You have told me, now help me to listen.  Guide me according to Your goodness to stand firm and hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Even if it offends my neighbor in church on Sunday morning, let me speak truth humbly and graciously.  Lord Jesus, You did not compromise to save me.  Help me not compromise You as I walk the journey You have placed before me.  Amen.

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15).

Do you feel like reading this?  “Oh, I don’t know.”  How many times do you encounter others who are not one way or another?  The Lord does not want us to be wishy-washy, nor uncommitted, but willing to take a stand.  Yes, we will offend.  The Gospel is offensive.  But do not try to hold on to being conformed to this world.  It is futile, for there is no firm place to land.

Lord, only in You is there solid ground.  You told us to build upon You, the solid rock.  Help me to build upon a firm foundation and not to live according to the insanity of this world.  Lead me Lord not into opinions, but into Your word and then to stand firm upon what You say.  Help me so that my deeds affirm a solid commitment to You, doing those things which are pleasing in the Father’s sight.

Lord Jesus, help me to be hot for You and cold to the ways of the world.  Even when I am wrong, help me to remain committed to living the new life You have given me by grace.  Lord, take away from me any desire to be uncommitted, but instead live according to Your eternal principles.  Guide my deeds to be in harmony with Your leading so that I may walk the path You have laid before me.  Amen.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this” (Revelation 3:14)

The One who makes is so, the Author and Finisher of your faith is faithful and true.  He is the standard by which all things are to be compared.  How strange it is that we will listen to others, even people we do not know, but do not listen to the One who holds all things in His hands.  Come to the One who knows and know truth.  Come and learn how to be faithful.  Come and learn how to hear Him as He speaks.

Lord, I want what I can put my hands upon.  But You are Lord and what I need is to hand myself over to You.  But I fight this.  You who were there at the beginning of the creation, know all that needs to be known.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life and guide me in Your goodness to do what needs to be done.  Help me live into the life into which I have been invited by Your grace.

Lord Jesus, the first and last, the beginning and end, You are reveling to us what we need to know for this part of our journey.  Help me to not make of it anything other that what it is.  Take my hand and help me to learn how to follow.  In Your goodness, lead me according to the Father’s will and learn how to humbly submit to all that You know I will need for the journey.  Amen.

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:12-13).

There are mysteries upon mysteries that are yet to be revealed.  Many act as if they already knew.  We do not.  The Lord will reveal as He reveals and there will be a new heaven and a new earth.  Christ has come to grant entrance to those who believe.  Look to the One who is able and will  join you with Himself so that You may be where He is.  Become a citizen of the New Jerusalem, the city of Zion, prepared with those who overcome through Christ.

Lord, let me not focus so much upon what I do not know, but upon what You have revealed.  Guide me in Your goodness to see what You show me and to respond as I prepare to be in eternity with You.  You will make things new.  You, who are the author and finisher of our faith, have done and will do all that is necessary to accomplish these things.  You teach us to look up and beyond ourselves.  Help me to do this.

Lord Jesus, You came to us humbly and died on the cross so that we might be given the power to become children of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me Lord so that as I look to You, I see You looking to the Father.  Lead me to know that I am in a humble and subservient position.  You are Lord.  Guide me to get this into my head and to not fall for the traps of this world’s illusions.  Lead me now and always in the way I need to go.  Amen.

“I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Revelation 3:11).

We live four score years, plus or minus.  The scoffers say it has been too long.  What is four score years in the face of eternity?  Jesus is returning and it will come quickly.  The world is bent on taking away your faith.  It is easier to see now than it was even twenty years ago.  Either all of this is true, or else it is false.  If you believe, then what is adversity but an opportunity to learn more and become more like Jesus who lived a life on this earth filled with adversity.

Lord God, Maker of all things, You know that I like comfort.  I enjoy my daily routine and desire assurances in this life that I may continue on, but the world is pressing in.  Help me to live for You first and foremost no matter what comes.  Whether it is at the end of my few short years in this life, or Your return where everyone sees, help me to live preparing for the eternity You have promised me.

Savior of the world, You have sent Your Spirit to lead the way in the righteousness You give through grace.  Guide me this day to hold fast to the faith You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to understand and know that You have, are, and will save me through every time of trial.  I will fall, but You will pick me up.  Guide me today to do those things You place before me and help me to be faithful.  Amen.

“Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10).

The Lord has placed conditions upon us. Does that sound so wrong?  You are used to them because you live with them in every other place in your life, why not with the Lord?  Take care of your faith and your faith will take care of you.  So many crumble because they are lazy, do nothing, and then when adversity comes, expect the Lord to bail them out.  It does not work that way.  It cannot.

Lord, help me to see this clearly.  If I do the work, I will be able to do what I need to do when the time of testing comes.  If I expect You to do it all, I will be worthless in adversity.  Help me to do the exercise so that in the day of trial I may persevere.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You is all hope and a future.  Lead me now and always in the way of learning how to be faithful.

Lord Jesus, help me to make the connections.  There seem to be many in our age who expect much while they themselves do nothing.  My part must be done in order for the work to be done.  Help me to see this plainly and then help me to follow the path that You set before me.  Guide me dear Lord in the way You know I need to go and establish in me the discipline I need to get there.  Amen.

“Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie – I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you” (Revelation 3:9).

There are those opposed to God who gather together and claim that they are the ones who are privileged.  The Lord will deal with them in His time.  Many assemblies have been thus led astray.  But what about you?  Will you take seriously the call to hold fast to the true faith and remain in the arms of Jesus, or will you give into worldly pressure and conform to those who believe they have control?  The Lord will affirm the faithful and in the end it is the faithful who will be with Him.

Lord, living this life is often a muddled mess.  Lead me, O Lord in the way of life that You not only established, but intend that we live.  Let me not be caught up with those who assemble and remain opposed to You.  Let me be faithful to You and seek others who are following You.  May I never be found to be a member of those who oppose You, but instead remain faithful to the end.

Lord Jesus, You alone know who is whom.  You have called me to follow You.  No matter where I find myself, help me to remain faithful to Your righteousness in which You have called me through grace.  Help me to remain faithful to You throughout all the days of my life no matter what comes.  Lord, the only prize I seek is to be with You always and to walk in Your ways.  Amen.  

“I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8).

The little power, dare I say the only power we have, is the power to become children of God as it says in John, chapter one.  We are under the authority of Christ.  Do not take liberty with these things, but humbly submit to the One who has opened the door in order that You may enter.  Be guided by His goodness and know that the Lord of all is leading You in the power He gives you so that you may steward your life to become like Him.

Lord, all power does belong to You.  You grant us, from Your power, that which is needed to walk the journey of becoming.  There are many who hunger for power, but that is an illusive and deadly goal.  Your faithful people demonstrate that they live by faith.  They do not seek for worldly power, but humbly walk with You.  The road is narrow and You must lead so that we do not veer from the path.

Lord, lead me the remaining days of this life so that each day I may progress in the way You would have me go. Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope.  Your promises are forever.  Let me not walk my own way or by my own power, but in Your power which You grant so that I may increasingly become like You.  Help as You know I need it to walk with You always.  Amen.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:” (Revelation 3:7)

he keys of the kingdom belong to the Lord.  He who promised to David that the scepter would not pass away has the keys, has opened the door for as many as believe and gives them the power to become children of God in the example of Christ.  We are to be conformed to Christ’s image.  The Lord of all has fulfilled His promise to David and will fulfill His promise to us.

Know who it is that is making this promise.  The Eternal One is speaking these words and each of us does well to pay attention.  Do not be deceived, fakers and those who inwardly mock the Lord will not walk through the door.  Be led by the Lord of all and walk humbly with Your God and Savior.  Know that in Him is life and liberty.  Apart from Him is death.  He will do as He has promised.

Lord Jesus, You have come to rescue me from the bondage of death upon my soul.  Help me hear Your word and apply it to my life.  Grant that I would live in Your power of becoming so that each day I may become a little more like You.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the nonsense of this world and live the life You have granted me through grace.  Lead me Lord to wherever the open door You have opened takes me.  Amen.