Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Thursday, January 25, 2018
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 01.25.2018” on Spreaker.
This is devotional thought number 60 in our devotional series, God’s Promises are Sure!
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (Revelation 2:17).
One Answer
When religion and politics get married, they have evil babies. When people worship human leaders as gods, and even God’s people mix truth with error, the enemy gets honor. These things buffeted the church during the Pergamus era.
How could God manifest His power in His people who were under such an insidious attack? With the same power He called the worlds into existence and keeps them in place, He makes holds promises for those who would receive them by faith.
Coming Crisis of Conscience
I think it appropriate to mention that we are living during a time when religion and politics are courting. They will soon be married. From the mouths of leaders who otherwise lack moral leadership we are hearing religious chatter, under the guise of country building.
From other leaders who seem to be conscientious, yet do not espouse truths God has revealed for our times, and are willing to amend the U.S. Constitution to include mandates regarding how we worship (or don’t worship) God, we hear very similar rumblings.
Politics has overrun the church. Politics seeks to settle disputes that have buffeted the children of Abraham since He took Hagar and they had a son. This, without regard for the prophecies that identify how these challenges would pan out. Truth and error have been mixed among the churches in the eradication of Protestantism in 2017, which has now become the poster child for division instead of the necessary revolution against error it was.
The Challenge Now
Our lives often go through similar cycles. Our challenges require us to evaluate truth, and whether we will embrace it, despite the strange mixture between truth and error we encounter.
Will we be faithful when we want to tell a little lie in an attempt to save ourselves from punishment? Will we put on our Christian masks and come to church, with no intention of allowing God to transform us, while our hearts are joined with the world? Will we love God or play fast and loose with the devil in our conversations, entertainment, how we relate to the poor, sick, and hungry? It’s a lot to think about, but God is with all who are willing to live for Him.
You, Re-named
God promises the power of overcoming to those who trust in Him without reservation. He promises that He will miraculously feed and satisfy our souls with the everlasting bread of life. He will honor His faithful people with acceptance, immovable position in His kingdom, His righteousness, and an everlasting name that is even greater than sons and daughters (Isaiah 56:1-7; 1 John 3:1-3). He will write His name in our foreheads. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
