“But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality” (Revelation 2:14).

This world is filled with sensuality.  Our entertainment is built upon the premise, “If it feels good, do it.”  Feelings never satisfy, but people pursue them anyway.  What a tragedy this world is.  Such a waste that so much is sacrificed for nothing.  People live their lives to have a few futile moments of pleasure.  Do not abandon the way of the Lord in favor of such nonsense.

Lord, teach me the way of everlasting life.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the temptations of sensuality.  Lead me into understanding so that I may learn how to love.  Teach me how to be faithful.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You there is all hope and a future.  Keep the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart pure in Your sight.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to walk through the pitfalls of this age.  So many, all around me, are tugging, pushing, and making demands.  Help me to navigate through all these things so that I may come to look to You alone for hope and fulfilment.  Lord, You know what I need.  Give me wisdom to avoid the snares of wickedness in this age.  Amen.

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells” (Revelation 2:12-13).

The title “Satan” means one opposed to God, usually in reference to the devil.  There are many who are opposed to God and we are to learn how to stand firm and hold fast against those who would tempt us to not follow the Lord.  Do not be swayed, but even to the point of death, hold fast to the truth.  Live and even die for the truth.  Living and dying for a lie is absolute foolishness.

Lord, help me to see clearly that holding fast to You is not hard, but the only alternative there is in this foolish and hate-filled world.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You is all hope and only in You is there life.  Help me to learn how to be Your witness and faithful no matter the cost.  Even though Satan be in this age and all around me, yet I do have the gift of Your grace to persevere.

Lord Jesus, You went to Your death, even a death upon the cross, to free those who would receive You, learn to love You and become like You.  Guide me this day to live into the life You have promised me.  Teach me to always hold fast to Your goodness and mercy.  May I be a true witness of Your goodness in this messed up world.  In You, Lord, I can do all things. Help me to do what You know I need to do.  Amen.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death”(Revelation 2:11).

There is the first death which awaits us all.  There is also the second death which is the eternal separation from the Lord.  Do not fear the first as most in this world do.  Fear the second, for anything you think bad in this world pales in comparison to what the second death brings.  Accept the love of the Lord and live into the life He gives you through faith.  Know that in Him is life and liberty.

Lord, I do not fully understand, and I do fear, but it is pointless.  This world sells the lie of living forever when we all know that everyone dies.  The Lord loves me and I am going to die.  But this little death is not the big deal.  Yes, you want to live, but learn how to live the new life and live forever.  It will be on the Lord’s terms, not your own.  Learn how to overcome this world through the One who has overcome the world.

Lord Jesus, I need saving.  Only You are able to do what must be done.  Guide me now and forever to live the life You give, knowing that though I will die, I shall live forever with You.  In the mystery of the faith, lift up my countenance to face all obstacles knowing that You are with me and the nothing anyone else will do can change the simple fact that I am yours forever.  Amen

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days.  Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Jesus told us that the one who finds life must lose it and the one who clings to their life will lose it.  You are not in control.  Look around you and ask, “How many act as if they were in control?”  In our age of rebellion you will either go your way, or else go the way of the Lord.  Learn what it means to be faithful by turning to the Lord and He will teach you.  He who redeemed you will stay with you through all trials.

Lord, You have warned me that there will be times of trial.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I do not look to myself, but look to You in all things.  Teach me what faithfulness means.  Take away from me the love of this world and teach me to stay the course You have set before me.  Whatever comes, it is only for a season, for the day is coming when all of this will pass away and I shall stand before You in eternity.

Lord Jesus, You have paid the price so that I can live into the new life You give.  Guide me to be faithful no matter the trials and tribulations that come my way.  Lead me in the faith You give and grant me the fortitude to stay the course.  Lord, You know what lies before me.  You alone have the strength to see me through.  Grant grace and mercy so that I remain faithful unto death.  Amen.

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:8-9).

The opposition to the truth has always been present.  Even in the church, there are those who say they love the Lord, but they do not follow His commands, nor truly love Him.  Hatred and opposition is the mark of those who do not listen to and obey the Lord.  The Lord has commanded that we love.  Do not marvel at the hatred in this world.  Marvel that You see the evidence of the Lord’s presence every time there is love.

Lord, the world does want me to leave You and follow its ways.  I feel the tug every day.  Guide me away from the insanity of this world to see clearly that You have given the words of eternal life, just as Peter said.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of life that leads to the Father and help me to walk faithfully the path You have set before me.  Through all things, help me to overcome and hold fast to the way of truth.

Lord Jesus, You have sent Your Spirit so that those who are in You may hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Guide me this day to hear Your words and act on them.  Lead my footsteps to walk humbly on the narrow path of faith and overcome the obstacles of this world.  In all things, keep my eye upon the prize of the abundant life which is already mine in and through You.  Amen.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).

The fruit of life is offered to those who walk with Jesus.  “He will give the power to become children of God.”  Come then and walk in the power and life that Jesus gives.  This world’s ways lead to death.  Only in Christ is there true life, and He gives it abundantly.  Hear what the Lord says to all the churches.  Listen and believe, and have your place in the paradise of God prepared from the beginning.

Lord, it is so simple.  Why do I make it so difficult?  You invite me to come to You and walk with You always.  The world seems so alluring, but it always ends in disappointment.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of true life and grant me the stamina to walk in Your way always.  You have spoken to us and called us to follow You now and forever so that where we will be is with You and the Father, the One who is, was and shall be.

Lord Jesus, guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I may walk humbly and wholly with You.  In the words You have already given, guide me to live according to the truth You have spoken.  By the example You gave while walking upon the earth, help me to follow Your lead.  In all things, according to Your grace and mercy, keep me wholeheartedly in Your love and purpose.  Amen. 

“Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (Revelation 2:6).

It is not clear exactly who the Nicolaitans are.  The ones referred to here practiced something very common in our day.  The used the freedom Christ gives through grace to create a new sinful bondage by calling evil good.  Nothing new, just licentiousness.  And so, the church practices what has been called antinomianism, that is, lawlessness.  They call evil good and good evil.

“You can do as you please; it’s all about prospering and receiving the good things you desire.”

 This nonsense sells in many church ministries.  But it is not about your desires.  You were created by the Lord for His purpose, and He calls you to follow Him all the days of your life.  Seek first the kingdom of God and then what is needed shall be added.  Do not listen to the ones who peddle garbage and tell you that you can do as you please.

Lord Jesus, without Your grace and mercy I could never stand on the straight and narrow path You have set before me.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go and hold me fast to the unchanging truth that You have revealed.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Grant that I hold fast to You Lord and walk in the way You have established.  Amen.

“Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent” (Revelation 2:5).

What were the first things?  Do not speculate but try to remember.  What were the first things you did when you accepted seriously the Lord’s call on your life?  Was it not to earnestly seek to please Him and do what is good and right?  We can become lazy and do what is right in our own eyes and not do the good things the Lord requires.  Remember that the third part of the great commission is learning to obey all that the Lord commands.

Lord, You have come that we may have life.  This offer is often rejected because we would rather live the way we want to live.  Guide me, Lord, to understand that to have a new life requires living the new life.  Lead me, Lord, in living the way You modeled in Your walk upon this earth so that I may continue the journey of becoming like You.  Let no obstacle get in the way.

Lord Jesus, You know the games we play.  You know how our minds wander.  You know how feeble our best efforts are.  Guide me, Lord, in the upward call You have given me so that I may earnestly desire what is right and good.  Help me now and in all times of need to look to You and follow Your example.  Let me not lose what You have given me but grow in grace and truth all the days of my life.  Amen.

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4).

It is very human to just go with the flow and do what you do because that is what you do habitually.  Who is to be our first love?  “Love the Lord and your neighbor with all you have and are.”  Is this not what Jesus told us?  Is this not the greatest commandment and a summation of all the others?  Yes, we are to love the Lord and be intentional in doing things for love of Him and others.

Lord, I do become spiritless at times and do not live as You would have me live.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may walk humbly with You and live according to Your commands.  Do not let me wander off the way, nor give in to the pressure to be conformed to any other way.  Instead, build me up in faith so that I may humbly walk with You faithfully now and forever.  Teach me again how to love.

Lord Jesus, You so loved us so much that You gave up Your life to purchase the grace we need to walk humbly with You all the days of our life.  Lead me, Lord, so that I may humbly walk with You and learn how to obey all that You have commanded.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to love others and to learn how to love You as You love me.  Let love flow through all that I am.  Amen.

“[A]nd you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:3).

Do not grow weary of walking in the way of the Lord as some do.  The world is pressing in and urging us to conform to an ideal that is impossible, calling hate good and telling us we should not question the very things that are being done, but the Lord calls us out of the insanity to follow what has been and always will be good for us.  The Word of the Lord is forever.  Come then and walk with the Lord all the days of your life.

Father, You know how I am tempted to cast off all constraints and just walk in the way of the world.  Lead me, Lord, to walk humbly with You and continue along the path You have set before me through Christ, my Savior.  Holy Spirit, grant me courage and the ability to not grow weary, but persevere and stay on the path of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You continued all the way to the cross knowing each step of the way what was coming.  Help me, I pray, to continue the journey You have set before me even if I do not know exactly where it will end in this age.  Grant me the fortitude to continue along the path before me and not give up, nor give in to the constant pressure of those around me to conform to their immoral ideas.  Amen.