“I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false” (Revelation 2:2)

How many in our day tolerate anyone saying anything because they have the right credentials?  Too few seem to test to see whether the claims made are true according to the Word of the Lord.  Be discerning and do not follow evil men.  Love them, but do not tolerate them being your leaders as far as you are concerned.  Seek to be consistent with all the Lord has given you, knowing that the Head of His church is Jesus Christ.

Lord, it can seem so confusing at times.  People have the right papers, but not the right position.  Guide me to be discerning so that I see things as they are.  Help me hear one who speaks the truth regardless of whether they have credentials.  Help me to test the one who makes claims, but then submit when I find out the claims are from You and true.  Lead me to learn how both to lead and to follow.

Lord Jesus, You are the Master.  Guide me in the way of life that is right and fitting, seeking to do all that You command.  Let me not chase after anyone who comes along but hold fast to the truth You have revealed once for all.  Guide me, Lord, in the way I need to live.  Help me to be faithful to You and to honor those whom You send.  Through all things, grant me the assurance that Your promises are true so that I may hold fast to the hope You give me.  Amen.

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:” (Revelation 2:1)

The One who spoke all things into existence speaks.  Do we listen?  The world goes on and people do what they feel like doing.  All is not well in the world.  This letter is written so that those who have ears may hear and respond.  Listen to the One who has called you by name.  Be guided by the word of truth He has spoken for your salvation.  Come into His presence and walk humbly with Him.

Lord, I have heard Your word, but too often it goes in one ear and out the other.  Help me to learn how to truly listen and hear when You speak.  All authority and power are in Your hands.  You alone can speak out of nothing and create something.  Guide me, Lord, to listen and respond.  Lead me to walk faithfully with You and to be led by Your word of truth, hope, and comfort.

Lord Jesus, the One who speaks, help me hear what You say.  Whether it is through Your word, in the soft, still voice of Your Spirit, or through the mouth of another, guide me to learn how to discern.  You said the sheep know Your voice.  Help me to recognize Your voice in the noise of the world so that I may learn and grow in the way of life that You have established through faith.  Amen.

“As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20).

The Lord uses symbols to help us understand things that we otherwise would not be able to understand.  Come to the Lord humbly and He will show you what you need to know.  He cares for all that He has created.  A sparrow cannot fall from the sky without His knowing about it.  You, too, who are of much more worth, are known by the Lord and He cares so much for you that He gave up His life to redeem you.

Lord, I know that in ancient times the number seven represented completeness.  Help me to understand that You will complete all things.  The angels who watch over us and the churches which You are perfecting are in Your hands.  Lead me, O Lord, to look to You and see that all things truly are in Your hands.  Help me to grow in this faith You have given me and become complete in You.

Lord Jesus, all of Scripture gives evidence of Your hand and the work You are completing for eternity.  Guide me, Lord, now and always to humbly walk the path of salvation, doing those things You have given me to do.  Help me to be faithful in the fellowship in which You have planted me.  Grant that I would accept the help You give me.  In all things, complete me in You.  Amen.

“Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things” (Revelation 1:19).

The Lord, who knows all things, has given us a message to encourage us through the difficult times that will come upon those who believe.  The world hates the followers of Christ.  Some have experienced horrific things.  Do not think that you are exempt.  It could happen to you.  Pray that it doesn’t, but prepare so that no matter what comes, you are found following the Lord in all of His ways.

Lord, I do not know what tomorrow will bring.  Help me be prepared for whatever may come so that I do not rely upon this unreliable world, but upon You who has given promises and a hope that cannot be taken away.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go and prepare me for what You know lies before me.  Through all things, grant that I would hold fast to You now and forever.

Lord Jesus, Alpha and Omega, guide me in the way of salvation which You have set before me.  Lead me this day to think upon those things which are right and good.  Help me to learn how to meditate upon Your word.  Through all things that come, help me see that it is true that even amidst adversity, You are working all things together for good because You love me.  Help me to see and understand, Lord.  Amen.

“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18).

Indeed, we all shall fall on our face in front of the Almighty.  Why wait until then to live in the reality that the One who was and is the Holy One?  Live in the knowledge that the Lord is lord of all.  In that knowledge, continue the journey of learning how to obey all that He has commanded.  This is the way it shall be in eternity.  Get ready for eternity by looking to the Lord for all things.

Lord, it is a struggle, and this world teaches me to compromise in order to get along.  Teach me how to hold fast to faithfulness.  Teach me how not to compromise, nor be unfaithful for any reason at all.  Lead me to learn how to see things as they are and to do what is right no matter the cost.  Lord, You hold he keys of eternity.  You have said there is either life with You or eternal separation.

Lord Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, You hold all things in Your hands.  You know eternity and You have invited me into eternity through You, the One who was slain and rose again.  You know the path, for You created it.  Help me to look to You for all things.  Teach me step by step so that I may learn faithfulness.  Guide me by Your Spirit and create in me a new heart that loves all that You command.  Amen.

“In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:16).

The complete set of stars are in His hand.  He speaks His word, and it cuts both ways: Law and Gospel.  He is the light of the world which has always shone in the darkness.  He who was, who is, and who is to come is the One whom we shall all face.  He holds all power and has all authority.  In Him is life and light.  He is the light and life of the world.  Come into His presence and live in His light.

You are the One through whom all have their being.  Lead me, Lord, in the way that You have created life to be lived.  There are so many temptations in this age, and the old Adam follows the familiar sinful ways.  Help me break the cycle by Your grace to overcome the ways of this world as I learn how to live the way You direct.  Thank You for the grace I need to do this.

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill my heart with faithfulness.  Guide me through the snares of this world to walk the path of obedience.  You know what is needed.  Rather than speaking words to tell me what to do, You soften my heart to receive the guidance You give in Your Word.  Help me to step out in faith and do as You direct.  Lead me and help me follow willingly and joyfully.  Amen.

“His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters” (Revelation 1:15).

What is being described is someone greater than any we have ever seen.  The humble One who walked in our midst is the Almighty who is the essence of life itself.  Do be overwhelmed by Your Creator.  Fall on Your face and worship Him.  He is above all things and is worthy of all honor and praise.  Let Him lead you into a life of praise and thanks.  Come into the presence of the Lord and learn from Him.

Lord, I see what I look for and I often forget that all I see was created by You.  Even the eyes with which I see were created by You.  Everything is in Your hands.  Let me hear Your voice, whether it be small and still, or the sound of many rushing waters.  Let me feel the warmth of Your life and not the heat of Your anger.  Guide me to live so that what I will meet is Your approval when I stand before You face to face.

Lord Jesus, Alpha and Omega, You have come so that all who look to You may live.  Guide me in living the life You would have me live.  Help me to learn how to obey You in and through all things.  In Your goodness, continue to lift me up out of the way this world thinks to have a heart after Your own.  Teach me how to love so that I may more fully love You and my neighbor.  Amen.

 “His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14).

John is describing what He saw.  We each form a mental picture from what is described.  The Holy One is timeless.  What does that look like?  He is the source of life and life exudes from Him.  The One who is, was, and always shall be is to be worshiped.  Do not be like the world and pass by Him for a few moments but be transformed by being in the presence of the One who made you.

Lord, forgive me for I often go about my life as though nothing matters except me.  Lead me away from such selfishness to live into the life You have given me through grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope.  The day will come when I stand before You.  Will what John is describing be what I see?  Help me to look to You and rejoice that I will see  Your glory.

Lord Jesus, You became one of us to lead us out of this age of wickedness and into the glorious company of the saints in light.  Guide me this day, O Lord, to live according to all that is good in Your sight.  Help me keep my eye upon You and not veer from the path You have laid before me.  In Your grace, continue to encourage me to live as I ought, learning and growing in Your likeness.  Amen.

“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash” (Revelation 1:12-13).

Seven is the Hebrew number for completeness.  Later in this book, the seven churches will be addressed by Jesus.  Jesus is the One who completes us.  He is the One who made us, redeemed us, and who will finish the work He has begun.  Look to the One who has overcome and be led by Him.  In Him is life and light.  In Him is all reality.  Come into the presence of the One who calls you.

Lord, through the water of my baptism, You have called me to journey with You in this life.  You are here, but I am often so busy with things that do not matter that I become unaware that You are right beside me.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I may grow toward the completeness You promise.  Help me understand that in You is all hope, for You are the author of life.

Lord Jesus, open my heart and mind to be receptive to the leading of Your Spirit.  Grant that I have a heart that desires You above all things.  According to Your goodness and mercy, help me keep on the path of salvation that You have laid before me.  Lead me, O Lord, according to Your grace so that I see You for who You are and follow You, knowing that You alone must lead me in all things.  Amen.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,  saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea” (Revelation 1:10-11)

Write what you see.  How simple an instruction.  Do you follow the word of the Lord.  “The Lord does not speak to me this way.”  No?  Why not?  I suspect we all get so busy being busy that we do not listen to the small still voice of the Holy Spirit when the Spirit speaks.  Like any relationship, this needs to be nurtured.  Learn how to listen when the Holy Spirit speaks.

Lord, I do not always hear You even when it is through the words of Scripture.  Teach me how to listen, Lord.  Guide me in the way of being obedient.  I am whom You are making me to be, but You commanded us all to learn how to obey.  As You spoke to the prophets of old, so also speak to me.  Then, teach me how to obey when You speak to me so that I may be Your disciple and see Your will done in and for me.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for freeing me from sin and death.  Raise me up into the new person You have created me to be and teach me to hear when You speak.  Guide me according to Your purposes so that I may be led by You in all things. Help me, Lord, according to the Father’s will, to learn how to be obedient to Your commands.  Lead me, Lord, and teach me how to follow You in all things.  Amen.