Be faithful until death
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:
"I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.
DEVOTION
Recently I was in a car accident where I very well could have died were it not for the hand of God.
In the moments after that accident, I began to be aware of the fact that it is very important that my life legacy be that I tried to be "faithful until death."
There are so many things that I have been faithful to in my few short decades on this planet. I have been faithful to my education, my nuclear family, even my cereal of choice.
But, none of this is going to matter at the end of my days!
The only thing that is going to matter is if I was faithful to God and to God's Son Jesus Christ!
Today's scripture reminds us that it is imperative that we are faithful until death, in order to attain the crown of life!
I am so glad that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to atone for our sin and gift us with eternal life. This "crown of life" awaits us when we walk in love for God and neighbor and to the good news message.
Today, let us pray that God's Spirit will enable and equip us to not only read good news but to SHARE & BE good news every day of our lives. Let us recommit ourselves to allowing Spirit to express the good news in and through us to everyone we meet and into every place that we go!
At the end of our days, let us look forward to hearing, "Well done good and faithful servant!"
Let us pray: Oh God, please help me to be faithful unto death to this good news message that we preach. Thank you for your love and care towards all of your children. Please help me to share the good news that Jesus lived, died, and rose again for all! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
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