praying effectively: Remain Obedient (Rev.2:18-29)

(Revelation 2:18-29)  “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:

19 ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. 26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that everyone hears and listens to God's word (2:29)

- that we remain faithful (2:25)

- that we know God will judge everyone according to their deeds, punishing unbelievers according to their sinful acts, and rewarding believers according to their deeds done with pure motives (2:23)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being the fair and righteous Judge.  For all believers, thank You for forgiving all our sins and choosing to remember them no more, so that when we stand before You, we will not be found guilty. 

Until then, keeps us steadfast, and guide us in living out Your will in our lives with pure and righteous motives.  All to Your glory, amen.