1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Thank you for listening to your Nightly Scripture, 2 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 1: a Columning Scripture Center devotional podcast designed to help you 3 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:21,159 Speaker 1: end each day with God's word in your mind and 4 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: on your heart. Right after this short word from our sponsors, 5 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 1: we'll reflect on Tonight's scripture Revelation Chapter three. Tonight's Scripture 6 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:46,240 Speaker 1: reflection is written by Peyton Garland and read by Carrie Eichberger. 7 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 1: Revelation chapter three to the Angel of the Church in 8 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: Sardi's right, These are the words of him who holds 9 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: the seventh spirits of God and the seven stars. I 10 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:04,480 Speaker 1: know your deeds. You have a reputation of being alive, 11 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 1: but you are dead. Wake up, strengthen what remains and 12 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: is about to die, for I have found your deeds 13 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:16,200 Speaker 1: unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember therefore, what 14 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: you have received and heard, hold it fast and repent. 15 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: But if you do not wake up, I will come 16 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: like a thief, and you will not know at what 17 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: time I will come to you. Yet, you have a 18 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 1: few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. 19 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 1: They will walk with me dressed in white, for they 20 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 1: are worthy. The one who is victorious will like them 21 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: be dressed in white. I will never blot out the 22 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 1: name of that person from the Book of Life, but 23 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 1: will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 24 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:49,880 Speaker 1: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says 25 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:53,960 Speaker 1: to the churches, to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia. Right, 26 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: These are the words of him who is wholly and true, 27 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 1: who holds the key of David. What he opens, no 28 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: one can shut, and what he shuts, no one can open. 29 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: I know your deeds. See I have placed before you 30 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: an open door that no one can shut. I know 31 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: that you have little strength, yet you have kept my 32 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: word and have not denied my name. I will make 33 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 1: those who are of the Synagogue of Satan who claim 34 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 1: to be Jews, though they are not, but are liars, 35 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: I will make them come and fall down at your 36 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you 37 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 1: have kept my command to endure patiently. I will also 38 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: keep you from the hour of trial that is going 39 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 1: to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants 40 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 1: of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to 41 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 1: what you have so that no one will take your crown. 42 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 1: The one who is victorious will make a pillar in 43 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,800 Speaker 1: the Temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. 44 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 1: I will write on them the name of my God 45 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: and the name of the city of my God, the 46 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:56,959 Speaker 1: New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from 47 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 1: my God. I will also write on them my new name. 48 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:03,640 Speaker 1: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says 49 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:07,959 Speaker 1: to the churches, to the Angel of the Church in Laodicea. Right, 50 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,640 Speaker 1: these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and 51 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your 52 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 1: deeds that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish 53 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,640 Speaker 1: you for either one or the other. So because you 54 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 1: are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to 55 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 1: spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich. 56 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. 57 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 1: But you do not realize you are wretched, pitiful, poor, 58 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me 59 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 1: gold refined in the fire so you can become rich, 60 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 1: and white clothes to wear so you can cover your 61 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 1: shameful nakedness, and solve to put on your eyes so 62 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 1: you can see those whom I love. I rebuke a 63 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 1: discipline to be earnest and repent. Here I am. I 64 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my 65 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: voice and opens the door, I will come in and 66 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 1: eat that person, and they with me. To the one 67 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: who is victorious, I will give the right to sit 68 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: with me on my throne, just as I was victorious 69 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: and set down with my father on his throne. Whoever 70 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: has ears, let them hear what the spirit says to 71 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: the churches. It's an honor and a burden to recognize 72 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,600 Speaker 1: that Christ opens doors for us that no man can shut. 73 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:31,040 Speaker 1: Such a gift requires an intentional, black and white decision. 74 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 1: We are left with little room to obey or disobey, 75 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:37,800 Speaker 1: to step into our calling or to shy away from 76 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: it in the name of comfort or social appearance. But 77 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 1: obedience doesn't require our strength. In fact, Revelation three verse 78 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:50,040 Speaker 1: eight reveals that God rejoices over us even in our 79 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: weak obedience, and giving him our hearts and allowing him 80 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: to do the spiritual heavy lifting. After all, his ability 81 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: to be the good, sovereign and almighty God that he 82 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:06,600 Speaker 1: is has never rested on our capacity to stay spiritually 83 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:10,920 Speaker 1: strengthened at all times. I recognize this reality most when 84 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 1: it's time to go to bed, but My brain knows 85 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 1: it needs to unwind and disconnect from the day, but 86 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 1: my soul has a list of failures that, in my opinion, 87 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 1: need more than honest confession. They need me to feel miserable, guilty, 88 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 1: and ashamed. They need me to carry my inadequacies on 89 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 1: my sleeve to keep pride at bay. I guess I 90 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 1: fall victim to this performance based hamster wheel because they've 91 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 1: always been fearful of being the lukewarm Christian we see 92 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 1: and the Sea Things Passage in verses fifteen and sixteen. 93 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 1: I don't want my life to be an intolerable, nose 94 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: frenching distaste in God's mouth. It's easy to believe that 95 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: the Christian who is on fire for the Lord is 96 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 1: the one making the fewest mistakes, but it's actually the 97 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: one who refuses to be indifferent, who gives feet even 98 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 1: if they are weak, wobbly, afraid, and tired from the fight. 99 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:12,679 Speaker 1: Keep walking, friend, remain faithful to the end. Your good 100 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 1: good God sustain to you, Jesus. Thank you that you 101 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: are not only compassionate in my weakness, but you use 102 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:27,919 Speaker 1: my shortcomings to declare your kingdom and bring heaven to earth. 103 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,480 Speaker 1: Your faithfulness to my redemption remains until the end. As 104 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: a sinner, I recognize that I don't deserve to take 105 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,800 Speaker 1: part in your glorious plan in such a way. Yet 106 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: I won't deny your grace. I won't shy away from 107 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: the freedom you offer my forgiven heart. Rather, I will 108 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: unwrap this gift with gratitude and obey your calling, no 109 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 1: matter how I feel or what I believe I can 110 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 1: or can't offer. Lord, put my fears to rest as 111 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:59,239 Speaker 1: I trust that your salvation is that something I can earn. 112 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 1: Let me remember that it's a gift free to all 113 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: who respond and faith, even when their faith isn't steady 114 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 1: and sure. Thank you for your work on the Cross 115 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:13,240 Speaker 1: and your victory over the tim May we rest in 116 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 1: your kind, sustaining, powerful resurrection today and your holy name, 117 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: Lord God. Amen. How did Tonight's scripture speak to you? 118 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 1: Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture Forum discussion. 119 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture 120 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:47,119 Speaker 2: was read from the New International Version by Biblica. All 121 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 2: rights reserved. If Tonight's episode blessed you, be sure to 122 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 2: follow the show on Apple Podcasts, so your next Nightly 123 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 2: scripture is ready when you are. Your Nightly Scripture is 124 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 2: a production of Life Audio and Salem Media. Thank you 125 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 2: and we'll see you tomorrow. 126 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 1: Night