Scripture:
Revelation 2:1-11
Wed, 12 January 2022

Return to the Love Once Fervent

Observation:

In what ways has the church in Ephesus abandoned the love they had at first (vv.4-5)?

Deeper Reflection
“PATIENT ENDURANCE” (VV.2, 3) WAS A KEY THEME repeated in the Lord’s messages to the seven churches (see also 1:9; 2:19; 3:10). It means steadfastness or perseverance. The Lord’s disciples need this quality, because they will be tested in the trials and tribulations that will come (vv.9-10a). Jesus promised a great reward to those who remain faithful even unto death (vv.10b-11). Brothers and sisters, how are you responding to evil doers and false teachers (v.2), and bearing up under persecution and suffering for your faith (vv.9-10)?Although the Lord commended the church in Ephesus for their patient endurance, he pointed out, “You have abandoned the love you had at first” (v.4). It was not that the Ephesian Christians abandoned or forsook the Lord Jesus. For if they did, they would not have patiently endured severe challenges for His sake (v.3). Rather, the problem was that the Christians lost the extent of love and fervour that they had for Jesus when they first believed in Him and began to follow Him. They probably also lost much of their love and affection for one another in the church.35 In other words, the Christians fell from their initial heights of love for Jesus and one another (v.5). What about the church in Singapore? Brothers and sisters, if you recognise that this has happened in your devotional life, worship, small group communities, ministry and outreach, the Lord calls you today to repent of a love grown cold and to return to the love once fervent! Recall your early love for Jesus and one another, and do again the works that flowed from that!
35 Cf. Mark 12:29-31; 1 John 4:20.
Application:

What must I do to return to the love I had at first?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for Singapore: That multitudes will repent of their sins, believe in Jesus Christ, and be faithful to Him and fervent for Him
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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