Wednesday,
April 1, 2020
SIGNS OF LIFE!
Rev
3:8
8 I know thy
works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for
thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and
hast not denied my name.
According
to Warren Wiersbe,
“Philadelphia was situated in a strategic place on the main route of the
Imperial Post from Rome to the East, and thus was called "the gateway to
the East." It was also called "little Athens" because of the
many temples in the city. The church was certainly located in a place of
tremendous opportunity.
The only major problem with the location was that the area
was prone to earthquakes. Philadelphia sat on a geological fault and in 17 B.C. it was destroyed by a severe earthquake
that also destroyed Sardis and ten other cities. Afterward, some of the
citizens refused to move back into the city and remained in the surrounding
countryside, which they called "the burnt land." There did not
seem to be much security in the city of brotherly love!”
(from The
Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and
imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by
permission.)
In
the midst of lock down
and “stay in place” orders, there are still signs of life. Across the street
from my new home huge behemoths with rotating bellies deliver concrete to a new
home site. It is a busy place and, if one thought to sleep in, the noise would
prevent that. I’m up! The sun is up! The SON is up! And there are signs
of life all around me.
The
church at Philadelphia
had been given an open door that could not be shut! We are now seeing a door
opening for us as well. We can’t meet in the church buildings, but we can still
BE the church. Doors of communication are open to us. Let us walk through.
Dear
Lord, I miss my church family. We are huggers and hand shakers. It is hard to
stand aloof from those you love. Hasten the day that we will once again feel
their embrace. In the mean time, let us use the tools we have to reach the lost
and hurting. AMEN
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