Sudden Quiet
Author: Pat Aman

Matthew 6:33 – But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:6 – But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Romans 10:17 – So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Luke 10:38-42 – Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

1 Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Have you ever read something, and it just seemed routine, and you forgot about it shortly, and then later you read it, and wow, it popped off the page to you, and seemed so meaningful?

I mean we often are so busy, that things just don’t sink in, because our mind are going in so many different directions.

I often think this could be part of the problem not only with our relationships but with our spiritual life. We get wrapped up in everything except something that profits our soul.

Suppose for a minute we could clear our mind of the clutter. Suppose we shut off the problems filling our heads and worrying us, suppose we shut off the thinking about things we need to do, suppose we shut off thinking about others, or how upset we are or what they did, or what they should have done. Suppose we held up a mental stop sign and said Quiet everyone… I’m cleaning house. Sudden quiet.

Now… I can take time to listen for God.

Nothing else.

Just Him.

If we did this each morning, even for a brief time we would see immediate results in the way we deal with life, others, and most certainly it would give God time to impart peace into our spirit. And hope, and inspiration. And… reassurance.

What if you made this your goal this week? Just a quiet time with God every day. Where you raised a stop sign and quieted everything in the world, but meditation upon God. And listen for that precious still small voice. Oh, how we need this my friend.

Think about it, don’t you need refreshing in your spirit? Don’t you need fresh hope? Don’t you need encouragement? Well what are you waiting for? Don’t neglect the One who loves you more than anyone else and has the answers to all you need. Take time for God!

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage, and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait and hope for and expect the Lord. Remember your source of strength is Christ, you cannot run the race of life successfully without a close, enduring, daily, ongoing vital relationship with Him.

In the last four weeks, people, friends and families have realized they have time on their hands.

I hope you are spending time with your Father God…

With our God we shall do valiantly!

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Christian Faith Publishers ….

Roll with the Punches
Author: Pat Aman

I know I am not alone when God’s timing seems to not be in line of what I think my timing should be. There are so many times in my life that I have goof up by not waiting on God. I got in a hurry and boy did I pay the price.

Maybe you feel that God is leading you in one direction, but it maybe your own wants and desires and not God’s desire for your life. I will say you will find out fast that God is in control, because he will start allowing obstacles to pop up, and road blocks. He is not stopping you from fulfilling your dream, He is just trying to tell you that the timing may not be right. So, do not fret, just want on God and when you reach your dream it will be bigger than you could have ever realized.

Remember that God is always on time. Just stand still and let Him do His thing.

In the Bible we read of Paul who frustration and trying to do it his way did not work. But God’s did.

In the verse below you will read of one of those times in Paul’s life. So, take heed to Paul’s frustration and see how God worked it for His glory and not Paul’s.

Acts 20:16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus in order that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

Paul had made it known earlier that he had wanted to be in Jerusalem for the Passover. Here he is obviously still a long journey away and the date is past. He is not wild-eyed with frustration or crushed under grief or anything in between with the fact that his plans had to be adjusted. He is adjusting them and leaving the outcome to God. He passes by Ephesus. He probably felt that stopping there would be a significant delay, and he was probably right.

But that little clause – if possible – says that Paul knew God was in control. If God had wanted Paul in Jerusalem for the Passover, He would have simply done with Paul as was done with Phillip when Phillip was literally transported to the place where the Ethiopian eunuch was passing by in his chariot. Poof! And Paul would have been there for the Passover dinner.

Paul was sidestepping attempts on his life during his return trip. It was not clear that he would return at all. If possibly made allowance for God to send Paul to places like Ephesus along with significant delays for the purposes of the Lord.

Our schedules can be very important things to us. Preparation for a test or a special event can draw a great deal of our focus. But if God can move Kings and Kingdoms to satisfy His plans, our schedules don’t really stand a chance.

Phil 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Having our plans deviated is frustrating, or it can be. Paul had learned to roll with the punches and let God do with Paul as He needed. He had suffered a few punches – shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead, snakebite by a viper. That sure does put the wrinkle in our schedules into perspective. Try to see the trivial things that go astray during the day from the perspective that God may be working in your life. Trust Jesus with the trivial things in your life, and the important things will move into place where He wants them.

SEE…..we can face tomorrow for God is in control and He knows what is best for us.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020“Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Christian Faith Publishers ….

He Gives Strength to the Weary, Yes, Even You!
Author: Pat Aman

Yes, You and I get tired. Sometimes just sick and tired. It could be from a work, the stress of daily life, family and friends. It does not matter how old or young you are, we sometimes grow weary. We must remember that Jesus, Himself had to go up on the mountain to rest and out in a boat to find a refreshing peace, so He could continue to do the work that His Heavenly Father had for Him to accomplish.

When I get this way, I go to one of my favorite Bible Verses. Isaiah 40:28-29, 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

All of us know that the great and mighty everlasting God “does not become weary or tired.” But, we do. In our weariness and distress, we often forget that. Forgetting to depend on God’s almighty power and love will cause us to become even more weary as we think about all the things that are wearing us down. It is good to remember that God will strengthen “the weary” when they go to Him in prayer and faith.

We must know with all our heart and soul that we are never alone in our struggles even though it might feel that way sometimes. God knows absolutely every little detail about what is going on and He cares.

Isaiah points out “His understanding is inscrutable.” God’s depths of understanding are so far beyond our ability to know even our own situation. That is why He can be depended upon to lead us in the right way. God knows details we have no clue about. We must not worry and be concerned about our future for God already knows and we must remember that His understanding of all things can never be searched out.

Not any of us know or can find out all that God knows and has power over. Not even satan himself, or the demons of hell.

I think as a preacher, and I know I am not along in this, we all wonder are we doing any good. Is someone being touched by how we act or what we do and say. Is someone being encouraged and learning of the saving grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

During this Covid19 quarantine we all have had to make changes in our lives.

We are doing things in away we never expected to ever have to do.

We have an empty lot beside our house. If you had told me just a couple months ago that I would be preaching on Sunday in that vacant lot, I would of thought, “one of us has totally lost it.” But, that is exactly what I am doing. Our Sub-Division has drawn together in love and fellowship.

And yes, we socially distance ourselves. A few families come and set 25-30 feet apart and we sing and hear God’s Word.

Another minister and myself were talking yesterday and neither one of us ever dreamed we would move to this unknown area. Now we know why. God had an assignment for us to do. So, now we are tag teaming on Sundays.

Our community even supports our local businesses by having different food trucks come one a week.

We even have a local band leader set up in his private yard and for musicians out of work to come sing for us. And we put tips in jars. Some of us come in cars, some from their porches and some in chairs 25 feet apart. And yes I am the local officer on duty. If I see someone not socially distancing, I address is immediately.

Even on Sunday we have our own microphones and a lot of hand sanitizer.

We have learned our neighbors names. We wave and smile at one another. We even offer food and a roll of toilet paper if needed. We take care of each other.

See, this is how God wants His world to be….

We must put our trust in God, our Savior and Heavenly Father and Redeemer.

Tonight, I came in after a very hard day, and I started doing the things I need to complete so the next few days will be in order. I turned the Gospel Music on and heard the song, Faces sung by: Greater Vision…

I really needed to hear this song tonight. See, even I was doubting if we were reaching anyone for Christ.

But, God not only let me hear this song but the song touch my heart.

Now, yes, I know that we human at times, need a pat on the back. That is the human in us. And thank God, He is always on time to turn us around and let us know that we are on the right path. But, we must just continue doing what He has gifted and called us to do. Yes, called us by our very own name.

So, during this time, do not feel like you are not doing a work for God. If you are reaching out and touching someone that you never thought you would. Well, God is pleased with you, and will bless you beyond measure.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Christian Faith Publishers ….

What is your Giants
Author: Pat Aman

Let’s take a moment to talk about giants that we may have in our lives.

Sometimes we let things overwhelm us and we do not let God take care of them.

I wonder if David even felt afraid for just a second of the Philistine giant, Goliath, in his life. Goliath who was three to four times the height of David. He was wearing at least 278 pounds of Armor besides his own big body which could have weighed 400-600 pounds, being well over 13 feet tall. He wore a bronze helmet, bronze leg plates, and a bronze javelined was strapped to his back. In his huge hand, he carried a spear. The point alone possibly weighed about twenty pounds. Goliath had a armor barrier who bare his shield that walked before him.

Goliath told David to come here and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with a sword, spear and javelin, but I come in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

1 Samuel 17:44. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!
Before this, young David had taken his staff in hand, stooped down, and picked up five smooth stones and placed them in a pouch.
1 Samuel 17:40. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
With a Shepherd’s staff in one hand and a sling in the other he approached the giant. With one stone He flung the stone, it hit Goliath in the head and killed him.

The key to this scripture is He came in the name of the Lord.

What are the giants in your life?

How can God help you overcome them?

I believe it is good not only to pray, but to turn to His Word for the answers. There are directions and power in prayer and God’s Word.

Whatever these giants are in our lives, we must not run from them. We must face them head-on as David did with Goliath. Put on your spiritual armor and stand firm, unafraid, trusting God for strength.

The exciting thing about all this is when we put on the full armor of God and obey Him, then we can stand back, call TIMBERRRR– and watch the giant fall!

“God has given us the armor to dress in daily. So put it on and watch the giants in your life fall.” Pastor Pat Aman

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

1. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
2. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
3. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
4. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
   15.and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
5. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
6. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
7. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Christian Faith Publishers ….

Church in Philadelphia
Author: Pat Aman…

““To the angel of the ““To the angel of the church in Philadelphia So He promises the faithful church, first of all, the door is open to salvation and the Kingdom, the door is open to blessing, and the door is open to opportunity for service and evangelism write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:7-13‬ ‭

Philadelphia is written to a church that needs no warning, that needs no chastening, that needs no threatening because here you have a true church. Two of the seven churches have nothing condemning them in the letter because they are the regenerate church. The church at Smyrna, the church at Philadelphia were faithful, godly, loyal, effective. And we see these two churches as the models throughout all of church history of good, solid, regenerate, faithful churches.
I don’t want to make a point that really isn’t here, but it does strike me that the blood-bought, redeemed, saved church is in a chaotic mixture. Did you notice that? Only two out of seven – only two out of seven were completely faithful. Now, if that’s some kind of a typical percentage, then the weak, sinful church is the more common church. But this church is a blessing. Let’s read the letter.

Here He encourages the Philadelphia folks by saying, “I am absolutely holy, and I put a premium on truth, and my holiness and my truth have scrutinized you, and there is nothing to condemn.” And that poses the reality for me and for all of us that it is possible for a church, a human church, a church with people like us, to be looked at by the holy One and the true One and to be commended. And while we want to admit that we are human and that we fail and we struggle and we sin, we must see in this the graciousness of our God and of our Lord to see in us something to be commended.

I think again sometimes we assume that the Lord is never happy with any of His churches. Not so. There’s no such thing as a perfect church because there’s no such thing as a perfect person, and if there’s not even one perfect person, then every church is an assembly of a whole lot of imperfect people. So the problem is significantly compounded.
But it is possible, it is within the realm of reason and biblical revelation to assume that the Lord can look at a church and feel like it is worth celebrating. How encouraging. He introduces Himself as the One who can unlock the treasure house, and by His sovereign authority and His sovereign power, open up its riches to those He chooses. He has the key to all the riches, and He will dispense them at His own discretion. There’s a note of sovereignty in this, by the way. There goes along with that authority a certain amount of sovereignty. He can determine who gets into the treasure house to experience the blessings.

This little group had some power. They may have been few in number, most likely were; probably poor; probably low class; probably general, run-of-the-mill, undistinguished citizenry.

This was a saved church. These people obeyed the Lord.

So He promises the faithful church, first of all, the door is open to salvation and the Kingdom, the door is open to blessing, and the door is open to opportunity for service and evangelism.

Tonight let each of us be the kind of saints as the church in Philadelphia.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020, “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Westbow Press a division of Thomas Nelson So He promises the faithful church, first of all, the door is open to salvation and the Kingdom, the door is open to blessing, and the door is open to opportunity for service and evangelism write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:7-13‬ ‭

Philadelphia is written to a church that needs no warning, that needs no chastening, that needs no threatening because here you have a true church. Two of the seven churches have nothing condemning them in the letter because they are the regenerate church. The church at Smyrna, the church at Philadelphia were faithful, godly, loyal, effective. And we see these two churches as the models throughout all of church history of good, solid, regenerate, faithful churches.
I don’t want to make a point that really isn’t here, but it does strike me that the blood-bought, redeemed, saved church is in a chaotic mixture. Did you notice that? Only two out of seven – only two out of seven were completely faithful. Now, if that’s some kind of a typical percentage, then the weak, sinful church is the more common church. But this church is a blessing. Let’s read the letter.

Here He encourages the Philadelphia folks by saying, “I am absolutely holy, and I put a premium on truth, and my holiness and my truth have scrutinized you, and there is nothing to condemn.” And that poses the reality for me and for all of us that it is possible for a church, a human church, a church with people like us, to be looked at by the holy One and the true One and to be commended. And while we want to admit that we are human and that we fail and we struggle and we sin, we must see in this the graciousness of our God and of our Lord to see in us something to be commended.

I think again sometimes we assume that the Lord is never happy with any of His churches. Not so. There’s no such thing as a perfect church because there’s no such thing as a perfect person, and if there’s not even one perfect person, then every church is an assembly of a whole lot of imperfect people. So the problem is significantly compounded.
But it is possible, it is within the realm of reason and biblical revelation to assume that the Lord can look at a church and feel like it is worth celebrating. How encouraging. He introduces Himself as the One who can unlock the treasure house, and by His sovereign authority and His sovereign power, open up its riches to those He chooses. He has the key to all the riches, and He will dispense them at His own discretion. There’s a note of sovereignty in this, by the way. There goes along with that authority a certain amount of sovereignty. He can determine who gets into the treasure house to experience the blessings.

This little group had some power. They may have been few in number, most likely were; probably poor; probably low class; probably general, run-of-the-mill, undistinguished citizenry.

This was a saved church. These people obeyed the Lord.

So He promises the faithful church, first of all, the door is open to salvation and the Kingdom, the door is open to blessing, and the door is open to opportunity for service and evangelism.

Tonight let each of us be the kind of saints as the church in Philadelphia.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020, “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Westbow Press a division of Thomas Nelson

Church in Thyatira
Author: Pat Aman…

““To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’ To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ —just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:18-29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The church at Thyatira was due to them compromising with sin within the church. Thyatira was a church that became corrupt from within. There was a sickness in the church which could only be cured from that of true repentance and real identification and genuine forsaking of the sin and a putting on of purity. Don’t forget that these were real churches with real people facing real problems and spiritual opposition just like we do today. So this is very relevant to our lives.

Thyatira was well-known for a couple of things. It was famous for its dyeing industry and was a centre of the indigo trade, purple cloth was very expensive in those times. (In Acts 16 Paul met a woman called Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth who came from Thyatira). It was famous for its coppersmiths and also for its many trade-guilds.

Unlike some of the other cities around, the church in Thyatira hadn’t suffered a lot of persecution from either the Roman authorities or the Jews.

So why in our letter does Jesus seem to be so harsh with them?

Here is the problem. Thyatira was a city of craftsmen and merchants. The major problem for the church was posed by the many trade guilds in the city. Guilds had a patron god; the local god of Thyatira, a representation of Apollo, probably served that purpose. The feasts of the guilds were held in a temple and were viewed as religious occasions; the meat was offered to one of the gods. The participators shared it with him, and the occasions frequently ended in debauchery.

How could Christians participate in such meetings?

Then against that background, Jesus says this… I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching, she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

Jezebel is probably not an individual but a symbolic name. Jesus is referencing King Ahab’s, Queen Jezebel. In 1 Kings, a book in the Old Testament Queen Jezebel led Led King Ahab astray and tempted him into worshipping false Gods, and he, in turn, led his people into worshipping false idols.

So that is the problem. It’s just like your Parents and mine always said. “Birds of a feather flock together. Or you become like those you hang about with, and that is not always good, depending who you hang around with.”

Was it only me who had a Parents who worried about who I hung around with? I distinctly remember parents saying, “there will be consequences you will get yourself into trouble if you do not stand up for yourself and your beliefs. “

That is the warning that Jesus is giving. He is saying to that church, I know the guilds you hang around in I know how they influence and tempt you into worshipping idols. There will be consequences.

We might think that’s OK we don’t worship other gods. There is no Jezebel tempting us into going the wrong way. But is there?

What is it that we put before God? Isn’t anything we put above Jesus an idol?

Who do we allow to influence us?

When Jesus says we should welcome the stranger and protect the widows, and orphans it seems obvious.

When Jesus says love your neighbour is up there with loving God, of course, we want to do that. But when society says to look after number one, where do we take our lead from?

Maybe Jesus warning to Thyatira is more relevant to us today two thousand years later than we would like to admit.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020, “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Westbow Press a division of Thomas Nelson

The Church In Pergamum
Author: Pat Aman…

““To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” Revelation‬ ‭2:12-17‬ ‭

Satan has often used two ways to render the church powerless. The first is that he persecutes the church and the second is he seduces the church.

Most often, at least with true believers, persecution has back fired on the Devil and made the church much stronger and purer. Like a fire melting away the dross and refining metal, the church is often made purer.

It means something to be a Christian in places where it cost you. Would we remain faithful to Christ if being a Christian meant you would be unemployed, live in poverty, and chased down?

Satan’s other way is more subtle and often much more effective, he doesn’t attack us from without but he lulls us to sleep from within. He gets us off track and switches the real gospel with a false gospel; he tricks us into thinking that there are other things as important as serving Christ and loving the lost. . He gets us to believe that holiness is an option and that a true commitment to Christ is too radical and weird. He seduces us as we sometimes might think sin is not all that bad. He wants us to think that we can have the best of both worlds. He says you can have Christ and all that the world has to offer as well. Look around, he says, every other church is doing it. Because of our sinful nature and the desires of our flesh we take the bait and swallow the lie hook line and sinker. We often forget,

James 4:4 (ESV)You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Unfortunately with the church suffering had not perfected it but had caused it to give in, a little here and a little there. Oh they still considered themselves Christian but they were not the pure church that the Lord wanted them to be. They had allowed compromise to remain within the church. While this compromise was in some respect doctrinal it was mainly in holiness. This church upheld the name of Christ and faith in Christ but compromised its commitment to Christ. The church told the truth with it’s lips but lied with it’s life.

Are you living and worshipping in a compromise church?

How about your personal relationship with God, are you living a compromised life?

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2030, “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Westbow Press a division of Thomas Nelson

Church In Smyrna
Author:Pat Aman

““To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:8-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Christians in Smyrna were not wealthy. They were not of high society. They couldn’t afford a big, beautiful buildings that would attract attention in Smyrna and give them a respectable place in their community. They had absolutely nothing but their faithful lives to enticed people to join. They couldn’t afford to take off work to get things done at the church. They couldn’t afford education. They had pressing bills at home. Poverty presents its own bundle of dilemmas that includes feelings of insignificance, inferiority, and depression. Life wasn’t easy for the Christians in Smyrna. And yet… they had found true LIFE! They had found a peace that surpasses understanding! They had a deeper purpose for living than just getting by, serving their earthly masters, and living out their days. They had found the ultimate reason for living! A sure hope for their future! This earthly life had no meaning for them they were headed for a better place! They had far greater riches than the wealthiest of the wealthy! They had a far greater standing with the One who directs the highest society! They were rich even beyond what they could fathom

Jesus calls them to remain faithful in their suffering: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life”. Here, a specific crown is mentioned for those who die as a result of suffering for Christ. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Jesus makes a final promise to the believers in Smyrna: “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death” Revelation2:11

The overcomers, or “conquerors,” refer to all believers 1 John 5:4-5.

The second death is a reference to the final judgment of the wicked

Believers will not be hurt “at all” by that judgment; their sin was judged at the cross, and, in Christ, there is no more condemnation. Romans 8:1

So, again we see the promises of living a Godly life. Not giving into carnally, and every lasting judgement. But the blessings of our Father God…

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Westbow a division of Thomas/Nelson

Church In Ephesus
Author: Pat Aman

““To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:1-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When we are first saved, we are on fire…And this is quite natural to have an excitement and zeal for learning and living by God’s instructions.

But as time goes by, just like the smell of a new car, our excitement starts to decline. Our excitement for God can fade or dissipate. Maybe because we are in a church congregation that does not teach us about life, or building one another up in prayer. Even the Pastor and other members are in a sluggish routine and has fallen into the same trap. Maybe we get slack in prayer time and Bible study. Maybe we let life’s ups and downs take us away from assembling together with other Christians.

What apparently happened to these members at Ephesus was that over time, they began drifting away from God. Christ told them that they needed to “repent and do the first works” if they wanted to remain a part of the Church of God (Revelation 2:5).

We must remember that God will remove any and all candlesticks in our lives that we put before Him. Anything that becomes an altar of self indulgence, and removes God from our lives.

Just as God told the Church In Ephesus to get back to Him, and the ministry set before them, we must do the same.
Return to God our first love.

God bless you,
Pat

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Christian Faith Publishers ….
Study Notes: The NKJB

I am going to take the next seven nights and talk about seven churches in Revelations. “which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Letter to the Church of Sardis
Author: Pat Aman…

Rev 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

1 These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.

3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.

5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.

6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

What is our Lord saying to the church at Sardis, and through them, to us?

The diagnosis was spiritual death. But resuscitation was possible.

Is your Christian walk lively? Or have you become stuck in a rut? Are you
going through the motions, or are you excited about going to church, reading God’s word, conversing with your Heavenly Father?

Once upon a time, most of us were excited about our faith. But eventually,
it usually becomes “old” to us. How can we revive it? Try something fresh.

If you usually prefer traditional worship, give one contemporary service a try. You may not want to attend all the time, but it could quick start your faith excitement. It speaks to people in the vernacular – just as Jesus did. Try a new version of the Bible. Oh boy, I hit a rock there.

Remember, even the King James was translated by men, from the original
transcripts, so do not let yourself fall into not reading the newer translations.

Read a new (to you) Christian author, or revisit an old one that inspired you.

Get involved in service. That’s God’s intent for us, and we aren’t complete spiritually, if we are not using the gifts He has abundantly blessed us with.

And pray, pray, pray. God wants you to have a lively faith walk. But be careful what you ask for; you will get it! He may drop you out of your comfort zone.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “Coffee With Pat
Daily Devotionals” and Christian Faith Publishers
Study Notes: The New King James Bible