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

Are You Being Deceived?
Author: Pat Aman..

Matthew 24 says, “For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and they shall show great signs and wonders. Insomuch that If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

This verse shows it is the reason that each of us should stay in the Word.

Before I make my point in this devotional let me say, I know we are having to live stream our church services during this time of crisis and that is wonderful.

With the technology we have today God’s Word is being preached around the world, and many souls have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus.

But, I hear people constantly saying that they are watching difference ministers on every iPad, computer, iPhone, Comcast hour after hour.

Every time I turn around they are sharing with me something that they have heard from ministers somewhere.

They can even quote the message word for word. They are taking every word that is being preached and not even making sure that what they heard is exactly what the Bible says…

But when I ask them to quote a bible verse they have memorized, they cannot do it. When I ask them to tell me a time that they knew God spoke to them, they cannot.

These are the people who are going to get deceived. These are the people who have already been deceived. These are church members, Christian people.

What a sad thing because when they are alone in their homes needing an answer for direction, and needing to hear the voice of God, I promise you a on line minister will not be there for you, but God and His Holy Word, the Bible will be…

We need to turn the off the electronic devices and get the Bible down from the shelf, open it and see what God has to say to us.

The Word of God is what Jesus used to defeat Satan in the wilderness and the Word of God is what will help defeat Satan in our lives.

The Word of God is what will teach us, so that we will not be deceived by false prophets.

Today make a choice to change your life and your circumstances.

Open the Book – God’s Road map…Your sword…

Just as Apostle Paul taught Timothy, Bible study and prayer time is important in helping to keep us strong.

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

We must remember 2 Timothy 2:15 is not just a command to study the Bible, being an approved workman involves much more. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that to be a workman that God could approve, he would have to be diligent in his service to God. God is not the kind of Master that accepts shoddy work! By earnestly applying himself in service, Timothy would not need to be ashamed as he stood before God in the day of judgment.

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Remember, Satan himself knows the Bible and quotes it to deceive you. Please study so you will know when you are being deceived

Love, Prayers and Blessings
Pastor Pat

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