Tuesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Revelation 2
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
2:4–5 the love you had at first. One interpretation is that Ephesus had lost its early love for Christ. Another interpretation is that Ephesian believers had lost love for one another and needed to revive the compassionate works you did at first. Many interpreters think both are in view, since love for Christ and love for one another are related (cf. Mark 12:29–31; 1 John 4:20). Remove your lampstand means that both in the near future and when Christ returns, they would lose their status as a church and Christ would treat them like apostate Israel.
Study Questions:
- In Luke 10, as Martha was working furiously and Mary was soaking it all in at the feet of her Savior, Jesus declares that Mary has "chosen the better thing." Yes, Martha was doing important things, but Mary chose the best thing... to worship Jesus. Martha assumed her priorities were right and Mary's were wrong. But like the church in Ephesus that Jesus rebuked in Revelation 2, Martha had forgotten her first love. Clayton shared this quote from Navigators on Sunday... "When your output exceeds your input, your upkeep becomes your downfall." In your own words, what does this quote mean to you? How do you make sure your input stays ahead of your output?
- Think about your relationship with God. Walking closely with the Lord doesn't just happen on accident. Like any relationship, it takes intentionality. You have to prioritize it, spend the time. In our spiritual lives, we all have highs and lows, peaks and valleys. Think about the strongest and most vibrant your relationship with him has been. How far from that are you now? What has changed? Are there good habits that have fallen away or bad ones that have crept in? How much of a priority does spending time with Jesus have in your life? Does something need to be tweaked?
Pray:
- That you would be prioritizing Jesus in your life.
- That you would do what's necessary to walk closely with him.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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