As I was driving home last week, I was listening to Revelations chapters 2 & 3. As I heard it, I felt that it was a personal message to me, as a member of God’s church, on things that I need to correct in my life. Areas where I have been lacking and need to make changes. It became so personal.
Rev. 2:2-3 “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. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.”
I almost cried, as if hearing God speak this to me personally. I know that I am not in a work’s based faith, but I felt like God was validating all that I have been doing patiently. The things I have held on to without quitting. Those that I have watched fall by the wayside, discovering the life they portrayed is different from what they lived and eventually they fall.
Rev 2:4-5 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 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.
And then I did cry, as I realized that in the busyness of life, I had been neglecting my relationship with God. Going through the motions of reading His Word, but not really letting it speak to me. Praying, but not really moving past the superficial to really commune with Him. In my tears, I repented and turned back to Him.
Rev 2:9-10“I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
And then the compassion came again. His tender arms surrounded me and said “I see your suffering, your financial lack, and the things that have been said about you. Satan is testing you, but I see your faithfulness, let me reward you.”
Rev. 2:13 “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me.
Oh, to know He hears my cry for my city, my region, my home. I see the changes that have taken place in just the past twenty years. It is clear that what was once a Godly community has sat back and allowed Satan to put his throne up. I know that He acknowledges my loyalty and sees that I am His .
Revelation 2:19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
I know that God knows my heart. I will fail often this side of Heaven, but He sees my attempt to love like Him, to serve like Him. He sees my faith. He knows what I have endured.
Revelation 3:20-22 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
God is standing at my door, knocking. He is waiting for me to hear His voice and open the door to Him that we may dine in communion together. I must hear and listen to the warnings that He has given to the churches and to me individually.
Restoring Voice 
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