Bishop David has recorded a series of devotions in The Book of Revelation to take us through the 40 days of Lent from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday (5 March-13 April).
Day 40
The last in our series of Lent devotions. Bishop David encourages us to take forward what Jesus says to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation and therefore to each one of us.
Day 39
A cord running through the seven letters is the contrast between dead religion and true Gospel faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t settle for religion but instead live a vibrant and effective life with Jesus Christ at the centre.
Day 38
These letters contain clear warnings that we should heed. Be sure that you have put your trust in Jesus Christ. Beware of spiritual drift. Do not settle for an apathetic walk with God.
Day 37
The invitation in all of these letters is both corporate and individual. Rev 3:21, God addresses each member of the church, and promises a wonderful reward to the one who conquers.
Day 36
(Rev 3:20). Jesus continues to knock on the door of the heart of every Christian, waiting for that invitation to come into the very centre of our lives.
Day 35
(Rev 3:20). The experience of conversion to Jesus is expressed here as a banquet, where we feast together with him. Please don’t ignore his knock on the door. Open your heart and invite Jesus in.
Day 34
(Rev 3:19-20). God loves the Church in Laodicea enough to rebuke them and invite them to repent. Let’s respond to Jesus and be restored to fellowship with him.
Day 33
Jesus’ harshest words are to the Church in Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22). The city was famous for banking but this church has failed to find its true wealth in Jesus. It is lukewarm and apathetic. Let us examine our own hearts.
Day 32
By the measures of the world, the Church in Philadelphia was weak, but the Church’s strength always lies in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. We’re encouraged to live a life of faith and dare great things for his kingdom.
Day 31
The letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13). Philadelphia is a strategic city and the church is small, however God finds no fault with it. He encourages the Philadelphians (and us) to trust him and his sovereign ways, even when we don’t understand them.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 30
Rev 3:1-5. An invitation to wake up and to become the Church that God intends, invading the world with the light of the Gospel.
Day 29
There are times when God visits his Church with judgement (Rev 3:3). Nothing is ever hidden from Jesus Christ, so let us examine our hearts and the hearts of our churches. Are they beating with a zealous love for him?
Day 28
The letter to the Church in Sardis (Rev 3:1-5) which was commended only for its reputation of being alive, however it was dead – inoffensive, safe and ineffective. Churches, beware of falling into this trap.
Day 27
Another neglected truth in today’s Church is that there are consequences if we don’t repent of sinful habits and lifestyles. On the other hand, wonderful blessings flow to those who repent (Rev 2:24-29).
Day 26
Rev 2:20-22, the Church in Thyatira is reprimanded for its tolerance of sexual immorality and sinful sexual practices. But God is gracious. Today, we also are called to repent, to experience forgiveness and to walk in humble obedience to his Word.
Day 25
The letter to the Church in Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29). Thyatira is a smaller town and a smaller church, but God commends them for their works, love, faith, service, and perseverance. Be encouraged that a small church can make a difference for good in its community.
Day 24
We must be wise in our decisions, ruthless in our pursuit of a holy life. If we are not, God will come and purify his Church. Let us put away anything that prevents us from seeking first his kingdom.
Day 23
The letter to the Church in Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17). Pergamum was the seat of political power in Asia, famous as a centre of learning and of pagan worship. There were temptations for the followers of Jesus to compromise with the culture around them. We face the same challenge.
Day 22
The Christians in Smyrna have found the strength to endure imprisonment, persecution and poverty. They are rich because they know Christ and this letter encourages them not to be overcome with fear but to be faithful.
Day 21
The letter to the Church in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11). Smyrna was a great trading city loyal to Rome and to become a Christian there was to invite persecution. When we choose to follow Christ we are not promised freedom from hardship but we are called to remain faithful.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 20
Rev 2:7. We have the capacity to hear from God and he is keen to speak to us but we need to really desire to hear his voice. Don’t let anything get in the way.
Day 19
Because he so loves us and his Church, God will bring correction (Rev 3:19). The love of Jesus is without limit and this realisation will enable us to love him wholeheartedly in return.
Day 18
The Church in Ephesus have abandoned the love they had at first. Have you lost something of your first love for Jesus Christ? Do what it takes to recover it. Repent.
Day 17
The Church in Ephesus is commended for her works, her toil, her patient endurance and doctrinal vigilance. May we in these days, both as individuals and churches, always hold to the Word and ways of Christ.
Day 16
Rev 2:1-7, the letter to the Church in Ephesus, an important but pagan city. Like Paul, Timothy and John, our task is to take the Gospel into all of the world, including our neighbourhood.
Day 15
“The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.”(Rev 3:12). The pillar speaks of stability.
Day 14
As followers of Jesus we can gain access to God for direction and his will for our lives. The key is for us to have a heart that’s right with God with his Word as our rule and the Holy Spirit as our teacher. “Just a closer walk with Thee.”
Day 13
Angels are a reality in scripture and a reality in heaven and on earth – even now. But they cannot compare to the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ. It is the task of the Church to point people to him.
Day 12
The Book of Revelation is full of imagery. In Rev 1:12-15 we encounter the seven lampstands which are the seven churches to whom the Spirit writes. The Church should always shine brightly for God and ’Speak Jesus’ to the world.
Day 11
We turn to Jesus’ disciple John who received the Revelation whilst in exile on Patmos. This bleak island became a place where he encountered God. As individuals and in the church, the barren seasons can become times when we hear from God and even experience revival.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 10
Those who overcome are always men and women whose trust in Jesus remains strong and clear in every circumstance of life. We overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony (Rev 12:11). We testify to the truth of who God is and stand on the finished work of Christ.
Day 9
As overcoming Christians we need to learn to fight the good fight, to endure through hard times and put following Christ above personal comfort. This is modelled by our brothers and sisters in Multan Diocese in Pakistan. CLICK HERE to find out more about our partnership and join future online prayer meetings with Multan.
Day 8
You and I are called to be Christians who conquer or overcome the world the flesh and the Devil. Every follower of Jesus finds themselves in battle, every Christian is a soldier of Jesus Christ. But God equips us for victory.
Day 7
Our work for Jesus will not be in vain. In Revelation 14:3 we read, “…’Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.’”
Day 6
We’re told that God knows the works of his people and weighs them. As followers of Jesus we’re called to be different to those around us and to demonstrate God’s Kingdom as well as proclaim it. Faith in Christ and works for Christ go hand in hand.
Day 5
“I know your works.” We can drift into believing that in the end, everyone will be saved but that’s not what the Bible clearly teaches. The church today must wake up and make every effort to bring those who are without Christ to saving faith in him.
Day 4
To each of the seven churches the Spirit writes, “I know your works.” This knowledge should develop in us a sense of holy reverence for God.
Day 3
The person of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the Book of Revelation and the church’s task is to call people to repentance and a life-changing faith in him. In our parishes, let’s get the message out: Jesus Christ is Lord and in love, he died to save every person he has created.
Day 2
Rev 3: 22, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” These letters address important matters, yet in church life we can often major on the minors. Let’s make sure we focus on the things that are central to who we are called to be as followers of Jesus Christ.
Day 1
Rev 1:3 says “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” Our Lent devotions will focus on Revelation 1-3 and the seven letters to the churches, however, we will also hear the remainder of Revelation read aloud by some of our youth and children’s workers.
