Where am I on this scale?

Saturday 8-29-15 (Home in Modesto)

Scripture reading:  Eze. 4-7    Rev 3

S=Scripture O=Observation A=Application P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Rev 3:17-18 (To Laodicea) “You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  NLT

Rev 2:9 (To Smyrna) “I know about your suffering and your poverty — but you are rich! “ NLT

O.  Some feel that the messages to these different church can be applied to the different eras of the Church.  In Smyrna, the second church mentioned... they are suffering under great persecution.  They see themselves as poverty stricken, but Jesus tells them that they are really rich.  In Laodicea, the seventh and last church mentioned, they see themselves as self-sufficient, with everything they need, but Jesus reveals to them that they are really wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.  Wow!  How scary!  Whether or not this represents different eras of the Church, it certainly represents different conditions of the Church.

A.  When I have been a part of a small team of believers attempting to start a church in a culture opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our youth were filled with enthusiasm.   They sought the Lord in prayer for His Holy Spirit power.  Then they stepped boldly into territories dominated by the enemy of men’s souls.  They may not have had the best sound system, or any sound system at all.  They may not have had good musicians, or any musicians at all, but armed with the message of Christ’s love they stepped out to suffer rejection and even persecution, but they seldom failed to conquer.  Behold Smyrna!

However, after a decade in the same area, when the church has become established and well accepted, respected, well equipped with the finest musicians and the latest electronic trinkets and  even popular in its community... it is in danger.  The evangelistic fervor of the youth is too often traded for entertainment.  Indifference has set in.  Behold Laodicea!

P.  Lord Jesus, today I pray for the many churches that I have helped to plant in Argentina.  You know, Lord, that some have become great mega churches with tens of thousands of believers, fine church buildings, television and radio programs and the finest of musicians... and yes, even popular acceptance in the community.  Certainly these things are not bad in themselves, but I pray for their “up and coming” youth.  May they not fall into the trap of rich, but wretched Laodicea!   And Lord, please guard my heart... for these same dangers threaten to neutralize my personal efficiency.  Amen.  

Ralph