365 Blessings- May 26

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. (Revelation 3:8)

Can't preach as effectively as others do? Can't sing as well as others do? Can't pray as mightily as others do? You would if asked, describe yourself as one with "little strength". Well then, what you read above is a wonderful promise for you that was once given to the church at Philadelphia in Asia Minor.

Faithfulness is what counts on the long run. Jesus knows our deeds. Keeping his word and not denying his name were a couple of important factors that Jesus saw in the church at Philadelphia, so he gave them a wonderful promise..."See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut."

Mind you, the promise was given by Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible says,
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. (Revelation 3:7)

Sustained faithfulness is what Jesus desires, so he exhorted the believer's in the church at Philadelphia saying,
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)

When 5 of the other churches in Asia Minor to whom the Lord gave specific instructions eventually ceased to function, the churches in Philadelphia and Smyrna survived because they obeyed the Word of the Lord.

Jesus knows how much strength each one of us has and even if our strength may same little compared to others, keeping his Word and not denying his name always brings wonderful blessings from the Lord.