Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "The Cure for Compromise" by Duane Brush for Monday, 25 July 2016 with Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "The Cure for Compromise" by Duane Brush for Monday, 25 July 2016 with Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17
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"The Cure for Compromise" by Duane Brush
Scripture: Revelation 2:12 “To the angel of the Messianic Community in Pergamum, write: ‘Here is the message from the one who has the sharp double-edged sword: 13 “I know where you are living, there where the Adversary’s throne is. Yet you are holding onto my name. You did not deny trusting me even at the time when my faithful witness Antipas was put to death in your town, there where the Adversary lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: you have some people who hold to the teaching of Bil‘am, who taught Balak to set a trap for the people of Isra’el, so that they would eat food that had been sacrificed to idols and commit sexual sin. 15 Likewise, you too have people who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore, turn from these sins. Otherwise, I will come to you very soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities. To him winning the victory I will give some of the hidden man. I will also give him a white stone, on which is written a new name that nobody knows except the one receiving it.”’
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Hymn for Today: "Holy Spirit, Light Divine" by Andrew Reed
1. Holy Spirit, light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn the darkness into day.
2. Let me see my Savior's face,
Let me all His beauties trace;
Show those glorious truths to me
Which are only known to Thee.
3. Holy Spirit, pow'r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
In Thy mercy pity me,
From sin's bondage set me free.
4. Holy Spirit, joy divine
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Yield a sacred, settled peace,
Let it grow and still increase.
5. Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down ev'ry idol throne,

Reign supreme, and reign alone.
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Sometimes the greatest temptation for spiritual failure is not the violent and overt persecution that some believers face, but the temptation to make little compromises, accommodations with our sinful world, that lead us away from Christ and tarnish our witness for Him.
The city of Pergamum was a center of pagan worship, including the imperial Roman cult. Perhaps most significant for Christians Pergamum was a place known for the violent persecution of believers. A “faithful witness” by the name of Antipas became the first martyr for the faith in that region (Revelation 2:13). Tradition says that he was slowly roasted to death in a bronze kettle. “Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me,” says Christ. To stand firm in faith in the face of such fearsome persecution is certainly commendable.
However, what violent action could not do, daily compromise with the pagan worship and lifestyle slowly did. It was time to repent! God had “hidden manna” and a “new name” for those who would turn back to Him. Even in the shadow of Satan’s throne there is hope for revival and renewal.
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Thought of the Day: Jeremiah 3:22 “Return, backsliding children,
and I will heal your backsliding.”
“Here we are, we are coming to you,
for you are Adonai our God.
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Please Pray: That many people in the Republic of South d\Sudan will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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