Revelation 3:7-13

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

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. 8 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. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.- Revelation 3:7-13

Dear Jesus, 

I know how much you love each church and each Christian and want them to endure through hard times.  It's so easy to get discouraged by what we can see with our eyes in this world still influenced by Satan.  We often get distracted by our own deep disappointments with how slow the gospel moves.  But you promise that when we endure we will will ultimately see you in heaven and get the prize of eternal life.  Help me by your Holy Spirit to continue my walk of faith through thick and thin because I know you are watching over my life to the very end.  

AMEN

Pastor Don Patterson

Endurance is much easier when we stop trying to lift the past or the future while carrying the load called today. 

Revelation 3:1-6

To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief,and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes.They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. - Revelation 3:1-6

Dear Jesus,

These words are a powerful reminder to make sure we don't mistake church activity and community involvement as the essence of true spirituality.  True spirituality is a very clear faith in you as our personal Savior from sin.  It leads us to live in hope and peace no matter what we are experiencing.  It makes us unconsciously generous and Christ centered in our dealings with everyone.  It makes us kind and gentle but strong and courageous at the same time.  It makes us relentless in clinging to the true meaning of your word while patiently teaching those who have erroneous ideas about passages from the Bible.  We wear the robe of your righteousness and are always trying to give it way to others.  Oh Jesus, help us to stay deeply connected to your words so we have a well of living water springing up in our lives in every direction. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Focus more on being than doing when you are with Jesus and he will transform you. 

Revelation 2:18-28

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds,your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father.  I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. - Revelation 2:18-28

Dear Jesus,

Oh how you hate people teaching lies and saying you told them to!  You will not tolerate it forever.  Help your churches everywhere to meditate deeply on your word so they see the truth and avoid the lies.  Give them a greater desire to proclaim your whole counsel for the salvation for the salvation of souls and to raise up a godly generation that will glorify you in their everyday lives.  Help your people to hold of to what they have already learned and to teach it to their children and grandchildren.  And give me a stronger desire to speak your word to my friends and family in a gentle but convincing way. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Truth cannot go begging in the streets if we give it home on our tongues and through our lips.

Revelation 2:12-17

To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. - Revelation 2:12-17

Dear Lord Jesus,

You don't fool around.  You watch us ever so closely.  You see when we stand tall under pressure to act against our faith you see when we fall.  The ancient church in Pergamum had some members who thought that grace meant they could live however they wanted.  You won't stand for that.  Grace teaches us to say "no" to ungodliness for the right reasons. Help our pastors teach your word fiercely and faithfully so they lead your sheep away from sin and into a life of purity and peace.  Use your word to make their tongues sharp two edged swords that cut people to the heart who need to repent and who cut out guilt from those who have.  Help your messengers say what you would say to the flock.  And when you have gathered your sheep into your grace again, give us that white stone with the new name written on it, "Forgiven" and "Admit One" into heaven. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

True spirituality reveals itself in honest and humble faith that wrestles with sin until the finish line.  

Revelations 2:8-11

To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful,even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. - Revelations 2:8-11

Dear Jesus,

You don't pull any punches.  You allowed your church in Smyrna to be persecuted and they were already poor by our standards.  But you made them rich in faith. They trusted that you were with them and that heaven was their home.  It keep them from caving in to the pressure of unbelieving persecutors.  Please strengthen my faith in you and your promises so when I endure suffering.  Don't let me question your love of direction simply because I am hurting or perplexed.  And place your hand on y life.  Don't give me more than I can handle and when I don't handle what you give please don't reject me.  Instead, hold me up in your love and restore me to the strength your Spirit brings.  Give me the light of your hope even in the darkest place. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Our goal is not to avoid death.  It's to ignore it's threats because we have Christ's rescue. 

Revelation 2:1-7

To the angel (pastor) of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands. I know your deeds,your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.- Revelation 2:1-7

Dear Jesus,

In your words to the ancient church in Ephesus, I hear you speaking to me and my church.  You are pleased that we stand up for good, watch out that we teach truth and endure hardships for the gospel, but you never want us to think that the things we do replace just living in the love you have shared with us.  It was your love that melted my hard heart and made me deal with my selfishness.  It was your love that catapulted me into service into your kingdom.  It is your love that saved and made me what I was always supposed to be.  Don't ever let me lose sight of your love that makes me a person of love.  Otherwise I will be an empty shell and clanging tin can. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Truth and love are two sides of the same coin.  We never really have one without the other. 

Revelation 1:17-20

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. - Revelation 1:17-20

Dear Lord Jesus,

If I were to see you in all of your glory I would fall down in fear just like John did. You are the ultimate superhero, the God over all things, the One with whom we all have to reckon. Thank you for placing your right hand on John and telling him not to be afraid. It comforts me to know that you love your church. And to know that you passed through death and are alive again gives me hope. And to know you hold the keys to hell makes me feel safe. And then to know you walk among the churches and live with the angels of those churches, that is; the pastors, helps me trust you are guiding each congregation even when we struggle. Jesus you are with us and we can struggle on as future conquerors no matter how small and insignificant we feel. Today will be a good day because you are with me. Help me to stop feeling so alone when I face any challenge by reminding me that you, the almighty, loving, Savior God, are with me.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God is with us, how can anything in our lives ultimately turn out badly.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:12-15

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the chest with a golden girdle.  And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:12-15

Dear Jesus,

John saw you in all of your glory standing among the lamp stands that represented your beloved churches at that time. The way you revealed yourself was both a comfort and a confrontation. It comforts me to know you are the almighty God filled with power and splendor. That reminds me that you have all it takes to take care of your churches. But it also confronts me that my church answer to you and not to the world we serve. Only what you want matters and many times we have followed the whims of the world and our own desires. I’m glad you are among us in your power. Help us to live before you in godly reverence. Lead us on your mission and not our own. Make us into what you want us to be. 

Amen 

Pastor Don Patterson 

When we remember that Jesus lives among us it changes everything we think, say, and do.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:9‬

“I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” - ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:9‬ 

Dear Jesus,

Your apostle John is rather nonchalant in saying that he was on an island because of the word of God and having testified about you. He also said he was our companion in the suffering of those in your kingdom and the patient endurance that are ours as Christians. He speaks to us as one who was in the trenches with us who knew what it was like to suffer and to wonder how things would turn out. I know that I have not suffered like John  but in my troubles I see him as a forceful teacher reminding me that we are pilgrims here and that heaven is our home. Thank you for making the writers of your book men who understood our travail and committed themselves to leading us through it. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

As pilgrims we can never plant our roots deep on earth.

Revelation 1:5-6

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loves us, and looses us from our sins by his blood; and made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; - to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  - Revelation 1:5-6

‭Dear Jesus, 

You have loosened me up from every negative feeling I might have about myself because of my sins and failures. You have restored to me my own personal identity that I am part of your kingdom as a royal member of your family and a priest that represents you in the world. You have made all of my Christian family and friends into the same new creation. Help me to live in the optimism that remembering I am your chosen royalty brings. Help me also to view all my fellow Christians as the same loyal citizens treating them with dignity and respect. And since you rose from the dead I live in the hope that I too will beat whatever it is that threatens my life now and always. 

Amen 

Pastor Don Patterson

We are members of God’s royalty with his angels as secrets service protectors. 

Revelation‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”- ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭

Dear Jesus,

I find it interesting that you said we will be blessed if we read this book aloud and listen with open hearts. I still remember locking myself in my room in seventh grade and reading this entire book out loud . It captivated, frightened and comforted me all at the same time. Simply put, it changed my life. It gave me godly reverence for your loving control over what looks  like a scary world.  It made me remember that we are only here for a short time and heaven is our home. Help me live in those lessons again today. Lord, bless the prayers I will think, say and write the next few weeks from my meditations on this book. 

Amen 

Pastor Don Patterson

God is speaking to everyone every day from the pages of his diary, the Bible.

Titus 2:11-12

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. - Titus 2:11-12

Dear Jesus,

When I was young it felt like it was only morals and rules that would give my life direction and power.  Boy was that a childish idea.  Sadly, I see parents and pastors fall back to the same kind of thinking and they create environments void of gospel love.  I am just as prone to do it too.  But here you breathe a breath of fresh air.  It's the good news of your love that teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions.  It's love and faith that make us be different. not rules. In fact, few rules are needed when love is in the driver's seat.  Thank you for loving me so much that you taught me about your love even when you had every reason to walk away from me.  In my moments of temptation today, remind me that I love you and that you love me.  It will give me the power to do the right thing for the right reason. 

Amen 

Pastor Don Patterson

Love does easily what rules make hard to do.  

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12

Dear Heavenly Father,

The passing into a new year helps me stop and mark time.  What Moses wrote here in his only Psalm in the Psalter helps me to value life properly.  My days on earth are numbered.  I don't have endless opportunities.  The life I have and and the relationships you have created for me are finite.  I need to make the most of every moment of my life in your estimation before mine.  Oh, God, help me seize every opportunity you have granted me, to sow your powerful word in the hearts and minds of those who need it.  Give me your divine wisdom by your Spirit to discern when my life is out of balance and I am simply indulging in pleasure beyond reasonable limits.  Make me live on mission with a glad and sincere heart.   

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Only one life to live and soon it will pass.  Only one life to live and only what is done for Christ will last.  

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Dear Jesus, 

New Year's day always feels good because it's like starting over with a clean record.  But it's a pale image of what you have really done for me by redeeming my soul.  Every morning I awake to a new day as a new creation in you.  This verse reminds me that I am always new in you.  My sins, and my old sinful attitude are replaced with faith and love because I have come to know how much you love me.  I'm always in a New Year in my heart because you push the refresh button every day by washing me clean from sin. I will live today believing that you have forgotten my sins.  It will get my year off to a great start.  Lead in this path of peace and hope into a productive and exciting year with you. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Our relationship with God is always new and fresh because of his grace.

James 1:16-18

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created. - James 1:16-18

Dear Jesus,

All gifts come from you and the Christmas gifts now opened are from your hand through the hearts of those who love me.  I deserve none of the blessings you have given but I know they come from your loving and forgiving heart.  Your greatest gift for me is the new birth I have by understanding grace through your Son.  It has changed the way I think about you and all of your creation.  It makes my life a blessing to others.   Your gifts and blessings have been constant throughout my life.  Even in hard times you send some  small blessing here and there to show me you are still working in my behalf.  Thank you for turning your back of me after all the ways I have sinned.  Give me the same kind of kindness toward all the people in my life too. 
Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God is always blessing us, even when we lose sight of how.  

Luke 2:6-7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. - Luke 2:6-7

Dear Jesus,

It's so grand that I can hardly wrap my mind around it; the moment you were born, you were God lying there in the feed trough wrapped in rags. What a welcome we gave you and oh how similarly we have treated you throughout our lives.  We say, "God you can be here with us," but we won't necessarily give you the honor and reverence you deserve.  We give our "junk for Jesus" when our best gifts get cast down in front of idols.  Thank you for being the patient and merciful Lord who died for roaches like us.  I'm so thankful for your grace and by faith I will do my best to give you more than a manger as a dwelling place in my heart and life.  Since you are here with all your blessings, I will be happy in my Christmas celebrations no matter what they do or don't look like.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

When Christ is in your Christmas it's always the best ever.  

Galatians 4:4

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. - Galatians 4:4 

Dear Heavenly Father,  

I have spent my entire life wishing things would happen either sooner or later than they did.  I always want Christmas to hurry up and get here.  I couldn't seem to wait to get my driver's license either.  On the other hand, I never wanted our vacation to end and always hoped the holidays gatherings could go on for days.  With the strong desire you had to redeem mankind and restore our love for you, it must have been hard to wait centuries for your Son to do his magic in saving us.  You wait with your creatures don't you.  But when you wait there is no impatience, no groaning, no disappointment or angst.  You wait with understanding that you have just the right time for everything.  Because you do, I wait with you in faith filled peace.  Your time is the right time all the time.  You work your timing into my life and I will work my obedience from a trusting heart, with your help of course. 

AMEN

Pastor Don Patterson 

God's timing is the right time all the time. 

Luke 2:1, 4-5

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. - Luke 2:1, 4-5 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

The prophecy in Micah had said that your Son would be born in Bethlehem and yet your chosen couple was in Nazareth.  It's fascinating to me that you used the high and mighty Caesar to move them to Bethlehem by upsetting the entire Roman world with a census.  I wonder in my heart how many world events and government decisions are driven by your plans to move your people around and spread your salvation to more souls.  Public events are not just public events.  Many are heaven's private plan being enforced on earth.  I'm learning to trust you with how you guide my country and state in your providence instead of judging events based on political and social reasoning.  Your Christmas gospel reminds me that you have eternal purposes for people behind everything you guide or allow.  It gives me peace and keeps me centered in you through every circumstance. Your providence fulfilled Scripture in having Jesus born in Bethlehem.  Your providence will fulfill your spiritual purposes for me and everyone else.  Thanks for being God of everything in my life with grace. 

Pastor Don Patterson

God's good and gracious plan is behind every decision that he allows to affect our lives.

Luke 2:19

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. - Luke 2:19

Dear Jesus,

What was your mother pondering when she peered at you in the manger with shepherds arriving and gawking at you.  She knew she was a virgin.  She knew you were God made out of her flesh.  She knew you were her son and her creator.  She knew so many things and so few things all at he same time. She didn't know how you would live through trouble.  She didn't know how you would die and rise again.  She didn't know how she would fare being your mom.  Her heart must have been so full that the thoughts just spilled over the edges.  What a blessed life she experienced to have had the most intimate connection to you.  Thank you for creating her and then choosing her to be your Alma Mater.  Your choice brought me salvation.  Help me to treasure all these thoughts in my heart too. So, I realize how rich I am without having owned anything. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God took on the same flesh as us.  Is there a bigger mind blowing thought? 

Matthew 2:1-2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” - Matthew 2:1-2

Dear Lord,

You moved honest men who were seeking spiritual peace and wisdom to travel hundreds and hundreds of miles to find your son who is the personification of wisdom.  And your own people were barely ready to help them.  If it were not for your word in Micah they would have been oblivious as to what to say.  I know there are seekers all around me too but I fear we are not always ready for them.  Help me to be ready to lead them to your Son and his story today so they find you when they find him.  Give me a perceptive heart to tell when someone is really seeking to know you and the grace you have.  And when my moment comes to share, give me the right words to reach into their hearts and give them grace. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God is prompting people everywhere to seek him by reaching out to his people.