TOPIC: SMYRNA: Smyrna: The Persecuted Church (II)
Fire Scripture: Rev.2:8-11
Outline: MFM Devotional 16th September 2021
The letter to Smyrna came to them at the time of great persecution. There were many Jews in this city, but they were very hostile to the church. The church was in serious trouble that God told them that more problems were coming: tribulations, poverty and imprisonment (Rev. 2:10). Paul wrote, in 2 Cor. 4:8-18, how much of troubles and persecution they went through in the course of his missionary activities. Yet, there is hope for him in eternity. Are you going to choose the kingdom of God or the kingdom of this world?
There is no peace or joy in this world. No matter how long one lives here on earth, it is with troubles and travails. The world is filled with terrors, killings, kidnapping, armed robberies, societal dissidence and more. It appears as if nothing works. Mortality rate now is very high, but in the kingdom of God, believers will live forever in God’s presence. This is our joy and hope as children of God. God still encourages the church not to fear all these things that they will suffer. He also advised them to be faithful unto death.
He said those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death. This is because they are already wearing a crown that death cannot kill, and they have life that swallows death! Beloved, the second death is spiritual death, the permanent separation from God into eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8). Faithful overcomers will escape the second death. Alleluia! How have you been running your race? If you are in trouble or suffering today and you call on Jesus, He will understand what you are going through and will arise to help you.
When you complain that life is tough, remember that Jesus went through it too! The church at Smyrna suffered more hardship and yet, held on to their faith and first love. Do everything possible to remain faithful and you will overcome! Open your mouth and declare this three times with aggressive faith: “I shall stand for Christ till the end of my life. I shall be an overcomer. I shall receive the crown of life. The second death shall not hurt me, in the name of Jesus.
MEMORY VERSE:
2 Cor. 4:18 – While we look not at the things which are seen, but at things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
As the world hated Christ, so it hates those who bear His image.
PROPHETIC WORD:
The grace to endure persecution and serve the Lord to the end is yours from today, in the name of Jesus.
MFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 HYMN:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
1. Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
Chorus
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
2. It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand.
For ’tis well secured by the Saviour’s hand;
Though the tempest rage and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.
3. When our eyes behold through the gathering night
The city of gold, our harbour bright,
We shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore,
With the storms all past forever more.
TODAY’S PRAYER POINTS
MORNING
1. Father, show Yourself strong to Your enemies in my life and deliver me, in the name of Jesus.
2. Powers assigned to weaken my faith, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus.
3. Every gate of hell assigned against the church collapse, die, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
4. Cloud of darkness in this environment, scatter, in the name of Jesus.
5. Every evil label assigned to my life, catch fire, in the name of Jesus.
6. The promise of God for the faithful ones, my life is available, manifest, in the name of Jesus.
7. No power shall be able to disrupt my life, by the power, in the blood of Jesus
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Zechariah 1; Zechariah 2; Zechariah 3; Zechariah 4; Zechariah 5; Zechariah 6; Zechariah 7
Billy Graham Daily Devotions 16th September 2021 – The Madness of The Gospel
MFM Daily Devotional 16th September 2021. The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) is a Pentecostal denomination founded in Yaba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria in 1989, now with churches in several countries. It was founded by Daniel Kolawole Olukoya
Follow us on
Facebook: Christgospelr
Instagram: Christgospelr
Twitter: Christgospelr
