Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Guard Your Lampstand
In Revelation, Christ gives us a word that warns us to take heed. He says, "Repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent" (Revelation 2:5, NKJV).
Jesus is saying that unless we repent, he will remove all the spiritual authority we have been given. This includes our impact on our city, our community, and those anywhere in our sphere of influence. Every bit of influence we have will be taken from us.
Right now, churches across the world are shutting their doors. Their lights are literally being turned off because that is the judgment they incur for refusing to repent. God said they would lose their discernment, their spiritual blessings, their finances, and his very presence. Now they are dead, lifeless, with only memories of his past blessings.
Many churches around the world were once packed with zealous believers, but today, barely a few dozen people sit in their pews. Soon they will dwindle to nothing, and their doors will shut for good. God has written "Ichabod" over their doors, which means, "The Spirit of the Lord has departed!"
God gives this same message to every Christian individually. He says, "If you refuse to repent, if you remain in your apathy, then I will remove your lampstand. You will no longer have any influence over your family, your coworkers, or anyone."
Yet even as we read these words, we are not to fear. Jesus ends his admonition to us this way: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7).
Beloved, Jesus is that tree! He is telling us, "If you repent, I will give you constant life from my very being. As long as you continue to love me, I will provide a flow of supernatural life in you. This life will be revealed in your discernment, your love for people, your good works for my kingdom." God's Spirit will begin to produce in you a new revelation of the glory of Christ, and he will make it known to everyone around you.
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I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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