Thought for November 29, 2023

•  1877: Thomas Edison demonstrates his hand-cranked phonograph for the first time
• 1951: First underground atomic explosion in Nevada
• 1972: Pong released in Andy Capp's Tavern in Sunnyvale California
• 1987: Joe Montana completes 22 consecutive passes
• Born: Christian Doppler, C.S. Lewis, Adam Clayton Powell, 
• Died: Giacomo Puccini. Graham Hill, Cary Grant, George Harrison

Thought:

The letter to Sardis is the only letter that does not contain a specific commendation and only says a few have not soiled their garments. Sardis was a city of about 120,000 and  a very wealthy city with commerce and industry and a famous woolen trade. The city was located on an almost impregnable hill [Tmolus mountain] that rose 1500 feet over the fertile plain. But the city had fallen twice due to a lack of vigilance and complacency [Cyrus in 546 BC and Antiochus III in 214 BC]. The city was in the middle of the Hermus River basin and it's tributary the Pactolus River [gold discovered there and associated with the Midas legend]. There was a large Jewish population and a synagogue. This city sounds like us--we live in America--impregnable, secure, wealthy, filled with commerce and industry.

What does the One who holds the church and has the seven Sprits of God say to them and to us? First recall who this One is. Isaiah 11:2 describes the Righteous Branch as having the Spirit of God and then mentions what this entails--the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. He will not make decisions on what the eye sees or the ears hears--He will judge in righteousness. So this letter goes to secure, wealthy, complacent people like us from One who can't be fooled by what we say or do--He has the Spirit of God and the sword that cuts to the quick. 

• You claim to be alive but are really dead. Does this hit you? It certainly hits me. Do I go through the motions, read the Bible, go to church, write a thought for today, and yet dying on the inside. Am I like the Pharisees who gave the appearance of holiness and righteousness, but who Jesus said were white-washed tombs. My law partner and I had a saying we applied to certain people or situations we encountered in the practice--"a dog on the interstate." Ever seen a dog running down the median of the interstate? Happy, carefree, looks alive and well. But likely dead because he can't get off the median without getting hit by a car or truck. Dead and doesn't know it. We see those people every day--lost, going through life seemingly happy, wealthy, content. But dead and don't know it because life is found only in Jesus. Or maybe it's me, I'm letting my life slip away because of a lack of passion for Jesus. Alive, but not flourishing as He wants. Where is the fruit?
• Jesus pleads, exhorts--Wake up, be vigilant, rekindle the fire, remember what you have heard and received, repent. He wants to make us complete in Him. 
• Jesus promises--white garments--our sins though they are scarlet He makes white as snow. Our name in the Book of Life---no one can erase it, mark it out--permanently written in the blood of Christ. And Jesus will confess us before the Father--these are my sheep, I know them by name.

Today, am I really living or just existing. Jesus invites me to abundant life--wake up Larry, pay attention, rekindle the fire, remember who I am and what I have done, repent and be forgiven. Do it for one day you will hear, "well done good and faithful servant, enter into My joy." 

Blessings

Larry