I know your works. Rev. 2:2. I know your affliction and poverty. Verse 9. I know where you live. Verse 13. I know your works. Verse 19. I know your works. Rev. 3:1. I know your works. Verse 8. I know your works. Verse 15.
A common message to each of the seven churches is the clear assertion that Jesus knows everything about each of them. Early in each letter is a statement along the lines of "I know your works." Jesus knows not only everything we do but also what we can become. He wants each church to become all that it can be and desires that each church live according to His design.
Christ knew all about John as well. He had a plan and a purpose for his life. Jesus recognized that the prophet could handle the powerful visions that form the core of the message of Revelation (Rev. 1:1). In writing out the book, John was acting out Jesus' purpose for his life (verses 11, 19).
God has a design and a purpose for every person's life. He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" (Jer. 1:5, NIV). If God had a unique plan for Jeremiah and for John as well as each of the seven churches, we can have little doubt that He has a plan for each of us. But God's design for our temperament and spiritual purpose is not always immediately obvious.
My wife, Pamella, once believed that God's design for her was to be a pastor's wife, to simply be and do whatever that required. But over time she came to realize that it was a secondary purpose. Although supportive of mine and important in itself, it was not by itself her own unique mission for God.
She then plunged for more than a decade into the full-time role of mother and home school teacher. Such responsibilities were and are extremely important, and many, such as Mary, the mother of Jesus, have found fullness of purpose in them. But my wife often felt frustrated and empty, sensing that somehow that was not all there was to God's design for her.
More recently she has plunged into a college education, preparing to assist God in the beautification of our planet through the skills of horticulture and landscape design. These activities have been intensely satisfying at times, and yet the question for her has lingered: Is that all God wants me to do?
Her uncertainty has actually been a great blessing. It has plunged my wife into an intense study of the process by which people can come to know God's design and purpose for them (see tomorrow's devotional). How is it with you? Do you understand God's plan for you? If so, are you living by it, or have you let the cares of this life distract you from it?
Lord, I submit myself entirely to Your design and purpose for me. I am willing to be and do according to Your will.
A common message to each of the seven churches is the clear assertion that Jesus knows everything about each of them. Early in each letter is a statement along the lines of "I know your works." Jesus knows not only everything we do but also what we can become. He wants each church to become all that it can be and desires that each church live according to His design.
Christ knew all about John as well. He had a plan and a purpose for his life. Jesus recognized that the prophet could handle the powerful visions that form the core of the message of Revelation (Rev. 1:1). In writing out the book, John was acting out Jesus' purpose for his life (verses 11, 19).
God has a design and a purpose for every person's life. He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" (Jer. 1:5, NIV). If God had a unique plan for Jeremiah and for John as well as each of the seven churches, we can have little doubt that He has a plan for each of us. But God's design for our temperament and spiritual purpose is not always immediately obvious.
My wife, Pamella, once believed that God's design for her was to be a pastor's wife, to simply be and do whatever that required. But over time she came to realize that it was a secondary purpose. Although supportive of mine and important in itself, it was not by itself her own unique mission for God.
She then plunged for more than a decade into the full-time role of mother and home school teacher. Such responsibilities were and are extremely important, and many, such as Mary, the mother of Jesus, have found fullness of purpose in them. But my wife often felt frustrated and empty, sensing that somehow that was not all there was to God's design for her.
More recently she has plunged into a college education, preparing to assist God in the beautification of our planet through the skills of horticulture and landscape design. These activities have been intensely satisfying at times, and yet the question for her has lingered: Is that all God wants me to do?
Her uncertainty has actually been a great blessing. It has plunged my wife into an intense study of the process by which people can come to know God's design and purpose for them (see tomorrow's devotional). How is it with you? Do you understand God's plan for you? If so, are you living by it, or have you let the cares of this life distract you from it?
Lord, I submit myself entirely to Your design and purpose for me. I am willing to be and do according to Your will.
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