““And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.” (Revelation 3:1-4 WEB)

Recently I received feedback from some other Christian bloggers that the things I write are too radical and they feel uncomfortable about it. 
This is a good chance to share what God’s word says about the life we’re supposed to enjoy as believers. 

In the early church, Jesus spoke to the church of Sardis through the Apostle John, rebuking then for their works which appeared holy and spiritual to men, but was actually dead in God’s eyes. 
There is a type of Christianity today that believes in Jesus’ ability to save from hell and then nothing else. 

People who adopt this approach to their faith treat Jesus like their cute and cuddly comfort toy - when they get bruised by the trials of life, they hug little “Jesus” while crying in their bed, and when they feel better, back into the bed “Jesus” goes, until the next time it’s needed like a bandaid on a wound. 
It’s like they take a shrink gun and - ZAP, a mighty lion shrinks to the size of an adorable kitty. 
Then they proceed to kill it and stuff it, allowing it to retain the outward appearance, but it has become completely lifeless. 

““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Matthew 23:25-28 WEB)

During Jesus’ time on earth the scribes and Pharisees were doing exactly that. 
They shrank God’s commandments and ordinances into a perverted, manageable version. 
It seemed to be religious but it lost all the original meaning, purpose and power. 

Today, we have Christians who just want to share the positive, ‘feel-good’ things about God and Jesus in sermons, on social media and in person, but totally reject anything miraculous or supernatural about the Gospel. So apparently according to their beliefs, Jesus’ death at the cross allows us to receive salvation (which they think can be lost if one sins), but not provision, not healing, and not spiritual gifts. 

They say “God bless you” to appear pious, but they’re just acting polite and cordial. 
The blessing is more for themselves to look good than for anything good to happen to the recipient of those words of blessing. 
They say “Praise the Lord” to sound holy, not that they’re really thankful to God or want to involve Him in anything more than the one hour gathering on Sundays where they put on a mask to “grin and bear it”, acting as though they’ve got everything in life under control. 

Praise and Worship songs performed:

1. This is Amazing Grace - Jeremy Riddle
2. God, You’re So Good - Brett Younker 
3. Stronger - New Creation Worship 
4. Defender - John-Paul Gentile 
5. Here I Bow - Brian Johnson 
6. What a Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship 
7. Break Every Chain - Jesus Culture

Researchers believe that listening to classical music can lower people’s stress, make one more emotionally vulnerable, sleep easier, and easier to crack a smile. 
Subjects who listen to Mozart’s “Sonata” for just 10 mins, show increased IQ levels. This is called “The Mozart Effect”. 

II Kings 3:9-20 - Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, had died. His son, Jeroboam, took over as king and he was wicked too. Using the instability of the kingdom, Moab rose up against Israel. 
Judah and Edom allied with Israel to fight against Moab. This is the backdrop of this passage. 
Elisha didn’t want to inquire of the Lord for Jeroboam. But he did it on account of the righteous king of Judah, Jehoshaphat. 
Elisha had no heart to prophesy at this time, but he knew that anointed music would help to bring the Lord into the situation.
Have you lost the passion or fire for your calling? 
Anointed music can motivate and inspire us from within. 
Expose yourself to anointed music. Something good happens when you listen to it. 
A miracle happened: the armies of Moab saw blood instead of water. 
Through this occurrence the allied armies were able to rout and defeat the armies of Moab. 
The entrance of God’s word into our ears and hearts gives life. 

“So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched for seven days along a circuitous route. There was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. The king of Israel said, “Alas! For Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yahweh here, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?” One of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here.” Jehoshaphat said, “Yahweh’s word is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father, and to the prophets of your mother.” The king of Israel said to him, “No, for Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” Elisha said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” When the musician played, Yahweh’s hand came on him. He said, “Yahweh says, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’ For Yahweh says, ‘You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, both you and your livestock and your other animals. This is an easy thing in Yahweh’s sight. He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. You shall strike every fortified city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.’” In the morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, water came by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.” (2 Kings 3:9-20 WEB)

I Samuel 16:23 - The evil spirit only left after Saul was refreshed and well. 
There is a real physical and emotional benefit when you listen to anointed music. 

“When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” (1 Samuel 16:23 WEB)

Pastor Lawrence recommends us to listen to Pastor Joseph Prince’s Worship album: “A Touch of His Presence”. 
That album is filled with spontaneous, anointed songs sung in the Spirit. In Pastor Lawrence’s own words, “It will be an investment for your soul”. 

It’s not the music itself, but the anointing of the Holy Spirit that is captured in the music. 
Use your smartphone to store and listen to God’s word and anointed music. Let them deliver you when you’re feeling down. 

Ephesians 5:18-19 - We will receive victory over our enemies through singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. David sang psalms and his tests became testimonies. 
“be filled” is a passive imperative. The way God releases His wisdom to us is by us being filled with the Spirit.

“Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Ephesians 5:18-19 WEB)

These are the days where the Lord is restoring the Tabernacle of David, as prophesied by the prophet Amos. It is not like the Tabernacle of Moses whereby you have to go through the laver, the screen, the holy place, the veil, before you reach the Holy of Holies. 
For the Tabernacle of David, when you enter, you’re immediately in the Holy of Holies. 

When Jehoshaphat was surrounded by the armies of his enemies, he set musicians to praise the Lord and God caused the enemies to fight among themselves and they were all defeated without Israel having to fight.
​The words the musicians sang were "Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever".
There were so much spoils in that valley for Jehoshaphat and his army to gather up and take as bounty. 

II Chronicles 29:30 - When you praise the Lord with the words of the psalms of David, you will gain victory over your enemies.
The Book of Psalms in Hebrew is called Tehillim, which means “praises”.
David wrote 76 psalms. 
Asaph wrote 12 psalms.
The sons of Korah wrote 11 psalms. Korah was the one who led the rebellion against Moses and God caused the ground to open up, swallow Korah and all his followers up. God still had grace on Korah’s descendants by making them worshippers. 
Ethan wrote 1 psalm. 
Heman wrote 1 psalm.
David’s son Solomon was wiser than Heman, Ethan and Asaph.
Worship leaders at that time were very wise people. They were filled with wisdom when they sang the words of David.  
Selah is a musical interlude to meditate and contemplate on the goodness and ways of the Lord. 
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

“Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.” (2 Chronicles 29:30 WEB)

Praise and Worship songs performed:

1. Sons and Daughters - New Creation Worship 
2. Defender - John-Paul Gentile 
3. In Whom I Can Trust - Steven Wee
4. Love On the Line - Hillsong Worship 

Pastor Prince just released two new books: “Anchored”, and “No More Mind Games” which are written with depressed believers in mind. 
The devil has released an army of suicidal spirits at this time. Many suicides are taking place worldwide. The devil plays mind games with you. 
If a group of your friends are talking in one corner, the devil will whisper to you saying “See, they are badmouthing you!” when they are actually planning a secret birthday party for you. 
There is a place in Christ where you can be solidly established in your faith. 

Put the word of God everywhere in your house (Deuteronomy 11) so that your children will learn it, and your family will enjoy days of heaven on the earth. Cushions, ornaments, posters, fridge magnets, etc. with Bible verses printed on them are good! 

We must evangelize - we must share the Good News with our friends. The best way to love someone is to tell them about Jesus. 

You don’t receive wisdom from worldly books or just by being old. You have to receive it from God. 

Bearing a grudge is like concocting a poison for someone else to drink but you end up drinking it yourself. 

Young Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave him wisdom that came with riches, honor, health, and pleasure. 

God gives natural wisdom (Hakham) to leaders of nations, judges, etc. Pastor Prince believes that God gave Lee Kuan Yew (the late Minister Mentor of Singapore) great wisdom to lead and govern Singapore. 

Praise and Worship songs performed:

1. Who You Say I Am - Hillsong Worship
2. Good Good Father - Anthony Brown
3. Here - New Creation Worship
4. Here I Am to Worship - Michael W. Smith

There’s something special about the corporate anointing. There’s some things you don’t get from the Lord when you’re on your own. 
The more we get together in a small group, even with the smallest plurality (two), the Lord is there in the midst - How much more when we gather for church on Sunday. 
Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday and Jesus appeared to the disciples on the next Sunday. 
Thomas missed out on seeing Jesus that Sunday, but Jesus appeared to Thomas with all the disciples present as well on the following Sunday. 
There’s something special about us gathering to meet the Lord on Sunday. 
Thomas put his hands into Jesus’ side. Jesus’ resurrected body is not like a ghost, but He has flesh and bones.
At the Rapture, our bodies will become like Jesus’ glorious body. We will be good looking, and all traces of the curse will be gone.
There is no sign of the Rapture, but there are signs that show we are already in the end times. 

Inheritance has the idea that we will receive something good.
God does not appreciate those who do not treasure their inheritance. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. 
The Lord purchased our inheritance at a great cost. He wants us to walk in our inheritance - to possess our possessions.

Don’t you feel like the year passed by so fast? It’s almost Christmas time again. 
Let us numbers our days so that we can live our lives wisely. 
The Lord wants us to apply wisdom so that we can possess our inheritance. 

Don’t forget to praise the Lord and thank Him for all the blessings and protection that you enjoyed this week! 
Never forget to thank the Lord for His death and resurrection, as well as the day to day blessings.
Don’t say you’re lucky - say that you’re blessed. “Blessed” suggests that there is a Blesser. Tell your children to say this too. ​

​About the Author of this Guest Post:
​Jemmy is a trained psychometrician with an expertise in Child Psychology and has over 10 years of experience working in primary education with a special focus on gifted children. He is a contributor with IQ Test Centre, an organisation for IQ testing of children between 5 and 16 years old. Read more of his content on his website, and on his Facebook account. 

The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14) tells us the story of three servants, each set on their way with a number of talents.
When the servants return, two come bringing gain and have multiplied the talents given to them by their master.
They are praised but the third one, who so feared to lose his given share that he buried it, is cast out, for he brings the master nothing more than that with which he set out.

This parable can be understood, today, in the most literal sense: talents are given to us for cultivation, to be nourished and to be multiplied.
Any parent who sees signs of giftedness in his or her child might need to consider this as a talent, one they should nurture and not bury.
Let's take a look at how to raise a gifted child within the Christian faith.

The parable of talents reminds us that we should cherish the gifts within ourselves and others.
Raising a gifted child means, on one hand, that we should embrace their gifts and help the child pursue and develop them.
Whether it is in the arts, the sciences or somewhere else, a talent should be nurtured.
This can mean that the parent should provide opportunities for the child to practice their talent and encourage it, for in this way their gift is honored.

However, honoring and nurturing the gift doesn't mean reducing the child to their ability.
Many parents are enchanted with their children's gifts or view them as the only thing that matters.
This can lead to a lopsided development, especially in regards to the emotional and social aspects of life.
Children who are very smart can still struggle with making friends, fitting in, and developing the capacity for good relationships.
Often, this occurs because children might be “out of sync” with their peers, so it is important to help children manage these aspects of their life and ensure that their life is fulfilled.

​Passage of the Day: 
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles... For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face. (2 Corinthians 11:13, 20 WEB)

Hi dear reader, you may or not be aware that I help to steward a Facebook group for the Lord which has more than 400k members and growing by the thousands daily.
These members are looking for sincere and true teachings of the gospel of grace. They are hungry for spiritual food, looking for Biblical content that edifies them and helps with the challenges they are facing in life. You're most welcome to join the group! 

Whenever the devil sees something belonging to God growing big, he will almost certainly send his workers of iniquity to infiltrate God’s camp. 
When the early church was growing exponentially, false believers like Ananias and Sapphira came amidst the church, bringing ulterior motives and wicked plans with them like an infectious plague (Acts 5:1-11). 
God had to strike them dead in order to protect the unity and healthy growth of the church in its infancy stage. 

During the Apostle Paul’s time, there were people who pretended to be apostles. They saw the churches growing and envied the influence that the true apostles had. 
As Paul wrote in the passage of the day, these people were just proud people looking to exalt and enrich themselves at the expense of the spiritual health of the church. 
They were deceivers and indirectly working for the devil to mislead true believers who couldn’t see through their hypocrisy. 

Through the Apostle John’s writing, Jesus also stated that He knew there was such a problem going on in the church at that time. 
On top of that, He made reference to testing someone to see if he is truly an apostle. Through this test, it is possible to tell whether someone is lying about being an apostle. 

““I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.” (Revelation 2:2 WEB)

It is important to know how to conduct this test because people are still pretending to be apostles today. 
Not having the true revelation of God’s word, they seek to impress men by claiming this honorable title for themselves. 
I have since deleted everyone I saw in the Facebook group who calls himself an apostle, for the sake of safeguarding God’s true flock. 

​Praise and Worship songs performed:

1. Shout Unto God - Hillsong United
2. Tremble - Andres Figueroa
3. So Much More - New Creation Worship
4. What a Wonderful Name - Hillsong Worship

Psalm 118:1 - Whether your circumstances are good or not, you can still praise God because He is always good. 
The words “loving kindness” is hesed in Hebrew, which means grace. His grace endures forever.
God will turn around everything for your good. 

“Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.” (Psalms 118:1 WEB)

Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Epistle to the Ephesians can be divided into three parts: Sit, Walk, and Stand.
Or it can be divided into the three Ws: Wealth, Walk, Warfare.
We need to know our wealth in Christ before we can walk in the Lord, and finally be prepared for spiritual warfare. 
There’s a difference between being strong and being strong in the Lord. In and of ourselves, we are weak. We need to receive strength from Jesus. 
We can only do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 
The word “wiles” means trickery and deception. When we put on the whole armor of God, we will be able to stand against the lies of the devil. 
The Bible calls the devil the Father of lies. 
The armor of God has got to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
Our enemies are not in human flesh - they are demons. 
God is not against wrestling - God is okay with us learning martial arts. Mixed Martial arts, jujitsu, etc. are fine. 
There are spiritual forces in the world today and they are enemies of our soul. 
We stand against the devil not to fight for victory. We fight from victory. 
We just need to stand on victory ground (the Gospel) and enforce the victory. 
Jesus already won the fight against the devil at the cross. 
Belt of truth: It’s knowing the truth that sets you free. When Jesus said that to the Jews, He wasn’t referring to the Old Testament because the Jews already knew it. Jesus came to reveal the truth of God’s Grace. 
The truth that you need today is the truth of God’s grace. 
Breastplate of righteousness: Righteousness cannot be earned or merited by good works, and cannot be lost by evil works. It can only be received as a gift from God. 
Gospel of Peace: the word “preparation” in Greek has the same meaning as “foundation”. We need to be established in the gospel of peace. 
We must know that we have peace with God.
Shield of Faith: It doesn’t matter how strong the enemy’s attack is - you will be protected so long as you hold up the shield of faith. 
Helmet of Salvation: Knowing that your salvation is eternally-secure protects your head (the most crucial part). 
When you wear the armor of God, the devil is afraid. In and of ourselves, we are nothing. 
Sword of the Spirit: What you don’t know cannot help you. You must know God’s word. 
Praying in the Spirit: Is the seventh piece of the armor. When you pray in tongues, all the pieces of the armor of God come together. Praying in tongues is an offensive weapon. When you start praying in tongues, the devil flees from you. 
The devil is not a lion - he masquerades like a roaring lion - He’s actually just a pussycat. 
Prayer is your weapon - it is your power. A gun is useless if you don’t pull the trigger. Pull it! 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:” (Ephesians 6:10-18 WEB)

Read more original devotionals like this one and get exclusive Bible-based content on our Patreon page - welcome in advance to the amazing community of Bible-believing, revelation-seeking Christians! ​

“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!” Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you. They will ponder you, saying, “Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms; who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities; who didn’t release his prisoners to their home?”” (Isaiah 14:12-17 WEB)

Hi dear reader, the passage above is God’s prophecy of judgment against the King of Babylon, not Satan:

“that you will take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, “How the oppressor has ceased! The golden city has ceased!”” (Isaiah 14:4 WEB)

Another proof that Isaiah 14 is not directly talking about Satan is because it says that the souls in Sheol (hell) will ponder and ask “is this the man”. Man - not devil, fallen angel or demon. 

However seeing the pride that oozes from the five “I will” statements in the passage, it’s undeniable that Satan was working behind the scenes, using the King of Babylon for his own demonic agendas.

I believe that each of the 5 points of the pentagram (star) which the occult uses for their magic spells, represents each one of the arrogant “I will” statements. 

The star itself represents “morning star, son of the dawn”, in reference to Satan, the false god which those who practice the occult knowingly or unknowingly worship. 

Through the passage, we can also infer Satan’s main mission: He is working to develop a way to gain access to heaven on his own terms, so that he can usurp God’s throne and change his fate (of being thrown into the lake of fire at the end of time).