Can You Taste the Fruit of Victorious Living?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, please show me truth in Your word today and give me the faith, courage, and gumption to apply that in my life. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life—lead me to Your Father and fill me continually today with Your Holy Spirit.

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: "I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don't repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:1-7

 

Meditate. You have ears. Consider what you hear Jesus saying to you.

 

I’ve heard some conflicting teachings about the seven churches. Was this written to those actual churches…do they represent church ages…can individuals apply this to themselves as they perceive those church qualities within themselves…or was this written to the Jews and it doesn’t apply to Christians? Considering those questions, where do you stand? I think we each can apply it to our own lives, as God leads, or convicts us, but I respect the views of others who don’t agree with that. 

 

Repent - Turn around.
You are headed down the wrong path.

At any rate, we are reminded here that Jesus sees everything—nothing is hidden from Him. Jesus is pleased by those who work hard; continue to endure their circumstances patiently; and hate evil, evil-doers, and lying. But His heart is broken by those who have rejected Him, turned their backs on Him. What are they thinking? Love is the most important thing in life…yet they don’t love Jesus like they did when they first met Him. He doesn’t stop loving us…ever. His words ring out here…just like at the beginning of His ministry. REPENT! Turn back. You’re headed down the wrong path—so now is the time to make a 180-degree turn and go back to Jesus. Love Him. Love serving Him. Live in the way He wants you to live…loving God and others, as yourself. He gives a warning that if those unloving people don’t change their ways their candle—their eternal life will be snuffed out.

 

Listen up. Hear what He said. Are you hungry enough for Jesus’ love to change your ways? To those victorious ones who listen and obey, He is going to reward them with Fruit. We’re not talking about apples and oranges here—but fruit from the Tree of Life. That fruit will allow those who eat it to live FOREVER with Jesus. That is the fruit for which I am hungry. How about you? Can you taste the fruit of victorious living?

 

Verse of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!" But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O LORD, do not delay. Psalm 70:4-5

 

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories (Children’s storybook)

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com