Week of June 7th, 2026
Encouragement from God's Word
In Revelation, we read letters from Jesus to seven churches in Asia Minor. These letters are a timeless reminder to Christian congregations of our Lord’s will for his people. In the first of the seven we read:
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.(Revelation 2:1–7)
These are words of encouragement for faith! These Christians endured hardship and remained faithful to Jesus.
At the same time, they had grown complacent in their faith and needed to repent. The wonderful gifts of forgiveness and eternal life had lost their importance to some. But even in the call to repent we find encouragement. Jesus wants his people to be close to him!
These words still speak to us, don’t they? We need this encouragement regularly. Repent for complacency in your faith-life and be renewed as you hear God’s Word and receive the Lord’s Supper! Hold tightly to your Savior and work hard with the gifts God has given you to serve others!
Those who hold to Jesus in faith receive“the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”This is your future reward. Live with a faith that is confident of this gift of God’s grace.
