Tag Archives: discipleship

The Letter to Laodicea

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Don Merritt

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: Laodicea was a proud and wealthy city situated near a famous hot spring; it was known as a place of cures. It would appear that even the people in the church were … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We love because He first loved us

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Don Merritt

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Letter to Philadelphia

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Don Merritt

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: Preamble (3:7b) These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God is Love

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Don Merritt

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Letter to Sardis

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Don Merritt

The ancient city of Sardis was built at the top of a very steep hill. Its defensive position was thought to be impregnable, for there was only one small access point which was easily defended, and as a result, its … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Love

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Don Merritt

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11-12 John is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bonus Post: The Imagery of Revelation 2:17

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Don Merritt

To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. In our post concerning the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Letter to Smyrna

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Don Merritt

Smyrna was the rival of Ephesus, a great and beautiful city built on the slopes rising out of the sea. Its buildings were a sight to behold and it was the most loyal of allies to Rome. Later it would … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Do You Really Know for Sure?

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Don Merritt

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Love is Active

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Don Merritt

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment