7 …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. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars – I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. Rev 3:7-10

So far, we have seen Jesus send messages to the Churches, most of which He commends for some things and all of which he warns about something specific. We have mostly focused on those warnings in order that we might heed them in our churches and as individual followers of Christ. Today we turn to a slightly more refreshing letter in that to the Church in Philadelphia there are no warnings issued, just commendations and promises. Today we can pray for ourselves for God’s help as we aspire to be like those in Philadelphia. Here are some of their characteristics:

1. God had opened a door for them that no one could shut. He has certainly opened the great big door of entering into His Kingdom via His Son Jesus Who Himself is called The Door in John 10. He also opens doors of opportunity for us as His people and as churches we can rejoice in that those doors are open wide and no one can shut them. Opportunities to teach the Word and make disciples, opportunities to serve the poor, opportunities to make a difference in our towns and cities, opportunities to shine for Jesus.
2. With little strength, they still kept God’s Word. Situations around us that drain our strength should never keep us from obeying all of Jesus’s teachings.
3. They did not deny the name of Jesus. There is so much opportunity to do this. A Christian couple in the States that run a family business is currently being prosecuted because they refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding; they have also refused to go back on their stand. Good for them and God will help them.
4. God would cause non-believers to surrender and acknowledge that God’s people are loved by Him. Please God, let this happen in our day!
5. These guys endured patiently. Perseverance is absolutely key for the people of God. Never give up! Never! Never! Never!

Pray and aspire for these 5 things today. Ask God to help you and then go through your day listening for His voice and looking for opportunities to put these to practice.

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