Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 17

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:14-22).

Today’s Morsel:  The city of Laodicea was located on the ancient highway leading up from Ephesus going on to Syria.  The city was founded about 250B.C. by Antiochus II, who named it after his wife, Laodice, and populated it with Syrians and Jews whom he had transplanted from Babylonia.  It was situated on an almost square plateau a hundred feet above the valley and was surrounded by extensive fertile fields and good grazing grounds.  It soon became famous for its beauty and its wealth, derived largely from sheep, whose glossy black wool was woven into garments and carpets.  The city was also a center for banking and other financial operations, conducted for the most part by a prominent and wealthy Jewish circle. We can see why that church would have easily been drawn into the attitude of trusting in their wealth and stating that they have need of nothing.  Paul told the church at Colossi, “Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:15-16).  You see, Colossi was only about six miles from Laodicea, and it would be easy for this church to share his concerns with them.  We must never get to a point that we think that we do not have need of anything because of our wealth and status in life.  As Paul told Timothy, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7).  Our daily need for Christ is always great.  

Sing:  For above all else, I must be saved.  For above all else I must be saved.  Lord whatever you have to do to me, don’t let me be lost for eternity.  For above all else I must be saved.

Thought For Today:  Be careful. Riches can be here today and gone tomorrow.