Jesus, in His letter to the church in Smyrna says, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)…”  Smyrna was a prosperous city, yet the Christians were poor, due to being robed and fired from their jobs in persecution for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus goes on to say what was yet to come for their faith, “…about to be thrown into prison…”  Today, 388 million christians worldwide (Asia, Africa, middle east) face extreme religious oppression, violence and even death for their faith.  Here in America, we have constitutional protections (so far) for religious freedom, we have not known the kind of persecution Jesus speaks of in this letter nor what our brothers and sisters endure in other parts of the world.  But our enemy, the devil, will try to get at us in other ways via our children, grandchildren, cultural and social pressure.  Let’s be clear, Jesus is not saying there is anything inherently spiritual about being persecuted or not, or being rich or poor.  Only that no matter what you find yourself going through as a Christ follower He promises to be with you through it.  Jesus says “you are rich” if you know Him.  He encourages us to “be faithful [even] until death, and I will give you the crown of life” and “he who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”  Jesus in the gospel of Matthew says, “and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (cf. Matt.10:28).  I believe the church at large does not have a healthy fear of God, but there is nothing I can really do about that other than pray and to continue to proclaim God’s word and live out my faith in word and deed.

The bible says, “knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus” (2 Cor.4:14). The bible says, “…He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).  The bible says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me” (Phil.4”13).  The bible says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isa.54:17).  The Bible says, “and my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil.4:19).  Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” 

(2 Cor.12:9).

“True Richness” - knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord!  In this life and the one to come! 

God’s continued blessings and favor!

Pastor Rodney

“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” - Acts 20:27