Today's weather is awesome. It makes me wish that I lived back in the old days, when there wasn't technology, when there wasn't this busy life where we have to work and goto school. As I see more and more, I think that technology has a way of pulling us away from God. Just right now, I've spent about 2-3 hrs watching movies. And in the end, I feel completely wasteful and unproductive. In so many places, I think we find ourselves unaware that Satan actually wants us to enjoy this world and accept the things that this world offers. he wants us to get the latest technology and he wants us to live in this type of place because it pulls us away from appreciating the very things that God created. Look outside. Look at the birds, the grass, the trees. Feel the wind and marvel the skies and the clouds.

Today, I am reading Revelation 2. I just want to post certain verses that stood out to me. I know that for each church, Jesus had a message and a personal meaning to it. It was as if He was talking to us, telling us about ourselves (the good and the bad).

verse 3: I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up^(F) for my name’s sake, and you^(G) have not grown weary.

I wish I had this. This is something I strive so dearly for because it is my weakness and my shortcoming: Patience and consistency.

verse 10: Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,^(T) that you may be tested, and for^(U) ten days^(V) you will have tribulation.^(W) Be faithful^(X) unto death, and I will give you^(Y) the crown of life.

This is a scary thought but it may very well be a reality to some. There is always going to be persecution but Jesus says, don't worry for "I will give you the crown of life".

verse 13: I know where you dwell,^(AC) where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not^(AD) deny my faith^[b] even in the days of Antipas^(AE) my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

True faith, even in times where faith is not possible. In times where the devil seems so strong and so powerful, keeping our faith in Jesus is the only way we'll survive it.

verse 22-23: Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he^(AV) who searches mind and heart, and^(AW) I will give to each of you according to your works.

Fighting from sexual immorality is so important and to those who fall into it, it is clear that God despises it and wants us to repent from it. Through repentance, our minds and hearts may be cleared and we would be able to listen and speak to God. I don't know about you guys, but when I sin and I don't repent for it, it is very hard for me to speak to God and to pray to Him. How can we? It's just like driving that nail into Jesus and not apologizing for it. That is a brutal image.

Revelation is the last book and it serves a purpose of bringing everything together and prophesying the end times. Through that, emphasis on what we need to do and what we have to do and the consequences of not doing it, is shown. Hopefully, this will bring the reality and the urgency of what God is calling us to do and how we are living our life. Right now, I don't think my lifestyle is pleasing to God and even as I write this, I feel like a hypocrite. But that is why I need Jesus' grace and love. That is why He is a merciful and compassionate God. Though we fall short of His glory, His grace covers our sins. Amen.