The eyesalve is a quick devotional that Pastor Terry Fischer writes regularly to challenge and encourage the saints of God. It is meant to be short and sweet and comes from his daily reading and prayer.
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” I Corinthians 15:34
Let me ask you, “Who is the one who can live a righteous life, the sinner or the one who has been awaken to righteousness?” You cannot make yourself saved by doing righteousness, but once you are saved and declared righteous, you can actually walk in righteousness.
“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” I Thessalonians 4:9
My good evangelist friend David Owens made a powerful statement to me one day. He said, “Man’s love gives people what they want; God’s love gives people what they need.”
“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” I Thessalonians 1:5
It is so important to be in and involved with a church, where you can observe the life of the minister(s). Paul said that the Thessalonians observed just what manner of a man Paul was. What manner of men are those who minister to you?
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:27-28
I will not deny that the Bible tells us to preach the gospel. But to preach the gospel is more than proclaiming what the bible says. Verse 28 starts by saying, “Whom we preach.” The gospel isn’t just preaching what Jesus said, but it is preaching Jesus.
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” Philippians 1:12
What a comfort to know that whatever trials, temptations and difficulties you may be facing, God makes them all work together for your own personal good. It is even a greater comfort to know, that when things happen to you, the gospel is advanced. Let what must come, come, and let the gospel go forward.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
The church is built upon the rock of the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. When we preach the truth, we then become the building blocks (rocks) that Christ can use to build His church.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Our generation has forgotten that Jesus Christ is the One who builds the church.
“For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” Galatians 1:12-14
We desperately need to pray for our church kids. If they don’t get a real revelation of Christ and their need for a savior, they will see our church meetings as their religion. Before Paul had a revelation of Christ, all he had was the Jews religion and the traditions of his fathers. I don’t care if our children carry on our traditions or not, what is of the most importance is that they know this great Christ.
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” II Corinthians 3:5
When you do examine yourself, don’t see how you stack up against man, but see how your life lines up with the word of God. Ask God what He thinks of your walk, not man.
“And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.” I Samuel 25:13
When you raise up an offense against the devil, don’t forget to gird up your sword, God’s word and expect those believers with you to do the same.
