“…Anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” Revelation 3:18
Eye Salve is a short 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.
“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.
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” II Corinthians 4:18
I know this won’t make sense to the world, but we need to spend more time looking at what we can’t see.
“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:” II Corinthians 4:2-3
There has been many clever approaches to try to bring people into the kingdom of God. It is often done with the best intentions. Tactics are used because there is a sense that men need an aid to help them understand the word so they can believe. In our text we learn that we are not to handle the word deceitfully. We are not to beat around the bush; we are not to pull the old bait and switch. We must be convinced that the truth is sufficient and effective for bringing people to the Lord, even if it seems difficult to comprehend. Paul concludes this by saying (I will paraphrase), “If the people don’t understand, it isn’t because they can’t understand the truth, it is because they want to remain lost.” Saints, don’t handle the truth deceitfully.
“I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. 18For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.” I Corinthians 16:17-18
Let your coming to the fellowship of believers be not of backbiting and complaining, but instead bring along a supply of spiritual refreshment for the saints.
