What Are the Seven Letters in Revelation?
The Book of Revelation begins with seven letters written by God to seven different churches in what is now modern-day Turkey. These letters contain specific messages for each church, but they also hold valuable lessons for us today. We can know that because each letter ends with the same statement: "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches." So these letters are not just historical documents; they aren't just messages that apply to one church; they are messages to all believers. If we have ears, we must listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. 

The Complaint Against Pergamum
God starts the letter with praising the church for their faithfulness to Him in the middle of a perverted society. However, God had a few complaints against the church. They tolerated teachings and cultural beliefs of the day that led people astray. These teachings encouraged idolatry and sexual immorality, leading the church to marry into the culture of the day rather than staying true to God's Word. The same thing happens to us to today. We have a tendency to drift away from God and marrying into the cultural norms of the day. 

How to Stay Rooted in Your Faith?
BelieveThe first step to staying rooted in your faith is to believe in Jesus. Colossians 2:2 emphasizes the importance of understanding God's mysterious plan, which is Christ Himself. What you believe about Jesus is the most important thing in your life. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins, and that He rose from the dead?
BehaveYour belief in Jesus should change how you act and live. Colossians 2:6-7 encourages us to let our roots grow down into Christ and to build our lives on Him. This means that our actions should reflect our faith, showing the world that we are followers of Jesus.
BewareFinally, be aware that you have a real enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy your faith. Colossians 2:8 warns us not to be captured by empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and spiritual powers. Stay vigilant and rooted in your relationship with Jesus to withstand these attacks.

Challenge for the Week
Challenge yourself to deepen your relationship with Jesus. Reflect on what you believe about Him, how your actions reflect that belief, and be aware of the spiritual battles you face.
Questions to Think Through
​1. Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins?
2. How does your behavior reflect your faith in Jesus?
3. Are you aware of the spiritual battles you face, and how are you staying rooted in your relationship with Jesus?​

Are We Too Comfortable with the Gospel?
Let me ask you a hard question right from the start...Have we become so familiar with the Gospel that it no longer changes our lives?

The Call to Incline
In Revelation, God addresses seven churches, and His message to the church in Ephesus is particularly relevant. He commends their hard work and endurance but holds one thing against them: they have forsaken their first love. He was calling them to incline their hearts back to Him, to move from a state of comfort to one of active engagement with the Gospel.

Fight the Recline
The same statement is more than likely true for us as well. God is calling us to incline our hearts back to Him. Why is the heart the big deal here? Proverbs 4:23 says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." According to Proverbs, who we give our hearts to will determine the direction of our lives. The psalmist in Psalm 119:112 says, "I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever." This implies that inclining our hearts is an active choice, not a passive state. We don't naturally default to incline...we naturally default to recline. So how do we fight against the recline? 

Revelation 2:5 provides a three-step process to fight against the recline:
1. **Consider how far you've fallen**: Where is God on your list? Is He first, 10th, 100th?
2. **Repent**: Tear down anything that is in the place that God deserves. Put Him first again in your life.
3. **Do the things you did at first**: Remember what God has done for you and how His saving grace has brought you from where you were to where you are now.

Questions to Think Over
1. Have I forsaken my first love for God?
2. What practical steps can I take to incline my heart back to Him?
​3. How can I guard my heart to ensure God remains my top priority?
Let's commit to inclining our hearts to God, rediscovering the power of the Gospel, and living out our faith with renewed passion and purpose.

Navigating politics as a Christian can be challenging, but by keeping Jesus at the center and focusing on biblical truths, we can make informed, faith-driven decisions. We have to remember during this election season to give our vote to our candidate, but give our lives to Jesus.

Galatians 1:6-9 warns against perverting the gospel. The true gospel is simple: Jesus, the Son of God left Heaven and came to save us; He became our sins and paid our sin debt. He died our death on the cross but rose again on the 3rd day allowing us to walk in victory and transformed lives. Any deviation from this is a perversion. We have to see the importance of staying focused on this true gospel, especially during politically charged times.

As we approach the upcoming election, let's focus on these key takeaways:
- **Vote with a Biblical Worldview**: Ensure your political decisions align with biblical principles.
- **Stay Focused on the True Gospel**: Avoid getting tangled in political noise that distracts from the gospel.
- **Support Closed-Fist Issues**: Stand firm on non-negotiable biblical truths.

What are some closed fist issues for the 2024 election: 
1. **Support for Israel**: Genesis 12:2-3 emphasizes the importance of blessing Israel.
2. **Sanctity of Life**: Genesis 1:27 underscores the value of human life, making abortion a critical issue.
3. **Gender**: Genesis 1:27 also defines gender as male and female.
4. **Marriage**: Matthew 19:4-6 defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

I am praying for you this week. 
~ Pastor Eric

Introduction
In a world filled with political turmoil and uncertainty, finding hope can often feel like an uphill battle. How do you maintain hope and faith?

Mario's Story: Trusting the Driver
Mario, my driver on a trip to Tegucigalpa Honduras, grew up in extreme poverty but now makes a living driving people around the city. His unwavering faith in Jesus, despite his challenging circumstances, serves as a powerful lesson. Mario's story teaches us that knowing who is driving our life—Jesus—can fill us with hope, even in the most difficult situations.

Pastor Maria's Mission: More Souls
Pastor Maria, who leads a church in a gang-ridden area in Tegucigalpa, has dedicated her life to serving her community. Despite facing numerous hardships, her focus remains on winning more souls for Christ. Her story challenges us to prioritize a God dream over the American dream, emphasizing the eternal significance of our mission.

The Eternal Perspective
Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 remind us that we are pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair. The hardships we face should drive us to rely on God, who raises the dead. This eternal perspective helps us navigate the challenges of life with hope and faith.

Trusting God in Uncertainty
So what do we do if America ceases to exist? We have to learn to trust that the same God who is on the throne was on the throne before America was on the map. 

Questions for Reflection
1. Do you know who is driving your life?
2. How can you shift your focus from a political worldview to a biblical one?
3. Are you prioritizing a God dream over the American dream?
​
Conclusion
​Our hope should not be tied to our material circumstances or political stability. Instead, our hope should be rooted in our relationship with Jesus and our engagement with Scripture. By trusting in God and prioritizing our mission to win more souls, we can find hope and purpose, even in the most uncertain times.