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God comes near in times of suffering “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” —Revelation 1:9 John is the human author of the Revelation. It has been sixty years since John the disciple had seen Jesus after the resurrection and ascension. He’s now 90 plus years of age. You would think it was time to check into the retirement home and have a nice rocking chair into heaven. But not true for John. John was exiled and banished and persecuted for his faith, for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. During his exile on this isle of Patmos was one of extreme depravation and desperation, of pain and alienation and separation from friends. Maybe you’ve discovered that you’re on a personal Patmos journey, that you are lonely and limited and isolated and cut-off, suffering in some way. You may be living on an island of an unhappy marriage or the island of an unhealthy body, and shut out or shut off from family and friends. Some are persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. Millions have died in martyrdom for the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says all who live in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. There should be at least opposition if we’re standing firm in our faith for the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, there is tribulation but we are not alone on our personal island of Patmos! You may be in a hospital room or a nursing home. You may be in prison. You may be old and tired and feeling like the whole world has forgotten you. But you are not alone if you are in Jesus. In our greatest trials we know that God comes very near, and we can experience His presence like never before! Friday, November 16, 2018 The Law of Love by Dr. Paul Chappell “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:13–15 Dr. A. T. Schofield got a new dog when he assumed a pastorate in London. The dog had come from the country, and was not used to city traffic. Schofield always put a stout leash on his collar before taking Jock for a walk. Soon the dog came to love his master, and one day Schofield let him off his leash. The dog ran down to the corner, but then quickly returned. Schofield said, “What was the invisible chain that brought him back without fail? It was the simple fact that the dog had given me his heart from which he could not run away. The law of liberty is the law of love.” The thing that should most keep us from sin and faithful in service is not the rules God has laid out for us to follow, though those are important and must be followed. It is not primarily our fear that we will be chastened if we stray and suffer consequences for our sin. The first and foremost reason for us to do right and serve God is our love for Him in appreciation for what He has done for us. So many people in our day are focused on liberty so that they can do as they wish. But the proper focus is on our love for God. We must remember that we have been set free, not so we can live however we please, but so that sin no longer can keep us from doing what God commands. Today’s Growth Principle:  If our love for God is what it should be, our actions will take care of themselves.