Fruitful Living
Letters from God – Why forsake your first love? (FinalPart)
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” – Rev. 2:1-7 (NIV)
LET us now examine the different parts of the letter using our diagnostic, descriptive, and prescriptive values described earlier.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE EPHESUS CHURCH
Remember that this was a church that loved God, but was sick and needed help. The letter was sent to them so they could get help, and its contents was sent by the Master Physician who sees all – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
It is so easy for us to overlook or forget the good when things are not going well. Not God. He did not just focus on the bad and ugly, of which they already had an idea.
He gave them the total picture, starting with the good. His description of their condition summarised them in totality in the following verses:
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my Name, and have not grown weary. ……… You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
DIAGNOSIS OF THE SPIRITUAL
CONDITION OF THE EPHESUS CHURCH
Yet, in spite of the good description of this church in Revelation 2:2, 3 & 6, they were still sick and had a problem. And here is what God’s microscope revealed about the cause of their sickness and the damage that had resulted from it:
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen!
Because of their sickness, they had fallen far from the great spiritual height they had previously enjoyed and now at a low depth of despair. This same experience had earlier made David cry out:
“Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. And sustain me with a willing spirit.” – Psalm 51:11-12
PRESCRIPTION FOR THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE EPHESUS CHURCH
Many go through the same stage of experience as was diagnosed for David and the Ephesus church in the walk of faith. And so, the letter continues with a prescription of what should be done to receive healing, as well as what will happen if the prescription is ignored.
… If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
The apostle Peter preached the gospel at a gathering where many were desirous of something more meaningful than the life of ease and merrymaking that they had.
He gave them the same prescription as was sent to the Ephesus. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
A WARNING TO 21ST
CENTURY BELIEVERS
Perhaps you or someone around you is currently going through the experience of the early Ephesus church. Perhaps you love God once and pledged to love Him forever and have now surrendered to the allure of worldly interests?
The profound messages of this letter to the Ephesus church are equally applicable to each of us as believers today. God wants us to live a full life as responsible men and women, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33. It is the only way to maintain the spiritual height where we can be truly free, and be the best that He has created us to be.
THINK ABOUT IT: Andrea Crouch, the legendary songwriter in one of his classical hymns repeats this poignant plea in the refrain: Take me back dear Lord to the place where I first received you. Take me back, take me back dear Lord where I first believed.” Why not sing the same song to get back to God, your first true love?
To be continued!
Stay Blessed!
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Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.comWebsite: saltandlightministriesgh.org
By Dr Joyce Aryee,the author
Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
JESUS, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. – Luke 4:1-2a
Introduction
Lent is a period when the Holy Spirit strengthens us to face the day to day testing and temptations. Just like Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil, we also have power and will to overcome any temptation that comes our way. I invite you to give your whole heart to Jesus Christ and enjoy the power to overcome the devil’s schemes.
Tempted by the devil
One aspect of Jesus’ temptation resolved around what kind of Messiah, or Saviour, He would be and how He would use His anointing (His authority and empowerment) from God. (Many Jews would reject Him because He did not fulfill their expectations of a political “Saviour” who would step forward with military might and free them from Roman rule.)
• Satan tempted Jesus to use His power to serve His own self-interest to gain glory and power over the nations instead of accepting the humility and suffering that was ahead for Him. This was an opportunity for Him to satisfy the people’s expectation for a charismatic Messiah.
• Satan still tempts Christian leaders to use their spiritual authority, position and ability for their own self-interest, to establish their own reputation and power and to please people rather than God. Those who selfishly compromise with Satan have actually surrendered to His control.
• Jesus turned away every one of Satan’s temptations by properly referring to God’s Word (“It is written”). If this was the effective strategy for Jesus, we certainly must know and rely on His Word as revealed to us in the Bible.
LUKE 4:4 – MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.
• Satan tempts Jesus’ “flesh”, or physical desires, of which hunger is perhaps the strongest – particularly after such an extended time without food. While it may have seemed reasonable to perform a miracle to eat, Jesus would not be tempted to use His power for selfish reasons. Jesus meets and resists Satan’s temptation by declaring that He will live by God’s Word above all else.
Jesus is saying that everything truly important in life depends on God and His plans and purposes. To strive for success, happiness or material things apart from God’s way and purpose will lead to disappointment and end in failure.
Jesus emphasized this truth when He taught that we must seek God’s kingdom (God’s authority, activity, purposes and power in our lives) above anything and everything else. If we do, God promises to take care of all our needs and give us all other necessary things just the way He intends.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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