To celebrate his birthday, David rushed home after work and took a shower. We drove for a half hour and arrived at 6 pm. He entered the building and took his place on the throne – the drum throne!

We practiced for an hour and played for the service. Even on his birthday, David kept his commitment. Even when the senior pastor was out-of-town, he kept his commitment. Even on a Wednesday night, when the congregation is smaller, he kept his commitment.

Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis preached about heaven – “Home, Sweet Heaven.” He used one of the verses I wrote down today.

Revelation 2:10, “Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer – but stay on guard! Fear nothing! …a time of testing…won’t last forever. Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you.” The Message

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“God will reward you for what you did in the ’70’s, ’80’s, and 90’s. He sees your service.” Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis, July 11, 2018

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Revelation 2:2-3, “I see what you’ve done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can’t stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. (3) I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out.” The Message

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Revelation 2:19, “I see everything you’re doing for Me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence. Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day.” The Message

Pastor Gary had an altar call to pray for “attitudes” and those who lost their joy. Members of the worship team were quick to respond. People see our works. God sees our motives and attitudes.

Revelation 2:23, “…Then every church will know that appearances don’t impress Me. I x-ray every motive and make sure you get what’s coming to you.” The Message

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“The devil will let you go backwards all day long and never fight you. In fact, he’ll pop pills so you don’t even feel the pain of your lack of progress…” “The devil will let you go backwards all day long” 1 Min Motivation, Steven Furtick

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“God will often extricate us from the mess we have made, because ‘His love endures forever’ (1 Chronicles 16:34). Yet if we had only been patient and waited to see the unfolding of His plan, we would never have found ourselves in such an impossible maze, seeing no way out. We would also never have had to turn back and retrace our way, with wasted steps and so many tears of shame.” F. B. Meyer, “Streams in the Desert,” July 11

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Revelation 2:24, “…be assured I’ll not make life any harder for you than it already is. Hold on to the truth you have until I get there.” The Message

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Revelation 1:3, “…Time is just about up.” The Message

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Revelation 1:12-16, “I turned and saw the voice. I saw a gold menorah with seven branches, (13) and in the center, the Son of Man, in a robe and gold breastplate, (14) hair a blizzard of white, eyes pouring fire-blaze, (15) both feet furnace-fired bronze, His voice a cataract, (16) right hand holding Seven Stars. His mouth a sharp-biting sword, His face a perigee sun.” The Message

A cataract is a large waterfall. Perigee is the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest the earth.

When Jesus returns, no one will miss it. His voice makes Niagara Falls sound like a whisper. His face is brighter than the sun when it is nearest to the earth.

“We will be caught up together with the Lord, (1 Thessalonians 4:17). He will give us a home in heaven, an eternal body, and new clothes (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). There will be no more death, sorrow, tears, or pain (Revelation 21:4), and no more curse, bondage, darkness or night (Revelation 22:3, 5).” Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis, July 11, 2018

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