INTRO Welcome back to the Morning Meditation Podcast! Today we’re stepping into one of the most breathtaking scenes in all of Scripture — Revelation Chapter 4. The Apostle John is invited to look through a door into Heaven, and what he sees changes everything. This chapter reminds us that no matter what happens on Earth, God still reigns. His throne is not shaken, His praise never pauses, and His people are invited to worship. Let’s begin by reading Revelation 4 from the King James Bible. 📖 SCRIPTURE READING (KJV) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 🕊️ STORY — “The Hymn That Stopped a War” In 1914, on a cold Christmas Eve along the Western Front, British and German soldiers faced each other across a frozen battlefield. For months they had lived in fear and mud, watching comrades fall. Yet that night, something remarkable happened. From the German trenches came the faint sound of a song — “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht…” — Silent Night, Holy Night. The British soldiers recognized the tune and began to sing along in English. Voices rose through the smoke and the cold until both sides were singing together. Then, slowly, men began to climb from their trenches — unarmed. They shook hands, shared food, and even exchanged gifts. For a few hours, the war stopped. There was peace where only destruction had reigned. No treaties were signed that night, but Heaven touched the battlefield. It was as though, for a moment, the veil between Earth and Heaven grew thin, and weary men caught a glimpse of a greater Kingdom — one ruled by the Prince of Peace, whose throne John saw in Revelation 4. That brief ceasefire ended the next morning, but the memory lived on. It reminds us that even in the darkest places, the sound of Heaven’s worship still echoes — “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.” 💭 REFLECTION — “Around the Throne” 1) Worship Above the War Even when the world is torn by conflict, Heaven’s song continues. God’s throne has never been vacant, and His holiness has never been silenced. 2) Peace Comes from Presence Those soldiers didn’t find peace because the battle changed — they found it because they glimpsed something higher. True peace is born from God’s presence, not from earthly calm. 3) The Worthy One The...

Intro Welcome back to The Morning Meditation Podcast. I’m Joe Consford, and today we’ll be reading Psalms 11 through 15. These chapters remind us that when the foundations of faith and society seem to crumble, God’s throne remains unmoved. Throughout history, God’s people have had to stand firm when everything around them fell apart. One such moment came in the early days of Baptist history—when standing for liberty of conscience could cost you your freedom, or even your life. 📖 Scripture Reading (Selected Verses from Psalms 11 – 15) If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven. — Psalm 11:3-4 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. — Psalm 12:6 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. — Psalm 14:1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. — Psalm 15:1-2 📜 Story – “Obey God Rather Than Men: The Trial of Obadiah Holmes” In 1651, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was a Puritan stronghold where Baptists were viewed as dangerous heretics. Three men from Rhode Island — John Clarke, John Crandall, and Obadiah Holmes — traveled to Boston to visit a sick believer and hold a simple house meeting for prayer and Scripture reading. The service was peaceful — until the authorities burst through the door. All three men were arrested, accused of “conducting a Baptist meeting,” and hauled to jail. They were fined heavily and threatened with public whipping if they refused to recant. Friends quietly paid the fines for Clarke and Crandall, but Obadiah Holmes refused to let them pay his. He said, “To deny my Lord in this case, I dare not.” On a hot September day in Boston Common, Holmes was tied to a post and whipped with thirty lashes so brutal that his blood stained his shoes. Eyewitnesses record that he looked heavenward and declared, “You have struck me as with roses!” When they cut him loose, he could barely stand, but his faith was unshaken. The foundations of religious liberty in America were being laid through that pain. Holmes’s testimony inspired many others to stand for soul freedom and obedience to Christ above civil power. Like the Psalmist, he believed, “The LORD is in His holy temple.” Governments rise and fall, but the truth of God’s Word cannot be chained. 💭 Reflection Psalm 11 asks, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Obadiah Holmes answered that question by trusting God when earthly foundations failed. Psalm 12 assures us that the words of the Lord are pure and preserved forever. Psalm 15 teaches that the man who walks uprightly and speaks truth “shall never be moved.” The world’s systems may shake, but God’s Word and His people stand secure when their faith is built on Christ alone. 🙏 Outtro Thank you for joining me today on The Morning Meditation Podcast. Let’s close with Psalm 11:7 — For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright. Tomorrow we’ll move to Revelation Chapter 4, a majestic glimpse of worship around God’s throne. Until then, remember this — when the foundations shake, trust the One who never moves.

INTRO Welcome back to The Morning Meditation Podcast, where we take a few quiet moments each day to read God’s Word, reflect on its truths, and prepare our hearts for the day ahead. Today, we’re in Acts chapter 4, a powerful passage that shows us what boldness looks like when the Holy Spirit fills the believer. Let’s listen in as the early church faces persecution — and turns opposition into opportunity. 📖 SCRIPTURE READING Acts 4:12 (KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:31 (KJV) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 🕮 STORY Several years ago, during our first term in Africa, I stood outside a village chief’s courtyard with a few church members. We had just been told that no preaching would be allowed that day. The chief was angry — someone had told him that Christianity was a threat to his ancestors’ spirits. I remember praying silently, “Lord, give me the right words.” As we waited, a storm began to roll in. The chief’s guards hurried to bring him inside, and one of our men offered him shelter inside our small hangar style building in that village. That simple act of kindness opened the door. Within an hour, we were sitting together, talking about Jesus — the same Jesus Peter preached in Acts 4. That day, the “no preaching” became a gospel meeting under the sound of thunder. The chief didn’t get saved that afternoon, but he asked us to come back — and we did. A few months later, one of his sons trusted Christ. Acts 4 reminds me that God doesn’t always calm the storm — sometimes He uses it to open hearts. 💭 REFLECTION 1. Boldness comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter was the same man who once denied Christ, yet now he stood before rulers proclaiming the gospel without fear. True boldness doesn’t come from personality — it comes from God’s presence. 2. Prayer precedes power. When the believers prayed, “the place was shaken.” God still moves when His people pray in unity and faith. 3. The gospel still changes lives. Whether it’s a courtroom in Jerusalem or a village in Africa, there is none other name under heaven that brings salvation but Jesus Christ. Let’s not be afraid to stand firm, speak truth, and show love — even when the world tells us to stay quiet. 🙏 OUTTRO Thank you for joining me for today’s meditation on Acts chapter 4. If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend or post it on social media — you can find all our episodes at consfords.com/podcast. You can also sign up for our ministry updates at consfords.com/connect — and if you’d like to pick up a copy of my book That’s My Goat – And Other Missionary Stories, visit consfords.com/buy. I also want to recommend a few podcasts and radio shows that are a blessing to me and you can find links to them in the show notes.

• Always Abounding with Keith Stensas
• Bible Tract Echoes with Micah McCurry
• Gospel Voice Network Radio with Brother Oliver Araiza
• Dan Woodward’s Saturday Morning Show on WGVD in Dwight, IL.

Tomorrow, we’ll meditate on Psalms 11 through 15 — a beautiful collection of songs about faith, integrity, and God’s protection. Don’t miss it — I think you’ll find encouragement for whatever battle you’re facing. Until then, keep walking with the Lord, and remember — the world may threaten, but our God still reigns.

Proverbs 4:5-7 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:14-15 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:26-27 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. 🧭 STORY – “Pass Not By It” Years ago in Ghana, I was driving a dusty stretch of road between two small towns. The afternoon sun was dropping low, painting everything gold. Up ahead, I saw a group of men gathered around what looked like an injured man lying in the road. Someone waved for me to stop. Another pointed toward my tires, motioning that something was wrong. But in that instant, a verse I’d read earlier that morning came rushing back to my heart: “Enter not into the path of the wicked… Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” It didn’t make sense to ignore someone in need — but the Holy Spirit whispered caution. Something about the scene just didn’t add up. The man on the ground was too clean for someone who’d fallen. The ones standing around were watching me, not him. Two motorcycles idled off to the side, engines running, riders facing away like they didn’t want to be seen. I rolled my window down just two inches and called out, “I’ll pull ahead to a safer place and send help back.” One man stepped toward the hood. Another waved both hands urgently, as if insisting I stop. But the verse pressed harder — avoid it… pass not by it. So I did the least dramatic thing I could do: I kept moving. No panic. No sudden speed. Just steady motion. As I passed, the men split apart. The motorcycles started up behind me. For a moment they followed — then turned away when I reached a busier junction with a few vendors and a police post. I pulled over, my heart pounding, and whispered, “Thank You, Lord.” That evening, as I thought it over, the lesson was simple and strong: God’s wisdom doesn’t just fill your mind — it directs your steps. When His Word says, “Avoid it,” you don’t need more details — you need more distance. Wisdom isn’t curiosity about evil; it’s the courage to walk away before the trouble starts. That day, Proverbs 4 wasn’t just a verse I’d read — it was a command that kept me safe. “Ponder the path of thy feet… Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” 🌅 REFLECTION – “The Path of Wisdom” 1. The Call to Hear (Verses 1–9) Wisdom begins with listening. Solomon says, “Hear, ye children.” Before truth can shape our lives, it must enter our hearts. A teachable spirit is the first step toward a wise walk with God. Ask yourself: Am I willing to receive correction and truth even when it challenges my pride? 2. The Choice of Paths (Verses 10–19) Every day we stand at a fork in the road — the path of righteousness or the path of wickedness. One shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day; the other grows darker and darker. The wise do not play with sin. They avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. Ask yourself: What small compromises might be leading me away from God’s path? 3. The Command to Guard (Verses 20–27) “Keep thy heart with all diligence.” Your heart is the command center of life — what fills it shapes your words, your choices, and your future. Guard it fiercely. Feed it with Scripture. Protect it from corruption. Ask yourself: Am I guarding my heart from influences that draw me away from Christ? 🙏 PRAYER Lord, thank You for the clear path You’ve given us through Your Word. Help us to listen when You warn, to walk in wisdom, and to guard our hearts diligently. May we have courage to avoid the...

Welcome back to The Morning Meditation Podcast. Today we’ll be reading Revelation chapter 3, where the Lord Jesus speaks directly to the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each message carries both warning and encouragement — calling us to spiritual alertness, steadfast faith, and genuine repentance. As you listen, notice how Christ’s words pierce the heart and yet offer hope to all who open the door and let Him in. 📖 SCRIPTURE READING Revelation 3:20 (KJV) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 📜 STORY / ILLUSTRATION When I was a young missionary in Ghana, I once visited a village where every door was made of rough-cut wood, and most didn’t have hinges or locks — they were simply propped in place. One morning, I arrived early and gently tapped on the door of a man named Kwaku. He laughed and said, “Pastor, no need to knock — the door is always open.” That phrase stayed with me. In Revelation 3, Jesus knocks at our heart’s door — not because He cannot enter, but because He desires fellowship, not force. How often do we leave the door closed out of distraction, fear, or pride — when the Savior simply wants to sit and share a meal with us? 💭 REFLECTION – “When Jesus Knocks” (Revelation 3:20) Three truths we can meditate on from Revelation 3: 1️⃣ A Call to Wakefulness “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain…” (Revelation 3:2) The Lord’s first message to the sleepy church at Sardis was simple: wake up. Spiritual drowsiness creeps in quietly — through routine, comfort, or success. Christ warns that faith without alertness soon fades into lifeless habit. Meditation Thought: What parts of my walk with God have grown dull or mechanical? 2️⃣ A Commendation of Faithfulness “Thou hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8) To the faithful in Philadelphia, Jesus opens a door no man can shut. Faithfulness in small things is never overlooked by God — every act of obedience matters. When life feels ordinary, remember that steady faith is what keeps that door of fellowship wide open. Meditation Thought: Am I holding fast to His Word even when no one else notices? 3️⃣ A Challenge to Fellowship “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock…” (Revelation 3:20) Christ doesn’t demand entry — He invites it. The Savior desires relationship, not ritual. When we respond and open the door, He enters with grace, communion, and joy. Meditation Thought: Have I allowed anything to block His fellowship — pride, fear, or neglect? Closing Thought: Every message to the churches ends with the same invitation — “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Today, listen for that knock. It’s personal, persistent, and full of love. 🙏 OUTTRO Thank you for joining me for The Morning Meditation Podcast. Tomorrow, we’ll turn to Proverbs 4, where we’ll learn about the path of the just and the wisdom that guards our steps. Until then, keep your heart open — and keep walking with the Lord.

🎧 Intro Welcome to Morning Meditations with Joe Consford. Today we’re reading Psalms 11 through 15 from the King James Bible — a group of short but powerful psalms that remind us to trust in God when everything around us seems to crumble. These psalms were written in seasons of danger, doubt, and discouragement, yet each one ends with a renewed confidence that the Lord is in His holy temple and that the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. So find a quiet place, take a deep breath, and let’s begin. 📖 Scripture Reading Psalm 11:7 – For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Psalm 12:6 – The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psalm 13:5–6 – But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 14:1 – The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 15:1–2 – LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (Short pause for reflection music) 📜 Story: “The Foundation That Didn’t Move” When our family first moved to Ghana, we rented a small house on a hill outside town. It looked perfect—fresh paint, palm trees, and a gentle breeze. But during the first rainy season, the storms rolled in hard. Thunder cracked, and the ground trembled. I worried the little house might slide right off the hillside. One morning, after a long night of wind and pounding rain, I walked outside expecting to see cracks or damage. Instead, I noticed something else—the foundation was solid. The builder had dug deep and set the pillars on firm rock. Everything else around us—the road, fences, even nearby trees—had shifted, but our foundation stood strong. That morning, Psalm 11 came alive to me: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” David wasn’t talking about houses, of course, but about truth, faith, and the moral strength that holds society together. When everything shakes, the believer must remember — “The Lord is in His holy temple.” God’s throne never moves. In Africa, and even back home in America, I’ve watched people’s lives fall apart because their faith was built on feelings or finances instead of the Rock of Ages. But those who anchor themselves in the unchanging Word of God find stability even in the fiercest storm. 💭 Reflection Psalms 11–15 move like steps up a mountain:

• In Psalm 11, David looks around and sees the wicked prospering — yet he chooses to trust God’s sovereignty.
• In Psalm 12, he contrasts the lying words of men with the pure words of the Lord.
• In Psalm 13, he moves from “How long, O Lord?” to “I will sing unto the Lord.”
• In Psalm 14, he mourns the foolishness of unbelief.
• And in Psalm 15, he closes with the question: Who can dwell with God? The answer — those who live with integrity and truth.

Each psalm builds upon the last, leading us from despair to confidence, from confusion to clarity, and finally to communion. The same God who upholds the righteous in Psalm 11 invites us to walk uprightly in Psalm 15. So if today your world feels unstable, remember: The Lord hasn’t moved. His Word remains pure. His mercy still saves. And His righteousness still stands. 🔔 Outro Thank you for joining me on The Morning Meditation. If today’s reading encouraged you, share this episode and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also connect with our ministry and sign up for updates at consfords.com/connect. Tomorrow, we’ll turn to Revelation 3 and hear what Jesus said to the churches. Until then, keep your heart anchored on the Rock that never moves.

Acts 3 – Such as I Have, Give I Thee 🎧 Intro (Soft background music — light acoustic or gentle piano with a hopeful tone) Welcome back to Morning Meditation with Missionary Joe Consford. Yesterday, in Proverbs Chapter 3, we learned to trust in the Lord with all our heart — not leaning on our own understanding, but acknowledging Him in every path. Today, in Acts Chapter 3, we see what that kind of faith looks like in action. Two ordinary men — Peter and John — encounter one broken man at the temple gate. What happens next shows us what God can do when we give Him what we have. Let’s open our Bibles to Acts Chapter 3 in the King James Version. 📖 Scripture Reading (KJV) Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 📜 Story – D. L. Moody and the Shoe Store Encounter In 1855, a shy Sunday school teacher named Edward Kimball felt led by the Lord to visit a young man in his class who worked in a Boston shoe store. Kimball didn’t think of himself as a preacher — he was just an ordinary Christian trying to obey the Holy Spirit. Nervously, he went into the shop, found the young man stocking shoes, and began to talk with him about Christ. That young man was Dwight L. Moody. Right there between shelves of shoes, Moody trusted Christ as his Savior. Moody went on to preach to more than 100 million people around the world, yet it all began because one humble believer gave what he had. Like Peter and John at the gate, Edward Kimball had no silver or gold — but he gave something far greater: the Gospel and the name of Jesus. 💭 Reflection – What We Can Give 1. Compassion – “Peter and John fastened their eyes upon him.” Real ministry begins when we see people — not just pass by. Compassion looks beyond problems and sees souls. 2. Confidence – “Such as I have, give I thee.” Peter didn’t give what he didn’t have — he gave what he did have. You may not have money, talent, or fame, but if you have Jesus, you have something priceless to share. 3. Conversion – “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The power wasn’t in Peter’s touch, but in Jesus’ name. Every believer today carries that same message of hope and healing — spiritual life to those crippled by sin. Acts 3 reminds us that God delights to use ordinary believers to do extraordinary things when we step out in faith and give what we have. 🙏 Outro Maybe today you feel like what you have isn’t much — a small voice, a little faith, a few moments of time. Give it to Jesus. He can multiply what’s surrendered to Him. Thank you for joining me today on Morning Meditation. Tomorrow, we’ll open to Psalm Chapter 3, where David cries out to God in the midst of danger and discovers the peace that comes from trusting the Lord as his shield. Until then, keep your heart open, your Bible nearby, and your hands ready to serve. To follow our family’s mission journey to Ghana or connect with our ministry, visit consfords.com/connect.

🎧 Intro (Soft, peaceful piano or gentle guitar fades in) Welcome back to Morning Meditation with Missionary Joe Consford. Yesterday, in Revelation Chapter 2, we heard the voice of Christ walking among His churches — calling His people back to their first love. Today, in Proverbs Chapter 3, we learn how to keep that love alive through trust and obedience. This chapter is one of the most beloved passages in the entire Bible, reminding us that real wisdom begins when we place our full confidence in the Lord. Let’s open our Bibles to Proverbs Chapter 3 in the King James Version. 📖 Scripture Reading (KJV) My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 📜 Story – Hudson Taylor and the Faith That Never Failed In the 1800s, a young missionary named Hudson Taylor sailed from England to China with almost nothing but a prayer and a calling. He had no promise of support and no mission board behind him — just a firm belief that “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” On one voyage, the ship ran into a dead calm near the equator. The captain came to Taylor and said, “We’re drifting toward an island inhabited by cannibals. There’s no wind, and our sails are useless.” Taylor replied calmly, “Let’s pray.” The captain hesitated, saying, “Do you really believe praying will make a difference?” Hudson Taylor answered, “I’ve never failed to find that God answers prayer when His people trust Him.” They knelt and prayed, asking God for wind. Moments later, a sudden gust filled the sails, and the ship moved safely away from the island. Years later, Taylor said, “I learned that day that God is as faithful at sea as He is on land — if only we trust Him with all our heart.” 💭 Reflection – The Path of Trust 1. The Call to Trust – “With all thine heart.” True trust is wholehearted. It doesn’t hold back or keep a backup plan. When we lean fully on the Lord, we find stability that the world can’t offer. 2. The Caution Against Pride – “Lean not unto thine own understanding.” Our own logic can lead us astray. The wisest decisions are those made in humble dependence on God’s Word and Spirit. 3. The Comfort of Guidance – “He shall direct thy paths.” The Lord not only shows the way — He walks it with us. Trust doesn’t always mean clarity, but it always means companionship. Proverbs 3 reminds us that trust is not passive — it’s an active choice to believe that God’s plan, God’s timing, and God’s path are always best. 🙏 Outro Maybe today you’re facing a decision or a difficulty that feels overwhelming. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Take that burden to the Lord in prayer, and trust Him to guide you one step at a time. Thank you for joining me today on Morning Meditation. Tomorrow, we’ll turn to Acts Chapter 3, where Peter and John meet a lame man at the temple gate — and show us what it means to share what we have in Jesus’ name. Until then, keep your heart open, your Bible nearby, and your hands ready to serve. To follow our family’s journey to Ghana or connect with our ministry, visit consfords.com/connect.

🎧 Intro (Soft instrumental begins — low piano or strings, building gently) Welcome back to Morning Meditation with Missionary Joe Consford. Yesterday, in Psalm Chapter 2, we saw the Lord Jesus as the King whom God has set upon His holy hill — the One who rules even while the nations rage. Today, in Revelation Chapter 2, that same King speaks — not to the world, but to His churches. These letters reveal Christ’s heart for His people, His concern for purity, and His promise for those who overcome. Let’s open our Bibles to Revelation Chapter 2 in the King James Version. 📖 Scripture Reading (KJV) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Pause briefly before continuing) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Optional: You can continue reading the letters to Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira for a longer episode.) 📜 Story – The Lampstand of Ephesus History tells us that the church at Ephesus was once one of the brightest lights of the ancient world. Founded by the Apostle Paul, taught by Timothy, and visited by John himself, it was a place rich with truth and strong in doctrine. Yet over time, something precious was lost. Their zeal cooled. Their love for Christ — the very heartbeat of their ministry — began to fade. A few centuries later, the historian Jerome wrote that the city of Ephesus had fallen into ruins. The harbor had silted up, the trade had moved elsewhere, and the once-bustling city lay silent. Even the great temple of Artemis was forgotten. The lampstand had been removed. It’s a sobering reminder that truth without love becomes hollow — and that every church must guard its affection for Christ above all else. 💭 Reflection – Lessons from the Lord’s Letters 1. Christ Knows His Churches – “I know thy works.” Nothing escapes His notice — not the sacrifices we make, the patience we show, or the burdens we bear. He walks among the candlesticks, fully aware of what His people face. 2. Christ Desires Our Love – “Thou hast left thy first love.” The greatest danger to a faithful church is not persecution — it’s distraction. Jesus longs for our hearts, not just our habits. 3. Christ Rewards the Faithful – “To him that overcometh…” Every one of these letters ends with a promise. No matter the pressure, no matter the cost, the overcomer always receives the crown. Revelation 2 reminds us that the risen Christ still walks among His churches — inspecting, correcting, and empowering them with grace. 🙏 Outro Maybe you’ve grown weary in your own service for the Lord. The fire that once burned bright may have dimmed beneath the weight of routine. Friend, Jesus still walks among His people. Return to that first love — the simple joy of walking with Him daily. He hasn’t changed, and He hasn’t moved. Thank you for joining me today on Morning Meditation. Tomorrow, we’ll turn to Proverbs Chapter 3, where we’ll learn the secret of trusting in the Lord with all our heart and acknowledging Him in all our ways. Until then, keep your heart open, your Bible nearby, and your hands ready to serve. To follow our family’s journey to Ghana or connect with our ministry, visit Show more...