Loving Anyway
A short reflection on choosing love and kindness even in a world that often gives reasons not to. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus and the strength it takes to keep loving anyway.https://polymathchristian.wordpress.com/2026/05/14/loving-anyway/
When Heaven Feels Silent
A raw reflection on depression, silence from heaven, and searching for hope when faith feels exhausted. Sometimes the smallest whisper toward God is still an act of faith.https://polymathchristian.wordpress.com/2026/05/09/when-heaven-feels-silent/
Get to know Yourself better (questionnaire)
Understanding ourselves is what I believe is the first step in any kind of growth or change that we need or want to make. Gaining that understanding can often be a challenge as we tend to place blame, fault, excuses, or reasoning behind our actions or ways. In order for us to understand ourselves and to face the truth of ourselves we have to be willing to be completely honest with ourselves. It takes facing and taking 100% responsibility for our faults and wrong doings, and paying attention […]https://theabundantlife4u.com/2026/05/08/get-to-know-yourself-better-questionnaire/
When Even Heaven Feels Silent
There are nights when faith feels like trying to light a candle in the rain. Not because you stopped believing once. Not because you never prayed. But because life kept swinging the hammer long after the metal should have broken. People talk about losing hope like it arrives all at once, some dramatic collapse with thunder and shattered glass. But most of the time it happens quietly. Like paint fading from an old photograph. One disappointment at a time. One betrayal at a time. One […]https://polymathchristian.wordpress.com/2026/05/08/when-even-heaven-feels-silent/
Struggling to stay joyful when life feels off track? Discover how to trust God, overcome frustration, and find peace in the process.
#ChristianDevotional #FaithInTrials #TrustGodsTiming #JoyInDifficultSeasons #BiblicalEncouragement #SpiritualGrowth #FaithBuilding #ChristianBlog #DailyWord #HopeInJesus
https://randomnestfamily.org/2026/05/01/joy-for-the-journey/
God is not silent. 📖💡
Virginia Metzler’s "Our God Still Speaks" serves as a modern lexicon of faith. From the Cold War era in West Africa to the Philippines under Martial Law, her stories prove that God continues to communicate with those who seek Him.
Link: https://www.ourgodstillspeaks.com/our-god-still-speaks-virginia-metzlers-story-of-faith/
#Books #ChristianBlog #Faith #MissionaryLife #VirginiaMetzler #GodStillSpeaks #Bookstodon #Read #Reading #Readers #Books #Book #Writer #Author #Poetry
Don't wait until your deathbed to realize that "snatching to get ahead" leaves a trail of brokenness. 💔
Covetousness is the gateway sin we rarely talk about, but Love is the "most excellent way" that changes everything.
Start living God's way today: https://downiefamily.wixsite.com/wherebreadisfound/post/get-off-the-ladder-the-antidote
Overcoming the Nicolaitans
860 words, 5 minutes read time.
Revelation 2:6–7 (NIV) “But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 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.”I used to think the mention of the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2 was just a historical footnote. A strange name, a brief condemnation, and that was it. But the more I’ve lived and the more I’ve seen in the church, the more I realize this short verse is one of the most piercing warnings—and one of the most hopeful promises—in all of Scripture.
The Nicolaitans (likely meaning “conquerors of the people”) represent the spirit that seeks to lord it over God’s people instead of serving them. It shows up when leaders or systems silence gifts, control contributions, and push people into “safe” roles that fit the hierarchy rather than the needs of the body. It’s the voice that says, “You’re not good enough,” or “We already have someone for that,” even when your skills could serve the kingdom in powerful ways.
Modern-Day Targets of the Nicolaitans
This spirit isn’t stuck in the first century—it’s alive and well today. Here are some common ways it targets believers:
If you’ve felt targeted, know this: It’s not about your worth. It’s about a system that values control over Christ’s body.
I’ve felt that sting personally. As a web programmer, I’ve offered my gifts to churches—only to be gently (or not so gently) redirected to volunteer tasks that kept me on the sidelines. It hurt. It made me question my worth. And I know I’m not alone. Many of us have been made to feel like our talents don’t fit the approved structure.
But here’s the red meat of this passage: Jesus doesn’t stop at “I hate what they do.” He immediately turns to the promise to the overcomer.
The Nicolaitans are not the enemy we’re supposed to spend our lives fighting. They are the obstacle we’re called to overcome.
Jesus is saying: “I see the pain. I hate the control. I hate the rejection. Now rise above it. Don’t let their system define your calling. Don’t let their ‘no’ silence your gifts. Use what I’ve given you—whether inside the walls or outside them. Keep serving Me. Keep building. Keep loving. You are an overcomer. And the tree of life is waiting for you.”
Reflection Questions
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You walk among Your churches and You see everything. You know the pain of being sidelined, the sting of being told I’m “not good enough.” Thank You for hating what hurts Your people. Help me identify and overcome the Nicolaitan spirit in my life—whether it’s in a church system or in my own doubts. Give me courage to use the gifts You’ve placed in me, even if it’s outside the approved structures. May I stay faithful, keep my first love, and overcome—not by fighting people, but by trusting You. I look forward to the day I eat from the tree of life in Your paradise. In Your name, Amen.
Call to Action
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Author’s Note:
The identity and exact teachings of the Nicolaitans remain debated among scholars. Some link them to moral compromise (sexual immorality and idolatry, as suggested by the “doctrine of Balaam” in Revelation 2:14–15), while others see the name as symbolic of hierarchical control and domination over God’s people. Regardless of the precise interpretation, the core issue is clear: Jesus hates anything that harms, controls, or leads His church astray. This devotional focuses on the spirit of exclusion and abuse of authority that still appears in churches today, while affirming that Christ calls all to repentance, grace, and overcoming through Him.
D. Bryan King
Sources
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.
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