Revelation 3:14-22
You know that saying about keeping the best for last? Well, we're at church number seven, Laodicea, and the message they receive is definitely not the best. It's pretty bad. Jesus tells the church at Laodicea that because they are neither hot nor cold but are lukewarm, that He will spit them out of His mouth (Ouch!). He then warns them about being disciplined and calls for them to be zealous in repenting.
So how do we keep from becoming lukewarm and distasteful to Christ? What are some things we can do to "take our spiritual temperature" from time to time? Tami W.
* For more on today's topic, tune in to Back to the Bible. Or, get the entire Revelation series on CD.
When I remember, that’s the key,(and I thank you for this blog) I humbly confess to Almighty God that I have sinned in my thoughts in my words in what I've done and what I've failed to do. And I ask my Lord Jesus to pray(intercede)for me to His Father above. Then I know He hears me and is with me and can turn from my wicked ways, (Jeremiah 35:15-16, Ezekiel 13:11 + Acts 3:26.) If I can, I make restitution (Numbers 5:7) but I trust and believe for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus. I must obey.So back to remembering, I must have a little discipline because I do spend time everyday reflecting on the things I've done and said. (1 Peter 5:6+8.) Immediately I turn it over to Jesus my High Priest (Hebrews 4). I suggest do a key word search in the Bible for words that help. I could spend all day doing that! But life goes on. We must practice what we preach!
My thermometer for taking my spiritual temp is how I treat others- if I'm rude, impatient, etc. I know that it's plain sinful and it's usually because I haven't spent time with the Father. Jesus is so loving and it's important for me to display that same love (through thoughts/actions) toward others. God has gifted us with so much, through the Holy Spirit, that we have no excuse for being in a lukewarm state. Daily, we need to be on FIRE for Jesus and light the spark on others.
I would say to ask yourself some questions. Am I doing my daily bible studies. Am I applying to my life what I've learned. Am I confessing to God my sins and am I repenting of them. Does it bother me when I see injustice. Does it bother me when I am watching something on TV I shouldnt. When we become apathic about things.
Tami,
Thank you so much for your prayers for my cousins. Your prayers mean a lot. -
I appreciated Jessica's comment. Just like our physical body, our spiritual blood sugar can get low. When my physical blood sugar gets low I get out of sorts. That can be the same spiritally speaking as well. The best way to "fix" that is to "eat" the Bible and spending time with Jesus.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Most of us have grown up with the thought that Jesus is knocking at door of the heart (and, of course, he certainly DOES that)! There is no question that Jesus wants us to let him into our hearts.
But, in my studies, I have seen that Jesus, in this message to the Church of Laodicea, is actually knocking at the door of the CHURCH! We must remember, this is a message to the CHURCH! Sad to say, there are churches in operation today where Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are simply not welcome. (Shades of the Sardis "dead church", as well)?
I know there are churches with "on fire" and challenging ministries ongoing. But, to those, who seem to have a "go away, please, and let US run this" sign on their doors...please know that Jesus is still knocking at the door of His church. There is still time, and we need to seek Him while He may be found, our churches need to seek Him, too. Please let us remember that until we let HIM in, the work will not be done. As we have already learned in this Revelation study, Jesus is in the midst of the churches! The only way our churches can avoid the mistakes of these 7 churches in the Book of Revelation, is for us to acknowledge Jesus in our midst.
Things I do to keep close to God are Pray to God spend time with him personally(me & a close friend taught me this lay down somwhere you're not going to be bothered close your eyes & ask for the holy spirit to show up it works trust me!)read a portion of the bible as well then find a close spiritual friend who will pray with you too!
Do this daily so it becomes habit forming!Peter asked Jesus how many times are we to forgive our brother/sister and Jesus said(see rght up front Jesus knew after several times that it would be naturally habit-forming!)he told the discipes 7 times 70=490 times that many it would become natural doing it!
He is Holy, Pure, Beautiful and we are to be set apart and holy to Him. Only Through Christ and His sacrifice and power of His Resurrection is that possible..
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