In The Word
Read: Revelation 3:14-22
Message to Laodicea
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
“Oh, that you were hot or cold but because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16). The church of Laodicea had come to a place of earthly blessings and rest. Nehemiah reflected on what could happen when people have plenty and get lazy. They can end up turning away from God. Moses also warned of this in the book of Deuteronomy. Let me explain why being lukewarm was so offensive to God’s taste. It’s because to be lukewarm is to be useless. In Laodicea, they had an enterprise for making eye salve. Eye salve was made from a process using natural cold water and natural hot water, from a volcano six miles away. The problem was that the hot springs were on the mountain and the cold streams were in the valley. In an attempt to make things easier, they built an aqueduct system to carry the hot water down to the cold water instead of hiking the cold water up to the mountain. The problem was that by the time the hot water made it to the bottom it was lukewarm which made it useless. So when God says, “I’d rather you be hot or cold,” He is saying, “I’d rather you be useful.”
If we are not careful, we can begin to shortcut the processes of God in our lives by trying to figure out an easier way to do things. Be careful, for this can blind you and make you a bad taste in the mouth of God. There are no shortcuts to our relationship with Christ. We must spend the time and effort of getting up, opening the door, and sitting down to spend one-on-one time with our Savior. It’s the only thing that keeps us useful.
7 Days of Prayer & Fasting Devotional
Day One Focus:
To Increase in Spiritual Hunger and Holiness
Thought: As the New Year begins, ask the Lord to awaken your heart to His love. Pray for increased hunger to spend more time in prayer, worship, and God’s Word. Pray for a greater awareness of God’s holiness and ask Him to give you a tender conscience and a heart to please Him in your every thought, word, and deed.
Scripture: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12 NIV)
Scripture References: Philippians 4:8-9, Joshua 1:8, 2 Timothy 2:15
Meditation: How can I become more like Him?
TCI Prayer Points:
- Pray for people to get on the Ancient Paths journey through the bible.
- Pray for people to get in our Connect Track journey to grow.
(Pray for our connect groups)