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Judy Webb

April 11 | Revelation 3:14-19

 

DAILY READING 

 

REFLECTION


Turn Up the Heat!

by Judy Webb


“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)


The Voice version of this text reads: because you are neither cold with apathy not hot with passion


Lukewarm: useless to Christ because of complacency and indifference. So, it isn’t wise to claim the middle of the road as a resting place. Sitting on the fence could cause us to topple over, and strong wind or fence shaking could prove disastrous.


My small group is studying the Book of Esther, a story of mounds of courage and piles of determination, but not before a mountain of fence-sitting. Esther had a lukewarm heart, a shy personality along with a weak belief in her Jewish ancestry. She momentarily forgot the battles her ancestors fought; the freedom they grasped after being rescued from slavery in Egypt to a promised land of freedom.


Esther, a poor orphan, was taken in by her Uncle Mordecai. As a beautiful young woman, she had the opportunity to leave poverty and join the world of royalty, rich royalty that grossly flaunted its riches. They were wasteful, reclining on couches of gold and silver; they ate and drank with no restrictions.


Esther’s survival instincts were strong, though a lukewarm Jew. She hid in the shadows, keeping her heritage secret to safeguard her life. Until one day she was forced to take a stand, to acknowledge her heritage and jump down off that fence and boldly take her place in history. At that moment, she went from lukewarm, to on fire for her people and her actions saved a nation.


So, where does that leave you and me? Have we also been brought to our place in the world “for such a time as this?” I believe so. When we live a safe life, if we never take a stand, or speak up for right in a world that reveres wrong; we are lukewarm. What Jesus wants to change is our middle of the road walk. A lukewarm Christian has enough of Jesus to satisfy a craving for religion, but not enough for eternal life.


A lukewarm Christian hasn’t learned the value of generosity, doesn’t understand that we are to share our wealth and our faith. Just look around and discern what God is telling you or asking you to do. Take a stand, lend a hand, share your story, then hop off the fence and heat up the room!


 

PRAYER PRACTICE

Dear Jesus,

Sometimes we need a wake-up call. It is likely that our world desperately needs Christians to be bold and take a stand for what is right, and call out what is wrong. Come Holy Spirit, light a fire under us today. Amen.







131 views2 comments

2 Yorum


robin.lorms
11 Nis

Good afternoon, Judy.


You have selected the perfect book for demonstrating the core of the message to the Church at Laodacia. 'Ester took courage like a warrior going into battle knowing the outcome could cost one's life. There are so many heroes in the Scriptures.

I could easily justify my complacent attitude of late by referring to "my years of service" in prison ministry, serving at UALC in a variety of capacities and working with the downtrodden and poor but Jesus asks, "What are you doing today, Robin"? Fence sitting is an easy place to be if you self justify based on past performance. Do I have Esther's courage when He calls?

Thank you for today's blog as my reminder…


Beğen

dceppley
11 Nis

Judy, this is such a great message and so well written. Thanks for sharing. Powerful!

Beğen
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