Friday, December 17, 2010

Are You Lukewarm? Revelation 3 Devotion Follow-UP

Greetings!

I hope you are having a great Christmas season!  

On Sunday, I told you about a devotional I would send you related to our topic on Sunday from Revelation Chapter 3.   Here's the passage we studied:

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:  These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 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.  You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.   Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.   Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

This devotional (link below) is part of a small group curriculum called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.  It contains a list of 18 different descriptions of "Lukewarm People" with a scriptural reference for us on each one.   Since the book of Revelation begins with Jesus' concern for His church, I thought it would be good for us to be challenged to respond during these next few weeks before we continue with the book.

So, for the next 18 days, just take one of these thoughts and scripture references each day and have a devotion and prayer about it.  Ask God to examine your heart and to draw you closer to Him.  No doubt, this will be challenging for us all, but following Jesus is the most serious part of our life, so its worth it.  Keep in mind, we all struggle, but God's grace through Christ not only brings you forgiveness, but also spiritual growth.

As we consider all there is to consider this Christmas, remember our little Advent Conspiracy slogan - Spend Less, Give More, Worship Fully.  More about that on Sunday.  See you then.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

Click here for the "Lukewarm People" PDF


Want to use Crazy Love in your small group?  Here's a link to the book - we have the DVD at church in the Resource room.

Crazy Love

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