September 8, 2004
Encouragement for Today
Neither Hot nor Cold
Ramona Davis - Member of P31 Speaker Team
Key verse:
So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)
Devotion:
Several years ago, I was on my way home from a women's conference. I knew God had brought me there for a specific reason. It was obvious to me that there was a divine purpose for my being there. But what was it? The conference was great but nothing specific happened. I was already saved.
Yes, I had been saved at the age of thirteen while walking home from school. Oh how I wish I could tell you that I have been on fire for Him since, but that is not true. From that time forward my relationship with the Lord ran hot and cold. Most times ignoring Him to satisfy my own selfish desires - many times seeking Him in times of dire need. How I wish I could have had a strong spiritual mentor in my life at that time.
Oh, I prayed, sometimes. I reflected on God's goodness, sometimes. I read the Bible, sometimes. And I was a good person. I tried hard to get along with others. I tried hard not to lie or gossip. I didn't commit murder. I didn't steal. I went to church. I was a good person, comfortable with my religion. I was good and comfortable.
Now, so many years later, I felt a stirring so powerful that I began to pray fervently in the quietness of my heart, "Oh Lord, why did you bring me to this place? I know there's a reason. What is it?"
The answer came to my heart so powerfully, so captivating, so forceful but with such overwhelming compassion, "Ramona, I'm so tired of you being lukewarm." At that minute, I stood before the Living God as He rebuked me with such love, branding my heart forever.
In the third chapter of the Book of Revelation, verses 14 through 18 reads "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, "These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing" - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked - I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." (NKJV)
What about you? Are you living in a state of complacency, good and comfortable? Are you self-satisfied? Is your passion for God lukewarm, neither cold nor hot? Perhaps you've grown complacent to God's awesome creation that continues to baffle scientists. Maybe you've grown too familiar with His holiness. Have you become complacent to His longsuffering and patience towards you by His mercy that is new each day? Or have you grown accustomed to His amazing grace. The list could go on and on.
A few days later, I lay in my bed facing the ceiling, weeping and giving my whole heart to God. Through tears of genuine trust, I asked Him to take this lump of clay and mold it into what He wants it to be. Then I asked Him, "What do I do now, Lord. What do I do?" Quickly and firmly His answer came to my heart, "Spend time in prayer and in My Word and I will transform your life." I obeyed and through prayer and His Word, He has set a fire in my heart that I pray will never be complacent again.
God loves you more than anything. He desires a relationship with you. He created you for Himself. Seek Him daily in His Word and in prayer and He will transform your life into one of exciting, abundant purpose. Will you have troubles? Yes! Will you have trials? Yes! But, you will begin to search for His will in all situations. He will use you to bless others beyond your comprehension. You will be blessed by others who have gifts you need. You will begin to learn the depth, height, length and width of the love of Christ that passes all knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God. Your response will be pure love, a pure passionate love like you've never known before.
My prayer for today:
Oh Lord, show me any place in my heart that has become complacent to You. Please forgive me, remove the complacency and replace it with passionate love for You. Help me be disciplined every day to be in Your Word and in prayer with You. Help me make You my first priority.
Application steps:
Make a daily schedule. Prayerfully evaluate the activities you have listed to determine what can be eliminated in order to make time for your relationship with Jesus.
Reflection points:
Read Matthew 22:37. Do you love God this way?
Where is your relationship with God on your priority list?
What adjustments to you need to make in order for God to be first in your life?
Power verses:
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Revelation 3:19-21 (NKJV)
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed by Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/radical.html
Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God by Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/womanlistens.html
The Power of a Simple Life by Mary Southerland (Tape set)
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/simpleset.html