Father, I am up a little earlier than usual this morning in that sitting down to write yesterday just didn’t happen. Help me to focus and to be productive this morning. May this whole day from beginning to end be guided by You. Amen.
Revelation 3:14-16 (<<click the green)
Lukewarm…not very beneficial or tasteful on any front. Most of us, Lord, if we are familiar with any of the churches to which You communicated here at the beginning of Revelation, have heard of Laodicea. And with that name, we associate the word lukewarm – neither hot nor cold.
Thinking of beverages or food, at least in our culture, we often like them piping hot or ice cold. We like having our coffee topped off so it’s nice and hot. Fresh iced tea is wonderful but often the fresher it is the more quickly it melts the ice – “Can we have a glass of ice, please?”
My study Bible* shares that one of Laodicea’s big problems was its water supply. “At one time an aqueduct was built to bring water to the city from hot springs, but by the time the water reached the city, it was neither hot nor refreshingly cool – only lukewarm. The church had become as bland as the tepid water that came into the city.”
Lord, may I never be content with being lukewarm for it doesn’t bring satisfaction to You or anyone with whom I come in contact. My faith needs to be hot. It must be fresh from continued interaction with You. It needs to radiate the warmth of Your love. It needs to be vital and alive.
My interactions with others should also be as a cup of cool water on a scorching hot day. Others are thirsting for Your refreshing presence in their lives and many times they don’t even know what they are craving, trying this and that to quench their thirst – to no avail.
Lord, use me to touch the lives of others, giving them what they need of You. May I not be bland. May I not be lukewarm. May I make known to them the warmth of Your love and the refreshing coolness of Your compassion. Amen.
Aug 1st, Tues, 5:44 am
