12/26/05
Encouragement for Today
"Hot Head, Cold Feet"
Sharon Jaynes, Vice President Radio, P31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Revelation 3:15, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other.” (NIV)
Devotion:
A few weeks before my husband, Steve, and I were married, we attended the wedding of a high school friend of mine, in a small Episcopal church. Because of the limited parking, we had to walk several blocks to get to the sanctuary. The July heat was hovering somewhere around 100 degrees with at least 98% humidity. Needless to say, in coat and tie, Steve was rather hot by the time we reached our destination.
Because we didn't allow for the walking time, we were a few minutes late to the ceremony, and there was standing room only. We, along with several other latecomers, lined the walls like tin soldiers surrounding the pews. Much to Steve's delight, his spot was over an air conditioning vent. The sweat was still pouring over his brow as the cool air from the vent filtered up his pant legs. But, Steve's delight quickly turned into dismay as the room started closing in around him and swirling in circles. The sudden temperature change had been too drastic, and he knew that he was about to faint. He grabbed the pew …
In a few moments, after his body temperature was regulated, he gained his composure and stood for the rest of the ceremony, nothing hurt but his pride. Of course my friends had a great time teasing him, accusing him of fainting in fear as our wedding was just three weeks away. He definitely gave new meaning to the phrase "cold feet."
This episode made me think of the verse in Revelation 3:16 which reads, "I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth." The Lord detests lukewarmness in Christians. But I suggest that He also detests it when Christians are hot and cold at the same time. There are many who are on fire for the Lord on Sundays, but who say their faith is "a private matter" during the rest of the week. As Steve's body proved, extreme hot and extreme cold cannot coexist; something has to give.
My Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, I am excited about being with You this morning. My life in Christ is the most thrilling aspect of my life. If I am ever lukewarm, then please start a holy fire under my feet! I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Keep an account of your actions and your words today. Do they reflect a person who is excited about knowing Christ, or someone who could take it or leave it?
Ask someone close to you if they would consider you “on fire for the Lord,” “lukewarm,” or “on the chilly side.”
Reflection Points
As you read this devotion, did you see yourself as lukewarm?
Who do you know that you would classify as “on fire for the Lord"?
What makes them seem excited about God?
What do you need to change in your own life to move you from lukewarm to hot?
Power Verses
Luke 10:33, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (NIV)
Colossians 3:23,24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (NIV)
Ephesians 5:19,20, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)
Additional Resources:
At Home with God, by Sharon Jaynes
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_atHome.htm
Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_radicallyObedient.htm
Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God, by Sharon Jaynes
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_becomingAWoman.htm
Originally published Monday, 26 December 2005.
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