GOD’S WORD FOR  MAY 17

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

REGULATING YOUR TEMPERATURE

Revelation 3:15

“Would that you were either cold or hot!”

D.L. MOODY

What we want is to be red hot all the time.  Don’t wait until someone hunts you down.  People talk about striking while the iron is hot.  I believe it was Cromwell who said that he would rather strike the iron and make it hot.  So let’s keep at our post and we will soon grow warm in the Lord’s work.

ERWIN LUTZER

What did Jesus mean when He used the imagery of being hot or cold but not lukewarm?

In Laodicea, there were two kinds of aqueducts.  One came from Hierapolis, very hot springs people would bathe in, and believed to provide cures to many ailments.  But from the other direction, there was a spring that was very cold and refreshing.  People went from one to the other just like people do today when they go to a spa.  So, Jesus was saying, “You can either be hot and passionate, or you can be cool, refreshing, and invigorating.  You  can be one or the other, but whatever you do, don’t be lukewarm.

As for the lukewarm – neither hot nor cold, but tepid – Jesus said, “I will spit you out of My mouth.”  (Rev. 3:16).  He’s talking about Christians who are indifferent;  He is speaking about those who have no positive influence because they are carnal and self-satisfied.  The lukewarmness of indifference – does that characterize us today?

How do we repent of our lukewarmness?  We have to come close to Jesus;  His fire, His love, and His passion will become ours.  He will invigorate us and give us a passion for Himself, for His Gospel, for His Word, and for fellowship with Him.

PRAYER

Lord, I repent of my lukewarmness;  I repent of my spiritual indifference, please draw me close to You to receive Your love and passion.

*** ***

Psalm 100:2

    “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”

** *

Colossians 3:16

    “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly… singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

** *

Matthew 5:16

    “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

** *

Titus 3:14

    “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”

** *

Ephesians 2:10

    “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

** *

Luke 6:38

    “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”

** *

James 2:17

    “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

** *

Hebrews 10:24-25

    “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

** *

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord