Turn Up the Heat

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading titled Turn Up the Heat was written by Patricia Rabin. Temperatures where we live in Colorado can change quickly, sometimes within a few minutes. So my husband, Dan, was curious about the temperature differences in and around our home. As a fan of gadgets, he was excited to unpack his latest toy, a thermometer showing temperature readings from four zones around our house. Joking that it was a silly gadget, I was surprised to find myself frequently checking the temperatures too.

The differences inside and out fascinated me. In the book of Revelation, a bustling banking, clothing, and medical hub, the city was hampered by a poor water supply, so it needed an aqueduct to carry water from a hot spring. By the time the water arrived in Laodicea, however, it was neither hot nor cold.

The church was tepid, too. Jesus said in Revelation chapter 3, 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. As Christ explained, those whom I love I rebuke and discipline, so be earnest and repent. Our Savior's plea remains urgent for us, too. Are you spiritually neither hot nor cold? Accept His correction and ask Him to help you live an earnest, fired-up faith. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Revelation chapter 3, verses 14 through 22.

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. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, if our commitment to You cools down, send the loving heat of Your Holy Spirit to awaken and warm up our faith. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening today. My name is Joyce Dinkins, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.