the year is drawing to a close and it’s time to take a brief look back. What was good, what was bad, and above all, how does God the Father judge me? You can no longer change what has happened. However, with God’s help, his Holy Spirit here on earth, we can repent. Repent for what no longer pleases God anymore. Some things were still okay some time ago and God has not yet put his finger on these areas of life. There is always a wind of change in the Spirit – you can receive or resist it. A character change to become a better person, fit for kingdom work and worship.
God has a thermometer
Revelation 3 14 “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. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 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. 18 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.
The church in Laodicea was very rich, but only in the natural. If you read the following verses, this exhortation contains a wonderful invitation to change your lifestyle with God’s help and get back into zeal, devotion, discipleship, obedience, first love… . Being lukewarm is an intermediate stage of self-deception and hypocrisy. A self-satisfied security of a faith that has become a tradition. Once you may have been full of zeal and excitement about your salvation, but disappointments, suffering, illness or simply things frustrated you to the point that you no longer see the purpose of your work for God. The Father understands you. However, today it is time to signal to him again. Lord here I am with all that I am not, but should be, with all that I should have done and have not done, Lord I know there is so much more to experience with you and I need a new fire right now. So that my lukewarmness turns back into a burning for You and Your kingdom.
Bernd and Sabine Hagel wish you a blessed 2024. May the Lord grant you extra strength to do his will and keep you in perfect peace.