Revelation 3-10.24.22
Scripture
Revelation 3:15-16 NLT
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”
Observation-What does it say?
In this particular passage of Revelation, Jesus tells John to write a letter to the church in Laodicea. In this letter, Jesus tells them that he knows their condition. Jesus basically calls them out for being a church that is just going through the motions. They were “playing church” instead of being The Church.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Either we are all in for Jesus, or we’re not !
“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”-Matt 12:30
I love the picture that this passage paints for us regarding being The Church of Jesus. We are either “hot or cold”. You can’t just be “lukewarm”! When you think of water, when cold water comes to mind, you think of something refreshing. When you think of hot water, you think of something cleansing, or sanitizing. Each type of water has its uses for us. But when you think of lukewarm or room temperature water, you think of something stale, possibly bacteria filled, and basically suspect and worthless. That will make anyone not want to drink from it, let alone have any part of it.
Jesus says he prefers us to be either “hot or cold”. Meaning if we are “hot”, it means we are on fire and all about fulfilling Jesus’ mission of multiplying Christ Followers everywhere. And even if we are “cold”, with no faith, and no belief, at least there is room for growth, and room for God to change our hearts, transform our lives, and make us better. But, if we are a church that is “lukewarm”, it probably means we are a church that has just enough faith and knowledge of Jesus that we are non resistant, that we truly lack enough faith to be fully engaged. And that condition, believe it or not, is harder to change than to convert a fully, cold non-believer. That is why Jesus said, “I will spit you out of my mouth!” And that is a condition or place we never want to find ourselves in.
Life Application
Take a good look in the mirror, don’t try to fool ourselves, because Jesus knows our hearts.
Am I just going through the motions at church? Am I just playing church, or am I being The Church?
Father God, I pray that You give me the fire and desire to be all about fulfilling Your Mission. Forgive of the times when I just go through the motions of church. Help me Lord to be on fire for You. Help me to be a refreshing drink for someone out there today. May I remember to live my life with purpose…and that purpose is to bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Nehemiah 6 - 10.21.22
Scripture
Nehemiah 6:16
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
Observation – What does it say?
Nehemiah faced great opposition. His enemies attempted to intimidate him to prevent his completion of the wall. So, Nehemiah asked God to strengthen him. And God did! As a result, the project God gave him to do was completed. When his enemies and the nations around heard about it they not only became afraid but they recognized the project’s completion wasn’t just because Nehemiah and the Israelites worked hard. They realized God helped them.
Understanding – What does it mean?
When I was 18, young but passionate in my relationship with God, my mentor asked me, “What do you want written on your tombstone?” I sat with God as I contemplated the question. I asked God what he wanted written on it. I listened but didn’t hear God give me anything specific in that moment. So I prayed a prayer of surrender and told God,
“God, I don’t care what is written on my tombstone. But whatever it is, I pray that when people read it they would know that there is no way it could have happened without a powerful move of God in my life.”
That prayer is still on the inside cover of my Bible. I believe God desires to glorify himself through us. As his followers, there should be something in our lives that causes the world to see and not be impressed with us, but be impressed with God and praise him.
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.
Life Application
I want to live a life that points people to God. I don’t believe God saved me to be average. And if you’re reading this, I believe the same is true for you.
God, help us to live a life like Nehemiah. A life where we are about your mission, where we rely on your strength to accomplish it, and where you move in power through us to accomplish something much greater than we could in our own strength. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Revelation 1-10.20.22
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1: 5-6 NKJV
“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
OBSERVATION:
John was an elderly man exiled on the island of Patmos when Jesus CHRIST came to meet him in the midst of his circumstances to bring this Revelation of Himself. Unveiling this awesome Truth—that was to be shared with us all in its richness and splendor.
UNDERSTANDING:
The Unveiling of Jesus Christ…Who HE is…and What HE Does…Part 1
HE IS…CHRIST.
Christ is not Jesus last name. We use it so often we can become mistaken in this. It IS His Title. He is The CHRIST. He is Savior—The Promised Messiah that was to come from the moment sin entered the world (Gen. 3:15).
HE IS..The FAITHFUL Witness.
A witness testifies to what they SEE and KNOW.
Jesus Faithfully testified to who God the Father was by How He lived AND how He honored God all the way to the Cross.
Jesus wants to make us His Faithful Witnesses as well—by demonstrating Jesus’s Love AND sharing the Good News.
This is our MOST important agenda.
HE IS…the FIRSTBORN from the dead.
Jesus was the Firstborn from the dead—EVERYTHING in Humanity Changed with Jesus Resurrection! AND…Resurrection is not just something that happens to believers after they die. God is in the resurrection business THIS side of eternity as well! Are there things you are asking God to resurrect in your life? A relationship, finances, job, dream? Maybe an attitude needs new resurrection life. Jesus IS the God of resurrection—and in the midst of the journey—HE can Bring new resurrection Life now!
HE IS the RULER over the kings of the earth.
Jesus IS the RULER over every single President, King, Queen, Prime Minister, Politician, and Leader in the World. Jesus Knows their names and every single move they are making even BEFORE they make it. We have NO need to worry, doubt, or fear. Jesus is in Charge! He is King of Kings! Sovereignly working out His Perfect Plan according to His Perfect Will.
LIFE APPLICATION:
Our Response—
As Believers we have been privileged to have been WASHED in His Blood and Forgiven of our sins. Jesus has made us Kings and Priests to SERVE in His Kingdom.
Follow Jesus example and BE a Faithful Witness. Share God’s Love and Share the Good News.
LIVE in the Amazing Reality of Christ’s Resurrection Power! This is a Hope that is Life Changing! God is in the business of redeeming Lives!
Don’t fret over the news. Jesus IS in Charge! “Take Courage! Jesus has Overcome the World”.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)
LORD Jesus,
Thank you for giving us this amazing Revelation of Yourself. You are deeply Loving and all Powerful. Forgive me for the times I look around me and at circumstances and become concerned. There is absolutely Nothing happening that you are not fully aware of. I pray You give me Your Wisdom and Understanding to navigate these times you have placed me in. May my eyes Remain Steadfast on You who never change. I pray for courage to rise in this season and have great Love to be Your Faithful Witness wherever You send me. In Jesus Name I pray. amen.
Tina L Kudelka