Check out all the previous Unstoppable readings here.
Unstoppable Reading Plan | Week 5 | Day 4
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Ask God to give you His wisdom today.
Bible Reading: Revelation 3:14-22
Read these verses three times slowly.
“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.”
Reflection & Questions
We’re looking at the Unstoppable Church this week. Nothing will stop Jesus’ Church, because Jesus is the everlasting King. However, as we’ve seen, this doesn’t mean local churches can’t be tripped up. Local groups of believers need to watch their life and doctrine closely. We’ve read of a church that has lost their love for God and others, we’ve read of a church that compromised its beliefs and today we read of a church that has grown comfortable.
The church has a mindset of “I am rich…and do not need a thing.” They are going through the motions of “doing church.” But there is no passion for Jesus, there is no sacrifice out of a deep desire for more of Him. As Jesus tells them “you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” This is a stinging rebuke for a people who believe they are fine.
When Jesus says he wishes they were either hot or cold, He doesn’t mean that He wishes they either were “all in” with Him or “all out”. The town of Laodecia had hot and cold springs nearby. They had tried to build aqueducts to bring those into town, but by the time the water reached both the hot and cold water was lukewarm – and lukewarm water isn’t useful! This church wasn’t fruitful, wasn’t useful – even though they thought all was fine.
The answer for the passionless and fruitless? Go to Jesus! Turn around! He stands at the door ready to move into your life, change the furniture and bring revival!
- Would you say you are passionate about living your life for Jesus or are you going through the motions of your faith? How do you know?
- Where have you grown comfortable in following Jesus? Talk to Him about that.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
