Staying in Shape

Today, we had the furnace company come and inspect the furnaces and make sure that they are ready for the winter. A few days ago, it almost got up to 90 degrees (F). It is hard to start thinking about frost, cold Autumn winds, and snow. The reality is, if we don’t get ready for it now, it might not work when we need it. How well do think an athlete would do if he/she didn’t start training until the day of the race? How well do you think the military would do if they started training when they saw the enemy advancing? The need to stay in shape and tuned up is vital for most things in our world. Actually, it is no different with our faith. Do we want to start memorizing or learning God’s word after we meet someone seeking God, or should we be familiar with that word? Is it ok to wait until the Lord returns before we start entrusting our lives to Him? If a car doesn’t stay tuned, someday it will cease to work. Just because we changed oil 5,000 miles ago, doesn’t mean we will not need to keep up with the maintenance. Very few things will keep improving with time, unless you are a fine wine, which is very doubtful. God is speaking to the seven churches in the book of Revelation about their condition. Laodicea may be more like us than we would like. In Revelation 3, it says, "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.” God declared that He knew them and they were not doing well. They had begun to trust their own ability and resources and their faith had ceased to grow. Not only didn’t it grow, it appears that it was fading. They were no longer on fire for God, but more like a smoldering fire... enough to know they are there, but not enough to be good for much of anything. The image of God spitting out the church is terrifying. The comment about wishing they were either hot or cold indicates that if we take a direction, good or bad, we can be guided. How are you doing? Father, it is terrifying to think that there will be many who will not enter Your kingdom. May Your fire burn within us. Amen