From Lukewarm to Red Hot
Thanks for joining me!
Revelation 3:15-16 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither[cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
What Does It Mean to Be Lukewarm?
Have you ever let a nice, hot cup of coffee sit too long and then tried to take a sip? It’s about as gross if you forget about your icy cold cola. That lukewarm, sitting-there-too-long flavor is just not pleasing to the palate, and what you and I don’t like in a drink, God doesn’t like in a servant to Himself. God would much rather someone be red hot, on fire for Him and His kingdom, like the disciples, or at least cold, like the publicans and harlots who had never yet come into contact with the power and grace of God (because in such there is always hope that when God shows up, they will respond). The Pharisees, on the other hand, were lukewarm. They claimed to know God with their words and yet denied Him with their actions.
That Was Me Until Ten Years Ago
Look around at society today. Does that sound familiar? It sure does to me because until about 10 years ago, that was talking about me! I believed with my mind, but my heart was far from God, still wrapped up in worldly desires. But God is a loving, graceful God, and He didn’t leave me that way. One day, it hit me that I was lukewarm, and the rest of the verse was impressed upon my mind in living color. I was to get HOT, or God would vomit me out of His mouth (and His kingdom).
The fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom gripped me. I still remember standing in the hall as another verse from Revelation 3 came into my mind, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” I had claimed to know Him but did not live for Him, but He was giving me another chance. That day, I heard Him loud and clear, and I responded. I made the decision to go “all in.” I would hold nothing back from the God I was desperate not to lose. That was the beginning of my journey as a red hot Christian that still continues today.
This blog will be where I will put the various articles and impressions that I believe God lays on my heart. I hope it will be a blessing to you. Please “Like” my page on Facebook if you feel led: https://www.facebook.com/nolongerlukewarm.
Angela G. — Married mother of two living in Texas, USA. Called to be a high school English teacher but dabbles in tract-writing, Bible lessons, blogs, and books.
Devotionals by Angela G
Check out my YouTube Channel where I read all my blogs so that you can listen while you do something else. I also have a playlist called Hymns With Hannah where you can catch all the old favorites sung by a very talented 16 year old worship leader at my church.
That is awesome Sis. Angela, I totally enjoyed it with all my heart. You do a good job at explaining things.
I like it
Angela, it is a great pleasure and encouragement to meet you through blogging! I also live in Texas! We must meet someday…… I am thrilled to see your blog work.
This is a beautiful encouraging share..thank you
Angela, thank you for sharing this link. Wonderful. Kay
Wow Mrs.G this is so touching and authentic!! You are so right I need to become hot for God!
Praise God! I will be praying for you!
Loved this Angela! I am stopping in to say hello after finding out about your blog from Stacey, at Words From The Wheel. Your testimony touched my heart! 💜
Stacey is an amazing woman of God. I’m blessed to know her. I took a peek at your blog. Heavy stuff, but so needed for today. Thanks for stopping by. God bless you, and I hope to see you around!
Either I’m where you were or I’ve gotten the boot. I’m quite afraid. I think of my fear the most to be honest. If his presence would stay with me then I’d think of him all the time but there have been times where he comes and in not so many moments it was like, “what happened where’d he go?” And I know that to have GOD is the best anyone could hope for to put it mildly. I’ll be hot for Him, but I’m not hearing him speak to me.
Thanks, Travis
I’ve been at this for a while. I’m not working, not pervasively caught up in sin, but can’t pray this subtle fear and disappointment away. Im just thinking thinking.
Travis, when God saved me, the devil came after me hard. He told me that I was going to screw up and God would leave me. The devil is a liar. God showed me the passage that is still my favorite verse today: Jude 24 “Now to Him who is able to keep your feet from stumbling and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” HE is able. We can’t go by feelings. We read the Bible and believe by faith that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. My journey started when I decided to make an appointment to read the Bible every day. I started at Genesis and would read to the next chapter on the left page. If I felt like reading more, I would do it again. Then I flipped to Matthew and would read to the next chapter on the left page, however I felt led. I would pray beforehand that God would speak to me through His Word. It is amazing how many times I’m right where I need to be for God to speak into my life. Reading the Bible and asking God to speak, believing that He will, is the answer. I will pray for you, brother.
Thank you heaps for encouragement and prayer. I’m coming around as far as my anxiety, which I didn’t think would happen, and praying again for folks and things outside myself.
This is good.
Praise God! Contact me any time. God bless you, Brother!
That’s a great passage 👌