Friday, July 29, 2011

God's Loving Reproof

God Instructs the People of God

Listening for God in Changing Times:
Return to Obedience

Revelation 3:14-22

The Message
To Laodicea
 14Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says: 15-17"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
 18"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.
 19"The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
 20-21"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!
 22"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."

For Reflection
Apathy!  When my son was a child, the worst punishment I could deliver was to ignore him.  (Not that it lasted all that long, but it got his attention.)  Ignoring God is the worst insult.  When you worship yourself, rich or poor, successful or not, collapse is just around the corner.  Are you prepared for failure?

Pray
that you answer the door.  Pray that you listen to the "Wind Words."

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