OUR SPIRITUAL TEMPERATURE
“Don’t divide your life into the secular and sacred,” I heard Joyce Meyer say this morning. “Everything becomes sacred when God is in it. Going to the store can be just as holy as going to church if you go with God.”
Profound, life-changing truth there, Joyce! I needed to hear that. It’s so easy to separate our lives into compartments, with God “over there” and real life “over here.” Yet, scripture encourages us to “live, move and have our being in HIM.” It’s all about being aware of God wherever we go. Now that’s vital!
Could it be that the Lord desires we talk to Him about everything? Does He really care about the little things in life? Where we vacation? What we buy at the store? How we spend our day? I believe He does. But that kind of living depends on our spiritual temperature. Are we hot, cold or lukewarm toward our Creator, the One who made us with purpose? Let’s meditate on some verses in the Bible that talk about the temperature of our spiritual condition. It’s good to remember, we are body, soul and spirit…nourishing each part makes us healthy over all.
Just as a thermometer gives warning that something is wrong in our bodies, there’s ways to measure the condition of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Let’s stop to take our temperature together.
Read Revelation 3:16
1. What warning is given about our spiritual temperature?
2. In your opinion, why is it more dangerous to be lukewarm than cold?
Read James 1:26
3. What measurement indicates our spiritual condition here?
Read James 1:27
4. How should believers exhibit their love for God, which is a good measurement of their spiritual temperature as well?
Read Acts 17:28
5. What does this verse say to you personally that might give a clue about your temperature toward God?
Jesus Christ did it all for us on the Cross. We can add nothing to earn our salvation, but how we respond to His love is important. We have choices to make as believers. May we live every part of our daily lives with Him in mind. Go with God wherever He leads, and your spiritual temperature will be right on target.
Selah…stop and think about that!
From Orlando, FL.
OH MY = what a thought to have in our minds at times – if we are lukewarm in the LORD – which is neither warm or cold – we will be spued out of the LORD’S mouth – I do not even want to think about that thought – just to be riding in the middle of life is not the answer to our questions in our lives – and to be cold in the LORD is not good either – I want to be always hot with the things in my life – I want the LORD to be guiding me in all aspects of my life – for without HIM in our lives it really really would be awful – just going through life without HIM and at the end of our lives when HE returns for HIS children – I JUST WANT TO BE READY AT ALL TIMES.
A lot of people just look on the outside of a person’s life and then we judge – the judging is left to the LORD and we are to say things that will help people in this old world – I sure do not want to be just a shell on the outside of the LORD – I want people to be able to see me all the way through – outside attempts are just vain according to HIS word.
You and I with Pure religion before GOD and the FATHER will help others – visit other than just our friends – help take care of the widows – and most of all – you and I will keep our lives unspotted from the world. Our church feeds some of the homeless in Orlando – we fix food to serve to 50 people – Trina and I take 2 large pans of 50 servings each once a month to help – our Pastors furnish the meats for the dinner – it is such a wonderful feeling to be able to help people – Our church also has a Food Pantry and we also take in canned food for the people who need to have something to eat – This is a way of working for the LORD also – such a wonderful thing to help people in need – The LORD is so good.
As you put in the following reading – Jesus Christi did it all for us on the Cross – we really need to be doing something each day for the LORD – help someone – READING OUR BIBLES – having our time with the LORD each morning – there are so many things that you and I could do for the LORD and this will help the clue about our temperature towards GOD – what a wonderful lesson – I think I will just medicate on this for a few days now – Thanks so much Karen – really wonderful – I am sure I can do more for the LORD each day also. I just want to make sure I stay the right temperature for the LORD.
Your passion for God comes through every time, Odella. Thanks for your words of wisdom and the inspiration you give to us all.
This was great!!!
Oh to live & move & have our being in Him! Love that verse! My son Caleb has a friend who leaves for drug & alcohol treatment today, she is very scared & I was able to send this to her & let her know she doesn’t have to walk in there alone! I know this will be such a comfort to her heart! It’s always good to examine our lives, to find new ways to draw closer to our Lord & savior, & ask ourselves does our life reflect His Glory? Thank you Karen for another eye opening lesson!
Praise God that His Word will never return void or empty! So thankful He used this truth to speak encouragement to your son’s friend. May the Lord’s presence be very real to her today, proving His Word true in her life. Thank you for sharing, Teresa!
Revelation 3:16 – I would answer that it’s more dangerous to be lukewarm than cold because with lukewarm, you might still feel “safe”… Like you’ve got it in the bag. Same philosophy with people who come from a great family vs people who come from a troubled family….the ones from a great family are always harder to reach (spiritually). James 1:26….the tongue! Ouch… James 1:27 – we are to help the helpless and be careful not to become polluted by the world. True words! Something I know from experience that you have to stay vigilant about…it’s SO easy to slip! :-/ I do believe God is interested in the little details of our lives. I remember once hearing Joyce say she even prays for Gods help when her hair isn’t coming out right. I don’t think there is ANYTHING that is off the table to Him. The more little things I involve Him in, the more He stays in the forefront of my mind. So for that alone, it’s worth it.
I believe you’re right, Tara, that being lukewarm can lull you into a place of safety and apathy like you’ve got it in the bag. If cold, perhaps it’s easier to see your need somehow. There’s a greater contrast. Thanks for bringing out the scripture about our taming the tongue as a great test of our temperature, as well as caring for the poor and helpless. I also heard Joyce say she prayed for help with her hair. Love that! It sure would help us to have a better attitude as most women get in a bad mood when they have a bad hair day. Isn’t it great to know God cares about that….and why wouldn’t He when He counts the number of hairs on our head. How we limit Him at times! Thanks for your wonderful comments once again!