Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 61
Neither Hot Nor Cold
Dear Father, why do I feel on fire for You at some times, and many other times, I feel almost nothing, even cold-hearted. My fervor for You is like a tide that ebbs and flows. Father, I know that You are not happy with lukewarm devotion to You. Lord, I don’t want my faith to diminish. I want to be passionate for You at all times. How do I keep that fire burning for You? How do I burn hotter and hotter for You?
A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:
My blessed child, you have heard Me say, “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” (Revelation 3:14-16). You, yourself, know that lukewarm food and drinks of any type are not as pleasing to the palate as either hot or cold ones. So it is with spiritual enthusiasm for Me. I prefer to see you enjoy a passion and eagerness for Me in your service and worship. I don’t want to force you into anything; it is My hope that you would want to spend time with Me in close relationship.
“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” (Revelation 3:19-20). I discipline you because I love you. I am always waiting at the door of your heart. Will you let Me in? When you do, we will enjoy a sweet communion and companionship.
When you allow other things to take first place in your life, ahead of Me, you are at risk of your fire dying out. Anything that you invest more time in than Me, becomes an idol, whether you realize it or not. It doesn’t have to be a statue or a physical image that you hold dearly. It can be anything that you adore and revere more than your relationship with Me. Do not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything I have forbidden. I am a consuming fire, a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:23-24). I am jealous for your love and devotion. I am jealous for your time and relationship.
To keep an engine running smoothly, you must oil it. To keep a lamp burning brightly, you must supply it with oil. Time spent with Me is the oil that will keep your lamp burning and the lubricant that will keep your engine running. A synthetic oil may promise you longer life, but it is not the real, genuine life-giving source of fuel for your fire. Only when you spend time with Me will you receive the passion for the things that really matter to Me. Be wise and do not run out of oil for your lamp. Keep your lamp burning brightly and your engine running smoothly with oil of gladness and blessing received only in relationship with Me.
When you are in tune with My Spirit and My heart, your passions will align with Mine. I ignite the fire within you, and supply you with the oil to keep it burning. Remain in Me as I remain in you (John 15:4). Remain in daily relationship and conversation with Me, and the oil of passion will continue to fuel your internal fire for Me. I am a consuming fire. I am jealous for you because I love you so much (Deuteronomy 4:24).
Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, thank You for Your consuming fire and jealousy for me. Would it be that I return that fire for You. Let me be jealous for time with You, as You are jealous for time with me. Lord, I am here with You right now, putting You first, and desiring to know Your heart and will for my life. Set me ablaze with passion for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Two-way Conversation with God:
- Heavenly Father, how do I show You my passion for You? How does that fire for You get ignited? (Record every word and thought He gives you.)
- Jesus, You are the light of the world. How do I burn brightly for You? Please help me tap in to the oil of gladness and blessing that will keep my light burning brightly for You. (Write down all the thoughts He impresses on you.)
- Holy Spirit, equip me and empower me to put God first in my life. You are the lover of my soul and my life-giver. Expand my time and give me the desire to spend time in relationship with You. What is Your plan for this? (Journal all the words, thoughts, impressions He gives you right now.)
Review God’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.
Prayer:
Father God, I don’t want to be a lukewarm Christ follower. Lord, ignite in me the fire of passion for You. Pour into me the oil that keeps my lamp burning brightly for You. Please stoke the fire in me and strengthen the flame as I seek a more intimate relationship with You. Lord, give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4), and help me commit my time to You first. Let me be a well-oiled engine running smoothly in passion and service for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Supporting Scripture:
Exodus 27:20, “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.”
Deuteronomy 4:23-24, 23Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. 24For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Psalm 18:28, You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Matthew 3:11, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Matthew 24:12-13, 12“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 25:1-13, 1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him!’ 7Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with Him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12But He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Luke 3:16, John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
John 15:4-5, 4“Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Hebrews 12:28-29, 28Therfore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire” (See Deuteronomy 4:24).
Revelation 3:14-22, 14“These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of My mouth. 17You 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. 18I 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. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20Here 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. 21To 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. 22Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
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