Tag: gold of faith
The Invitation!
Scripture reading for December 3: Revelation 3
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothes yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come to him and eat with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:15-20
Jesus Christ was personally dictating to John His prophetic Word for each group of believers. This seventh short letter was to the Laodicean’s who were complacent with their spiritual condition and were under the delusion that they had all they needed of Jesus and were secure in their salvation. Jesus gave them a different perspective on their true condition. They thought they were rich but they were really poor. They thought they were prosperous and had God’s blessing and favor, but Jesus revealed that they were poor and pitiful, blind and naked. Their eyes had been blinded to the truth and they needed eye salve from Him to bring healing.
Jesus revealed that it was His love for them that was behind the letter He dictated. Discipline and reproof were because of His desire to see them healed and truly blessed. Jesus longed to have a true relationship with these who claimed to know Him. He described His position outside of their lives as One who stood at their door knocking and calling out to them. They must hear His call and respond by opening their door. All who would do that would be able to sit with Jesus at table and eat with Him. They would receive true riches of a relationship with God and real clothing of righteousness to cover the shame of their nakedness. Jesus would apply eye salve to restore their sight and bring His world view into focus.
Have you examined your own spiritual condition? How do you think that Jesus Christ would address you today concerning that condition? As you listen to this passage, what action do you need to take in response to Jesus’ love and discipline?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing love and watchfulness over Your people. Thank You for straight talk concerning my need to repent. I need the gold of faith that comes from hearing Your Word. I need the robe of Your righteousness to cover me. Anoint my eyes that I may see Your glorious face. Amen.
The Lord knows the way I take!
Scripture reading for May 25: Job 22-24
When we walk by faith, we will go through testing! Mary and I had set out to adopt two girls from Russia. We believed that we had a Word from the Lord to proceed with this, even though we were in our early fifty’s at the time. We needed a home study to send to the government and the court in Russia stating that we were fit parents and capable of handling our new children. We proceeded with this requirement and had a social worker come to our house for the initial consultation. We paid her $650 in advance for her report. A week later , we received a letter and the report stating that we were not fit to be parents because of our biblical views on parenting! Neither our references nor our three grown children had been contacted. We began to question where God was and if we had heard Him right.
Job continued to be accused of wickedness when he knew of none. (Job 22:5) He had been walking by faith in God and had lost everything. He was having trouble finding God and wanted to see Him and talk. (Job 23:2-4) Although Job had searched for God, he was confident that God knew the way of faith that he was walking. He knew that testing would result in something good. (Job 23:10) Why? Job was closely following the Lord’s steps and keeping His ways. He was speaking his Words and truths. (Job 23:11-12)
God’s eyes are on our ways. In our situation, God was watching us even though we were in the midst of a trial. We tried another source for home study, payed another fee, and got a good report. We were to walk by faith and not by sight! Our steps were closely following His Word and we were speaking confidence in God even though we weren’t sure what He was doing in that trial. God knows the way you take, too! In the end, your faith will come forth as gold!
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:10-12