THINGS DESPERATELY NEEDED!

THINGS DESPERATELY NEEDED!

Rev 3:14-16

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Why are so many professed believers yet undecided regarding their Christianity? Christ was passionate and resolute but the people of this Laodicean age are lackadaisical. Each one seems to be two kinds of people and you can never be certain which you are dealing with.

There are some reasons why this is so…

Ø Our culture of rapid change and easy access to everything has produced a restless desire for some unknown thrill or satisfaction. Like Goldilocks we keep sampling the porridge but can never find a bowl that is “just right.”

Ø We insist on deciding for ourselves that which is right or wrong without restriction or answerability.

Ø We have a lust for supremacy and applause that ruins all our relationships because we are always manipulating others.

Ø Everything in our life passes through the “me” filter.

There are some things that we desperately need…

1. A quiet spirit! We must learn to give to each task our very best effort and then leave the results in God’s hands. The conventional method results in nervous anxiety and a complaining spirit.

1 Thess 4:11-12…study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

2. Real purity inside and out! We must choose to live our lives unsullied by the filthiness that surrounds us in the world.

1 Tim 5:22

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure [innocent or modest].

3. Simplicity! which is " freedom,… [bringing] joy and balance. [But] because we lack a divine Center, our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things… " – Celebration of Freedom by Richard Foster.

4. Thrift!  Placing boundaries around our appetites will build self-discipline and character.

John 6:12

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

5. Modesty! The word is only used once and is found in 1 Timothy 2:9 and means “orderly or decorous.” Today it has come to mean a manner of dress and deportment that does not entice or lead to lustfulness.

6. Passion! Ours is an age absolutely defined by the word “casual.” Unfortunately we have allowed informality to modify quality. A lack of quality in preparation hinders performance in every area. Choir members do not practice. Sunday school teachers do not study. Buildings and facilities are not well maintained. The result is a haphazard presentation of an urgently needed gospel.

Dear Father, I’m sure in many ways my behavior just wears you out! Forgive me for my Laodicean lukewarmness and make me palatable to Thee. AMEN