There is nothing I like better than a bath. A good, hot, sudsy bath with lots of bubbles. And a cup of hot tea. And a good Karen Kingsbury book perched on the side of the tub. And a few chocolate kisses... Then I am set for at least 30 minutes or so. Can anyone relate to this?
I get the water really hot and then I relax and enjoy it for a little while. Then the water cools down so I have to run more hot water in the tub to heat it up. I have to kinda swirl it around so that the heat is spread around to all the water. The water stays hot for a little while longer and then I have to repeat this process over and over until I get through with my bath. It seems like a lot of trouble just for a hot bath, but I do it because I don't like to bathe in lukewarm water. I want my bath hot.
Sometimes I think that I approach my Christian walk in this same manner. I start out very hot like a consuming fire for the Lord. Then over time my flame dies down and things cool off. I have to run a little more hot water into my life to heat things back up so I can be effective spiritually. I probably repeat this pattern more often that I would like to admit. I don't know why I just don't work at keeping my spiritual temperature at a constant level. It sure would make things easier. I don't want to be a lukewarm Christian. God doesn't want me to be a lukewarm Christian. He wants me to be hot.
"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)
My desire is to remain on fire for Christ at all times. Regardless of my circumstances. Regardless of the curveballs life throws me. I want to learn how to keep that hot water flowing and not allow it to cool down. The only way to keep the water hot is to keep a continual flow of hot water coming in. To keep ourselves on fire for the Lord, we have to keep a continual flow of the Holy Spirit coming into our lives. I want to remain at a constant temperature in my passion to serve my Lord. I want to be useful and effective in His kingdom work. I want to always be a consuming fire for Christ. He is worthy.
"Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day." (1 Kings 8:61)
Joyfully desiring more of Him,
Beth
Why We Love Spring
1 week ago
5 comments:
I am having such a struggle with not being head over heels in love with the Lord. I truly have been lukewarm for awhile now, I don't know what to do so I can totally relate to your post. Thank you for helping me not feel alone.
Beth,
I can so relate, HOT water for my bath and even my shower, and that Karen Kinsbury...can she not write and cause the emotions to over flow?
I want to be a constant as well, but I'm not always a constant.
I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be. I'm ok and I'm on my way.
(Joyce Meyer saying from years ago!)
Love,
Yolanda
I hear ya,sista what a great post!
In this New Year I've decided to just focus on God's Word. No bible study to go along with reading His Word, I just want His thoughts in my quiet time.
I too LOVE a HOT bath.
Thanks for stopping by,
Tammy
Beth,
I am ALWAYS amazed at how the Lord can take something as simple s taking a "hot bath" and turn into a teachable moment. He has done that many times in my life especially when my children were little and I would be applying God's word to an activity that we were doing only to have a stirring in my own soul or gentle tap on my shoulder from the Lord.
I am with you! I want to be running hot with God's word to this lost world!
Bless you, Beth!
Miriam
p.s.-- Can you believe I have never read a Karen Kingsbury book? I hear her books are good, but I don't know which one to start with.
I recently read this same scripture and begged the Lord to keep me HOT.... Lukewarm is so easy though and how easily I can slip to that. Great post and great reminder!!! Have a super start to your week....
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