Revelation 3:14-22
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You 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. 18 I 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.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 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.
21 To 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. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” - Revelation 3:14-22
Dear Jesus,
I have always felt that your church in America is most like the church in Laodicea. We live in peace and luxury. You have protected us from persecution that your people in other parts of the world experience. And we have reasoned that we are rich and need little. But we are just as much in need as anyone and everyone else. We fall prey to sin and we barely know how to suffer. And death spares no one. Please do not reject your complacent believers but fill us with your Holy Spirit who will make us serious and honest believers who value your grace, salvation and fellowship with you, more than the temporal blessings you have showered on us. Make us trust in you like Job who could not be bought and would not forsake you even though you let all his wealth, family and health drift away. Make us wealthy in true faith so we honor you before the old evil foe who wants to ruin us with our wealth.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
God wants us to value Jesus as much as he values us.
