Revelations 3: 15-16

This morning as I was getting ready for Church. I was thinking about something. Now, this is going to be an honest confession.
Back in the spring of 2007, I came to know Christ. I was on FIRE for God. I was reading my bible every day, I was praying, and telling people about Jesus. It was awesome. But looking back on my life then, I was as far away from God as I could possibly be. Not spiritually(obviously) but physically. I was living a life that was not even close to worthy of God.
Now, almost 4 years later, I am living a pretty Godly life(Of course I have many things to work on) yet I do not read my bible, pray or tell people about Jesus hardly at all!
Am I equally as far away from God? Yes.
After having this heart-wrenching revelation about my life, it made me think of a bible verse in Revelations. Revelation 3:15-16 which says:

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. 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 3:15-16

Then, after looking up this verse, I found a great story about it...

These were words spoken to the church of Laodicea, a church which Christ called neither hot or cold...but just...lukewarm.

So why is this just a great insult? Why does it attack their Christianity? What's wrong with being lukewarm? Where Laodicea is located, two rivers converge to create the water supply for the town. The problem is, one of these rivers came from Hierapolis, a place known for their hot springs, a useful tool for relaxation and restoration. The second water supply came from Colossae, a place known for their cold, refreshing water, which was useful forquenching thirst on a hot day. So when the water got to Laodicea..it was warm, full of mineral deposits, and just plain nasty. It tasted so bad, people would get nauseous from it. The water wasn't good for anything.

That's why the illustration was used to talk about their Christianity. Their faith was worthless. They played the part, acted the role, shouted that "Jesus is Lord." But it was only a "Sunday" thing to do. The word never sunk down deep and became an everyday type of thing. They were poser Christians. And thus, they were lukewarm. Lukewarm water is not useful, just like poser Christians aren't to God.

So, after reading this its made me re-evaluate my life. Am I just like the water in Laodicea? Completely worthless? I'd like to think no. But if I am completely honest with myself, I don't think I am on fire for God.

Martyrs for Christ

Today in youth, we shared some teen stories and discussed them. One of the stories was about a young girl named Cassie.

Cassie was a troubled teen. In her Jr. High years, she hung around the wrong crowd and got into self mutilation and alcohol. But the summer before High School she met a group of friends who eventually led her to Christ. From then on she changed her life. She became a completely different person and it ultimately saved her life from destruction. Well, in April of her junior year in High School she was in the library reading when two young men came up and asked her if she believed in God.

She said yes.

Right then, they shot and killed her.

This was just one of the horrific endings to the teens who lost their life in the Columbine Shooting in 1998.

This story really affected me. What would I have done? What if I had known if I told them I believed in God that I would die. Would I tell them? Would I become a Martyr for Christ?

"Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecute me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me."

So, I guess all I have to say is... Thank you for all those millions of people who stood up for Christ. Whether it was a disciple of Christ himself or a teenager sitting in a Library. You are all heros to me.