I went to bed last night with the possibility of waking to snow this morning. Our temperatures dropped. There was moisture. But this morning as I look out the windows, no sign of snow. YAY!

I believe we watched the weather forecast on each television station and I even follow a meteorologist on Facebook. Each of them had the possibility of snow in their forecasts, but in my little area of the world, there is no snow this morning.

The mountain region has received some snow and as the sun rises this morning (if I can see the mountains through the fog), they will be beautiful with their fresh dusting. It’s always one of my favorite sights here in Colorado.

This caught my attention last night on the weather maps. Denver’s temperature was 44°. Grand Junction’s temperature was 81°. Denver lies on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Grand Junction is 243 miles due west on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, about a four hour drive from Denver. The cold front crept in from the north and placed parts of this state into a cold snap.

This large temperature difference made me think of the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22. This group of people had chosen an easy path. They had made the decision to be lukewarm. And I’ll tell you now, the Amen (Jesus) was not happy with their lifestyle.

Laodicea was doing well. This city was bustling with a healthy wool market, a medical school, a special eye salve and hot springs. Laodicea was a wealthy city.

However, material wealth does not equal spiritual wealth. And that is exactly what the Amen found in Laodicea. A church that was neither hot nor cold. They were lukewarm.

Early in this section of Scripture, the Amen shares His issue. “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 not nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16 – NIV)

I can’t help but wonder how the Amen views my life. Am I lukewarm? Do I profess to be a Christian, but don’t live up His expectations? How close am I to being spit from His mouth? Pretty serious questions.

In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus spoke to John about seven churches in different cities. The people in these Churches had their good and bad, but Jesus encouraged each to do a little better. There is one little phrase from Revelation 2:26 that I believe is the key to living as Jesus wants us to live. “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end…”

There have been times when I’ve been lukewarm or cold toward God and His will in my life. There have been times when I’ve given up. I have probably fallen into the “bad” portions of each of these churches at different times. Making the decision to follow God’s will for my life has been the best decision I’ve ever made.

Sure, I mess up and miss the direction God wants me to go at times, but with the leading and guiding of God’s Spirit, it’s much easier to get back on the right path.

Jesus chose to discipline the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22). His desire was and is that all come to know Him and accept Him as Savior. Their spiritual awakening was a great witness to their peers and for future generations.

The riches this church received from the Amen were true treasures. Gold refined in the fire. White clothes to wear. Salve to put on their eyes. Once they possessed these riches, their lives would be changed. They would become rich. They would be able to cover their shameful nakedness. They would be able to see.

The Amen is knocking on the door of our hearts. We determine whether the door is opened or not. We determine if the Amen will join us for a meal. Jesus has promised victory to those who choose to be hot over being lukewarm. Phew! I think it’s getting hot!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna