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Some years back while writing my first novel, In the middle of the story, I got stuck and ran into a wall of nothing. No ideas, no thoughts. My creative flair had vanished.

Later that day, a friend picked me up for our weekly prayer group, and on the way, I thought maybe this time away from writing God will give me creativity to get the scene written.

Like summer lightening in Orlando, I was struck by my pitifully wrong thinking. I had leaned on the maybe-God-would-help-me notion.

Why would I think that? Is the God of the universe, a God of maybe? And is the faithful Lord with power, compassion and mercy a God of maybe? Does He maybe hear our smallest requests and also our desperate ones?

There’s no maybe in His answers or instructions. But we in turn, head down the lukewarm road when facing challenges, failures or unwanted barriers that burden our days and disturb our nights.

And as we struggle to find our way out of troubles, trying to find answers and solutions, traces of the lukewarm maybe have to be erased. God knows our faith, if it’s deep or unsteady. Is our level of belief constant or does it waver according to our mood? Are our efforts led by God or by selfish ambitions?

Even if we’re not aware, God is because He 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 3:16).

3 Ways

Although this vivid description is sobering and a bit too graphic for some, here are three ways to change the lukewarm to a sound, strong, on-fire commitment to God:

1. When challenges and hardships become furious enemies raging war against you, there is no maybe about God’s protection because: All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:11-13)

A lukewarm mentality doubts that strength is real and still trembles inside. Deep down it is uncertain of God’s help. And in weak moments it doesn’t fully receive God’s promise to uphold and protect.

In contrast, a believer who is deeply convinced of the power inside these promises, laughs at approaching enemies. He declares God’s help, mighty and powerful. He leads his life with the reassurance God is on his side, helping and providing.

2. Someone with a lukewarm mentality becomes discouraged as he doesn’t see beyond the circumstance, its annoyance and its pain. In contrast, a mind and heart fully committed to be spiritually hot speaks with certainty that God will never leave them. He declares His power at work and believes in God’s protective grace as He carries this same promise God make to Jacob: I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God… (Isaiah 43:1-3).

3. A lukewarm person begins his days with the news of the world, the discouragement others repeat and with the gloom headlines display. But a committed on-fire-believer shrugs at the world’s bad news. Instead, no matter what shakes his surroundings, or ends his financial security or what negative changes take place, while others tremble with fear, the focus is on the victory God promises. He relishes on the freedom through Jesus. He counts on His help day and night as his soul sings: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)

No matter what mountains of challenges quake, an “on-fire” believer overflows with security and conviction. They are displayed through his behavior, his decisions and choices. IN the end, his life radiates and reflects God’s victorious outcome.

Within God’s victorious plans, He calls for a sound mind and a faithful heart. There’s no maybe. There’s no hesitation. There’s no uncertainty or doubt. Consequently, none of us can afford a lukewarm approach, instead, today we can begin a new spiritually hot, on-fire, triumphant life

Let’s Pray

Father, as we see the world getting darker and more corrupt, I will put unwavering trust in Your Word. I will increase my faith in You and fully commit to declare before others that no matter what happens, I lean on your power that’s at work, alive and active.

What do you need to do in order to avoid being lukewarm?

Janet

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