As I had sliced into that potato; squeezed it to open the center enough to put butter in, a piece of that potato fell in my hand. It truly felt like a hot coal.
I remember in my early years playing the game "Hot Potato". It involves players gathering in a circle and tossing a ball to each other while music was playing. The player who is holding the "hot potato" when the music stops is out. When there is only one person left holding the object, everyone shouts "Hot Potato" and he looses the game. I felt much like a player in that game when the piece of hot potato fell in my hand. I tossed it quickly onto the cabinet and blew on my hand to cool it.
You know, there is nothing better than a baked potato hot enough to
melt a plat of butter and sour cream. Top that with shredded cheese and
some bacon bits; enough salt to flavor and you have a meal. Now,
suppose that potato is lukewarm. You put butter and sour cream on; top
with the shredded cheese, bacon bits and salt and nothing melts. It
isn't nearly as tasty as the potato when it is straight from the oven.
There is a story in the bible about lukewarm Christians. Jesus was talking to the Christians of Laodicea when he said,
“I know you well—you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other! But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!" Revelation 3:15-16Living Bible (TLB)
The city of Laodicea had the unfortunate circumstance of having neither hot or cold water. Hieropolis, another city had water that was very hot. By the time it was pumped to Laodicea, the water was lukewarm and dirty. The picture Jesus is giving is that the people of Laodicea are useless when it comes to doing the work God sent them to do. They are not fit for healing or for drinking.
How about us as Christians today? Are we lukewarm? Do we give God the leftovers rather than giving him first place? Do we only look for him when we're in trouble? Do we live as though God doesn't really exist although we call ourselves Believers? Are our lives any different than others who live in our world? Do we want just enough of Christ to get us to Heaven but not enough that we have to change the way we live?
There is a story in the bible about lukewarm Christians. Jesus was talking to the Christians of Laodicea when he said,
“I know you well—you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other! But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!" Revelation 3:15-16Living Bible (TLB)
The city of Laodicea had the unfortunate circumstance of having neither hot or cold water. Hieropolis, another city had water that was very hot. By the time it was pumped to Laodicea, the water was lukewarm and dirty. The picture Jesus is giving is that the people of Laodicea are useless when it comes to doing the work God sent them to do. They are not fit for healing or for drinking.
How about us as Christians today? Are we lukewarm? Do we give God the leftovers rather than giving him first place? Do we only look for him when we're in trouble? Do we live as though God doesn't really exist although we call ourselves Believers? Are our lives any different than others who live in our world? Do we want just enough of Christ to get us to Heaven but not enough that we have to change the way we live?
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