Saturday, November 21, 2009

A Farewell to Lukewarm

The other day, I was feeling lonely. I didn't have any reason to feel lonely... my family was bustling all about and there were plenty of people around me... well, I was lonely for somebody special. I began to feel discontent, wondering why no handsome young man had ever expressed interest in me yet.

Suddenly it was like I woke up in surprise, and realized what I was doing... I took a deep breath, prayed a little prayer, and whipped out my handy-dandy copy of Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally. Throughout the day I read and meditated on the wisdom found between those pages.

Reading that book - I was inspired and convicted. I had been feeling lonely because I was empty and wasn't filling myself with the Word of God. Well, I thought, That is going to change right now!

I made a committment to myself that I was going to read my bible and pray every day.
It didn't matter what time of the day I did it... morning, evening, a quiet afternoon... but I was going to do it every day. And so far I have, and it has been wonderful. I have been reading my dad's copy of the Geneva Bible... which was translated by early Reformers in Geneva, Switzerland, and was the Bible that the pilgrims carried over on the Mayflower. The language is simpler and easier to understand, yet it's not a 'modern' translation like the NIV (which removed a long list of verses from the Bible) or something like that.

Personally I don't like the NIV, just because of the changes they've made and the things they've removed, but what really matters is that the Bible is read often, not what translation you read it out of.

I got to thinking, while I was reading Before You Meet Prince Charming, that I had been a very "Lukewarm" believer. Instead of seeking the Lord's will for my life and actively filling myself with the Word of God, I had been drifting along behind my parent's 'wake', just going with the flow and not making much effort on my own.


And you know, it makes sense that God 'spews us out of his mouth' if we're Lukewarm... even us humans prefer a nice hot cup of steaming tea or coffee... or an ice-cold glass of water, to a lukewarm, room-temperature cup of liquid.

So... I am resolved to be washed in the water of the Word,




And 'steaming hot', on fire for God.

And "Lukewarm" has no place in my life anymore. :)


To God be the Glory!

12 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post:) It was exactly how I have been feeling!! Your post made me think of what I need to do:)God bless
    Jennifer

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  2. Hello Julia!!!

    -deep breath-

    First of all...YAY!!! I got the earrings in the mail last week and I LOVE them! I wore them that very day! They are SO beautiful!

    Second of all, thank you for the post on being lukewarm. I struggle with that often.

    Third of all, thank you for that other post - the one about Sherwood Pictures' new movie! Yay!

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  3. Beautiful post, Julia. I like your honesty. You're not alone in this kind of battle. This is a stage of normal life. I exactly felt this for a year, 20 years ago :) Some young ladies are shy to admit it. What you did is wise. Sharing you inner struggle, drawing near to God and His Word. Now many can pray for you in this important area, count me in.

    The waiting may take awhile but God's timing is never late. It is God's delight to bring 2 people together for His purposes.

    Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. (KJV)

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  4. What an encouragement to all of us!
    May God richly bless you!
    ~Alena

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  5. I have been convicted this past two or so weeks of my "lukewarm" christian life...as you said "Lukewarm" "Has no place in my life" and I praise Jesus that it is now the same with me. Thank you for the encouragement!!

    Your sister in CHRIST,
    Jenna

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  6. Hi Julia,
    Thank you so much for this post! It was such an encouragement to me - just what I needed to read. :)

    ~ Blessings,
    Lindsay

    P.S. - I just wanted to let you know that I sent you an e-mail this evening. ;)

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  7. I have awarded you. See my blog to see more!
    --Allison

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  8. What a delightful post......I just found your blog today and really enjoyed it! As single young ladies, it can be hard to be content where we are and not long for married life. But if we are not content now, we will not be content later. I know, easier to say than do! But also true.
    ~Courtney

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  9. Thank you! I really needed to hear this. I've really let my fire turn to embers. I've been neglecting my Bible for fiction, prayers for talking to friends... I really need to get over myself and focus on Him!

    Oh! And I awarded you over at my blog.

    http://ajotofmemyrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/

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  10. Hello Julia!
    I am actual on blogger! Can you believe it? :)
    In any case... I must say that I am glad I came back for this particular post. This is something I have been struggling with myself, lately. And I think I need to do more of what you're doing than what I'm doing. Thanks for the very inspiring and true post. :) I needed to hear that!

    Love and hugs,
    ~Madison

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  11. Your blog and your jewelery is just lovely! And I love this post.

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  12. Have you read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan? This Lukewarm idea reminds me of a chapter in his book. Great stuff! God bless :)

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Hi! Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. I hope you are having an absolutely wonderful day. :)

Please remember to keep your thoughts and remarks kind and pleasing in the sight of our Lord.

I would encourage you to sign your name to your comments... otherwise it might not be published.

If you have a question you would like to ask me, feel free to leave me your email address - it will not be published - and I will try to answer or help as best as I can. :)

Sometimes it takes me a little while to get back to you... but I do try and reply when I get a comment. :D

Love & Blessings!
~ Julia ~