OUR DAILY BREAD : THE PROBLEM SELF-SUFFICIENCY

[cimi]

NOVEMBER 16
Monday


THE PROBLEM
WITH SELF-
SUFFICIENCY

READ:
Revelation 3:14-22
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The city of Laodicea had a water problem. One nearby town had fabulous hot springs and another had cold, clear water. Laodicea, however, was stuck with tepid, mineral-laden water that tasted like sulphur. Not hot. Not cold. Just gross.

Given those facts, the words of Jesus to the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3 must have stung. Jesus rebuked them for being "neither cold nor hot' (v.15). And when He thought of them, He felt like vomiting (v.16)-- like the effect of their drinking water.

What was their problem? It was the sin of self-sufficiency. The Laodiceans had become so affluent that they had forgotten how much they needed Jesus (v.17).

When we say we have everything we need, but Jesus isn't at the top of the list, He is deeply offended. Self-sufficiency distracts us from pursuing the things we really need that only He can give. If you'd rather have cash than character, if your credit cards are maximized and your righteousness is minimized, if you've become smart but aren't wise, then you've been shopping in all the wrong places. Jesus offers commodities that are far better (v.18).

He's knocking at your heart's door (v.20). Let Him in. He will give you all you really need! __Joe Stowell
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~We must be careful to avoid~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~All self-sufficiency;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If sinful pride gets in the way,~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~God's hand we will not see. __Sper~~~~~~~~~
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We always have enough when God is our supply.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Revelation 3:14-22*********

14 And to the angel of the
church of the Laodiceans
write,

"These things says the
Amen, the Faithful and
True witness, the
Beginning of the creation of
God: 15 'I know your works,
that you are neither cold
nor hot. I could wish you
were cold or hot. 16 So then,
because you are lukewarm,
and neither cold nor hot, I
will vomit you out of My
mouth. 17 Because you say,
"I am rich, have become
wealthy, and have need of
nothing"__and do not know
that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and
naked__ 18 I counsel you to
buy from Me gold refined
in the fire, that you may be
rich; and white garments,
that you may be clothed,
that the shame of your
nakedness may not be
revealed; and anoint your
eyes with eye salve, that
you may see. 19 As many as
I love, I rebuke and chasten.
Therefore be zealous and
repent. 20 Behold, I stand at
the door and knock. If
anyone hears My voice and
opens the door, I will come
in to him and dine with
him, and he with Me. 21 To
him who overcomes I will
grant to sit with Me on My
throne, as I also overcame
and sat down with My
Father on His throne.

22 'He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches.'"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The concept of lukewarm spirituality connected with the Laodicean's
everyday life (REv. 3:15-16). In ancient Laodicea any attempt
to acquire fresh water was frustrated by distance. Piping water
from hot springs to the south or cold springs from the mountains
provided only lukewarm water--unsuitable for bathing or drinking.
__DENNIS FISHER