Nothing Nice to Say?

February 18, 2019

DAILY READING

Revelation 3:14-22
This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:14-22

FIELD NOTES
Warning:  Just as John in this scripture had some challenging words to the Laodiceans, this devotion may have challenging words for us.
 
Dino, a good-for-nothing gangster, died.  His brother, Geno, order the priest, “No matter what you say during his eulogy, you must call my brother a saint.”  During the eulogy, the priest told about how Dino was a liar, murderer, cheater, robber, rapist, and manipulator.  Then he added, “But compared to his living brother sitting here, our deceased Dino was a saint.”
 
Of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 to which John writes, Laodicea is the only church for which John had nothing good to say.  Can you imagine not having one good thing to say about a church?  Can you imagine not having one good thing to say about a person?
 
While a very wealthy center of banking and commerce, John says Laodicea was spiritually poor.
 
While known for their expensive garments, John says Laodicea was spiritual naked.
 
While known as a medical center, even until the 1800’s, and especially known for manufacturing a salve-type medicine for the eyes, John says Laodicea spiritually blind.
 
Here is hope:  Even though they were spiritually poor, naked, and blind, in verse 20, John says that Jesus is knocking on the doors of their hearts.
 
While reading scripture, I ask, “Lord, what are you saying to me?”  This scripture causes me to ask, “Where am I spiritually poor, naked, and blind?”

QUESTIONS FROM THE FIELD

• List three or more areas in your spiritual life in which you ARE growing.
• List one or more areas in you life in which you know you are spiritual poor, naked, and/or blind.

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Take turns placing a blind-fold over the eyes of each person, maybe even carefully walk around the room.  The person wearing the blindfold describes what is like not being able to see.
• Discuss how much easier it is being able to see walking in the light.
• Discuss about how much easier it is walking in the light, love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus than walking in darkness of hate, resentment, and anger.

PRAYER
Most loving gracious, Lord.  I pray for you to help me grow in your light, love, grace, and forgiveness.  I ask that you help me uncover the blind spots in my life.  Open my eyes so that I may see you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day.  In your gracious name, I pray. Amen.