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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Gifts (of the Spirit or service) (11/22/07)
It was bound to happen, eventually.

Mark was well-respected in his church, and was considered to have a real gift of prophecy, but now he had a message from

God that he was afraid his church would reject.

For weeks he had been praying for the Holy Spirit to guide him. One night, he opened his Bible to the passage that God had been drawing his attention to. It was Revelation 3:14-22, God's warning to the lukewarm church in Laodicea.

Mark knelt down to pray and asked the Lord, " Please reveal your will to me. If it's your will for me to address the church, just give me the opportunity, and give me the words to say."

The following Sunday, the pastor was talking about all the material blessings God wants to give his people. He thanked God for all the things that the church had

received. He reminded the congregation of their humble beginnings, and how large the church had grown in the last few years. Then he mentioned how Mark had

prophesied about those blessings long ago.
Finally, the pastor asked Mark if he had anything to add, and Mark reluctantly stood up from his seat.
He prayed silently, "Lord, give me the courage", and
a spirit of calm came over him in waves.

" I have something to say", declared Mark, "but it might be difficult for many of you to take. I hope you will understand, and I hope that you will consider it in prayer.
Mark took a deep breath and said, " In Revelation 3, verses 14 and 15, The Lord declared that the Loadicean church was 'neither cold nor hot' but 'lukewarm.'

In verse 16, The Lord said, 'So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold-- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.(NIV)'

Verse 17-- 'You say 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched. pitiful, poor, blind and naked.(NIV)"

And in verse 18 (NIV), The Lord told the church to buy 'gold refined in the fire' and 'white clothes', so that they would truly be rich, and to put salve on their eyes, so that they would see.

Now, God had harsh words for the Laodiceans, but Verse 19 says, "Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and

repent.(NIV)"

Mark prayed again, asking for the right words to say.
" Dear brothers and sisters, you know that I love this church, and that you are my family in Christ. I would not say
anything to hurt you. But look around. And ask yourselves honestly, 'Have we become too lukewarm in our faith?'"
Mark took a deep breath and continued.
"It's not easy to admit it, but I know I am as guilty as anyone else. And I've been feeling the sting of this passage for a while now, but there is another passage
in the Bible which really comforts me, and I hope that it comforts you too.
Proverbs 3:11 and 12 says: "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a
father the son he delights in.(NIV)"

Mark bowed his head and paused for a few moments.
"Father in Heaven," said Mark," you have exalted your Son and I know that all things are possible through Him. So, in his name, I ask you
to keep us focused on Him.
Lord, this church has been blessed with so many material things, but please bless us with spiritual gifts so we can glorify your
kingdom on earth.
If we have material blessings without spiritual blessings, then we are truly wretched and poor.
Father, give us discernment, and keep us from being too comfortable in this world.
Guide us in truth and show us what needs to be done.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
A sense of calm washed over Mark again, and the congregation continued to pray. Mark smiled
tearfully with relief as the band took the stage and the music began to swell.
He felt at peace with the Lord of Heaven, and at rest in the name of Jesus Christ.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
11/30/07
Good story of a person who was obedient to his gift, despite his reluctance.

Some of your lines seemed to end in random places...you might need to work a bit on figuring out formatting.

Thanks for writing this--it's a message that many churches also need to hear.
Dee Yoder
12/03/07
Yes, those are difficult verses to read and to own as a believer, but important in learning to trust God's discipline, from love, for us. It's how we grow!
Joanne Sher 
12/03/07
I really felt like I was in Mark's head - well done!