September 3, 2013: Volume 2, Number 21
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30 60 100 MINISTRIES |
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| Greetings! |  Zeal for God is a lot like a pot of water.
When you apply heat, water boils. But to keep the water boiling, you must leave the pot on the burner -- or the water returns to its tepid, lukewarm temperature.
Likewise, our zeal for God must be fed in order to stay passionate and active. In today's edition of The Cultivator, you'll read How to Bring Your Zeal to a Boil -- and keep it there. This article wraps up our two-part series contrasting zeal and indifference.
We look forward to hearing from you about your spiritual journey this summer. Keep growing!
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EL CULTIVADOR: Introduce Us to Your Spanish-Speaking Friends
| The Spanish edition of The Cultivator debuted this summer to our Spanish-speaking readers across the globe ... to great success! (See What People Are Saying, below.)
We would love to send El Cultivador to those you know who are looking for practical help in their walk with Jesus in ministry, the workplace, or at home. There is no cost.
Please invite Spanish speakers you know to send us their email address and we will subscribe them to this publication in their mother tongue!
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Spiritually Healthy Leader� Series Continues
| Spiritually Healthy Leader� series continues in our new location, using a "boardroom" format instead of a classroom set up. Plus, we've added space to accommodate extra participants!
"I'm finding that each of these workshops is broaching topics in my life that I'm dealing with right now," said one participant. "It's remarkable how God orchestrates this and how He provides for exactly what I need."
The Spiritually Healthy Leader� series continues on September 4 with a session on conflict. Learn more about this exciting series here.
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 Feature: ZEAL v. INDIFFERENCE, PART 2
HOW TO BRING YOUR ZEAL TO A BOIL | In scripture, a "zeal for God" is described as a boiling cauldron or red-hot steel.
Yet the opposite of that zealous passion is not hard, cold heartlessness (contrary to accepted belief). Rather, it is lukewarm, half-hearted complacency. That indifference angers God. "Because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16, NIV).
Ouch. That edict alone is an overpowering motive to run from a smug, self-satisfied complacent faith to one of passionate, boiling zeal.
The Battle against Lukewarm Temperatures
How do you bring a pot of water to boil? You apply heat.
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Image: www.sciencealert.com.au
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A pot's surface conducts heat from the burner to the pan. Water closest to the heat - the lower part of the pot - rises in temperature and moves upward. Then, the lukewarm water above it circulates down, replacing the hotter water, to sit directly above the heat. The cycle continues as water in the lower portion of the pot heats and moves up through the interior of the pot to the surface, while cooler water moves down. Soon the entire pan of water simmers or churns as the water bubbles and boils.
Yet in order for water to keep boiling, the pot must remain on the heat. Otherwise, the water returns to its lukewarm, tepid, room-temperature state.
Likewise, in order for you to stay "boiling" for God, you must stay "on the heat," feeding your passion for Him. Otherwise, you will return to your normal, lukewarm, complacent state.
Set Yourself on a Hot Burner
To move a lukewarm faith to boiling zeal may require you to set yourself on a hot burner in steps like these:
- Face your complacency. Ask God to stir your soul to become more passionate for Him.
- Fill your mind with God's Word. Scripture creates a bubbling effect as it moves through your soul.
- Talk and listen to God. The conversation's back-and-forth creates a churning much like a bubbling pot of water.
- Think about God more. This keeps other passions in second place.
- Notice God's movement. Whether in nature, in others' lives, or in your own life, take note of how God moves so you can praise Him more.
Complacency's status quo prevents progress. It's our natural spiritual "default" and a lot like lukewarm water - bland and unmoving. You can allow your faith to become tepid and stagnant. Or you can set yourself on the heat and become more and more passionate for God.
Scripture tells us which one God overwhelmingly prefers. The choice now is yours.
Part 1 addresses how take your spiritual temperature.
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Image: www.macedoniabc.com
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Growth Point
Passion for God must be fed.
Scripture
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
(Revelation 3:15, NIV)
Prayer Points - Does it surprise you that a lukewarm faith angers God more than a cold faith? Why or why not?
- Indifference, apathy, self-reliance, comfort, indecision, self-deception: which of these lukewarm indicators do you recognize most readily in yourself?
- List one step you can take right now to set yourself on a "hot burner" in your faith.
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| What People Are Saying ... |
 "I have been reading El Cultivador and these emails have been a great help to me. The most recent one, in particular, applies to me personally in my work. I can see I need to check when I give directions to others to make sure those directions are understood well. Brothers and sisters, God bless and prosper you!" Victor R.S., Mexico
Hear more testimonies from Christians in remote areas served by 30 60 100 MINISTRIES staff here.
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