// DAY ONE //
ZEAL
Zeal is dedication or enthusiasm for something. If you have zeal, you’re willing, energized, and motivated. If you have passion for something, you have zeal, which is kind of a mix of eagerness and energy and devotion.
Scripture: “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” – Revelation 3:14-19
Reading: Men! The Lord asks us to be zealous! To the church in Laodicea, Jesus wished their works were good for something. As he says, this church is neither cold nor hot. Cold water is good for those thirsting for a drink in the heat of the day. So, so many people are dying of thirst for the Spirit of God in the heat of a sinful world. They have no encouragement, no love, and no hope!... And they don’t know where to turn! And many are eating cold, nasty food… Everywhere they turn, they are being fed lie after lie. Nothing is nourishing their soul. And if only if they had access to some hot water to boil out the impurities in their food! Where can they boil their food and have a well-balanced, good wholesome meal of the truth of God’s Word?
People need nourishment. They are in desperate need of a drink of the living water and a good meal at the Lord’s table. But who else is going to go into the world and light the fire? Who else is going to zealous for Jesus? If not us, then who? Who else in the baseball community? If not you, then who?
The urgency is real – however this is not being said to shame you or us. Without community, it is difficult keep the flame lit and keep it blazing. Some weeks, months, and years, the wind really picks up. It really tries to blow that fire out… But we have to come closer in those times, and invite others to come close and keep that fire lit through the storm. That’s why we need each other.
The only way we can endure is if we all, as believers, go to Jesus with fervency. We have to ask the Holy Spirit to ignite the flame in our heart for baseball players. After we repent of our lukewarmness, Jesus is clear – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” He is there. Thank him that is not far off. He wants so badly to rekindle the flames. But how bad do we want it?
We can be thankful for the encouragement in Revelation that Jesus gives us, that there is a prize beyond imagination. Jesus said, as we read, “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Is that not amazing? We need to persevere. We need keep the faith alive in us. And in all of that, most importantly, we need to come together in Christ!
Without the Spirit of God in all of us, it is impossible.
Let’s ask the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Great Zeal, to enter into Full Count Ministries like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Believe it can and will happen!
Prayer Prompts:
Thanks – Lord, you have kept the flame in me – although at times I seem to be barely holding on. You sustain me. You love me so much. You have given me all that I need and more, and on top of that eternal life! How amazing is that. How great is that gift! You are so good to me. You are persistent after my life and you want so badly to work through me! Thank you, Lord!
Confession – My zeal for you is lacking. Sometimes I feel lukewarm, and then sometimes when I feel okay, I look back and say, “where has the time gone? What have I accomplished for you?” I feel weak... so weak. I am absolutely nothing without you. I go on too long without answering the door as you knock on it.
Ask – Break me of this spell of distress, anxiousness, and slothfulness. Fill me with passion – not for anything else in the world but to make your name glorious! Don’t give me energy to complete worthless, lukewarm works. Only give me zeal for your name’s sake. Give me zeal so that in me, in our community, we can light up the world with your glory!
Reflection Questions:
1) In the past year, what has brought you down?
2) When was a time that you had a bright flame for Jesus? When was a point in your life when you had the most zeal for Jesus Christ?
3) Do you believe that the Spirit of God can do something even greater in you than any other time in your life?
4) What do you think the throne of God looks like? How pure do you believe his throne room is? How bright is it? How powerful is the flame of the Living God?
5) Do you think the Lord is generous with his zeal? Will you ask for that passion?