Take Your Temperature

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6

If you have children or grandchildren, you may have discovered a wonderful gadget to take a person’s temperature that does not require holding a thermometer under the tongue or even under the arm. This digital thermometer must simply be held close to the forehead and it will read the body’s temperature. Where was this invention when I was a kid?

Did you know that we all have not just a physical temperature, but a spiritual temperature as well? There are only three spiritual temperatures in the life of a follower of Jesus. These are measured not on the forehead, but in the heart. In Matthew 24:12, Jesus talked about the heart that has grown cold. In Revelation 3:16, He talked about hearts that are lukewarm. Then in Luke 24:32, Jesus talked about hearts that were burning. God desires hearts that are always burning hot for Him.

So how do we measure our spiritual temperature? There is a thermometer that can not only register but also regulate it. This thermometer is worship. Whether or not you worship God – and the way you worship God – is an unfailing, infallible reflection of your spiritual temperature. If you want to raise your spiritual temperature, the place to start is with your own personal worship of God.

Your personal worship includes both corporate (with other believers) and alone time with God in prayer, Bible study, and musical worship. Most importantly, true worship of God must be led by His Spirit and grounded in His truth (John 4:24). This is the type of worship that God desires from His children, and this is the kind of worship that will raise our spiritual temperature so that our hearts burn hot for Jesus.

Dear God, please show me the spiritual temperature of my heart. I want to burn hot for You each and every day so that others can see that You are worthy of all praise and worship. Help me to take the time to worship You daily in Spirit and in truth. In Your Name I pray, amen.