Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.

In the early 2000s, Enron was an energy and utility company that committed one of the largest accounting frauds in history. The company had all the appearances of a highly successful and highly profitable company. Yet, under the facade, it was unstable and corrupt. They used complex accounting tricks to hide debt and inflate profits. When the real numbers came out, the company collapsed, and the lives of thousands of people who had invested in the company were financially wrecked.   

As we read the third chapter of Revelation today, we can draw some spiritual parallels to what could happen in our own lives. John is warning the church at Sardis (and encouraging us) to be aware of, “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”   

Now look at what verse 2 says: “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.” 

Like Enron, this church looked healthy on the outside. Maybe it had a reputation for strong giving or being involved in special causes, but spiritually, they were lagging, coasting on past momentum. Jesus saw beneath the surface. You see, He doesn’t evaluate by appearances; He weighs the heart, motives, and the fruit produced. The same is true of us as individual followers of Christ! 

The good news is this! He doesn’t give up on them or us! His call is urgent, but hopeful. He says, “Wake up!” a reminder that spiritual vitality can be renewed. “Strengthen what remains.” There’s still something there, a flicker of life, a remnant to rebuild upon! 

The sad part about the Enron story is this: there were warning signs and opportunities to turn it around, but out of pride and corruption, the company leaders kept the facade up until utter collapse!  

We can’t afford to ignore the warning signs and refuse to make corrections in our lives that will prevent us from becoming a “spiritual Enron.” 

Let’s do a spiritual audit! 

1. Examine our internal appearance (heart), not just our external appearance (reputation). 

Ask yourself: Am I living on yesterday’s faith? Do I appear to others as right with God, but inside I’m burned out, dry, or distracted? Be honest. Jesus already knows the truth. David wrote in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart...” Can we pray this over our lives? 

2. Do I recognize the drift? Be hopeful in the small spark. 

Even if you feel spiritually numb or find yourself in a season of spiritual struggle, if you care enough to notice, there’s hope. That awareness is the beginning of renewal. Jesus wouldn’t say, “Strengthen what remains,” if there was nothing left. Maybe the fact that you are reading this devotional is the re-engagement you need. Perhaps it is time to begin serving others in some capacity or finding community in a House Church. Fan that flame! 

3. Do I need to take a faith step? Ask God to finish what He started in you. 

Jesus says their deeds were “unfinished.” Has God called you to something you’ve let slip...maybe forgiving someone, using your gifts to serve, or sharing your faith? Pick it back up. What’s one thing you started in faith that you need to finish in obedience? 

4. Am I spiritually alert, recognizing that every day matters? 

Jesus warns that He will come “like a thief.” In other words, it is unpredictable. We can’t afford to sleepwalk through our faith. Being spiritually alert means living each day with intention, humility, and expectation. 

Try starting today with a simple prayer: “Lord, help me to walk with You today and stay awake to Your voice.” 

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

James Weekly Verse Challenge:

Want to go beyond just reading God's Word? Want to take action? As we study the Book of James in the "Faith That Works" message series, we encourage you to do more than read the theme verse. Each week, we challenge you to memorize the verse and put it into action. Beginning Monday, October 6, we will text the weekly verse on a downloadable wallpaper on Monday mornings. Download the mobile wallpaper to your phone and memorize the weekly verse as you strive to live it daily. 

Text "JAMES" to 601-299-4493 to receive each week's theme verse.