Returning to My First Love

The book of Revelation is written to believers; the very first verse confirms it. 1 Some say we are close to the time of Jesus’ return. No one knows the day or hour however, we can be sure of one thing: we are closer with each passing day. 2 3 Even If Jesus doesn’t return in my life time, I need to be prepared to meet Him.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.4

Was the Holy Spirit impressing me with the importance of returning to my first love? Have I forsaken my first love?

Honestly, I don’t think my relationship with God has the simplicity it used too and I don’t think I truly rely on Him with the same dependency as I once did.5 6 The fact is, I used to do things, as a new believer, that I don’t do anymore.

My Prayer: God, thank you for calling me back into a deepening relationship with you. I remember, I used to steal away moments, during the course of the day, to delight in your word; back then I wrote down your word and carried it with me everywhere I went. Now that I have your word in a host of translations and commentaries at my finger tips; have I taken it for granted? We used to go on those long walks, now I don’t have the time. Please forgive me, thank you for reminding me of the first things and giving me the grace and desire to return to you, my first love. Amen.

Seriously, Who’s your Daddy?

“Vision of Ezekiel” by Rafael Sanzio de Urbino

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.‭ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.‭ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.‭ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. 7

Consider: Doesn’t the very nature of lying deny the truth?  Jesus is the truth. 2 Jesus said, “If you deny me before men, I will deny you before my Father in heaven”. 3 Since Jesus is the only way and if you deny him, who then is your father? 4

My Prayer: Lord, please set a guard over my lips, 5 stop me before a lie forms on my tongue and teach me to take every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ. 6 Let me become more like your son every day. 7 Amen

Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace – 3

Click here for part 1

Remember, God does not forgive us because we are worthy; he forgives us because of who he is.

God gives us what we need to lighten the load, the enemy gives us things to weigh us down.  Condemnation crushs us under the weight of sin.  Conviction is God simply asking if we want to agree with him so he can shoulder the burden.

My Confession: Because I love my sin, I find myself going down this road over and over, seemingly without change however, in faith, I trust that God is working.

I developed a love of my sin over time, perhaps it may take time to develop a hatred for that same sin.

Hatred for sin comes through continued agreement with God by confessing my sin every time I partake of it.

For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.  So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.  Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.8

Revelation: That’s it!  The reason I struggle is because the sin in my life is becoming utterly sinful –my love for sin is but to death by agreeing with God.  Yes, I’m a sinner.  No, I don’t deserve mercy.  Yes, I need a savior.

My Prayers: Lord, thank you for dying on the cross in my place.  Please forgive me; please give me a hatred for sin.  Thank you for having mercy on me.  Change my heart, my thoughts, and my ways.2  Transform me into your likeness.3

Lord, I have struggled so long, this seems impossible, please give me the faith to believe again, with my lips I can say, “I do believe”, but my words ring hollow; please help me overcome my unbelief.4

My word for today is that what may be impossible for me is not impossible for you God!5  6  7  Please open my eyes that I can see you at work and be encouraged.8