RETURN OF DRIFTING SAINTS: Why have we Neglected YOU?
The theme for this week’s Devotional is Return of Drifting Saints. Prior to Covid the American Church saw a drop in attendance. Post Covid and the pandemic has kept a sizeable number of saints away from church. Our Devotional team shares testimonies and encouragement from God’s Word to stir up the return of love and good works.

SCRIPTURE: ”Return, backsliding Israel, says the Lord; I will not cause My anger to fall on you, for I am merciful, says the Lord; I will not remain angry forever.” Jeremiah 3:12b
Torn Between Two Lovers: The Lord Jesus Christ vs the World. James 4:4 says “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Wow! Did not Min. Arnell Carter give us a powerful word on Sunday, November 5 about spiritual adultery. The drifting is so subtle – I’m tired so no time in the Word; now that we have live streaming, I really don’t need to go to church; or things are just not the same and on, and on, and on.
Worldliness is an attitude of the heart that affects our response to God’s love and God’s will. I John 2:17 says “The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” The two tests of worldliness: how we are responding to the Father’s love (our personal devotional life) and doing the Father’s will (our daily conduct). The bottom line for our drifting is not that Jesus has moved, but we have – we just don’t love Him like we used to. We have drifted because we have left our first love.
Rev. 1:5 says, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent”. Brothers and sisters, Jesus is soon to return, and we believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive the things done in the body, according to what we have done, whether good or bad. It’s 11:59pm, the hour is later than when we first believed!!
Prayer: My Precious Lord and King, my Redeemer, my Everything forgive me for hurting Your heart through my sin and disobedience. Thank You for Your chastening hand of love and for Your continual forgiveness. Yes, Lord break my heart for what breaks Yours and lead me, Holy Spirit, to a heart of obedience. Amen.
By Sis. Cheryl Torain
Worldliness is an attitude of the heart that affects our response to God’s love and God’s will. I John 2:17 says “The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” The two tests of worldliness: how we are responding to the Father’s love (our personal devotional life) and doing the Father’s will (our daily conduct). The bottom line for our drifting is not that Jesus has moved, but we have – we just don’t love Him like we used to. We have drifted because we have left our first love.
Rev. 1:5 says, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent”. Brothers and sisters, Jesus is soon to return, and we believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive the things done in the body, according to what we have done, whether good or bad. It’s 11:59pm, the hour is later than when we first believed!!
Prayer: My Precious Lord and King, my Redeemer, my Everything forgive me for hurting Your heart through my sin and disobedience. Thank You for Your chastening hand of love and for Your continual forgiveness. Yes, Lord break my heart for what breaks Yours and lead me, Holy Spirit, to a heart of obedience. Amen.
By Sis. Cheryl Torain
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
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5 Comments
Amen!! Yes Lord, break my heart ♥ that breaks Yours!! Thanks for this encouraging devotional sis!!🙏
Bless the Lord, Sis. Cheryl, and thank you for the ever-timely, thought-provoking reminders !
Amen!!🙌🏽🙌🏽
My Lord Sis. Cheryl, this is confirmation on so many levels. Just praying about this with my prayer Sista's!🙏🏼
Yes and yes! After reading this the Lord brought to mind tProverbs 6:9-11
9 How long will you [lslumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
My goodness, thank you for this encouragement.
Amen, Sister Torain
Obedience is better that sacrifice..