Return Your Love to ME
This week our Devotional Team takes on the topic, "Return and Rekindling of our First Love for Christ" with Revelations 2:1-7 as our focus scripture. Just ask yourself, do I love Jesus like I did when I was first saved? If we're honest, in some point of our Christian walk, that love dynamic we had with Jesus Christ may have waned since the earlier days of our walk. Be encouraged by the devotionals this week and purpose to commit these verse to memory and rekindle that first love for Jesus.
SCRIPTURE: “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 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. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’ Revelations 2:1-7
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’ Revelations 2:1-7
Salvation is a choice and keeping our love for Christ aglow is a choice. When we have to make a choice and don’t make it that is in itself “a choice”. There are a few evidences of “leaving” our first love:
(a) When my delight in the Lord is no longer as great as my delight in someone or something else (Mark 12:30);
(b) When I claim to be “only human” and easily give in to those things which I know displease the Lord (I Corinthians 10:13);
(c) When I fail to make Christ or His Words known because I fear rejection (John 15:20);
(d) When I become complacent to sinful conditions around me (Matthew 24:12) or
(e) When I am unable to forgive another (Matthew 6:15).
Only you know what the consistent thermometer of your heart is for your love for Christ.
Let us choose to return to You Lord! You said in Zechariah 1: 3 “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.’” Jeremiah 3:22 says “Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding.” You also said in Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.” We choose YOU, LORD!!! We Choose!!!
Prayer: My heart Lord is deceitful and desperately wicked and only YOU know it, so I confess a heart that can one minute be on fire and then quickly can be loveless. Thank YOU, Holy Spirit, for continually working in me to will and to do for Your good pleasure. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me so that YOU can use me for YOUR GLORY!!!
By Sis. Cheryl Torain
(a) When my delight in the Lord is no longer as great as my delight in someone or something else (Mark 12:30);
(b) When I claim to be “only human” and easily give in to those things which I know displease the Lord (I Corinthians 10:13);
(c) When I fail to make Christ or His Words known because I fear rejection (John 15:20);
(d) When I become complacent to sinful conditions around me (Matthew 24:12) or
(e) When I am unable to forgive another (Matthew 6:15).
Only you know what the consistent thermometer of your heart is for your love for Christ.
Let us choose to return to You Lord! You said in Zechariah 1: 3 “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.’” Jeremiah 3:22 says “Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding.” You also said in Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.” We choose YOU, LORD!!! We Choose!!!
Prayer: My heart Lord is deceitful and desperately wicked and only YOU know it, so I confess a heart that can one minute be on fire and then quickly can be loveless. Thank YOU, Holy Spirit, for continually working in me to will and to do for Your good pleasure. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me so that YOU can use me for YOUR GLORY!!!
By Sis. Cheryl Torain
Archive
2024
January
Gratitude Mixed with Faith Should Equal ObedienceGrace Comes In God’s TimingGOD USES WHOM HE CHOOSESSeeing What God Sees to Get What God HasA Life Verse That Is Good for Every YearSeeing Things as God Sees ThemThree QuestionsDon’t Worry About the FutureForgiveness Is Our Daily CelebrationPeace When We Do RightGod’s True Children Certainly Should KnowRegret In Missed OpportunitiesThe Attitude of Delight Is RightMeditation Deprivation Is EvidentARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?An Anchored Soul Won’t QuitGod Wants to Be BelievedFinding God in Our PainI Must Be About God’s WordWhat the Wondrous Word of God Can Do in a Willing ServantSeeing Things God’s WayGetting Along for Jesus SakeMeditating Brings Us Success In The Christian LifeThe State of Mind That Pleases GodPraised By the RaisedHaving the Right Knowledge for Real FaithWhose Mind Do You Think With?All My Heart & All My WaysWise with the Lord’s TimeNo Shame About What God Has SaidPrayer Is A Conversation
February
DEEP ARMOR FOR THE STEEP CLIMBDressed in the Whole Armor of God for Spiritual WarfareGRAB THAT ARMORSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIn My Dressing Room (Putting on the Armor of God)Armored for Any WeatherTruth is Foundation for Our FaithA Work in Progress and A Mouth in TrainingREJECTION OF GOSSIP, SLANDER, LIES, AND DISCORD: THE PERFECTING OF 'FEBRUARY'THE DETESTABLESSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIf the Lord Hates It, We Should TooThe Offense Ward of the Sin HospitalSpilling the TeaWe are in ChristLet us Do BetterSpread Love, Not GossipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLThe GREATEST THRILL: Being SPIRIT - FilledTHE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONTROLA Drunken SpiritLookin’ Like Our DaddyFermented or Fresh; How is Your Fruit?We Have it AllSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLJESUS’ LOVE MANDATEHIS Walk, Our Hopethe greatest gift of allTo Love Like Christ
March
LOVE x LOVELove is CommitmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor CockrellTHE HIGHEST DEBT OF LOVEPREVAILING IN LOVE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROMISEReturn Your Love to METhe Loveless ChurchWhat Do You Want First: the Good News or the Bad News?POSITIVE FRICTION THAT MAKES US BETTERSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHis Love Versus My FearsJESUS LOVES YOUBe Surrendered to 'Love'Victory Over Fear: Life’s Small LessonsJesus, Our VictoryTRUST CHRIST, BANISH FEARSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHarmony and Discord Aren’t FriendsHOLY PARAMETERSBlinded by HateACT or REACTRESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICTPeculiar PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellONWARD & UPWARDHow To Fall ForwardThe Front Windshield is Much Bigger than the Rearview MirrorONE THING TO DOLooking Back Will Have You SaltyGreat Cloud of WitnessesSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
3 Comments
Amen!! What a convicting devotional!! Thank you my sister!
Amen! Yes, forever bring us back to You, Oh Lord!
Amen 🙠Amen! Praise God very impressive Devotional!