Revival of First LoveПримерок

Revelation 2: 4-5 (NASB)

"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place —unless you repent.”

One of the most precious gifts bestowed upon us by the Lord is the gift of freedom from condemnation. As followers of Christ, we navigate this life without the burden of condemnation. The apostle Paul articulates this assurance in Romans 8:1, declaring, "Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus." This is not just a promise from the Lord; it's a message of hope and liberation. Thanks to the sacrifice on Calvary's cross and the blessed resurrection, the mighty blood of Jesus covers our sins—past, present, and future!

While there are times we may find ourselves outside of God's will, necessitating repentance, our gracious God allows us to start anew, picking up where we left off. This echoes Jesus' counsel to the Church at Ephesus: "...and do the deeds you did at first."

After recognizing the cause of departure and repenting from it, Jesus encourages them to resume the actions, labor, and work they initially were involved in. It's a testament to God's grace that doesn't hold grudges or condemn us! Instead, He urges us to return to our initial purpose He’s prepared for us. If you've honestly reflected on the challenges of this devotional in the past days, it's time to shed the weight and guilt you repented from.

Embrace a return to the purpose God called you to fulfill initially. It's time to live out your calling—this embodies true personal revival. It involves a face-to-face confrontation with our sins, godly remorse leading to repentance, and a fresh start, wiping away the dust of our past. This time, it's within the will of God, swapping old habits for holiness, previous lifestyles for righteousness, and former mindsets for personal revival! Act swiftly! As Jesus warns the Church at Ephesus, "or else I am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." Make today the day Jesus rightfully reigns in your heart, once again becoming the most significant presence in your life. Allow Him to cleanse, free, release, refresh, and restore the purpose for which He fearfully and wonderfully made you. It's time for the revival of first love!

Prayer Time:

As you gear up for the Roaring Twenties Fast, take some time to pray and discern in your spirit what you'll be fasting from. Contemplate giving up something significant, perhaps an ultimate sacrifice like food, social media, music, television, etc. Let your time with God flow without hindrance. Substitute your personal agenda with His will, and anticipate the outpouring of revival in our lives, our church, and our land!