Honoring our first love becomes more and more difficult the longer we live. The warfare we face becomes more and more subtle the longer we find ourselves in this relationship. The enemy continues to infiltrate our affections for God and redirect them to something a little less. We have to keep a vigilant watch over our affections to ensure that they are always pointed at the creator and not a creation. Facing distractions of the world may be easy to spot, but what about the distractions of our heart. A precise tool to be used in measuring the balance of our affections is the conviction of our consciousness. The Lord speaks to our hearts everyday. Whether we choose to listen to His voice is totally up to our free will. When we hear Him say, you haven't open your bible in a while or you haven't spent time talking with me lately, that is the actual God of the Universe specifically using His Holy Spirit to align your affections back to Him. Remember these words; “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple", (Luke 14:26).
There is a cost to following Christ and when we first began this journey it was easy to give up everything and follow Him. Now after we have accomplished living more years and acquiring more things (even those we believe came from God), it becomes a lot harder to hear those same words. God never wants us to hate our families, spouses, children, and co-workers. He does want us to Love Him more!!! "He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”, (Matthew 12:48-50). There is nothing wrong with hobbies and liking nice things, they only become an issue when they are enjoyed more than being in the presence of our Lord and Savior and doing His Will. The hardest thing to put into check is our work for the Lord. Certainly our call to perform a work cannot be questioned by the Lord, could it? "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”, (Luke 10:17-20). Even our "good works" cannot take precedence over our personal relationship with God. God has to be the greatest receiver of our affection. Put everything else in it's proper priority after Him, and you will find that you and your First Love will be more intimate than ever!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Soldiers of God
Ever ready for the Charge
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
First Love Volume 1, Issue 2
"Whatever you did to get her; you have to keep on doing, to keep her"!!! This was great advice that I received on my wedding video from a very wise woman. Many times in our pursuits of love once we feel like we have "obtained" our goal, we get complacent and stop doing all the things we once did. Our actions change considerably and we expect the other person to keep up the actions that they once performed. Upon receiving this advice I took away that character is everything. Who we are before in our pursuit of love must be consistent in our continuation of that love. Marriage to ones spouse is much like the relationship we have with God. First, if we are really smart, we realize early in the relationship that there is truly nothing we can do to make our partner love us. Their love comes from a free will. Second, we can learn what language of love they enjoy and the things in which produces happiness inside of them. Third, we can allow their influence in our lives to balance us and change us for the better. The number one key to success in a marriage though is not to keep up the same actions (just like our pallet changes in what we like to eat as we get older, so can your partner's love language/actions change), what must stay the same, is your motive for loving them. It must be pure in that we love them at a sacrifice of ourself for the benefit of them. All motives of ones heart will eventually be revealed in one's words and actions!!!
Mankind's greatest battle is always to release oneself from the idea that we can earn anything from or accomplish anything for God. The enemy knows if he can get us wrapped around trying to earn our salvation or keep our salvation then we will be outside of the Will of God. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast", (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our own pursuit of "getting right/staying right" with God will become our graven Idle. What brought us to the saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ was the realization that we could not earn our own salvation. We accepted Christ based on our self awareness of our sickness and the fact that He was the only Physician who could heal us. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”", (Mark 2:17). Our first love was produced out of our humility and seeing one greater than ourselves. Our love for God and life long journey with Him, has to come from a pure motivation of humility and reverence. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God", (Matthew 5:8). It is never about judging actions with God, it is the HEART, that is what He always judges!!! "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart", (Hebrews 4:12). Coming back to our First Love, is repenting from our pride and once again putting God in His proper place as Creator and God of Grace!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Mankind's greatest battle is always to release oneself from the idea that we can earn anything from or accomplish anything for God. The enemy knows if he can get us wrapped around trying to earn our salvation or keep our salvation then we will be outside of the Will of God. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast", (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our own pursuit of "getting right/staying right" with God will become our graven Idle. What brought us to the saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ was the realization that we could not earn our own salvation. We accepted Christ based on our self awareness of our sickness and the fact that He was the only Physician who could heal us. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”", (Mark 2:17). Our first love was produced out of our humility and seeing one greater than ourselves. Our love for God and life long journey with Him, has to come from a pure motivation of humility and reverence. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God", (Matthew 5:8). It is never about judging actions with God, it is the HEART, that is what He always judges!!! "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart", (Hebrews 4:12). Coming back to our First Love, is repenting from our pride and once again putting God in His proper place as Creator and God of Grace!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Monday, September 12, 2011
First Love Volume 1, Issue 1
Circumstances of life affect us all in many different ways. Difficult circumstances may produce anger, fear, sadness, discontentment and bitterness. Positive circumstances may produce pride. The enemy we have in this life has a great way of taking our focus off of our Savior and placing them on the circumstances of life. We are all able to be drawn away as many sheep are from the flock and the Shepherd. Our great Shepherd has an unconditional Love that allows us to always turn back and acknowledge Him. He never left us because He cannot go against His Word; "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”, (Hebrews 13:5).
We turn from our Shepherd and go after the desires of our heart. Every temptation is a desire that the enemy already knows you have in your heart and exploits it to create ways to draw you form your First Love. "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open", (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Dealing with the desires of our hearts is one of the best ways to keep from being tempted by the enemy. By setting our affections on God and His Word, you will be able to fight a good fight that keeps you centered in God. Setting your affections means to set your Joy in knowing God more intimately through reading His Word, conversing with Him regularly, and reflecting on the truths of God within the community God has set around you. Have a conversation with the Father, He hears, He cares, and most important He wants to talk with you. Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
We turn from our Shepherd and go after the desires of our heart. Every temptation is a desire that the enemy already knows you have in your heart and exploits it to create ways to draw you form your First Love. "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open", (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Dealing with the desires of our hearts is one of the best ways to keep from being tempted by the enemy. By setting our affections on God and His Word, you will be able to fight a good fight that keeps you centered in God. Setting your affections means to set your Joy in knowing God more intimately through reading His Word, conversing with Him regularly, and reflecting on the truths of God within the community God has set around you. Have a conversation with the Father, He hears, He cares, and most important He wants to talk with you. Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
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