Returning to Our First Love
Revelation 2:1-7
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Thoughts:
The church in Ephesus was doing many things right - working hard, persevering, and standing for truth. Yet Jesus had something against them: they had forsaken their first love. Like Israel in Micah's time, they were going through the motions without heart engagement. Examine your own spiritual journey. Have you lost the fervor of your first love for Christ? Reflect on the time when your faith was new and exciting. What has changed?
Prayer:
Today, pray and ask God to reveal the moment you lost that love. Spend time in prayer, not asking for anything, but simply expressing your love for God and basking in His presence. Don't let go of the things you have done right, but find the one thing that the Lord desires... your love and heart for Him.
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Thoughts:
The church in Ephesus was doing many things right - working hard, persevering, and standing for truth. Yet Jesus had something against them: they had forsaken their first love. Like Israel in Micah's time, they were going through the motions without heart engagement. Examine your own spiritual journey. Have you lost the fervor of your first love for Christ? Reflect on the time when your faith was new and exciting. What has changed?
Prayer:
Today, pray and ask God to reveal the moment you lost that love. Spend time in prayer, not asking for anything, but simply expressing your love for God and basking in His presence. Don't let go of the things you have done right, but find the one thing that the Lord desires... your love and heart for Him.
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