Where is your First Love?
by Pam Smith
What happened to the Church at Ephesus? On the surface, everything appeared to be running smoothly. They were very diligent in the Christian life, patient, persevering, hating evil and labouring hard in the Lord’s work. At least they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans like Jesus did and knew that they could come straight to the Father, through Jesus, The only way. But He was looking deeper into their hearts and it was no good having a lampstand if the light had gone out.
Where is that fire that was in you when you first found the Lord and received His Spirit? Your mind could hardly comprehend the revelation of the love of God. (A love that breaks you, yet still satisfies the longing soul.) The Holy Spirit is with you all the time, but His power comes and goes, like the force of the wind. And at times you sense the calling of the Spirit and if you want to remain filled with His power and His love, then is the time to respond while He is at your door, as it were (Song of Solomon 5:2–8).
Let us search our hearts in case we have grieved the Spirit. Perhaps in the stillness of the night, or when we are not overwhelmed with people, or the media of technology, we can listen to His promptings. In the end it’s just between God and me and everyone else will fade out of view for a while. It’s not hard to return to our First Love, it is glorious. The quicker we respond to Him the sooner we are back in that sweet communion. Jesus is in love with us and has done everything, so that we can come to Him. If our hearts are becoming cold, let us remember what caused the flame to go out and repent and return to our First Love.
Russell Frager has written:
"Nothing you can do can make Him love you more,
And nothing that you’ve done can make Him close the door.
Because of His great love, He gave His only Son,
Everything was done, so you could come."
Prayer: Dear Lord, take me back, every time, to the place where I quenched the flame of love and turned it into a work of labour, and cause my love for You to become my motive for everything again. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Pam Smith has a background in art and nursing, has a son and two daughters and six grandchildren. She has been a friend and helper of Ellel Ministries since l992, and has been involved with Healing Through Creativity Courses. As writer of the Shepherd Love Series, she has a passion for the comfort and encouragement that leads people towards enjoying abundant Life in Jesus.
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