SCRIPTURE
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Revelation 2:4
OBSERVATION
John lived in a cave on the island of Patmos after being exiled for preaching about Jesus. He sees a vision of Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Living One. Jesus commands John to write down what he sees and hears and send it to the churches. Ephesus is told to repent and go back to her first love. Smyrna is encouraged to remain steadfast during persecution. Pergamum is told to repent of compromising with wrong teachings. Thyatira is asked to repent of immorality. There will be reward for all those who overcome.
APPLICATION
When I first accepted Jesus as my Savior, I had an insatiable thirst to learn everything I could. I read my bible every day and took one bible study after another. I spent every day with believers talking about the things of God. I was so in love with my Lord. I thought the honeymoon would never end. Imperceptibly my ardor began to fade. I have become an Ephesus girl.
PRAYER
Lord,
Show me first love’s bloom.
The poured out crimson plume.
Your heart like waxen melt.
For the pain of my sins you felt.
Unbelievably, if only for me
You would have gone to the tree.
Love like that was never so great
That would seal my heavenly fate.
May I desire to sit at your feet.
Until at your royal throne we meet.
yicareggie
From the archives. Originally published December 23, 2009.
Sixty-six books in a year 