First Love

July 10, 2016

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (Revelations 2:4 NKJV)
If we were to sit back and examine our lives with an open mind and heart, what would we find? Do we love and pursue the Lord like we did in the beginning? Have we kept Him on the throne of our lives? Is He really our first love?
Examine your life as I am sitting here today examining mine. What evidence exists in your life today of Jesus Christ being your first love? In my life I can see the places where I have removed Him from the throne and have myself first. It doesn’t appear that way at first, but if I examine my life, really examine it without excuses and reasons it is clear. You see when we get caught up in busyness; in the things we want to do; in pursuing our dreams; so wrapped up in being a mom, a wife, a ministry leader that we have neglected Him as first. None of these things are bad when they are in their proper place.

We can sing about giving ourselves away to Him, we can shout that He is first in our lives; we can post on Facebook scriptures about how He is our King, but that doesn’t mean much if we are not living it. These are things I ask myself. These are things we should all ask ourselves. I love Jesus more than anything, but I don’t always put Him first. I have found myself weary lately. I have been working hard for His kingdom and pouring out what He has given me onto others. I know my calling and assignment and I am doing my best to walk it out. However, the other day as I was struggling to pray and feeling worn out, He reminded me that I have poured until I am empty. I am operating on an empty tank. That helps no one. Working for the Kingdom is important, but wont be impactful if I am empty. I need my time with Him. I crave it. I need to be filled daily and so do you.

The enemy will use whatever he can to keep us from being the full vessel our world needs. Distractions, busyness, weariness are all things the devil can use. There is so much need in this world today that we can stretch ourselves thin and be of no good. We can get discouraged. So take time each day to sit quietly with Him. Read His Word, pray, sing worship songs and refuel. He is first always, no matter what. Love Him first, every moment of every day, always and He will strengthen you to be a better you for all those you love.