First Love

I've been asked to give a little devotional, and decided to post part of it here since I haven't blogged much lately. I hope these words encourage you!

Nothing else matters if we don’t have love. But where does it start?

1John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us" We love because God first loved us. We can only give away what we have, and he has given us his boundless, powerful, tender and eternal love. Sit with that for a moment. Drink deeply from that well, because nothing else compares. Start your day by realizing you are surrounded by the amazing love of your Father in heaven. The only response to that love is to love God in return. And when we are overflowing with the love of God, we can’t help but share it with those around us.

In Revelation chapter 2, Christ addresses the church at Ephesus first. That is no accident, and his message to them is clear. Yes, they are working really hard doing what we might call “Kingdom work”, but he tells them they’ve missed the most important thing, their love for God.

"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. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."

Do you remember what it was like when you first asked Christ into your heart? When was the last time you were overcome with joy at realizing how deeply and tenderly you are loved? That is a priceless gift we have been given, and the world desperately needs us to share that love.