First Love

Revelation 2:4  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 

Our Elder John is preaching on the book of Revelation Sunday mornings.  It is a fascinating series....I mean who doesn't like to hear teaching on this mysterious, often confusing book.  So this was the section we were on this recent Sunday, where Jesus addresses the churches. 

So I come to June 24th's Jesus Calling devotional:  "Hold My hand--and trust.  So long as you are conscious of My Presence with you, all is well", was the first line.  And the two statements....the first from Revelation, the second from the devotional just clicked together for me...fitting like puzzle pieces into the picture of God's design. 

To stay "in love" with Jesus means to stay connected to Him, to remain conscious of His presence in my life, during my day.  So how do I do that?  Well, I got my answer from the first reference verse given:  Isaiah 41:10  Fear not for I am with you;  Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. 

It's something God does.  He stays with me.  He upholds me.  My job is to continue to take notice of that.  Also something that came up in my spirit as I was studying, meditating on all this was that I need to rid myself of the notion that sitting quietly in His presence, (basically practicing being in touch with the Lord, focusing on Him) is non-productive time.  These precious moments of quietly sitting at the feet of Jesus can open us up to more awareness of Him each day...get us more in tune with His Spirit in us and around us.  They set the very essence of the day. 

I love when God builds His visits to me. It starts with one line in a sermon, then a reading is layered a top that and a thought or feeling on that....it's a beautiful picture of God's hand reaching in our lives, directing, correcting, shaping and loving us.  Watch today for His building in your own lives!!  Let's sit at His feet for a spell and open our spirits up to His presence. 

Thank You Lord for You presence.  Help me to  stay aware, to make the effort to be in communion with You...You supply all my needs, You give me purpose and life.  Nothing compares with You. 

Psalm 62:5-6  My soul waits silently for God alone; for my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.