Rekindling my first love

The Water on the Flames…

·         Dependence on someone other than Christ.  We were made to be dependent, but only completely on Christ!  For comfort, affirmation, wisdom, an understanding companion, for love & affection.

·         Misunderstanding of WHO He is.  The Captain and Beloved of your heart!

·         Noise & Busyness.  Martha was busy about God’s work, but Mary also knew the importance of taking the time to sit at His feet.

·         Gaze on a situation, a feeling… rather than on Him & His love, allowing all else to grow “strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”!  Take moments to close your eyes and just delight in His love for you… Paul Washer: “without even a step to the left or to the right”!  Susanna Wesley’s kitchen apron – her sanctuary when in the midst of a busy day.

Practical ways to rekindle the “spark”...

·         Remember why you are here.

Living out your days not knowing His purposes for you and the riches IN Him for you will make for a miserable life!  He didn’t intend to leave us in a dessert without map or refreshment to draw from.  For those who are more “task-oriented”, a danger is running without GOD Himself as your focus!  Don’t forget the very One you were made for and to enjoy fellowship with!  

·         Know you have a jealous enemy, vying to steal your affections.

Loving Christ involves opening your life up to him. Tell him what's going on in your mind and in your heart. Whatever it is, bring it to him.

·         Look at the cross.  Jesus’ purpose was to BRING you into an intimate relationship with God Himself!

Deal much and closely with a crucified Savior … Dwell upon this amazing fact; drink into this precious truth; muse upon it, ponder it, search into it, pray over it, until your heart is melted down and broken and overwhelmed with God's wondrous love to you, in the gift of Jesus. 

Don’t look at yourself, nor who you are not.  Fully love others.  As you look at Him and submit to His training, He will live His life through you.  He doesn’t want you to just accomplish tasks, but to see His own power at work to increase our faith as we rest in HIS doing!  Love big in every small way.  Forgive & look over muchly and freely.

·         Give thanks for His good gifts!  Take the opportunity to worship Him in every need He meets, every good thing He gives you and intends you to enjoy!  Sing to Him a new song!

·         Ask Him for a fresh sense of His love and intimate care for you, and a desire to enjoy and live to please Him.

L-inger with O-bsess over V-alue and E-njoy Him!

To the Church that was lukewarm in love for Jesus, He says “repent and return!”  Repentance requires a change of mind, and this is where the choice lies with us.  Will we bring our entirety to Him, lay our hearts at His feet, and ask Him to renew our minds?  With the Truth that we do indeed have an enemy who battles for our hearts’ deepest affections.  The Truth that God Himself broke through the Heavens to reveal Himself to us in relationship through Jesus – the most dramatic act of love one could take! The Truth that God is a Giver of good gifts, which He created that enjoyed within His framework can be a piece of Heaven – continuous display of His love for us!  The Truth that the least-enjoyed or -understood seasons & trials are also His display of love to us, as we accept, adjust, and humbly submit to His good teaching.  The Truth that He stands at the door of hearts longing for us to just open that He might come in and “eat with us, and us with Him” – to experience the rest and the delights in knowing His tender care and passionate love for us, His bride!