CHRISTIAN ROCK CAFE

[excel]

Hope you ready to read this? IMO it's FULL OF TRUTH!



FIRST LOVE 4 -- Revelation 2:1-7 NIV



Revelation 2:1-7 NIV



Have we left our first love? For the past four days, I've been talking to myself as much as to you. This subject is one that God has laid on my heart so strongly that I can't seem to say enough about it. I have been so aware that Jesus is standing right there, His arms out, entreating each of us to return to Him now. Right now. Putting Him first, before all else. Now.



Think about our priorities. Are we so busy working on OUR programs, on OUR materials, on OUR plans, on OUR policies, on OUR doctrines, on OUR agendas, OUR relationships, OUR jobs, OUR social lives, OUR families, OUR bank accounts - on all those things that WE think are important - that we've forgotten God's priorities? Are we so wrapped up in getting a raise, making sure we have health care insurance, getting the car fixed, finding a new place to live, disciplining our children, bringing work home at night, scheduling our leisure time, working on our church programs, and everything else that occupies our time that we don't take time for the most important One to all of us?



It is time for each of us to repent and return to Him. He is our source for the love we need to serve Him so that, by love, souls may yet be saved. The fields are very ripe and ready for harvest. We must come quickly to Him because His coming will be quick. Much remains to be done in us so that much can be done through us. We must lay down our cares and causes and put on His compassion - compassion that never seeks its own, but is always laying itself down for others.



We must return to Him now – to Jesus, our first love. He will freely give us the love we need for Him so that His work may be completed in these last days. We must let the world see His love through us so that they, too, might find rest, and peace, and love in Him - our first love.



"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 NIV



Note to Subscribers: On Friday, February 23rd, we will begin a 30-day study on Living by Faith, taken from my book by the same name (available on our web page at www.dogwoodministries.org). I hope you are blessed by this study as I was by first living, and then writing it. If you have friends who are in need of some help with their faith walk, please recommend that they subscribe to these devotionals. They can either do so using the button found at the bottom of each page on our web site, or you can just have them send a note to me.



God bless, and have a great day in Jesus tomorrow!

Bonnie Ricks

General correspondence: [e-mail]

Donations to Dogwood Ministries: http://www.dogwoodministries.org