give thanks

His Love Endures Forever! ~ Psalm 107

8:23 AM

 Today’s Scripture: Psalm 107 &  Isaiah 43:5-6, Col 1:13-14

I got so excited when I learned that it was my job to write on Psalm 107, for this psalm holds two important messages, and I'll admit I struggled with which one to write on. The first is found in verses 6, 13, 19 and 28, "Then they cried out to the Lord in their troubles.", for this is where we will find our help and be delivered from our "troubles" as the subsequent verses testify to. 

But, I believe the most important message the psalmist wanted to get across to us is found in his first verses: "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His compassion and loving-kindness endure forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary" - Psalm 107:1-2 (emphasis mine)

Found in verse 1 is a common refrain that the psalmist wants us, not only to remember, but to carry with us for the rest of our days! It is: "His compassion and loving-kindness endures forever." Another version states, "The steadfast love of God endures forever.”

Think of that one thought for a moment, especially those of us who have been hurt by someone who loved us for a little while, but then left us. Today, I want to especially talk to the one who has had a close friend, or loved one; someone who they thought loved them well. One they leaned on and trusted in, only to be betrayed by them in some way.  

It happens, and sometimes those times make it difficult to open up and trust - wholeheartedly trust once more. But God's Word assures us that we have a "Friend who sticks closer than a brother."
(Proverbs 18:24)

Beloved, in a world where "it's all about me" and heartbreaks, we can be assured that God's love for us is steadfast and enduring. No matter what we do or say. (Romans 8:38-39) We did nothing to earn His love and we can't do anything to lose His love. How amazingly wonderful is that?! 

Since God is love and He is the creator of love, His love will endure forever because it is His character (1 John 4:7) He cannot change. His love will remain forever.

We know that when a person places their faith in Jesus, they receive eternal life in addition to forgiveness for their sins and are sealed with God's Spirit.  His love for us will never weaken overtime, for enduring love does not have any time restraints.

And God promises us over one hundred times in His Word that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. 

So let me ask you:

_ Has someone hurt you and let you down in the past?  How did you react?
_ Have you been able to forgive them?
_ Has it made it difficult to trust and continue to love them and others?
_ Would you allow God to love them through you?
_ Remember the first important element in this psalm was to cry out to God and watch Him come running to the rescue. Will you surrender to allow God to reach this world with His unconditional love? 



Let's pray: 

All glory be to Your name, O God, for Your love - for Your steadfast love that will never diminish. Father, thank You that no matter what happens tomorrow I am loved with a love that will endure through all eternity. Father, help me not only to remember this always, but help me to love others in the same way You love. Or better yet, Lord Jesus, love others unconditionally through me. May we team up to reach a hurting world out there with the steadfast love of God. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Sue


Enemy Attacks

Should A Woman Like Me Flee? - Psalm 11

11:00 AM

 


Psalm 11, John 14:6

When my husband is on vacation from work, we take that time for projects around the house or to get away, just the two of us. So on his recent vacation when he told me he’d really like to spend some time working in his pole barn, which in fairness does need some attention, my immediate reaction was hurt and anger. How dare he not stick to the plan! And why was it so easy for him to just cast aside spending time with me? I was going show him! So I decided to give him the silent treatment and spend the day doing little jobs on my own.


After a couple of hours of fuming and complaining to the Lord, I couldn’t stand it any longer. So I tracked him down and demanded to know why he wasn’t bothered by my silence. “You’re not talking to me?”, asked. “I thought you just busy doing your own thing. Wait, are you mad at me?” He looked at me with such honesty and confusion, I knew he genuinely didn’t have a clue I was upset, let alone why I was upset. I felt so silly and convicted at that moment, I couldn’t help but laugh. We sat down to talk. And like I should have done at the start, instead of running away in anger, I told him how I felt. 


Relationships take work. Whether it’s our relationship with God or others, they need a foundation of trust, honesty, love, and repentance to stand strong. Satan is in the business of tearing down, not building up. And he loves nothing more than to form cracks in those foundations through harsh words, misunderstandings, and unforgiving spirits. So when we flee from our problems instead of dealing with them head on, it opens the door for the Enemy to do his worst. 


When Nehemiah was facing an assignation threat, his friends advised him to hide out in the temple. But he replied, “Should a man like me flee?” (Neh. 6:11) David and Nehemiah both understood that as believers, instead of sinning against God by running away, we should always face every problem head on. Standing firm in the faith that the Lord will uphold the righteous. And believing He will give us the power to confront each one in courage and wisdom. I could have saved my heart a lot of hurt that day if instead of taking refuge in my anger, I would have taken refuge in the wisdom of God. 


Pause and Reflect - 

Not counting fear of physical safety, have you been in a situation with another where your first response is to flee? To wash your hands of that person or situation without first trying to reconcile with love, understanding and grace? What if God treated us this way?


Have you been trying to control challenges and challenging people in your own strength and in your own way? Or have you unhardened your heart, surrendering your fears and problems to the Lord? Has trusting God, laying everything at His feet and allowing Him to work in the situation produced results in the past? 


Finally, let’s pray together….


Dearest Father, 

Each day we encounter difficult times and difficult people. And so we humbly come before You asking for Your hand of support during these situations. Father, mold us to be kind and tenderhearted. Give us hearts of Jesus, so that we are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Empower us to stop the Devil in his tracks from gaining footholds in our relationships. Father, cleanse our hearts from all bitterness and anger, filling them with compassion and true Agape love for one another. You are our refuge and our strength; O Lord; our ever present help in trouble. Please guard our hearts, minds, and mouths. For our trust is in Your love which never fails, and Your power that knows no boundaries. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen


Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💕 Lisa


anxiety

God’s Love Quiets Every Fear - Zephaniah 3:17

11:00 AM


Zephaniah 3:17 


We all have fears. Some rational, others not. And all have felt the grip of panic that comes with anxiety. The one that feels like a storm raging inside. A violence which causes our thoughts to swirl madly, our hearts to beat wildly, and our chests to tighten beyond breathing. But as with any storm, there is an eye. That place of stillness. A calmness which always appears in the middle of even the strongest hurricane. God is that eye of the storm. A victorious Savior, He calms the seas and quiets our storms with His love.


When we’re filled with fear and anxiety, unable to shut off our thoughts, we crave God’s quietness. To be able to just let it all go and rest in His perfect peace. Peace stemmed from the deep, unconditional love He has for each of us, His precious children. His love for us is so great, our Father in heaven rejoices with great shouts of joy, and songs of everlasting devotion! 


And because of His gift of the Holy Spirit, He now lives inside each of us forever. Never again do we have to face the storms of life alone, nor give in to fear and anxiety. For when we stand in the eye of the storm, there we will find the blue skies and sunshine of God’s perfect peace. All we have to do is be still, and focus on His quietness, promises and love.


The next time you find yourself struggling with your thoughts and spiraling out of control with fear, I challenge you to go to God in prayer immediately. Ask Him to calm your spirit and fill your heart with His peace. Receive His gladness. Let His quietness push away the storm clouds of anxiety. And let God’s love shine upon you like the rays of the summer sun appearing after the rain. 


Be sure to head over to https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion!


Atonement of Jesus

Where God Meets Man (Hebrews 2)

3:47 AM




Hebrews 2 

Have you ever wondered why you matter to the Almighy?  “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him.” (v6) 

This week we are focusing on the atonement provided by Jesus.  The Bible has many references to man’s desperate need for such atonement.  There was a time when man knew the joy of meeting with God and having an intimate relationship with Him. But, even before Adam, there was sin and evil. Satan had already been cast out of God’s presence and sadly, man abused the freedom of choice that God gave him. Man chose to be deceived by Satan and take on a sinful nature as well. God could have given up on man and left him in the hopelessness of his poor choices. But He chose instead to provide a means of atonement and to give you and I the gift of choice as well.  

Man became isolated away from God because of sin. But, Jesus became the hinge that opened that closed door and allowed man to enjoy God’s presence and sweet fellowship again.  “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself” (2 Cor. 5:19) 
The sacrificial system of the OT taught that there had to be atonement for sin. But goats and lambs were not perfect sacrifices and man in his sinful state could not be reconciled to God on his own merit or effort. Jesus, however, was willing to be that perfect sacrifice, stepping out of the glory of heaven to become flesh and blood himself so he could give every man opportunity to be saved and reconciled to God.  

“But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (v9) 
By tasting death, he freed us from the power of death. Not only did Adam’s disobedience bring physical death to man, but also spiritual death. This spiritual death became like a closed door that Satan had imprisoned us behind. Jesus came to show us the love of God and provide an open door back to God. He became human “like us” so that He could serve as our High Priest, mediating on our behalf between us and God.  
“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (v17) 
 
Jesus provided propitiation by becoming God’s mercy seat.  
“The mercy seat was the golden lid or the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest sprinkled the sacrificial blood of an innocent victim to atone for the broken Law. The tables of stone on which were written the holy Law were kept in the Ark. The sprinkled blood covered the broken Law and made possible a meeting place between God and the sinner. “(Don Stewart)  
Isn’t it amazing the lengths that God would be willing to go to give us opportunity for atonement? He sent us atonement through his beloved son, Jesus. "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all . . . (1 Timothy 2:5-6) 
Praise be to Jesus, who became one of us to bring us back into fellowship with God. 

God's love

Scripture Saturday~God's love

12:00 AM

Saturday, November 3, 2018


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Romans 8:38...

 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. (NLT)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

God's love

A Love Greater Than Life Itself

12:00 PM

A Love Greater Than Life Itself

‘I've found a love greater than life itself,’ sings Ben Cantelon in his song, ‘Love Came Down’. To some, this might sound like mere romantic sentiment. In fact, it expresses a great theological truth.

In the beginning, God created life on this earth – not out of need or because he was lonely, but out of love. His love is the power that created life. Parents cannot claim that love itself willed their child into existence – but God’s love for you is the reason there is a ‘you’ to love in the first place!

You are alive because of love. Not only that, but God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that we would not perish but receive eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus died, and yet he rose again to life, conquering the grave. The love of God truly is greater than life itself.

Blessings!

Roxanna

Angie Benjamin

When Pride takes Over {Obadiah 1:1-21}

12:57 AM



The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you had done, it will be done to you; your evil deeds will return upon your head" {vs.15}

The struggle that began in the womb between twin brothers Esau and Jacob, continued to be a struggle between their respective descendants. The Edomites and the Israelites.

The Edomites were stubborn to the point they refused to assist Israel, first during the time of wilderness wandering (Numbers 20:14-21) and later during a time of invasion. Both events are totally condemned by Obadiah. A little- known prophet whose name means "Worshipper or Servant of Yahweh".

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament that contents a dramatic example of God's response to anyone who would harm his children.

Obadiah gave God's message to the Edomites. Because of their indifference to and defiance of God, their cowardice and pride, their treachery toward their relatives in Judah, they stood condemned and would be destroyed.

The book begins with the announcement that destruction was coming to Edom (vs.1-9). Despite their majestic cliffs and mountains, they were not able to escape from God's judgement.

Then in verses 10-14 Obadiah explains the reasons for this judgement and destruction: Their arrogance towards God and persecuting God's children.

The prophesy ends with a concise description of the "day of the Lord" when judgement will fall on all who have harmed God's people (verses 15-21).



I believe the key verse to the Edomites (and to us) is vs.2,3

"Behold, I will make you small among the nations [Edom]; you shall be despised exceedingly. The pride of your heart deceived you"

Obadiah's message reminds us that pride is deadly. The pride in our hearts can deceive us. Pride will cause us to mistreat other people and judgment comes as a consequence of it.

God wants us to live before Him and before others with a humble and tender heart. Pride on the other hand, whether in a nation or in an individual, will not escape God's judgement, but humility brings His blessing and favor.

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  {Matthew 23:12}



As we read Obadiah today, let us be reminded of what it means to be God's child, under his love and protection. Be encouraged to see how God reacts to all who would attack those whom He loves.


Bible

Delight in His Love - Song of Songs 1-4

9:00 PM



While doing a bit of research I learned that Solomon composed some 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32), and this was the greatest among them: “Song of Songs”. 

Many different interpretive approaches have been used in understanding this great song. It seems that Bible translators cannot even agree on a name for the book. Some call it “Song of Solomon,” some “Song of Songs,” some even use the Latin word for songs, calling it “Canticles.” (Enduringword.com)

-The early Jewish rabbis taught that Song of Songs pictures God’s love for Israel. 
- M. Henry wrote: “This book is a Divine allegory, which represents the love between Christ and his church of true believers, under figures taken from the relation and affection that subsist between a bridegroom and his espoused bride; an emblem often employed in Scripture, as describing the nearest, firmest, and most sure relation”   “There is no character in the church of Christ, and no situation in which the believer is placed, but what may be traced in this book, as humble inquirers will find, on comparing it with other Scriptures, by the assistance of God the Holy Spirit, in answer to their supplications. Much, however, of the language has been misunderstood by expositors and translators.”
I remember when I surrendered my life to Jesus I did not even want to date. I was SO IN LOVE with God that nothing else mattered! He was my EVERYTHING, from the first day of His calling: 
“Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
    and come away,” (2:10, 13)

I felt deep inside of me: “My beloved is mine, and I am his;” (2:16)


Three months before this day, I had been on a date with a young man (whom now is my husband), and although he seemed very interested I really wasn’t. Later on when I surrendered my life to Jesus, this man showed up again and he insisted that he cared for me and wanted to get to know me better, for he intended something serious (formal).  I had to tell him that I was not going to date him anymore for I was IN LOVE! Yes, I was deeply in love with Jesus!! I was on my last year in the University and working part time, and my free time was His! But this man wanted to know more about this “new love of mine”, so I witnessed to him. He continued calling and we began to see each other to chat about Jesus and study God’s Word; then we ended up going to Church and as months went by we were engaged! It was God’s love growing in us and among us!! We married and we offered our lives and of our future children to Him. In our 34+ years of marriage there have been great challenges, but let me tell you His Love and Faithfulness have been greater!
“Catch the foxes for us,
The little foxes that spoil and ruin the vineyards [of love],
While our vineyards are in blossom.” (2:15)

Yes, we will face trials in our Christian walk, but He promised to be with us!  “If you have any sign of spiritual life, if you have any tender grapes upon your branches, the devil and his foxes will be sure to be at you; therefore, endeavor to get as close as ever you can to two persons who are mentioned hard by my text, namely, the King and his spouse. First, keep close to Christ for this is your life; and next, keep close to his Church, for this is your comfort.” (Spurgeon)
It has been through God’s Amazing Grace, Love and Faithfulness that our Family is walking with Him and we pray our children’s children will, too! As Christians we are now part of His Church: His Bride ( Matthew 9:15; 25:1; see also Revelation 21:2,9; Ephesians 5:27).
So let me encourage you to take a step of faith to His calling, to pour your love out to Him and place your life and the lives of your family on the Altar and delight in Him!!
“O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good;
How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.9 O [reverently] fear the Lord, you His saints (believers, holy ones);
For to those who fear Him there is no want.” (Psalm 34:8-9)

 “But to hear Christ turn round upon his Church, and seem to say to her ‘Thou hast praised me, I will praise thee; thou thinkest much of me, I think quite as much of thee; thou usest great expressions to me, I will use just the same to thee. Thou sayest my love is better than wine, so is thine to me; thou tellest me all my garments smell of myrrh, so do thine; thou sayest my word is sweeter than honey to thy lips, so is thine to mine. All that thou canst say of me, I say it teach to thee; I see myself in thy eyes, I can see my own beauty in thee; and whatever belongs to me, belongs to thee. Therefore, O my love, I will sing back the song: thou hast sung it to thy beloved, and I will sing it to my beloved.'” (Spurgeon)
Yes, let us delight in our God, for He is Worthy!!

Mari

David

What Can Mere Man Do To Me? {Psalm 54:1-56:13}

12:00 AM


You’d think being chosen by God, David would have had a easy life. And although it’s true that he was indeed blessed by the Lord, still he faced many hardships. He was constantly pursued by Saul, who wanted nothing more than to see David dead, and faced countless enemies. In Psalm 54 we find David again on the run from Saul, and betrayed not once but twice by Ziphites who told Saul where he was hiding. No place was safe for the future king who cried, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” (Ps. 55:6) But in his heart David knew running away wasn’t the answer, running to God was. For David knew God as his helper and sustainer of his soul. (Ps. 54:4) 

Just like running wasn’t the answer for David, when we are facing down our enemies, it isn’t the answer for us. No matter who or what we face,God is in complete control and we have nothing to fear; even death. For in Luke 12:4 Jesus instructs us, “do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more they can do.” And since as Christians we know that Jesus defeated death on the Cross, we can boldly declare, “In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Ps. 56:11)

In a world ruled by Satan, the accuser loves nothing better than to keep us in fear and eager to flee from our enemies. He uses every means at his disposal to attack us; whether it be through situations or people. He wants us downtrodden and defeated. But God doesn’t want us to live a life of oppression and despair. He wants us to be like David, staying  put and staying strong. He wants us to cast our burdens on Him, fully secured in His love and protection. Knowing that we too can declare with authority, “I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice.” (Ps. 55:16-17) Regardless of the attack, or the attacker, no one and nothing can stand against the might of the Lord!

“The good man is no fool, he sees that he has enemies, and that they are many and crafty; he sees also his own danger, and then he shows his wisdom by spreading the whole case before the Lord, and putting himself under divine protection.”....Charles Spurgeon 

“If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31) Just think about the power and truth in that statement! And there is no greater example of that truth than the people of Israel themselves. From the beginning Satan has tried to wipe out their very existence. But because of God’s redemptive love and divine protection, they continue to overcome. Despite being scattered throughout the earth, they were regathered to the promised land and on May 14, 1948 the state of Israel was established. The land that was once no more than a barren wasteland is now an agricultural land of abundance. The Hebrew language which was once considered dead is now revived and spoken by the Jews. And on June 7, 1967 God’s chosen people finally reoccupied the holy city of Jerusalem. All of this while surrounded by enemies who would love nothing more than to see their destruction. But no matter the evil of men nor the schemes of the devil, God will prevail. For as He Himself declares, “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jer. 32:27)

God is always fighting for those whom He call His. At times He will prevent our enemies from attacking. At others He allows the attack to happen because He is training and testing us. It’s during the latter that we can get lost in feelings of hopelessness. But take into account David, who captured by the Philistines at Gath and as a prisoner of war, still believed that God was on His side and would remember him. “You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle.Are they not in Your book?” (Ps. 56:8) God cares about each and every tear we as His children shed. So we need not lose hope or think we are on our own. For our Heavenly Father loves us beyond measure, fights with us and for us, and promises that one day He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. (Rev. 21:4)

God's love

Walking in Fervent Love until the End {Revelation 2}

10:30 PM



John was told to write what he saw in a book and send that book to the 7 churches in Asia. (Rev. 1:11). The entire Book of Revelation which includes the special messages to those 7 churches, was sent to those churches and a blessing was pronounced upon all who would read, hear and keep the words contained in this prophecy. Jesus wanted believers to know that He knew exactly where they were. He saw their good works, faithfulness and patience in the face of persecution. He also saw the bad which included their compromise, apostasy, indifference and lack of love.

Jesus talked about these events while still being with the disciples:
10 At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. 12 Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. (Matt. 24:10-14 AMP)




Apostasy:  in the Greek original, to express abandonment of the faith = a falling away, a withdrawal, a defection. ( Tim. 4:1-3; 2Thess. 2:3; 2Pe. 3:17, 2Tim. 4:4). (International SB Encyclopedia)

Jesus wanted them to know that despite persecution and their corruption, He’d stand in their midst as a mighty conqueror and that through Him they too could overcome!

John writes to the Church of Ephesus:” 3 and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. 4 But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. (emphasis mine)

Here are seven warning signs that show that a church or individual has left their first love.
(1)   Christ is no longer the central focus in your life; (2:4)
(2)   You neglect your relationship with the Lord and spend less time in prayer, worship and the Word;
(3)   You allow family, friends, job and your own desires to come between you and your relationship with God;
(4)   There is a loss of intimacy in your relationship with God;
(5)   You are caught in a cycle of dead works;
(6)   You are more tolerant of sin; (idolatry and sexual immorality- 2: 14-15, 20)
(7)   You will no longer have a burning passion for the lost.

Many of us know people who were once walking close with Christ and now because of compromise and worldliness lose out with God. If this is the condition of you or your church, Jesus is calling us to REPENT:
 5 So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]”.(AMP)




 Jesus, then praises them as we see in the next verses.
“6 Yet you have this [to your credit], that you hate the works and corrupt teachings of the [c]Nicolaitans [that mislead and delude the people], which I also hate.  He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who [d]overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’ (2:6-7)

There are precious promises for those who remain faithful to the very end (2:10-11, 17, 26-28)!

There is much labor ahead of us:  Revelation 2:26 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:" You see here that Jesus specifies His works are what is to be done. It also means that we should not just do a little and get self-satisfied, but stay with the Lord's work to the very end. Just as Jesus told the parable of the good servant (Luke 19), we must be a good servant and bring the fruits of our labor to Jesus.. He also promises that His faithful will rule. Remember, the power is Jesus'. He gives us His power. This power is to do His will as we walk in His Truth.  We are working under Jesus' direction. He is our leader!

Revelation 2:28 "And I will give him the morning star."
Jesus is the Bright and Morning Star. He promises to give Himself to those who will follow Him. Although the morning star has already dawned in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19), someday we will have Him in His fullness!

Revelation 2:29 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Notice again this message is not just given to this one church of Thyatira, but to “unto the churches”.

Before closing today’s study, let me ask you: do you remember the day you received Jesus as your personal Savior? Compare your love for the Lord today with what it was then. Has your love grown deeper or has it lost its fervency? Are your works motivated by a passionate love for God or are you doing them as part of a Christian duty? Ask the Lord to forgive you for leaving your first love! Begin to do your first works again! Make a new commitment to the basics of prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. Let me remind you to: …” [a]fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment]…” of your first love through a renewed communion with the Lord (2 Tim 1:6). This fervent love is required of all those who belong to the Lord.!!  (Matt. 22:37-38)
We must take heed to the warnings. Let us open the ears of our heart and receive Jesus in His fullness.
"The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands and forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin" (Ex. 34:6-7).

Thank you Father for your abounding Love and Faithfulness, may we found faithful servants walking in fervent love until the very end!

Blessings,


Mari