Our First Love

Like a gift from Christmas past, sometimes our faith and our faithfulness can lose its luster.  We can get so wrapped up in the projects of the new year - the things we need to get done at work or want to get done around the house - that we can completely lose sight of God.  We have can have great histories and traditions of faithfulness, but sometimes other things can take the top priority in our lives over our relationship with God. Revelation 2:1-7 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: ² I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ³ You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. ⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. ⁵ Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. ⁶ But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Today's Prayer:
Holy God, help us to remember to do the things that we did early in our journey of faith.  Help us to persevere and to do the things you have called us to do.  Help us to continue to stay strong in our faith by abiding in you.  Guide us with your Holy Spirit to lean more fully into you that we may recognize you are our first love.  We long to be in your presence and by your grace we can be restored in the fullness of our relationship with you.  Amen.