Our First Love is to Love First

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
-- Jude 21 (NIV 1984 Edition)

Hear Oswald Chambers commentary based on Jude 21:

"Keep yourselves in the love of God," says Jude, that is, keep your soul open not only to the fact that God loves you, but that He is "in" you, "in you" sufficiently to manifest His perfect love in every condition (circumstance) in which you find yourself, as you rely on Him.

Revelation 2:4-5 comes to mind:

(4) However, I have this against you: The love you had at first is gone. (5) Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place if you don’t change.
-- Words of The Glorified Jesus to the Church at Ephesus (and to all who have forsaken their first love.)

Our First Love is to Love First... and For Forever.
Grateful

"The Good Old Days?"

We often say that we wish to return to what we remember as "The Good Old Days", however, one thing we tend to forget is that distance from the past all too often lends enchantment to our memories.

Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.
-- Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NLT)

Let's be present in the present.
Grateful

Biblical Roots of Revival & Renewal

I heard Dr. Dennis Kinlaw beautifully share this New Testament passage as one of the Biblical roots from which we understand revival and renewal in our own lives and revival and renewal within the community of the local church and then beyond:

Like sheep you wandered away from God, but now you have returned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls who keeps you safe from all attacks. -- 1 Peter 2:25 (NLT)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.

Stand Silent! Know God!

Stand silent! Know that I am God! -- Psalm 46:10 (TLB)

Unless we live our lives entering and reentering the rhythm of Psalm 46:10, we will become desperately, driven people, running all over the place without divine direction.

Isaiah 30:15-18 (NLT) -- (15) The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says, "Only in returning to Me and waiting for Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. (16) You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you! (17) One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a distant mountaintop." (18) But the LORD still waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them.

Lord, I want to live the perfectly balanced life. I want to stand silent and know You, I do not want to run swiftly and drive past You. I want to saturate in Your Holy Presence, for I am weak but You are strong. In everything I think, say, and do? Be my Great, All-Powerful God and my Gentle, Ever-Present Guide! In the name of Jesus. Amen.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Return to God and Keep Waiting For Him!

Lord forgive us for running off ahead of You and Lord forbid that we would continue to do so.

(15) The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says, “Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.
(16) You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
(17) One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a distant mountaintop.”

Isaiah 30:15-17 (NLT)

ALL JOY!
Grateful