Return to your first love!
The children of Israel got off track when they “tuned God out”. They began to follow idols and live according to their own heart’s desires. – Jdg 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
They let their first love die. They traded Almighty God for an empty idol, and the consequence was life changing. This had also happened prior to them entering the Promised Land and tragically a whole generation wandered in the desert until that generation had died not having reached the Promised Land, except for Joshua and Caleb. The Bible says that their bodies, those who had rejected God, were scattered over the desert – 1 Corinthians 10:5
The price we each pay in broken lives and shattered dreams when we let that first love die goes far beyond what we can imagine. And it happens when we begin to give in to the ways of the world, to pagan values and practices.
Is pagan worship a thing of the past you might be thinking? No, it is ever present – we have just given it a new name: pop culture!
The Bible says, Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches…Rev 22:14-15 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
As you read these words, you may know that you have sinned against God and need His forgiveness. Perhaps you have fallen into sexual sin or you have allowed worldly desires and pleasures to fill your heart and mind.
Remember, whatever your sin, you can take it to the Lord and leave it at His feet. Why carry your burden when Jesus is ready to forgive a penitent heart?
Today, draw close to God, return to Him with a heart of repentance and be set free from the chains of sin, that you may again have peace and joy reside in victory over your heart.
As Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in the first of the 7 letters, Rev 2:5
Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.