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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, January 8, 2008

This week I was reading in the book of Revelation and saw something I had not noticed before. In chapter 2 verses two and three, God commends the church of Ephesus for its works and labours for His name's sake. Yet in verse four, He says, "Nevertheless I have some what against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. In verse five, He admonishes them to think about what they have forsaken and to repent. They had lost their vibrant, pasionate love of their Saviour. Apparently, we can work for the cause of Christ and yet not love Him as He desires.

I wonder how often we get so busy serving and working for God, that we develope the same problem. I have noticed that when this has been my state, that the ministry becomes a burden and somehow the joy is gone. We can even begin to get offended when others don't appreciate or notice our work. Do we really think God is impressed with our work? Could we be guilty of the same sin as the church at Ephesus was? How would you rate your love to the Lord today compared to this time last month or last year? It is so easy to become cool, indifferent and comsumed with the task.

Remember, we are commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." I think we all to often put the emphasis on the doing of the commandments, when it should be on the reason for doing them: our love of Him.

I would encourage you today,to do some spiritual inventory. Have you lost your first love? If you find it lacking, then follow what Revelation 4:5 says, and repent. Read the word and refresh your heart with who your Saviour is and what He has done for you. God is not as interested in what you are doing for Him as He is in the quiet, intimate time you are spending with Him. Fall in love with the Saviour anew today! He loves you!

- Sandy Hastings
January 8, 2008

If you wish to contact me personally, e-mail me at sandy.hastings@gmx.de