It’s January 1, 2025, and a new year of hope begins. This devotional is all about returning to our first love. Many have walked with Jesus for years, but regardless of the time, it’s time to meet Jesus eye to eye. He said in the last days that the love of many would grow cold. We seek to guard our hearts from this reality. This will be a time that we let religion and legalism fall to the ground. This is a month of doing a 180-degree turn in the places of our hearts that need repentance and returning. Jesus holds you securely in this process and will be faithful, by His Spirit, to bring counsel and revelation. He will bring to the surface what must turn in repentance and affection toward Jesus.
Remember Your First Love
“‘To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus write:
“‘These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):
“‘“I know your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; 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]. 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]. 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]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent.”’” -Revelation 2:1-5, AMP
In spite of all the good the things the Church in Ephesus did, Jesus looked at them and said, “‘“… you have left your first love (Revelation 2:4, AMP).”’”They did not lose their first love—He is not going anywhere. He remains faithful even in our faithlessness. Everything looked good on the outside, but their hearts were drifting. Remember where you came from, your life before salvation. Remember the thrill of love when you found Jesus. Remember all He did on the cross for you. Remember the love birthed in you for Jesus and for one another.
Return to Your First Love
Let’s rediscover the depth of love we first felt for Jesus, whose love remains steadfast. Often, our love shifts under the weight of religion, burdens, and deferred hope; our souls get battered and bruised. Join me and other women this month as we revisit our love affair with Jesus. Retreat into the secret place where it’s just you and Him. There, He will reveal the repentance needed for you to return to that original connection. Return to the place where your love and heart can be renewed. Return to the place where your fire first began. Return to the place where He wants to launch you again into a deep passionate love for Him. I want to remind you of a profound truth:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:35-39
Let us return to that love! Jesus, we come face down, hands wide open to receive all You have for us. We consecrate these days and ask You to protect them. Take us back to where intimacy was born, where our love for You first burned. Free us from religion’s chains that say we must earn Your love. Set us free to run with You, anchored in deep, passionate love. Help us remember, repent, and return all month long. We want to be all in with You and encounter the Lover of our souls afresh. In Jesus’ merciful name. Amen.
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