S)"4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent."
Revelation 2:4-5 (NASB)
O) Reading this passage reminds me of this old Third Day song. It's good to carry out the Lord's work, but we can never lose sight of own relationship with God. Love is a verb, so if we're going to love Him, we need to expect that it takes work; it's like a marriage. A good way to revive passion in a marriage, is to remember what it was like in the beginning with that person. Focusing on the moment we found the person and all the circumstances around it. Remembering the sorrow turned to joy, the aimlessness turned to purpose, the loneliness turned to relationship... So, we must keep our passion for God fresh by remembering the dire straights we once inhabited, and repent if we've become lax in our relationship with Him.
A) One of the best parts of New Day School of Ministry (NDSM), is when you really learn to get comfortable sharing your testimony. For a lot of Christians, God did tremendous works, even out and out miracles, in order to draw them into relationship with Him; however, many people have never really shared the details of that rebirth. So, when I went through NDSM and I was forced to really look back and acknowledge what God had done for me, it was humbling and moving. I need to focus on this more often. When I became involved in teaching and leading the practicum groups in NDSM in subsequent years, I hear people share their own testimony and I see the same sort of revived passion and joy and freedom that comes from sharing what the Gospel really means on a personal level. I've been inspired to dwell on the miracles of God drawing me to Him and it really keeps my relationship with Him fresh.
P) Father, You saw in me what I didn't even know was there. You saw value and purpose in me, Your creation. You protected me through circumstances I couldn't even see at the time. I was naive or blind, or both, and You sent Your Holy Spirit to guide me unfailingly toward You. You loved me and picked me up out of the mess I had made. You made me new and gave me life. I will remember Your works, Lord, and Your unfailing love for me. I will honor, value, and cherish the relationship You gave me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
A) One of the best parts of New Day School of Ministry (NDSM), is when you really learn to get comfortable sharing your testimony. For a lot of Christians, God did tremendous works, even out and out miracles, in order to draw them into relationship with Him; however, many people have never really shared the details of that rebirth. So, when I went through NDSM and I was forced to really look back and acknowledge what God had done for me, it was humbling and moving. I need to focus on this more often. When I became involved in teaching and leading the practicum groups in NDSM in subsequent years, I hear people share their own testimony and I see the same sort of revived passion and joy and freedom that comes from sharing what the Gospel really means on a personal level. I've been inspired to dwell on the miracles of God drawing me to Him and it really keeps my relationship with Him fresh.
P) Father, You saw in me what I didn't even know was there. You saw value and purpose in me, Your creation. You protected me through circumstances I couldn't even see at the time. I was naive or blind, or both, and You sent Your Holy Spirit to guide me unfailingly toward You. You loved me and picked me up out of the mess I had made. You made me new and gave me life. I will remember Your works, Lord, and Your unfailing love for me. I will honor, value, and cherish the relationship You gave me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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