Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

You may have noticed that my posts have gotten off schedule. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment this may have caused you.

It is my hope and plan to get back on track this week. My goal to return to on time posting inspired this week’s theme of ‘returning’.

Let’s begin today focusing on returning to our first love.

Today’s scripture, Revelation 2:2-5 (NLT) says…
[2] “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. [3] You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. [4] “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! [5] Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

Consider…
The last couple of weeks I have learned how easy it is to get off track. I have been undisciplined in starting my day listening to and writing for the Lord.

I am confessing my disobedience because 1 John 1:9 (ERV) instructs…
[9] But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.

You see I need God to clean up my mess up.

Some may read this and say that I am overestimating the impact and reach of my little blog, but everything we do for God is significant, because it’s for Him.

Thus, I repent because James 4:17 (ERV) admonishes…
[17] If you fail to do what you know is right, you are sinning.

As I worked through my thoughts on letting God down, I was reminded of one of my best friend’s favorite scriptures. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NLT) says…
[14] Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. [15] My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.

Notice verse 14…

• Asserts a relationship with God exists
• Pride and self sufficiency are possibly present
• Humility and full dependence on God needs to be reinstated
• Refocusing on God is required
• Behavior must change along with the attitudinal changes

The Holy Spirit is emphasizing that we must be intentional in our relationship with God. God must be our first love! And as such, we must follow Deuteronomy 11:1 (ERV)
mandate given to God’s chosen people. It says…
[1] “So you must love the Lord your God. You must do what he tells you to do and always obey his laws, rule

There it is again, we must do what God tells us. Jesus reiterated this when He said in John 14:15 (ERV)…
[15] “If you love me, you will do what I command.

In fact Jesus expounded even more in Luke 14:26 (NLT) when He said…
[26] “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.

‘God first always’ has to be our motus operandi, which according to Oxford Languages dictionary is a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established.

We should live with a well-established ‘God first always’ mentality and life ethic.

So as I diligently work to start my mornings with God for His glory and your edification, I pray that you too will be inspired to initiate, rededicate or maintain a fire for God! A fire that blazes to the world that you are a ‘God first always’ follower of Jesus Christ the Lord!

Today’s Song is…
I Put You First

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)