MAY 29, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

MAY 29 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING:  REVELATION 2:1-7

In the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation the Lord Jesus gives seven messages to the seven churches of Asia Minor. He has a specific message to each church as He examines them. The first church He speaks to is the church of Ephesus. He has much good to say about this church. He commends them for their good deeds, their hard work and perseverance. He rejoices that they do not tolerate wicked people, especially those who claim to be followers of Jesus, but are not. This is a great church in so many ways, they are doing so many things right. Yet the Lord says that He holds one thing against them...they had forsaken the love they had at first for the Lord. They had left their first love. The fires of love for the Lord had gone out. Jesus was saying that we can do everything right, but we must never lose our love for Him in the process. We can never get so busy, that we forget to love our Lord.

Our Jesus is a Savior of great compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. To the church at Ephesus He instructs them on what to do. His instructions are also important for us today. Jesus gives His instructions in verse 5, where He tells them and us what to do if we have lost our passion for Christ. First, He said, REMEMBER....remember how you used to love the Lord....remember how He was everything to you. Remember how you could not wait to tell everyone about the love of your life. Second, He said, REPENT...recognized that your love for the Lord has grown cold. Confess that you have let this happen, turn from the coldness of heart. Finally, He said, RETURN...return to your first love. Return to your first works. Return to when Jesus was everything to you and you could not live without Him. Our love for Christ is vitally important to the Lord; it is the basis for everything we are about as followers of Jesus. Don't lose your love for Him! If you have, REMEMBER...REPENT...and RETURN to loving Him!

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