But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
--Revelation 2:4-5
I remember the day I got my first car like it was yesterday. Now, that old jalopy wasn’t much to look at to some people. But to me, it looked like a brand-new Rolls Royce!
What’s funny, though, is after a while, that new car feeling just sort of wore off. The more I drove it, the more I got used to it. What was once a new, exciting thing in my life eventually became everyday and ordinary.
And sadly, that’s how a lot of Christians view their relationship with Jesus. When they first got saved, man, they were on fire for Christ! Their eyes were wide open, their ears were ready to hear the Word of God, they were excited about their faith! They were in love with the Lord Jesus.
But somehow… over time… that newfound love for Christ wore off. What was once new, exciting, and fresh became old, mundane, and stale. Can you relate?
The fact is, Jesus never changes. You and I do… whether it’s a result of busyness, distraction, or outright sin in our lives.
But today, I’ve got some good news for you if you’d admit that your love for Jesus has grown cold: Jesus longs for your fellowship! He wants to spend time with you!
All it takes to revitalize your relationship with Christ is to remember what it was like when you first met the Lord, repent of any of those sins that are keeping you at a distance from Him, and repeat those things that keep you at His feet… things like reading His Word each day and regular prayer.
Today, it’s my prayer… if your heart is cold or if you’ve fallen into a casual, mechanical, comfortable routine in your Christian walk… that you will rekindle the fire and revive your relationship with Jesus Christ. Because He’s waiting for you to do it right now! Today!
JESUS LONGS FOR YOUR FELLOWSHIP
Thursday, September 19, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
1 Corinthians 12:4–7
God gives each of His children many good things, and among those are gifts designed to be used for His work. The church at Corinth was riven with dissension over spiritual gifts. Rather than viewing them as tools, they were seen more as badges of honor. People vied over who would have the most prominent and public gifts. The spiritual gifts given to the Corinthian believers were viewed through the lens of how they would glorify those who had them rather than how they would glorify God. Though that was not the biggest problem the church had, it was creating divisions and controversies, and at the same time the work that needed doing was not being done.
The parable that Jesus told of the servants who were entrusted with talents while their master was away highlights the vital importance of using what God has given us. When the master returned, he judged the success of the servants, not by how much they earned, but by whether they put what they had to work, and he condemned the servant who buried his talent, doing nothing with it: “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury” (Matthew 25:27).
Though today we use the word talent more for abilities than for money, the same principle holds true. God has given us gifts to use in a way that is profitable for His kingdom, and He calls us to use our gifts for His work.
Today's Growth Principle:
It is impossible to obey and please God without using what He has given us to further His work.
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