Nevertheless I have
this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from
where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…(Revelation 2: 4-5). I know your works, that you are neither cold
nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm,
and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth (Revelation 3:
15-16).
This is a day to give your heart completely to Jesus in
an unreserved way. It is not a day to compromise with the flesh or with the
popular opinion of the moment!
Some time ago I had an insightful dream. In the dream I
was at a conference meeting with other believers in a fairly wide yet not deep
room. Four women were leading singing including my lovely wife (she has hidden
talent!). We were singing the old song with
my hands lifted up, and my mouth filled with praise, with a heart of
thanksgiving, I will bless you O Lord. In the dream I noticed that some
were singing with lifted hands, but many were engaged in conversation with
others. They seemed oblivious to the worship that was going on. And then in the
dream I thought to myself as I observed those who were not singing, boy we sure don’t have the passion for Jesus
that we once had. We need to come back to our first love. End of dream.
This is a day for consecration and dedication to the
Father. Much is at stake. Our hunger defines us. Our appetites show who we are.
Smith Wigglesworth stated, I’d rather
have a man on my platform who is not Spirit-filled but hungry than a man who is
Spirit –Filled and satisfied.
Hunger has great
drawing power. Hunger can move you. Smith Wigglesworth also mentioned, I’m only satisfied with the dissatisfaction
that has to be satisfied over and over again.
Let me also remind you that our appetites
and hunger follow our attention. Perhaps you’ve slackened off on your
relationship with the Lord. You read your Bible less often and pray only
sporadically. And perhaps church attendance is hit and miss. Has your first
love taken a back seat to other things?
You can change today. Repent for stepping away from your
first love. Then, make yourself read and pray. Desire always follows attention.
And pray to get hungry!
Behold, I stand at
the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in
to him and dine with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:20).
Not sure if it matters--in your dream do you know who the other 3 women were who were singing with your wife?
ReplyDeleteThis question keeps going around in my mind as I reread your blog??!
What is 'Sharia Law'. Heard it over and over, but really don't understand what this is?
ReplyDeletehelp---
Was reading Oct 28 blog.
thank you
Thank you Pastor for reminding us to examine ourselves and really think about how excited we were when we first realized what Jesus did for us. I don't want to be lukewarm. Linda Bullock
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question about Sharia law, Sharia law is simply what Islam desires to enforce among it's adherents with respect to social and civic life. Sharia Law is the moral code and religious law of Islam. In some countries, there is a movement to allow Muslims to abide by Sharia Law rather than commonly accepted constitutional laws within their jurisdiction. As percentages of Muslims increase in a community, there may be a push for Sharia compliance for the Muslim community, and you can see how this would violate the constitutional rights granted citizens in western nations, particularly here in the US.
ReplyDeleteAcually, I have no idea who the other ladies were in that dream!
ReplyDelete