Monday, October 19, 2015

How's Your Spiritual Passion For Jesus Doing?

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!
 
I had a dream some time ago. 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 what we put our attention on. 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. OVer 30 years ago, my hunger for Jesus urged me to appoint a set time each morning to wake up and spend the first portion of my day with Jesus and the Father reading the Word and praying. That decision that was formed by personal hunger charted the course of my life. I have never been the same since! Desire always follows your attention. Ask God to make you hungry for Him more than anything else!
  
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).

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