Returning to Your First Love

Today, marks the anniversary of the first date Renee and I had 32 years ago. Little did we know that we would marry after five years, just celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary. We are getting ready to see our friends for our 30th High School Reunion. Where has time gone?

God has blessed me with a great wife, she is great mom, and wow...what a mamaw she is!!!!

While the years have changed us a little physically, I believe we love each other more today than we ever have. Our love for each other has grown, and if the Lord allows, we look forward to the days ahead and sharing it with our family, and serving the Lord's church together.

When you think about your love for Christ, remember when you became a christian? Go back to the time in your mind and in your heart when you surrendered your life to Jesus. Can you remember how hot for God you were at one time, and how important it was to be active and faithful in your local church?

Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2
² “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. ⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

They were doing a lot of good things, yet they had drifted away from the most important thing and that was to keep the Lord first place in their lives, and in the life of a church.
If the Lord speaks to you about returning to your first love for Him, He wants to help you, not hurt you. Jesus is the answer!

You're Serious Aren't You?

^{Psalm 39:4}“LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.

Recently in a devotion on Psalms by retired IMB President Jerry Rankin, Psalm 39 reminded me of how fragile and swift.....how short life really is. He shared that his thoughts were always focused on what was ahead of him and what he will do someday.

Aren't we all a little like that? Spiritually it can come in the form of putting off telling someone about Christ, or calling or visiting a person who has been on your mind. For me personally it can come in the form of fixing something or cleaning up something (such as the famous garage you have heard about.) One day; tomorrow; when I am on vacation; then I will will do it! You know what I mean, we all can fall into the slippery pit of "I get around to it later." I don't know about you, but I can live in that world sometimes and not think a thing about it.

Dr. Rankin goes on to say, that now that he is in retirement, he is not thinking so much about what is ahead of him, but that he has so little time left to do what he wants to do. It is that vapor that James 4:14 mentions, while Psalm 90:12 says to teach us to number our days that we may present to thee a heart of wisdom.

With another birthday you may be at that point where you suddenly realize that time is fleeting. I know I am. What have you been putting off that needs to happen today? Is it reconciliation with a family member or friend? It is trusting the Lord to help you share the gospel with a relative or neighbor. Let's try to finish our lives living with no regret and no missed opportunity.

You can begin today, go ahead , start now.

P.S. Disclaimer!! (The picture above is not my garage)