Return to Your First Love

S-Where Did It Go?

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's freedom through Christ

L-Where Is Your Joyful Spirit?

"Where is that joyful spirit we felt together then? In those days, I know you would gladly have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?" Galatians 4:15-16

Yesterday I asked you to think back on the day you were first saved, and the joy you felt. Do you remember those first few months you were so on fire for Christ, that you could barely contain yourself? You wanted to go out and share Jesus with everyone you could. You wanted to help and serve as much as you possibly could. 

You stayed on that high for awhile, and then...your fire and excitement dimmed.

Somehow your passion, though still there, became a lot less. The busyness of life, the frustration of school, work, being a parent, and self consumed more of your attention and time. 

Why? 

It seems as though now, Jesus is just another person you check of your list.

You do what you want, your passion now comes from temporary things. Your joy has been lost and your search for happiness, which again is temporary. You have managed to tie yourself back up into the very things that once enslaved you.

Paul addresses this issue here and calls out the Galatian Churches. And so does Jesus in the Book of Revelation.

"I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.  But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do." Revelation 2:2-6

What is your answer to this brethren? Where is your joyful spirit. Where has your willingness to serve others gone? Has Jesus somehow become your enemy because His Word revels your sinfulness?

His Word speaks truth, yet we only want to pick and choose the parts of truth we listen to or read. 

Why is this?

Have we forgotten what Christ has done for us? 

Brethren, Jesus is offering pure and lasting joy. Take it.

Let His love and Word rebuild the fire you once had for Him. 

S-Seek God and and His Word and ask Him to fill you with the love and passion you once had for Him. Return to your first real love.

Prelude

A prelude to Galatians 4:15-16

Think back on the day you met Jesus. 

Now, close your eyes and remember the emotion, the joy, the hope, and the relief that filled your heart.

Does it bring a smile to your face? Do those precious moments come flooding back in, making your heart swell?

When was the last time you felt that same joy and passion for Christ? 

Has it been awhile?

Altar Sunday

Rise up Church and lift your voices to The Lord. Pour out your hearts to Him.

Let a revival begin!!

In Sickness and In Health

S-Do not turn away from

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-In All Things

 "Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News of Christ. But even though my sickness was revolting to you, you did not reject me and turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus Himself." Galatians 4:13-14

Paul makes two important points in this passage, that I believe we need to pay attention to and apply to our lives today.

1. No matter the condition we are in health wise, we should always do what we can to share the good News with others. This is what Paul did all throughout his ministry. 

      -How do we do this? By example, with our attitude and speech even in the midst of suffering. And by depending on The Lord to give us the strength and energy we need daily.

2. As Followers of Christ, we need to serve those who are sick, homeless, widowed, lost, imprisoned, and broken. Just as Christ tells us to.

    -"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you have me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Matthew 25:35-40

It seems anymore that we focus on "me" and our own busyness that we fail to remember those around us who are in need. We often pass the homeless man or woman on the side of the road and even grumble about them. Yet what if they, out of the rare few, really are in need?

I do understand they are ALL in need, but I also believe with the right help and motivation, many of them could and do desire to be helped, employed and have a roof over their heads. 

How about the widowed lady who sits next to you, or works next to you, or lives next to you. How often to you visit her? 

What about the sick, this is tough, because many of us shudder at the thought of hospitals. But brethren their are also a lot who are at home and sick that could use encouragement, a smiling face, a visit, even some soup.

As The Lord impressed these things upon my heart, He took it even further and asked, "What about those who are in places of poverty, who have HIV, or any other diseases that frighten us." What about them?

You see when we see serve the least of these, we are serving Christ. This is what the Galatian Churches did for Paul. 

This is how the Body of Christ should be. 

I wonder today, how many Churches are reaching out and taking in those in need? How many Churches today are stepping outside of their comfort zones and into the places where their dependence is fully in God?

I wonder today, how many of us really understand, it begins within each of us individually. We all have to do our part. 

Do you know of someone who is always serving others, always helping those in need? Do you notice they never are really asked? They are able, through the Holy Spirit to see the need and then they act?

Let's become those people. 

S-Share your blessings with someone less fortunate than you.

The Workers are Few!

^" He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few." Matthew 9:37

Brethren, at what point will we step outside of our comfort zones and step into the same places Christ is?

Yes He is everywhere, but He is found in the places where most of us don't want to go. Places that require us to be uncomfortable in order to share Him.

Places that require us to depend on Him in ways we never would or have before.

Places that break our hearts because of the devastation found there.

Places that open our eyes to the reality of how desperate Jesus is needed there.

And really, It's not about the places at all, it's about the people in those places.

The people are what matter. 

The souls and hearts of these precious God created people need Jesus, and in order for them to receive Jesus and His hope and love, we have to be willing to step outside of our comfort zones and own little world and step into theirs.

This requires us to have complete faith in Christ. 

Do we trust Him enough to be uncomfortable for His name sake?

Do we believe in His promises, like this one.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Our Independence

Our freedom came through Christ Jesus, when he bought our freedom with His blood.

Lets celebrate Jesus today and the freedom He gave us. 

If it wasn't for Him, we would have no freedom at all.

Favor or Relationship?

S-A Relationship

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Freedom in Christ

L-Favor

 "You are trying to find favor with God by what you do or don't do on certain days or months or seasons or years." Galatians 4:10

Today, so many religions try to find favor with God by doing certain things or not doing certain things. This passage still applies and speaks to each of us today.

We believe, if we do this, or say this, or act like this then we are good to go. But brethren, works alone will never get you to heaven.

Being good, just isn't good enough. 

Following a ritual that becomes a mindless ritual, just isn't good enough.

Christ wants an active, involved, and growing relationship with us. One that is personal and real. 

Our desire to serve, worship and obey God, should be because of our greatfulness for what He did for us. 

Not because we feel as though we are obligated.

This is where rituals come in. If we say this over and over, or if we give up this on these days, and if we pray this or celebrate this holiday or this occasion then we have done our spiritual deed.

Oh, brethren this is not at all what Christ is about. Don't get tied up again in slavery to the law or rituals.

Don't believe that doing something once a year, or a daily ritual, or that works alone will cover you.

It won't! 

It is about a personal relationship with Christ! It is having faith in Him and beleiving He is who says He is.

Are you trying to earn favor with God or do you have a real, thriving and growing relationship with Him?

S-Tell someone that Jesus desires to have a relationship with them, and then share with them what your relationship with Christ is like.

Tell Me Why

S-Don't Go Back

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's love

L-Why?

"Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world." Galatians 4:8-9

The first thing that came to my mind as I began to study this passage was, why.

Why, after tasting the sweetness and seeing the goodness of God would you want to go back to your old way of living?

Why are you even considering slavery again?

You have been set free, and now, because of the lies of these false teachers, you are actually considering putting chains back on yourself. That is crazy to me.

Well until The Lord pointed out that I am guilty of doing the same thing.

I know God's goodness, I have tasted the sweetness of His mercy and love. Yet, so has my flesh with the things of this world. Therefore, when I allow my flesh to lead, I can very easily find myself drifting back towards the slavery and bondage of sin.

Until, Christ intervenes, and reminds me of the freedom I now have from sin, and the law, because of His death.

And He doesn't stop there. He goes even further by reminding me how distasteful it is. So much so it gives me chills.

So, let me ask you today, why? Why after being filled with Christ and set free, do you want to go back to your old way of living?

Why are you choosing slavery over freedom?

Why do you even consider placing those chains back on yourself?

S- Turn from your fleshly, worldly desires, that enslave you and turn to God. Let Him set you free once and for all.

When the Shaking is Done

"When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire." Hebrews 12:26-29

The only thing that will remain is our relationship with Christ.

Do you have one?

Do you invest in it daily?

What will be left of you when the shaking is done?

Altar Sunday

Jesus may our hearts be heavy for those who are lost.

May the heaviness bring us to the altar.

On their behalf.

A Great Inheritance

S-The Best there is

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's freedom through Christ

L-Until Then

"Think of it this way, If a father dies and leaves great wealth for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 

And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you." Galatians 4:1-7

 Several things to take from these passages.

1. Verse 1-2-Maturity-understanding-discipline, all come with time, age, guidance, and being taught. Don't focus on the waiting, rather take joy in the time you are given to grow, mature, and learn under the leading of the Lord. For when you receive your inheritance it will be used wisely and will have been worth the wait.

2. Verse 3-Before Christ- we were slaves to the law. We were in bondage to it, and we tried to be saved by obeying it, only to come up short every time.

3. Verse 4-5. God's timing is perfect in all things, and though waiting can be hard, we can use it to draw near to God, focus on His goodness, and sit under His teaching. These two verses reveal God's love and grace. They also remind us that Christ came in human form, born of a woman, a Jew, subject to the law just like us. This helps us relate to Christ, because He too faced the things we face today, yet He never sinned. He fulfilled every law, thus becoming the perfect sacrifice, who set us free, by purchasing our freedom with His blood.

4. Verse 6-7-It doesn't get better than this. Becoming a child of God, receiving the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, being set free from the slavery of the law, and receiving all that belongs to Him, is the greatest inheritance there is. Why would you want anything other than the absolute best? This is the best there is!

Again, why would you choose slavery to the law over freedom in Christ? Why would you choose death that the law offers, over life that Christ gives?

S-Share with someone the inheritance that is theirs through Christ

Our Concern. His Concern

"And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost." Luke 19:10

Have you ever thought about the things that concern us and the things that concern God?

Our Concerns

Appearance
Being liked
Being loved
Being wanted
Being needed
Being noticed
Having a purpose
Having value
Money

God's Concerns

Our soul
Our heart
Our relationship with Christ
Our protection

What We Seek After

Materialistic things
Praise
attention
value
love
fulfillment
Success
(See a pattern here?)

What God Seeks After

         US

"But you shouldn't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that I, the Son of Man, can give you. For God the Father has sent me for that very purpose." John 6:27

Sweet Woman...

"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 1 Peter 3:3-4

My heart aches for you sweet woman, who is caught up in the entanglement of this world.

As you set out on your daily search to be loved, admired, fulfilled, and of value, I notice you are looking to the things that provide only temporary fulfillment.

It saddens me to see this.

It saddens Him to watch you.

He has what you need, yet you continue to look elsewhere. You look to clothes, appearance, men, even the compliments of other women. You shop to impress, to fill a void, yet at the end of the day, when you are all dressed up, you lay down your head and find, the emptiness is still there.

The words of your spouse become only words, they are not enough for you anymore. You soon desire the looks of others as you walk down the street, in a store, or restaurant.

Or maybe you have gone in the opposite direction and have began to care very little about yourself. Your insecurity and own condemnation has led you to the place of little desire to look nice, to take care of your body. You have let yourself go.

This saddens me to see this.

This saddens Him to watch you.

He has a purpose for you. He has washed away all self condemnation with His very own blood. Yet you listen to the lies of Satan and others who say, "You are not good enough. You are ugly. Look at her, she has it better than you. You will never amount to more than this. You have to look this way and be this size."

Sweet girl, we all have insecurities. Not one is perfect, no not one. God does not have those desires or standards for you. He wants you, exactly the way He made you-in His image.

Don't cover up God's beauty with food, or lazy attire. Don't expose God's beauty with little clothing either. Don't arouse the attention of men, by dressing inappropriately. There are men who do desire to remain pure and committed to their spouses and the Lord. Don't cause them to stumble because of your need to be noticed, sought after and loved. A modest woman, secure in the Lord is of more beauty than any other. 

Don't place your family in debt because your need to be admired and noticed sent you spending more on clothing and the finest for your home and children.

God always provides our daily needs. Abundance is found in His blessings not in materialistic things.

Sweet woman, these words that spew from your mouth, be careful with them. You will be held accountable for them one day. They can never be taken back.

This saddens me to hear such ugliness, towards other women who are hurting and searching just as you are.

This saddens Him to hear this.

These words you utter, are not a true reflection of Him. Don't allow your words and feelings to get tangled up. Be wise with them.

Remember, your words always reach the one you are speaking about. Forgiveness and kindness go farther, heal the hurt quicker, and offer freedom.

Negative words, towards yourself or others, bring bondage, more insecurity and doubt.

Don't be known as a gossip, it only reveals your insecurity, doubt in God, and your desire to be liked by man, rather than your desire to please the Lord.

Sweet woman, your actions. They are a reflection of all that is held in your heart. The rolling of your eyes, the disrespect with your body language, the fakeness in your tone. They all reveal what's in your heart.

This saddens me to see this.

This saddens Him to watch you.

Your spouse desires respect, and the biggest way he sees and feels that respect is through your actions.

She deserves to be respected and cared for, just as you do. Though she hurt you, don't hurt her in return. You will accomplish nothing by doing that.

Your actions are an overflow of what you fill your heart with. What flows from you, sweet woman?

And lastly, transparency.

Sweet woman, as you walk into your closet, seek out the outfit that reveals a woman of God. A woman who desires to show others God's mercy and grace. A woman that reveals the scars in a manner that will point others to the Cross.

Be a woman that is as genuine and real, as she portrays to be, that is transparency, when others can see Him clear to the core of you.

Be clothed in the Word.

For then, as you walk, others will see the "Light" of the Cross embedded within you.

Could You Ever?

S-Wholehearted Obedience

S-"The next morning I did everything I had been told to do." Ezekiel 24:18

A-Complete Obedience

L-A True Definition

Think of the person that is your dearest treasure.
.
.
.
.

Do you have them in your mind now?

Now imagine God telling you this about them.

"Son of man, I am going to take away your dearest treasure. Suddenly she will die. Yet you must not show any sorrow. Do not weep; let there be no tears. You may sigh but only quietly. Let there be no wailing @ her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends." Ezekiel 24:16-17

Can you even imagine?

Me either.

To be honest brethren, when I was reading this story about Ezekiel, my heart broke. How? How did Ezekiel do it?

He did it because his devotion and love for God was so much greater. sigh

Only, by the power of the Holy Spirit could we ever be able to do what he did.

His heart had to be so broken, right? I mean he was human.

But instead of mourning like we do, he did the opposite.

"So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do." Ezekiel 24:18

Brethren, this man of God, obeyed the Lord completely and wholeheartedly, even in the midst of heartache.

I want to get to this point!

I want to be completely and wholeheartedly obedient and devoted to Christ...

Even when it hurts
Even when I don't feel like it
Even when it goes unnoticed
Even when its so hard I want to quit
Even when it is foreign
Even when it is uncomfortable
Even when it leaves me standing alone and apart from others
Even when it feels awkward
Even when it is so far from what I could ever do or imagine

I want to be obedient!

God had a purpose and reason for asking this of Ezekiel, and it was because of the sinfulness of Jerusalem. He was setting the example for the people of Israel, whom would soon have to follow it, when God destroyed Jerusalem.

Be obedient to the Lord at all times, for you never know when God might be using you. And always remember, if He asks it of you, He will give you the strength, courage, and help to do it.

Slow Down

"Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Somehow, in the midst of our busy lives, we seem to let those in need fall by the wayside. Our focus, that once was upon the broken, seems to have shifted.

That is, until you receive that call, text, or email, that says let me know you are still here. Let me know that this brokenness inside of me, is something I don't have to face alone. Please, just let me know you haven't abandoned me.

Let me know you are praying for me, thinking of me, and that I haven't been left here to deal with this on my own.

I want to tell you sweet one, if you are reading this and you are broken. You are not alone. You are not forgotten, nor do you have to face this brokenness alone.

God is with you at all times, and though it is so hard to understand, His presence alone is greater than any humans presence could ever be.

The Lord has never left you, nor has He ever failed you. Hold on to that sweet one.

Now, for us who get so caught up in the busyness of our lives, we need to have our focus shifted back to what's important. And all the rushing around and busyness "WE" create for ourselves is not near as important as being Christ in flesh to the broken.

How can we be used by Christ if we are to busy to listen to His instruction?

How can we make a difference if we serve in a rush?

How can we comfort others, if we never take the time to listen to them?

How can we be equipped if we rush our time with the Lord?

When we allow our busyness to take the place of serving, loving, listening, and being there for those in need, we become less useful.

Do you know someone who is hurting and lost, someone searching for hope, encouragement, and love? If so, let Christ use you. Slow down and take the time to be a reflection of Christ's love.

All. In. Belong.

S-God's Heir

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's gift of freedom through Jesus

L-Children of God

"So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians-you are one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you." Galatians 3:26-29

This is where God steps in and makes Himself known, in a way we all can understand. And He starts off by telling us how we become children of God and how we become united, identified, and made like Christ.

Through our faith in Christ, and through baptism.

"And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him."

Then, through Paul, God places words such as, all, through, faith, no, are, and belong, in Paul to drive a very important point home. The world and false teachers have it wrong.

They teach and point to self. They use words such as, I, me, us, some, they, etc.

But God says, no it's not about you or your group of people. It's about everyone who is in Christ Jesus. They are His heirs. They are the true children of Abraham. They also receive the promises God gave to Abraham.

As followers of Christ we need to stop with the "OR's" and be united, because we are ALL children of God through our faith IN Christ.

Brethren, this really hits home, in many ways for us. Maybe we need to allow this particular passage to sink in and work its way through us too. Because sometimes we can be really bad about placing people in a category. We can use the "Or" way to much.

So much that when a lost soul, searching for hope walks in our Churches, across our path, or is apart of  our family, and they don't look OR act like "we" think they should, we let them walk out even more hopeless and lost than when they walked in or by.

Let's be mindful that Christ made the way for ALL people to come to Him, and when they do, through their faith and baptism they become children of God. They become our brothers and sisters, whom we are to love, pray for, and encourage.

S-Tell someone today that God's arms are opened wide awaiting to embrace them. Tell them of His love and that through His Son, Jesus, they too can become a child of God, an heir, and receive God's amazing promises. 

Altar Sunday

Thank You Jesus for sunburns and summer kisses.

 Thank you for rain and sunshine.

Thank You for Your goodness and grace.

Thank You for laughter and tears.

Thank You for forgiveness and love.

Thank You for Church families and the altar to come and give You praise. 

Do You...

Do you get excited when you read God's Word?

Do you hurry to go meet with Him, because you can't wait to be in His presence?

Do you find it to be the absolute best part of your day?

Do you lose yourself in Him and His Word?

Does He make you giddy?

Do you find comfort and joy in Him?

Do you spend time listening as He lavishes you with His love? 

Do you desire more and more of Him daily?

A Little Confirmation

When you walk by and Jesus says, "Look up." So you look up and see this on the back of a car. You know you are right in the place of His Word He wants you to be.

Jesus thank You for the tiniest confirmations and at the times You know we need them the most. Bless You sweet Father. Amen

Let Me Put it Another Way

S-Let me put it another way.

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Freedom through Christ

L-Here It Is

"Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came. So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God. But now that faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian." Galatians 3:24-25

The law that was given, was to teach you how to obey and love God with all your heart. As pure, blameless, and holy as you possibly could. But as you have seen and heard, it is impossible to fulfill and obey the entire law to the fullest. Especially when these Pharisees and false teachers are placing a burden upon you that you will never be able to carry or achieve.

Because of that Christ came, He came to set you free from all of that. He came to fulfill the law and offer you freedom and life through Him. (Matthew 5:17, Romans 10:4)

It is only through your faith in Christ that you will be able to fulfill the law. (Romans 3:31)

Brethren, do you struggle with living by the law more than you do faith in Christ? Do you get bogged down with failure after failure to the point condemnation has become your constant companion?

If so, ask the Lord to set you free from the bondage you are in. Ask Him to show you what He sees. Are you someone trying to please Him through good works, or by faith?

Maybe, you are struggling to wrap your mind around faith and God's promises. If so, get in the Word of God, let Him teach you His truths. He will put it another way, after another way, after another way, to ensure that you get it.

S-Find someone grounded in the Word of God and share your struggle with them, so they can pray with you, encourage you, lift you up, and walk with you through it.