(Revelation 2:4)
"There is so much good in this church (of Ephesus) that we are surprised to discover they had left (not lost) their first love.
The honeymoon was over (Jeremiah 2:2)!
No amount of separation, sacrifice, or service can make up for your lack of love toward the Lord."
(Warren W. Wiersbe With The Word A Devotional) Commentary P. 847)
Everything that is successful in the Christian life, stems from our love for the Lord. It begins there. And if we love the Lord with all of our heart, no matter what the circumstances are, or the people that we are dealing with, we will obey the Lord in all things.
In the Christian life, there is too much focus on self. We can get really busy on programs and activities, that we forsake our time to fellowship with the Lord, and give Him the worship He deserves.
Or we can constantly complain about our circumstances, and what the Lord has called us to do, that we drag our feet, and become ineffective in our ministry for Him. Putting attention on ourselves instead of loving the Lord, and putting Him first, can have devastating results.
In the Christian life, it does not begin with the work, it begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ. From that mutual loving relationship there will come a most dynamic and effective ministry.
Let's love the Lord First and foremost, and let Him lead the way, to a successful ministry for Him! GP
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