Do you remember your first love? I remember mine…well I remember what I thought was my first love…then my second first love…then I met my for real for real first love. 

I randomly listened to Tamela Mann’s version of I Can Only Imagine, as the words found their way to my heart I felt something on the inside revive. My heart overflowed. This longing overwhelmed me and this feeling to see my love face to face stayed. The connection with My First Love was being restored, renewed and rekindled.

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Lack of Movement Kills

Any body of water cut off from a constant flow or motion becomes stagnant. A former pool of life, becomes a haven of death 💀, with life unable to thrive or survive here. In the same manner, christians  cut off from God produce stagnation and this consistent lack of movement kills (Proverbs 1:32).

No God = No Progression

When we’re not plugged 🔌🔌🔌in properly, our growth is stifled as is our ability to reconcile other’s to God. Even the slightest disconnect causes us not function as effectively. We are weaker or we may not operate at all. We don’t have the capacity to reach our true potential, because our full potential and identity is hidden in Him. Thought: if something is hidden it must be found, God wants us to seek & chase after Him. Connect any electrical device to a power source, but only halfway…what happens? There are a myriad of variables that exist and the results are inconsistent…does that sound like some of us?  😯😯😯

Are You Plugged In or Not⁉️

So if we aren’t plugged into God or at least not completely, what are we connected to?

Sadly some function under a pseudo power source, they function out of what they “used to be” or “used to do.” They operate under an old authority and not a fresh anointing from God. They are always trying to put new wine into old containers…😟 Thought: how unsanitary is that? They always have an “old story” to tell, an old “I remember the time” lesson. Israel’s first king’s honor was stripped due to his blatant disregard for God’s instructions. King Saul lost his kingdom, power & authority because he followed his own agenda. God allowed him to keep his role years after he was demoted (1 Samuel 15:26). However, he had no new glorious stories to tell of; devoid of God’s presence, he was left filled with jealousy, bitterness and a desperation to have “that old thing back.”  You will recognize these people by what they produce in themselves and reproduce in others (John 15:5). These are those that have the form of godliness, but truly deny His power (2 Timothy 3:5).

Then there are those that are caught up in the work, serving,  and ministry…😕😕😕

It is easy to get caught up in an “assignment,” even purpose, so much so that your relationship with God becomes pretentious‼️‼️‼️  Your faith begins to exists only superficially and intimacy with God takes a backseat to the mere “role of a Christian.” In essence we talk about God more than we talk to Him…(🎧🎧🎧 to Andy Mineo’s Death of Me).

You have shown endurance and put up with a lot for my name’s sake, and you haven’t gotten tired. But I have this against you: you have let go of the love you had at first. So remember the high point from which you have fallen. Change your hearts and lives and do the things you did at first. If you don’t, I’m coming to you. I will move your lampstand from its place if you don’t change your hearts and lives.

Revelation 2:3-5 Common English Bible

Yes, all have individual assignments and tasks in life to complete, but do we fulfill them at the expense of dampening our connection to God? NO‼️ Sisters, Mary and Martha served Jesus very closely. One day Martha got mad 😑😡😤at Mary for bailing on household responsibilities. While Martha worked, Mary opted to sit at Jesus’ feet. Martha prompted Jesus to make Mary help, but He didn’t, instead Jesus explained to Martha that Mary was doing what was necessary, the needed thing, and it wouldn’t be taken from her (Luke 10:42). There is hope found, joy revealed and mysteries opened in His presence. Do not neglect this gift. It is a necessary thing  to come before Him,  then you may share those treasures with others‼️

We have all been designed on purpose and with purpose (Ephesians 2:10), but that purpose doesn’t overshadow the One who created it (See #⃣PurposeVSAmbition). Our relationship with God is 1⃣st, all else will fall into place by default. I had to unplug recently from my phone 📱, minimize my presence on social media, and even hanging out. I’ve even cut back on talking to God so much, opting to just lay out and listen. Jesus said resting at His own feet was needed and often went away to be rejuvenated before God. If Jesus did it and God was well pleased with Him, then it would be wise for us to follow!

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

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“And now, here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to start all over again. I’m taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I’ll court her. I’ll give her bouquets of roses. I’ll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. She’ll respond like she did as a young girl, those days when she was fresh out of Egypt.  “At that time” – this is God’s Message still – “you’ll address me, ‘Dear husband!’ Never again will you address me, ‘My slave-master!’

Hosea 2:14-16 The Message Bible (MSG)

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PRAYER

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Father, thank You for the promise to “woo” us. To withdraw us from the distractions and draw us to a quiet place with You. Thank You for reminding us of the bondage You freed us from. Let us love You with the love we had in the beginning and restore the joy of Your salvation to me‼️

In Jesus Name, Amen!