In Revelation 2, Jesus tells the church of Ephesus to return to their first love. Apparently it’s a sin to not maintain the first love of Jesus because he tells the church to turn back to him and repent. If you read this without the understanding of Jesus’ heart guided by the Holy Spirit, it’s easy to let fear and loathing to creep into your heart. In my opinion, Jesus tells us strongly to keep the ‘first love’ alive in our hearts for our well-being and protection. It reminds me of the discussion I just had with my kids to never, ever get in the car of a stranger or even a familiar adult without my knowledge. I can’t fully explain to them the whys because the reasons can be so evil and horrific. Likewise, when Jesus warns us that strongly, let us pay attention as if our life depends on it.

When I read the works of the Ephesus church reported by Jesus himself, I think the church is doing fantastic. Then Jesus continues and exposes that their ‘first love’ is gone and commands the church to return back to their ‘first love’. This tells me to always check the temperature of my ‘first love’ for Jesus. If it has dampened in any way, then I’m going to pause my works even if they are good works in order to get my ‘first love’ for Jesus Christ flamed up again. From my experience, God is most efficient. He knows better than us what demands and responsibilities we have. If we seek him first then everything will be added onto us. So stop worrying, if you are a responsible type A personality. 

My small group is studying the book of Acts. Peter under the anointing of the Holy Spirit says this to the observant Jews: 

Acts 3:19-20 (NLT)
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.”

This ‘times of refreshment’ will only come after repenting of one’s sins and turning to God. I don’t ever want to reject ‘times of refreshment’ from God. Therefore if the Holy Spirit convicts my heart, I’ll step into the light of Jesus in order to repent from my sins and turn to God for help and strength in order to do the right thing. Besides, why in the world would you pass up any refreshment from heaven?!!

Lately, the Holy Spirit has gently brought into the light about my faith. He is right – I have lost my ‘first faith’. You know the type of faith you had in the very beginning when you prayed big, bold prayers in the presence of God and you actually believed with all of your heart that they’ll come to pass.

As I pondered how my ‘first faith’ have waned, I confessed that unbelief crept in over the years as those early prayers never materialized. Scripture says it is impossible to please God without faith. Fortunately I have faith, some days it’s just very small like a mustard seed. But that’s okay because Jesus says that’s all we need. 🙂 I do miss the great confidence, boldness and joy that I remember having with my ‘first faith’. That’s why I have been asking God to bring me back to my ‘first faith’. 

Today, if you see yourself coming short on your ‘first love’ and/or ‘first faith’; be still before the Lord. Let’s seek God together through our Lord Jesus Christ and ask the Lord to recalibrate us back to the very beginning of our ‘first love and first faith’. I’ll be praying for you. Please pray for me too. Thank you for your prayers! God bless you. – From the heart with love. 

Matthew 6:33Expanded Bible (EXB)
Seek first [Be concerned above all else with] God’s kingdom and what God wants [his righteousness]. Then all your other needs will be met as well [these things will be given to you].

Hebrews 11:6New Living Translation (NLT)
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Matthew 17:20New Living Translation (NLT)
“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

P.S. One day the Holy Spirit opened my understanding further. Jesus never said how long it’ll take for the mountain to move…