Breakfast with the King

My First Love

Do you remember when you were first introduced to Jesus? As I contemplate the days of my youth, I remember the euphoric pleasure of living forJesus. Forty years later, the constant glow of that first love has changed. It is now a confidence in Him that I didn’t have in the beginning. I have tasted and seen the goodness of my King. 

As a child, I knew that I had a need for someone who would love me unconditionally. I always felt I never measured up. Until I was introduced to Jesus. 

On June 14, 1979, I sat in a small church in Amarillo, Texas hearing the words of John 3:16. “For God so loved the world,  that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I learned that I could do nothing to make Jesus love me or earn His love for me. I already had it! That day a Iave my life to Jesus, but I did not always live like I was loved. 

The scripture tells us that Jesus is love, and that we love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) It does not tell us that the moment we say, “Yes!” that we are transformed into the spitting image of our Dear Savior. The Word says that everyday we become closer to the image of God’s dear Son. (1 Cor. 3:18) As we experience the glory of God in our lives we grow in confidence, not in ourselves, but in Him and His ability to change us.

Romans 5:8-9 tells us that God demonstrated His love to us when we were still in our sins, and died for us. When Father God looks at us He sees the blood of His precious Son. He sees us free from death and destruction. This is our confidence, not in our ability to walk perfectly but righteously, because righteousness comes from Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21) 

On June 14, 1979, I was an eleven year old child who had experienced hurts, sickness, and disappointments. When I walked away from the altar I was not who I would be today. Those situations that try to destroy us do not come from God. John 10:10 Satan wants to destroy us, but Jesus came to give us life abundantly. 

When we decide to find the goodness of God in the midst of the struggle He brings beauty from ashes, and joy from mourning. Is. 61:3 “In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” Everyday walk seeing the goodness of God, rise above the situations and circumstances, become those great oaks. 

Have you found that First Love? Have you surrendered your will and your ways to the Father? If not today is the perfect day. But wait, count the cost! When you say, “Yes!” Then begins the work of renewal. Renewing your mind is to agree with what Jesus says about you. That you are loved, free, a uniquely gifted individual that the Father created to love. That is who you are and now it is time to walk as if you are loved. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in His ways. Listen and obey. Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Ps. 34:8) It is as simple as saying, “Yes, Jesus. I recognize that you love me and have provided for my salvation. I want to be one with you, my First Love.” 

Are you seasoned in the ways of life? Have you walked with God seeing His goodness? Now, the storm is blowing down on you, the wind is sweeping you away, and waters are raging. Your first love has grown cold?

Forty-years of walking with Jesus has been filled with sunshine and rain. There have been days of great joy, but there have also been days of sorrow. How do you keep going when the pain is overwhelming? 

A mature walk with the King comes from praising Him and being thankful for His goodness. Even in times of struggle to know that He is able. He is able to heal, to provide, to deliver. He not only loves you–He is in love with you! 

It rains on the just and the unjust. Life happens. When the river rises and the storm rages, put up some memorial stones. 

There are three instances of memorial stones being put up in the Bible. The first is when Jacob is at Bethel and God gives him the vision of the ladder. Jacob calls this place the House of God. When we are unable to see the love of God or His goodness, we need others to show us the way. Being with our brothers and sisters in Christ rehearsing the stories of God’s goodness lifts our eyes above the chaos. It allows a new perspective when all we can see is loss. 

Joshua 4 tells the story of crossing the Jordan going into the promised land. During the miraculous crossing the waters are stopped and the ground is dry. Joshua has the people place stones in the river bed as memorial stones. He also has the people take stones on to Gilgal where they make camp. In the years to come the people are instructed to retell the stories of their deliverance using these stones. 

We can learn a few lessons to help us in our battle from this story. First, God does the miraculous. He parted the waters, dried the ground, then released the waters when the job was completed. Remember that God is still a miracle worker, He will work miracles in your life when you trust Him. Next, the people had to pick the stones up and deposit them in the river bed, as well as in Gilgal. During your struggle what is He calling you to do? Even when it is terrifying, obey the Lord’s direction, move. He will get you to the other side of your battle. Trust Him! Finally, remember the goodness of the Lord. There is always something good the Lord has done in your life, your family, or simply reading the Bible. He is good. He loves you. He will bring you through with a mighty testimony. 

Our last account is found in 1 Samuel 7. The Isrealites have sinned once again and found themselves facing the Philistines. Samuel calls the people to repentance. The people repent and call on Samuel to pray for them. Samuel prays, sacrifices a lamb, and sets up a memorial stone called Ebenezer saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 

Repentance is a good thing. Recognizing our shortcomings and calling out to the Lord for forgiveness brings reconciliation. With reconciliation comes worship and His presence in our lives. Just stop, fall on your knees and call on His name. Jesus longs to be one with you. He longs to help you. Get out of His way. Let Him be your source and things will change. Not always your circumstances, but your perspective. 

Remembering your First Love–His goodness and grace. Keeping your eyes on the Lord makes us strong and enables us to soar as in Isaiah 40:30-31. “He who waits on the Lord shall renew their strength.”   Our confidence is in Jesus, our first love.