Tag: First Love

What Holds Your Heart?

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David Wilkersonby David Wilkerson

As we read Paul’s letters to the Ephesians, we see how he compliments them at length. He addresses them as “the faithful in Christ Jesus … blessed … with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:1-3).

Paul adds that they are a forgiven people, and he prays they would have “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know … what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe” (1:17-19).

In the book of Revelation, Jesus also compliments the Ephesian Christians, “I know your works, your labor, your patience” (Revelation 2:2). In other words, “I know all the good things going on in your lives. You are diligent in good works, and that is very commendable.”

Jesus continues to compliment them, pointing out, “You cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars” (2:2). He is saying, in essence, “You hate sin with a passion, and you don’t tolerate it in your life, your home or your church. You have not been tossed about by all the latest teachings of the flesh, and you’re able to rightly judge false teachers and false prophets.”

It is obvious that the Ephesians are not just a bunch of novices or lukewarm saints. Yet Jesus points out that something is deeply wrong when he says, “I see all your works — your hatred for sin, your love for truth, your righteous courage — and yet somehow in all your labors you have allowed your affection for me to wane” (see Revelation 2:4).

This should grip your soul! As you faithfully labor for him and practice righteous living, ask the Lord, “Jesus, have I lost my first affection for you?” A good measure of this might be found by a close look at what holds your heart right now. How do you spend your time? What robs you of quality time alone with him? What do you make a priority?

Go back to your first love today! Ask your Father for grace and strength to guard your affection for Christ, your Lord and Savior.

by David Wilkerson

The Greatest Source of Power

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Oswald Chambersby Oswald Chambers

Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do… —John 14:13

Am I fulfilling this ministry of intercession deep within the hidden recesses of my life? There is no trap nor any danger at all of being deceived or of showing pride in true intercession. It is a hidden ministry that brings forth fruit through which the Father is glorified. Am I allowing my spiritual life to waste away, or am I focused, bringing everything to one central point— the atonement of my Lord? Is Jesus Christ more and more dominating every interest of my life? If the central point, or the most powerful influence, of my life is the atonement of the Lord, then every aspect of my life will bear fruit for Him.

However, I must take the time to realize what this central point of power is. Am I willing to give one minute out of every hour to concentrate on it? “If you abide in Me…”— that is, if you continue to act, and think, and work from that central point— “you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). Am I abiding? Am I taking the time to abide? What is the greatest source of power in my life? Is it my work, service, and sacrifice for others, or is it my striving to work for God? It should be none of these— what ought to exert the greatest power in my life is the atonement of the Lord. It is not on what we spend the greatest amount of time that molds us the most, but whatever exerts the most power over us. We must make a determination to limit and concentrate our desires and interests on the atonement by the Cross of Christ.

“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do….” The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and what appears to be his free choices are actually God’s foreordained decrees. Is this mysterious? Does it appear to contradict sound logic or seem totally absurd? Yes, but what a glorious truth it is to a saint of God.

by Oswald Chambers