First Loves

God says, "But I have this against you,
that you have left your First love."

—Revelation 2:4

Have you left your first love? The first question might need to be: Who is your first love? Could it be your girlfriend or your best friend? Maybe your first love isn’t even a person but rather earthly possessions like a car or game or sports or having loads of money—who or what is really first in your life and in your heart? Why is it important to know?

The reason it's important is that God says He has something against us if we are not faithful to the One who loved us and gave His life for us, and because of this, He says, "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). When our First love isn't His Son, God explains the warning signs of such displaced love. “For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred” (2 Timothy 3:2). “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…” (1 Timothy 6:10). 

In the last book of the Bible, Revelation, God says this: “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). So, once again, the question is: Who or what is honestly first in your life, "For where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] that's where your heart will also be" (Matthew. 6:21).

Do you now have a better understanding of what God is saying to each of us? He is saying that any time we put someone or something ahead of our love for Him, our relationship with Him, or our time with Him, we have left our First love, and therefore, God has something against us! "It is terrifying to fall into the hands of the living God. Think back on those early days when you first learned about Him. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant being made a public spectacle through insults and distress. Yet you showed sympathy to fellow suffers, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew better things were waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away your boldness, for a great reward is coming when you will be richly rewarded" (Hebrews 10: 31-35).

How can we determine if we have left our First love? When you or I love someone or love something, we naturally want to spend more than once or twice a week with this person (or do whatever we love doing the most). Attending church on Sundays and possibly another service isn't proof of passion. Besides, a group setting is far from gaining great intimacy or a close, deep friendship. When we are “in love” with a person or a thing—we literally try to spend every waking moment with them or it—we spend every waking moment thinking about them, talking to them, or doing what we love. Is this how often you think of or spend time with the One who saved you "while we were yet sinners"?

If not, do you think you might want to discover how to return or maybe discover for the first time a Love that conquered the world, that never fails, that covers a multitude of sins? And, No, it doesn't necessarily mean reading your Bible more or spending more time at church. Does that surprise you? It surprised me, too. Let me share what happened to me and what I've shared in other books that have helped many people.

You're ALL I Want • You're ALL I Need • You're ALL I Live For!

The reason we were all created is to fellowship with God. After being abandoned by my spouse on many occasions, I began to yearn deep in my soul to walk with God in the “cool of the day” as Adam did, walk with God as Enoch did, and see Him face to face as Moses did—but I had no idea how to do it. So I asked God to show me how—since "all wisdom is from above" (James 3:17), and God also says He will give wisdom to anyone who asks" (James 1:5).

God heard my heart, and that's when I discovered what God says is precious and what is worthless" (Jeremiah 15:19). What opened my eyes was a missionary to India who visited our church and told a story of a little girl he had found living on the streets and dying. It was a message I heard for a second time because I completely missed the life-changing message the first time. The missionary explained how troubled he was when he heard he had to leave India to return to the USA because of an orphaned girl he'd found living with her younger brother in a drainage pipe.

While saying goodbye to this little girl, he heard words that changed his life, that changed my life, and I hope it will change your life as well. Brokenhearted (because he knew it would be the last time he would see her alive), as he hugged her, he heard her say, “You do not need to be sad for me because I have the Lord. He is all I need. He is everything. I have everything that I need.” It took me hearing this story the second time when it clicked—its message changed my life forever!

On that day, I began to tell the Lord that He was all I wanted and needed and that if I had Him, I would have everything I needed!

The more I said it, the more He became the love of my life. At first, I felt nothing. I knew I should feel this way toward the Lord, but I didn't honestly feel that way. Yet I continued speaking, and soon became how I felt in my heart! "The tongue can bring death or life and bear the consequences or rewards of their words" (Proverbs 18:21).

Once you begin reciting "You're ALL I Want, You're ALL I Need, You're ALL I Live For," suddenly, He will become your first love, and everything in your life will change.

First, I noticed that when people or problems came against me, I would tell the Lord that He was all I wanted and all I needed—and immediately, whatever came against me no longer mattered, and it lost its sting, power, and impact on me. Whatever loss I had became my gain. Like the Apostle Paul, "More than that, I count all things to be a loss because of the surpassing value of knowing my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Him" (Philippians 3:8).

This mindset changed my heart so that I would not only be able to endure difficulties but also overcome the destruction that came against me, no matter how difficult the trial or attack was. 

The moment you have Him and His love just as this little dying girl had Him and how I have Him now, that's the moment you'll notice something else that will happen in your life. God says that when His desires come first, all these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33), which is the most amazing part of this story. When the missionary returned to India, the little girl (who once was dying) was healed, whole, and healthy!! The little girl had all of Him—He was all she needed to live. It's the same for you, me, and everyone you love, including your friends and family! And you won't have to say a thing. Just wait because they'll ask you, "What happened to you?" Then, that's when you tell them the same story or share this chapter with them.

What are you waiting for? Stop right now and tell the Lord that He is all you want, He is all you need, and if you have Him, you have everything. Then, whenever anything or anyone tries to come against you, say these same words:

You're ALL I Want
You're ALL I Need
When I have YOU, I have EVERYTHING!

Say it over and over again when you wake up every morning and when you lie down at night. You can say it out loud or in your heart. Then, get ready for a life-changing event. And if you later feel troubled or shaken, God will remind you that you're drifting away from your First Love. Then you know it's time to recite "You're ALL I Want, You're ALL I Need, You're ALL I Live For" until you're back experiencing the fruits of being His first love, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion" (Jeremiah 31:3) and the "apple of His eye" (Psalm 17:8).

Seeking Him first. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Without trying, you will be forever blessed because the Lord is first in your priorities. Without trying, He will be first in your day and, especially, first in your heart. As if He was not enough when we put Him first, He shows us His love by adding all the things that we love, and He goes out of His way to bless us with things we have hoped for. God also says, “Delight yourselves in the Lord,” and in turn, “He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Isn’t that incredibly amazing?

And when He is not our First Love? What does God do to draw us back into a deep, loving relationship with Him? Because He loves us so much, God will lovingly take that person or thing we treasure away from us, “You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape...You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend” (Psalm 88:8, 18).

He turns the heart. God wants us to be faithful to Him so much so that He lovingly turns the hearts of anyone we put ahead of Him. “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1). Have you found that happening in your life? Have you found that happening in other people’s lives? Have you witnessed that when people have lost someone or everyone or lost possessions or positions they love? That's when their focus becomes the Lord, for only then will their hearts be healed. And should their heart not turn as He intended, He takes the next step to harden their heart as God says here. "For it was the LORD himself who hardened their hearts to wage war, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the LORD had commanded" (Joshua 11:20).

Let's make sure this truth is perfectly clear. God is not selfish; He does what He does because He knows that we were each created with emptiness in our hearts that He alone can fill. This void will never be met with an earthly relationship or possessions or by what entertains us. The emptiness can only be met, fulfilled, and overflowing with joy when we experience a deep relationship with the One who loved us enough to die for us.

Father • Friend • Brother

Maybe you're not quite there yet, or maybe by sharing Who the Lord was to me when I first met Him. When I was just seven, I was wonderfully saved. Yet, as it often does, my miracle happened after a crisis in my young life when I met Him as my Friend, replacing my brother and even my mother, who I believed would protect me. My brother was almost four years older and was responsible for bringing me home on the public bus after school. We went to school in Hollywood, California, but lived an hour by bus in the Valley.

On this fateful day, which was all part of His perfect plan, my brother bribed me with money for ice cream if I would go home alone. Being young and immature, I had no idea of the dangers, nor did I understand how important it was to watch the time. I caught the first bus and got off at the correct stop—right after the famous Chinese Theater, I crossed the street and bought my ice cream. But then I sat down and read comic books while I ate it—when I suddenly remembered my bus—just as it pulled away. This meant I had to wait another hour for the next bus. Unfortunately, I missed that bus too because I was playing in the bank building and the bus after that.

Four hours later, I finally got on the bus to get home. Being on the bus in the dark was terrifying, as was walking and finally running up our street with no street lights. Reaching home crying, convinced my brother would be in trouble for not taking me home, my mother said, “You made it home by yourself, and you’re fine.” It was then I felt completely alone, and it's what God, my Father, used to make finding Someone who would "never leave me" a desperate yearning in my heart. I believe most of us have felt that way, but few are those who search for and find that narrow gate that leads to life.

God talks about it here, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow, leading to life, and few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). If I had to guess, you or someone you know and love very much is searching for that gate few find because they've heard Someone knocking at the door to their heart.

Since meeting my Best Friend, I have never felt lonely—because I'm not alone. I talked to Him, mostly in my heart, carrying on long conversations. Undoubtedly, many would think I am crazy, but I believe anyone who chooses not to know Him this way is crazy. Anytime I have a question, I ask Him, and I am given insight and understanding. Sometimes I have to wait, but that's fine, too, because I know He's taken care of it. When I am afraid, I immediately call out to Him, and I'm flooded with "a peace that surpasses all understanding."

Here's a secret my Friend taught me during some of my most terrifying experiences, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near us! Be anxious for nothing. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. And you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.

"Finally," He said, "dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable—let your mind dwell on these things." Remember, "the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me, practice these things; and the God of peace will always be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9). It's easy to get caught up and obsess about negative things, but if you want to have strong mental health, it happens by having strong spiritual health. And there's nothing easier or more rewarding than discovering the Best Friend. As I said, just begin to say, "You're ALL I Want, You're ALL I Need, You're ALL I Live For," and let Him do the rest!

(The whole story is in our children's book "Forever Best Friend.")

“Mr. God”

Many people feel more comfortable speaking to God than the Lord, and especially many names Christians use that often frighten the very people we know need Him. Speaking and referring to God is a wonderful place to start to build a personal relationship. While traveling and speaking around the world, while I was in Brazil, at the very last minute, I got word that my interpreter couldn't come but was being replaced by a woman who had a new baby. After having the Lord as my Best Friend for so many years, I knew something significant was about to happen with this "sudden" change. It so happened that since the interpreter had a new baby, her husband came along and stood off the wings of a packed church that had spilled over to people listening on the sidewalk and parking lot.

After finishing, as I was being whisked off to another church, I heard someone calling my name in English who was actually from America and was frantically rushing to try to speak to me. I told everyone we had to wait a minute, and that's when he said, "You said you talked to God. What do you mean you talked to God? Do you mean the God of the universe? How is that even possible?" Smiling, I said, "Yes, I mean the true and only God, and He wants to talk to you, too. That's why your wife was called at the last minute to be my interpreter. Whether or not you believe God exists, get alone by yourself and start talking to Him. Why not start with something like, "God, if you exist, I want to know You. I want to talk to You, and I want You to talk to me. I want to get to know You personally." Then suddenly, before he could respond, I was thrust into the car, and as we sped away, I saw him standing there on the curb, bewildered. Weeks later, I heard this young father, an atheist, was radically and no longer the same man. All he needed to do, all you need to do, and all anyone needs to do is want and pursue a relationship with the living God. He will take over from there.

God says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me" (Revelation 3:20).

Speaking about "God" to others removes so many religious barriers and doesn't frighten people who either were taught by their parents and/or their religion that is completely opposed to Christianity or they had a bad experience while in the church. It might be why, though I hadn't planned it, I spoke about speaking to "God," not the "Lord" as I usually do at that particular church in Brazil. When you have the opportunity to speak to anyone about the Lord or God or your Father or Best Friend, remember, "Do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but Him" (Mark 13:11). "Don’t be concerned about what to say in your defense, for the He will give you the right words even as you are standing there” (Luke 12:11-12). Unlike most motivational speakers, I never knew what God wanted to say to the crowd or even in the taxi I often took to get there. 

Nevertheless, never moving past God, the formal God, living in heaven God, the Person to be feared or at least highly reverenced since He is a deity, "a supernatural being that is worshipped" from afar, is a relationship you and everyone you know needs to have. This again happens by reciting formal prayers because prayers are not like having a real conversation, are they? Too often, it's the unconfessed sin in your life that makes you hide from God, just like Adam and Eve. Remember, before that fateful day, they usually walked with God. "And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden" (Genesis 3:8). There is no need to hide, God sees everything and because He loved us so much that "while we were still sinners" not after we were right with God "God demonstrated His love for us" and sent His Son to pay the price for us. Shame is a lie used by the enemy, a scheme that he uses, most often, against the religious body of believers. Therefore, “It’s my duty to make sure that Satan does not win even a small victory over us, for we don’t want to be naïve and then fall prey to his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). If you've done something, confess it to Him and feel the weight of that sin be lifted from you. And trust Him by telling Him that you can't do it without Him helping you to stop whatever it is.

If you want to read the original message of “Mr. God,” that would be a wonderful way to introduce your mom, aunt, or possibly even your grandmother to discovering her first love. You have the link.

God, Your Father

Growing up, I was blessed with a father who I was very close to and who I knew in my heart cherished me. It wasn't because he told me he loved me, nor was it because he played with me (because he never did). It wasn't because he attended all my sporting events (because he never did). Even during our evening walks after he ate his dinner, he didn't speak to me or slow down so I could keep up with him. But when he held my hand, I felt safe—safe in my relationship with him and safe that because I had a father, he was our family's provider and protector. When I sat on his lap, I felt secure.

Many children don't grow up with a father like mine. Most don't. Many children don't grow up with a father at all, or they have a father who has walked out on them and their family. Whether you have a fantastic or horrible or absent father (or you don't know your father at all, or he's passed away), today, you are here to meet and get to know Him. You have a Heavenly Father who is not far away, who is not demanding respect, nor does He want you to bow down and worship Him. Your Father, the Creator of the Universe, sees you as His cherished child. And as His child, He wants you to sit on his lap when you're frightened or whoever you need to talk to Someone. How do I know? Well, even though it wasn't until my father left this world to be with the Lord that having a Father became incredibly real to me. As a "wife forsaken and rejected," the Person I needed wasn't just a Best Friend I met as a young child or the One who became Iater, my First Love, and even later became my Husband when my husband had abandoned me.

“'For the Lord has called you, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even like a wife of one’s youth when she is rejected,' Says your God. “For your Husband is your Maker, Whose name is the Lord of hosts, Who is called the God of all the earth" (Isaiah 54:4-6).

At one point, after my father passed away, there were times I thought how wonderful it would be to be able to drive to his house and talk to my father. That's when I realized I had a Father—a Father who could answer every question I had and protect me from anyone who tried to hurt me. This relationship became very important to my children when their father left them. On the way to church and Sunday school, as their mother, I wanted to make sure that they understood that their Father was Someone who they didn't just visit on Sundays, like the father who moved away, but He was a Father who wanted them to be close to Him and be with them all the time. So, I explained it like this:

Think of God, the Father, as the ultimate Ruler, and you are His royal children. Imagine how sad He would be if you only visited Him once a week. When you did go in to see Him, you bowed down to Him but kept your distance from His throne. Imagine if you didn't run to tell Him about your day or what you were excited about; instead, you repeated poems or memorized prayers to Him. He'd be sad and heartbroken. Your Father wants you to talk to Him whenever you need a Father! He wants to assure you if you feel unsure or insecure about anything and everything. He wants to embrace you like a beloved, kind grandfather.

Yes, sometimes we need a big Brother, and most of the time, we want to hang out with our Best Friend. However, sometimes, we all need a Father, and it's vitally important we know that we have Someone who can comfort and embrace us just like our beloved grandfather.

THEIR TESTIMONIES
⏰ Quick 2-minute read

Janine in South Africa: I don't think I can put it any other way than to say it straight forward: for so long I ran after my spouse and believe me it was an exhausting run, no wonder he ran away so fast😂. Instead of just running after our precious Beloved Lord and the best part is He on the other hand didn't run away, He waited for me with open arms.

As I read Living The Abundant Life, Chapter 16 this beautiful passage stood out for me and I just want to remind you precious woman:

Precious one, remember the chapter “Longing for Whom?” back in my first book Finding Your Abundant Life when it gave proof that to run after the Lord would mean that happiness would run after you? It is truer now than ever, dear bride. What is also true is that once you chase after the Lord, and He lets you catch Him—His love will change it all, everything. For there is none like Him, no, not in all this big world.

Read this part again: to run after the Lord would mean that happiness would run after you. And the best part His love WILL change it all! Isn't that beautiful!

I can testify after years and years of running after my spouse and things of the world, that there is no one in this whole big wide world like the Lord!!! His love truly changes everything! It's only He who could give me this peace and happiness that surpasses all understanding. So precious woman I want to encourage you to run after the Lord and see how He changes your whole life and you experience peace and happiness despite your circumstances, because our Darling Lord's love really surpasses all understanding!

"And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." E3:19

 

Personal commitment to put the Lord first in my life: “Based on what I have just learned in Scripture, I surrender this area of my life and begin to do everything by putting God first in my life. Through His Spirit, I will prove my love to the Lord by my obedience to His Word, and specifically, by my obedience to my parents and all authority that God has placed over me.”

Take the Advanced Course of this chapter

Chapter 2 "Your First Love"

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *