May 1

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible. Eph. 6: 24.

Paul understood that the Ephesians, no matter how well they followed doctrine or church discipline, would experience a full measure of God's blessing only when they continued to love Him. Why is it that we sometimes take Jesus for granted, so that as we grow older in Him we may lose some of our joy in Him? There is nothing like a new Christian when it comes to excitement and love for the Lord. In our pious, more "mature" position, we may look at our lives and convince ourselves that the knowledge and experience we have gained would cause us to walk more cautiously and with self-control. Paul was fully aware of this when he gave his benediction.

When Jesus explains His revelation to John, some 30 years later, He talks of the church at Ephesus. " ...and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love". Rev. 2: 3,4.

Lord, as we start this day, let Your Holy Spirit fill me with love for you. Convince me over and over that if I do not have love "I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal". 1 Cor. 13: 1.
Let me not hold back or worry about how reserved or "cool" that I look. Let all the self-control be a product of the Spirit. Let me see others as You see them. Don't let me look for hidden faults, let me only see the potential of others in Christ. Help me to be an encourager. Amen.
                                        Back