Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

January 14
Monday


REDISCOVERING
THE PASSION

READ:
Revelation 2:1-7
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Remember therefore
from where you have
fallen; repent and
do the first works.
__ Revelation 2:5
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A Major League baseball player announced his retirement, saying, "All of a sudden, that passion isn't there anymore. Physically, I think I could still do it. But something that I loved my whole life and had such a passion for became a major, major job for me. It's not like it used to be."

What can we do when something that once energized us has become a burden? A career can be changed, but the deepest matters of the heart, especially our relationship with Christ, cry out to recapture the fervor that fueled earlier days.

The risen Lord praised the church in Ephesus for their faithful service and perseverance, but added, "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen repent and do the first works" (Rev. 2:4-5).

Oswald Chambers reminds us that "the old writers used to speak of the Cross as the Passion of Our Lord. The Cross is the great opening through which all the blood of Christian service runs."

If our spiritual passion has grown cold, let us remember again the great sacrifice of Christ for our sin (Heb. 12:3), turn away from grudging service and allow the wonder of His cross to rekindle our love for him.
__ David McCasland
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O make my life one blazing fire~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Of pure and fervent heart-desire,~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The lost to find, the low to raise,~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~And give them cause Thy name to praise. __ Marshall~~~~~
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A passion for Jesus should become
a passion for telling others about Jesus.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Revelation 2:1-7*************

1 To the angel of the
church of Ephesus write,
"These things says He
who holds the seven stars in
His right hand, who walks
in the midst of the seven
golden lampstands: 2 'I
know your works, your
labor, your patience, and
that 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;

3 and you have persevered
and have patience, and have
labored for My name's sake
and have not become weary.

4 'Nevertheless I have this
against you, that you have
left your first love.

5 Remember therefore from
where you have fallen'
repent and od the first
works, or else I will come
to you quickly and remove
your lampstand from its
place__unless you repent.

6 but this you have, that
you hate the deeds of the
Nicolaitans, which I also
hate.

7 'He who has an ear, let
him hear what the spirit
says to the churches. To
him, who overcomes I will
give to eat from the tree of
life, which is in the midst of
the Paradise of God.'"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:14, "The love of Christ
compels us." The Greek word translated "compels" means to limit
one's focus to the one who is in need. It is a spiritual affection that
directs its energies into one channel. When we choose to sacrifice
time, resources, and energy for the good of another, it requires
focus. __ HDF

Adapted from Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testament