Are you married? If so, do you remember the dating/courtship phase of your relationship? The honeymoon phase? In these early stages, did other people have to encourage you to make time for one another, to make the relationship a priority? I'm guessing that they probably did not, but it is natural for the excitement and passion to fade as time goes by. Although, if a couple continues to pursue intimacy as they mature, the relationship and affection only grow deeper.
It is the same with our Divine relationship. Our spouses aren't always there for us, nor are they meant to be, but God is ALWAYS there. We are the ones that wander, grow cold, and permit other things to take precedence over our relationship with Him. Even "good" things can become "bad" for us if they are taking precedence over our relationship with the Lord. He wants to spend time with you, intimate time, times of deep knowing.
The Lord is inviting us to remember Him as our first love. Will you accept the invitation from the preeminent, most significant, and most excellent lover of your soul?
In Luke 10:38-42, we gain direct insight and instruction from Jesus about how to prioritize our time and focus on a relationship with Him, over other "good" things. I encourage you to take time to read and reflect upon this passage.
- We can do "good" and still miss the mark. - Ref. Revelations 2:1-7, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Jeremiah 11:7-8, 10
- Divine Law- 1st and Greatest Commandment- Ref. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 & Luke 10:25-28
How do we love God will ALL of our heart, soul, strength, and mind?
- We must understand that our hearts are deceitful, but the Lord searches and knows our hearts and minds. Ref. Jeremiah 17: 9-10
- We must acknowledge that "The Law of Sin" dwells in our hearts; sin comes from our hearts (it is called "the seat of sin"). We must continually confess our sin and desperate need of God's grace; pray like David ("a man after God's own heart") "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. —Psalm 51:10-12 Ref. Romans 8:13, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Psalm 139:23-24, James 1:14-15, Mark 7:20-23
- Jesus said, "that which comes from within a man's heart defiles him" Ref. Mark 7:14-23
- What are you thinking? How can that give you insight into the condition of your heart?
- Only the Holy Spirit can purify a heart and set us apart to God. Paul calls this change "circumcision of the heart." Ref. Ephesians 2:8-9
- "Good treasure" comes by grace. ref Luke 6:45
- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— Ephesians 2:8
Will you accept this gift into your heart, in all of its fullness, today and every day?
Suggested Application:
Memorize Psalm 40:12 by practicing Breath Prayer.
Inhale: I desire to do Your will, my God
Exhale: Your law is within my heart.
Copyright ©2020 by Ronilynn Brissey-Ramos