Thoughts on the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2

In Sunday's sermon, we discussed Jesus' evaluation of the church in Ephesus. Jesus complimented their faithfulness in numerous important areas. However there was one rather major issue that Jesus had with this church. They had "abandoned their first love". How can we know if we've "abandoned our first love"? According to Jesus, their works were good but that's clearly not an indicator of their hearts. We can and often do operate seemingly well without true and pure motives. Below I'll list some indicators that may help you to determine if you've abandoned your first love. Have you abandoned together these activities totally? Do you participate in them but as a choir and burden rather than with a joyous heart? 

Possible indicators

Loss of desire to spend quiet time with God in prayer & Bible reading. 

Prefer to be with someone that hinders your relationship with the Lord rather than encourages it. 

Lack of desire to meet regularly with God's people for worship, fellowship, ministry, Bible study, prayer, and accountability. 

You desire to sin more then please God and you're quick to make excuses for sin. 

Loss of desire to give cheerfully toward the cause of Christ. 

Measure spiritual condition by performance and comparison rather than growing relationship with Jesus. 

More concerned about the sin of others than your own sin. 

What if you have "abandoned your first love? 

Jesus tells us clearly in Revelation 2:5 to: 

1. Remember

Remember what your relationship was like when you met Jesus? Remember that passion, love, and commitment! Then...

1. Repent 

Agree with God that you've sinned. Ask for forgiveness, and make a conscious decision in the power of the Holy Spirt to do things God's way. The word repent literally means to make a 180. You're headed in one direction and you turn and go the opposite direction. It can take some time for our emotions to catch up with our decision.      

1. Repeat 

Jesus says to do the works that you did before. It's clear that the heart of the issue is the issue of the heart.  

The decision to paint the future nursery was easy but deciding what color to paint it was much more difficult. Jessica had a great idea! "Let's paint it the same color as the puzzle box." It's not just any puzzle box but the one that the puzzle came in that our friends and family are buying pieces from to help make the adoption a reality. It's Peter Rabbit and friends which has become the theme of the nursery. I'm slow and meticulous but I've completed the 1st coat! As you can see from the card table, we have completed one border side of our puzzle and are midway through a second side!  If you would like to purchase a piece, you can click donate through the blog or give directly to Jessica or myself.  We are so grateful for your prayers and support throughout this journey!

1st Piece Of Furniture Converted For The Future Nursery

We've decided to convert and use the very first piece of furniture that we purchased as a couple. It seems like only yesterday that I was at an auction in Nashville bidding on what had to be the most sturdy and well built bookshelf I'd ever seen. Who knew that almost 12 years later I'd be tearing shelves out, sanding, priming, and painting for a nursery?