{"id":35009,"date":"2023-02-14T03:30:02","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T11:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=35009"},"modified":"2023-02-09T14:45:13","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T22:45:13","slug":"february-14-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2023\/02\/14\/february-14-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"February 14, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

First Love<\/strong><\/h2>\n

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have lost your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…” <\/em>Revelation 2:4-5 ESV<\/p>\n

I remember falling in love, though it be ever so long ago. I am blessed that falling in love turned into a lifetime of deepening knowledge and intimacy with my covenant companion.<\/p>\n

That first rush of emotion and head-over-heels excitement was overwhelmingly exhilarating. There’s nothing like first love.\u00a0We would talk for hours.\u00a0We just wanted to be together.\u00a0I found him attractive, exciting, funny, and more interesting than any other human on the planet. He surprised me, amazed me, and pursued me.\u00a0He was as crazy about me as I was about him. I kept tokens from dates and dinners together. The smallest memento was precious to me.\u00a0Everything he did and said was perfect. All I wanted to do was be with him and make him as happy as he made me.<\/p>\n

The Eternal God has fallen in love with us. At some point in our lives most of us were overcome with His passionate pursuit, and we tumbled into love with Him.<\/p>\n

Remember those days? I could not get enough of His Word. I studied, I read, I underlined and highlighted.\u00a0I was in church often and took copious notes.\u00a0I wanted to learn and grow up into this love relationship.\u00a0The music I listened to evolved from rock and roll to praise and worship. I sang about Him. I sang to Him. I wanted to know Him.\u00a0I wanted to spend time with Him. I prayed because I had so much to say to Him. I looked for Him in every situation and circumstance. I found God to be amazing and awesome.\u00a0I found God to be full of wonder. He was beautiful beyond anyone or anything I had ever known.\u00a0Everything He said and did was perfect!<\/p>\n

I never want to lose the fullness and freshness of this divine first love.\u00a0There will never be another God as awesome as the One who has loved me with such a holy fervor. As in my marriage, I strive to keep this blessed relationship flourishing and new each day. I need to keep my focus on my Beloved and all that He is about, for He is my very life.<\/p>\n

And should I drift, I will remember Him again.\u00a0I will remember first love. I will repent and I will return to His heart. Where He is\u2014that’s where I belong. I will do again those things that keep me in His presence. I will return to my First Love.<\/p>\n

Father, You are exalted and worthy of my complete devotion. You are perfect in goodness and righteousness. Your love is worth more than all this world has to offer. I am hopelessly devoted to You. Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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