Devotionals by Dr. Jeff Schreve
BEWARE OF LOSING YOUR FIRST LOVE
"But this is what I have against you: you do not love Me as you did at first." Revelation 2:4 GNB
The church in Ephesus seemed to be doing well. All would have said it was a great church, a model church, a church on the move for God. But Jesus had a problem with the church. The people had lost their passionate love for Him. They were doing lots of good things, but they were missing the most important thing: a growing love for Jesus.
Did you know that it is easy to lose your first love? It is easy to start out so in love and on fire for Jesus … and then lose that fire and passion. Could that be true of you? If Jesus evaluated your heart for Him today, would He say to you, “You do not love Me now as you did at first.”
TEST YOURSELF
When I was in college, my Bible study teacher, David Ferguson, gave us a “heart check” to see if we were losing our first love. Let me warn you, these statements are convicting.
I am in danger of losing my first love when…
1. I delight more in someone else than I do Jesus.
2. My soul does not long for fellowship with God and God alone.
3. My thoughts during leisure moments are not on God.
4. I view the commands of God as restrictions on my life and my fun.
5. I inwardly strive for the acclaim of man rather than God.
6. I fail to make Christ known for fear of rejection.
7. I refuse to give up questionable activities.
8. I am unwilling to forgive another.
9. I become complacent of sin around me.
(I told you these statements were convicting.) So what do you do if you are guilty of losing your first love? Two things: Remember and repent.
Jesus told the church at Ephesus, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). Remember that it is all about loving Him. Remember how much He loves you. Remember how He died for you – “while He was on the cross, you were on His mind.” Remember how it used to be with you and Jesus. And repent for letting other things take first place in your heart. Turn from your selfishness and self-centeredness and start seeking the Lord like you used to … with newness, freshness, and tremendous gratitude for His love and grace.
Remember, “we love, because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19). Fill your heart everyday with His great love for you, and you will grow in your love for Him.
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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About From His Heart
From His Heart Ministries is the TV, Radio and Internet broadcast outreach of Dr. Jeff Schreve who believes that no matter how badly you have messed up in life, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We’re on mission to help a new generation discover their creator through the preaching of the compassionate, relevant, yet uncompromised truth of the Gospel. Pastor Jeff speaks the truth in love with clear biblical content combined with engaging, personal stories. His messages are filled with life-giving principles for everyday living and eternal assurance.
On Television: From His Heart is seen each week on Lightsource and also around the world on The Hillsong Channel, NRBTV, The Walk TV, and hundreds of TV stations across America and around the world. Go to Click Here to find the station near you.
On Radio:Click Here to listen to the daily radio broadcast available on OnePlace.com as well as 720+ outlets across America.
About Dr. Jeff Schreve
Growing up in a church-going home, Jeff learned a lot about God, but he did not know God. He believed in Jesus in the same way he believed in George Washington: he knew Jesus was real, but had not personally met Him. All this changed one night after a Young Life meeting when he was alone in his bedroom. There Jeff saw his need for Christ and His forgiveness and surrendered his life to Jesus.
As a student at the University of Texas, Jeff grew in his Christian life. He graduated with a degree in business and moved back home to Houston, Texas to start a career in business. There he met his future wife, Debbie, at a single's group meeting at Champion Forest Baptist Church. They were married in 1986 and have been blessed with a wonderful relationship and three awesome daughters and two beautiful grandchildren.
A New Direction
After spending 13 years as a chemical salesman, God called Dr. Schreve to preach. He left his secure position and moved his family to North Carolina to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It was a scary and difficult move to make ... but it was one of the best decisions they have ever made. One year later, God called them to serve on staff at Champion Forest Baptist Church. In 2000, he completed his Master of Divinity degree graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2014 from Southeastern Seminary.
Jeff Schreve has been the senior Pastor of First Baptist Texarkana in 2003, a growing and exciting church with 4500+ members.
Contact From His Heart with Dr. Jeff Schreve
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