Return To Your First Love

The love of Jesus is a beautiful thing. His love is not just words spoken but is tangible and real. His love transforms and we won't leave the same. Jesus is calling us to return to our first love to Him.

I'm not a morning person, so when I found myself awake early in the morning after going to bed at 2 am the night before, I knew something was off.

I tried forcing myself to sleep however I just couldn't.

It was at that moment when I realized God was waking me up to be with Him. He revealed to me how just as my soon to be husband longs for me, He too longs for my attention. I got into prayer and was then lead to Joshua 24:19 where Joshua tells the Israelites, "...He is a jealous God."

God revealed to me that He misses me because I am His. He is jealous after my love because I am His bride and I belong to Him.

I couldn't help but wonder how the God of the universe would be so jealous after us? What other gods would pursue us with such a jealous love like our father in Heaven? What other God would go out of His way to die for us so that ultimately we could be with Him?

God sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we would be redeemed and spotless before Him. Jesus calls us into marriage with Him and says He is our husband (Hosea 2:16). In marriage, we become one with our spouse and what is theirs becomes ours. The same is true with our marriage covenant with Jesus. When we chose to confess and believe in Jesus, we gain eternal life with Him and inherit all the blessings and promises God had intended for us.

Hebrews 9:15 says, "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Jesus loves you so much and is calling you to return to your first love to Him. The only way to return to your love to Jesus is to put aside all other things and yield your heart to Him alone. Joshua 24:13 says, "...throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."

The foreign gods were idols for the Israelites. Today idols can look like anything. Idols can be our relationships, career, hobbies, entertainment, and even our own God-given calling. 

What desires have pulled you away from total surrender to Jesus?

Nothing should supersede Jesus in our lives.

Jesus died for us because He wants all of us. He is so jealous for our love and attention. How many times have we allowed the things of this world to captivate our eyes instead of Jesus? 

God is calling us into a season of laying our desires down to Him so that we can behold Him alone. Laying down our desires does not mean we will never see them come to pass, it just means trusting that God's got it. He wants us to lay it down so that we can grow in our love for Him. The fruit of our intimate relationship and love for Jesus will be our desires coming to pass.

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

God is asking for your attention, will you give it to Him? Will you turn your heart to Jesus and return to your first love? 

Jesus is stripping things away from you so that you can see that He is all you need. His love for you burns in the season of waiting. It's in this season that Jesus is calling for your whole heart to experience the power of His love.

We can never be "too mature" Christians to be wrecked by Jesus's love. His love is beyond comprehension and understanding. Our journey should always be one that is growing in His love. Ephesians 3:19 says, "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Jesus has so much in store for you but is asking you in this season to lay down your desires for Him. You will find that when Jesus becomes your everything, you will have everything. So remember, return to your first love Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I chose to lay down my desires so that I can behold you alone. 

Check out our new Podcast! Listen as Gabrielle Triyono expounds on the topic of returning to your first love Jesus. She shares her own experience in hopes you would encounter Jesus's love too, 
https://apple.co/2DvQPo1 (for iphone users)
http://bit.ly/2N4yP3w (for android users)

Finding Your Value

We all long to find our purpose and feel valuable. Some find their purpose through their careers, what they have, or from what others’ say about them. However, everything that comes from this earth has no lasting value. It is who we are in Christ and who He created us to be that brings everlasting value. Find your value in Jesus.

Growing up I placed my value in so many things that I now realize weren’t the right things. I grew up knowing God but never had a relationship with Him. Christianity was more of a religion than a delight to know my savior. Because I didn’t have the best view of God, I began to find other things to place value to fill what I didn’t realize was a God-sized hole in my heart.

I tried to fill it with popularity, boys, good grades in school, and success. There was always this thought in the back of my head saying, “If I only had this then I would be valid and my life would be perfect.” I struggled with wanting everyone to like me and wanting to be loved by the right guy.

I would grasp harder for my value but seemingly gave more and more of it away. I found myself striving for value but left feeling more empty.

It wasn’t until the end of college when someone invited me to a college service at a local church that I began to truly understand my value in Jesus. I began to see that I was fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image. As I started developing a relationship with Jesus, I realized I was His beloved child.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

I no longer saw the need to find value from others because I was already valued by the most High God.

Our value is in who we are in Christ.

We don’t have to look for value because we are already valued in the eyes of Jesus. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior and believe in Him, we become His children. John 1:12 says, "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”

As I learned all of the promises that God had for me through Jesus, I began to discover who I was made to be by learning about my calling. When we place our value in earthly things, our joy is quickly fleeting. When we place our value in God and who He created us to be, our joy is eternal.

The things of this earth will never satisfy us like God will because it was never meant to fill the hole in our heart that God fills. We have to find our treasure (value) in Jesus. Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Where do you find your value? What are you currently treasuring?

If I could go back and tell my younger self-anything, it would be to find my value in God and who He made me to be. We all have a purpose and a calling from God to make a difference during our time here on earth. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I made you in your mother’s womb I chose you, I set you apart for a special work.”

You were made for a reason and God love’s you just the way He made you. You are His masterpiece.

If you’re struggling to find value in yourself, begin to speak God’s truth and promises over your life. Put encouraging post-it notes with scripture up around your room. We have to silence the lies of the enemy and replace them with God’s truth. When we do this, we will begin to see our value in Christ each day. So remember, find your value in Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, fill any gaps in my heart with your love. Examine my heart and help me to find my treasure in you alone.

Relentlessly Pursued

Did you know that you have someone who is pursuing you? He never stops. He never gives up. He is relentlessly pursuing you. Who's that someone? It's Jesus. You are relentlessly pursued.

I have found myself in moments of desperation. Whether it's battling anxiety, hurt, or simply feeling overwhelmed, I find that Jesus never fails to meet me where I'm at and bring me back up.

As I say yes to Jesus and seek Him in my alone time, He never fails to reveal himself to me. I recently was in prayer, asking for more of Jesus. At that moment God reminded me that as much as we desire for more of Him, He desires for more of us.

The Christian journey can seem like one where we have to strive to find Jesus, but in reality, Jesus is pursuing after us. When we say yes to Jesus and choose to seek Him with all our heart, He promises to reveal himself to us.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

What kind of father would ignore that cry of his child? Would he not be there to comfort the child and affirm of his presence? Whatever lie the enemy has planted in your mind, know that your father in heaven loves you and wants you to experience more of Him.

Jesus went out of his way to come on earth and die on the cross so that we would be made right before God. He offered His righteous blood for our sinful nature. He pursued us back then and is still pursuing us today.

Jesus is pursuing you.

He chose you before you chose Him. He calls you His child even before you acknowledged Him as your maker and father. John 15:16 says, "You did not choose me, but I chose you..." He loved you even before you loved Him back (1 John 4:19).

Jesus isn't waiting for you to get your life together before pursuing you. He died for you while you were a sinner (Romans 5:8) and will pursue you in the middle of your mess. We see Jesus pursing Paul (who at the time was named Saul) even though He had not yet accepted Jesus as His savior. In fact, Saul was persecuting many Christians and didn't even know who Jesus was.

Despite how far Saul was from  Jesus, He still came to Saul and called on him. Acts 9:4-5 says, "He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied."

Jesus then tells Saul to meet Ananias who will open his blinded eyes. Jesus tells Ananias "This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel." (Acts 9:15).

Jesus chose Saul before Saul even knew Him. Just as Jesus pursued Saul, He is pursuing you.

He has chosen you for a special purpose to declare His glory and experience a life to the fullest (John 10:10). All Jesus is asking you for is your yes and surrender.

Will you say yes to Jesus? Will you open your heart and invite Him to be your savior?

Saul's life was radically changed and it started with a yes to Jesus. Your yes to Jesus will take you farther than you know. Your life will change, and you will find meaning and purpose in your life where you could never find elsewhere. You will experience a love that cannot be comparable to any other love. There is no love greater than the love of Jesus.

Jesus will use anything to get your attention. He will send people your way, show you the same consistent verses from the Bible, and so much more. He may even be tugging your heart with this blog right now. It's no coincidence if you're feeling a tug in your heart to want to know Jesus more - that's Jesus pursuing you.

Jesus is calling for your attention, will you now pay attention? Will you say yes to His call? He sees past your mess with eyes of love and says you are His if you would just say yes. So remember, you are relentlessly pursued.

Set Your Heart On What Matters

There are many things in our lives that matter to us; our family, friends, career, health, and the list can go on. But at the end of the day, there is only one thing that matters and that is God. As we set our hearts on God, all other things that matter to us will be taken care of. Set your heart on what matters.

I have needs just like you. I was caught up with my needs and found myself seeking God for his hands and not simply for more of Him.

I spent weeks fasting and praying but it had a lot to do with looking for God to do miracles through me and in my situation. I needed to see a breakthrough in my situation, but without me realizing my heart was set on His Hands and not His face.

The Holy Spirit convicted my heart as I read Psalm 27:4 which was written by David:

"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

David had many needs and was going through so many struggles. King Saul was after his life, yet David made one request to God - it wasn't to be raised up as a king, nor for provision and safety, nor for any other need He may have had, but to simply to be in God's presence and gaze upon His beauty.

David's heart was after God.

Was my heart after God alone? Not completely.

My heart was too focused on my needs that I forgot the most important thing that my heart needed which was God. I lost the joy of His presence because I was too focused on what I lacked. I needed to remember that I have all I need in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 reminds us, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

As we set our hearts on God, all our needs will be met.

Jesus is all we need and everything else comes secondary after Him. Many times we put our needs over Jesus. Maybe you're thinking that you need that boyfriend to make your life better, or that you need success to feel good about yourself. The truth is you just need Jesus. He is the source of love, joy, affirmation, peace, comfort and any other need you may have.

Your needs should only be pointing you to Jesus.

It can be easy to focus on what Jesus can do through us and for us that we miss Jesus himself. I was caught up with seeking the signs and miracles of Jesus that I forgot the greatest miracle of all which is His love for us. He died on the cross for our sins and was raised back to life to redeem us. He loved us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).

If Jesus was willing to go that far to die for us, will He not meet our needs today?

God is a good father and will take care of our needs, but He wants us to learn to put Him first. God wants us to love Him and not for what He can do for us.

Matthew 6:33 reminds us, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

May we be like David, whose only request was to dwell in the presence of God and gaze at His beauty. It’s ok to be asking God for a breakthrough, but ultimately our hearts must be set on Him and not on what He can do for us.

David says in Psalm 28:8,"..Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

For what reasons have you been seeking God lately? Is your heart set on your needs or on God? 

Ask the Holy Spirit to open and search your heart to show you anything that is hindering your heart from being pure before Him.

Make Psalm 139:23-24 your prayer to the Lord, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

As you set your heart on God, He will quiet all the worries of this world and bring you in a place of complete joy and stillness. So remember, set your heart on what matters.

Prayer: Lord, I trust that as I set my heart on you, all my needs will be met. 

Keeping Joy In The Midst of Chaos

Life will never be perfect and buttoned up the way we want it to be. We are going to go through dry and hard seasons, but keeping joy in the midst of chaos is possible.

As much as I want to avoid conflict and chaos, I realize it can't be avoidable.

The discomfort, pain, and heartbreak were all so real. I was in a situation that seemed hopeless. The more I tried, the worse the situation became.

There was nothing I could do to fix the chaos. As I fixed my eyes on the situation, I found my joy and peace getting stripped away from me. But during my alone time with God, he reminded me to fix my eyes on Him, and not my circumstances.

As I chose to fix my eyes on God, I realized I had an impossible God who was greater than the impossibilities I was facing. My hope and joy became renewed despite the chaos around me.

Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

It may be impossible for us to fix the mess, but it's not impossible for God. 

When we put our hope in our own strength and circumstances, we lose joy and peace because we know we can't do anything. But when we put our hope in a God who is able to do all things, our joy and peace become restored.

God isn't asking us to fight our battles but to be still and trust in Him.

We read in 2 Chronicles 20 of an army waging war against Jehoshaphat. God spoke through Jahaziel and told Jehoshaphat "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.." (2 Chronicles 20:17). God reminded Jehoshaphat that "the battle is not yours, but God's." (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Instead of giving in to fear, Jehoshaphat, after praying and fasting, got everyone to sing praises to God. God came through and defeated their enemies without them having to fight. 2 Chronicles 20:22 says, "As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated."

Jehoshaphat and his army could have run away out of fear, but they would have missed their victory and God's glory shine. They instead stood firm,  praising and believing God would come through - and He did.

Just as God fought Jehoshaphat's battles, He wants to fight our battles as well.

Will you believe that God will come through in your situation? 

I don't know what chaos you are facing, but know that you have a God is who is greater than your chaos. God is your greatest defender. He is asking you to do is to stand firm in faith and trust in Him.

Jehoshaphat was filled with joy because he chose to praise God in the midst of the chaos. He didn't focus on the battle, but on the God who is able to win the battle.

Where are you focusing your attention on? Are you focusing your eyes on the chaos or on an almighty God?

God will never fail you. He is faithful to those who walk according to His word and direction. Psalm 25:3 reminds us, "No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause."

Joy will rest in us as we trust that God is in control even when things are not in our control. Fear cannot shake us when we choose to stand firm in God's word. Psalm 16:8 says, "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

As we fix our eyes on Jesus, our circumstances will not move us because our faith is rested in a God who is mighty to save.

Meditate on God's word and allow your mind to be renewed with his truth as you face hardships. Be ready to replace every fear and doubt with God's promises. Joy will follow you as you seek God's presence and truth. He promises those who seek Him will find him (Jeremiah 29:13). So remember, keeping joy in the midst of chaos is possible with God.

Instant Intimacy

It’s easy to get impatient in our singleness and desire instant intimacy from people.  While instant intimacy may make us feel loved at the moment, it will later leave us more empty. Nothing can compare to intimacy with Jesus.

I was sick of being single and waiting on God’s perfect timing. I wanted to take things into my own hands so I began the quest for a man and downloaded Tinder.

Swiping right if I found him attractive and left if he was too creepy, I was making every decision based on looks. During this season in college, I was a believer but lacked intimacy with God.

Instead of growing in intimacy with God, I wanted instant intimacy with a man.

At the time I believed intimacy was only found in the love of a man, but I soon realized the feeling of love didn’t last.

Have you ever sought out intimacy, yet remained unsatisfied?

Relationships aren’t bad, but they will never completely satisfy us. They are instant intimacies that leave us feeling more empty afterward.

God designed us as intimate beings, so our desire for intimacy is normal, but we must fill that need with God, not people.

Intimacy is found in Jesus.

Jesus says in John 4:13-14, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Until Jesus becomes our ultimate source of intimacy, we will never fully enjoy life and the blessings that God gives us. No one can ever love us perfectly except for God. When we depend on others for love, we will always be left unsatisfied.

When we understand that we are fully loved by God, we take off the expectations from others to be our God. The reality is no one can love us like Jesus.

The cure to the temptation of instant intimacy is the love of Jesus.

There is nothing we can do for God to love us more or less. God sent Jesus to die on the cross so that we could be made spotless before Him. It is not by our works, but by grace that we are saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Jesus loved us at our worst and died so that we could experience life to the fullest. He wants an intimate relationship with us but it starts with our understanding that we are simply loved by him.

We have a God who wants to speak to us and do life with us. There is no greater joy we could experience than seeing God revealed in our lives. The countless dates that I have been in cannot compare to the joy I experience with Jesus.

Do you desire lasting intimacy? Will you turn to God and devote to spending time with him?

Like in any relationship, it takes spending time with Jesus to grow in intimacy with him. If we want to experience an intimate relationship with Jesus we must devote our time in his word.

As we turn to Jesus in times of trouble, we give him the opportunity to comfort us with his words. If you’re struggling in singleness, feeling impatient, or wanting to take control, use that energy to seek God. Share with him your heart and ask him in prayer to experience his presence and love.

Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

The word of God has the power to transform our thoughts and heart. If we want to experience God, we must allow his word to do a work in us. Intimacy is about being one Jesus. The Holy Spirit will align us with his desire as we immerse ourselves in his word.

The enemy will try his best to pull us farther from God by replacing him with relationships that were never meant for us. The enemy’s tactic is to prevent us from experiencing the best intimate relationship we could ever have which is with Jesus. I challenge you to read God’s Word as a love letter and spend time in his presence. Hold on to God's promises and let it be the hope that keeps you going. So remember, say no to instant intimacy and run to Jesus.

Written by Joy Pedrow
Website: www.joypedrow.com

Instagram: @joypedrow

Noticing the Unnoticeable

How many times have we walked by someone in need and not notice them? They may not be famous artists that we admire and are on our radar, but they are special in Jesus's eyes. When we help the poor and broken we will find ourselves serving Jesus himself. There is a reward for noticing the unnoticeable.

I was waiting outside a restaurant for my family to arrive. Because I had nothing to do I noticed a lady with a small table that was set up right by the restaurant. She had a bunch of handmade lanyards and keychains that she was selling.

You could tell that she didn't have much but did her best with all she had.

As I was waiting I saw many people pass by this lady without stopping to take notice of her table. Their eyes were fixed on their destination and it was evident that the lady was unnoticeable to them.

I couldn't help but wonder if this poor lady was instead a famous artist, would people have noticed her then? Probably.

But I honestly would have done the same thing. If I didn't have to wait for my family, I would have been like the others, disregarding this lady who clearly was in need.

However, God has been teaching me to notice the unnoticeable and to be a helping hand whenever I can. Whether it's giving a prophetic word to someone to encourage them, giving money to those in need, or simply smiling at someone and asking how their day was, I want to give what I have and bless others.

I ended up talking with the lady and purchased her lanyards to support her. She shared her story and it was encouraging to see that she was willing to be faithful with the little that God had given her. I encouraged her that she is special in God's eye and that He notices her.

I could tell she felt loved at that moment, and not by me but by Jesus.

When we love and notice others, we open their eyes to see that God noticed them first.

God chooses to display his love to others through us. 

We are called to be like Jesus who went to the dark places to help the poor, sick, and lost. He calls us out of darkness to be the light of the world. Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Our purpose is to bring hope to the hopeless. What better way to show Jesus's love to someone than sacrificing what Jesus has given us to help others. When we give what we have to others, people will see God's love through us.

It can seem unimportant to help those in need, but we must realize that when we help the poor we are helping the king of kings himself who is Jesus.

Jesus says in Matthew 25:35-36,40, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

We are serving Jesus when we help those in need. 

It is an honor and a blessing to help those who are less fortunate than us. It may take time for us to notice such people, but we can start by praying and asking the Lord to help us take notice of such people.

Not only will we be blessing those in need, but we ourselves will be blessed here on earth and rewarded in heaven. Jesus said to those who served the needy, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you.."(Matthew 25:34).

As we sow in generosity and kindness, we will also reap what we have sown. When we help those who are in need, Jesus will also help us when we are in need. Luke 6:38 says "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

As we give unto others, we are leaving room for Jesus to give back to us evermore abundantly.

Let us be like the good Samaritan in Luke 10 who went out of his way to help the man who got robbed and beaten. Luke 10:34-35 says, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds..Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"

This Samaritan went out of his way to help the man in need, unlike the priest and Levite who saw the dying man yet kept walking.

How many times have we walked past someone in need and kept walking?

Jesus calls us to be like the good Samaritan. We can carry the light of Christ in us, but if we aren't willing to give it away, we can't be a light to the world.

When was the last time you stopped and helped those in need? Will you allow yourself to be used by God and help those in need? 

God wants to use you to show others of his love and mercy. It is a blessing to be able to live as Jesus lived and be a vessel that carries the light of Jesus. So remember, notice the unnoticeable.

Prayer: Lord, help me to notice those around me who are in need.