(My) Fashion Over 40 ~ Have You Lost Your First Love?

I realize that I'm a day late... Well, that's because Hubby and I are enjoying ourselves on vacation. Plus the fact that it took me a bit to figure out the WiFi at our resort... But I did it and just wanted to take a second to get this post up.

This outfit is casual/dressy... That's what I love about jeans.  I can wear them with a tank top or t-shirt or a dressy top.  This top, I bought way back when Hubby and I went on our cruise to the Bahamas.  So, it's a few years old. If you've been following (My) Fashion Over 40, then you can easily see how much I love bright colors.  They just make me happy! This is an easy, comfy outfit and I usually add a cardigan because I'm always a bit chilly... :)

Sunday's sermon really hit me and made me think.... Losing my first love....

Pastor Todd spoke from,

Revelations 2:2-4(NLT)

2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!

The Ephesian church new Christ well, they had good morals, they were rooted in their faith, and were grounded in the truth.  They were good Christians, but Christ still found something against them.  They lost their first love.

King David was known to be a man after God's heart. So, how did David keep his first love? David wrote in
Psalms 42:1
1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.

Why a deer?  A deer will go past the point of exhaustion to get to water.  No matter what it takes. So, I asked myself, what would I do to get into Christ's presence? To what lengths do I go to?

Here are 3 measuring sticks to see if you've lost your first love.

1. You spend more time on the things of this world instead of spending it with Jesus.  This isn't talking about spending every moment, we all have work and things to do to keep our lives in order.  I'm talking about when those "things" take priority over The Lord.  When you don't "have" time to spend with The Lord.

2. How deeply are you affected by anything that robs you of quality time with Christ? If it doesn't bother you, then you are losing your first love.

Remember when you first met your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend? You wanted to spend all your time with them.  If anyone intruded on that time you kinda resented it.  How often do we put things before Him?

3.Giving into an annoying harassing sin that is a thorn in your flesh. When you stop fighting it, and habitually give in to that sin.

Christ is always waiting, wanting to spend time with us.  How much does it hurt Him when we spend so much time on other things besides Him. We let all kinds of things get in the way... Personally, I know myself, if I don't spend time with Him first thing in the morning... it's most likely not going to happen. So, I try to start my devotions right when I wake up with my first cup of coffee.

I like what Pastor Todd said at the end.  That we need to guard our affection to the Lord. I need to protect that time and make it a priority in my life.  To keep Christ first in my life.

Blessings,