“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wickedness… You have persevered and have endured hardships for My Name and have not grown weary. Yet,  I hold this against you: that you have left your First Love… Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  Revelation 2:1-4,7

Dearest Jesus, 

In the words of Paul, “May it never be.” (Romans 3:6) He understood You had forgiven him much, so, he loved You much. He came to live in the “depth, breadth and height” (Ephesians 3:8) of Your universe of love for him personally. Even in suffering he knew he could never be separated from You. He understood love’s cost because he saw that cost born by You, on the cross. He was willing to count everything a loss compared to having You. 

Jesus, forgive us for not putting You first in all things, at the top of every list; we are always at the top of Yours. Forgive the times we think we are alone and yet You have bound Yourself to us with unbreakable cords. Forgive the times we are frozen in fear. Forgive us when we place “doing” for You ahead of time with You. We get so  lost in life’s stuff. Forgive us for calling on mere created powers when Your Name should be first on our lips. 

Thank you for telling us the truth as true love always does. Let Your Spirit speak to hearing ears—ours! Thank you for loving us in our imperfections and covering them with Your own. 

 “Yes, Jesus. You know all things. You know that I love You.”  (John 21:17) Oh, know the depth, breadth and height of our love, feeble as it may be. We pour it out on You, our Savior Love. That is why You saved us, so we would always share First Love! 

In Your Name Forever