Dear Friend,

Easter has come and gone, and I’m so grateful that Jesus lived and died for us. Because of all the things He has done, we have hope. I never want to lose sight of what He gave us on the Cross.

We all have responsibilities, and quite often, I find I haven’t spent as much time as I wanted to with the Lord. I think of the Book of Revelations when the Lord spoke about all of the good things the Church of Ephesus had done, but then He said in Revelations 2:4,5:

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The mention of “first love” in verse 4 makes me think of the joy I felt being newly born again knowing I was forgiven and that Jesus loved me. I was excited and so in love with Him at times that I felt like my heart would burst because it was so full of His love.

However, I went to a church that wouldn’t let me join as a member because I was divorced. I didn’t care though. I was just glad I got to go. This particular church said they were God’s elect and would reign in Heaven. I asked what I would be in Heaven, and they said I would be their servant. I still didn’t care! I was just so happy I was going to Heaven.

I’m smiling now because we know how that church believed isn’t at all how it will be in Heaven. God is not a respecter of persons. Amen. My reason for sharing all that is to point out the joy I had just knowing I was saved. I want to rekindle that fire and enjoy my first Love, which is Jesus.

The lack of peace and joy that I see in people at times—myself included—is really a lack of the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22,23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I wish I could say that the family of God is operating more in the fruit of the Spirit than it is. The anger and strife I see amongst so many Christians show that many have fallen from their first Love—Jesus.

Jesus is a love Advocate. He stated more than once in Scripture to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34; John 15:12; First Thessalonians 4:9; First John 3:23; Second John 1:5).

I want to encourage you today to seek Jesus with all of your heart—that we can be a light to a lost and dying world. I know that many of you are doing this with a passion already, and I’m grateful for all of you.

Jesus did it all for us. There is great joy and peace knowing He gave His life for us because He loves us that much.

My prayer is that we all go deeper into God, conforming more to the image of His Son every day: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).

In His love,

Donner Roberson