The First Love Effect
Jeremiah 6:16
The ancient path spoken in this scripture is the path to success in any relationship–the key is prayer. A crossroad could be considered a fork in the road, a position in life, or in a relationship, where the decision to go left, to go right, or to go forward is at hand. When at a crossroad, the ancient path of prayer is the key to any sustained or healthy relationship.
1. Return to the Foundation of Prayer
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10
Jesus paid the price for our sins and redeemed us so that we can have healthy souls, healthy hearts, and healthy relationships. But it all begins with prayer. Before we can have healthy relationships with others, we need to have a consistent and healthy relationship with God which is intentionally developed through prayer. He is our sustenance in this life, and any type of relationship, whether it is a spouse or friend, should never replace our relationship with God. God is our foundation and everything else should be built upon that foundation.
2. Let the Holy Spirit Shape Your Identity
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8
Jesus came to this world to die for us so the Holy Spirit can live inside of us and provide us with a close and intimate relationship with Him. This relationship will produce things in our soul that no other relationship can. This does not only refer to relationships with people, this also applies to relationships with our phone, our career, or anything that can influence our identity. Without God being at the center of any of our relationships, healthy success will be challenging.
3. Receive Your Identity as a Child of God
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
God is our father and our relationship with Him is very special. This relationship gives us our identity, our value; therefore, allowing us to be a blessing to all the relationships around us. There is no other relationship that can fulfill us like our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We are His children and have the honor and privilege of going boldly to His throne of grace where we receive His kindness and His help we need no matter what we go through. It is at that throne of grace that changes who we are transforming us into more of who He is. We love because He first loved us.
4. Intimacy in His Presence
As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.
Psalm 42:1
The love of God fills the empty spiritual void in us all. There is nothing else in this life that can do that. Through our salvation we enter into that extraordinary relationship with God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. It is not religion, it is a relationship which is found through intimacy in His presence. God loves His children and desires for us to have life more abundantly.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The first love effect begins when we return to the simplicity of knowing God personally. At every crossroad, prayer keeps us anchored, His Word keeps us steady, and His presence keeps our hearts full.
When our relationship with Him is healthy, every other relationship flows from that strength.
God is not calling us into religion; He is inviting us back to intimacy. As we choose the ancient path again and again, we will find rest for our souls and renewed joy in walking closely with Him.
