Reviving Your First Love: Rekindling Passion for God

1 Kings 15-16; Romans 10; Psalm 136

I’m getting home late from our Wednesday Night service. I usually try to stay ahead in our reading by at least a day, so I’m writing this post on Valentine’s Day.

Tonight, God showed up.

I tend not to exaggerate when describing meetings. In fact, I often lean toward skepticism, having been around enough hype. I’m searching for something genuinely real.

That said, the Lord truly came to our meeting tonight.

It wasn’t the best-attended meeting we’ve had, given it’s Valentine’s Day. I hope people were spending time romancing their spouses and enjoying chocolate.

But, the Lord was with us tonight.

Some may remember the Brownsville Revival from Pensacola that started in 1995. I watched the video of Steve Hill’s sermon that marked its beginning on Father’s Day. Months later, the city was transformed, with people lining up for hours just to get into the church.

And it all started on Father’s Day.

Capturing God’s presence on video is challenging. Years later, watching Steve Hill’s sermon from that day, I thought, “Really? That’s what sparked the revival?”

I believe if we had cameras in our room tonight, what we experienced wouldn’t be captured on film either.

But God was there tonight, on Valentine’s Day!

I’m not predicting another Brownsville revival. Quite the opposite. I have no expectations other than knowing whatever the Lord does, it won’t resemble what He’s done before. He’s always doing something new.

We’re praying for a first love revolution, and it’s poignant that the Lord chose to dwell with us on a day dedicated to love. My prayer is that He would have our full affection: heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Romans 10:
20 And Isaiah, the fearless prophet, dared to declare, “Those who found me weren’t even seeking me. I manifested myself to those who weren’t asking to know me.”

I don’t see myself as the most faithful. I’ve been a prodigal, a backslider, and I’ve faced misunderstanding and struggle, even in my best years. I’m intimately familiar with my weaknesses.

But the God who loves me most has never ceased pursuing me. He’s showered me with love, found me in my darkest moments, and walked with me through every challenge, never leaving my side.

My story is not about my faithfulness but His. I wasn’t seeking Him, yet I found Him. He revealed His vast, loving heart to me when I wasn’t even looking for Him.

I can’t take credit for anything in our relationship. Nothing.

These verses resonate with me deeply. If you ponder them, they might with you as well.

And perhaps because it’s Valentine’s Day, the next lines hit harder. God has a first love: Israel.

21 Yet, regarding Israel, Isaiah says, “With love, I have held out my hands day after day, offering myself to this unbelieving and stubborn people.”

Tonight, thinking about God’s desire to be known and loved by Israel, His cherished one, moves me deeply. Whatever God is doing now, I pray it stirs Israel to jealousy. I’m praying for a first love revolution, longing for God’s love for Israel to be reciprocated.

Let’s hope for their complete reconciliation.

Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts

1. Reflecting on Presence: Describe a moment when you felt God’s presence in an unexpected way. How did this experience challenge or change your understanding of how God interacts with us daily?
2. The Power of Testimony: Reflect on a time in your life that you could describe as a “victory lap.” What were the challenges you faced, and how did overcoming them strengthen your faith? Consider how sharing this testimony could encourage others.
3. Exploring the New: In the context of faith, “God is always doing a new thing.” Reflect on the new things you see God doing in your life or community. How does this perspective shift your expectations of spiritual growth and revival?
4. First Love Revolution: Inspired by the prayer for a “first love revolution,” journal about what it means to return to your first love for God. How does this concept resonate with your current spiritual journey, and what steps can you take to deepen that foundational love?
5. Intercession for Reconciliation: Reflect on the longing for reconciliation with Israel mentioned in the post. How does understanding God’s heart for His people inspire you to pray for others, perhaps even those outside of your immediate faith community? Consider the broader implications of reconciliation in your reflections.

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