Returning To My First LOVE

Photo by Flavio on Unsplash

Here are steps I took to get unstuck to find true freedom in the Son once again (not necessarily in order, some of which overlap, and many of which have been recycled throughout various seasons of my life thus far):

Recognizing

I realized I’m nothing without Him and can do nothing apart from Him. John 15:5

Recalling

There was freedom I once experienced in Christ and desperately need Him to live this life. John 8:36, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1

Returning

I returned to Him in hope He would accept me back into the sheepfold by calling on His Name for I was stuck in a deep pit after straying and walking far away from Him until falling helpless and unprotected as prey to the enemy. Matthew 18:12-14, Joel 2:13, Zechariah 1:3, Revelation 2:1-7, Psalm 40:1-3

Repenting

I turned away from my sin to ask for forgiveness from all my iniquities, to ask Him to create in me a pure heart, and to ask that He renew a right, steadfast, and loyal spirit in me to sustain me as He restores to me the joy of His salvation. 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 32:5, Psalm 38:18, Psalm 51:1-13, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 55:6-7, Jeremiah 26:3, Ezekiel 18:21-23

Receiving

I accepted HIS forgiveness and cleansing me from all unrighteousness often and continue to do so. 1 John 1:9

Relegating

I dealt with the consequences reaped from my sin choices of disobedience and did not despise HIS discipline to correct me in HIS love that I might truly despise the sin once committed beforehand so as to not fall into further willful sinning. Romans 7:11-13, Hebrews 12:4-6

Renewing

I read and meditated on the Word to renew my mind on truth and hide HIS Word in my heart so as not to sin against HIM. Romans 12:2

Requesting

I asked for His help with persistent prayer for a sound mind in granting me HIS peace that surpasses all understanding to guard my heart and mind in Christ JESUS. Philippians 4:6-7

Refocusing

I thought about, meditated on, wrote poetry about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8

Recollecting

I wrote what I was thankful for each day in a journal for many years to focus on GOD’s goodness. Psalm 50:23

Relying

I depended on GOD’s promises for faith in Him, hope from Him, and love within and through Him to grow , mature, and bear good fruit while abiding in Christ while learning to trust more completely. Luke 13:1-8, John 15:4-5, 2 Corinthians 1:20

Remembering

I acknowledged HIS loving-kindness, mercy, compassion, and grace in my life through Christ often. Psalm 145, Hosea 6:3

Responding

I acted in faith, took steps of faith, fought my giants through faith, and faced my fears with faith head on to discover HE gives the victory and gives HIS perfect love that casts out all fear. Hebrews 11:32-34, Hebrews 12:1-3, Psalm 34:4, 1 John 4:18

Relating

I’ve been able to share in vulnerability with others about how the Lord has worked in my life, be there to comfort others who are struggling, encourage others with GOD’s Word, show support through listening, offer compassion’s understanding, and pray for and with them. Psalm 66:16, Psalm 71:15-16, Mark 5:19, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 12:15, Ephesians 4:32, 1 Peter 3:8, Colossians 3:12, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Timothy 2:1-6

Resurrecting

I was in utter awe of Him who resurrected me often when I had chosen to lay down my life at various junctures for others or laid down my dreams only to have them returned that aligned with HIS will for my new life to be carried out that are plans for a hope and a future HE promises. John 10:14-18; John 15:13

Reigniting

I have been relit afire with a passion for delighting in Him knowing He will give me the desires of my heart that are within GOD’s will for my life. Psalm 18:27-28, Psalm 37:3-6

Recommitting

I chose to recommit to the Word and focused on spending time reading through the entire Bible, now on my 3rd time which has brought immense dividends in my relationship with GOD in understanding HIS ways and character, in what to focus praying for, in loving HIM and others, in new ways to serve, and in preparing me for what HE has in store in doing HIS will. Psalm 119:105, John 1:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Rededicating

I’ve prayed at the altar often in surrendering aspects of my life toward being available and willing to serve in doing HIS will as HE leads and opens doors. Proverbs 23:26, Matthew 12:50, Galatians 2:20, Revelation 3:8

Relaying

I’ve shared various parts of my testimony with others and hope to share more fully in how He revives my heart, rescues and restores my soul, renews my mind, refreshes and replenishes my spirit, and redeems and re-establishes my life. Revelation 12:11, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 91:14-15, Psalm 107:17-22, Psalm 23, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:2, Jeremiah 31:25, Zephaniah 3:17 Lamentations 3:22-23, Job 19:25, Psalm 78:35, Isaiah 54:8

Reasoning

I’m believing, receiving, and conceiving that He can do immeasurably beyond what I can think, ask, or imagine. Ephesians 3:14-21

Reverencing

I’m in reverent attitude more so in that GOD is pure and holy and HE wants me to be pure and holy for HIM in order to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with HIM all my days giving HIM all praise, honor, and glory. Psalm 34, Proverbs 9:10, 1 Peter 1:13-25, Micah 6:8

Replacing

I’ve laid down my sin stronghold at His feet in prayer at the altar and He delivered me from it completely to gain purity by His deliverance. 2 Corinthians 10:4; Psalm 51:1-17 Psalm 119:9-10, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Re-examining

I’ve re-examined my relationship with the Lord and how I can move forward in a closer walk with Him. 2 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Peter 1:10-11

Repurposing

I’ve chosen to seek first HIS KINGdom and righteousness to know and do GOD the FATHER’s will in and through my Lord and Savior JESUS Christ to know Him and make Him known. Matthew 6:33, Ephesians 5:15-20

Reminding

I’m keeping in mind what He’s spoken into my life and about my life’s purpose to keep at the forefront in order to allow GOD to bring my faith to fruition. Jeremiah 29:11-13, Isaiah 43:19, 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Resting

I’m resting in what HE’s called me to and wait for HIM to direct my steps through the open doors as I believe and walk by faith. Exodus 33:14, Psalm 127:1-2, Isaiah 40:28-31, Psalm 3:5-6, Matthew 7:7-8, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6

Repositioning

I’m humbly submitting to do GOD’s will in order to obey with fervent zeal. James 4:6-10, Philippians 2:1-11, Romans 12:11

Remaining

I’m determining to live by faith to shine HIS Light, live with hope to share HIS Truth, and live for and through love in like manner to show HIS greater Love proved at all times. 2 Corinthians 5:7, John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13, Proverbs 17:17

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