By Paul Chappell Saturday, Feb 1, 2014 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. Revelation 2:4-5 Robert Robinson had a difficult childhood. His father died when he was very young, and he proved to be difficult for his mother to handle alone. In hopes that a change of environment would help, she apprenticed him to a barber in the city of London when he was just fourteen. But Robinson soon found evil companions, and even at that young age became a drunkard and a gambler. At seventeen Robinson and some of his friends went to hear George Whitefield preach—not out of respect but to mock. Yet the power of the gospel began to work in Robinsons heart. Three years later, Robinson trusted Christ as Saviour. And not longer after, he began to prepare for the ministry. Still a young man, Robinson wrote a poem to go with a sermon he was to preach. We know it as the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Perhaps reflecting on his years spent in sin, Robinson penned these words: “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” If we allow life to take its natural course, the constant pressure of the world, the flesh, and the devil will draw our hearts away from God and make our love grow cold. Each of us needs to be continually renewing our love for God. On a daily basis we need to be reminding ourselves and giving thanks for the goodness and grace that He has shown to us so that we do not leave our love for Him. David wrote, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Today’s Renewal Principle: Do not allow anything to dampen the love that you have in your heart for the Lord.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 18:08:08 +0000