Given these solemn warnings of these last days:

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

We are constrained to continuously rekindle the flame of our first love. Of course the love that is referred to is Agape:


G26
ἀγάπη
agapē
ag-ah'-pay
From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.


As in the warning to the church at Ephesus:
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 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.

I am convinced that the greatest challenge presented to believers in these last days is that of keeping that first love ignited and alive.

In this day in time when NO ONE is exempt from those moments when the flame of love is in danger of growing cold, what do YOU do when you find yourself in that situation? When iniquity abounds all around you to such a degree that your memory of the greatness of God’s love momentarily seems foggy, and you hardly even want to pray…

What do YOU do?

Paul told Timothy:

2Ti 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.


How do YOU go about stirring up the gift ... rekindling the flame to keep it alive in the midst of torrential rainstorms of iniquity?

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Michael Strickland

Sometimes a hymn such as this one helps in such a moment for me:

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Author: Isaac Watts

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Michael Strickland

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Lisa

spending time with God.

seeking to be blameless.

wanting a continuous connection to the Lord.

watching my words and heart.

repenting.

loving how much better God is than money and fame

Study the WORD. Read it knowing this document is written for ME. It is God's letter to me so I can learn to know him better. When I understand the WORD to be such, I find wonderful truths that will end up filling my heart to overflowing with such admiration - worship - for who God is, his greatness. He becomes my hero. God likes that very much - I know he does because he just gives me more insight into how great He is. Makes modern novels, movies look trite boring because God is far superior. The knowledge gained fills me with delight and joy. I love it and I know God does, too.

He is wonderful!

Let me share one thing...

I am reading Joshua. We know how they crossed the Jordan River, but have you ever considered how much of the river was dried up so the people can cross over? Some experts say it could have been up to 18 miles! And that is not all. At the north end the water stood up on a heap!! Imagine that, if you can!! Ok, now the people are across and the occupants of Canaan are scared spitless and who would not be...go read for yourself. Absolutely fascinating.

And God did it all.

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Sandra Miller

I can tell you how NOT to keep it alive. Stay busy with the affairs of this life. Run yourself ragged each day and fall into bed exhausted each night. Watch a lot of television and never miss the latest movie. Get a hobby or two or a few interests and get them out of proportion with the rest of your life so that they consume a lot of your time and resources. Think often and continually about yourself. In fact, focus on yourself most of all.

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Travis

Thank you all for your input.

On another thread requesting prayer, mama27 wrote:

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Michael Strickland

Thanks Travis. God convicted me about TV an other such trivial time wasters when I was 11 years old. I'll soon be 49 and I haven't missed those things. When co-workers mention sports and entertainment stars, they giggle about the fact that I have no clue who they are talking about ... yet they don't know who Baruch and Jephthah and Boaz and a host of other really important people are.

My greatest joy is that of pouring out my alabaster box on the feet of Jesus for others for whom He died to save. What makes it hard is when in spite of the alabaster box being broken and poured out for Jesus for them ... they walk away from it all and choose iniquity. It really hurts.

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Michael Strickland

A great thought for us all. My approach has been fasting & prayer, repentance, and worship. Being thankful out loud never hurt either!
I agree with Lisa. One of the over looked blessings of speaking in tongues with the Holy Spirit is that we are edified and this was God's idea.

Russell

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Russell

Wonderful, thoughtful, and effective means for fanning that precious flame within us. God as able and willing to not quench even that smoking flax or that one small ember.

I also would like to come along side Lisa & Russell when it comes to praying in the spirit! Praise the Lord!

Prayer in the spirit as well as prayer with the understanding is very much like gasoline is to the engine, no gas, engine won't run.

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David Fella