Daily Devotionals

Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life

Devotional: April 1st

My very first car was one that I had taken a number of rides in during my teen years. It was a 1956 Chevrolet BelAir two door hardtop with a 265 cc. V-8 and black rolled and tucked interior. I bought it from my grandfather for the princely sum of in the summer of 1970. I put a lot of miles on that car in a short period of time. It was the car I took with me to Kentucky Christian College which was three and a half hours from my home in Jeffersonville, Ohio. It was the car I drove to my preaching assignments which were always at least 90 miles from KCC. I drove it to my fiance's house in Virginia a couple of times. I must have put almost 100,000 miles on that little car in a short period of time.
That's probably why the transmission went out on it early in 1972. I have had a number of vehicles since then - Fords Chevys, Dodges, Plymouths, Toyotas, VWs - but that first car will always remain my favorite. I courted my wife in it, started preaching with it and palled around with my best buds in it. Firsts are always remembered. Like the first time you gave your life over to Jesus. Remember the feeling? Perhaps it was somewhere between fear and ecstasy. Perhaps it was extreme anticipation or relief. How do you feel about it now? Was Jesus your first love? Have you tried over the years to recapture the feeling you had that day you accepted Him as Lord and Savior?

Life can break down on us. We can go from giddy new convert to grizzled church member in nothing flat. We can get so wrapped up in the nuts and bolts of being a Christian that we forget to love Jesus. My wife and I keep love stirring between us by going out on dates once in a while. You remember dates? Those little slices of joy between two people who want to spend their lives together but only have an evening to enjoy.

Jesus understands what happens to us battle hardened Christians. "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and have not and found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name's sake and not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works." Revelation 2:2-5

Time to go on a date with the Lord. Time to sing His praises at the top of your lungs, to pray to Him like you've never talked to Him before, to take the Lord's Supper (communion) with a tear in your eye for His sacrifice. It is time, good friends, to fall in love with Him all over again.