AN INVITATION TO FELLOWSHIP
10 DAY DEVOTIONAL
Day 1:
Acknowledging the Hard Work and Perseverance
Scripture:
Revelation 2:1-2
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.”
Reflection:
The church in Ephesus was known for its hard work, perseverance, and faithfulness to the truth. Jesus affirms these qualities, acknowledging that they were committed to fighting against evil and to defending the integrity of the gospel. It’s easy to get caught up in doing "good" work for the Lord—service, ministry, missions—but we must remember that our work must always flow from a heart of love for Jesus. This is a warning for us: Jesus sees everything we do, but He’s more interested in the state of our hearts than in our activity.
How often do we become so focused on working for God that we forget about spending time with God? It’s a natural temptation to get wrapped up in our tasks, thinking that what we do for God is what He values the most. But at the core, He values a heart that is fully devoted to Him, one that treasures intimacy above all.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your recognition of my labor and perseverance. I know that You see all the work I do, and I pray that my efforts will never overshadow my need for You. Help me find balance in my service, remembering that intimacy with You is the fuel that keeps me going. Rekindle my love for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2:
What Does It Mean to Leave Our First Love?
Scripture:
Revelation 2:4
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”
Reflection:
Jesus does not say that the Ephesians “lost” their first love; rather, they “forsook” it. There's a difference. When you lose something, you’re unsure of where to find it. But when you leave something, you do so intentionally, fully aware of how to return to it. Perhaps the Ephesian church had become so wrapped up in ministry, doctrine, and combating wrong doings that they neglected to keep their hearts tender and full of affection toward Jesus. Is there a possibility that we have done the same?
It’s important to reflect on what first love means in our personal relationship with Jesus. First love is the excitement, the burning passion, and the overwhelming sense of joy that comes with a fresh encounter with Jesus. It's a love that is all-consuming, untainted, and pure. Remember the days when you couldn’t stop talking about Jesus, when prayer was a priority, and when His Word seemed to come alive like never before. Jesus is calling us to return to that passionate love for Him, not out of duty, but out of desire.
Prayer:
Jesus, I admit that I have allowed other things to crowd my heart and mind. I’ve forsaken the love I had for You, and I long to return to that place of pure affection. Would You forgive me, Lord? Rekindle the flame in my heart. Let my love for You burn brighter than ever before. In Your name, Amen.
Day 3:
The Dangers of a Service-Driven Faith
Scripture:
Luke 10:38-42
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Reflection:
The story of Martha and Mary is a beautiful reminder of the importance of prioritizing time with Jesus over busyness. Martha was caught up in the kitchen, preparing and serving, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet. Jesus commended Mary’s choice, and it’s clear that in His eyes, intimacy with Him was more important than the work Martha was doing. Jesus is not telling us to abandon our duties, but He’s calling us to keep our priorities in check.
As a generation, we often confuse activity for productivity. We think that because we are doing good things, we are walking in alignment with God. But if those activities cause us to neglect the deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus, we are missing the point. Service flows from the heart, and if our hearts are not aligned with His, all our work becomes empty.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to sit at Your feet and listen to Your voice. I don’t want to be consumed by the distractions of life. Teach me to prioritize intimacy with You above all else. Let my work flow from my love for You, not replace it. In Your Saving - mighty name, Amen!
Day 4:
Re-evaluating Our Relationship with Jesus
Scripture:
Revelation 2:5
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
Reflection:
Re-evaluating our relationship with Jesus requires reflection and honesty. When was the last time you felt that burning passion for Him? The initial joy of salvation is meant to deepen and mature, but it should never lose its fervor. Jesus calls us to look back at where we’ve fallen from—not to shame us, but to invite us into restoration.
Take a moment today to think about where your relationship with Jesus stands. Are you doing things for Him because it’s routine, or do you genuinely want to be with Him? If the latter, then there’s hope! God always invites us to return to Him. No matter where we are in our walk, we can come back to that first love.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to honestly evaluate where I stand with You today. If I’ve grown cold or distracted, I ask for Your grace to return to that place of intimacy with You. I want to live in a constant, burning relationship with You. Thank You for Your invitation to come back. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5:
The Cost of Following Jesus
Scripture:
Luke 9:23
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Reflection:
Following Jesus is not about comfort, but about sacrifice. Jesus tells us that if we want to be His disciples, we must deny ourselves daily and take up our cross. Following Jesus means putting His will above our own, surrendering our desires, and making Him the priority.
There’s a misconception that following Jesus means a life of ease, but it’s not the case. It’s a call to self-denial, to crucifying our fleshly desires, and embracing the way of the cross. It’s not about a one-time decision but a daily choice to die to self and live for Christ. This kind of devotion is what keeps the fire of love burning bright.
Prayer:
Jesus, I acknowledge that following You requires sacrifice. Help me to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You faithfully. Give me the strength to choose You daily over the distractions of this world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 6:
A Call to Repentance
Scripture:
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Reflection:
Repentance is not merely about saying sorry; it’s about turning away from the things that have taken us away from God. True repentance means humbling ourselves before God, seeking His face, and asking Him to purify our hearts.
Jesus calls us to repent when we’ve walked away from our first love, not because He wants to condemn us but because He longs to restore us. This kind of repentance brings healing, forgiveness, and a fresh encounter with His grace.
Prayer:
Father, I repent for the times I’ve let my heart wander away from You. I humble myself and seek Your face. Please forgive me, and heal my heart. Help me to turn from anything that keeps me from fully following You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 7:
The Invitation to Fellowship
Scripture:
Revelation 2:7
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Reflection:
Jesus offers an incredible promise to those who overcome and remain faithful to Him. He invites us into eternal fellowship with Him, where we will partake in the tree of life in paradise. This is not just a future promise—it’s an invitation to experience the fullness of life with Him now.
When we return to our first love, we are not just pursuing a relationship of duty but a relationship that leads to eternal joy. Fellowship with God is the ultimate reward, and it’s available to us now. His love and presence are not just for the future—they are here for us today.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the promise of eternal life and fellowship with You. I long to sit at Your table and feast with You. I ask that You draw me closer to Your heart today. Let my love for You be unwavering and steadfast. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 8:
One thing I desire
Scripture:
Scripture: Psalm 27:4 (CSB)
"I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple."
Reflection:
What is your greatest desire? If you could ask God for one thing, what would it be? For David, the answer was clear—he longed to dwell in God’s presence, to behold His beauty, and to seek Him continually. This verse reveals the heart of a true worshiper, someone whose greatest joy is being near to the Lord.
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to let distractions, worries, and ambitions pull us away from what matters most—our relationship with God. But David reminds us that nothing compares to being in His presence. The beauty of the Lord is not just about His majesty but also about His love, grace, and faithfulness toward us.
Application:
Refocus Your Desires – Take a moment to examine your heart. Are there things you've been prioritizing over your time with God? Surrender them to Him today.
Refocus Your Desires – Take a moment to examine your heart. Are there things you've been prioritizing over your time with God? Surrender them to Him today
Seek His Presence Daily – Set aside time to pray, worship, and meditate on His Word, not just out of duty but out of a deep longing to know Him more.
Dwell, Behold, Seek – Make it a daily practice to dwell in God’s presence (through prayer and worship), behold His beauty (by reflecting on His goodness), and seek Him (by pursuing a deeper relationship with Him).
Prayer:
Lord, I want to return to the excitement of my first love. I remember when I couldn’t stop talking about You, when my heart was on fire for You. Rekindle that passion in me today. Help me to take action and share Your love with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 9:
God’s Gracious Invitation to Return
Scripture:
Joel 2:12-13
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.”
Reflection:
God is always calling us back to Himself. His invitation to return is filled with compassion and grace. Even when we have fallen away, He is patient and waiting for our return. This is a loving Father, ready to embrace us and restore us to a place of intimacy.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for Your grace and patience. I know that no matter how far I’ve strayed, You are always calling me back to You. I return to You with all my heart. Fill me with Your love and restore me to fellowship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 10:
Scripture: Jeremiah 2:2 (CSB)
"Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: I remember the loyalty of your youth, your love as a bride—how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.’"
Reflection:
Do you remember the joy and passion you had when you first encountered Jesus? That deep love and devotion, the excitement of spending time in His Word, and the hunger for His presence? God longs for that closeness with us, just as He reminded Israel of the love they once had for Him.
Over time, life’s worries, routines, and even ministry can cause our hearts to drift. We may still pray, attend church, and serve, but if we’re honest, our love for Jesus may not burn as brightly as it once did. The Lord calls us to remember the devotion we once had and return to it.
Application:
Reflect – Take time to remember what your relationship with Jesus was like when you first gave your life to Him.
Repent – If your love has grown cold, acknowledge it and ask God to rekindle your passion for Him.
Reignite – Do the things you did at first: spend intentional time in His presence, worship uninterrupted and reflect on His goodness.
Prayer:
"Lord, I remember the joy I had when I first knew You. Forgive me for allowing distractions to pull me away. Rekindle my love for You, that I may seek You with all my heart again. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Hey friends, This devotional journey has been a call to rekindle your love for Jesus. As you walk through each day, remember that God desires a relationship with you—not just your service, but your heart. Return to your first love, and let His presence transform you. Your generation needs people who are passionate about Jesus, not just in word but in heart and action.
- Christiana Washington
