How often do we start something with lots of excitement only to have it fizzle? Oftentimes we continue going through the motions but the zeal we had at first just isn’t there.
It might have been a relationship, a New Year’s resolution (ahem…), a good book, a new diet, an exercise routine.
Yep, all left by the wayside.
But what about our relationship with God? Do we fizzle out there too?
I have a feeling that our walk with God is not that much different. Except in this case, it’s a matter of life and death, isn’t it? Eternity hangs in the balance.
After being a Christian for 21 years I’ve come to realise just how much I need God. In fact, I probably need Him now more than when I took those first faltering baby steps of faith. Because you see, I‘ve been around the block a few times, spiritually speaking.
And having been around a while, I have the tendency to think that I know.
I know the rules, know what’s expected, know what to say and not say.
You guessed it, I think I know it all.
And worse, I tend to recall great spiritual feats and rest my laurels right there. Except those spiritual highs were eons ago.
Could it be that I’ve lost touch with my first love?
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Well, I just can’t run that risk. So, I’m getting back to the basics and rekindling my love for God.
Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says:
‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty,
‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.
That’s why my grace goal (aff) for this year is simple but powerful.
As I focus on becoming new, there is just one thing that I’m giving my full attention to: I am going back to the basics and falling in love with God all over again.
To keep my goal ever before me, I’m on the lookout for spiritual resources to help me in my walk with God. I found several really good ones online. As I look into them myself, I share them here to offer you some inspiration – just in the event that you need to rekindle your spark as well.
I suggest that you consider each one prayerfully. If you choose to read, follow, sign up, join in, whatever it is, please be sure that it fits with your beliefs.
Also, I encourage you, above everything else, to make prayer and Bible study your priority. All these devotionals and challenges are helpful only to the point that they supplement and invigorate your personal walk with God. There is no substitute for the real deal.
So let’s jump in and get that spark shining brightly again!
Resources to Help you Shine
All of these resources are free but some are time-sensitive, so just click on each text link to find out more.
5 Unique Bible Reading Plans by Christi at The Cheerio Trail
Loving my Actual Life Challenge by Erica at Passionfruitful Life
21 Day Fasting Plan by Jaime at Like a Bubbling Brook
How to Wake up your Faith by Lauren at Lauren Gaskill Inspires
Trading Fear for Faith series by Valerie at Cord of 6
Inscribe the Word (January Scripture Writing Plan) by Erika at The Felicity Bee
How to Find Delight in Doctrine series by Dawn (Dawn Klinge) and Melanie (Melanie Redd)
The Relationship Project by Deb at Counting My Blessings
5-Day Hope Toolkit by Lori at Lori Schumaker
Makeover Your Family Bible Study Challenge by Sarah Ann at Faith Along the Way
What about you
Are you getting back to the basics too? Maybe you want to return to your first love as well? Let’s do it together, friend. Grab your Bible, spend some time in prayer, and let us worship the One True God. He is worth it! And by the way, so are you.
For the rest of January, I’ll be focusing on spiritual disciplines. Next week, I’ll have a special guest and some treats that you won’t want to miss.
Then at the end of the month I’m introducing a fun, new series about what it looks like to live out our faith. I hope you’ll stick around.
Wishing you blessings,
Please spread the shine and share this with your friends using the share buttons below.
And if you’re looking for more encouraging and inspiring content, check out these amazing sites where I link up my weekly posts.
Ready to shine brightly this year?
Let our Sparkle Goals Planner keep you on track. Purchase yours here!
A beautiful reminder that if we return to him, he returns to us! I love that about our God, he is so faithful! One of the best choices we can make in 2017 is to return. Blessing to you! I love your blog too, so refreshing! Blessings to you!
Marva this is beautiful! I began my relationship with my Father just last fall and I feel like I already need to take those baby steps again to rekindle what I first had. I went through my struggle and found my Father through it all and He’s kind of been on the back burner since. Time for me to rekindle! Thank you! Visiting from Grace & Truth and sharing on my blog Facebook page as well.
Marva, I’m with you – getting back to basics! Your neighbor at Susan’s today. (#38)
What beautiful encouragement to return to Him. What a challenge to always return to our first love. I think we make things way too complicated. I love that Zechariah scripture, Marva.
This post reminds me of one of my all time favorite worship songs, “The Heart of Worship” by Michael W Smith. These lines got me every single time …
“I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about you,
It’s all about you, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about you,
It’s all about you, Jesus”
It really is all about Him, isn’t it … and not all the things we make it. Thanks for the reminder, sweet friend ♥ And thank you for including my Hope Toolkit in your list of resources!
Hugs,
Lori
Great post, Marva! Blessings on your re-commitment to your first love. You inspire me!
It’s my hearts desire to draw women into a deeper relationship with Jesus too! So glad we have this in common. xoxo Looks like a nice list of reources!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED this post! What a great way to start a year. I will 100% join you in this! I hope God feels so loved in 2017 :)!
Aw…Leah, you just put a great big smile on my face. Here’s to loving God more deeply in 2017!
So glad we’re in this together.
Hugs and blessings.
The phrase “returning to my first love” stirs an aching in my soul. I remember the sweet wonder of knowing for the first time that Jesus loved me. May this longing grow in the hearts of all who call Him Savior, especially those of us who have known Him for a long time. Bless you for this reminder to seek the One who loves us with fervor.
Thanks for visiting, Wendy. My hope and prayer is that we will see Him like we did that first time — with awe and wonder. Wouldn’t it be lovely to experience that again?
What great resources these look like! My number one focus is being the branch on the vine, and seeking God’s will..while really listening beyond the noise of the world! Yet, we need each other and tools to stay the course. I love that you’re falling in love with God all over again..what more do we need?!
I love that Kathy — being the branch on the vine. It’s so key that we stay connected to the source. And as you point out, we need the support (each other and helpful resources are a great combination).
Blessings to you as you focus on His voice!
What a good word, Marva!
I love the idea of returning to our first love – to falling back in love with Jesus!
Also, thank you for including our Delight in Doctrine post. Woohoo!
Sure do appreciate you~
Melanie
You’re so welcome, Melanie. I love what you and Dawn are doing with this series and I pray many others will fall in love with God because of it. Hugs, dear friend.
Yes, I want to get back to the basics, too, this year! Your words were just the encouragement I needed. Also, thank you for including the Doctrine series in your resources. You bless me!
I feel like I’m in very good company, Dawn :-). God is calling us back and He longs to keep us close.
So glad we’re on this journey together.
Sometime we like to complicate things…LOVE your reminder to get back to the BASICS…its all about HIM! Oh how we need Him everyday! Thank you!
Chris, I have to admit that I’ve been found guilty of trying to complicate things a time (or two). 🙂 But as you say that it reminds me of what Jesus said — his commands are not burdensome. Isn’t that amazing?
I love this, Marva! And thank you so much for including The Relationship Project! Wow, you bless me, Girl!!! I’m excited to check out these other resources as well. How I need Him as my first love! Blessings and big hugs!
Deb, you have been such an inspiration to me that it was my pleasure to point to what God is doing through you. Hugs and blessings right back!